Chapter 67: Coming Out of Seclusion
Heaven Beyond Heaven, Tiance Residence, Ninth Floor.
After traveling the continent for 600 years following the unsealing of Heaven Beyond Heaven, Xiao Tiance returned to meet with the elders before going into seclusion.
Three centuries passed, and he showed no signs of emerging. Xiao Qing diligently delivered updates on Central Plains and Northwest affairs every two weeks, yet the letters remained unopened.
Thankfully, Xiao Qing could still sense his presence; otherwise, he might have forcibly entered the chamber.
Finally, one day, as Xiao Qing prepared to deliver another letter, a surge of immense energy erupted from within.
"Boom!"
A fierce gust of wind blew, sending Xiao Qing's letter scattering into the air.
"Whoosh!"
Before he could react, the long closed doors swung open, and a white shadow flashed past him at an incredible speed.
The letter landed in the hands of a man, who smiled and said warmly:
"Qing'er, your persistence in delivering a letter every two weeks is truly commendable."
Hearing this, Xiao Qing quickly turned around. Upon seeing the man's face, he was overjoyed and immediately bowed.
"Qing'er greets Third Uncle and congratulates you on completing your seclusion."
**"Haha, this time, the seclusion lasted a bit longer than expected. I should've emerged earlier, but I sensed an opportunity to break through to the Spirit Array Master level and decided to continue.
Unfortunately, I couldn't achieve success. Perhaps it's due to the limitations of this world or the inability of my crafted tools to handle the immense energy conversion. Every time I was close, the array collapsed."** Xiao Tiance sighed as he explained.
**"Third Uncle, don't be discouraged. From what you've said, becoming a Spirit Array Master is akin to achieving Dou Di status immensely challenging.
You've just come out of seclusion today. Why not take a bath, eat something, and rest? Once you've recovered, I'll brief you on the events of the past two centuries."** Xiao Qing respectfully suggested.
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance nodded and left with Xiao Qing.
Two hours later, after bathing and eating, Xiao Tiance arrived at the ninth floor of Tiance Residence.
Xiao Qing, Xiao Chun, and Xiao Tian Ming were already waiting for him.
"Greetings, Clan Leader!" the three said in unison, bowing.
"No need for formalities. Please, sit. Though it's been almost 300 years, we're family no need for distance between us." Xiao Tiance gestured with a smile.
"The Clan Leader's aura has grown even more formidable. We were momentarily overwhelmed." Xiao Tian Ming chuckled.
After everyone sat down, Xiao Tiance poured tea for the three of them.
"You all seem to have much to say. Let's hear it, one at a time."
Xiao Qing and Xiao Tian Ming exchanged glances before looking at Xiao Chun, who didn't hesitate to begin.
**"Tiance, the past 200 years have been relatively peaceful. Everyone has been diligently training, and the clan's overall strength has steadily improved.
Since you entered seclusion, the clan has added six Dou Shengs, fifteen Half Saints, and 127 Dou Zuns and Dou Zongs."**
Xiao Chun continued for nearly ten minutes, summarizing the key events of the past two centuries.
Xiao Tiance nodded in approval.
"Not bad. It seems the clan has been making steady progress."
"Haha, times have changed. Since you advanced to Nine Star Dou Sheng Peak, there's been no dissent. Everyone follows your words faithfully." Xiao Chun laughed with pride.
Though Xiao Chun's strength was stuck at Four Star Dou Sheng Peak, making further advancement unlikely, his loyalty and dedication to the clan were unwavering.
Xiao Tian Ming glanced at Xiao Qing, signaling him to speak next.
**"Third Uncle, the Dragon Soaring Army now numbers 12,000. Its commander, Uncle Xiao Wu, has reached Seven Star Dou Sheng Peak, while the five sub commanders range between Three Star and Six Star Dou Sheng.
Among the soldiers, the weakest are at Dou Huang Peak, with the majority being Dou Zongs. All squad leaders are at least Two Star Dou Zuns.
As for Tianji Tower and Net, under Tian Luo's leadership, both factions have surpassed Soul Hall and even Dan Tower, earning their place as super first class forces."**
Xiao Qing provided a detailed report on the clan's growing military and intelligence forces.
**"Impressive. The Dragon Soaring Army already surpasses the Ancient Clan's Black Smoke Army in strength.
Tian Ming, how about the matter I asked you to monitor?"** Xiao Tiance turned to Xiao Tian Ming.
**"Tiance, you instructed me to monitor the Yao Clan and the individual who would be expelled from it. At first, I was skeptical, but sure enough, a young man named Yao Chen was cast out.
It's strange Yao Chen was considered average in the Yao Clan, but after leaving, he began to shine.
Not only did he become a renowned alchemist hailed as the continent's greatest, but his strength also grew steadily.
After becoming a Dou Zun, he and Feng Xian, the Wind Venerate, founded the Starfallen Pavilion. Today, it stands alongside Yellow Spring Pavilion, Myriad Sword Pavilion, and Wind Lightning Pavilion as part of the Four Way Pavilions second class forces.
However, Yao Chen's rise attracted trouble. He obtained the 'Flame Mantra' technique in a secret realm and intended to pass it to his disciple, Han Feng.
When he realized Han Feng's corrupt nature, he withheld the technique, leading Han Feng to collaborate with Soul Hall to betray and kill him.
Since you forbade intervention, I could only watch and refrain from saving him."**
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance interrupted.
"What about Yao Chen's ring?"
The Bone Flame Ring was crucial. If it hadn't reached Xiao Zhan's wife, the timeline could change drastically.
"No need to worry, Tiance. The ring disappeared briefly but reappeared in the Northwest, in the hands of none other than Xiao Zhan's wife from the Xiao Clan branch in Jia Ma Empire." Xiao Tian Ming quickly reassured him.
Relieved, Xiao Tiance asked, "What's the current state of that branch?"
**"Per your orders, we refrained from intervening unless they faced annihilation. Unfortunately, their situation is dire.
After their only Dou Wang, the old patriarch Xiao Lin, died of severe injuries, they couldn't remain in the Jia Ma Empire's capital.
They relocated to a small town called Wu Tan City.
Even there, they failed to dominate, becoming one of the three major families alongside two other small clans."**
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance sighed.
"Keep a close watch on them. Extend Tianji Tower and Net's influence to that region."
(End of Chapter)
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