Chapter 297: The Spirit Map and a Gift for the Heavenly Demon Kui
"She even said that if Tianluo Hall has complaints, they are welcome to take them to the Nine Colored Heaven Swallowing Python Clan."
In the North of Tiancang, within the rear courtyard of the Tianlan Sect, Xiao Tiance furrowed his brows at Chu Changhe's report.
He hadn't expected the existence of the Nine Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, a divine beast clan of such prominence in the Great Thousand World. Even in the original Great Ruler series, this clan was never mentioned, leaving Xiao Tiance uncertain of their exact capabilities.
Still, the thought of Medusa being taken by this clan eased his worries slightly.
If the Nine Colored Heaven Swallowing Python Clan had intervened, Medusa's life was likely safe. Given a few months for her Dou Qi to fully transform into spiritual energy, her strength would undoubtedly improve.
Moreover, thanks to the Nine Colored Primal Stone provided by Huang Jiuji, Medusa's bloodline had already been elevated to match the purity of the Nine Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. Her bloodline was likely indistinguishable from the purest of their kind.
After pondering briefly, Xiao Tiance asked, "Chu Changhe, do you know where the Nine Colored Heaven Swallowing Python Clan resides?"
The Serpent Continent
Chu Changhe nodded. **"Yes, Lord Tiance.
The Nine Colored Heaven Swallowing Pythons are a divine beast clan capable of rivaling the Phoenix Clan, the Roc Clan, and other supreme divine beast lineages.
However, they are proud and notoriously difficult to deal with. Even other divine beast clans struggle to maintain harmonious relations with them.
Because of this, the Nine Colored Heaven Swallowing Python Clan has long resided on a separate continent Serpent Continent.
Serpent Continent is a paradise for snake type spirit beasts, located in the far southern reaches of the Great Thousand World. Its hot, humid climate is perfect for their kind.
But the journey there is fraught with danger. Even Heaven Supreme powerhouses would think twice before venturing into its territory."**
The Spirit Map
While explaining, Chu Changhe retrieved a Spirit Map and handed it to Xiao Tiance.
Spirit Maps were essential in the vast expanse of the Great Thousand World, recording routes and landmarks to prevent travelers from becoming hopelessly lost.
Xiao Tiance didn't take the map immediately. Instead, he inspected it carefully. He noticed that the map radiated faint spiritual energy, indicating that it was a spiritual artifact.
Chu Changhe pointed at a glowing dot on the map and said respectfully, **"Lord Tiance, this spot here is our current location Tiancang North on the Tiancang Continent. The Serpent Continent is located far to the south.
Even at your speed, it would take two to three months of non stop travel to reach it."**
Xiao Tiance studied the map. The distance between Tiancang Continent and Serpent Continent was enormous, spanning countless miles.
After a moment, he turned to Chu Changhe and said, **"Chu Changhe, I come from a lower plane. This is my first time in the Great Thousand World, so I don't have a map like this.
Would you be willing to give it to me? I can offer something of equal value in exchange."**
Before Xiao Tiance could finish, Chu Changhe hurriedly waved his hands. **"Lord Tiance, now I understand why you've said your strength has not fully recovered despite being a Five Star Sovereign.
You must have been a top tier powerhouse in your lower plane.
As for this map, there's no need for an exchange. Though it is a mid grade spiritual artifact, it pales in comparison to the value of associating with someone like you.
Consider it a small gesture of goodwill from me and the Tianqiong Academy."**
The Spirit Map's Value
Xiao Tiance silently agreed that the Spirit Map was relatively low in value within the grand hierarchy of artifacts:
Low Grade Spiritual Artifact
Mid Grade Spiritual Artifact
High Grade Spiritual Artifact
Peerless Spiritual Artifact
Quasi Divine Artifact
Divine Artifact (Low, Mid, High, Peerless)
Quasi Sacred Artifact
Sacred Artifact (Low, Mid, High)
Quasi Supreme Sacred Artifact
Supreme Sacred Artifact (Spirit, Immortal, Holy Tiers)
Transcendent Artifact
The map, as a mid grade spiritual artifact, held some utility but wasn't invaluable.
Still, Chu Changhe's offer came from a deeper calculation. He was acutely aware that building goodwill with a powerhouse like Xiao Tiance could pay dividends far beyond the value of a mere artifact.
A Favor for Tianqiong Academy
Xiao Tiance accepted the map and said, **"Very well, I'll accept Tianqiong Academy's goodwill.
Should your academy ever require my assistance, you may send word to me directly."**
Preparing a Gift
As Chu Changhe relaxed, Xiao Tiance continued, **"I'll be leaving Tiancang North soon. But before I go, I need to refine a few items.
I'll need your protection during this process, and in return, I'll craft something for you. Is that acceptable?"**
Chu Changhe was thrilled and agreed immediately. He even offered to provide any materials Xiao Tiance might require.
However, Xiao Tiance declined. The materials he needed were already in his possession.
The Refinement Process
An hour later, as Chu Changhe and Bai Lan waited outside the courtyard, an intense wave of heat surged from within.
The oppressive heat terrified the onlookers, as even Chu Changhe's Supreme Body could disintegrate if exposed to such temperatures.
Nearby, Elder Wuyun whispered to Bai Lan, "Sect Master, this must be the same flame Lord Tiance used to incinerate the Soul Devouring Forest. Its temperature is beyond terrifying."
Bai Lan nodded, glancing toward the courtyard with a mix of awe and fear.
"Quiet down and wait. Do not mention the Soul Devouring Forest again. Lord Tiance has already compensated us generously. Bringing it up again would be disrespectful."
"Understood," Elder Wuyun replied hastily.
In the rear courtyard of Tianlan Sect, Chu Changhe finally turned his attention to Bai Lan and Chu Jiaoyu after focusing entirely on Xiao Tiance and the golden flames he wielded. Only now did he notice the drastic changes in their power levels.
"Lan'er, Jiaoyu... your strength…" Chu Changhe asked in surprise.
In the Great Thousand World, miraculous treasures that could boost one's power did exist, but raising an entire realm in such a short time without leaving side effects was unheard of.
A Gift Beyond Measure
Chu Jiaoyu laughed joyfully. "Father, it's all thanks to Lord Tiance. He gave Lan ge and me a pill. With his help, our strength advanced to the late stage of the Transformation Heaven Realm!"
Bai Lan smiled wryly and added, **"That's right, Father in law. Lord Tiance personally refined the pill for us.
Unfortunately, my talent is lacking, so I've only reached the late stage of the Transformation Heaven Realm. But Jiaoyu, who was an entire sub realm below me, is now at the same level as I am!"**
Chu Changhe's eyes widened. He couldn't help but marvel.
Xiao Tiance had already stunned him with his Five Star Sovereign strength, the ease with which he laid down a Grandmaster level formation, and his skill in alchemy. Each of these alone was enough to earn the respect of the Tianqiong Academy.
Now, this?
If not for the Nine Colored Heaven Swallowing Python Clan intervening and taking away the woman Xiao Tiance sought, the Tianqiong Academy could have gained a favor from him. Chu Changhe himself might have leveraged that achievement to join the Tianqiong Academy's main branch.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Protecting the Sect
"Lan'er, Jiaoyu," Chu Changhe finally spoke after a moment of contemplation. **"You are fortunate to have met a supreme powerhouse like Lord Tiance.
For now, the Lord appears to be refining something important. If you have no urgent matters, I want you both to manage the Guardian Array and ensure that no disturbances arise. Those small factions in Tiancang North have been restless lately. Don't let them act recklessly."**
"Yes, Father/Yes, Father in law," Bai Lan and Chu Jiaoyu replied in unison, bowing before leaving with Elder Wuyun.
Xiao Tiance's Refinement
Back in the courtyard, the ruins of the once pristine estate bore witness to Xiao Tiance's work. He had no qualms about further destruction as he prepared to refine a Heavenly Demon Kui.
To test compatibility with the spiritual energy of the Great Thousand World, Xiao Tiance started with the body of a Three Star Dou Saint. If it failed, it wouldn't matter much to him since this corpse was one of the weaker ones he had brought from the Dou Qi Continent.
This particular Heavenly Demon Kui would be a gift for Chu Changhe.
Three days later, under the burning Golden Emperor Flame, the process was complete. The creature stood tall, exuding a powerful aura that rivaled a Five Star Sovereign.
A Gift of Power
Looking at the motionless Heavenly Demon Kui, Xiao Tiance didn't infuse it with his own soul power. Instead, he sent a sound transmission: "Chu Changhe, send me a wisp of your soul power."
Chu Changhe didn't hesitate. He knew that separating a fragment of his soul could cause damage and leave him vulnerable. If Xiao Tiance harbored ill intent, he could exploit that fragment to inflict severe harm or even death.
However, with Xiao Tiance's strength, such effort was unnecessary. If he wanted to eliminate Chu Changhe, it would be as easy as lifting a finger.
Without delay, Chu Changhe sent a wisp of his soul power toward Xiao Tiance.
As soon as it entered the Heavenly Demon Kui, Xiao Tiance used the Golden Emperor Flame to fuse it, causing a surge of sharp pain in Chu Changhe's soul.
A Guardian for Chu Changhe
Before Chu Changhe could cry out, he suddenly felt a strange connection. His soul seemed to enter a vast space, and within that space, he could sense a powerful entity waiting for his command.
Moments later, the towering Heavenly Demon Kui floated to Chu Changhe's side.
**"Chu Changhe, this is a Heavenly Demon Kui. Its current strength is roughly that of a Five Star Sovereign.
You can control it to accomplish anything you wish. Consider it my gift to you."**
Shock and Gratitude
Chu Changhe froze. Xiao Tiance's tone was casual, but the weight of his words was monumental.
A Five Star Sovereign combatant gifted as casually as one might give a trinket?
This was generosity on a scale Chu Changhe had never encountered.
"Thank you, Lord Tiance! Thank you!" Chu Changhe exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement.
The thought of possessing such a powerful guardian filled him with elation. As a mere Two Star Sovereign, he now had the means to stand toe to toe with a Six Star Sovereign.
Preparing for Greater Heights
Inside the courtyard, Xiao Tiance smirked, dismissing Chu Changhe's gratitude without a word.
For him, this Heavenly Demon Kui was of little value. It was merely one of the weakest Dou Saint corpses he had brought from the Dou Qi Continent.
What truly mattered to him was the Dou Di corpse of Fifth Qinghou, which he had obtained in the spatial passage.
**"Fifth Qinghou... Even after countless years of death, your body still exudes such an overwhelming aura.
No wonder Ling'er remembers you as a Dou Di powerhouse. Let's see what kind of Heavenly Demon Kui I can craft from your remains!"**
As Xiao Tiance prepared for his next refinement, an immense pressure radiated from the Fifth Qinghou's body.
Across the entire Tianlan Sect, except for Xiao Tiance, everyone felt this oppressive might. It pressed down on them, suffocating and unrelenting.
"Such overwhelming power…" Xiao Tiance laughed heartily. "This will be interesting."
(Chapter End)
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