Chapter 457: Helping to Forge Heaven Puppets, The Funeral
Northern Netherworld Continent, White Jade Capital Headquarters, Imperial City.
After hearing Qin Tian's words, Xiao Tiance fell into silence.
He still remembered Xuan Tian Gang from the Floating Tower Clan. Back when Zhu Xian City was besieged by the Outer Realm Demon Clan, it was Qin Tian who had led the elders of the five Ancient Clans to provide assistance. Among them, Xuan Tian Gang had shown goodwill toward him.
Across from him, Qin Tian noticed Xiao Tiance's quiet demeanor. He understood that Xiao Tiance wasn't indifferent rather, he felt guilty.
Qin Tian smiled bitterly and said, "Young friend Tiance, there's no need to feel bad. While our losses this time were heavy, aside from the Saintly Demon Emperor himself, the other forces he brought were all annihilated by us."
Xiao Tiance bowed deeply and replied with guilt, "Senior, I'm sorry. If I hadn't asked for your help in holding back the Saintly Demon Emperor, perhaps this wouldn't have resulted in such a heavy loss."
Qin Tian waved his hand and laughed. **"Haha, you can't blame yourself for this, and no one else will either. That's not why we're here today.
We've come to discuss the Heaven Puppets you lent to Wan Feng in Saint Abyss Continent. Most of them were made from the corpses of Outer Realm Demon Clan experts, right? That means, given strong enough materials, you can forge more Heaven Puppets, correct?"**
"That's correct," Xiao Tiance replied with a nod. He knew that Qin Tian and Lu Tong must have come to discuss the Heaven Puppets.
Qin Tian nodded and said, **"Good. That makes things easier.
We came here for two main reasons. First, before Xuan Tian Gang passed, he saw the Heaven Puppets you lent to Wan Feng. He requested that if he were to fall, you turn his body into a Heaven Puppet and return it to the Floating Tower Clan.
Second, we've brought with us some corpses of Outer Realm Demon experts, as well as those of some fallen heroes from the Great Thousand Palace. We hope you can forge them into Heaven Puppets. That way, even in death, they can continue fighting the Outer Realm Demon Clan and protect the Great Thousand World,"** Lu Tong explained with a respectful bow.
Xiao Tiance's Response
Xiao Tiance turned to Lu Tong, deliberating for a moment. After some thought, he nodded.
**"Since it was Senior Xuan Tian Gang's final wish, and he fell while holding back the Saintly Demon Emperor and others, I'll honor his request out of both respect and obligation.
As for the second point, I can forge Outer Realm Demon corpses into Heaven Puppets, but your side will need to provide the necessary materials.
However, for the fallen heroes of the Great Thousand Palace, I strongly recommend obtaining the consent of their descendants. The deceased have already sacrificed their lives for the Great Thousand World. I wouldn't want to defile their bodies without either their explicit consent or the permission of their families."**
Hearing this, both Qin Tian and Lu Tong exchanged a look of admiration.
Earlier, they had hesitated about whether to restrict Xiao Tiance from forging more Heaven Puppets. After all, if Xiao Tiance ever misused his power to slaughter and forge Heaven Puppets from the bodies of Great Thousand World's experts, it could lead to catastrophic consequences.
The saying "he who fights monsters must beware becoming a monster" rang true. If Xiao Tiance lost his moral compass, his Heaven Puppets might one day pose as great a threat as the Outer Realm Demon Clan.
But his words dispelled their doubts. A person with a strong moral baseline was trustworthy. Without that baseline, the potential harm could be immeasurable.
Qin Tian's Offer
Qin Tian laughed heartily. **"Good, young friend Tiance, don't worry. The corpses we brought were all sent with either explicit consent from the deceased or their families.
We've also prepared the necessary materials. Furthermore, we've agreed to pay you the following rates:
For each Heaven Puppet at the Early Heaven Sovereign level: 10,000 Demon Slayer Points
For each Immortal Heaven Sovereign Heaven Puppet: 30,000 Demon Slayer Points
For Saintly Heaven Sovereigns, Early stage: 50,000 Demon Slayer Points
Mid stage: 80,000 Demon Slayer Points
Late stage: 100,000 Demon Slayer Points
Additionally, the Great Thousand Palace treasury will be open to you. If there's anything you fancy, even an Original Sovereign Incarnation, it's yours."**
Xiao Tiance considered this and nodded. After a moment, he replied, "Alright, I can accept these terms. However, I have one condition."
Qin Tian and Lu Tong leaned forward. "Please, go ahead."
Xiao Tiance's expression turned serious. **"All Heaven Puppets I forge will include a contingency measure. They can only be used against the Outer Realm Demon Clan.
If any of these Heaven Puppets are used recklessly within the Great Thousand World to harm others, I will personally destroy them."**
He paused, his tone firm. **"Heaven Puppets are immensely powerful and tireless. As long as their bodies remain intact, they can fight indefinitely.
I can forge a maximum of thirty Heaven Puppets for you. Additionally, the highest level I can currently produce is Mid stage Saintly Heaven Sovereign. Crafting Late stage Saintly Heaven Puppets exceeds my current capabilities."**
The Agreement
Qin Tian and Lu Tong fell silent, carefully weighing his words. They both understood the immense potential of Heaven Puppets.
A few weeks ago, the twenty Heaven Puppets Xiao Tiance lent to Saint Abyss Continent had already proven their overwhelming combat prowess. Faced with hundreds of Outer Realm Demon generals, and even several Ghost Demon Emperors, the Heaven Puppets had turned the tide of battle.
After a brief exchange of glances, Qin Tian and Lu Tong nodded simultaneously.
"Young friend Tiance, we accept your condition. Let us work together for the safety of the Great Thousand World," Qin Tian said, extending his hand.
"For the safety of the Great Thousand World," Xiao Tiance replied, shaking his hand firmly.
Lu Tong clasped his hands and said, "Alright, we agree to your conditions. We will strictly limit the use of the 30 Heaven Puppets, as well as the 20 you previously lent to Wan Feng, to the Saint Abyss Continent. They will not be brought to the rest of the Great Thousand World."
"That's right. I personally guarantee this," Qin Tian added with a nod.
Xiao Tiance smiled and nodded. "Good. In that case, I can help forge the puppets."
The Outer Realm Demon Clan posed an enormous threat, and he trusted the Great Thousand Palace would not misuse the Heaven Puppets. However, he was not as optimistic about other factions.
After finalizing the details and confirming the materials and corpses to be used, Xiao Tiance turned to Qin Tian and asked, **"Senior, during my recent journey to the Outer Realm Demon territories, I encountered a Demon Emperor named Di Tian.
Interestingly, he did not attack me. Instead, he personally killed two Demon Emperors. When I asked about it, he claimed to have survived from the ancient era and had been hiding among the Outer Realm Demons.
He also mentioned that he once helped you return safely from their territory. Could this be true?"**
Qin Tian abruptly stood up, his face full of emotion. **"What? That senior is still alive? That's incredible! I've searched for him for tens of thousands of years, but I never found a trace.
I can't believe you encountered him, young friend Tiance!"**
Seeing Qin Tian's excitement, Xiao Tiance realized that what Di Tian had told him was likely true.
"Yes, he is now the leader of the Devouring Demon Clan. If he hadn't revealed his identity and chosen not to attack me, I likely wouldn't have made it back unscathed," Xiao Tiance confirmed with a slight smile.
"That's wonderful news," Qin Tian said, his voice filled with gratitude.
Qin Tian's Story
After a moment, Qin Tian calmed his excitement and began to recount his experience.
**"When I was younger, I led a team to train in the Saint Abyss Continent. Unfortunately, we were too weak, and I had to watch helplessly as my comrades were slaughtered. I was the only survivor.
Consumed by grief, I remained in the Saint Abyss Continent, dedicating myself to training and slaying any Outer Realm Demon I encountered.
About two centuries later, I broke through to the Heaven Sovereign Realm and believed I could continue my mission more effectively. However, I was caught in a space time storm and transported into the territory of the Outer Realm Demons.
Everyone back in the Great Thousand Palace thought I was as good as dead, and frankly, so did I.
Surrounded by over a dozen Demon Emperors, I prepared to die, hoping to take a few of them with me. But then, that senior appeared.
At the time, he was a Heaven Demon Emperor of the Horned Demon Clan. He rescued me, escorted me out, and safely returned me to the Saint Abyss Continent.
Afterward, he disappeared without a trace, and I never heard from him again until now. Knowing he's still alive brings me immense relief."**
Xiao Tiance nodded, his respect for Di Tian deepening. "I see. That senior is indeed a figure worthy of reverence. It's a shame he didn't reveal his original name to me. Otherwise, I could have helped find his descendants in the Great Thousand World and ensured they were well cared for."
**"Yes, he truly deserves respect. For millions of years, he has remained hidden among the Outer Realm Demons, never returning, yet he hasn't forgotten the Great Thousand World.
If we ever succeed in defeating the Outer Realm Demons, we must bring him back to our world,"** Qin Tian said with heartfelt admiration.
"That's my plan as well. For now, let me offer some healing pills to help you recover faster. If you're not in a rush, you're welcome to stay here in the Imperial City. Once I've finished forging the Heaven Puppets, you can take them with you."
"That's not urgent," Qin Tian interrupted with a wave of his hand.
The Priority: A Funeral
Xiao Tiance looked puzzled. "Not urgent? Do you have more pressing matters?"
Qin Tian nodded solemnly. **"Yes. The most urgent matter is holding a proper funeral for those who fell in this mission especially Xuan Tian Gang and the elders of the Tai Ling Ancient Clan.
Although no one blames you for their deaths, it would be appropriate for you to attend the ceremony and pay your respects.
Furthermore, this funeral will bring together the leaders of the five Ancient Clans and other major forces in the Great Thousand World.
White Jade Capital is now recognized as one of the top superpowers. This will be an excellent opportunity for you to meet them and foster alliances.
To fend off the Outer Realm Demons, the Great Thousand World's forces must unite."**
Lu Tong added, **"Exactly. We've invited all major powers to the funeral, not just to mourn the fallen but also to discuss strategies.
For example, Saint Abyss Continent requires more defenders, and your Extermination City on the northern front shouldn't be solely White Jade Capital's responsibility. Other forces need to step up."**
Xiao Tiance nodded. "If that's the case, I'll certainly attend. As for other matters, we can address them during the funeral."
"Excellent. The funeral will be held in one month on the Divine Treasure Continent. Don't be late," Qin Tian reminded him with a smile.
"Rest assured, I won't," Xiao Tiance replied, bowing respectfully.
After Qin Tian and Lu Tong's Departure
As Qin Tian and Lu Tong disappeared from sight, Xiao Xuan entered the room.
"Tiance, is everything alright? Why did the two elders of the Great Thousand Palace visit?" Xiao Xuan asked.
Xiao Tiance trusted Xiao Xuan completely and shared everything that had just transpired.
After hearing the story, Xiao Xuan sighed in admiration. "The Great Thousand Palace's elders are truly remarkable. Without them, the Outer Realm Demons might have already overrun the Great Thousand World."
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