Chapter 399: Finalizing Opponents and Xiao Tiance's Trump Card
"My strength doesn't quite match my brothers', but I'll take on the mid stage Immortal Heavenly Sovereign."
First Snow's declaration marked the assignment of nearly all of the True Phoenix Clan's top combatants. Only one early stage Immortal Heavenly Sovereign and four Spirit Heavenly Sovereigns remained. The tension in the cave was palpable but less suffocating than before.
Lin Dong's Confidence
"Senior Tiance, since you and the others have chosen the True Phoenix Clan's strongest four, allow me to take on their early stage Immortal Heavenly Sovereign," Lin Dong said, standing with calm determination. His voice was steady, filled with quiet confidence.
Xiao Tiance turned to Lin Dong with a smile. "Thank you, Lin Dong. If that's the case, I'll leave the early stage Immortal Heavenly Sovereign to you."
However, before Xiao Tiance could finish speaking, Jiu Yuan voiced his concern.
"Lord Tiance, can Lin Dong really handle an Immortal Heavenly Sovereign? If I'm not mistaken, he's only at the peak of Earth Sovereign. A Heavenly Sovereign's power is on a completely different level. If he can't hold his ground, it could complicate the battle significantly."
Jiu Yuan's doubts resonated with several others in the room. Lin Dong's strength, impressive as it was, seemed insufficient against such a powerful foe.
Xiao Tiance's Faith
Hearing the murmurs, Xiao Tiance smiled and addressed the room.
"Everyone, I understand your concerns. But if there's anyone I have absolute confidence in, it's Lin Dong. He may only be at the peak of Earth Sovereign, but the cards he holds make him more than capable of handling an Immortal Heavenly Sovereign."
The room fell silent as Xiao Tiance's words hung in the air. Even Xiao Yan, who had been quietly observing, found himself surprised.
"Just what kind of hidden cards does this Lin Dong have for Lord Tiance to praise him so highly?" Xiao Yan wondered, his curiosity piqued.
Even Xun Er glanced at Lin Dong with newfound interest. While Lin Dong seemed unassuming, Xiao Tiance's confidence in him made her reevaluate her first impression.
For his part, Lin Dong chuckled awkwardly.
"Senior Tiance flatters me. I'll do my best not to disappoint."
"You've earned this trust, Lin Dong. You can handle it," Xiao Tiance replied warmly.
Assigning the Remaining Opponents
With Lin Dong set to face the early stage Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, Xiao Tiance turned his attention to the remaining opponents: two late stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereigns, one mid stage, and one early stage.
"I'll take one of the late stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereigns," said Jiu Yuan, standing and releasing his mid stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereign aura.
"Good." Xiao Tiance nodded. Jiu Yuan's strength, bolstered by his nine headed serpent bloodline, made him a solid match for such an opponent.
Then, Xun Er stepped forward.
"Uncle Tiance, with the power of my Heavenly Flame, I can handle the early stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereign. However, I'll need assistance to be safe."
Xiao Tiance shook his head. "Xun Er, while your Heavenly Flame is powerful, handling a Heavenly Sovereign alone is risky. I'll lend you the Azure Marquis, one of my Heaven Demon Puppets. With its indestructible body, it can absorb much of the pressure, allowing you to focus on controlling the fight."
As Xiao Tiance summoned the Azure Marquis, its imposing figure immediately filled the room with an overwhelming presence. Xun Er bowed in gratitude.
"Thank you, Uncle Tiance. I'll make sure not to let you down."
Duo Battles
With the early stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereign accounted for, the mid stage one remained.
Xiao Xuan stood and addressed Xiao Tiance.
"Tiance, if you're willing, let me and Muling handle this one together. While neither of us is a Heavenly Sovereign, our combined strength, soul techniques, and Heavenly Flames should be enough to hold our ground."
Muling quickly echoed the sentiment. "Lord Tiance, I agree. Together, we can drag the battle out long enough to make a difference."
Xiao Tiance considered their proposal for a moment before nodding.
"Alright. Xiao Xuan, Muling, I trust you two. Be cautious."
The Final Opponent
Now, only one late stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereign remained. The room grew tense as everyone realized no one else had volunteered.
After a moment of silence, Xiao Tiance smiled knowingly.
"Everyone, relax. I've already accounted for this opponent."
Before anyone could question him, he raised his hand, and a flicker of golden light appeared. A ripple in the air followed, and the Heavenly Demon General emerged a towering figure, its aura just as terrifying as a late stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereign.
"This is the trump card I've prepared," Xiao Tiance explained. "The Heavenly Demon General was crafted for situations like this. With it, we're ready to take on all nine of the True Phoenix Clan's Heavenly Sovereigns."
Conclusion
With every opponent accounted for, the room's tension eased.
Xiao Tiance surveyed the group, his gaze lingering on those who had voiced doubts earlier.
"Now that we've finalized our assignments, I'll say this once more: anyone who has reservations is free to leave. I won't hold it against you."
This time, no one moved. Even Liu You, whose doubts had sparked the discussion, remained seated, his face pale but resolute.
Seeing this, Xiao Tiance's smile deepened.
"Good. Then let's prepare. The battle against the True Phoenix Clan will be the first step in solidifying our place in the Great Thousand World. Let's show them our strength!"
As his words echoed through the cave, the group erupted in cheers, their resolve solidified.
Liu You admired everyone's courage in choosing opponents stronger than themselves, but one unresolved issue loomed large: the remaining late stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereign from the True Phoenix Clan, a foe that could single handedly annihilate their remaining forces.
"Lord Tiance, there's still a late stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereign left. Shouldn't we reconsider our strategy before proceeding with this battle?" Liu You asked aloud.
Liu Changkong's Dilemma
Hearing Liu You's remark, Liu Changkong gritted his teeth in frustration. While Liu You was invaluable to Ghost Sect's recent resurgence, his questioning now placed him in an awkward position.
How could Liu Changkong defend such skepticism in front of Xiao Tiance, who had not only proven his strength but also surrounded himself with experts like Xiao Xuan, Gu Xun'er, and even the Azure Marquis all capable of wiping out their entire sect if provoked?
Despite his annoyance, Liu Changkong quickly bowed respectfully. "Lord Tiance, please do not take Liu You's words to heart. He speaks without ill intent and merely voices concerns over the difficulty of this battle."
Xiao Tiance's Response
Seated in the main position, Xiao Tiance smiled warmly, unshaken by Liu You's comments.
"Changkong, there's no need for such formality," Xiao Tiance said calmly. "In fact, Vice Sect Leader Liu You has raised a valid point. The reality is indeed daunting: the remaining late stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereign is not an opponent we can ignore."
As Xiao Tiance's eyes swept over the room, his gentle yet confident tone continued.
"But rest assured, this lone Heavenly Sovereign is not enough to halt our plans."
Before anyone could respond, a palm sized figure darted out from Xiao Tiance's body, emitting a radiant glow as it zipped through the air.
Ling'er's Appearance
"Ling'er!"
"Is that Ling'er?!"
The voices of surprise and joy came from Xiao Xuan, Mu Ling, and others who recognized the little figure.
"Ling'er, greet everyone," Xiao Tiance said with a smile, watching the tiny figure dart around playfully.
"Alright, Little Master!" Ling'er giggled, twirling in midair before addressing the crowd. "Hello, everyone! I'm Ling'er! Don't be fooled by my size I'm a Grandmaster Spirit Array Master!"
A Grandmaster Spirit Array Master?!
The room erupted in shocked murmurs.
"A Grandmaster Spirit Array Master?! That's even rarer than a Heavenly Sovereign!"
Xiao Tiance's smile widened as he nodded. "Ling'er speaks the truth. She has mastered all the spirit arrays I know, though she requires external spiritual energy to activate them."
As he spoke, Xiao Tiance removed a token from his waist.
"This token has been imbued with twice the spiritual energy of my body, enough for Ling'er to utilize her skills without limitation."
Turning to Xiao Yan, Xiao Tiance asked, "Xiao Yan, are you willing to wield this token and cooperate with Ling'er to deal with the last late stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereign?"
Xiao Yan's Enthusiasm
"Me? Of course, I'm willing, Lord Tiance!" Xiao Yan responded, his excitement barely contained.
Having felt his limitations since arriving in the Great Thousand World, Xiao Yan had been searching for an opportunity to prove himself. The chance to assist Ling'er in battling a Heavenly Sovereign wasn't just an honor it was a stepping stone to future growth.
"Good. With this token and Ling'er's abilities, you'll be able to match even a late stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereign," Xiao Tiance assured him.
Equipping the Army
With all nine Heavenly Sovereigns accounted for, Xiao Tiance turned his attention to the remaining 16 Earth Sovereigns and numerous Supreme Sovereigns within the True Phoenix Clan.
"Now, let's address the rest. These forces will be your responsibility," Xiao Tiance said, waving his hand.
Suddenly, countless jade tokens appeared, glowing in red and blue hues.
"Spirit Array Tokens?"
Those who recognized them gasped.
Spirit Array Tokens
Xiao Tiance explained, "Each of these tokens contains a powerful Spirit Array of Grandmaster level.
Red Tokens: Offensive arrays. Crush the token, and within three seconds, throw it at the enemy. It will unleash its full power and trap the target. Although the array dissipates after one strike, timing it right could severely wound or even kill your opponent.
Blue Tokens: Defensive arrays. Crush the token, and it will create a shield around the user. This shield can withstand one full strength attack from an Earth Sovereign before dissipating."
He added, "These tokens are consumable but highly effective. Use them wisely to secure victory or protect yourselves."
Lin Dong's Doubts
"Lord Tiance, these tokens sound incredible, but can they really deliver the power you're describing?" Lin Dong asked, standing with visible excitement.
He had heard of such items but never witnessed their full potential. If they were as effective as Xiao Tiance claimed, they could ensure Qing Zhu's safety during the battle.
Xiao Tiance chuckled. "Lin Dong, why don't you test one and find out?"
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