Chapter 460: Xiao Tiance Distributes More Heavenly Demon Puppets and Reunites with Old Friends
"Besides, that little girl is the only daughter of the lord of White Jade Capital. Do you think he'd let her study at our Five Academies?"
In the void, after the headmaster of the Myriad Phoenix Academy said this, the other three headmasters of the Five Academies looked at the headmaster of the Holy Spirit Academy with exasperation.
It was absurd. While the Five Academies held considerable prestige across the Dou Qi Continent and many aspiring cultivators longed to study there, how could someone like Xiao Bai Ying, the only princess of White Jade Capital, even consider them?
In terms of reputation, resources, and faculty, White Jade Academy, which was under White Jade Capital's domain, surpassed the Five Academies by leagues.
"Hah, you old fool, stop dreaming. Let's move on and look at other candidates," the headmaster of Northern Cang Academy said, mercilessly mocking the Holy Spirit headmaster.
"Indeed, this girl has no ties to our Five Academies," added the Azure Sky Academy's headmaster.
The Martial Spirit Academy's headmaster didn't say much but wore an equally mocking expression.
The Holy Spirit headmaster, undeterred by their reactions, chuckled. "Since you all feel this way, I'll personally go to White Jade Capital to recruit her. And if I succeed, don't come crying to me."
"Pfft!"
The Myriad Phoenix Academy's headmaster couldn't hold back her laughter. "I didn't think you'd still cling to that ridiculous hope. Fine, if you somehow manage to recruit White Jade Capital's princess into your Holy Spirit Academy, I won't object."
"Hahaha, and neither will we at the Martial Spirit Academy," their headmaster added.
"Foolish dreams," the Azure Sky headmaster scoffed, declining to comment further.
As for the Northern Cang Academy's headmaster, he merely chuckled. His academy did share a slight connection to White Jade Capital after all, he had been gifted a Heavenly Demon Puppet by Xiao Tiance himself.
But now, with White Jade Capital standing as an unparalleled powerhouse, even he wouldn't dare dream of recruiting Xiao Bai Ying, much less attempt to deepen ties with such a lofty entity.
Half a Month Later
At White Jade Capital's headquarters, Xiao Tiance awoke to find Xiao Bai Ying sound asleep in his arms. He smiled warmly at the sight of his daughter.
Since her mother, Medusa, had gone to the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan, and her caretaker, Huang Min, was helping Xiao Yan establish the Endless Flame Realm, Bai Ying had no one else to rely on.
Normally, she would run off to sleep beside Medusa or Huang Min, but now Xiao Tiance had to step in as her caregiver.
After gently kissing Xiao Bai Ying's forehead, Xiao Tiance began to get dressed. To his surprise, the little girl woke up, her adorable voice calling out, "Daddy!"
Turning around, Xiao Tiance saw her smiling at him, her big, sparkling eyes full of joy.
He scooped her up with a chuckle, helped her dress, and then took her to eat breakfast. Once they had eaten, Xiao Xuan arrived and smiled. "Tiance, City Lord Mo Yang and the others have arrived."
"Great. Have you eaten yet, Brother Xuan?" Xiao Tiance asked.
"I've already eaten, but just seeing this little girl makes me feel hungry again. Go ahead, I'll stay here and play with her for a bit," Xiao Xuan laughed.
"Alright!"
Xiao Tiance wasn't surprised. Before he returned to White Jade Capital, Xiao Xuan had been the one looking after Xiao Bai Ying. She was close to him and immediately reached out to be held by her "Uncle Xuan."
Laughing heartily, Xiao Xuan picked her up, kissed her cheek, and made her giggle uncontrollably. Xiao Tiance smiled at the scene before leaving.
In the Grand Hall
When Xiao Tiance arrived, Mo Yang, Huang You, Di Piaoxue, Dragon Venerable, Tong Sihai, Jiu Yuan, Tian Luo, and Mu Ling were all present.
"Greetings, Immortal Sovereign!" they said in unison, bowing respectfully.
"Haha, no need for formalities. Please, take a seat. I've gathered you all here to give you something that will strengthen your safety," Xiao Tiance said warmly.
As he spoke, eight white jade bottles floated into the room, followed by eight Heavenly Demon Puppets, each radiating immense power at the Celestial Heavenly Sovereign level.
"Hiss!"
The gathered experts gasped in shock. The white jade bottles likely contained valuable pills, but it was the eight towering Heavenly Demon Puppets that stole their attention. Each one exuded a terrifying aura, leaving everyone speechless.
"There's no need to be so surprised," Xiao Tiance said with a smile. **"The jade bottles contain a special pill called the Ascending Spirit Moon God Pill.
Made with the rare Ascending Spirit Moon God Flower as its primary ingredient, these pills won't directly help you break through realms like the Nine Strand Breakthrough Pill, but they'll greatly enhance your comprehension when you encounter bottlenecks.
As for the Heavenly Demon Puppets, each one is at the Celestial Heavenly Sovereign level, though their strengths vary.
Mo Yang, as you guard Zhu Xian City, which faces frequent dangers, I've assigned you a puppet at the late stage Celestial Heavenly Sovereign Peak level.
The rest of you may choose one for yourselves, whether for defense or intimidation."**
As he finished, the jade bottles floated to their respective recipients, and the eight puppets extended their hands, each holding a jade token.
"Immortal Sovereign, how do we control these puppets?" Mo Yang asked, barely able to contain his excitement.
The others also leaned forward eagerly.
Xiao Tiance chuckled and explained, "The jade tokens are the key to controlling them. Drip your blood onto the token to establish a secondary connection with the puppet. Only you will be able to control it, and no one else aside from me can override it. I'm sure you're already familiar with their capabilities."
"Thank you, Immortal Sovereign!"
The group bowed deeply, their gratitude apparent.
"No need for such formality. Go ahead and bond with your puppets," Xiao Tiance said with a wave of his hand.
The group wasted no time, each quickly taking their jade token and binding it with their blood.
Among the group, only Tian Luo didn't bond with a puppet. After all, he himself was a Heavenly Demon Puppet and lacked blood to perform the binding ritual.
Seeing this, Xiao Tiance smiled faintly and pointed to the puppet beside Tian Luo. "Tian Luo, your situation is unique. Keep the Ascending Spirit Moon God Pill for someone you think truly needs it. As for the puppet before you, you only need to safeguard its jade token to command it."
Hearing this, Tian Luo grinned. Being a unique Heavenly Demon Puppet, his appearance was indistinguishable from that of a regular human. However, his true nature was still that of a puppet, making his case different from the others.
Xiao Tiance had anticipated this and designed the puppet's control to be entirely dependent on the jade token. Moreover, this particular puppet lacked any external control mechanism it was directly tied to Tian Luo's split soul. Xiao Tiance trusted Tian Luo completely, knowing he would never betray him or misuse the puppet.
A Mission and Instructions
Once everyone had bonded with their puppets, Xiao Tiance addressed the group:
**"I'll be away for a time to attend a funeral. I may be gone for an extended period, so I entrust White Jade Capital to all of you.
Especially regarding Zhu Xian City, where the threat of external demons may strike unpredictably. City Lord Mo Yang bears a heavy burden, so if he seeks assistance, I hope you'll drop everything and provide your support immediately."**
"Understood, Immortal Sovereign!" the group replied with a bow.
Xiao Tiance then turned to Tian Luo. "Tian Luo, accompany me to the funeral."
He decided to bring Tian Luo along, as he would also be traveling with Xiao Bai Ying. Tian Luo, being a split soul of Xiao Tiance, treated Xiao Bai Ying as his own daughter and could assist in looking after her, allowing Xiao Tiance to focus on other matters.
"As you wish, Immortal Sovereign," Tian Luo replied respectfully.
Preparing for Departure
Before leaving, Xiao Tiance turned to Jiu Yuan and instructed:
"Jiu Yuan, send word to the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan in the Heavenly Serpent Continent. Ask when my wife will be returning."
"Understood, Immortal Sovereign. I'll dispatch someone immediately," Jiu Yuan responded respectfully.
With his instructions delivered, Xiao Tiance dismissed the others and began his journey.
The Journey Through the Transmission Array
Half an hour later, Xiao Tiance, Tian Luo, and Xiao Bai Ying stepped into the teleportation array. A pillar of spiritual light shot into the sky, and the trio disappeared in an instant.
Within the transmission tunnel, Xiao Bai Ying clung to Xiao Tiance's neck, her curiosity piqued by the glittering lights surrounding them.
"Daddy, what are those shiny things?" she asked sweetly.
Smiling warmly, Xiao Tiance explained, "Those are stars, very far away from us, but their light reaches this tunnel."
"Far away? But they look so close, like I can reach out and touch them," Xiao Bai Ying said, confused.
Tian Luo chuckled softly, his expression indulgent. "Little one, those lights only seem close, but they're actually very, very far from us."
"Oh! Like the stars in the sky?" Xiao Bai Ying tilted her head, thinking.
"Exactly. Just like the stars in the sky," Tian Luo affirmed with a smile.
"Thank you, Uncle Tian Luo!" Xiao Bai Ying said sweetly, flashing a smile that melted Tian Luo's heart.
"Haha, you're too adorable, little one," Tian Luo replied, playfully ruffling her hair.
Before long, Xiao Bai Ying grew sleepy. The journey through the transmission arrays was lengthy, and the monotony of the tunnels made her drowsy.
Carefully cradling her in his arms, Xiao Tiance turned to Tian Luo with a knowing smile. "Jealous?"
Tian Luo chuckled. "How could I not be? But you are me, so in a way, she's my daughter too."
"Haha, fair enough," Xiao Tiance said with a laugh.
A Special Funeral
Tian Luo shifted the conversation. "Where is this funeral being held?"
Xiao Tiance replied, "On the Sacred Hidden Continent, located between the Floating Tuo Clan and the Tai Ling Clan. It's a massive secret realm, unmarked on any spiritual maps."
Tian Luo frowned slightly. "I've never heard of the Sacred Hidden Continent. Are we traveling directly, or will we rendezvous with others?"
"We'll meet Senior Qin Tian from the Great Thousand Palace at the next transmission exit. From there, we'll follow his lead."
Tian Luo nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at the sleeping Xiao Bai Ying.
Arrival and Old Faces
After several days and countless arrays, Xiao Tiance and Tian Luo finally arrived at the final exit.
As they stepped out, familiar faces greeted them though many were adversaries.
Among the crowd were Mo He Tian, the young master of the Mo He Clan, Xi Tian Zhan Huang, the War Emperor of the Western Heaven Battle Hall, Feng Xuan, the current leader of the True Phoenix Clan, and elders from the Black Dragon and Black Phoenix Clans.
These elders, both at the early Saintly Heavenly Sovereign level, exuded the overwhelming presence of primordial beasts, standing as a testament to their divine heritage.
"The Lord of White Jade Capital is here," murmured several observers, though none dared to approach recklessly.
However, the Black Dragon and Black Phoenix elders weren't so reserved. Their intimidating auras surged directly at Xiao Tiance.
Unfazed, Xiao Tiance smiled faintly as Tian Luo took Xiao Bai Ying into his arms. Xiao Tiance's aura surged to meet the incoming pressure, neutralizing it effortlessly.
The Black Dragon elder chuckled. "Impressive! As expected of the Lord of White Jade Capital. Such rapid progress, yet your foundation remains so solid. Remarkable!"
The Black Phoenix elder, however, sneered. "The famed Lord of White Jade Capital, the one who humiliated my True Phoenix Clan so thoroughly. If I had been present, none of your people would've escaped alive!"
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