Chapter 208: The Appearance of Hun Tiandi
Ancient Realm, Gu Clan Meeting Hall
As Gu Yuan's words echoed in the hall, the expressions of Zhukun and Lei Ying turned somewhat unpleasant. Only Yan Jin remained neutral, siding with Gu Yuan as usual.
Unlike the Flame Clan, which was deeply tied to the Gu Clan, the Thunder Clan and the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe held their own perspectives. Lei Ying, in particular, felt cornered into the so called alliance only because of Xiao Tiance's machinations.
After the Xiao Clan covertly incited the war that led to the annihilation of the Stone Clan and Spirit Clan, Lei Ying realized that individually, the Thunder Clan couldn't stand against both the Gu and Flame Clans.
For survival, Lei Ying reluctantly joined the alliance. However, just days earlier, Xiao Tiance had visited Lei Realm, accompanied by two powerful experts. After their discussion, Lei Ying made the decision to support the Xiao Clan in secret and provide intelligence on the Gu and Flame Clans.
Now, facing Gu Yuan, Lei Ying spoke with a calm expression.
"Brother Gu, since you insist, our Thunder Clan has no objections. While we are reluctant to confront the Xiao Clan directly, this alliance was formed under mutual understanding. Since the Flame Clan trusts you and supports this, we will also follow your arrangements.
However, let me make one thing clear: if we do end up at war with the Xiao Clan, we won't be the ones leading the charge. The Xiao Clan is too powerful. Unless we have absolute certainty of victory, we can't afford to provoke their wrath. If the Xiao Clan retaliates, my Thunder Clan won't survive."
Zhukun, the Dragon Emperor, found Lei Ying's sudden cooperation surprising. Although Zhukun shared Lei Ying's cautious attitude toward the alliance, this shift felt abrupt.
Nevertheless, Zhukun nodded and echoed Lei Ying's stance.
"My thoughts align with Brother Lei Ying's. This alliance is for mutual protection. However, until the Xiao Clan openly acts against us, the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe will not take the lead in any offensive. I hope you can understand this, Brother Gu."
Yan Jin's face turned red with frustration. "You two...!"
His anger rendered him momentarily speechless.
Gu Yuan raised a hand to calm the room, signaling Yan Jin to stand down. Although Yan Jin coldly snorted and sat back, Gu Yuan retained a composed demeanor.
"Brother Lei, Dragon Emperor, your concerns are understandable. You've expressed your reservations since the beginning, and I respect that. I have no issue with your stance."
Gu Yuan smiled lightly, masking his true feelings.
These are all cunning foxes, he thought. Even Yan Jin isn't truly aligned with me he's just riding along because of the Flame Clan's ties to the Gu Clan.
Gu Yuan understood that his so called allies were primarily motivated by self preservation. Nonetheless, the mere existence of the Four Clan Alliance served its purpose: to deter the Xiao Clan from outright domination.
While the Xiao Clan's strength surpassed the combined might of the four clans, attempting to eliminate them all would come at a great cost, something even Xiao Tiance would hesitate to do.
The alliance was a strategic move, one that forced the Xiao Clan to think twice before making a move.
But Gu Yuan also knew his "allies" well enough. Their hesitations, reluctance, and self serving intentions were as plain as day.
Once the Xiao Clan targets the Thunder Clan or the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, they'll have no choice but to stick with us. Gu Yuan smirked inwardly. His ploy wasn't subtle, but it was effective.
Outwardly, he maintained a calm and cooperative demeanor.
"For now, our priority should be to determine why the Hun Clan has suddenly reappeared and engaged in widespread battles across the Central Plains."
The Hun Clan's Arrival
Before Gu Yuan could finish, all four leaders raised their heads simultaneously, their expressions turning grim.
In an instant, their figures vanished, appearing outside the meeting hall.
"Who dares trespass in my Gu Clan? Show yourself!" Gu Yuan's cold voice resonated through the space.
"Jie jie jie..."
A sinister laugh echoed as spatial ripples intensified. A voice, arrogant and mocking, followed.
"Well, well, Brother Gu, your senses are as sharp as ever. I must say, I'm impressed."
From the swirling void stepped Hun Tiandi, his commanding presence radiating power. Beside him stood Void Swallowing Flame, exuding a dark and eerie aura that sent waves of pressure through the air.
"H Hun Tiandi! Void Swallowing Flame!" Gu Yuan's brows furrowed.
"Jie jie jie... Brother Gu, weren't you looking for me? I've taken the liberty of presenting myself. Yet, this doesn't feel like a very warm welcome," Hun Tiandi sneered.
His piercing gaze swept over the others Zhukun, Yan Jin, and Lei Ying.
With a sinister smile, Hun Tiandi mockingly clasped his hands in greeting. "Ah, and here we have the esteemed Dragon Emperor, Flame King, and Thunder King. What an honor to see you all gathered here."
As Hun Tiandi spoke, his overbearing aura suddenly receded. In its place was an air of elegance and poise, a drastic shift that left the four leaders cautious yet compelled to return the greeting.
"Greetings, Clan Leader Hun."
Despite their wariness, they couldn't afford to be impolite.
After exchanging formalities, Hun Tiandi smiled and asked, "Brother Gu, shall we continue our conversation here?"
In response, Gu Yuan gestured politely, leading everyone back to the Gu Clan's meeting hall.
Once seated, Gu Yuan wasted no time. "Brother Hun, I assume your visit isn't merely for old times' sake? After your clan's battle with the Xiao Clan, you vanished without a trace. Now you've emerged on your own. Could it be that you've found a way to contend with the Xiao Clan?"
The question caught the attention of Yan Jin, Lei Ying, and Zhukun, who immediately turned their gazes toward Hun Tiandi.
Seeing their reactions, Hun Tiandi chuckled and shook his head. Then, with a faint smile of resignation, he replied, "If my clan had any confidence in overcoming the Xiao Clan, I wouldn't be here today."
"What do you mean by that?" Gu Yuan asked, frowning. "If you lack confidence, why expose your clan? Surely you're aware that the Xiao Clan is actively searching for you?"
Hun Tiandi sighed deeply and explained, "Three years ago, during my battle with Xiao Tiance, my origin suffered significant damage. Though I've since recovered, the cost was enormous it nearly exhausted the foundation of my clan.
"As for why we've chosen to reveal ourselves so openly... consider this: if the Xiao Clan truly wanted to find us, do you think it would have been difficult for them?
"Rather than passively waiting for them to locate our Soul Realm, it's better to take the initiative. By giving them targets to vent their anger on, there's a chance they'll spare what remains of the Soul Clan."
His explanation left everyone, including Gu Yuan, with furrowed brows and a heavy sense of unease.
After a brief silence, Zhukun broke the tension. "Are you saying the Soul Clan members exposed to the world are... sacrificial pawns?"
Hun Tiandi glanced at Zhukun in surprise before nodding. "As expected of the Dragon Emperor, your insight is remarkable. That's correct. Every member of my clan who has gained any measure of fame is a sacrificial pawn.
"In time, the Soul Clan will cease to exist. When these individuals are gone, what remains will be a hollow name, incapable of threatening the Xiao Clan or posing as their adversary."
"Hiss!"
Everyone present drew a sharp breath, shaken by the revelation. Hun Tiandi's ruthlessness was staggering he was willing to sacrifice the elite of his clan to save its weaker members.
"Brother Hun, don't you think this is going too far?" Gu Yuan asked solemnly.
He had initially hoped to support the Soul Clan after their inevitable clash with the Xiao Clan, but Hun Tiandi's words completely disrupted his plans.
"Too far?"
Hun Tiandi's expression remained calm as he looked at Gu Yuan and the others.
"Do you truly believe that if I didn't do this, the Soul Clan could withstand the Xiao Clan once they found the Soul Realm?
"It's harsh, I'll admit, but the reality is undeniable. Rather than let the entire clan be annihilated like the Stone and Spirit Clans, it's better to sever the tail to preserve the body.
"The Xiao Clan can slaughter those I've offered up. As for the weaker members of my clan... their fate will depend on their luck."
Though cruel, Hun Tiandi's reasoning wasn't without merit.
Gu Yuan stared intently at Hun Tiandi, searching for hidden motives behind his decision. He knew Hun Tiandi was not one to surrender easily.
"Brother Hun, if that's all there is, then I doubt you would have come to the Gu Clan. Your timing suggests a deeper purpose.
"We're all in the same boat, forced into this situation by the Xiao Clan's overwhelming strength. Why not lay your cards on the table?
"Furthermore, based on what I know of you, you're not someone who accepts defeat willingly. If you were, you wouldn't be Hun Tiandi."
Hun Tiandi suddenly burst into laughter. The elegant demeanor he had maintained vanished, replaced by an overbearing and commanding aura. His eyes gleamed with sharp intensity.
"Brother Gu, you truly live up to your reputation. It seems I can't hide anything from you.
"Very well, I'll be direct. I've come to propose a deal."
"A deal?" Gu Yuan frowned, puzzled.
"Yes, a deal. I hope that you, as the leader of this Four Clan Alliance, will lead your forces to wage war against the Xiao Clan." Hun Tiandi's tone was firm.
The response elicited dissatisfaction from everyone. Yan Jin's irritation boiled over. "What kind of deal is this? And if it's a deal, what does the Soul Clan offer in return for us risking war with the Xiao Clan?"
"Indeed. What can you offer to make it worthwhile?" Zhukun and Lei Ying echoed in unison.
At this moment, Void Swallowing Flame, who had been silent, suddenly smiled.
"How about four sources of Emperor Essence? Are those sufficient?"
"What? Emperor Essence?"
Zhukun's expression changed drastically. He could scarcely believe what he had just heard.
Gu Yuan, Yan Jin, and Lei Ying were equally stunned.
As top tier experts, they fully understood the value of Emperor Essence it was a treasure that could allow one to ascend to the Dou Di (Battle Emperor) realm.
Zhukun's shock quickly gave way to skepticism.
"Impossible! You can't possibly possess Emperor Essence. If you did, you wouldn't be here negotiating. If you truly had Emperor Essence, you wouldn't need our help you could simply ascend to the Dou Di realm yourself and annihilate the Xiao Clan with ease."
Gu Yuan and the others nodded in agreement.
"Zhukun is right. Brother Hun, there's no way you have Emperor Essence," Gu Yuan stated firmly.
Hun Tiandi's face remained calm. He glanced at Void Swallowing Flame, who chuckled and stepped forward.
"Now, we don't currently have it," Void Swallowing Flame admitted. "If we did, as the Dragon Emperor said, we wouldn't need this alliance.
"But just because we don't have it now doesn't mean we can't obtain it."
Void Swallowing Flame turned to Zhukun, his gaze sharp.
"Dragon Emperor, you should know where I came from, don't you?"
Zhukun stiffened. As someone who had been deceived by Tuoshe Ancient Emperor, how could he not know? "If you know that, then you should also understand before Tuoshe Ancient Emperor ascended, I was by his side. I know the exact location of Emperor Essence.
"Now, does that sound more convincing?"
(End of Chapter)
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