Chapter 443: Five Years, Xiao Baiying, and the Early Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign Realm
"You can return now and deliver my message to your clan leader. If she's dissatisfied, tell her to come to Zhu Xian City herself. I'll be waiting here."
In Zhu Xian City, Northern Ming Continent, Xiao Tiance's voice rang out in the hall of the rear courtyard. His blunt statement left Biyue, the Grand Elder of the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan, visibly displeased.
If it weren't for the intimidating presence of the Heavenly Demon Puppets beside Xiao Tiance, she might have acted on her frustration and taught him a lesson about the strength of her clan.
"Xiao Tiance, do you even care about reason? It was your wife who wrote to our clan leader, pleading for our help in guarding Zhu Xian City for Bai Yujing. Now you turn your back on us and refuse to honor the agreement. Aren't you worried about being ridiculed when word spreads?" Biyue demanded angrily.
Xiao Tiance frowned slightly. Reputation mattered little to him in the Great Thousand World, where strength was the foundation of everything. However, Biyue's words reminded him of Medusa's actions.
Indeed, it was Medusa who had reached out to the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan, asking for their assistance. Moreover, it was the clan's experts who had saved Medusa when she was being hunted by the people of the Tian Luo Palace and safely returned her to him.
Unlike the True Phoenix Clan, which had drained bloodline power from Huang Min and Ling Yun after taking them in, the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan had done nothing wrong.
"Phew!"
Xiao Tiance exhaled deeply, his expression softening. He clasped his hands in a gesture of apology toward Biyue and said, "I was impulsive earlier and offended you three. Please forgive me.
"However, taking Medusa and her unborn child back to the Heavenly Serpent Continent is something I absolutely cannot agree to. That being said, I recognize and value the kindness your clan has shown. The assistance you provided Bai Yujing in defending against the extraterrestrial demon clan and guarding Zhu Xian City will not be forgotten."
Seeing that Biyue and her companions were visibly less angry, Xiao Tiance continued, "Medusa is my wife and the mistress of Bai Yujing. The child she is carrying is Bai Yujing's first young master. Letting you take them away is out of the question.
"However, to repay your clan's kindness, I owe the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan three favors. In the future, should your clan need assistance, you may reach out to me at any time. I will do my utmost to help."
Hearing these words, Biyue, though still upset at being unable to take Medusa back, understood that Xiao Tiance would not yield. She also knew from prior intelligence that Xiao Tiance's strength was likely on par with her clan leader, an early Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign. Even if the clan leader came personally, it was unlikely they could force him to comply.
Biyue sighed and clasped her hands. "In that case, I will report this to our clan leader. As for her response, I cannot guarantee."
"As expected. Grand Elder Biyue, I apologize again for my earlier rudeness," Xiao Tiance said, bowing slightly.
"It's fine. At least you didn't order these Heavenly Demon Puppets to kill us, or I wouldn't have been able to leave alive today. Immortal Sovereign, we shall take our leave. We will inform you of our clan leader's decision later."
Biyue glanced at her two companions and gestured for them to follow. The three of them left Zhu Xian City swiftly.
In Zhu Xian City
After Biyue and her companions departed, Xiao Tiance looked at Medusa, who was still asleep in his arms. Turning to Dragon Lord, he said, "Senior, please take some rest. I have other matters to attend to."
"Understood, Immortal Sovereign." Dragon Lord bowed respectfully and left the room.
Now alone, Xiao Tiance gently carried Medusa to the bedroom. He laid her down, pulled the blanket over her, and brushed her hair back from her face.
"You foolish woman... Did you really think I'd let you sacrifice yourself like that?" Xiao Tiance murmured softly.
Initially, Xiao Tiance had been drawn to Medusa for her beauty and charm, with no feelings of love involved. Over time, however, her personality and actions endeared her to him, and their mutual affection grew. Now, they were inseparable.
To think she had been willing to use herself as a bargaining chip to secure the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan's support against the extraterrestrial demon clan made his heart ache.
The Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan, also known as the Seven Colored Swallowing Python Clan, was one of the most formidable forces in the Great Thousand World, rivaling even the True Phoenix Clan. Their clan leader was a Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign, and they had ancient, reclusive powerhouses as well.
Still, Xiao Tiance was not the type to exchange his wife and child for power. If he needed strength, he would earn it himself.
"Phew!"
Exhaling softly, Xiao Tiance retrieved a medicinal pill from his spatial ring. He dissolved it in his hand using spiritual energy and then carefully infused the medicinal essence into Medusa's body.
Soon, her pale complexion gave way to a healthy, rosy glow.
Once the process was complete, he activated a protective Spirit Array around the room to block out noise and disturbances. He then sat quietly by her side, waiting for her to wake.
Outside Zhu Xian City
Meanwhile, outside the city, Biyue and her two companions had just passed beyond Bai Yujing's range of influence. Realizing they weren't being pursued, they let out a collective sigh of relief.
"Grand Elder, what do we do now? Do we just return and report to the clan leader?" one of the younger women asked hesitantly.
"The clan leader said Medusa's Nine Colored Swallowing Python bloodline is purer than hers. With the Baptism of the Dragon Pool, she could grow into a top tier powerhouse…"
Biyue's expression turned serious. "We'll return and report everything truthfully. Medusa's potential is indeed immense, and she could bring unparalleled glory to the clan. But Xiao Tiance's strength is beyond what we expected, and he won't give her up willingly.
"The decision lies with the clan leader now. Whether we let this matter go or push further, it's no longer in our hands."
The three of them exchanged solemn glances and continued on their way.
"What should we do now that Xiao Tiance refuses to let us take Medusa and her child back? How will we explain this to the clan leader?"
"Indeed, Grand Elder. Even if Medusa doesn't join the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan, the child she carries must. After all, such a terrifyingly pure bloodline has never appeared in our clan's history."
Hearing her companions, Biyue frowned deeply, then sighed. "There's no point in discussing this now. Unless the clan leader and the reclusive elders come in person, the three of us have no way to take Medusa safely.
"You saw for yourselves how strong those Heavenly Demon Puppets were when Xiao Tiance released them. I even suspect he's hiding more puppets that he hasn't revealed.
"Coupled with the strength of the other experts of Bai Yujing, it's clear that Bai Yujing is no longer a power our Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan can underestimate."
Biyue turned to look at the towering Zhu Xian City behind her, then sighed again. "Let's return and see how the clan leader and the elders want to handle this. Besides, we didn't come back empty handed. Xiao Tiance, the master of Bai Yujing, has offered us three favors. The clan might be even happier with this result."
"Yes, Grand Elder."
The other two women nodded and fell silent. They turned and vanished into the void, disappearing without a trace.
Half a Month Later
Since Xiao Tiance had come out of seclusion, half a month had passed. Medusa had woken up and explained everything to him. As he had guessed, she had made the deal with the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan because she feared Bai Yujing lacked the strength to resist the extraterrestrial demon clan.
Xiao Tiance didn't blame her. Instead, he felt deeply for this selfless and foolish woman.
To ensure the health of their unborn child, Xiao Tiance used the finest ingredients to refine an extraordinary pill. It had surpassed the grade of Heavenly Soul Fusion Blood Pill and was now named the Sacred Soul Milk Pill. Enriched with Earth Essence Marrow and other high grade treasures, the pill was perfect for nurturing a pregnancy.
Xiao Tiance believed that once Medusa gave birth, their child would be born with a Supreme Realm foundation.
In the Great Thousand World, it was said that "all below the Supreme Realm are ants." For many, reaching the Supreme Realm was a lifelong, unattainable dream. Yet, in some powerful clans, being born into such a realm was just the beginning. The disparity in resources made all the difference.
The Demon Clan's Return
One day, while patrolling the void around Zhu Xian City, Xiao Tiance discovered a small contingent of extraterrestrial demons attempting to invade. However, their numbers were too insignificant. Within moments, Xiao Tiance wiped them out, including their demon commanders.
Over the following days, more demons appeared, but none could escape his grasp. The Demon Emperor himself never appeared, and without his presence, none of the invaders stood a chance.
Breakthroughs and New Foundations
Half a month later, Xiao Tiance received word from Mo Yang, Huang Jiuji, and Di Yixue, who informed him that they had successfully broken through their bottlenecks.
He instructed Mo Yang to return to Zhu Xian City, while Huang Jiuji and Di Yixue were tasked with gathering personnel to assist Dragon Lord in establishing the Tianji Tower, an intelligence and operations unit.
Five Years Later
Five years passed in the blink of an eye. Xiao Tiance had advanced to the early Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign Realm despite deliberately suppressing his spiritual energy during cultivation. Without these suppressions, he might already have reached the late Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign Realm.
"Immortal Sovereign," Mo Yang greeted him respectfully as Xiao Tiance emerged from seclusion.
However, Xiao Tiance's attention wasn't on Mo Yang. Instead, his gaze softened as he looked at the little girl in Medusa's arms.
"Daddy!"
The little girl suddenly disappeared from Medusa's embrace and reappeared in Xiao Tiance's arms. She giggled and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Hahaha! My little Yingying is so sweet! Did you miss Daddy?" Xiao Tiance laughed heartily, kissing her on the cheek.
"Yingying missed Daddy so much! Mommy said Daddy was busy in seclusion, so I wasn't allowed to disturb you," the girl chirped.
Her full name was Xiao Baiying, the name Xiao Tiance had given her. As the little princess of Bai Yujing, she was lively, adorable, and utterly mischievous. Yet despite her playful nature, she was kind hearted and never bullied anyone.
"Congratulations on coming out of seclusion, my husband," Medusa said, walking over. She smiled warmly, seeing the father daughter pair as close as ever.
"Thank you. It must've been hard for you these past six months. The demon clan didn't cause too much trouble, did they?" Xiao Tiance asked.
"There were some minor incursions, but City Lord Mo Yang handled them efficiently," Medusa replied gently.
"That's good to hear." Xiao Tiance turned to Mo Yang and praised him. "You've done well these past years, City Lord Mo Yang."
"Immortal Sovereign, you flatter me. It's my duty. Ever since you personally dealt with a Demon Emperor three years ago, the demons have only sent weaker forces, none at the Demon Emperor level," Mo Yang said respectfully.
"Excellent. Now that the most dangerous period has passed, I will return to the capital. Zhu Xian City is in your capable hands, City Lord Mo Yang. If a situation arises that you can't handle, use the Bai Yu Token to summon reinforcements."
"Rest assured, Immortal Sovereign. Zhu Xian City will not fall under my watch." Mo Yang bowed deeply.
Over the past five years, Bai Yujing's strength had grown exponentially. The number of Immortal Grade and Spirit Grade Heavenly Sovereigns under its banner now rivaled the peak of the Heavenly Dao Sect's prime. Even the five ancient clans would no longer dare to underestimate Bai Yujing.
"Very well. I leave Zhu Xian City to you," Xiao Tiance said.
With that, he wrapped one arm around Medusa's waist and carried Xiao Baiying in the other. In a flash, they disappeared, reappearing moments later in the capital.
The Capital – Tiance Mansion
Standing on the top floor balcony of Tiance Mansion, Xiao Tiance gazed out over the capital city with satisfaction.
A voice came from outside the door. "Immortal Sovereign, City Lord Xiao Xuan and the others have arrived."
"Invite them in."
"Yes!"
Moments later, Xiao Xuan, Xiao Tianming, Mu Ling, Huang Min, Huang Lingyun, Xiao Huaian, Zi Yan, and Tian Luo entered the room.
"Brother Tiance/Immortal Sovereign/Teacher!" they greeted in unison.
(Chapter Ends)
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