Chapter 456: The Establishment of the Endless Flame Domain and Supreme Martial Territory, News from Qin Tian
The Great Thousand World
After leaving the Sacred Abyss Continent, Xiao Tiance traveled via a teleportation array and returned to the Western Sky Continent.
The Western Sky Continent served as the only gateway to the Sacred Abyss Continent. Stepping out of the teleportation array, Xiao Tiance found an inn, took a bath, and ordered a meal.
He rested there for the night. By the time the first rays of sunlight lit the ground the next morning, Xiao Tiance had already vanished. Naturally, he paid his dues before leaving.
Traveling without pause, Xiao Tiance made his way back to the Northern Underworld Continent, arriving after three days.
The White Jade Capital, Jing City
Returning to the headquarters of the White Jade Capital, Xiao Tiance saw Xiao Bai Ying sitting idly on a swing, her small legs swinging back and forth adorably.
But she looked downcast, her mood less lively than usual.
Sensing with his soul, Xiao Tiance quickly noted the absence of Medusa's aura. He quietly approached Xiao Bai Ying from behind. Yet, before he could get too close, the sharp little girl flipped off the swing, her small leg whipping toward him.
"Heh, not bad reflexes, little one," Xiao Tiance chuckled.
Though Xiao Bai Ying was quick, her speed was like a slow motion scene to someone like Xiao Tiance, a Saint Rank Heaven Sovereign at the early stage. Catching her leg effortlessly, he blocked her attack.
Recognizing him, Xiao Bai Ying immediately threw herself into his arms, shouting excitedly, "Daddy! Daddy! You're back!"
"Haha, what? My little Ying Ying didn't want Daddy to come home?" Xiao Tiance laughed, hugging her tightly.
"I did! Ying Ying misses Daddy so much. But every time I miss Daddy, he's not here," she said with a small pout, her voice tinged with grievance.
Hearing her almost teary tone, Xiao Tiance's heart softened. He held her close, consoling her until she calmed down.
"Ying Ying, where's your mother? Why isn't she in the city?" Xiao Tiance asked gently, his tone laced with concern.
At the mention of Medusa, Xiao Bai Ying's tears fell like a flood. "Mommy was taken away by bad people!" she wailed.
The Meeting Hall
Ten minutes later, Xiao Tiance sat in the main hall of White Jade Capital, holding Xiao Bai Ying in his lap. Xiao Xuan hurried in, speeding up when he saw Xiao Tiance.
"Tiance! You're finally back!" Xiao Xuan exclaimed, embracing him warmly.
Returning the embrace, Xiao Tiance asked directly, "Brother Xuan, you were overseeing the city. Do you know who took Medusa? Ying Ying says bad people took her."
Xiao Xuan's expression turned serious, but he quickly smiled, explaining, **"Don't worry, Tiance. Medusa was taken, but not by bad people.
Three days after you left White Jade Capital, the Nine Colored Heaven Swallowing Python Tribe's matriarch, Hong Hua Yue, personally came to visit you. But since you were away, Medusa received her as the host, with me accompanying her.
Hong Hua Yue showed no hostility and was respectful throughout. After a long discussion, she told Medusa that her Nine Colored Python bloodline was impure, which could hinder her future cultivation. Medusa asked for a solution, and Hong Hua Yue suggested the Transformation Pool of the Nine Colored Python Tribe to purify and merge her bloodline."**
Xiao Tiance's Worries
Xiao Xuan continued, "Medusa decided to go through with it and left Ying Ying in my care, saying that the White Jade Capital's development shouldn't rest solely on your shoulders. Hong Hua Yue assured us she'd personally escort Medusa back once the purification was complete."
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance felt a wave of relief but still wore a heavy expression. "Thank you, Brother Xuan. What about the situation in Zhu Xian City?"
"Things are stable there," Xiao Xuan replied. "Although the Outer Realm Demon Clan frequently attacks, there's been no high level combatants among them. We've turned the city into a training ground for White Jade Capital's younger disciples."
Xiao Tiance nodded approvingly. "It's dangerous but effective. Real combat is the best way to unlock potential."
Looking down, he gently stroked the sleeping Xiao Bai Ying's back before asking, "Has Zi Yan returned?"
"Not yet," Xiao Xuan said. "But she sent word that she'll come back after spending more time with her father. Also, Zi Yan mentioned that Xiao Yan and Gu Xun Er are planning to establish a superpower. I thought we should support them as fellow members of the Xiao Clan, so I sent Ling Yun and Min Er to assist."
Endless Flame Domain
Xiao Tiance frowned slightly. "Isn't it a bit early for them to establish their own force? They're talented, no doubt already at the Heaven Sovereign level. Xiao Yan is even at the Immortal Rank Heaven Sovereign early stage. But they lack manpower. It won't be easy."
Xiao Xuan chuckled. **"It's ambitious, but they've chosen a promising location the Mysterious Flame Continent, now renamed the Endless Flame Domain.
The area is rich in flame based resources and perfectly aligns with Xiao Yan's abilities. Plus, Gu Xun Er has connections to the Gu Clan, so they're not entirely without support. With our help, their chances are much better."**
Supreme Martial Territory
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance smiled faintly. "If they're determined, they'll make it work."
Xiao Xuan added, "That's not all. The Supreme Martial Territory has been established in the south by Huang Jiuji. He's made significant progress uniting rogue cultivators and warriors into a formidable force. If this continues, the Great Thousand World will soon have two new superpowers to resist the Outer Realm Demon Clan."
**He and that girl from the Gu Clan were already Heaven Sovereigns. Moreover, many in the Great Thousand World know about their favorable ties with us at the White Jade Capital. So, when the news of Xiao Yan establishing a superpower spread, numerous rogue cultivators rushed to join.
A couple of days ago, Min'er sent word back saying that the forces in the Endless Flame Domain are already taking shape. With a bit more recruitment of mid and low level talents, it could become a strong superpower,"** Xiao Xuan explained with a smile.
"Alright, that brat Xiao Yan isn't one to stay idle. Sooner or later, he would have established his own force. It's good it'll ease some of the burdens we elders of the Xiao Clan bear," Xiao Tiance said, nodding with a smile.
He hadn't expected Xiao Yan to establish the Endless Flame Domain so quickly. Now, with Lin Dong's Supreme Martial Territory on the horizon and the combined might of the White Jade Capital, these three forces could rise to become true superpowers of the Great Thousand World.
At that point, even the Great Thousand Palace and the five Ancient Clans might think twice before provoking them.
Lin Dong's Surprise Message
As soon as Xiao Tiance had this thought, the communication jade hanging at his waist lit up. Infusing it with his spiritual energy, a short message appeared:
"Senior Tiance, this humble junior is establishing a superpower named the Supreme Martial Territory in the northwest of White Jade Capital. If you have time, I hope you'll come and visit."
After reading the message, Xiao Tiance was stunned. He had just been thinking about the Supreme Martial Territory, and now Lin Dong had sent word.
Xiao Xuan, who had also seen the message, chuckled. "I didn't expect that kid Lin Dong to also be preparing to establish a superpower. With Xiao Yan's Endless Flame Domain in the northeast and Lin Dong's Supreme Martial Territory in the northwest, the northern part of the Great Thousand World could soon be home to three superpowers!"
"Haha, you're right, Brother Xuan. I didn't think they'd move this quickly. Oh well, let's wait for their invitations to their grand opening ceremonies. I'll visit them then," Xiao Tiance said with a light laugh.
The two chatted for a while longer before Xiao Tiance personally gave Xiao Xuan a Heaven Puppet with strength at the late stage of the Immortal Rank Heaven Sovereign.
A Puppet for Xiao Bai Ying
After Xiao Xuan left, Xiao Tiance planned to take Xiao Bai Ying to bed. However, the little girl's large, watery eyes blinked open, and she asked cheerfully, "Daddy, can I have one of the dolls you gave to Uncle Xuan?"
The "doll" she referred to was the Heaven Puppet. Watching it earlier, curiosity had sparkled in her eyes, and now she couldn't resist asking for one.
Xiao Tiance chuckled. His darling daughter had asked for something for the first time, so how could he refuse?
"Of course! Daddy has plenty of dolls. I'll give one to you, Ying Ying," Xiao Tiance said warmly.
With a slight movement of his soul force, a radiant golden Heaven Puppet appeared in front of him. He also produced a jade pendant, explaining, "Ying Ying, to control this doll, it might sting just a little."
"Hehe, Ying Ying is brave and not afraid of pain!" the little girl giggled.
After teaching her how to control the puppet, Xiao Tiance watched in amused disbelief as Xiao Bai Ying made the Heaven Puppet dance in various styles.
He couldn't help but laugh. If word got out that a puppet coveted by outsiders willing to pay any price was being used by his daughter to practice dancing, jaws would drop in shock.
Still, seeing how much fun Xiao Bai Ying was having, Xiao Tiance's smile deepened.
Sitting on his throne, watching his daughter play, he mused to himself, "That silly Medusa... leaving behind such an adorable daughter to go to the Heaven Serpent Continent? Hmph! When she gets back, I'll punish her properly three days and nights in bed!"
Though he understood Medusa's desire to keep up with him and her decision to leave, seeing Xiao Bai Ying's lonely expression when he returned broke his heart.
Qin Tian's Arrival
For the next half month, Xiao Tiance did nothing but take Xiao Bai Ying on adventures, making up for lost time.
Then, news came from Xiao Xuan: Qin Tian had arrived.
Back at White Jade Capital, Xiao Tiance met Qin Tian and Lu Tong in the main hall.
"Greetings, Senior Qin Tian, Senior Lu Tong," Xiao Tiance said respectfully, bowing.
"No need for formalities, young friend Tiance. We're here for an important matter," Qin Tian said, returning the gesture alongside Lu Tong.
After serving them tea, Xiao Tiance gestured for them to speak.
Qin Tian took a sip, his expression turning grave. "Young friend Tiance, this time, old Lu and I teamed up with the elders of the Five Ancient Clans to hold back the Saintly Demon Emperor on your behalf. But I must say... the cost was heavy."
"What?" Xiao Tiance exclaimed, startled.
He recalled how Qin Tian, Lu Tong, and the five Ancient Clans had fought the Saintly Demon Emperor's avatar before. Neither side had gained the upper hand. Could the Saintly Demon Emperor have grown stronger?
Seeing his reaction, Qin Tian sighed bitterly. **"You don't understand. Last time, we fought only his avatar, hoping to gauge his strength. But this time, we faced his true self... and paid dearly for it.
The Black Heaven Clan's elders, Hei Tian and Hei Di, were seriously injured. A senior from the Tai Ling Clan perished. If not for Xuan Tian Gang from the Floating Tower Clan, none of us would have made it back alive. He used one of his self created supreme techniques the Eightfold Pagoda to suppress the Blood Ghoul Demon Emperor, ranked 15th among the Outer Realm Demon Clan. In doing so, he sacrificed his life to delay the Saintly Demon Emperor."**
A Heavy Blow
Xiao Tiance inhaled sharply. The losses were more severe than he imagined.
"How could this happen? The Saintly Demon Emperor's avatar was already terrifying, but his true body shouldn't be that much stronger..." he muttered.
Qin Tian shook his head. **"We underestimated him. Beyond his overwhelming power, the Saintly Demon Emperor was joined by the Blood Ghoul Demon Emperor and two other top twenty ranked Demon Emperors.
Caught off guard, we were at a complete disadvantage from the start. Without Xuan Tian Gang's sacrifice, none of us would've survived."**
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