Chapter 207: The Hun Clan's Strange Actions
"Even if Hun Tiandi has recovered, the Hun Clan wouldn't need to be so blatant. There must be another reason," Xiao Tiance said thoughtfully, his brow furrowed as he paced the ninth floor of the Tiance Residence.
"Indeed," Xiao Xuan agreed in a solemn tone. "Hun Tiandi is arrogant but not foolish. If he has regained his strength, he should still know that the Hun Clan is no match for the Xiao Clan at the moment. Such ostentatious activity must serve a deeper purpose. We cannot let our guard down."
Strategizing Against the Hun Clan
Xiao Qing bowed and spoke respectfully, "Third Uncle and Lord Xuan are absolutely correct. Our priority should be uncovering the Hun Clan's true intentions.
Additionally, before I came here, I instructed Yafei to mobilize the Heavenly Mystery Tower, including all members of the Heavenly Net, to closely monitor the movements of the four clan alliance and covertly track the Hun Clan's activities."
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance nodded approvingly. Rising from his seat, he issued further orders.
"Since the Hun Clan has surfaced, we cannot remain idle.
Xiao Qing, Tianluo!"
"Present!" Xiao Qing and Tianluo responded in unison, bowing.
"You two are to head to the Heavenly Mystery Tower's headquarters immediately. Oversee and coordinate the tower's operations to monitor the four clan alliance's movements. Also, dispatch strong operatives to capture members of the Hun Clan."
"Yes!" both replied without hesitation.
Turning to Huang Jiuji, Xiao Tiance added, "Elder Huang, if Xiao Qing and Tianluo require reinforcements, the entire Xiao Clan is at your disposal. Rank and status don't matter; everyone must follow your orders."
"Rest assured, Clan Leader. I will fully support the Heavenly Mystery Tower's efforts," Huang Jiuji replied firmly.
Satisfied, Xiao Tiance shifted his gaze to Xiao Xuan and the Tomb Spirit. Smiling, he said, "As for you two, Xuanhuang and the Tomb Spirit, you'll come with me we're heading to the Lightning Realm."
"Understood!" Both nodded in agreement.
The Hun Clan's Hidden Stronghold
Deep within the void of the Dou Qi Continent lay the Soul Realm, the Hun Clan's secretive refuge.
To evade detection, the Soul Realm constantly shifted through the void, making its location nearly impossible to pinpoint. Finding it was as likely as standing in one spot and being struck by lightning twice.
Inside the Soul Realm, Hun Tiandi's residence exuded an aura of dominance. His energy had fully recovered, and he had now stepped firmly into the Half Emperor realm.
Standing nearby, Void Swallowing Flame observed Hun Tiandi's overwhelming presence, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Clan Leader, the bait has been laid. Soul Miesheng reports that the operatives we sent out have already drawn the Heavenly Mystery Tower's attention.
Shall we proceed to the next step?" Void Swallowing Flame asked.
Hun Tiandi cast a cold glance at Void Swallowing Flame, his expression inscrutable. After a moment, he shook his head. "Not yet. Patience is key. We must ensure everything is flawless. If we fail this time, there will be no second chance."
Void Swallowing Flame noticed the seriousness in Hun Tiandi's voice, as well as the lingering fear from their previous defeat at the Heavenly Mystery Tower's headquarters.
He sneered internally but maintained a respectful façade. "The Clan Leader is wise. This is indeed our last gamble. If we succeed, the entire Dou Qi Continent will belong to the Hun Clan.
But if we fail..."
He left the sentence unfinished, but Hun Tiandi understood all too well.
Reflecting on Regrets
Hun Tiandi gazed at Void Swallowing Flame, a rare trace of emotion in his eyes. "Void, do you regret it?
If I hadn't intervened back then, you might still be with Xiao Tiance. You wouldn't be hiding like a dog with the Hun Clan now."
Void Swallowing Flame chuckled coldly, his eyes flashing with determination. "Regret? Never.
If you hadn't intervened, Xiao Tiance would have refined me into ashes.
And besides, the Hun Clan has treated me well. I've never felt like an outsider here.
If I regret anything, it's that I didn't reduce Xiao Tiance to ashes when I had the chance. That's my only regret."
Hearing this, Hun Tiandi laughed heartily, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
"Well said. In that case, let's take this opportunity to turn him into ashes.
Come, we've hidden long enough. It's time for the Xiao Clan's nemesis to emerge from the shadows and pay them a visit."
Void Swallowing Flame was momentarily stunned. "We're not hiding anymore?"
"No. There's no point.
To restore my strength and surpass my limits, we've sacrificed most of the Hun Clan's Dou Zuns and Dou Shengs. The operatives we sent out will likely never return.
The remaining clan members can stay in the Soul Realm, drifting with the void. Whether they live or die, it no longer matters."
Hun Tiandi spoke with a calmness that belied the grief in his heart. The cost of his recovery had been immense Void Swallowing Flame had refined most of the Hun Clan's top experts into fuel for his rebirth. Now, only a handful of meaningful combatants remained.
Void Swallowing Flame rose and nodded solemnly. "Very well. If you've made up your mind, I'll join you for this final gambit.
If we succeed, all is well. If not... at least it will end."
With that, Hun Tiandi created a swirling spatial vortex. The two exchanged a glance before stepping through and vanishing.
Chaos in the Central Plains
The Hun Clan's reemergence was not subtle. Their first target was Pill Tower, one of the most respected institutions in the Central Plains.
The Pill Region was engulfed in bloodshed as Soul Miesheng led Hun Clan forces in a ruthless attack. Many alchemists were slaughtered, and the Pill Tower's outer defenses were devastated.
If not for the desperate resistance of the Small Pill Tower, many more alchemists would have perished.
The Hun Clan didn't stop there. They launched simultaneous assaults on Sound Valley, Ice River Valley, Burning Flame Valley, Flower Sect, and Heavenly Underworld Sect, as well as Yellow Spring Pavilion, one of the Four Great Halls.
Of these, Sound Valley and Yellow Spring Pavilion suffered the most, with every member massacred by the Hun Clan's forces.
The Xiao Clan Prepares
Meanwhile, back in Beyond the Heavens, Xiao Tiance and the others reviewed reports of the Hun Clan's actions.
"Their methods are brutal and calculated. They've chosen their targets carefully to sow fear and chaos," Xiao Qing noted.
"It's just the beginning," Xiao Tiance said grimly. "Prepare yourselves. The final confrontation with the Hun Clan will come sooner than expected."
Among the various forces attacked by the Hun Clan, Burning Flame Valley fared slightly better. The leader of the Hun forces sent there was only a Half Saint, which resulted in a balanced fight between the two sides.
In just one day, the Hun Clan appeared to have gone mad, slaughtering members of major factions across the Central Plains and igniting widespread chaos.
At the Heavenly Mystery Tower Headquarters
Xiao Qing and Tianluo sat in their chairs, quietly listening to Yafei's report. As she finished, a playful smile flickered across their faces.
"So, aside from the Heavenly Mystery Tower, only second rate forces like the Falling Star Pavilion haven't been attacked?" Xiao Qing asked.
"Yes, Lord Xiao Qing. The latest reports indicate that Ice River Valley, Sound Valley, and Yellow Spring Pavilion have been wiped out.
Pill Tower, Heavenly Underworld Sect, and Flower Sect have been nearly decimated. Burning Flame Valley, while better off, has still suffered significant damage.
According to our Heavenly Net operatives, the Hun Clan and Soul Palace forces are now converging on Pill Tower, Heavenly Underworld Sect, and Burning Flame Valley.
At their current pace, they will arrive by tomorrow morning at the latest," Yafei said respectfully.
Xiao Qing turned to Tianluo, frowning slightly. "Lord Tianluo, what do you think? Why is the Hun Clan acting this way?
Logically, we and the Xiao Clan are their greatest enemies, yet none of the Heavenly Mystery Tower's branches have been touched. I can't make sense of it."
Tianluo shook his head, his brows furrowing. "I don't understand it either.
It makes some sense for them to target Pill Tower it has always been a mortal enemy of the Soul Palace. But the other factions?
Before now, the Hun Clan or Soul Palace had no enmity with many of them. In fact, factions like Heavenly Underworld Sect and Ice River Valley even had dealings with the Soul Palace in the past.
Honestly, this situation leaves me completely baffled."
Xiao Qing nodded in agreement, then looked back at Yafei. "Since the Hun Clan is converging on Heavenly Underworld Sect, Burning Flame Valley, and Pill Tower, the Heavenly Mystery Tower cannot sit idly by.
Yafei, order all Heavenly Mystery Tower operatives to intervene. Let's join the fray and take out some Hun Clan members to relieve our frustrations."
"As you command, Lord Xiao Qing." Yafei bowed and quickly left to issue orders to eliminate Hun Clan and Soul Palace operatives.
Soon, the massive war machine that was the Heavenly Mystery Tower began mobilizing, sending forces toward the regions surrounding Heavenly Underworld Sect, Burning Flame Valley, and Pill Tower.
In the Ancient Realm
The Hun Clan's sudden emergence and aggressive actions against major factions had alarmed all of the Central Plains.
Upon receiving news of these developments, Gu Yuan summoned Zhukun, Yan Jin, and Lei Ying to convene in the Ancient Realm for discussions.
In the meeting hall of the Gu Clan, Gu Yuan sat in the main seat, addressing the gathered leaders.
"Everyone, I'm sure you've all received news of the Hun Clan's actions by now.
I've gathered you here today to discuss two things. First, the reason behind the Hun Clan's behavior. Second, how we should respond if the Xiao Clan begins targeting the Hun Clan," Gu Yuan began.
"Gu Yuan, what's there to discuss?" Yan Jin said grimly. "We agreed to this alliance to suppress the Xiao Clan's ambitions.
If the Hun Clan falls, one of us will surely be their next target. This is clear as day."
Zhukun snorted softly, then spoke calmly. "I believe we first need to understand what the Hun Clan is up to.
Their sudden appearance deviates from all our expectations. Furthermore, they haven't engaged the Heavenly Mystery Tower or the Xiao Clan directly. Instead, they're targeting weaker factions, which seems like blatant bullying.
In my opinion, we should capture a few Hun Clan members and interrogate them before making any decisions."
Zhukun turned his sharp gaze to Gu Yuan and the others. "Let me be clear if the Xiao Clan doesn't move against us first, my Ancient Void Dragon Tribe will not strike them.
If any of you act rashly, don't blame me for walking away from this alliance."
Before Zhukun had finished, Lei Ying chuckled lightly. "My thoughts align with the Dragon Emperor's.
If the Xiao Clan doesn't attack our Four Clan Alliance, the Thunder Clan will not engage them either."
"You...!" Yan Jin's face turned red with anger as he pointed at Zhukun and Lei Ying, momentarily speechless.
Gu Yuan sighed inwardly, raising a hand to calm the room. "Everyone, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
First, we must acknowledge why we formed this alliance: to prevent the Xiao Clan from turning their attention to us after defeating the Hun Clan.
Second, we agreed that if the Xiao Clan launched a full scale war against the Hun Clan, we would stand behind the Hun Clan to support their resistance.
Third, our goal was never to become enemies of the Xiao Clan outright. Once the Hun Clan collapses, we must step in and negotiate with the Xiao Clan.
These were the terms we all agreed upon when forming this alliance. Do you still stand by them?"
The room fell silent. Zhukun, Lei Ying, and Yan Jin all avoided speaking.
While Gu Yuan's points were valid, the situation had changed. When the alliance was formed, the Hun Clan was in hiding, and the Xiao Clan wasn't actively searching for them.
Back then, the alliance provided a sense of security. But now, the Hun Clan had resurfaced and chosen to attack unrelated factions instead of the Xiao Clan or Heavenly Mystery Tower.
Intervening now would make the Four Clan Alliance seem ridiculous.
Seeing their hesitation, Gu Yuan sighed again, thinking to himself, A single misstep leads to a cascade of errors. If only I had agreed to Xiao Tiance's invitation to deal with the Hun Clan back then, I wouldn't be in this humiliating position, holding this fragile alliance together.
Despite his regret, Gu Yuan knew retreat was no longer an option. His Gu Clan's alliance with the Xiao Clan had already fractured beyond repair when they allowed the destruction of the Stone Clan and Spirit Clan, orchestrated by Xiao Tiance.
Looking at Zhukun and Lei Ying, Gu Yuan spoke firmly. "Dragon Emperor, Thunder King, I understand your concerns.
But if we've chosen to ally, we must face challenges together. Don't you agree?"
(End of Chapter)
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