"Alas, this is the only way!"
The Xiao Realm, Heavenly Strategy Manor.
Xiao Chun's sigh held more helplessness than anything else. How could he not know the current state of the Xiao Clan?
Although their relationship was not particularly good, they were still members of the same clan, bound by blood and kinship.
Doing nothing at all left his heart aching, too.
Across from him, Xiao Tian Ce poured him a cup of tea, then comforted him. "Second Uncle, there may still be a turning point. What choices we should make will depend on our preparations in the days ahead."
Hearing this, the dejected Xiao Chun suddenly raised his head and looked at Xiao Tian Ce in delighted surprise. "Is there really still a chance?"
"Second Uncle, don't get excited just yet. There may be a turning point, but you shouldn't pin too much hope on it, lest you end up disappointed if it doesn't work out.
"After all, once the clan leader has collected the Dou Di bloodline from their bodies, they won't have enough strength to stand against the entire Hun Clan.
"And until I'm absolutely certain, I won't clash head-on with the Hun Clan either. The most I can do is try to preserve some of our clansmen in the coming confrontation." Xiao Tian Ce waved his hand, signaling Xiao Chun not to get too excited.
After all, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
Rather than that, it was better to calm down first. Besides, he had more or less worked out a countermeasure and had a basic idea of how to preserve the Xiao Clan's strength.
"As long as we can save more of our clansmen, that will be enough. Tian Ce, I know my request may put you in a difficult position.
"But I still want to say this: if possible, let's save as many of our clansmen as we can.
"No matter what, even those who have lost the Dou Di bloodline in their bodies are extraordinarily gifted. The Xiao Clan's future revival will still depend on everyone's combined strength!"
As he spoke, Xiao Chun rose and cupped his hands, bowing to Xiao Tian Ce.
He offered this bow not as his Second Uncle, but as someone acknowledging Xiao Tian Ce as the head of the family.
Seeing this, Xiao Tian Ce hurried to his feet and helped him straighten up, then quickly said, "Second Uncle, you're being far too solemn. There's no need for this.
"Of course I understand what you're thinking. I also hope to preserve the Xiao Clan, but the turning point doesn't lie with me. It will probably take another two years before I possess the combat strength of a nine-star Dou Sheng.
"So there simply isn't enough time."
"Not with you?"
Xiao Chun looked puzzled, then realization dawned on him. "You mean the clan leader?"
"Exactly. The turning point lies with the clan leader. Although I'm certain he will fail, I can't persuade him to stop. Right now, Brother Xuan's desire for the Dou Di Realm outweighs everything else.
"The reason I said there might be a turning point is that it depends on his condition after his attempt to break through to the Dou Di Realm fails!
"If he's in decent shape and can keep Hun Tiandi occupied, then perhaps we can catch the Hun Clan off guard and deliver a heavy blow, leaving them with more than they can swallow.
"At present, Hun Tiandi is the Hun Clan's only nine-star Dou Sheng. They should have two eight-star Dou Sheng and around six seven-star Dou Saints. Together with their other Dou Sheng, they're certainly powerful, but that doesn't mean we have no chance of dealing them a fatal blow.
"As long as Brother Xuan can still keep Hun Tiandi occupied after failing, even if the entire Hun Clan comes together, I can ensure that once they invade the Xiao Realm, none of them returns!
"If Brother Xuan can't hold Hun Tiandi back, then my current means certainly won't inflict much damage on the Hun Clan. If that happens, my only choice will be to launch covert attacks and secretly rescue some of our clansmen."
When Xiao Tian Ce finished, Xiao Chun nodded to show that he understood.
However, Xiao Chun had also picked up on something else: Xiao Tian Ce's combat strength had to be at least that of a peak eight-star Dou Saint. Otherwise, he would never have dared to boast that even if every expert in the Hun Clan except Hun Tiandi came, he was confident he could keep them from leaving.
At this thought, a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes. He raised his head and looked solemnly at Xiao Tian Ce. "Then does that mean your current strength has reached at least the level of an eight-star Dou Sheng, Tian Ce?"
"You're perceptive, Second Uncle, to have made that connection.
"That's right. Although my apparent strength is only that of a late-stage seven-star Dou Saint, in terms of combat strength, I can fight even a peak eight-star Dou Saint.
"Against a nine-star Dou Sheng, I could still put up a fight, but I would have to resort to clever tricks. Otherwise, I could only guarantee that I would get away unharmed.
"So until I'm absolutely certain, I won't reveal my true strength. I'll most likely just make a few moves from the shadows."
Xiao Tian Ce spoke with a bitter smile. In truth, the fighting strength on his side was not poor. Their high-level Dou Sheng included himself, Xiao Qing, and the Heavenly Demon Puppet refined from the physical body Huang Jiuji had bestowed upon him-a full two eight-star Dou Sheng and one seven-star Dou Saint. If he were not being so cautious, then as long as they did not drive the Hun Clan into a corner, even Hun Tiandi probably would not dare do much to them.
But he dared not gamble. Hun Tiandi was a man of tremendous resolve. If he truly proved willing to trade pieces, they would certainly be the ones to lose in the end.
And if they lost, what awaited them would be a bottomless abyss, their bodies reduced to ashes and their souls scattered.
As Xiao Chun listened to this analysis, he fully understood Xiao Tian Ce's intentions. After a moment of silence, he said solemnly, "Tian Ce, if you can save them, then do so. If you can't, let's preserve ourselves first. I don't want you putting yourself in danger and sacrificing yourself for our clansmen."
"Don't worry, Second Uncle. I know my limits, and I certainly won't act recklessly.
"Still, we should prepare for both possibilities. Let's wait and see whether a turning point comes!" Xiao Tian Ce nodded and spoke in a low voice.
"All right. I probably won't be able to help much with this, but if you need anything, these old bones of mine can still get moving." Xiao Chun smiled, his eyes filled with affection for Xiao Tian Ce.
Xiao Tian Ce's parents had died early, and Xiao Chun had raised him himself. In Xiao Chun's eyes, both Xiao Tian Ce and Xiao Tian Ming were his own children.
Now this child had grown to heights far beyond his reach, but if his help was truly needed, he would still give it his all.
"Rest assured, Second Uncle. I'll make the arrangements."
They chatted a little longer before Xiao Chun received a message that a clansman was looking for him, so he rose and took his leave.
After he left, Xiao Tian Ce sighed softly, then began his secluded cultivation.
At present, he could only control four eighth-tier spiritual arrays simultaneously, while that notebook contained as many as fifteen eighth-tier spiritual arrays. He therefore had to continue studying them and shorten the time it would take him to master a ninth-tier spiritual array as much as possible.
Every moment counted, and the crisis was imminent. He did not want to waste a single second.
On the Dou Qi Continent, the strong reigned supreme. Greater combat strength meant a greater say.
"The weak are meat for the strong, and only the fittest survive. The law of the jungle really is eternal!"
After sighing, he sent Xiao Bieli a voice transmission instructing him to keep anyone from disturbing him, then truly entered secluded cultivation.
Cultivation knew no passage of time. In the blink of an eye, another three months had passed.
That day, while Xiao Tian Ce was studying the ninth eighth-tier spiritual array on the Ninth Floor, he suddenly sensed a ripple in space.
He abruptly opened his eyes and looked at Xiao Xuan, who had already stepped out of the spatial rift. "Brother Xuan, have you finished collecting the Dou Di bloodline from the clansmen of the other five meridians?" he asked in a low voice.
"Yes, it's done. Now, let's have a fight!" Xiao Xuan nodded.
Hearing this, Xiao Tian Ce slowly stood, walked to the window, and glanced at the scenery outside. Then he murmured, "What a pity about this Heavenly Strategy Manor!"
Please support this novel with bookmarks, recommendation votes, monthly votes, and tips. Wumeng thanks you in advance.
Before you continue