Chapter 485: A Choice and the Final Ultimatum
"Moreover, I think the Outland Demon Tribe breaking their three day attack cycle is likely connected to their movements," Lu Tong stated.
Great Thousand Palace Branch, Sacred Abyss Continent
Hearing this, Qin Tian's tightly furrowed brow eased slightly. However, concern still weighed heavily on him. The current situation with Xiao Tiance was dire. Surrounded by so many Demon Emperor level experts, even though Qin Tian knew Xiao Tiance was immensely powerful, he couldn't help but worry.
Likewise, although Lin Dong, Xiao Yan, and their companions were strong enough to escape from a late stage Heavenly Demon Emperor if necessary, Qin Tian feared they might encounter a true top tier Demon Emperor a situation that would spell disaster.
"Sigh. There's no better plan for now," Qin Tian said wearily. "Lu Tong, I'll leave the Sacred Abyss Continent in your hands. Without Tiance to oversee the battlefield at Zhuxian City, and with Lin Dong and Xiao Yan in the Outland Demon Territory, I must personally monitor the situation. If the Outland Demon Tribe launches a large scale invasion and breaches the northern defense lines, it will mean extinction for billions in the Great Thousand World."
Lu Tong nodded solemnly. "Understood, Grand Elder. Don't worry about the Sacred Abyss Continent. Even without Tiance, he left fifty Heaven Demon Puppets, most of them at the Celestial Sovereign stage, and we still have several of our senior members here. If we face an emergency, we can always call on the Five Ancient Clans for reinforcements."
Qin Tian nodded in relief. "Good. If that's the case, I won't delay further. I'll head to White Jade Pavilion first and then oversee the battlefield at Zhuxian City."
Without another word, his figure vanished, leaving the Sacred Abyss Continent at high speed.
Lu Tong, now left in charge, began making thorough preparations for the potential war.
Outland Demon Territory, Near Liyuan Continent
Lin Dong, Xiao Yan, Huai En, Huang Min, Ling Yun, and Zi Yan stood amid the remnants of a battle. After eliminating the final early stage Heavenly Demon Emperor, Xiao Yan extinguished his Emperor Flame.
Turning to his companions, he asked, "Brother Lin, everyone have you noticed anything unusual?"
Lin Dong and the others exchanged glances, each coming to the same conclusion.
"They're too weak!"
"It's too easy!"
"We've swept through several continents, and the strongest enemy we've faced is only a mid stage Heavenly Demon Emperor. This shouldn't be happening."
"Agreed. Unless something major has drawn all their top tier powerhouses elsewhere."
Xiao Yan nodded as the group voiced their observations. "You're right. Something big must have happened. According to what Senior Lu Tong told us, Tiance Patriarch and Senior Qin Tian went to rescue that elder. If they've been discovered and surrounded, it would explain this situation."
Huai En and Lin Dong immediately chimed in, "Liyuan Continent, Sacred City!"
"Exactly," Xiao Yan agreed. "The Sacred City is where the elder was imprisoned and is the heart of the Outland Demon Tribe's power. Whatever is happening, it must be centered there."
Lin Dong then outlined two possible courses of action:
"We have two choices. First, we continue our current massacre. With our combined strength and teamwork, we can sweep through even the strongest of the thirty two major Demon Tribes. This would draw their attention and relieve pressure on Tiance and Senior Qin. At the same time, we'd deal a devastating blow to the Outland Demon Tribe's forces."
"Second," Lin Dong continued, "we abandon the current operation and head straight for Sacred City. There, we might act as a surprise force. If Tiance and Senior Qin need help, we can join the fray and turn the tide."
Xiao Yan nodded but added cautiously, "Brother Lin, your analysis is spot on, but we have to consider this: if we encounter someone like the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor, it'll be like throwing meat buns to a dog we won't come back."
Huai En weighed in next. "If it were me, I'd choose the second option. If all their top tier forces are in Sacred City, then it must be related to Tiance and Senior Qin. If they're being surrounded, their chances of survival grow slimmer by the minute. Even if we wipe out the thirty two tribes, if Tiance falls, our mission is a failure. It wouldn't be worth it."
Ling Yun agreed. "Brother Huai En is right. Killing the Demon Tribe is secondary; ensuring Tiance and Senior Qin's safety is our primary goal. Without them, the blow to White Jade Pavilion and to all of us would be immeasurable."
Huang Min and Zi Yan both nodded in agreement. "Their safety comes first."
Seeing the unanimous consensus, Lin Dong and Xiao Yan shared a look and nodded in agreement. "Then it's settled. We'll head for Sacred City."
Turning to Zi Yan, Lin Dong added, "Zi Yan, we'll need your spatial abilities to ensure we aren't detected as we approach Sacred City. Your power will be crucial."
Zi Yan smiled confidently, patting her chest. "No problem. Ever since I reached the Spirit tier Heavenly Sovereign stage, my spatial abilities have undergone a second awakening. As long as we don't actively release energy, even top tier Demon Emperors won't notice us if we share the same space."
Lin Dong nodded in approval. "Good. Let's move. Time is critical."
Zi Yan immediately activated her spatial abilities, enveloping the group in a sphere of void energy. In an instant, they disappeared, heading for Sacred City at breakneck speed.
Back to Sacred City, Liyuan Continent
Within the golden barrier of the spirit array, Xiao Tiance launched a double punch, sending both the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor and Nine Heaven Corpse Demon Emperor staggering backward. Shock filled their eyes.
Despite no longer using his secret technique, Xiao Tiance's combat power remained virtually unaffected.
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor's voice trembled slightly as he muttered, "How is this possible? Even without his secret technique, Xiao Tiance's strength hasn't diminished at all."
Despite Xiao Tiance's speed being slightly inferior, the combination of Three Thousand Lightning Movement and the divine skill Star Shift made up for it.
Moreover, the golden flames that would usually pose little threat to top tier Heavenly Demon Emperors like them were now rapidly incinerating the body of the Dark Heavenly Demon Emperor, who was clutched tightly in Xiao Tiance's grip.
"AHHHHHH!"
The agonizing screams of the Dark Heavenly Demon Emperor echoed without pause. It was clear that if the golden flames continued to burn, he might truly be killed.
Seeing this, the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor held back the Nine Heaven Corpse Demon Emperor, who was about to charge forward, and shouted loudly:
"Xiao Tiance, let Dark Tian go! This emperor promises to let you leave Sacred City safely."
Xiao Tiance squinted his eyes and snorted coldly. **"Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor, what's the rush?
This guy's filthy mouth deserves a punishment so painful that it burns into his soul. Besides, none of you are in any position to bargain with me right now.
And don't think I'm unaware your demon emperors outside are trying to break my spirit array, aren't they? Let me make it clear: this array's core is me. As long as I don't die or willingly deactivate it, no matter how many of your people attack, you'll never break this Trapping God Array."**
Xiao Tiance cast a quick glance at the Dark Heavenly Demon Emperor, whose body and soul were still being incinerated by the Golden Emperor Flame of Burning Heavens. He then struck the demon emperor's body with his other hand.
The screams stopped abruptly.
The sudden silence seemed almost eerie. Xiao Tiance, now smiling faintly, looked back at the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor and the Nine Heaven Corpse Demon Emperor.
**"Heh, now that there's no more noise, let's talk. You think you can use a swarm of demon emperors to intimidate me? That might work on others, but it's useless against me.
The initiative has always been in my hands. Unluckily for your foul mouthed Dark Tian, he's not just disrespectful; he's also the one responsible for the destruction of the Heavenly Dao Sect.
Tell me, why would I spare him?"**
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor Responds
Hearing this, both the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor and the Nine Heaven Corpse Demon Emperor looked grim.
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor's aura surged once more as he glared at Xiao Tiance, growling:
**"Xiao Tiance, don't push us too far. If you force my hand, I'll ensure you regret it deeply. Do not underestimate the foundation of my divine race there are powers far beyond your imagination.
If you remain stubborn, don't blame me for paying the necessary price to end you."**
Xiao Tiance frowned slightly. He didn't think the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor was bluffing. His real concern wasn't a life or death fight with the demon emperor trio but the possibility that the demon emperors outside might abandon their attack on the array and turn their attention toward the Great Thousand World.
If thirty late stage Heavenly Demon Emperors and dozens of mid stage ones launched a full scale assault on the Great Thousand World, there would be no force capable of stopping them.
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor noticed Xiao Tiance's hesitation and sneered. **"What's the matter, Xiao Tiance? Cat got your tongue? Don't think I haven't figured out your weakness.
You and Qin Tian revealed yourselves because you were worried we'd invade the Great Thousand World. Isn't that right?"**
"You dare!"
Xiao Tiance roared, and a powerful surge of spiritual energy filled the array.
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor and the Nine Heaven Corpse Demon Emperor exchanged sinister smiles. Xiao Tiance's reaction confirmed their suspicions.
"Heh, I was right," the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor continued. **"If that's the case, it's simple. Release Dark Tian, and I'll personally guarantee your safe departure.
Otherwise, I'll order every divine race warrior outside this array to launch an all out assault on the Great Thousand World starting with the Sacred Abyss Continent and the Zhuxian City battlefield. How about that?"**
The Nine Heaven Corpse Demon Emperor chimed in maliciously, "Xiao Tiance, think carefully. Don't let a moment of stubbornness bring total ruin to your White Jade Pavilion, your family, and everything you've built."
Xiao Tiance's Response
Hearing their threats, Xiao Tiance's expression darkened. His cold gaze fixed on the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor and the Nine Heaven Corpse Demon Emperor. His tone was equally icy:
**"Do you know what happened to the last person who dared threaten me? Their grave has long been overgrown with weeds, and even their bones have turned to dust.
You want to threaten me? You're playing a losing game."**
With that, Xiao Tiance stomped the void, and another spirit array rapidly emerged. Within moments, a dense fog enveloped the entire area, sealing off the space entirely.
"Wait! Xiao Tiance, what are you doing? Are you really going to ignore the lives of the Great Thousand World's people?" the Nine Heaven Corpse Demon Emperor shouted anxiously.
Xiao Tiance laughed mockingly. "Don't you villains ever learn? If you'd actually given the order to attack earlier, I might've been worried. But now? This sealed space cuts off all communication. No orders can get out."
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor chuckled sinisterly. **"Oh, Xiao Tiance, did I forget to mention? Before delivering this ultimatum, I'd already given my orders.
If, within half an hour, I fail to convince you, every divine race warrior outside this array will march toward the Sacred Abyss Continent and the Zhuxian City battlefield.
So, Xiao Tiance what will you choose now?"**
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