Chapter 344: "Youngster Lin Dong, Greetings to the Two Holy Sons"
"So, it seems the two clan leaders have decided not to honor the West Heaven Battle Hall's face?"
Within the Ancient Secret Realm, Ling Zhanzi's cold voice echoed, and the atmosphere grew palpably tense. The faint but intense surges of spiritual energy emanating from the four Earth Sovereign level experts caused even the surrounding air to tremble.
If a newly ascended Sovereign were present, the mere residual energy would likely be enough to crush them alive.
Opposite them, Bone Changming and Ao Tianxiu exchanged a glance. Although neither of them responded immediately, their attitudes spoke volumes.
Yes, the West Heaven Battle Hall was undoubtedly the most powerful force on the West Heaven Continent. With a single move, the West Heaven Battle Emperor could obliterate their two clans without breaking a sweat.
But both leaders had already weighed their options. It was better to risk displeasing the Battle Hall now earning a mere restriction in resources or space than to provoke Xiao Tiance, a rising powerhouse with immense potential. At worst, they'd lose some territory, but the Battle Emperor wouldn't sully his hands to eliminate them entirely.
With neither side speaking further, the tension thickened. Just as Ling Jianzi seemed ready to make a move, Ling Zhanzi raised his hand to stop him, shaking his head subtly.
Ling Zhanzi then sneered.
**"It seems the two clan leaders truly have no regard for the West Heaven Battle Hall. Fine. Let's see how this plays out.
"While we may not be your equals today, if we wished to retreat, you wouldn't be able to stop us.
"When we leave the secret realm, we'll settle this properly."**
With a wave of his hand, a spatial vortex appeared behind him. Without hesitation, Ling Zhanzi led Ling Jianzi through it, disappearing from sight.
Ao Tianxiu's spiritual energy flared momentarily, but before he could act, Bone Changming grabbed his arm.
**"Brother Ao, there's no need for this.
"While we might have the upper hand against them, Ling Zhanzi is correct they can escape if they truly wish.
"It's better to let them leave now and focus on securing treasures in this secret realm. When we return to the outside world, as long as the West Heaven Battle Emperor doesn't intervene personally, our clans will remain safe."**
Hearing this, Ao Tianxiu suppressed his energy and stood down.
Meanwhile, just before stepping through the vortex, Ling Zhanzi and Ling Jianzi both cast a final, furious glare at Ao Tianxiu and Bone Changming before vanishing entirely.
This anticlimactic conclusion to a tense standoff made sense. If the pursuing party had been Winter Elder instead of the two Holy Sons, it might have escalated into a fierce battle.
Unfortunately or fortunately for the Holy Sons, Ling Zhanzi and Ling Jianzi lacked the strength to overpower Ao Tianxiu and Bone Changming, both pinnacle Earth Sovereigns.
Similarly, the two clan leaders were wary of the repercussions of outright killing the Holy Sons, given their ties to the Battle Emperor and their prominent status within the Battle Hall.
Thus, the confrontation ended inconclusively, with neither side gaining nor losing ground.
Unbeknownst to both parties, their entire exchange had been meticulously recorded by Shi Hao, an expert at evasion and concealment. He promptly sent the information to Xiao Tiance, who was already en route.
Although Shi Hao's combat strength was average, his stealth abilities were exceptional. His cautious approach ensured that he delivered critical intelligence, helping Xiao Tiance stay ahead of his adversaries.
"Brother Bone, it seems we've truly offended the West Heaven Battle Hall this time. Judging by their usual practices, life won't be easy for us going forward," Ao Tianxiu remarked with a sigh after the Holy Sons had left.
Bone Changming shook his head, his smile tinged with irony.
"It couldn't be helped. To be honest, if you hadn't vouched for Winter Elder and persuaded me to join this mess, I wouldn't have involved myself in the conflict between Xiao Tiance and the Battle Hall."
His tone carried a hint of regret. As it turned out, one of Bone Changming's clan members had witnessed Xiao Tiance's companions Xiao Yi Xian, Gu Xun'er, and Qinghou ascend in strength. Had it not been for Ao Tianxiu's persuasion, Bone Changming would have sent only a few capable subordinates to accompany Winter Elder, avoiding direct involvement.
When Bone Changming first crossed paths with Xiao Tiance, he immediately recognized him as the figure his clansman had reported, further deepening his unease about siding against Xiao Tiance.
Winter Elder's decision to redirect promised rewards to the Black Sky Ancient Clan without consulting them cemented Bone Changming's decision to leave, as he couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal and foreboding.
"I know, Brother Bone. I've dragged you into this mess," Ao Tianxiu admitted with a rueful smile, his tone heavy with guilt.
Bone Changming waved dismissively.
**"Brother Ao, there's no need to shoulder all the blame.
"If Winter Elder hadn't so blatantly reneged on his promises to you, I wouldn't have left either.
"And I trust that if our roles were reversed if it were I being slighted by the Battle Hall you would have done the same for me."**
Ao Tianxiu nodded firmly.
"Of course! Our clans have always stood together, advancing and retreating as one. If they had treated you that way, I wouldn't have turned a blind eye either."
With their camaraderie reaffirmed, Bone Changming sought to lift his companion's spirits.
**"Enough dwelling on what's past. Brother Ao, we have no need to worry excessively.
"If the Battle Hall truly manages to defeat Xiao Tiance and retrieve the Heavenly Dao Mirror, we'll simply send them a generous gift afterward to smooth things over.
"However, I have a feeling that Xiao Tiance isn't someone who will be easily killed by the likes of Winter Elder or the Black Sky Ancient Clan.
"If he survives, I suspect he'll take the fight directly to the West Heaven Battle Hall. If he manages to overthrow them, well… wouldn't that be quite the spectacle?"**
Ao Tianxiu's brows furrowed at the thought.
**"That's unlikely, isn't it? No matter how extraordinary Xiao Tiance may be, surely he isn't a match for the West Heaven Battle Emperor.
"After all, the Emperor is a Divine grade Heavenly Sovereign. Since reaching that level, neither the West Heaven Continent nor its neighboring regions have dared provoke him…"**
"Of course, I genuinely hope to see someone who can defeat the West Heaven Battle Emperor," Ao Tianxiu said after a brief pause, shaking his head with a bitter smile.
For far too long, the world had suffered under the oppressive rule of the West Heaven Battle Hall and the West Heaven Battle Emperor.
Deep down, Ao Tianxiu and Bone Changming truly wished for Xiao Tiance to overturn the dominance of the West Heaven Battle Hall and its emperor.
However, they both knew that such thoughts were nothing more than wishful thinking. At least based on their prior encounter with Xiao Tiance, his current strength was still far from being able to challenge the West Heaven Battle Emperor.
Meanwhile, as Xiao Tiance and his group pressed forward, he suddenly received a recording from Shi Hao.
After watching the recording, Xiao Tiance burst into hearty laughter. Turning to his companions, who also wore amused smiles, he said:
**"I thought that with the addition of two Earth Sovereign pinnacle level experts from the Black Sky Ancient Clan, the West Heaven Battle Hall would have a massive advantage in this secret realm.
"But to think they've already started fighting amongst themselves over spoils they haven't even obtained yet!
"This internal strife has worked in our favor it's truly a case of their gain becoming their loss."**
"Tiance, you're absolutely right. Winter Elder made a grave mistake this time," said Luo Tianshen with a grin, almost wanting to clap in delight.
"If he had kept things quiet, given Ao Tianxiu and Bone Changming's personalities, they definitely wouldn't have split from them so soon."
For Luo Tianshen, this was poetic justice. While the West Heaven Battle Hall had not directly suppressed the Luo God Clan too harshly, after the death of the Luo Goddess, the Battle Hall had taken dozens of their women.
Women of the Luo God Clan were renowned throughout the Great Thousand World for their beauty. The Battle Hall's actions had left them humiliated and oppressed for years.
Now, following Xiao Tiance, they finally felt a glimmer of hope and revenge.
"Hehe, it doesn't matter," Xiao Tiance said, shaking his head.
**"Ao Tianxiu and Bone Changming are indeed powerful. Even I would need to expend some effort to take them down.
"With them splitting off early, I don't have to waste time or energy dealing with them.
"Still, we can't afford to let our guard down. The Black Sky Ancient Clan's Black Dragon and Black Phoenix are no ordinary opponents. Let's keep moving. When we're closer, I'll share the plan with you all."**
Meanwhile, on Winter Elder's side:
Thanks to the addition of Black Dragon and Black Phoenix, Winter Elder felt confident their chances of acquiring the Heavenly Dao Mirror had significantly increased.
Watching the seal weaken under the relentless erosion of dark attribute spiritual energy, Winter Elder couldn't help but smile.
"Xiao Tiance, your days are numbered. Once I claim the Heavenly Dao Mirror, your life will be mine."
As these thoughts brewed in his mind, he noticed Ling Zhanzi and Ling Jianzi returning. Judging by their expressions, it was clear they had failed to retrieve Ao Tianxiu and Bone Changming.
"Winter Elder," they said respectfully, bowing.
Winter Elder waved his hand dismissively. He had not expected much success in their mission, but confirming the outcome still made his anger simmer.
"You've done well," he said, suppressing his fury.
After all, Ling Zhanzi and Ling Jianzi had already warned him when the Black Sky Ancient Clan joined their ranks.
In truth, the addition of Black Dragon and Black Phoenix, whose strength and abilities to break the seal were superior to Ao Tianxiu and Bone Changming, had been a calculated decision by Winter Elder.
Unfortunately, his unilateral choice to redirect the promised rewards to the Black Sky Ancient Clan had sown discord.
"It wasn't a difficult task, Elder," Ling Zhanzi said with a bitter smile.
"But without Ao Tianxiu and Bone Changming, our strength relative to Xiao Tiance's group has weakened considerably."
Ling Jianzi chimed in grimly, "Elder, Ao Tianxiu and Bone Changming are so ungrateful. Once we leave the secret realm, I'll report this to my master and personally visit their clans to demand an explanation."
Winter Elder, however, shook his head.
**"No, let's set this matter aside for now. You handled this situation well by confirming their attitude without escalating it.
"Although Ao Tianxiu and Bone Changming are Earth Sovereign pinnacle experts, fighting them now would only risk pushing them toward Xiao Tiance's side.
"As it stands, our alliance with Black Dragon and Black Phoenix puts us in a position of strength. Even a Spirit grade Heavenly Sovereign would find it difficult to handle the combined might of the two.
"Once we breach this seal and acquire the Heavenly Dao Mirror, the balance will decisively shift in our favor. We'll settle all accounts then."**
Winter Elder's eyes gleamed with malice as he spoke. The past few days had been rife with misfortune, and he blamed it all on Xiao Tiance.
"Elder, rest assured, we'll handle this," Ling Zhanzi said.
Winter Elder smiled faintly.
**"Good. By the way, I've heard from Xiong Ba that he's recruited a rather powerful individual, someone whose strength rivals his own.
"This person appears to have also come from a small world to the Great Thousand World.
"Meet this newcomer and see if their talents are worth cultivating. If they are, forge a connection.
"If Xiao Tiance becomes desperate and kills Ling Longzi out of spite, having an additional capable ally will help compensate for the loss."**
Ling Zhanzi and Ling Jianzi exchanged surprised looks before quickly nodding.
While Ling Longzi wasn't particularly close to them, his relationship with Ling Feizi was much stronger. If Ling Longzi were killed, they'd undoubtedly face some blame from the West Heaven Battle Emperor.
But if they brought in a new talent with comparable strength, it would help mitigate any fallout.
"Understood, Elder. We'll go now. If this person's strength and potential are promising, we'll ensure they join the Battle Hall."
Winter Elder nodded in approval.
Not long after, Ling Zhanzi and Ling Jianzi arrived where Xiong Ba was stationed.
From afar, they immediately spotted a man holding a thunder staff. As they observed him, the man turned his gaze toward them.
"Ah, this must be the individual who has impressed Xiong Ba," Ling Zhanzi remarked, bowing respectfully alongside Ling Jianzi.
The man holding the thunder staff returned the gesture.
"I am Lin Dong. Greetings to the two Holy Sons."
(End of Chapter)
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