The next day, Tang Xiao made his preparations and arrived at the main hall, accompanied by Ning Ruoyan.
Last night, he had once again pondered over the possible ways to pull the deviated plot back onto its original track.
Because of the butterfly effect caused by his actions, he had been pushed into a difficult position.
The importance of Ah Yin's spirit bone to him went without saying.
In Tang Xiao's opinion, the age of a spirit bone was, in fact, even more important than the age of spirit rings.
If he truly became a god in the future, the age of his spirit rings could be cultivated to millions of years within the Divine Realm. Spirit bones, however, were entirely different.
The spirit bones one absorbed determined the quality of the divine armor formed after ascending to godhood.
Divine weapons— even for a God King— were ultimate tools capable of deciding the outcome of a battle. A First-Class God wielding an Ultra Divine Tool could even rival a God King in combat strength.
For God Kings themselves, determining superiority did not solely rely on cultivation, but rather on the number and tier of divine tools they possessed.
The ranking of divine tools, from highest to lowest, was: Ultra Divine Tool, Pseudo Ultra Divine Tool, True Divine Tool, Divine Tool, and Pseudo Divine Tool.
In the original novel, it is said that, the Asura Armor forged by Tang San was even stronger than that of the former Asura God, directly reaching the level of a True Divine Tool.
This was because Tang San was born in the era of spirit beasts. By absorbing extremely high-aged soul bones, the divine armor he formed far surpassed that of the first-generation Asura God, whose armor had been condensed purely from divine power.
Thus, the practicality and importance of soul bones were paramount— for Tang Xiao, even more so than spirit rings.
If he wanted to replace his two arm bones with hundred-thousand-year spirit bones— or even higher— he had no choice but to obtain Ah Yin's soul bone and absorb it as one of his six bones.
But this was where the headache began.
He was struggling to find a way to get Ah Yin killed.
Revealing her location to Spirit Hall might seem simple, but the consequences were severe.
First, the reputation of the Clear Sky Sect would suffer a heavy blow.
Second, many sect members could die.
Third, since Ah Yin's presence within the sect was known only to a few, Tang Hao would inevitably become suspicious— perhaps even harbor direct hatred toward him.
Fourth, and most critically, events might spiral beyond his predictions.
The first three consequences, although troublesome, would not truly hinder Tang Xiao. Tang Hao's hatred or the loss of clan members meant little to him at his current level of strength.
But the fourth consequence was unacceptable.
There was a possibility that Ah Yin might not produce a leg bone— but instead an arm bone.
If that happened, he would have nowhere to cry.
The butterfly effect had already begun. Tang Xiao did not want to gamble his future on luck.
The only way to ensure that the soul bone produced suited his needs was for him to personally end Ah Yin's life. Only then would the soul bone formed be a part he lacked.
But doing so would completely cut off many of the backup plans he had prepared for the unborn Tang San.
Because of all this, Tang Xiao had fallen into deep dilemma.
In the end, he could not make a decision.
Lose the chance at a peaceful life and godhood— or lose Ah Yin's soul bone.
Either choice would result in a tremendous loss.
"The only choice now is to wait until Tang San is born and then maneuver carefully… If everything truly goes wrong, I'll personally end Tang Hao and Ah Yin's lives and raise Tang San myself."
By the time his thoughts settled, Tang Hao and the two elders had already arrived.
Tang Xiao withdrew his scattered thoughts and smiled as he returned their greetings.
"Big Brother," Tang Hao greeted.
"Greetings, Sect Leader. Everything is prepared," the two elders said.
"Mmm. Then we shall depart without delay."
After bidding Ning Ruoyan farewell, Tang Xiao departed with the three toward their destination— the Far North.
Given the distance between the sect and the Far North, this journey would take several months.
By the time he returned, some of the instructions he had given Ning Ruoyan and Tang Yuehua would likely be completed.
If the Clear Sky disciples and affiliated clans worked efficiently, the construction of the academy and the new sect might even reach its middle stage. With the help of commoners and external soul masters, completing construction within five or six months was not impossible.
For all of Tang Xiao's plans, only time was required.
...
Heaven Dou Empire Palace
Seated upon the high throne, Emperor Xue Ye listened as Xue Xing urgently reported his findings.
"Brother Emperor, the Clear Sky Sect has requested control over the lands surrounding the Sunset Forest— thousands of miles. They appear to be planning the construction of an academy. Our intelligence also indicates that the Clear Sky Sect Leader intends to move the sect from Star Luo Empire to our Heaven Dou Empire."
Xue Xing spoke rapidly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Yet beneath his urgency lay unmistakable joy.
The Clear Sky Sect acquiring land around Sunset Forest was no small matter. If left unchecked, they could monopolize the entire forest.
Furthermore, the sect relocating to Heaven Dou could either be a major opportunity— or a threat.
But as Emperor Xue Ye listened, he felt only joy.
Unprecedented joy.
"Hahahaha… Hahahaha!"
Xue Ye laughed heartily.
The world's number one sect relocating from Star Luo to Heaven Dou meant a direct shift in power. Star Luo would lose influence, while Heaven Dou would rise.
If the move was finalized, all three Upper Sects would reside within his empire.
To Xue Ye, this was the kind of news that would make him wake up laughing every day.
It was even possible that Star Luo— which had long harassed Heaven Dou— would finally cease its provocations.
For an empire that was inherently weak and lacked Titled Douluos in this era, this was truly a pie falling from the sky.
"Xue Xing… agree. Agree to everything," Xue Ye said decisively.
"Let them have as much land as they want. You may even add more. As long as the selected area does not exceed four times the size of Clear Sky City, it shall be a gift from this emperor. Not a single gold coin required. Hahaha!"
Land was the one thing empires never lacked.
Why should he be stingy?
If anything, he wanted to outdo the Star Luo Emperor— to let the Clear Sky Sect see that Heaven Dou was far more generous.
As for monopolizing the Sunset Forest's spirit beasts?
Xue Ye dismissed it casually. He saw no reason for the Clear Sky Sect to do such a thing.
"Xue Xing, Sect Leader Tang Xiao truly is a man of character," Xue Ye said with satisfaction.
"The very first thing he does after assuming leadership is to move the sect here. Hahaha!"
The Sunset Forest lay at the heart of Heaven Dou Empire, close to Heaven Dou City itself.
With the Clear Sky Sect stationed there, Xue Ye felt safer than ever— even more so than with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
It was practically a defensive wall for the capital.
"Indeed, Brother Emperor," Xue Xing said with a grin.
"I wonder how that bastard from Star Luo is feeling right now— assuming he even knows yet."
"Hahaha! Yes, yes! I truly wish I could see his face!"
Xue Ye's laughter echoed throughout the palace.