Chapter 468: Stirring Up Trouble at the Sect Founding Ceremony
"If you, the young lord of the Mohe Ancient Clan, dare to stir up trouble, I certainly won't lag behind," said the Western Battle Emperor with a smirk.
Inside a tavern, Xiao Tiance quietly listened to the conversation between the Western Battle Emperor and Mo He Tian without interrupting. He was curious to see what these two had planned for the Endless Flame Territory's sect founding ceremony.
The two didn't seem concerned about others overhearing them, as though they weren't worried someone might leak their plans to Xiao Yan. It was clear that, whether in the original Great Ruler story or now, both Mo He Tian and the Western Battle Emperor were fated to have grudges against Xiao Yan.
In the original story, the Mohe Ancient Clan sought to annex the Endless Flame Territory, resulting in a titanic battle. Despite being a new force, the Endless Flame Territory proved no weaker than the Mohe Ancient Clan. The older faction suffered significant losses, including their patriarch retreating with injuries.
As for the Western Battle Emperor, his issues with the Endless Flame Territory stemmed from the affairs of the Luo God Clan, which nearly escalated into conflict.
Now, due to Xiao Tiance's rise and the emergence of White Jade Capital as a superpower, Mo He Tian and the Western Battle Emperor were nursing grudges. Having suffered at Xiao Tiance's hands, they were now bent on causing trouble for his descendants.
Spurred on by the Western Battle Emperor's taunts, Mo He Tian sneered coldly. "Very well, let's plan a grand 'gift' for Xiao Yan at the sect founding ceremony."
"Agreed," the Western Battle Emperor replied without hesitation. The two clinked their glasses, drained their wine, and disappeared.
After they left, Xiao Tiance smirked.
He decided not to inform Xiao Yan in advance or intervene when the time came. After all, while Xiao Yan was part of the Xiao Clan, he needed to face such challenges on his own.
Moreover, if all went as expected, the Endless Flame Territory would rise to rival the Five Ancient Clans, much like the Supreme Martial Realm. Some events required Xiao Tiance's involvement, but others were best left untouched.
A Few Days Later
The day of the Endless Flame Territory's grand sect founding ceremony arrived.
In the backyard of the main hall, Xiao Yan furrowed his brow and asked, "Xun'er, has Elder Tiance not arrived yet?"
"Don't worry, Brother Xiao Yan," Gu Xun'er replied with a gentle smile. "Since Uncle Tiance promised to attend our ceremony, I'm sure he will. He's probably just been delayed by something important."
Gu Xun'er understood Xiao Yan's feelings well. Deep down, he wanted to prove himself to Xiao Tiance, and the establishment of the Endless Flame Territory was part of that effort.
Xiao Yan sighed and glanced at the sky. Rising to his feet, he said, "Alright, Xun'er, go inform Father in law to begin the ceremony."
"Okay," Gu Xun'er said, squeezing his hand reassuringly before leaving.
Moments later, a loud explosion of fireworks illuminated the sky, creating dazzling patterns. The sect founding ceremony of the Endless Flame Territory had officially begun.
Compared to the founding ceremony of White Jade Capital, this event was even more lively. Representatives from the Five Ancient Clans, the Da Qian Palace, and many other superpowers in the Great Thousand World had come to celebrate. Even many powerful rogue cultivators had traveled to attend.
Whether some of these attendees were here out of respect for White Jade Capital was unclear, but the sheer size of the crowd at least ten times larger than at White Jade Capital's ceremony five years ago spoke volumes.
At the center of the grand plaza, Gu Yuan, now a mid stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereign, clasped his hands and bowed in all directions. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am Gu Yuan, the Great Elder of the Endless Flame Territory. On behalf of our entire sect, I welcome you all to this momentous occasion."
His words were met with polite smiles and bows from many attendees, though some chose not to respond, and a few even scowled with displeasure.
Still, no one dared to act out or challenge the strength of the Endless Flame Territory.
The ceremony progressed smoothly until Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er appeared together, hand in hand. Their youth and Xiao Yan's strength drew audible gasps of admiration.
"So that's Xiao Yan, the master of the Endless Flame Territory? He's so young!"
"And so powerful! He's already reached the mid stage Immortal Heavenly Sovereign realm. No wonder he dares to establish a superpower of his own."
The crowd buzzed with quiet discussion.
Suddenly, someone whispered, "Look, isn't it strange? All the other major powers in the Great Thousand World are here to congratulate the Endless Flame Territory, but there's no sign of anyone from White Jade Capital."
"Yeah, I remember Xiao Yan, Gu Xun'er, and even two elders of the Endless Flame Territory attended White Jade Capital's founding ceremony. Could there be bad blood between the two factions?"
Speculation about White Jade Capital's absence spread like wildfire through the crowd.
Just as Xiao Tiance was about to step forward from the crowd and reveal his presence, a group from White Jade Capital arrived. Leading them were Xiao Xuan, Xiao Tianming, and over a dozen top tier experts.
A clear voice rang out: "White Jade Capital extends its congratulations to the Endless Flame Territory on its founding. We present these gifts in celebration "
The list of gifts took nearly three minutes to read aloud. The contents, valued at over 3 billion Supreme Spirit Liquid, left the crowd in awe. Among the gifts were two upper Earth Sovereign level Sky Demon Puppets, intended to guard the sect gates.
The lavish offerings and the presence of such significant figures from White Jade Capital elevated the ceremony to its peak.
On the main stage, Xiao Yan's eyes glimmered with a hint of disappointment.
While White Jade Capital had sent Xiao Xuan, Xiao Tianming, and other key figures Xiao Xuan being one of his ancestors Xiao Tiance himself had not appeared.
Despite the ceremony's success, Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel that something was missing.
Xiao Yan hid his disappointment well, keeping his expression composed. Zhu Kun and Gu Yuan, meanwhile, graciously accepted White Jade Capital's congratulatory gifts and warmly welcomed Xiao Xuan, Xiao Tianming, and the others.
Shortly after, the gift lists from various superpowers were read aloud, and the crowd began to move toward the banquet hall.
A Challenge at the Ceremony
Suddenly, the Western Battle Emperor laughed loudly from the crowd. Fixing his gaze on Xiao Yan atop the stage, he declared, "Domain Master Xiao Yan, I, the Western Battle Emperor, have come to congratulate the founding of the Endless Flame Territory.
"To mark the occasion, I'd like to personally test your strength. Would Domain Master Xiao Yan be willing to grant me this wish?"
His words had barely landed when Mo He Tian joined in with a sneer. "It's not just the Western Battle Emperor who wants to see Domain Master Xiao Yan's strength I, too, wish to witness it firsthand. After all, we need to see if your strength truly warrants our attendance at this celebration."
"Yes, we would also like to see Domain Master Xiao Yan demonstrate his strength. Please indulge us!"
"Yes, show us your power, Domain Master Xiao Yan!"
Following their lead, seven or eight other Heavenly Sovereign level experts chimed in.
Unbeknownst to Xiao Yan, most of these individuals were allies or acquaintances of the Western Battle Emperor and Mo He Tian.
Xiao Yan's Restraint
On the stage, Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with a sharp light, masking the anger brewing inside him. To provoke him at the very ceremony marking the founding of the Endless Flame Territory was a blatant insult.
Just as Xiao Yan was about to respond, Gu Yuan stepped forward, clasping his hands and smiling politely.
"Esteemed guests, Endless Flame Territory is honored by your presence at our sect founding ceremony.
"However, I must ask you not to cause a disturbance today. This is a joyous occasion for us. If you wish to spar with our Domain Master, perhaps another time would be more appropriate."
"Hahaha, why wait?" the Western Battle Emperor laughed. "I want to see if your Domain Master has the strength to back up his claim of leading a superpower. Otherwise, if he's all show and no substance, wouldn't that lower our dignity?"
Mo He Tian added with a smirk, "Exactly. With so many powerful guests present today, wouldn't a display of strength only help solidify Endless Flame Territory's reputation? If Domain Master Xiao Yan can truly impress us, word of his power will spread across the Great Thousand World. Recruiting experts will become much easier in the future!"
"That's right. Show us your strength, Domain Master Xiao Yan it'll be great publicity for your sect!"
The provocations grew louder, with more voices joining in.
Xiao Yan clenched his fists tightly. While he was confident in his ability to crush the weaker ones among them, he wasn't certain he could defeat the late stage Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns, the Western Battle Emperor and Mo He Tian.
Just as Xiao Yan was nearing his breaking point, Xiao Xuan, seated nearby, let out a cold snort.
"Humph!"
The sound cut through the commotion, drawing all eyes toward Xiao Xuan.
Xiao Xuan Intervenes
Xiao Xuan's voice was calm but carried a weight of authority. "Gentlemen, if you've come to offer congratulations, Endless Flame Territory welcomes you with open arms.
"But if you're here to cause trouble… heh, Domain Master Xiao Yan may not be able to entertain you, but I, Xiao Xuan, am more than willing to oblige. Who among you wishes to 'play' with me first?"
His words brought an immediate hush over the crowd.
Even the Heavenly Sovereign level experts allied with the Western Battle Emperor and Mo He Tian exchanged nervous glances, their bravado evaporating.
For them, Endless Flame Territory seemed manageable. Xiao Yan, Gu Xun'er, and the recently advanced Spirit Heavenly Sovereigns Gu Yuan and Zhu Kun didn't seem overly threatening.
But White Jade Capital was an entirely different story.
Before White Jade Capital was officially established, they had already suppressed the True Phoenix Clan, one of the Great Thousand World's divine beast races. Even after the death of their patriarch, Feng Mingtian, the Da Qian Palace hadn't dared to pursue the matter. The True Phoenix Clan had been forced to endure the humiliation in silence.
After White Jade Capital's founding, it nearly single handedly annihilated an army of ten thousand extra dimensional demons led by 14 Demon Emperors, including five Sky Demon Emperors.
Later, Xiao Tiance ventured into the demon domain and destroyed the Giant Fang Demon Clan alone. Recently, the news had spread that the 50 Sky Demon Puppets Xiao Tiance lent to the Da Qian Palace had utterly crushed the extra dimensional demons in battle, forcing even their strongest to retreat.
With such an impressive track record, even the Five Ancient Clans hesitated to provoke White Jade Capital, let alone rogue cultivators like them.
Initially, these experts had felt emboldened by the presence of the Western Battle Emperor and Mo He Tian, thinking Endless Flame Territory wouldn't dare retaliate. But now, with Xiao Xuan a representative of White Jade Capital stepping forward, they were second guessing their actions.
A Moment of Doubt
"What should we do? Xiao Xuan is someone we can't afford to offend."
"Exactly. He represents White Jade Capital. If we go up against him, we'll risk their retaliation!"
The Heavenly Sovereign experts exchanged nervous telepathic messages, unsure of how to proceed.
Even the Western Battle Emperor and Mo He Tian, usually fearless, were beginning to feel uneasy. They had assumed Xiao Tiance wouldn't attend the ceremony, leaving them free to act as they pleased.
While Xiao Xuan was important, they had believed he couldn't fully represent White Jade Capital's authority.
Now, seeing Xiao Xuan standing confidently, ready to fight anyone, they realized they had gravely underestimated the situation.
The Western Battle Emperor's Retort
"Humph!" the Western Battle Emperor scoffed, masking his unease. "Xiao Xuan, is White Jade Capital interfering in the affairs of Endless Flame Territory?
"Heh, you're just someone who hasn't even reached the Immortal Heavenly Sovereign realm. Even if you're Xiao Tiance's cousin, can you truly represent White Jade Capital?"
The tension in the room thickened as all eyes turned to Xiao Xuan, waiting for his response.
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