Chapter 332: Xiao Tiance – "If I Let You Escape, I Might as Well Slit My Throat"
Outside Luo Shui City, at the entrance to the Ancient Secret Realm.
When Luo Tianshen and Xiao Tiance arrived with their group, the place was already teeming with people. It was a scene of unprecedented activity, a testament to how grand the opening of the Ancient Secret Realm an event occurring only once every century truly was.
Last night, Luo Tianshen had explained to Xiao Tiance that aside from the entrance near Luo Shui City, the Ancient Secret Realm had three additional entrances located within the domains of the other three great clans. Though none of the four clans could outright deny others access, they had certainly considered monopolizing the entrances.
However, such an action would have only incited the wrath of major powers and ancient god clans who participated in the secret realm. Thus, it was better to keep the entrance open to all, allowing even low level cultivators with enough courage to enter.
Despite having four entrances, the one at Luo Shui City attracted the largest crowd. This was because among the Four Great Clans, the Luo Clan was considered the weakest. Many independent cultivators and smaller factions flocked here, hoping to avoid competition from the stronger clans.
An Ominous Presence
"Lord Tiance, the entrance to the Ancient Secret Realm will open in an hour," Luo Tianshen informed Xiao Tiance respectfully.
Xiao Tiance nodded with a smile. "Good. Thank you, Senior. No need to rush we have time."
Just as he finished speaking, Xiao Tiance noticed Liu Changkong, who had been standing nearby, suddenly stiffen. It was as if a shadow had enveloped him, his body locked in place by a sinister aura.
Following the trail of this aura, Xiao Tiance's eyes landed on a figure draped entirely in black cloth, with only a pair of sharp, piercing eyes visible. The figure radiated a foreboding, unpredictable energy that seemed to ebb and flow like mist.
The aura was undeniably powerful an upper level Earth Supreme at his peak, even stronger than Luo Tianshen.
When Xiao Tiance's gaze locked onto the figure, the man turned to meet it, his eyes narrowing. However, before the sinister energy pressing down on Liu Changkong could do any harm, Xiao Tiance unleashed his own aura. Like a gust of wind scattering the mist, the oppressive force was instantly dispelled.
"Phew."
Liu Changkong exhaled deeply, his body relaxing. "Lord Tiance, that man is the current Sect Master of the Ghost Sect, Liu Ming."
A Provocative Encounter
Xiao Tiance nodded slightly. He had already guessed the man's identity. As Luo Tianshen had described, Liu Ming was indeed a formidable figure, not someone an ordinary Earth Supreme could easily contend with.
But what truly impressed Xiao Tiance was Liu Ming's audacity. Despite the obvious presence of several Earth Supreme powerhouses near Liu Changkong, including four at the Great Circle of Earth Supreme, Liu Ming had dared to target him directly.
Such courage, or recklessness, was rare. Xiao Tiance couldn't help but smirk. "No wonder he managed to overthrow Liu Wenfeng. This man is bold."
When Xiao Tiance looked back at where Liu Ming had been standing, the man was gone, as if he had never been there.
"Hmph. A petty trick like that?" Xiao Tiance sneered.
He released a pulse of his Imperial Realm Soul Force, expanding its reach to cover the area within dozens of miles. His soul force, sharp and precise, scanned every corner.
The Chase
Three miles away, Liu Ming had just begun to relax. The brief encounter with Xiao Tiance had left him deeply unsettled, as if he'd been stared down by a primordial beast.
Suddenly, his instincts screamed danger. Every hair on his body stood on end, and he nearly leapt into the air like a startled cat.
"Damn it! How is he still able to pinpoint my location so accurately?" Liu Ming cursed inwardly, his face pale beneath the black cloth.
As an upper level Earth Supreme, Liu Ming was no stranger to danger. His sharp intuition and quick reactions had saved his life countless times, including during the ambush on Liu Wenfeng.
He had believed that retreating far enough would put him out of Xiao Tiance's reach. Yet, despite the distance and his stealth techniques, he found himself locked in again by that same overwhelming presence.
The Confrontation
"Haha. As expected of the Ghost Sect's master," came a calm, unhurried voice from behind him.
Liu Ming stiffened. His body felt as if it were being crushed under a mountain as Xiao Tiance's energy enveloped him. Slowly, he turned around, his movements rigid.
"You... Who are you? Why do you continue to pursue me after I've already backed down?" Liu Ming's voice trembled slightly. Though his face was hidden, his eyes betrayed his unease.
Xiao Tiance smiled faintly, noting the man's nervous posture and the beads of sweat trickling down his face.
"Who am I? I am Xiao Tiance," he said evenly. "I've heard of your deeds, Liu Ming, and wanted to see the infamous Ghost Sect Master who dared to overthrow his own teacher.
"As for why I'm here... It's quite simple. Liu Changkong is one of my subordinates. He pledged allegiance to me along with his sect. In return, I promised to eliminate his enemies. That includes you, Ghost Sect Master."
A Cold Truth
Liu Ming's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're... you're his backer? But we've never crossed paths before. I hold no enmity toward you."
"That may be true," Xiao Tiance replied with a smile, "but you made the mistake of targeting one of my people.
"Honestly, I was planning to deal with you inside the Ancient Secret Realm. But your boldness impressed me you dared to target Liu Changkong even with so many Earth Supremes standing beside him. So here I am."
As Xiao Tiance spoke, his tone grew colder, his aura pressing down like a storm.
"If I let you escape now, I might as well slit my own throat."
Liu Ming's Desperation
Faced with Xiao Tiance's overpowering presence, Liu Ming's confidence crumbled. Years of honing his instincts told him one thing this man could kill him effortlessly.
Desperation flickered in his eyes as he stammered, "Lord Xiao... surely, we can negotiate. I can offer "
"Enough," Xiao Tiance interrupted, his voice icy. "You had your chance. Now, let's see if you're as clever as the stories say."
As Xiao Tiance raised his hand, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, and the oppressive energy grew heavier. Liu Ming's heart sank he had no choice but to fight for his life.
At the Ancient Secret Realm's entrance outside Luo Shui City:
"You have to admit, your courage is among the finest I've ever seen. As a reward for your audacity, I've changed my mind I'll kill you now," Xiao Tiance said with a faint smile.
Though his tone was calm, his words were merciless, carrying a weight that made Liu Ming, the Ghost Sect Master, feel as though death was already tightening its grip around him.
A Desperate Plea
Liu Ming felt cold sweat dripping down his back. He cursed himself inwardly for his earlier rashness. If he had known Liu Changkong was under Xiao Tiance's protection, he would never have locked onto him with his spiritual energy.
"My apologies, my lord," Liu Ming said hastily, lowering his head and speaking with deference. "I was unaware that Liu Changkong was your subordinate. Please forgive my impulsive behavior."
Despite Liu Ming's quick apology, Xiao Tiance remained unmoved. His smile deepened, his gaze mocking.
"Why don't you resist?" Xiao Tiance said, his tone playful yet laced with cold intent. "Perhaps you might actually escape with your life."
If it had been anyone else, Liu Ming might have tried to flee. But the name Xiao Tiance carried a weight too great to ignore. This was the man who had openly defied the Western Heaven Battle Emperor, the supreme ruler of the Western Heaven Continent. Even when faced with the full might of the Western Heaven Battle Palace, Xiao Tiance had stood his ground, unscathed.
Liu Ming knew his place. He was a renowned figure in his own right, but compared to someone who could challenge the Battle Emperor, he was no more than an insect.
"My lord, I would never dare to resist someone of your strength," Liu Ming said humbly. "However, may I propose a deal? Compared to Liu Changkong, I hold far greater value.
"If you allow me to kill Liu Changkong, I will pledge my allegiance to you along with the entire Ghost Sect. After this venture into the Ancient Secret Realm, I will even advance to the Great Circle of Earth Supreme, making me a far more useful ally."
Liu Ming's voice was calm, but it was clear that he was grasping at straws. Survival was all that mattered now.
No Mercy
Xiao Tiance chuckled, shaking his head. "You're a bold negotiator, Liu Sect Master. But unfortunately..."
"Unfortunately, what?" Liu Ming asked nervously.
"Unfortunately, I don't like traitors," Xiao Tiance replied coldly. "So, you can go ahead and die now."
With that, Xiao Tiance raised his hand and struck.
"Boom!"
The air trembled as their palms collided. The impact produced a deafening explosion, rippling outward and shaking the ground.
Though Liu Ming had struck with all his might, the difference in power was insurmountable. Xiao Tiance stood unmoving, his robes unruffled, while Liu Ming was sent flying backward. Blood spurted from his mouth, and fragments of internal organs could be seen in the crimson spray.
"Xiao Tiance! I swear, we are irreconcilable enemies!" Liu Ming roared in rage, but his body wavered.
Taking advantage of his bizarre movement techniques, he vanished into thin air, his voice lingering in the air like a curse.
An Unavoidable Fate
Xiao Tiance smirked. "So predictable. If I let someone like you escape, I might as well slit my own throat."
Before his words fully left his mouth, a golden figure appeared, descending from the sky. Qinghou, Xiao Tiance's golden battle puppet, held Liu Ming in one hand like a broken doll.
Liu Ming's aura was utterly shattered his Supreme Sea destroyed, his neck hanging limp. He was dead.
Xiao Tiance had foreseen this outcome. Before confronting Liu Ming, he had sent Qinghou to hide in the void, anticipating that Liu Ming would try to flee.
As Qinghou placed Liu Ming's lifeless body before him, Xiao Tiance glanced at the corpse with disdain.
"And here I thought your movement technique was something extraordinary. Turns out, it's not impressive at all I didn't even need to use a spiritual array to stop you," Xiao Tiance said with a sigh.
With a tap of his foot, a faint spiritual array, previously hidden in the surroundings, dissipated.
A Swift Victory
Returning to the Ancient Secret Realm's entrance, Xiao Tiance and Qinghou approached Luo Tianshen and the others. Qinghou still held Liu Ming's corpse, prompting gasps of shock from the group.
"Lord Tiance, you've already dealt with Liu Ming?" Luo Tianshen asked incredulously. The battle had ended so quickly that they had barely felt the ripples of spiritual energy.
"Just a mere Liu Ming. How much effort could it take?" Xiao Tiance replied nonchalantly, then turned to Liu Changkong. "I promised to let you handle him yourself, but this fool was far too arrogant. I took care of him for you. I hope you don't mind."
Liu Changkong's eyes reddened as he dropped to one knee, his voice trembling. "Lord Tiance, your kindness is beyond repayment. From this day forward, my life belongs to you."
Xiao Tiance waved dismissively. "No need for such dramatics. Your life is worth far less than that of a peak Earth Supreme."
Then, his expression turned serious as he continued, "You mentioned that you would have information before the secret realm opened. The time is near. Don't disappoint me."
The Report
Liu Changkong quickly stood and bowed deeply. "Lord Tiance, I've already received word from the Tianluo Hall. The jade token briefly lit up in the Northern Sky Continent, but the light faded shortly after.
"Another similar phenomenon occurred on a small continent near the Nine Nether Continent, but it also disappeared quickly. Both sightings were too fleeting to confirm any details."
Xiao Tiance's eyes narrowed as he pondered the report.
(To be continued…)
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