Chapter 381: The Situation Turns Dire, Time to Leave
"From now on, I'll do nothing else but wage war against your Fire Spirit Clan. A battle to the death how about it?"
Near the teleportation array on the Commerce Continent, Xiao Tiance's declaration made both the Fire Spirit Clan Ancestor and the Clan Leader momentarily freeze.
The sheer weight of his words was undeniable.
If Xiao Tiance truly followed through on his threat, the Fire Spirit Clan would face unrelenting harassment. Aside from their two Heaven Sovereign powerhouses, none of their members would dare step outside their territory. Moreover, with Xiao Tiance's talent having reached the Heaven Sovereign realm so soon after entering the Great Thousand World his future potential was terrifying.
"Do you realize what you're saying?" The Ancestor's expression turned stormy as he locked eyes with Xiao Tiance.
"Hah! Old fool, of course, I know what I'm saying. What, do you think I'm bluffing?" Xiao Tiance's laughter rang out, arrogant and unrestrained.
In truth, he hadn't expected this confrontation with the Fire Spirit Clan. He had no prior dealings with them, no history of enmity. If the people confronting him today were his old foes, like the Western Heaven Battle Sovereign or the Black Heaven Clan, it would have made sense grudges repaid, blood for blood.
But the Fire Spirit Clan? Out of nowhere, they'd come acting all high and mighty. Since they wanted a fight, he'd gladly oblige and ensure they paid the price.
If push came to shove, Xiao Tiance was prepared to unleash his wrath. The so called rule prohibiting the killing of Heaven Sovereigns? To hell with it. If they pushed him too far, he'd march to their territory, set up hundreds of spirit arrays, and wipe them off the map.
"So, is it war or not? What's your decision?"
The Ancestor and Clan Leader exchanged a long, grim look.
They were stuck.
Facing the unrestrained rage of a Heaven Sovereign like Xiao Tiance, they couldn't afford to gamble. The consequences of being wrong were unthinkable. A rampaging Heaven Sovereign could plunge their clan into endless misery, making every day a nightmare.
"Young friend, let's not escalate things," the Ancestor finally said, his tone softening.
"Hah! You two old fools came looking for trouble, and now you want to back out?" Xiao Tiance's aura erupted in full force as he sneered.
At the same time, he secretly transmitted a message to Ling'er: "Prepare the spirit arrays. If they push us further, we'll kill these two and end it here."
"Understood, young master," Ling'er replied promptly, her hands already forming seals in preparation. She, too, was furious at the sudden provocation from the Fire Spirit Clan.
"You " The Fire Spirit Clan Leader appeared beside the Ancestor, visibly angry, but before he could say anything, the Ancestor raised a hand to stop him.
"Young friend, you're being too impulsive," the Ancestor said with a strained smile. "We have no desire to become your enemies. Our earlier actions were merely to gauge your strength after hearing about your extraordinary talent from Tong Sihai of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce."
He chuckled weakly. "Now that we've confirmed your strength, there's no need for further conflict. Let's put this matter to rest, shall we?"
Xiao Tiance's lips curled into a mocking smile. He wasn't buying it. Anyone with half a brain could see through this excuse. The Fire Spirit Clan Ancestor was simply too afraid to risk his clan's safety by provoking him further.
"Hah, a convenient excuse," Xiao Tiance retorted coldly.
Behind him, Xiao Xuan, Huang Jiuji, and the others had regrouped. Although they hadn't been able to overwhelm the Clan Leader in battle, they had held their ground admirably.
Now, standing united with Xiao Tiance, their confidence was unshaken.
The Ancestor's face twisted slightly, but he forced a strained smile. "You're new to the Great Thousand World, so perhaps you don't fully understand our customs. Earlier, we were merely testing your abilities. Let's end this on good terms. Here, take this fire based divine technique as compensation for any offense caused."
He reached into his storage bag and pulled out a scroll. Just as he was about to toss it to Xiao Tiance, the latter raised a hand to stop him.
"Keep it. I don't need it. Divine techniques like these are a dime a dozen to me."
The disdain in Xiao Tiance's voice was unmistakable.
The Ancestor's expression darkened, but he managed to suppress his anger.
Deep down, he was seething. The Fire Spirit Clan had reigned for tens of thousands of years, yet today, they were being humiliated by an upstart. However, the Ancestor was shrewd enough to see the bigger picture.
A protracted feud with someone as unpredictable and relentless as Xiao Tiance would spell disaster for their clan. If their enemies in the Great Thousand World caught wind of this conflict, they'd surely exploit it to strike against the Fire Spirit Clan.
"Young friend, if you don't wish to accept our gesture of goodwill, then let us part ways here. We'll take our leave."
With that, the Ancestor gestured to the Clan Leader, who reluctantly nodded. The two began retreating, their flames slowly dissipating as they suppressed their anger.
Xiao Tiance didn't move to stop them but kept his cold gaze locked on the retreating figures.
"You'd better remember this moment," he said, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "If your clan dares provoke me again, I promise, there won't be a second chance."
The Ancestor and Clan Leader paused for a moment, their expressions unreadable, before disappearing into the distance.
Once they were gone, Xiao Xuan approached, his battle intent still simmering. "Why let them go, Tiance? We could've taken them."
Xiao Tiance shook his head. "Not yet. Fighting them to the death here would've cost us too much. We've sent a message today next time, they won't dare come at us so lightly."
Everyone nodded, understanding his reasoning.
Still, Xiao Tiance's expression remained grim.
"This isn't over. Prepare yourselves. The Fire Spirit Clan won't let this go so easily."
"So, you just admitted that it was Tong Sihai from the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce who provided you with information about me?"
Upon hearing this, the Fire Spirit Clan Ancestor's body trembled slightly. He immediately realized Xiao Tiance intended to vent his anger on the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, specifically on Tong Sihai.
The Ancestor hesitated he wanted to avoid making an enemy of someone like Xiao Tiance at all costs. Beyond that, Xiao Tiance wasn't the only concern; the talented group of Earth Sovereign consummate level experts accompanying him was equally threatening.
If it came to a full scale conflict, their Fire Spirit Clan, even with two Heaven Sovereigns, might not be able to withstand Xiao Tiance and his companions' devastating potential.
Resolving himself, the Ancestor nodded and retracted the divine scroll he had offered. He smiled faintly and said, "Indeed, the information did come from Tong Sihai. The Four Seas Chamber of Commerce has had some connections with our Fire Spirit Clan in the past. However, to be honest, we don't regard him highly."
In a subtle but clear gesture, Tong Sihai was abandoned.
"Heh, excellent," Xiao Tiance said with a cold laugh. "In that case, our grievances are settled. However, I'm not one to suffer losses without taking action. Tong Sihai's life is mine to claim. Do you two have any objections?"
As he spoke, Xiao Tiance sent a message to Ling'er, instructing her to transfer control of a completed spirit array to him.
In an instant, a Grandmaster level spirit array appeared in Xiao Tiance's hand.
Both the Fire Spirit Clan Ancestor and the Clan Leader immediately noticed it, their pupils shrinking in alarm.
"A Grandmaster level spirit array!"
They couldn't suppress their gasps. A Heaven Sovereign possessing such an array was a terrifying combination. The might of such a formation could pose a serious threat even to a Saint tier Heaven Sovereign.
For the first time, the two truly grasped how dangerous Xiao Tiance was.
"We have no objections," the Ancestor said quickly, trying to maintain his composure. "Whatever happens to the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce is your business. We will take our leave now."
With a wave of their hands, the two summoned a spatial vortex behind them and swiftly retreated into it without hesitation.
Once the Fire Spirit Clan members were gone, Xiao Tiance dispersed the spirit array in his hand.
From beside him, Xiao Xuan and the others exhaled audibly, finally able to relax.
"They're finally gone," Xiao Xuan remarked, shaking his head. "This Great Thousand World is truly filled with terrifying powerhouses."
"No kidding," said Huang Jiuji. "They say Heaven Sovereigns are rare, but in such a short time, we've already encountered several of them."
Xiao Tiance chuckled lightly. "If the Great Thousand World were as weak as the Dou Qi Continent, why would we even bother coming here? Strengthen yourselves only by becoming more powerful can we gain the authority to speak on equal terms. Otherwise, even minor powers like the Fire Spirit Clan will think they can trouble us."
Although the situation with the Fire Spirit Clan seemed resolved, Xiao Tiance's eyes narrowed slightly. In his heart, this encounter left a bitter taste.
If Xiao Xuan and the others hadn't been present, he might have been forced to risk serious injury just to make the two Heaven Sovereigns of the Fire Spirit Clan pay a price.
"Don't worry, Tiance," Xiao Xuan said solemnly. "There won't be a next time."
The others remained silent, but their expressions were resolute. Even Xiao Tian Ming, who had been kept out of the battle, now fully understood: only by becoming stronger could they prevent such humiliations from repeating.
"Alright, let's not dwell on it," Xiao Tiance said, his tone lightening. "The immediate crisis has passed. However, the root of today's issue lies with Tong Sihai of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce. Let's pay him a visit and settle things properly."
"Agreed," Xiao Xuan said with a nod. "I didn't like the way he looked at us the last time we met."
"Heh, I initially stopped the others from taking action against him out of consideration for his past deeds," Huang Jiuji said coldly. "But since he dared to stab us in the back, he's forfeited any goodwill."
"Then let's move," Xiao Tiance said decisively. With a wave of his hand, he led the group back toward the heart of the Commerce Continent.
Meanwhile, at the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce
In the headquarters of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, Tong Sihai paced back and forth, his anxiety plain to see.
"Heh, President Tong, why so nervous?" Bluefield asked lazily, sipping tea with a sly smile. "The Fire Spirit Clan sent two Heaven Sovereigns one of them a Saint tier no less. Even someone like the Western Heaven Battle Sovereign would have to retreat in the face of such power."
Tong Sihai shot Bluefield a sharp glare. "Are you hiding something from me?"
"Of course not," Bluefield said quickly, putting down his cup. "I truly have a deep grudge against Xiao Tiance. I came to you fully prepared to die if necessary. I swear, I've hidden nothing."
Tong Sihai scrutinized him for a moment before muttering, "It had better be true. By now, it should all be over. But why do I feel so uneasy?"
Bluefield chuckled. "There's no need to worry, President Tong. With the Fire Spirit Clan's two Heaven Sovereigns working together, Xiao Tiance is no match for them. He's just a newcomer from the lower planes. Even if he's talented, he can't have many trump cards."
Bluefield continued confidently, "Besides, I've learned that Xiao Tiance's clash with the Western Heaven Battle Sovereign ended only because the Battle Sovereign didn't take him seriously. Otherwise, he would've been killed outright."
But before Bluefield could continue, Tong Sihai's storage bag began to vibrate with a surge of spiritual energy.
His expression shifted as he quickly retrieved the item a fire inscribed scroll used for communication with the Fire Spirit Clan.
"A message!" Tong Sihai exclaimed, hurriedly opening the scroll.
On it were just six hastily written words:
"The situation is dire. Escape quickly!"
(End of Chapter)
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