Chapter 377: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes Lan Tian
"You have a way to help this chairman?"
In the reception hall of the Four Seas Commerce Alliance headquarters on the Merchant Continent, Tong Sihai scrutinized Lan Tian skeptically.
To be honest, Lan Tian was merely a Level 8 Sovereign an ant Tong Sihai could crush with a flick of his wrist. For someone like Lan Tian to dare speak so boldly before him? The audacity was laughable.
If not for the intermediary's vouching, Tong Sihai might have swatted him dead already. Given Tong Sihai's current mood, that wasn't entirely out of the realm of possibility.
After all, Mu Ling was a pinnacle Earth Sovereign, and though he didn't surpass Tong Sihai in strength, his presence at the alliance could have elevated their status to rival the strongest on the Merchant Continent.
Now, Mu Ling had been taken away, accompanied by two pinnacle Earth Sovereigns and more importantly a Heaven Sovereign he dared not offend: Xiao Tiance. Tong Sihai had even been forced to remove the contingencies he'd secretly placed in Mu Ling's body before letting him go.
Risking the ire of a Heaven Sovereign wasn't something Tong Sihai was willing to gamble on.
Looking at Lan Tian's calm demeanor, Tong Sihai sneered and asked, **"Oh? If you have a plan, I'd like to hear it. But tell me, why are you so eager to help the Four Seas Commerce Alliance?
"I've roamed the Grand Thousand Worlds for decades, and I've never heard of a mere Level 8 Sovereign daring to oppose a Heaven Sovereign."**
He didn't believe anyone would willingly court death. If their roles were reversed, he would have avoided provoking a Heaven Sovereign at all costs.
In the Grand Thousand Worlds, people often said, "Beneath Sovereign rank, all are ants." The more accurate saying, however, was, "Beneath Heaven Sovereign rank, all are ants."
Tong Sihai, as the head of one of the top ranked commerce alliances, enjoyed unmatched prestige in the Merchant Continent. His strength as a pinnacle Earth Sovereign further cemented his lofty status.
Yet, all of this would mean nothing before a Heaven Sovereign.
Lan Tian's expression didn't change as he calmly replied, "I have a blood feud with Xiao Tiance; he killed my son. Is that reason enough for me to help you, Chairman Tong?"
A cold, murderous intent briefly emanated from Lan Tian, though it was not directed at anyone in particular. Otherwise, Tong Sihai might have reacted violently.
"Oh?" Tong Sihai's curiosity was piqued. "You have a blood feud with Xiao Tiance, a Heaven Sovereign?"
Tong Sihai glanced at the black robed man beside him. The latter nodded and explained, **"It's true, Chairman.
"Two months ago, Xiao Tiance and the three major powers of the Tian Cang Continent traveled to the Western Heaven Continent for the ancient secret realm trial. Along the way, they passed through the Continent of Kings and encountered Lan Tian's son, Lan Yu, who was bullying his cousin, Xiao Tian Ming.
"Xiao Tiance stepped in and killed Lan Yu, Lan Tian's only son.
"Later, Lan Tian caught up to Xiao Tiance and his group but narrowly escaped himself.
"Since then, Lan Tian has been covertly monitoring Xiao Tiance's movements. In fact, the infamous battle between Xiao Tiance and the Western Heaven Battle Emperor was partly instigated by Lan Tian."**
"Interesting… Tell me more." Tong Sihai's interest deepened.
Lan Tian cupped his hands and began, **"After they killed my son, I couldn't let the matter go.
"While pursuing Xiao Tiance, I discovered that his group had just captured the infamous Three Void Bandits.
"As you may know, the Three Void Bandits were secretly backed by the Western Heaven Battle Hall. Since I lacked the strength to take on Xiao Tiance myself, I leaked this information to the Battle Hall.
"In Luo Shui City, Xiao Tiance humiliated the Western Heaven Battle Hall's forces, forcing their hand.
"After the secret realm trial, Xiao Tiance grew even stronger, leaving me no choice but to escalate matters.
"I personally traveled to the Western Heaven Battle Hall and managed to awaken the Western Heaven Battle Emperor from his seclusion. That's how the battle between Xiao Tiance and the Battle Emperor over Luo Shui City came about.
"Unfortunately, Xiao Tiance's growth defied all reason. Even the Battle Emperor failed to subdue him."**
Lan Tian's tone was laced with frustration, but there was a trace of smugness as he recounted his supposed involvement.
Of course, part of his story was fabricated. The Western Heaven Battle Emperor had been awakened by another figure Ling Zhanzi, displeased with Xiao Tiance and his allies. Lan Tian had merely seized the opportunity to take credit.
For Tong Sihai, however, Lan Tian's account seemed plausible.
**"Impressive, Lan Tian. To think you managed to influence a figure as prominent as the Western Heaven Battle Emperor. That's no small feat.
"But even so, if the Battle Emperor himself couldn't deal with Xiao Tiance, what makes you think our Four Seas Commerce Alliance can?"** Tong Sihai's skepticism returned.
Lan Tian chuckled confidently. **"Chairman Tong, would I dare show my face here without a viable plan?
"I understand that the Four Seas Commerce Alliance has ties to the Fire Spirit Clan, yes?"**
Tong Sihai's gaze sharpened. "You've done your homework. You even know about my connection to the Fire Spirit Clan?"
Lan Tian bowed slightly, his tone respectful. **"Please don't misunderstand, Chairman Tong. I happened to learn of it by chance.
"Over a century ago, before you established the Four Seas Commerce Alliance, I saw you in the company of a white robed elder a known elder of the Fire Spirit Clan."**
"That's why I speculated that your relationship with the Fire Spirit Clan is quite profound," Lan Tian said, hastily waving his hands with a smile.
"Haha, who would've thought we'd have such a connection? No wonder I felt like I'd seen you somewhere before," Tong Sihai remarked, his voice tinged with mockery.
His smile quickly faded as he continued, **"However, if you think this chairman is willing to ask the Fire Spirit Clan to deal with Xiao Tiance, then you're barking up the wrong tree.
"The Fire Spirit Clan is one of the most renowned great clans in the Grand Thousand Worlds. While they may not compare to the most elite factions, their reputation is still formidable.
"If even I understand the peril of provoking a Heaven Sovereign, surely they do as well.
"So, if your plan involves convincing me to ask the Fire Spirit Clan for help, I'm afraid you've miscalculated. Furthermore, I might just capture you and present you to Xiao Tiance myself.
"A small fry like you who plotted against them from the shadows don't you think they'd enjoy crushing you? Meanwhile, I could earn a favor from a Heaven Sovereign.
"Now that I think about it, you might actually prove to be worth something after all."**
As Tong Sihai spoke, a glint of cunning shone in his eyes. At his signal, the black robed man beside him moved swiftly, preparing to subdue Lan Tian.
"Wait!"
Realizing their intent, Lan Tian wasn't foolish enough to remain silent. He quickly raised his voice.
"Chairman Tong, just because you can't ask the Fire Spirit Clan to intervene doesn't mean they won't act. If Xiao Tiance possesses something they cannot refuse, wouldn't that suffice?"
Tong Sihai paused and laughed incredulously. **"Something irresistible to the Fire Spirit Clan? Do you understand what you're saying?
"Xiao Tiance is a Heaven Sovereign a warrior so formidable that even the Western Heaven Battle Emperor, a late stage Celestial Heaven Sovereign, couldn't defeat him.
"Are you really certain the Fire Spirit Clan would risk provoking such an opponent over a mere object?"**
Tong Sihai's laughter nearly brought him to tears. To him, Lan Tian's proposal was little more than a ridiculous joke.
It was true that the Fire Spirit Clan wielded considerable strength. The clan had two Heaven Sovereign powerhouses: an ancient elder serving as their Grand Elder and a newly ascended Spirit Heaven Sovereign who currently led the clan.
Even so, the combined might of these two Heaven Sovereigns was unlikely to surpass the Western Heaven Battle Emperor. Unless Xiao Tiance truly possessed an item that could tempt them beyond reason, the Fire Spirit Clan would never risk confronting a warrior of Xiao Tiance's caliber.
Yet Lan Tian's confident demeanor gave Tong Sihai pause.
"Chairman Tong," Lan Tian began, his tone resolute, **"I wouldn't dare waste your time.
"Xiao Tiance possesses a golden flame of immense power. Even Earth Sovereigns would struggle to contend with its might.
"While the Fire Spirit Clan has kept a low profile for many years, their pursuit of unique and powerful flames has never wavered.
"In addition, Xiao Tiance isn't the only one with a remarkable flame. One of his companions, an exquisitely beautiful pinnacle Earth Sovereign, wields a multicolored flame far more potent than his.
"With these two flames in play, all Chairman Tong needs to do is relay this information to the Fire Spirit Clan. They won't let the opportunity slip through their fingers.
"Moreover, while Xiao Tiance is a Heaven Sovereign, you must remember he and his companions have only recently ascended from a lower realm. They lack any foundation in the Grand Thousand Worlds.
"If the Fire Spirit Clan cannot handle them alone, they could easily enlist the help of the Ice Spirit Clan, given their longstanding alliance.
"With the two clans working together, Xiao Tiance wouldn't stand a chance.
"Once defeated, Chairman Tong, you could request the Fire Spirit Clan's help to subdue not just one, but perhaps even three pinnacle Earth Sovereigns.
"With such power at your disposal, the Four Seas Commerce Alliance could effortlessly rise to become the strongest faction on the Merchant Continent.
"As for me? I want nothing more than Xiao Tiance's downfall. I'll even pledge all the resources of my Blood Puppet Sect to the Fire Spirit Clan. Let me serve as a mere prison warden, so long as I can watch Xiao Tiance suffer. That alone will satisfy me."**
As Lan Tian's words echoed through the hall, both Tong Sihai and the black robed man beside him couldn't hide their astonishment.
Tong Sihai was genuinely intrigued by Lan Tian's fervent hatred for Xiao Tiance.
"You truly seek only revenge?" Tong Sihai asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Yes. As long as I can avenge my son, I am willing to sacrifice everything," Lan Tian affirmed with unwavering determination.
Tong Sihai was skeptical. "For a mere son? I examined your bone age earlier; you're not old. Why stake everything on such a petty grudge?"
Lan Tian offered a bitter smile. **"Chairman Tong, the strength you see before you came at a great cost.
"It not only left me in this inhuman state, but it also stripped me of any hope of fathering children again. My son was all I had."**
Tong Sihai finally understood. Lan Tian's desperation made sense.
Moreover, the prospect of gaining three pinnacle Earth Sovereigns for the alliance was enticing.
After a moment of contemplation, Tong Sihai spoke. **"Very well, Lan Tian. Stay with the Four Seas Commerce Alliance for a few days while I contact the Fire Spirit Clan.
"If they agree to act against Xiao Tiance, everything will proceed as planned.
"But if they refuse to risk offending a Heaven Sovereign, then I'll have no choice but to capture you and present you to Xiao Tiance."**
Lan Tian laughed heartily. **"Chairman Tong truly lives up to his reputation a businessman who always wins, no matter the outcome.
"Fine! I'll gamble with you. If the Fire Spirit Clan declines, my life is yours."**
With the arrangement settled, Tong Sihai gestured for his subordinate to escort Lan Tian out.
Once alone, Tong Sihai retrieved a scroll from his storage ring. The character for "Fire" glowed faintly on its surface.
Gazing at the scroll, his eyes softened as he murmured, "Rou'er, how have you been?"
(End of Chapter)
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