Chapter 372: Finally Found
"Haha, Senior Luo, there's no need for such courtesy. When Tiance establishes his power, it'll be a great joy if the Luo God Clan chooses to join us."
At the banquet in Luo City on the Western Heaven Continent, Xiao Xuan's words caused Xiao Tiance to glance at him in mild surprise. However, Xiao Tiance didn't say much, merely shifting his gaze to Luo Tian Shen.
Across the table, Luo Tian Shen didn't hesitate. He smiled and cupped his hands. "Emperor Xuan is absolutely right. When Lord Tiance establishes his force, the Luo God Clan will certainly be honored to join."
"Hahaha, in that case, I'll extend my welcome in advance!" Xiao Xuan laughed heartily, raising his glass to toast Luo Tian Shen.
The two men shared a drink, their smiles brimming with understanding.
Xiao Tiance knew why Xiao Xuan brought up the matter. By securing the Luo God Clan's allegiance early, their future power would grow significantly. It was a strategic move, one that Xiao Xuan who had grown more proactive after seeing the weight Xiao Tiance carried on his shoulders made to ease his younger brother's burdens.
The brothers exchanged a glance, their smiles conveying mutual understanding.
Meanwhile, Luo Tian Shen had wholeheartedly agreed, but Luo Yang, sitting beside him, frowned slightly. Yet, seeing his father's decisive words, especially in front of so many people, Luo Yang wisely held his tongue for now.
Farewells at the Banquet
The banquet lasted about two hours before everyone prepared to leave.
At the teleportation array, Tianqiong Academy's headmaster cupped his hands with a smile. **"Lord Tiance, we part ways here. Though I would've loved to host you at Tianqiong Academy, I know you have pressing matters.
"When your tasks are complete, I sincerely hope you'll visit us. I'll prepare a grand reception for you."**
Alongside the headmaster were Wansui, the academy's disciples, and others preparing to return. After all, their trip to the Western Heaven Continent had already lasted nearly two months.
"Rest assured, Headmaster. I'll make time to visit. Take care." Xiao Tiance replied with a warm smile.
After bidding farewells to Luo Tian Shen, Xiao Xuan, Gu Xun'er, and the others, the teleportation array activated, and their figures disappeared into the light.
A New Request
Back at the Luo God Clan's residence, Liu Changkong stepped forward and bowed respectfully. **"Lord Tiance, I would like to make a request. I wish to visit the Soul Bound Continent to check on the Ghost Sect's current state.
"I also want to pay respects to my teacher and senior disciples. I hope you will grant this."**
Xiao Tiance thought for a moment before nodding. "You should go. But first, hand over Liu Ming's corpse. I'll refine it into a Heavenly Demon Puppet for you. With a puppet at the Earthly Supreme level by your side, your safety will be more assured."
Liu Changkong was overjoyed. "A Heavenly Demon Puppet? Thank you, Lord Tiance! Thank you!"
He had long envied the puppets in Tianqiong Academy's and Luo Tian Shen's possession, crafted by Xiao Tiance himself. Now that he was getting one, his excitement was palpable.
Quickly, he produced Liu Ming's corpse, which had been sealed in ice to prevent decay. Xiao Tiance examined it, nodded, and stored it away.
"Refining the puppet will take five days. Use this time to gather the information I asked for. Return to me then," Xiao Tiance instructed.
"Understood, Lord Tiance!" Liu Changkong bowed deeply and left.
Worries Resurface
Not long after Liu Changkong departed, Xiao Xuan and Gu Xun'er emerged from their rooms.
"Tiance, don't worry too much. It's been so long; they've likely regained their strength. If nothing went wrong, it shouldn't take much longer to find them." Xiao Xuan patted Xiao Tiance's shoulder.
He was referring to Huang Min, Huang Lingyun, Zi Yan, and Mu Ling all still missing. Medusa's location was being investigated by Jiuyuan on the Snake Continent, as it was the ancestral home of the Nine Headed Serpents. While there was no news yet, Medusa's powerful Nine Colored Swallowing Python bloodline made it unlikely she was in danger.
Despite this, Xiao Tiance wouldn't feel at ease until everyone was accounted for and safe.
**"I know, Brother Xuan. For now, help Xun'er guide Tianming's training. His strength is far too weak. If he encounters any strong foes, he won't be able to protect himself.
"Before we left the Dou Qi Continent, Second Uncle asked me to take care of him. I can't let him come to harm in the Great Thousand World."** Xiao Tiance smiled faintly.
"Don't worry. Leave that kid to me." Xiao Xuan grinned.
Gu Xun'er also nodded in agreement before the group dispersed. Xiao Tiance then asked the Luo God Clan's guards to find him a quiet space to work.
A Strange Discovery
Once alone, Xiao Tiance began the process of refining Liu Ming's corpse into a Heavenly Demon Puppet.
As he melted the ice encasing the body, something unusual caught his attention. Without hesitation, he summoned his Golden Emperor Flame and let it engulf the corpse.
"Aaaah!"
A scream of agony erupted from the body as the flames burned.
"Spare me! Spare me!"
Liu Ming's voice, weak and trembling, echoed from the corpse.
It turned out that when Xiao Tiance had killed Liu Ming, the latter had preserved a sliver of his soul within his body, hiding deep within. Using the Ghost Sect's secret techniques, Liu Ming planned to eventually revive himself.
His plan was to wait until Liu Changkong brought his body back to the Soul Bound Continent. There, he would use the sect's forbidden techniques to fully resurrect. Once revived, he intended to seize power and exact revenge on Liu Changkong.
Unfortunately for Liu Ming, Xiao Tiance had no intention of leaving his body untouched. As a peak Upper Earthly Supreme, Liu Ming's corpse was an excellent material for crafting a Heavenly Demon Puppet.
Now, Liu Ming's scheme was nothing more than a dream shattered by Xiao Tiance's meticulous planning.
**"Hehe, you sure hid yourself well, but unfortunately for you, despite your meticulous planning, you still fell one move short.
"Die now. A dead you aligns perfectly with my expectations."** Xiao Tiance chuckled lightly, his voice tinged with calm menace. He hadn't expected Liu Ming's remnant soul to be hiding within his corpse all along.
With that, Xiao Tiance channeled his spiritual energy, igniting the Golden Emperor Flame, which surged with even greater intensity, relentlessly burning both Liu Ming's body and soul.
In terms of destructive power, few flames could compare to the Golden Emperor Flame. Perhaps only the flames that Xiao Yi Xian wielded or Xiao Yan's fused Heavenly Flames came close. Notably, during her ascension, Xiao Yi Xian had refrained from extracting the entirety of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame's essence from Xiao Yan, leaving his fused Heavenly Flames immensely powerful.
"Damn you, Xiao Tiance! You'll die a miserable death!" Liu Ming howled in pain, his voice filled with curses and rage.
However, Xiao Tiance merely smiled and replied indifferently, "Whether I die miserably or not, that's something you won't be around to see."
With a cold gleam in his eyes, Xiao Tiance further intensified the flames, enveloping Liu Ming's remnant soul completely. Within moments, Liu Ming's existence was reduced to nothingness, erased without a trace.
The Heavenly Demon Puppet
Having easily obliterated Liu Ming's remnant soul, Xiao Tiance began the process of refining the Heavenly Demon Puppet. Familiar with every step of the process, he worked swiftly and efficiently, aided by materials provided by Fatty.
After five days, the puppet was complete, and Xiao Tiance was thoroughly satisfied with the result.
The puppet retained Liu Ming's former strength, standing at the peak of the Upper Earthly Supreme level. Furthermore, as a Heavenly Demon Puppet, its physical strength was formidable enough to contend with even Earthly Supreme Perfection stage experts.
Standing before the puppet, Liu Changkong couldn't help but feel astonished. Despite having seen Xiao Tiance's Qinghou Puppet, which was at the Earthly Supreme Perfection stage, witnessing a puppet crafted from Liu Ming's body still left him deeply impressed.
Though not as powerful as Qinghou, this puppet was still a treasure to Liu Changkong.
**"Thank you, Lord Tiance! With this puppet, I'm much more confident about my trip to the Soul Bound Continent.
"When I return, I'll ensure that the Ghost Sect submits entirely to you, Lord Tiance!"** Liu Changkong said, bowing deeply in gratitude.
"Good. I'll await your good news. But tell me did you manage to find the information I asked for?" Xiao Tiance's tone grew serious. While taking control of the Ghost Sect would be a bonus, it was nothing compared to the importance of locating Huang Lingyun and the others.
Important News
Liu Changkong carefully stored the Heavenly Demon Puppet before bowing once more.
**"Yes, Lord Tiance, I did. My subordinates gathered the following information:
"In the Northern Cang Continent, they found a young girl in possession of a locator jade pendant. Her name is Zi Yan, and she's currently under the protection of the Northern Sea Dragon Kun.
"On the Shang Continent, not far from Northern Cang, another person with a locator jade pendant was identified. His name is Mu Ling, and he now serves as a guest elder of the Four Seas Merchant Guild.
"As for the others, my men didn't dare venture too far into the True Phoenix Clan's territory, but it's confirmed that two of your companions are there.
"Finally, near the Shang Continent, on a small island, a Ninth Tier Supreme expert with a locator jade pendant was spotted. While we couldn't confirm his name, I suspect this individual may be someone important to you."
"That's all the information we've gathered so far."
Relief and Determination
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance's expression brightened. He nodded in satisfaction and murmured to himself, "Excellent. I didn't expect we'd locate them so quickly. That last one must be Huaien."
For the first time, Liu Changkong witnessed Xiao Tiance looking genuinely happy, and he couldn't help but feel relieved.
**"Very well. Notify your men to keep monitoring them discreetly. I'll head out soon to retrieve them.
"As for you, since you're heading to the Soul Bound Continent, be cautious. Though Liu Ming is gone, the Ghost Sect's strength isn't to be underestimated. Don't let your guard down, or you might stumble into trouble."** Xiao Tiance's tone turned serious.
"Understood, Lord Tiance. I'll be careful," Liu Changkong assured him.
"Good. Now go. Stay safe."
With that, Liu Changkong departed, leaving Xiao Tiance to tidy up. After straightening his robes and donning a pristine white long coat, Xiao Tiance went to find Xiao Xuan and the others.
Training Progress
Before he even arrived, Xiao Tiance spotted Xiao Xuan sparring with Xiao Tianming.
Despite Xiao Xuan holding back considerably, his overwhelming strength left Xiao Tianming struggling. Still, the training sessions hadn't been in vain Xiao Tianming's aura had stabilized at the Ninth Tier Supreme level. If he maintained his current progress, he'd likely break through to the Earthly Supreme level within a few years.
"Bang!"
Xiao Xuan's controlled kick sent Xiao Tianming flying. Dusting himself off, Xiao Tianming grinned sheepishly. "Thank you, Brother Xuan."
"You did well. That's enough for today," Xiao Xuan said, smirking.
Xiao Tianming beamed with relief, his earlier exhaustion fading into gratitude.
Brotherhood
As Xiao Tiance approached, Xiao Xuan and Xiao Yi Xian both turned to greet him with smiles.
Returning their greeting, Xiao Tiance teased Xiao Tianming. "Not bad, Tianming. You've made good progress these past few days."
"Oh, please, Brother Ce. Brother Xuan's training was brutal " Xiao Tianming began, only to falter under Xiao Xuan's sharp gaze. He quickly amended, "It's all thanks to Brother Xuan's guidance!"
The group burst into laughter, Xiao Tiance shaking his head. "You rascal. Don't take Brother Xuan's help for granted. You're lucky to have him training you."
"Hehe, I know," Xiao Tianming replied, scratching his head in embarrassment.
Though not as naturally gifted as Xiao Xuan, Xiao Tianming's talent wasn't lacking. He had reached the Dou Saint level a millennium ago, but his slow progress since had frustrated many. Now, however, his determination was rekindled.
Updates from Xiao Xuan
After a brief chat, Xiao Xuan turned serious.
**"Tiance, while you were refining the Heavenly Demon Puppet, various factions from around the Western Heaven Continent sent gifts.
"Except for the Western Heaven War Palace, nearly everyone extended goodwill. Luo Tian Shen gathered the gifts and kept the visitors at bay, knowing you were busy."**
"Understood. Did the gifts include Supreme Spirit Liquid?"
(To be continued...)
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