Chapter 36: A Public Act, the Destruction of a Branch
Xiao Realm, Tiance Mansion, Ninth Floor.
"What a pity to lose this Tiance Mansion," Xiao Tiance sighed as the energy around him began to rise.
Seeing that Xiao Tiance wasn't planning to use his spirit arrays, Xiao Xuan paused for a moment before smiling. "That's so like you, always cautious, never showing all your cards."
"There's no need," Xiao Tiance replied with a faint smile. "After all, I'm supposed to lose to you, Xuan ge. Once you've 'killed' me and 'eradicated' everyone in my branch, it'll have nothing to do with me. Why bother complicating things? Let's just get this over with."
Xiao Xuan nodded in understanding. He could sense that Xiao Chun had already gathered all their people in a safe location. Lowering his voice, he said, "Chun shu is ready. Shall we begin?"
"Please."
The two exchanged a glance and seamlessly slipped into their roles.
Xiao Xuan's face twisted into anger as he bellowed, "Xiao Tiance, I'll ask you one last time. Will you allow me to extract the Dou Di bloodline from your body?"
Catching onto the act, Xiao Tiance's lips curled into a sly smirk before his expression turned furious. "Xiao Xuan! Just because you're the clan leader doesn't mean you can do whatever you want!
Even knowing you'll fail to reach the Dou Di realm, you still insist on extracting the Dou Di bloodline from the entire clan. Do you realize this will cripple the Xiao Clan, leaving us defenseless against the Soul Clan, who are waiting like vultures?
I won't let you take the Dou Di bloodline from me or anyone in my branch! By doing so, you've proven unworthy of being the Xiao Clan's leader. From this day forward, my branch severs ties with the Xiao Clan!"
Their voices, infused with Dou Qi, boomed across the distance, drawing curious onlookers.
The crowd quickly gathered but made no attempt to intervene.
Seeing the growing audience, Xiao Xuan nodded slightly to Xiao Tiance before responding coldly. "Xiao Tiance, since you're so stubborn, don't blame me for being ruthless.
Today, not only you but your entire branch's Dou Di bloodline will be mine!"
"Let's see if you have the strength to take it!" Xiao Tiance roared, unleashing the full force of his late Seven Star Dou Sheng Dou Qi. The resulting shockwave demolished the ninth floor of Tiance Mansion, exposing their battle to the watching crowd.
"The Clan Leader is fighting Xiao Tiance!"
"Hmph! We all agreed to the extraction, but Xiao Tiance refuses. Who does he think he is? I say the Clan Leader should kill him!"
"He's always so arrogant, acting like he's the real leader of the Xiao Clan!"
The murmurs of discontent grew louder.
Sensing the time was right, Xiao Tiance launched an attack.
"Earth Rank Mid Tier Technique Flying Spirit Finger!"
A massive energy formed finger shot toward Xiao Xuan.
"Flying Spirit Finger? Hmph, is that all you've got, Xiao Tiance?" Xiao Xuan sneered, countering with a palm strike imbued with his own Earth Rank Mid Tier Technique.
The collision unleashed a thunderous explosion, sending gusts of wind in all directions.
"Too weak!" Xiao Xuan said with disdain.
Xiao Tiance's expression remained cold. "Is that so? Let's try this!"
He unleashed another move, this time an Earth Rank High Tier Technique: Furious Cloud Demon Slaying Palm. The sky darkened as the attack, brimming with overwhelming energy, hurtled toward Xiao Xuan.
Some spectators gasped, recognizing the move's power.
"Impressive! That's as strong as a Heaven Rank Technique!"
But Xiao Xuan scoffed, "If that lands, the entire Xiao Realm might collapse. I guess I'll have to stop holding back!"
In an instant, Xiao Xuan used his signature Heaven Rank Movement Technique, Treading the Nine Heavens, disappearing from sight and reappearing right before Xiao Tiance.
"Too slow, Tiance!" he declared, striking Xiao Tiance squarely. Blood sprayed from Xiao Tiance's mouth as his aura dimmed, his energy clearly depleted.
"You're too weak! A mere late Seven Star Dou Sheng dares to challenge me?" Xiao Xuan roared, delivering another devastating blow that sent Xiao Tiance crashing to the ground, leveling the once grand Tiance Mansion.
Amid the rubble, Xiao Tiance lay motionless, his life seemingly snuffed out.
Hovering above, Xiao Xuan formed a massive energy hand and smashed the remnants of the mansion to dust.
Grabbing Xiao Tiance's lifeless body, he sighed, "You forced my hand, Tiance. Rest in peace."
With that, he crushed what remained of Xiao Tiance's body and obliterated his fleeing soul.
The crowd watched in stunned silence as Xiao Xuan turned his gaze toward Xiao Tiance's branch.
"Xiao Tiance's branch defied my command and refused to provide their Dou Di bloodline. They will face the ultimate punishment!"
With a sweep of his hand, Xiao Xuan created a giant energy sphere, enveloping the entire branch. Shrinking it to the size of his palm, he crushed it, signaling the branch's complete annihilation.
"From today onward, the Xiao Clan's six branches are reduced to five. Let this be a lesson to all. When I ascend to the Dou Di realm, you will all share in the glory!"
"Yes, Clan Leader!" the remaining clansmen responded, their voices trembling.
Satisfied, Xiao Xuan vanished.
Three days later, Xiao Xuan announced that the Dou Di bloodline extraction was complete and that Xiao Tiance's branch had been eradicated. He then ordered the Xiao Realm sealed as he entered seclusion to prepare for his Dou Di breakthrough.
News of these events quickly spread.
Gu Clan.
Hearing the reports, Gu Yuan chuckled. "It seems Xiao Xuan has gone mad. Otherwise, he wouldn't have wiped out an entire branch of his clan."
"Clan Leader, with the Xiao Clan's strength diminished, should we take this opportunity to further weaken them?" a Gu Clan elder suggested.
Several others voiced their agreement, but Gu Yuan raised a hand to silence them.
"There's no need. Without their Dou Di bloodline, the Xiao Clan is no longer a threat. Once Xiao Xuan fails and falls, the Xiao Clan will be at our mercy."
"Wise words, Clan Leader," another elder agreed. "Let the Soul Clan deal the first blow. When they weaken each other, we'll claim the spoils."
Gu Yuan nodded. "Keep monitoring the Xiao Realm. Be ready to act when the time comes."
"Yes, Clan Leader!"
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