Chapter 26: On the Dou Qi Continent, Strength Reigns Supreme
"Go on. If you still can't see reality, then feel free to try," Xiao Tianshan sighed, shaking his head as he prepared his apology gifts.
Meanwhile, Xiao Tianyun stormed out of Sangui Pavilion, heading straight for Xiao Wu's residence the Zhenwu Courtyard.
Zhenwu Courtyard Entrance
As a Dou Sheng, Xiao Tianyun used spatial techniques to hasten his travel. Within ten minutes, he reached the gate of Zhenwu Courtyard.
"Greetings, Elder Tianyun," a guard stepped forward to greet him respectfully.
"At ease. Is Brother Wu here?" Xiao Tianyun asked casually.
"Well..." The guard hesitated. Xiao Wu had ordered earlier that anyone from Xiao Tianshan's branch should be denied entry.
"What is it? Is he here or not?" Xiao Tianyun's temper flared. "Stop stammering!"
"My apologies, Elder Tianyun, but the Clan Head isn't in at the moment," the guard replied nervously, knowing full well the risks of offending a clan elder.
"He's not here?" Xiao Tianyun frowned, his gaze sharp. However, his soul sense quickly swept through Zhenwu Courtyard and confirmed Xiao Wu's presence.
"Brother Wu is clearly inside. Why are you lying to me? I'll find him myself," Xiao Tianyun growled, brushing past the guard.
"Please wait, Elder Tianyun!" The guard stepped forward, bowing deeply. "I beg you not to make things difficult for me."
Xiao Tianyun's expression darkened. "Why are you lying to me? Brother Wu is obviously here!"
Cold sweat dotted the guard's forehead. If Xiao Tianyun struck him down, there would be no one to defend him.
Just then, a calm voice echoed from within the courtyard. "Let Tianyun in."
Relieved, the guard stepped aside, bowing again. "Please, Elder Tianyun."
"Hmph, I'll deal with you later," Xiao Tianyun snapped before striding into Zhenwu Courtyard.
Inside Zhenwu Courtyard
At a stone table, a middle aged man sipped tea leisurely. This was Xiao Wu, the master of Zhenwu Courtyard and a Seven Star Dou Sheng peak expert. Ranked among the Xiao Clan's top ten, his strength was surpassed only by the Clan Leader and a few senior elders.
"Brother Wu!"
"Tianyun, have a seat and try this tea I just acquired," Xiao Wu said with a smile, showing no sign of having instructed the guard to block Xiao Tianyun earlier.
Xiao Tianyun sat down with a grumble, masking his frustration. "Brother Wu, your guards are getting bolder! He actually tried to stop me from entering."
"Oh? I'll discipline him later to appease you," Xiao Wu replied, pouring another cup of tea, though his tone carried a hint of mockery.
"Forget it it's not worth mentioning. You must know why I'm here," Xiao Tianyun said, changing the subject.
"This is about your conflict with Elder Xiao Chun at the treasury, isn't it?" Xiao Wu guessed, his tone indifferent.
"Exactly. It was a minor dispute, but Xiao Tiance sent a puppet that injured both my brother and me. I can't stomach this insult, Brother Wu.
"I need you to teach Xiao Tiance a lesson. Let him know that his so called status as one of the 'Xiao Clan's Three Prodigies' is long past.
"If you agree, I'll deliver that Bodhi Pill you've been eyeing." Xiao Tianyun bowed slightly, imploring Xiao Wu to intervene.
Xiao Wu chuckled but shook his head. "You know clan rules forbid fighting between Dou Shengs above the Five Star level. Besides, Tiance is a branch leader. If the Clan Leader catches wind of this, it won't end well for me."
"Brother Wu, I'll add a high grade Earth tier Dou Technique to the deal," Xiao Tianyun offered, gritting his teeth.
Seeing Xiao Tianyun's desperation, Xiao Wu decided to speak plainly. "Tianyun, you still don't get it. This is Xiao Tiance we're talking about the most talented member of our clan after the Clan Leader himself.
"Even while he was comatose, no one dared take things too far with his branch. Now that he's awake, it's only a matter of time before he rivals the Clan Leader in strength.
"As much as I value our friendship, I won't make an enemy of someone like him not for you, not for anyone."
"I don't understand!" Xiao Tianyun snapped. "He's just a measly Five Star Dou Sheng beginner! Are you saying that, as a Seven Star Dou Sheng peak expert, you can't defeat him?"
Xiao Wu sighed, shaking his head. "Tianyun, let me make this clear. If you provoke Tiance, you'll only end up humiliated.
"Do you know why Tiance was one of the 'Three Prodigies' of the Xiao Clan? Let me remind you of something the incident where the Soul Heavenly Emperor ambushed him a century ago."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
With a faint smile, Xiao Wu continued, "Did you know the Soul Heavenly Emperor once suffered a setback at Tiance's hands?"
"Impossible! The Soul Heavenly Emperor is a Nine Star Dou Sheng peak expert, almost as powerful as our Clan Leader. How could Xiao Tiance, who's so much weaker, possibly best him?"
Xiao Wu chuckled. "Believe it or not, it's true. About 120 years ago, when Tiance was just a Three Star Dou Sheng and the Soul Heavenly Emperor was a Six Star Dou Sheng peak, they clashed during the Eight Clans Grand Tournament.
"The Soul Heavenly Emperor had allied with the Lei Clan and Yan Clan to obstruct our Clan Leader, hoping to seize victory for himself.
"But Tiance, along with Second Brother Xiao Chen, managed to stall the Soul Heavenly Emperor long enough to turn the tide."
"That must have been Xiao Chen's doing!" Xiao Tianyun interjected.
"You really don't understand, do you?" Xiao Wu sighed. "Tiance isn't just the smartest member of our clan his combat prowess is extraordinary.
"Do you think a weakling could hold the title of 'Three Prodigies'? The Dou Qi Continent has always respected strength above all else.
"And if Tiance were so insignificant, why would the Soul Heavenly Emperor resort to ambushing him instead of facing him head on?"
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