Chapter 403: The Battle Begins
"Onward to the Ancestral Grounds of the True Phoenix Clan!"
In Longfeng Sky, with a single command from Xiao Tiance, the Void Shuttle's protective barrier activated. In the blink of an eye, it shot toward the ancestral grounds of the True Phoenix Clan with blinding speed.
To ensure stealth, Ling'er surrounded the Void Shuttle with a concealed array, masking their presence. As they traveled through territories of spiritual and divine beasts, they encountered no resistance or attacks, thanks to this precaution.
As the first rays of the sun lit the eastern sky, the ancestral grounds of the True Phoenix Clan came into view.
The sight was breathtaking. The land radiated divine brilliance, with dense spiritual energy so abundant that it formed mists and gentle rain in some areas, creating an ethereal atmosphere akin to a heavenly realm. Floating peaks dotted the horizon, adding to the otherworldly beauty of the scene.
Preparing to Strike
"Ling'er, are you ready?" Xiao Tiance asked, glancing at the tiny figure perched on Xiao Yan's shoulder.
"Don't worry, Master Xiao. I've prepared everything. The True Phoenix Clan's protective formation primarily functions as a detection array. It's not particularly strong. A single powerful attack will be enough to break it," Ling'er replied confidently, her face alight with excitement.
Her assurance wasn't just for Xiao Tiance; it was also meant to quell the unease growing among their group. Some members had begun to show fear, and a few had even taken hesitant steps back.
As expected, her words had the intended effect. The previously tense atmosphere eased, and the anxious individuals straightened up, their spirits lifted.
Moments later, under everyone's watchful eyes, massive arrays spun into existence before both Xiao Tiance and Ling'er.
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
At the count of one, the Void Shuttle's protective barrier vanished, and the concealed array shrouding it dissipated in a surge of spiritual energy.
"Boom!"
Two blinding beams of energy erupted from the arrays and shot straight at the True Phoenix Clan's protective formation.
Breaking the Barrier
"Crack, crack!"
The protective shield of the True Phoenix Clan began to fracture under the relentless assault. Xiao Tiance and Ling'er had foregone stealth and launched a full frontal attack, shattering the formation with overwhelming force.
"Boom!"
In mere moments, the shield gave way, exploding in a cascade of light.
"Charge!" Xiao Tiance shouted, drawing his longsword and slashing toward the True Phoenix Clan.
From the Void Shuttle, dozens of radiant figures shot forward, streaking toward the clan's ancestral grounds like meteors.
Alarm Bells
"Enemy attack!"
The defenders of the True Phoenix Clan were stunned by the speed and precision of the assault. Before they could process what had happened, the clan's emergency bell rang out three times, summoning reinforcements.
"Dong!"
"Dong!"
"Dong!"
The resounding chimes reverberated throughout the ancestral grounds, and True Phoenix warriors began pouring forth to confront the invaders.
"Kill!"
The battle erupted with ferocity. Screams, explosions, and the hum of spiritual energy filled the air as the combatants clashed. Spirit arrays activated intermittently, adding to the chaos with bursts of destructive power.
Xiao Tiance moved like a phantom. With a single swipe of his hand, he crushed a lower tier Earth Sovereign from the True Phoenix Clan into nothingness.
Without pausing, he turned to his next target, determined to eliminate as many enemies as possible before the Heavenly Sovereigns of the clan arrived.
The True Phoenix Clan Mobilizes
"Impossible! They really came!"
In the True Phoenix Clan's main hall, Feng Mingtian rose from his seat, his expression icy.
"So they dare attack us in our ancestral grounds?" he sneered. "Let's show them the true might of the True Phoenix Clan."
"Yes, Clan Leader!"
The assembled leaders of the True Phoenix Clan responded in unison before disappearing in a flash.
In an instant, Feng Mingtian, along with eight other Heavenly Sovereigns and over ten Earth Sovereigns, appeared on the battlefield. Their presence alone was enough to shake the air.
Even Xiao Tiance couldn't help but feel a moment of awe.
"As expected of a supreme divine beast clan," he thought. "I knew their strength, but seeing it in person is something else entirely."
Despite the overwhelming force arrayed before him, Xiao Tiance remained composed. Floating midair, he shifted his focus to the incoming Heavenly Sovereigns.
One by one, his allies emerged to stand by his side: Mo Yang, Huang Jiuji, First Snow, Xiao Xuan, Mu Ling, Jiu Yuan, Xun'er, Green Marquis, Xiao Yan, and Lin Dong.
The Confrontation
The sudden appearance of so many powerful individuals shocked the True Phoenix Clan's leaders.
They had anticipated Xiao Tiance's arrival but had assumed they would maintain a clear advantage. Now, seeing the formidable lineup before them, their confidence wavered.
"You've got some nerve showing up at the ancestral grounds of the True Phoenix Clan!" Feng Mingtian growled, his voice laced with unrestrained killing intent.
The oppressive aura he emanated was palpable, causing a wave of pressure to ripple through both sides.
Despite the immense pressure, Xiao Tiance stepped forward, meeting Feng Mingtian's gaze without flinching. "We didn't want to come, but some debts must be settled."
"Debts? What debts?" Feng Mingtian asked, feigning ignorance.
Xiao Tiance smirked coldly. "Clan Leader Feng, playing dumb doesn't suit you."
Before Xiao Tiance could continue, Mo Yang roared, his voice thunderous and filled with rage: "Feng Mingtian, you beast! Do you remember how we treated you back then? And how you repaid us?"
Old Ties, Broken Trust
Feng Mingtian chuckled, his tone dripping with mockery. "Ah, Mo Yang, Huang Jiuji, First Snow it's been so long. Seeing you all brings back memories of when we roamed the Great Thousand World together."
The mention of their shared past caused a flicker of pain to cross Mo Yang's face. But it was quickly replaced by unbridled fury.
"Enough talk!" Mo Yang bellowed. "You betrayed us! Today, we're here to make you pay for your treachery!"
Xiao Tiance remained silent, his eyes fixed on Feng Mingtian. The air grew thick with tension as both sides prepared to clash.
The True Phoenix Clan's Heavenly Sovereigns braced themselves, their auras flaring to life, while Xiao Tiance's group steadied their resolve.
The battlefield was set.
The time for words had passed.
The battle for survival and justice had begun.
"Since you've come today, why not stay a little longer?"
Feng Mingtian smiled faintly, his gaze calmly sweeping over Mo Yang, Huang Jiuji, and First Snow. "Over the past thirty thousand years, I've failed to properly host you. That's my fault."
He wasn't surprised by their arrival. After all, if he had been in their shoes imprisoned for thirty millennia he wouldn't have been able to hold back either.
But in this world, victory defines the righteous. Since they had come today, they might as well stay. To him, it was that simple. Their differing positions naturally meant conflicting views.
So, there was no point in further talk. A battle was inevitable.
"Let's fight, then."
Xiao Tiance, noticing the calm demeanor of Feng Mingtian, felt no guilt. He knew any further conversation would be meaningless. Action was the only way forward.
Just as Xiao Tiance was about to strike, Feng Mingtian raised his hand, motioning him to pause. With a smile, he said, "You must be Xiao Tiance. A man of great talent, and your strength is commendable. So, I'll offer you a choice. Kneel and submit to me now, and I'll pretend none of this ever happened."
"Kneel? You've lost your mind."
Xiao Tiance laughed aloud, his voice dripping with ridicule. "Kneel and submit? Feng Mingtian, have you lost your mind? Otherwise, how could you spout such nonsense? Enough of this charade. If you won't give us justice, we'll take it ourselves!"
Feng Mingtian's smile froze momentarily but quickly returned. He gave a faint nod. "Clever with words, I see. I sympathize with your grievances regarding your two disciples. That's why I've already sent Feng Ying and Feng Lin to our clan's forbidden grounds as punishment.
As for your reason for being here, I understand it well. But all this killing is unnecessary, especially since you're now a guest elder of the Great Thousand Palace. So, I'll compromise. Retreat now, and I'll hand over Feng Ying and Feng Lin for you to deal with as you see fit. Life or death it's your call."
"Bring them here, and I'll kill them now."
Xiao Tiance narrowed his eyes and let out a cold laugh. He didn't believe for a second that Feng Mingtian would so easily concede.
"Patience," Feng Mingtian said with a wave of his hand. His smile widened as he continued, "In return, how about you promise not to meddle in my affairs with Mo Yang and the others? After all, we're sworn brothers. Surely, you won't object to me wanting to have a little heart to heart with them?"
"Shameless! Absolutely shameless."
Xiao Tiance's laughter rang out, his tone mocking. "Feng Mingtian, I've seen shameless people before, but you've surpassed them all.
Imprison your sworn brothers for thirty thousand years, covet their opportunities, and now, when they've escaped, you have the gall to claim you care for them? I must admit, your shamelessness exceeds all expectations."
Huang Jiuji and First Snow joined in, their mocking smiles unrestrained.
"You've got the thickest skin we've ever seen," First Snow said with a chuckle.
The Mask Slips
Feng Mingtian's face darkened instantly. Clearly, he hadn't anticipated Xiao Tiance's refusal to give him even a shred of respect in front of so many people.
A sinister glint flickered in his eyes as he glared at Xiao Tiance and Mo Yang's group. "Since it's come to this, there's no need for further words. You dared to invade my clan then you'll all stay here forever.
Kill them!"
"Kill!"
Battle Erupts
With Feng Mingtian's command, chaos descended. The clash of weapons, the roar of techniques, and the cries of pain filled the air as both sides collided.
Xiao Tiance targeted Feng Mingtian immediately, while the rest of his group engaged their pre assigned opponents. The True Phoenix Clan's Earth Sovereigns charged at Xiao Tiance's allies, but it quickly became clear they were outmatched.
The Role of the Spirit Arrays
As Xiao Tiance's side activated spirit array jade talismans, the battlefield shifted dramatically.
In an instant, two of the True Phoenix Clan's Earth Sovereigns lay dead, and another was gravely injured. The arrays crafted by Xiao Tiance delivered devastating blows, leaving their enemies reeling.
However, the true decider of this battle was not the lower levels but the clash of Heavenly Sovereigns.
The Heavenly Sovereigns' Struggle
In the skies, Xiao Tiance faced Feng Mingtian head on, struggling under the latter's relentless assault. Feng Mingtian's overwhelming power as a near Saint level Heavenly Sovereign left Xiao Tiance barely able to counter.
The other Heavenly Sovereigns were similarly pressed. Only Jiu Yuan and Lin Dong managed to maintain an advantage. Everyone else including Huang Jiuji was fighting defensively, trying to hold on.
Xiao Yan's Unexpected Victory
Xiao Yan, however, found himself in a surprising position. His opponent, a late stage Spirit level Heavenly Sovereign, initially treated him with disdain, playing with him like a cat with a mouse.
That arrogance proved fatal.
Before the enemy could react, Ling'er deployed a Grandmaster level spirit array, trapping him instantly.
The Heavenly Sovereign's laughter turned to rage as he realized he couldn't break free.
Ling'er's Role
"Ling'er, did you just trap him?" Xiao Yan's voice was filled with disbelief as he glanced at the small figure on his shoulder.
Ling'er nodded with a playful grin. "Yup. You caught him off guard, which made it easier. If he hadn't underestimated you, trapping him would've been much harder."
"Now, go help the others," she added. "Your Heavenly Flames might not match Xun'er's Emperor Flame, but they're more than enough to deal with those lesser enemies."
"What about him?" Xiao Yan asked, glancing at the struggling Heavenly Sovereign.
"Don't worry about him," Ling'er replied. "The spirit energy stored in your medallion is more than enough to keep him in check."
Ling'er Strikes Again
Before Xiao Yan could say more, Ling'er formed another intricate spirit array.
Far away, a mid stage Earth Sovereign fighting against Luo Tianshen suddenly froze. A brilliant light erupted beneath him.
"Boom!"
The explosion annihilated the Earth Sovereign, leaving only scattered fragments.
"Just like that?" Xiao Yan muttered, stunned.
Ling'er smirked. "Just like that. Now stop gawking and get moving. We have a battle to win!"
The tides of battle continued to shift as Xiao Tiance and his allies fought with everything they had. The clash of titans had only just begun, but the spirit arrays laid by Xiao Tiance and Ling'er were already proving to be a game changer.
(To be continued...)
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