Chapter 465: Tian Luo's Concerns and Futu Clan's Proposal for Alliance by Marriage
"Tian Luo, the journey to the Heavenly Serpent Continent is long. Make sure to keep Bai Ying safe," Xiao Tiance said solemnly through a voice transmission.
Tian Luo nodded seriously, fully understanding the weight of his responsibility. If anything happened to Xiao Bai Ying, it would drive Xiao Tiance into madness, and such an outcome would undoubtedly bring catastrophic disaster to the Great Thousand World.
As a part of Xiao Tiance's split soul, Tian Luo felt a profound bond with Xiao Bai Ying. To him, she wasn't just Xiao Tiance's daughter; she was also his. Though he wouldn't be recognized as a father, it didn't matter. His life's purpose was to safeguard the young princess of White Jade Capital.
"Daddy, I'll miss you! When I see Mommy, I'll tell her you miss her too, okay?" Xiao Bai Ying's face lit up with pure joy at the prospect of visiting Medusa. She looked like a little fairy, her cuteness filling the air.
Although Xiao Bai Ying was still young, her incredibly strong bloodline had already pushed her close to breaking into the Sovereign realm. Equipped with the Heavenly Demon Puppet Xiao Tiance had gifted her and numerous defensive spirit arrays, she was practically untouchable. Even a Heavenly Sovereign would find it difficult to harm her, especially under Tian Luo's protection.
If not for her lack of battle experience, only a Saint Heavenly Sovereign would pose a genuine threat to her.
Xiao Tiance embraced his daughter, gently kissed her forehead, and smiled warmly. "Alright, if you see your mother, tell her I miss her."
While he internally meant "miss" in the sense of wanting to discipline Medusa for leaving, he couldn't bear to break his daughter's happiness.
"Okay, Daddy!" Xiao Bai Ying nodded vigorously, giving him a kiss on the cheek before hopping off to follow Tian Luo.
After they left, Xiao Tiance collected himself, focusing on preparing to craft the Heavenly Demon Puppets. With his vast experience, the process was no longer a challenge. As long as he had the required materials, his success rate was close to 99%. The only obstacle was the immense energy consumption.
Even with his internal spirit array constantly refining and replenishing energy, the crafting process drained an extraordinary amount of power.
On the Heavenly Serpent Continent
Two weeks later, Tian Luo and Xiao Bai Ying arrived at the ancestral grounds of the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan.
"Wow! Look at all the cute little snakes!" Xiao Bai Ying exclaimed, holding a 50 centimeter long colorful python in her hands. Her face was filled with delight as she turned to Tian Luo.
Tian Luo couldn't help but chuckle at her innocence. In the Great Thousand World, ordinary people feared creatures like snakes, but cultivators regarded them as part of nature, some even sentient or capable of cultivation.
"Hiss! Hiss!"
The small python in Xiao Bai Ying's hands flicked its tongue, curiously sensing her bloodline. However, it seemed puzzled as to why she held it so casually.
"Bai Ying, put the little python down. We're near the clan's ancestral grounds, and your mother is likely waiting for us inside. Let's go " Tian Luo's words were abruptly cut off as a sea of snakes appeared.
Countless Swallowing Pythons, varying in size, slithered out of the forest and surrounded them. In addition, numerous venomous snakes of other species joined the encirclement.
Seeing this, Xiao Bai Ying obediently set the python in her hands down, her sparkling eyes full of excitement rather than fear. Likely due to her latent bloodline connection, she felt an innate fondness for snakes and serpent type beasts.
However, her bloodline had not yet awakened, and the surrounding creatures showed no particular affection toward her.
The small python she released even bared its fangs, preparing to strike her as soon as it hit the ground.
"Humph." Tian Luo snorted coldly, stepping forward. A powerful gust of wind emanated from his footstep, scattering all the snakes in an instant.
The displaced snakes hissed angrily, but none dared approach again. Tian Luo's aura alone suppressed them completely.
With a protective hold on Xiao Bai Ying, Tian Luo looked toward the ancestral grounds and announced in a booming voice:
"I am Tian Luo, master of White Jade Capital's Blood Rain Hall, escorting White Jade Capital's princess, Xiao Bai Ying, to visit. Please allow us entry."
His voice reverberated through the area, amplified by spirit energy, and echoed deep within the ancestral grounds.
Moments later, dozens of powerful auras surged out, several of which were strong enough to make even Tian Luo feel a hint of pressure.
"Impressive! The Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan's strength even rivals the True Phoenix Clan," Tian Luo thought to himself.
"Haha, so it's the honored guests from White Jade Capital. Forgive our poor reception," an elderly man said as he emerged, leading a group of women, each of whom was at least at the Earthly Sovereign level.
"You're too kind, Elder. We're here because Bai Ying wanted to see her mother. I hope you'll grant us access," Tian Luo replied, bowing politely.
The elder hesitated, a look of discomfort crossing his face. "This isn't a matter of our willingness. Lady Medusa is currently in seclusion, resolving an issue with her bloodline. The clan leader and elders are personally overseeing the process in the secret realm. If we disturb her now, it could jeopardize her progress. I'm afraid we can't take that risk."
Tian Luo frowned slightly. While he was aware that Medusa had come here to address her bloodline issues, hearing it was one thing seeing her safe was another. Moreover, Xiao Tiance had specifically instructed him to bring Medusa back if possible.
Noticing Tian Luo's silence, the elder quickly added, "Rest assured, with our clan leader and elders guarding her, Lady Medusa will be perfectly safe."
Tian Luo sighed inwardly but remained cautious. Xiao Bai Ying tugged on his sleeve, looking up with big, pleading eyes. "Uncle Tian Luo, can't we just wait for Mommy?"
Tian Luo patted her head gently and said, "We'll wait for now, but I'll send a message to your father. If he allows, we'll stay until your mother finishes her seclusion."
"How about this? You may first bring the little princess to rest within our ancestral grounds. Once we receive news about Lady Medusa, I will immediately send someone to inform you. How does that sound?"
Hearing this, Tian Luo frowned but nodded after some thought. He didn't want to risk escalating the situation. "Alright, I'll trouble the elder then."
The elder visibly relaxed at Tian Luo's agreement. Smiling warmly, he said, "Not at all, not at all. White Jade Capital is now a premier superpower. Hosting two esteemed guests like you in our ancestral grounds is an honor for us. Please, come inside."
"After you, Elder."
Shortly, Tian Luo and Xiao Bai Ying were escorted to a courtyard within the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan's ancestral grounds. The area was enhanced with a spiritual energy gathering formation, though it wasn't particularly high level far inferior to even the most basic formations in White Jade Capital.
Not minding the discrepancy, Tian Luo smiled down at Xiao Bai Ying, who was curiously exploring the courtyard. "Bai Ying, let's stay here and wait for your mother to come out of seclusion, alright?"
"Okay, Uncle Tian Luo!" Xiao Bai Ying nodded obediently and began skipping around, investigating every nook and cranny of the courtyard.
The elder chuckled at the sight of the lively young girl. "The little princess is truly adorable. If you need anything, Tian Luo, please don't hesitate to instruct the servants outside. If they cannot assist you, they will inform me immediately."
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Elder. By the way, when do you estimate Lady Medusa will finish her seclusion?" Tian Luo inquired politely.
The elder sighed slightly. "Regarding that… I cannot say for certain. However, it shouldn't take longer than half a year. Lady Medusa's situation is quite complicated, and even the clan leader and elders, who are overseeing her seclusion, did not specify a precise timeline."
Tian Luo studied the elder's expression and, seeing no hint of deception, nodded. "Understood. Thank you, Elder."
"Very well, please rest comfortably. I'll take my leave now."
Once the elder departed, Tian Luo's polite demeanor faded, replaced by a furrowed brow and evident concern. Until he saw Medusa with his own eyes, he couldn't fully relax.
"What could go wrong here?" Tian Luo mused. White Jade Capital was now an indisputable superpower, and even the Five Ancient Clans would hesitate to provoke them directly. Despite the Nine Colored Swallowing Python Clan's strength, it seemed unlikely they would risk hostility against Medusa, especially knowing her connection to White Jade Capital.
As days turned into weeks, however, Tian Luo's unease grew stronger.
Meanwhile, at the Great Thousand Palace
In his courtyard, Xiao Tiance stood before thirty two Heavenly Demon Puppets neatly lined up in formation. His gaze was filled with satisfaction.
"I didn't expect to finish half a month early. Not bad at all. Unfortunately, without the highest grade materials, the two strongest puppets couldn't reach the late Saint Heavenly Sovereign level." Xiao Tiance evaluated his work with a calm smile.
After examining the spiritual array he had constructed around the courtyard, Xiao Tiance lightly waved his hand. With a flash of spiritual light, the array dissipated entirely.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
Moments later, three figures appeared Xuan Guang, the head of the Xuan Lineage of the Futu Ancient Clan; Ye Qingqing, the Holy Maiden of the Tai Ling Ancient Clan; and Lu Tong, a senior figure of the Great Thousand Palace.
"Hahaha! Tiance, I can't believe you've already completed these Heavenly Demon Puppets!" Lu Tong laughed heartily, his eyes gleaming with approval as he took in the sight of the thirty two puppets standing before them.
"Greetings, Lord Tiance!"/"Greetings, Lord Immortal!"
Both Ye Qingqing and Xuan Guang bowed respectfully.
Xiao Tiance waved his hand dismissively. "No need for such formalities." He then turned to the trio with a smile. "I'm pleased to report that the task has been completed ahead of schedule. These thirty two Heavenly Demon Puppets are ready for use."
Taking out thirty two jade pendants from his storage ring, Xiao Tiance handed them to the three visitors.
**"Since the puppets are not assigned to specific individuals, I've crafted these control pendants. Whoever wishes to use a puppet can infuse a drop of their blood into the pendant, granting them control. As long as the pendant isn't lost, the control rights remain secure.
"However, if someone else takes the pendant and erases the original blood mark, they'll gain control. So I recommend keeping the pendants safe. If they're lost and you need a replacement, I'll have to charge you a fee for re crafting them," Xiao Tiance added with a playful smirk.
Lu Tong burst into laughter. "These pendants are so precious, we'd sooner lose ourselves than let them out of our sight!"
Both Xuan Guang and Ye Qingqing nodded earnestly. "We understand, Lord Immortal. Rest assured, they won't be misplaced."
"Good to hear. These puppets are now yours to take. With my work here done, I'll attend to other matters." Xiao Tiance said, preparing to leave.
"Um… Lord Immortal, may I have a private word with you?" Xuan Guang suddenly interjected.
Raising an eyebrow, Xiao Tiance turned back and nodded. "Of course." He then looked to Lu Tong and Ye Qingqing.
"Go ahead," Lu Tong said with a chuckle. "I'll take these puppets to the Saint Abyss Continent. The Outer Demon Army has been relentless lately, and these will be of great use."
Ye Qingqing added with a smile, "Take your time, Lord Tiance. I also have something to discuss once you're done."
A Private Conversation
In the guest hall, Xuan Guang bowed deeply. "Lord Immortal, have you given further thought to our clan's proposal for an alliance through marriage?"
"An alliance through marriage?" Xiao Tiance frowned in confusion. While he had previously expressed openness to alliances, he hadn't agreed to forge one through marriage.
"Yes," Xuan Guang confirmed. "Our clan has a brilliant young woman named Qing Yan Jing. She is only twenty years old and already a Sixth Grade Sovereign. Her beauty and demeanor are unparalleled. Might you consider taking her as a concubine?"
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