Chapter 195: Good News Arrived Too Late

"Hmm?"

Yao Xiao Tian, who was initially reluctant to leave the Abyssal Snake Mountain Range, brightened up upon hearing Hun Tu's words.

With respect, he asked, "Please, Enlightened One, guide us."

Hun Tu replied, "The central region of the Abyssal Snake Mountain Range cannot be occupied by the Nine Serene Ground Python Clan. However, you can consider the outer areas of the mountain range."

"Outer areas?"

Yao Xiao Tian immediately understood Hun Tu's intentions. The Abyssal Snake Mountain Range was vast and only suitable for the Snake People to inhabit.

The Soul Clan wouldn't gain much from taking the whole mountain range. What they truly wanted was the central region, which was now clear to Yao Xiao Tian.

Since that was the case, if sacrificing the central region meant protecting the Nine Serene Ground Python Clan, it seemed like a reasonable choice.

After comprehending the situation, Yao Xiao Tian expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, I now understand what to do."

"Mmm."

Hun Tu added, "Since you understand what to do, try to vacate the central region as soon as possible."

With that, Hun Tu's figure turned into black mist and he departed.

With Hun Tu gone, the pressure on Yao Xiao Tian and the other Nine Nether Ground Python experts significantly decreased. Even though Hun Tu hadn't deliberately exuded his power, they couldn't shake off the inexplicable sense of oppression he brought.

Hun Tu's departure was a relief. Yao Xiao Tian has no intention of going back on his word; after all, if Hun Tu could come once, he would certainly come again.

Playing tricks would bring devastating consequences, which Yao Xiao Tian wouldn't be able to endure.

...

Yao Xiao Tian turned to face the experts of the Soul Hall, including Hun Douluo, and politely said, "Dear friends from the Soul Hall, please be the guest of the Nine Serene Ground Python Clan. Since we have now met, let us share the hospitality of the host!"

Hun Douluo, shaking his head, responded, "Chief Yao Xiao Tian, we'll pass. Our hall still has important matters to attend to, and we won't disturb Chief Yao Xiao Tian any further."

With that, Hun Douluo and the others bid farewell to Yao Xiao Tian and quickly left. 

If Hun Tu hadn't appeared, they would have attacked the Nine Serene Ground Python Clan. So even if Yao Xiao Tian's invitation was accepted, and they would not have been able to enjoy themselves within the clan.

However, things had changed.

All the credit went to Hun Tu, and the reason he appeared was that the clan leader had been disappointed by their slow progress. 

At this point, if they still lacked self-awareness...

They would be fools.

Hun Douluo and a large group of Soul Hall experts decided to leave the Abyssal Snake Mountain Range altogether. The war that had been going on for some time now finally came to an end with the Soul Hall's departure.

The Soul Hall didn't fear that Yao Xiao Tian would renege on the agreement. They were confident that if he did, the next time they come, it wouldn't be with just a group of experts but with the entire might of the Soul Clan. 

If they couldn't even deal with the Soul Hall, how could they resist the full force of the Soul Clan?

Yao Xiao Tian was indeed smart, and he understood that resisting further would only lead to disaster. The wisest choice was to comply and preserve whatever they could.

As the Soul Hall's forces departed, the pressure on Yao Xiao Tian and the Nine Serene Ground Python Clan lessened. 

But he couldn't help but sigh, realizing that both he and his clan's reputation had suffered greatly. They were now reduced from a dominant power to a subordinate force of the Soul Clan or the Soul Hall.

No matter if it was him, Yao Xiao Tian, or his elder brother, Yao Ming, the outcome would be the same. The Soul Clan was too formidable, and the Nine Serene Ground Python Clan was simply too weak in comparison.

Returning to the main hall, Yao Xiao Tian felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. 

Everyone addressed him as "clan leader," and they didn't express much surprise at his decision to compromise. They understood the harsh reality they faced.

As Yao Xiao Tian spoke, he seemed drained of energy. He explained that the Soul Hall had left, and he had ultimately chosen to compromise. 

Everyone in the main hall, including the powerful members of the Nine Serene Ground Python Clan and other affiliated forces, was not surprised by his surrender.

With the Soul Clan's intervention, not compromising would lead to the complete annihilation of the Nine Serene Ground Python Clan. In such a situation, choosing to compromise was the only logical option to survive.

For the survival of their clan, everyone knew the choice they had to make. It was not about cowardice, but about facing the reality of the situation and doing what was necessary to live.

In the end, the main hall fell into a heavy silence as everyone accepted the bitter reality of their situation.

The hall remained in silence for quite some time. The quietness was eerie, almost suffocating, until Yao Xiao Tian himself broke the silence.

With a weary sigh, Yao Xiao Tian began to speak, his voice lacking energy. However, before he could finish, someone interrupted him.

"Report..."

A voice came from outside the hall, and a Nine Nether Ground Python expert rushed in with excitement on his face.

"Clan Leader, we have good news!"

Yao Xiao Tian raised his eyebrows, surprised to see this particular expert, named Ba Xia, whom he had sent to seek help from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan. 

Ba Xia had left the clan for a long time and never returned, and so Yao Xiao Tian had imagined the worst.

Now, however, Ba Xia was back, claiming to bring good news from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan. This unexpected turn of events left everyone astonished.

Ba Xia hurriedly spoke, "Clan Leader, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan has agreed to support our Nine Serene Ground Python Clan!"

While this should have been a cause for celebration, the timing of the news was problematic. The crisis with the Soul Hall had already been resolved; they had left the Abyssal Snake Mountain Range.

The good news had arrived too late. What use was it now?

Ba Xia had expected everyone to be overjoyed upon hearing the news, but their reactions were far from what he had imagined.

Yao Xiao Tian and the others were perplexed upon hearing the news. Although it was indeed good news, it was no longer as significant as it would have been earlier. 

The Soul Hall had already retreated, so the support from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan was no longer urgently needed.

The good news had come too late, making it no longer good news at all.

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