BTTH: I Am the Ancestor of the Xiao Clan

"Zhu Kun, if I let you leave like this today, I might as well quit!"

Outside the Jia Ma Imperial Capital.

As Xiao Tiance's words rang out, his hands moved swiftly, forming a complex hand seal. In an instant, a formation enveloped Zhu Kun.

Zhu Kun attempted to tear open a spatial rift to escape. With a wave of his hand, space itself began to crack, but the next moment, a shimmering red barrier blocked his way, forcing him back.

"You think you can trap me with this? Ridiculous," Zhu Kun sneered. With a roar, he threw a powerful punch at the barrier.

"BOOM!"

The impact echoed like thunder, yet the force rebounded, sending Zhu Kun flying backward.

Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Tiance appeared behind Zhu Kun in a flash, his tone cold and mocking.

"You think you can trick me and leave unscathed, old man?"

With a shout, Xiao Tiance unleashed his Emperor Seal Technique, combining five seals into one. The attack bore down on Zhu Kun with immense force.

Zhu Kun's eyes flashed with anger. "You're going too far, boy!"

The Dragon Emperor transformed his hands into razor sharp dragon claws and countered the Emperor Seal Technique with a devastating swipe.

"BOOM!"

The clash of their powers sent shockwaves through the battlefield. Zhu Kun managed to shred through the technique unscathed.

Xiao Tiance smirked. "As expected of the Dragon Emperor. Your physical strength rivals even the Stone Tribe's top body cultivators."

Praising Zhu Kun, Xiao Tiance unleashed another attack.

"Heavenly Tier Battle Technique Mountain Crushing Sky!"

A colossal mountain like force surged toward Zhu Kun.

Zhu Kun sneered. "Heavenly tier technique? Let me show you what a true punch can do!"

"Dragon Fist Shakes the Mountain!"

As Zhu Kun launched his counterattack, the two techniques collided violently. This time, Zhu Kun was blasted backward, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

"Urgh!"

Though injured, Zhu Kun managed to block the attack. Yet Xiao Tiance didn't let up. One heavenly tier technique after another rained down on Zhu Kun with relentless ferocity.

Within moments, Zhu Kun was covered in injuries, his once proud aura diminished.

Xiao Tiance laughed coldly. "Still standing? Let's see how long you can last."

Zhu Kun gritted his teeth, enduring Xiao Tiance's unyielding onslaught. With each clash, his injuries worsened until a devastating attack sent him crashing into the formation barrier, leaving him coughing blood.

Now cornered, the arrogance in Zhu Kun's eyes was replaced with a somber realization: he wasn't Xiao Tiance's match.

What shocked him most wasn't the damage he'd taken, but Xiao Tiance's apparent endurance. Despite unleashing countless heavenly tier techniques, Xiao Tiance's breathing remained steady, his energy seemingly untouched.

"Impossible!" Zhu Kun muttered, his voice trembling. "How can you not show any signs of exhaustion? Even a Dou Di wouldn't be this composed after such a barrage of techniques!"

Xiao Tiance smiled faintly. His secret lay in the spiritual energy reservoir within his jade pendant, which he used to supplement his Dou Qi. This reservoir, powered by three peak level ninth tier magic cores, stored enough energy to sustain him in prolonged battles.

Not only could it fuel his formations, but it could also convert spiritual energy back into Dou Qi when needed. This dual purpose tool made Xiao Tiance nearly unbeatable, even against multiple peak Dou Shengs.

If formations were added to the mix, Xiao Tiance could overwhelm any opponent without breaking a sweat.

Returning to the present, Xiao Tiance regarded Zhu Kun with cold amusement.

**"Impossible? Everything you see is real. Now, Zhu Kun, do you have anything else to say?

If not, I'll send you to reunite with the Ancient Emperor of the Void."**

His tone was icy as his Dou Qi surged once more, pressing down on Zhu Kun.

Zhu Kun quickly raised his hands in surrender, retracting his Dou Qi. "Wait!"

"Speak." Xiao Tiance's tone remained firm.

Zhu Kun hesitated before pulling out a radiant herb from his storage ring. Its potent aura instantly filled the air.

**"This is a peak ninth tier medicinal herb, a perfect ingredient for refining Emperor tier pills. Take it as a token of my apology.

If you spare me today, I swear to avoid crossing paths with you in the future."**

Xiao Tiance examined the herb, impressed by its rarity. It was undoubtedly the highest grade medicinal herb he'd encountered since arriving in the Dou Qi Continent.

But his expression remained cold. "You think a single herb is enough to make amends? Zhu Kun, you're old enough to know that strength deserves respect, and disrespect toward the strong has its consequences. Did you think I couldn't deal with you?"

Though Xiao Tiance had no intention of killing Zhu Kun, he wanted to test his newfound strength after reaching the Half Emperor stage. Zhu Kun had provided the perfect sparring partner, practically delivering himself to Xiao Tiance's doorstep.

"Zhu Kun, you wanted to play tricks on me, but you clearly underestimated me. Did you really think you could deceive me?" Xiao Tiance said with a smirk.

Zhu Kun's face turned grim as he realized he'd bitten off more than he could chew.

**"Not enough! I want three magic cores left behind by peak level ninth tier Taixu Ancient Dragons, along with that medicinal herb. Otherwise, there's no way I'm letting you leave today.

Of course, if you disagree, there's nothing more to discuss. Just don't blame me for not giving you a chance."**

Xiao Tiance's voice was cold, but internally he was thrilled. If he got his hands on those cores, he could create another energy reservoir token, allowing him to store the energy of six peak Nine Star Dou Sheng experts. This would be a game changer for his combat endurance.

He knew that once he entered the Great Thousand World, he could quickly push his strength to the pinnacle of the Earth Supreme level.

Inside the formation, Zhu Kun's expression darkened. The demand for three peak tier ninth level magic cores was outrageous. These cores were among the most precious treasures of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan. Xiao Tiance was effectively asking for nearly all their remaining peak tier cores.

"Impossible!" Zhu Kun growled. **"Xiao Tiance, I might not be your match, but if I die here today, the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan will become mortal enemies of the Xiao Clan.

Don't think killing me here will resolve everything. I've already sent a message back to the clan. If I die, pray your Xiao Clan members don't get caught alone, because they'll be hunted down one by one!"**

Zhu Kun's voice was resolute. Agreeing to Xiao Tiance's conditions would cripple his clan's resources. He was gambling that Xiao Tiance wouldn't want to provoke a full blown war with the Taixu Ancient Dragons.

But Xiao Tiance wasn't someone who took threats lightly. His eyes narrowed, and a mocking smile played on his lips. With a quick series of hand seals, another formation began to materialize, radiating an overwhelming sense of danger.

Zhu Kun's confidence wavered as the formation took shape.

"A Grandmaster Level Formation!" Zhu Kun's face turned pale. "You liar! You said you couldn't reach the grandmaster level of formation arts in the Dou Qi Continent!"

Two years ago, Xiao Tiance had claimed that the restrictions of the Dou Qi Continent prevented him from advancing to the grandmaster level as a formation master. This reassurance had emboldened Zhu Kun to confront him.

Xiao Tiance laughed. **"I have to thank the Ancient Emperor Tuoshe for that. If not for the grandmaster level formation he left behind, I wouldn't have been able to gather the energy needed to support one myself.

And thanks to you pulling those chains for two years, I had ample time to study and adapt it!"**

Zhu Kun's face twisted in realization. His actions at the ancient emperor's tomb had unwittingly helped Xiao Tiance master this deadly art.

The Grandmaster Level Formation wasn't just for containment it radiated an aura of death, something Zhu Kun could feel deep in his bones.

"Damn that Ancient Emperor Tuoshe! You've been my nemesis all along!" Zhu Kun cursed silently before reluctantly conceding.

"Fine! I'll give you the three peak tier magic cores!"

Hearing this, Xiao Tiance's smile widened. "Even a mighty being like you, Zhu Kun, wouldn't choose death so easily."

Zhu Kun's survival instinct prevailed. If he truly had no fear of death, he would have ended his life when trapped in the ancient emperor's tomb. The conditions Xiao Tiance proposed were painful but not fatal.

In truth, Xiao Tiance had already planned for Zhu Kun's resistance. If necessary, he was ready to mention Zi Yan, Zhu Kun's beloved daughter. He knew Zhu Kun would do anything for her.

"Good! Hand over the goods, Zhu Kun. No funny business," Xiao Tiance said, extending his hand while keeping the formation active.

Zhu Kun grumbled internally, cursing both Xiao Tiance and the Ancient Emperor. But he quickly retrieved three magic cores and the medicinal herb from his storage ring.

With Xiao Tiance's precise control, the items passed safely through the barrier. Inspecting them closely, Xiao Tiance's eyes lit up. Compared to the ninth tier peak magic cores from the Tianhuang Clan, these Taixu Ancient Dragon cores contained remnants of dragon souls and significantly more energy.

This meant his storage device could hold even more Dou Qi, greatly enhancing his combat endurance.

Xiao Tiance laughed heartily. "Since you've paid the price, I'll let you off this time. But next time you come looking for trouble, bring something more valuable."

He dismissed the formation, recovering its energy.

Zhu Kun wasted no time fleeing. Once at a safe distance, he looked back and coldly declared, "Xiao Tiance, if I ever get the chance, I'll repay today's humiliation tenfold!"

Xiao Tiance smirked. "Why don't you stay and try now?" He raised his hand threateningly, prompting Zhu Kun to rip open a spatial rift and vanish without another word.

"Coward. Come back anytime if you dare," Xiao Tiance muttered, shaking his head.

Satisfied with the fight and his newfound treasures, Xiao Tiance tore open a spatial rift and disappeared. Moments later, he returned to the top floor of the Tianji Pavilion.

"Tiance, were you fighting someone just now? I could feel the formation's energy from here," Xiao Tian Ming asked.

Xiao Tiance chuckled. "Don't worry. It's already handled."

(End of Chapter)

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