Chapter 480: A High Level Meeting of the Foreign Demon Clan
"You're truly monstrous, Tiance, mastering spiritual formations, battle techniques, and alchemy all at levels others can only dream of," Qin Tian said, his voice tinged with admiration.
Inside the hidden mountain cave, Xiao Tiance shook his head modestly. "Senior, you flatter me too much. I don't deserve such praise."
"Haha, there's no need for humility. Reaching your current level in just one field would already earn admiration, yet you've excelled in multiple. Honestly, if we exclude the use of Saint tier artifacts, you're undoubtedly the strongest in the Great Thousand World today."
Xiao Tiance waved off the praise. "Senior, you're overestimating me. I still have a long way to go before I can claim such a title. But let's set this aside. The Foreign Demon Clan's territory must be in chaos by now.
"Even though they don't yet know for sure that we were the ones behind the annihilation of those sixteen sects, I suspect there are some clever minds among them. It won't take long before they start piecing things together."
Qin Tian fell silent for a moment before nodding. "You're right. So, what's your next move?"
"Let's wait here for three days.
"During that time, Senior, you can focus on recovering from your injuries, and it'll also give the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor and his ilk time to analyze the situation. Once they figure out why this is happening, it will dictate their next steps."
Qin Tian pondered for a moment before agreeing. "Alright, since you have a plan, I'll go along with it. I can't afford to let these injuries linger; they might affect my cultivation foundation."
With that, Qin Tian sat down cross legged, focusing on channeling the medicinal properties of the pill he had just taken.
Xiao Tiance placed a replica of the Sky Melting Bowl near Qin Tian, filling it with supreme spiritual liquid to aid in his recovery. In the Foreign Demon Clan's domain, spiritual energy had long been corrupted by demonic energy, making it impossible to absorb naturally. Fortunately, Xiao Tiance had ample reserves of supreme spiritual liquid, ensuring that resources weren't an issue.
The Chaos in the Foreign Demon Clan's Territory
Meanwhile, back on Liyuan Continent, in the Holy City home to the Saint Demon Clan's headquarters Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor wore a grim expression.
In the past two months, sixteen human sects that had surrendered to the Foreign Demon Clan had been completely wiped out. From sect masters to ordinary disciples, no one had escaped.
Even with his personal involvement in tracking down the perpetrators, he had failed to find any clues.
"Bang!"
"Damn it! Who is behind this madness? Sixteen of our subordinate sects, gone in just two months. Without their influence stabilizing the territories, chaos has broken out everywhere!"
The speaker, a late stage Demon Emperor with an aura rivaling the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor's, slammed the table in frustration.
This was the Dark Demon Emperor, the leader of the Heavenly Demon Clan one of the Foreign Demon Clan's top 32 clans. His strength was said to be on par with the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor.
Across the table, a Demon Emperor with an even more formidable aura, Nine Heavens Corpse Demon Emperor, nodded in agreement.
Nine Heavens Corpse Demon Emperor, a member of the Devouring Demon Ancestor's lineage, was among the top ten Demon Emperors during ancient times. He had been sealed by the Heavenly Emperor until recently, when the Foreign Demon Clan launched a massive rescue effort to free him. The cost of the operation had been staggering ten Demon Emperors had perished but they had succeeded.
"Enough!"
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor's cold voice silenced the room. Tapping his fingers against the table, he said, "While we haven't caught the culprits yet, there aren't many who could pull this off. It must be someone from the Great Thousand World."
"Do you know who?" Nine Heavens Corpse Demon Emperor asked, his surprise evident.
For two months, they had been chasing shadows. Each time they mobilized, the perpetrators seemed to vanish, only to reappear and destroy another sect. The level of precision and speed was unnerving.
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor nodded. "If I'm not mistaken, it's likely Xiao Tiance, the Lord of White Jade Capital."
"Xiao Tiance?" Nine Heavens Corpse Demon Emperor's eyes narrowed in recognition.
"That would explain a lot. If it's him, it's no wonder we can't track him down.
"Even though this brat is young, his strength rivals anyone here. When I first escaped my seal, I was still weakened, but he managed to chase me across multiple continents. If I hadn't been lucky enough to find a spatial rift and escape back to our territory, he might have succeeded in capturing me and sealing me again."
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor sneered. "Indeed, Xiao Tiance is cunning and formidable. His proficiency in formations allows him to move undetected, and his combat strength is undeniable.
"Moreover, he's known for targeting traitors and collaborators. Those sects were likely destroyed to destabilize our rear defenses and draw our attention away from their true goal.
"It's a diversion a game of cat and mouse that he's playing far too well."
The Demon Clan's Predicament
The room fell silent as the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor's words sank in.
"If Xiao Tiance really is behind this," Dark Demon Emperor said cautiously, "then we need to prepare for the worst. This won't stop at sixteen sects."
"Agreed," Nine Heavens Corpse Demon Emperor added. "He's not the type to leave things half done. What's the plan?"
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor's gaze grew colder.
"Mobilize more Demon Emperors and increase surveillance across all occupied territories.
"At the same time, tighten control over the subordinate human sects. Any signs of rebellion must be quashed immediately.
"And as for Xiao Tiance…" He paused, his voice laced with venom. "We'll find him. When we do, I'll make an example of him that the Great Thousand World will never forget."
Back in the Mountain Cave
Three days later, Xiao Tiance opened his eyes, a confident smile on his lips.
"Senior, it's time to move."
"Your plan worked perfectly," Qin Tian replied, his injuries significantly improved.
"The Foreign Demon Clan's attention is scattered, and they're frantically trying to find us. Let's keep them guessing a little longer."
Xiao Tiance nodded. "Let's give them a hunt they'll never forget."
"Indeed, it must be Xiao Tiance," said the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor, nodding thoughtfully. "A late stage Saint tier formation master and a pinnacle Saint tier Heavenly Sovereign. Even in a one on one fight, I would only have a slight chance of defeating him.
"I didn't expect him to infiltrate our territory so boldly it's a surprise, to say the least."
At this, the Dark Demon Emperor, seated on the left, wore a grim expression. Earlier, he had boldly declared that he would peel the skin off the intruder and crush their bones to quell his anger.
Now that it turned out to be Xiao Tiance, his bravado felt hollow.
During the operation to unseal the Nine Heavens Corpse Demon Emperor, Dark Demon Emperor had been the first to face Xiao Tiance. He had thought his top tier Heavenly Demon Emperor strength would suffice to suppress him.
Instead, Xiao Tiance's bizarre techniques had left him utterly battered. Were it not for the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor breaking free from the Green Robed Sword Saint and Qin Tian to assist him, he might have been sealed away again.
"If it's Xiao Tiance, then we absolutely cannot let him return alive," Dark Demon Emperor growled coldly. "He and his White Jade Capital are the biggest obstacles to our invasion of the Great Thousand World and the liberation of Lord Heavenly Evil God."
Several other Demon Emperors, who had also suffered at Xiao Tiance's hands, nodded in agreement. Though their strengths were far inferior to the likes of the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor, Dark Demon Emperor, or Nine Heavens Corpse Demon Emperor, they had similarly underestimated Xiao Tiance's might until meeting him in battle.
Seeing the tense mood in the room, the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor tapped the table lightly, and the hall fell silent.
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor's voice was calm but carried an unmistakable authority. "I understand everyone's anger. However, let us consider this: why has Xiao Tiance taken such a great risk to infiltrate our territory?
"His strength is indeed formidable, but he knows he has no chance of victory against a concentrated assault by us. Yet, even with such odds, he has chosen to come here personally and has destroyed sixteen human super sects in just two months.
"Why is he doing this?"
A Demon Emperor in the hall, also a late stage powerhouse, spoke up, "My lord, I believe Xiao Tiance is here to rescue the old man we captured earlier."
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor nodded slightly. "That's a plausible explanation. If rescuing that old man is his goal, it would make sense for Xiao Tiance to risk entering our domain."
Another Demon Emperor added, "I believe he's already scouted the Holy City and realized that the dungeon is heavily guarded. With two late stage Demon Emperors stationed outside and another late stage Demon Emperor inside, even Xiao Tiance wouldn't be able to rescue the old man without making a scene.
"That's why he's resorted to destabilizing our occupied territories by annihilating the human super sects under our control. He's likely trying to muddy the waters, either to slip in unnoticed or to pressure us into releasing the old man under the weight of rebellion from our human collaborators."
The hall was quiet as the gathered Demon Emperors mulled over this analysis. Finally, many nodded in agreement.
The one who had spoken was none other than Hidden Sun Demon Emperor, the sole Demon Emperor from the Shadow Hidden Clan.
The Shadow Hidden Clan was not particularly strong its status was far below even the Flame Demon Clan. However, due to their unique talents and keen intellect, they had carved a niche for themselves among the Foreign Demon Clans.
Hidden Sun was known for his cunning and was one of the brightest minds in the Foreign Demon Clan. It was this reputation that had earned him a place at the table of the top 32 clans.
"Hidden Sun's analysis aligns with what I was thinking," the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor said, nodding. "Xiao Tiance is not the type to abandon a mission. If we do not release that old man, his campaign of destruction will likely continue."
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor allowed a sly smile to cross his face before continuing. "We've seen how the Great Thousand World reacts to traitors. When human collaborators appear on the battlefield, the Great Thousand World focuses all its efforts on eliminating them, even at the expense of letting us escape.
"Xiao Tiance knows this. He will show no mercy to these sects that have allied with us. And the issue is that we are heavily dependent on these sects not just for managing occupied territories, but also for logistical support.
"Given this, I believe releasing the old man and sending Xiao Tiance back to the Great Thousand World might be the more pragmatic choice."
As soon as he finished, Nine Heavens Corpse Demon Emperor voiced his objection. "My lord, have you considered using that old man to set a trap for Xiao Tiance?
"Releasing him so easily would be tantamount to letting Xiao Tiance trample over our pride. I cannot agree to this."
"I agree with Nine Heavens," Dark Demon Emperor chimed in. "Xiao Tiance is powerful, but he's not invincible. If he were truly unstoppable, he would have stormed the dungeon directly to rescue the old man. The fact that he hasn't suggests that he fears us."
With two top tier Demon Emperors opposing the proposal, many other Demon Emperors also voiced their dissent.
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor remained calm. After letting the arguments die down, he turned to Hidden Sun Demon Emperor. "Hidden Sun, what is your perspective?"
Hidden Sun bowed respectfully. "My lord, Nine Heavens and Dark Demon Emperors make valid points. Releasing the old man outright would indeed harm our clan's prestige.
"However, you are also correct. Losing these human super sects weakens our logistical and administrative capabilities significantly.
"Therefore, I propose we take a middle path. Here is my suggestion..."
Hidden Sun leaned in and detailed his plan.
After a brief pause, the hall erupted in applause.
"Brilliant!"
"Yes, let's proceed with that plan!"
The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor grinned. "Since Xiao Tiance has come, we must give him a proper reception. We won't let this opportunity slip by."
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