Chapter Sixty-One: The Titan's Scheme (Part One)

The grand Titan Hall was enveloped in silence, making its vastness feel all the more desolate and empty. As they watched Tiger Shatian self-destruct in order to cover the escape of the remnants of the Tiger Tribe, the priests seemed to hear his final mournful roar echoing in their ears. A rush of respect, sorrow, and self-reproach welled up in their hearts, myriad emotions surging forth all at once.

Tiger Shatian, as the chieftain of the Tiger Tribe, did not perish alongside White Tiger City, but sacrificed himself to ensure the survival of his people. In the end, he lived up to the name of Tiger Lord.

"Tiger Shatian, truly a hero!"

Titan Ming, the second priest of the Titan Clan, sat atop his eight-zhang stone throne, his expression forlorn as he softly praised.

All who pursue the path of cultivation tend to grow detached in temperament. The stronger their power, the higher their realm, the more indifferent and transcendent they become, as if embodying the impartiality of the heavens.

Tiger Shatian was a Primordial God, standing among the most powerful immortals and deities in the world, yet he gave up his hope of survival for the sake of his people—sacrificing himself for righteousness.

If it were the priests of the Titan Clan, could they do the same? Titan Ming did not know; he could only extol Tiger Shatian to vent the unrest in his heart.

"Tiger Shatian, truly a hero!"

One by one, the priests of the Titan Clan echoed their heartfelt admiration for Tiger Shatian.

Titan himself sat high upon his ten-zhang throne, watching Tiger Shatian’s demise without expression, his heart cold. Tiger Shatian’s death was but the beginning; soon, many more lives would be lost. Would his own fate mirror that of Tiger Shatian?

At the center of the hall, the golden screen slowly faded away.

"Priests, we do not have the luxury to mourn Tiger Shatian's death. Our pressing task is to discuss two matters crucial to the survival of the Titan Clan."

Titan Hai moved his divine consciousness, dispelling the screen, and spoke with grave seriousness.

"Two matters vital to the Titan Clan's existence? What might they be?"

Titan Qing, the eighth priest, looked at Titan Hai’s solemn face and asked curiously.

"Indeed! What are the two matters the ninth priest refers to?"

The other priests voiced their curiosity as well.

Titan Hai surveyed the priests, finally casting a weighty glance at the clan chieftain seated above them all, before speaking in a careful, deliberate tone. "First: Tiger Shatian is dead, the Tiger Tribe's power greatly diminished. Now that the Tiger Tribe remnants have fled to us, why not seize this opportunity and annex the Tiger Tribe?"

At these words, the priests’ eyes gleamed, a hint of excitement appearing on their faces. Previously distracted by the beast tide and Tiger Shatian’s death, they had overlooked the Tiger Tribe remnants fleeing to the Ten Thousand Mountains. Now, reminded by Titan Hai, their greedy gazes immediately turned toward those survivors.

The reason the Titan Clan had long remained confined to the Ten Thousand Mountains, not actively expanding their territory, was not only because the mountains were a natural barrier, but also because they were no match for the Phoenix Clan.

Every attempt to expand was met with fierce resistance from the Phoenix Clan, beaten back in humiliation to the mountains.

Now, if the Titans annexed the Tiger Tribe remnants, their strength would surge, perhaps rivaling the Phoenix Clan. Who would prevail in such a contest was uncertain.

The Titans could finally break free from the mountains, claim more territory, and expand their domain. More land meant more resources and luck for the clan. With increased luck, the priests could leverage it to break through realms and ascend to new heights.

The benefits of annexing the Tiger Tribe remnants only made the priests’ greed burn brighter and more uncontrollable.

Yet, despite being blinded by greed, some remained clear-headed.

Titan Ming, the second priest, frowned and coldly interrupted their fantasies. "Annexing the Tiger Tribe remnants may sound simple, but it is as difficult as reaching the heavens."

His sober words were like a bucket of cold water, dampening their greed and prompting them to consider the feasibility of the plan.

After all, Titan Ming was the second priest, third in strength among the Titans, surpassing the others in both power and strategy. Above all, his rank and might commanded respect.

Even Titan Hai, who had proposed the annexation, could not help but swallow his dissatisfaction and prepare his words carefully to persuade Titan Ming.

In this world, strength reigns supreme; the strong are revered.

As the priests weighed the pros and cons of annexing the Tiger Tribe, Titan Ming spoke again.

"Titan Hai, tell me: how did you obtain this information?"

Titan Ming’s eyes flashed like lightning as he sternly questioned Titan Hai.

"Naturally, it came from the hands of the Tiger Tribe remnants. The Tiger Tribe remnants—"

Titan Hai began to speak, but paused to reconsider his words carefully. Upon reflection, he realized the flaw, and his face changed from yellow to green in embarrassment.

From the moment Titan Ming questioned Titan Hai, the other priests watched closely, noticing his discomfort and reluctance to answer. They could not help but remark inwardly, "Titan Hai was instantly bested by Titan Ming! The old truly outwit the young; Titan Hai is no match for the cunning Titan Ming!"

Titan Ming, seeing Titan Hai’s embarrassed face and the admiration in the others’ eyes, allowed himself a small smile, inwardly pleased. "Hai, if you wish to stand out and rise in rank, you must consider every detail. Otherwise, you only bring shame upon yourself. Let this be your lesson."

The Titan chieftain sat high upon his throne, observing the priests’ scheming and Titan Hai’s humiliation in silence, as if watching a childish play.

"If I am not mistaken, Titan Hai obtained a memory fragment from a Tiger King, meaning that the Tiger Tribe’s elder, Tiger Xing, never appeared. We have no idea where the Tiger Tribe remnants are, do we, Titan Hai?"

Titan Ming’s eyes shone with divine light, as though seeing through everything.

Hearing his question, Titan Hai, despite his reluctance, could only reply respectfully, "Your insight is unmatched, Second Priest. That is indeed the case."

Upon hearing this, the priests shook their heads in dismay, dismissing the idea of annexing the Tiger Tribe. If they could not even locate the remnants, how could they annex them?

Even if they wished to search the soul of the Tiger King who delivered the message, his sea of consciousness would surely be guarded by soul restrictions—such an effort would be futile.

Moreover, the cunning Tiger Xing would never deliver the message solely to the Titans; surely all the major powers of the world were already informed.

How could the Titans annex the Tiger Tribe remnants under the watchful eyes of so many?

Titan Ming had only raised a single objection, yet the priests already foresaw all possibilities and were forced to abandon their beautiful vision of annexation.