Chapter 481: Crisis and Long Distance Teleportation
In the territory of the Foreign Demon Clan, deep within a hidden cave, Xiao Tiance had no idea that the entire high command of the demon clans was convening to lay a trap for him.
But that hardly mattered he needed rest. From the moment he had entered the demon clan's domain, annihilating sixteen human super sects, his mind had been under constant tension.
Now, with a rare moment to relax, he spared a glance at Qin Tian, who was still recovering from his injuries, and finally sat cross legged on a stone slab to meditate.
Three days passed in a flash. Although Qin Tian's injuries had not fully healed, Xiao Tiance's potent medicinal pills had suppressed them enough for Qin Tian to move freely. As long as they avoided top tier figures like the Nine Heavens Corpse Demon Emperor, the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor, or the Dark Demon Emperor, Qin Tian felt confident he could escape even in his current condition.
With a deep breath, both opened their eyes simultaneously.
Xiao Tiance smiled. "It seems you're recovering well, Senior Qin."
Qin Tian nodded, smiling in return. "Indeed, I can move freely now. Thanks to your elixirs, I should be fine as long as I don't encounter a top tier Demon Emperor."
He couldn't help but regret his earlier recklessness against the Heavenly Sword Sect's master, but after seeing Xiao Tiance's overwhelming strength firsthand, he felt more at ease relying on him.
"In that case," Xiao Tiance said with a nod, "let's move. Three days should have been enough for the Foreign Demon Clan to come up with a response to their losses."
"Understood. I'll follow your lead, Tiance," Qin Tian replied.
With a wave of his hand, Xiao Tiance activated a formation, and the two disappeared from the cave.
One day earlier, a chilling rumor had spread throughout the Foreign Demon Clan's territory. All human super sects that had aligned with the demon clans had locked their gates in fear. A mysterious and terrifyingly powerful figure had been systematically targeting them.
At the same time, an extraordinary announcement was made: the demon clans had released the ancient captive who had been held in their domain for millions of years.
Their explanation? The captive had supposedly possessed Di Tian of the Devouring Demon Clan a descendant of the Heavenly Evil God's bloodline. To preserve this sacred lineage, the captive had been banished into a void fissure instead of being executed.
Half a day later, Xiao Tiance and Qin Tian returned to the Holy City. Using soul searching techniques on a mid tier demon, they confirmed the rumors.
Both were stunned.
"What's going on?" Qin Tian frowned. "Even if Di Tian really is a descendant of the Heavenly Evil God, they could have just imprisoned the old man indefinitely. Why banish him into a void fissure? This makes finding him nearly impossible!"
Xiao Tiance, storing the demon's corpse in his spatial ring, shared Qin Tian's confusion.
Before they could speculate further, a cold, commanding voice resounded throughout the Holy City:
"By decree of the Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor: Xiao Tiance has committed heinous crimes by slaughtering super sects loyal to our divine clans. This affront to our honor cannot go unanswered.
"As Saint Clan Patriarch, I order all Demon Emperors to gather at the Saint Abyss Continent. We shall unite our might and deliver a blood soaked reckoning to the Great Thousand World!"
As the decree ended, Xiao Tiance and Qin Tian exchanged shocked glances.
Above the Holy City, the Saint Clan's emblem appeared, followed by the emblems of the Devouring Demon Clan, Corpse Demon Clan, and the thirty two major demon clans in quick succession.
Moments later, the emblems of countless smaller clans also lit up, filling the sky.
In mere minutes, every demon clan had declared their unity and intention to launch a full scale invasion of the Great Thousand World.
Xiao Tiance squinted at the glowing emblems above. His mind raced.
"Could the Foreign Demon Clan really be this enraged over the destruction of sixteen human sects?" he muttered to himself.
He found it hard to believe. This grand display seemed more like an elaborate ploy to flush him and Qin Tian out. But if he was wrong and the demon clans were genuinely preparing a total assault, the Great Thousand World would face unprecedented devastation.
Beside him, Qin Tian trembled. Cold sweat streamed down his face as the gravity of their actions dawned on him.
"Tiance," he transmitted anxiously, "what do we do now? If the Foreign Demon Clan launches an all out war, the Great Thousand World isn't prepared to withstand them!"
Xiao Tiance remained silent, deep in thought. After a long pause, he spoke decisively.
"Senior Qin, there's only one solution. You must return to the Great Thousand World immediately and warn the others.
"Although we couldn't bring the old master back, we at least freed him from their dungeon. That's a partial success. But now, we must focus on preparing for the worst."
"And you?" Qin Tian asked, frowning. "You're not coming back with me?"
Xiao Tiance shook his head. "Senior Qin, we face two possible scenarios.
"First, the Foreign Demon Clan truly intends to invade. In that case, your return with advanced warning will give the Great Thousand World a fighting chance to prepare.
"Second, this is all a ruse to force us out of hiding. If that's the case, I need to remain behind and confirm their true intentions."
Qin Tian clenched his fists, struggling to accept Xiao Tiance's plan.
After a moment, he nodded reluctantly. "Alright, but promise me you'll stay safe, Tiance. The Great Thousand World cannot afford to lose you."
Xiao Tiance smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Senior. I'll handle things here."
He activated a formation beneath Qin Tian's feet, preparing to send him back.
"May the Great Thousand World be ready when they come," Xiao Tiance whispered as Qin Tian vanished in a flash of light.
"However, we cannot be sure whether the Foreign Demon Clan's true intention is the first scenario or the second. To be safe, Senior Qin, you must return to inform the Great Thousand World's strongest forces and prepare them to stop the Demon Clan's invasion."
Qin Tian nodded but still looked at Xiao Tiance with concern. "And you, Tiance?"
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance smiled faintly. Seeing the worry in Qin Tian's eyes, he replied via voice transmission:
**"Senior, it was my insistence that we enter the Demon Clan's territory to save our predecessor, and it was also my idea to carry out that reckless plan. To be honest, my actions were naive and overconfident.
"The best choice for the Great Thousand World would have been not to enter this territory at all.
"Now, with the Demon Clan posturing for a massive invasion, I bear the greatest responsibility. That's why I cannot return. If I leave and the Demon Clan cannot find me, their frustration might lead to a real invasion of the Great Thousand World.
"I won't give them that excuse. Once you leave, I will launch a real war of extermination here.
"If the Demon Clan truly intends to invade, my presence in their territory will be like a sword stuck deep in their back.
"Moreover, I didn't come unprepared. I brought twelve Sky Demon Puppets, each with power equivalent to at least the late Immortal Stage, as well as materials to create even more powerful puppets from the remains of those we've defeated. The sixteen super sects we destroyed have provided an abundance of resources. Fighting a war while sustaining myself is my best strategy."**
Hearing Xiao Tiance's calm explanation, Qin Tian was momentarily stunned. He finally understood why Xiao Tiance had spent years gathering materials for Sky Demon Puppets from the major powers and the ancient clans. The seemingly reckless plan to destroy the sixteen super sects wasn't just to deal a blow to the Demon Clan it was preparation for this very moment.
"Too dangerous," Qin Tian said, shaking his head. "Tiance, I fear that the path back to the Saint Abyss Continent is already under the Demon Clan's surveillance. If I weren't injured, I might be able to sneak back, but in my current state, if I'm discovered by one of their top tier Demon Emperors, I'll never make it."
Xiao Tiance smiled and held up a shimmering purple gold jade token.
"What's this?" Qin Tian asked. He had seen red jade tokens for offensive arrays and blue ones for defensive arrays, but this purple gold token was unfamiliar.
Handing the jade token to Qin Tian, Xiao Tiance explained, "Senior, do you remember when I asked for three days to prepare before we departed? This purple gold jade token is part of that preparation.
"This isn't for an offensive or defensive array it's for an ultra long distance teleportation array.
"Before we left, I secretly set up a teleportation array in my quarters at the Great Thousand Palace. Once you crush this jade token, the array will activate, instantly bypassing all of the Demon Clan's defenses and sending you back to the Saint Abyss Continent."
Qin Tian stared at Xiao Tiance in disbelief as the latter handed him two spatial rings. Xiao Tiance removed his spiritual imprint from them before continuing:
**"Senior, these rings contain the resources we seized from the sixteen destroyed sects. I've divided them into two portions. One is for you to use as you see fit.
"The other is for my wife, Medusa. Please deliver it to her and ask her to discuss with my cousin, Xiao Xuan, how best to distribute it.
"If I manage to return, I'll treat you to a drink, Senior. But if I don't make it back and the Great Thousand World holds out against the Demon Clan, I ask you to watch over White Jade Pavilion for me."**
Even though this might be a final farewell, Xiao Tiance remained composed. He never expected things to come to this, but now that they had, he faced it with calm resolve.
"Tiance…" Qin Tian's eyes reddened. He wanted to suggest that they use the teleportation array to leave together, but Xiao Tiance cut him off with a smile.
"Senior, there's no need to say more. Time is short.
"Also, this teleportation array is a new creation, and it can only send one person at a time. As the Great Thousand Palace's Grand Elder, your role in uniting the major powers to resist the Demon Clan is irreplaceable.
"I, on the other hand, can do the most good by staying here."
Qin Tian pulled Xiao Tiance into an embrace, his voice trembling as he said, "Tiance, take care of yourself. I'll wait for you to come back and share a drink with me. Don't die!"
"I'll try," Xiao Tiance replied with a faint smile.
Reluctantly, Qin Tian crushed the purple gold jade token in his hand.
The moment the token shattered, a massive surge of spatial energy erupted. The forces of the void swirled violently, forming a direct link from the Holy City to the Saint Abyss Continent.
The phenomenon was impossible to miss. Any cultivator at the Demon Emperor or Sky Sovereign level immediately sensed the disturbance.
The teleportation array materialized fully, but Qin Tian's expression shifted to alarm. "Tiance! Why is it causing such a commotion? The Saint Heavenly Demon Emperor and the Dark Demon Emperor are already heading this way. You must leave!"
Xiao Tiance, however, remained calm. "Senior, every great power comes with a cost. Ultra long distance teleportation can achieve incredible results, but it's impossible to conceal.
"You focus on returning safely. Leave the rest to me."
Suddenly, a sinister voice echoed through the void:
"Xiao Tiance! Qin Tian! To think you'd dare return to the Holy City! Since you're here, don't bother leaving!"
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