Soul Land 5: The Rebirth of Tang San

Chapter 434: The Decision of the Lion-Tiger Sword Saint

Tang San said, "The Lion King you're referring to is probably no longer around." He then recounted what he saw and heard at the grand auction.

Upon hearing that the Golden Lion clan auctioned off the God-Slaying Sword to find a brave warrior willing to challenge a powerful enemy, both the Lion-Tiger Sword Saint and the elder showed peculiar expressions.

"Serves them right. They deserve it," Little Cat couldn't help but say from the side. This tall Lion-Tiger woman clearly deeply hated the Golden Lion and the Golden Tiger clans.

The elder sighed deeply and said, "To fall to such a state, how could it have come to this? Did the White Tiger Demon Emperor not intervene?"

Tang San shook his head. "That, I don't know. But it was the Golden Lion Great Demon King who died, not the Golden Tiger one. That's probably why the White Tiger Demon Emperor didn't intervene."

The elder looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "So let me get this... You want Big Cat to take up the God-Slaying Sword?"

Tang San countered, "Elder, do you want the Lion-Tiger clan to just live peacefully here, or do you want to make a name for yourselves and show those who thought you brought misfortune that you are superior to them in every respect?"

The elder fell silent, and the Lion-Tiger Sword Saint didn't speak either. Little Cat looked at Tang San, then at Big Cat, wanting to speak but ultimately holding back.

Deep down, she didn't want her husband to take the risk. But the one who brought it up was their savior, so she couldn't refute it. Moreover, she knew her husband had an unyielding heart. As the strongest warrior of the Lion-Tiger clan and now possessing a first-tier bloodline, was he really going to remain hidden in this paradise forever?

Tang San said, "You don't need to feel pressured; if what you want is a quiet life, then you can just keep guarding this valley and that’ll be perfect. I just think this is an opportunity for the Lion-Tiger clan to earn their rightful place on the greater world stage. If you think it's not feasible, I can just let go of the Sword Saint Token. It won't be a loss for the Golden Lion clan either. They don't know who I am, and if they want to investigate, they'll have to consider the Sword Saint Palace."

The elder sighed. "Benefactor, our clan has just struggled back from the brink of death, all thanks to you. By rights, I shouldn't oppose you... but our clan has so few members left. Perhaps it's because I'm old, but I don't want the children to take any more risks. At least let us develop and grow stronger first."

Tang San nodded, "I respect your opinion."

He didn't have absolute confidence in persuading the Lion-Tiger clan. Since the elder was unwilling, he would naturally not force the issue.

At that moment, the Lion-Tiger Sword Saint, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up. "No, I'll go!"

The elder and Little Cat both looked at him and saw the resolute look in Big Cat's eyes.

"Elder, Little Cat, the benefactor is right. We can't miss this opportunity. We can't lose our edge just because of the pain we've endured. The Golden Lion clan has lost their leader and is in a state of chaos. Previously, the lion and tiger races considered us an ominous anomaly. Now, with the benefactor's help, we've not only solved the bloodline conflict but even evolved to a higher bloodline tier. Now that the Golden Lion clan needs it, we can show them hope."

As he spoke, he looked around the Golden Valley, "This place is wonderful, and I've thought about spending my life here with Little Cat. It would be a very happy life. But we are strong, and we must stand tall and proud. Can our Lion-Tiger clan really just wait here to die? Elder, you know best that with our current numbers, if we continue like this, our lineage will be extinct in at least three generations. Our bloodline will make it increasingly difficult to have offspring. Is this what we want?

"We need their recognition and support to move forward and ensure our clan's survival. Only this way can our Lion-Tiger lineage truly stand tall in the Empyrean Dominion. So, I must go. I must take the God-Slaying Sword, break through to become a god, and strive for the throne of a Demon Emperor in the future. If I become a Demon Emperor, who will dare say our Lion-Tiger clan is unlucky?"

Seeing the elder's eyes gradually reddening, the Lion-Tiger Sword Saint's voice softened. "Elder, I know what you're worried about. I'll go alone. It won't affect our clan's situation even if something happens to me. Let me go; otherwise, I won't be at peace for the rest of my life. If I succeed, it will be the rebirth of our clan, a true rebirth."

His eyes showed determination, resilience, and a hint of the defiance Tang San had seen in him in the Great Beast Fighting Arena.

The Lion-Tiger Sword Saint had never been one to be subordinate to others. He wanted to become stronger. He had the mighty Lion-Tiger Golden Astral but lacked the support of a powerful backing.

The Golden Lion clan was an ancient and powerful one, with deep foundations. Naturally, Big Cat desired to be respected by this clan, prove that the Lion-Tigers' existence was not an ill omen, gain their recognition and support with his strength, and become an even stronger Lion-Tiger Sword Saint to one day stand at the pinnacle of the demon races.

Tang San had seen through his character, so he bid for the God-Slaying Sword at the grand auction.

The look in the elder’s eyes gradually changed. He forcefully patted the Lion-Tiger Sword Saint's shoulder. "You are already the leader of the Lion-Tiger clan. Your decision is the clan's decision. I'm old. I'll stay here to guard our home and protect our people."

The Lion-Tiger Sword Saint opened his arms and gave the elder a strong hug. "Elder, believe in me. I will be fine. I will become the pride of the Lion-Tiger clan."

"You can go!" At that moment, another voice came from beside the Lion-Tiger Sword Saint. He turned his head sharply to look at Little Cat.

Little Cat's eyes blazed as she looked at him. "But you cannot abandon me. My illness is cured, and my bloodline has fused. I am also the strongest female in the clan. If you want to be the Lion-Tiger clan's hero, I also want to be. So, wherever you go, I will go. As long as you take me with you, if you want to kill, I will kill with you. I will soar with you if you want to soar into the sky. I will dive with you if you want to dive into the sea. If you live, I live. I will be your empress if you become the Lion-Tiger Demon Emperor, and if that journey leads you to your grave, my tail will be wrapped around your tail as we head together to the netherworld."

Little Cat's words were equally resolute, without a hint of hesitation.

Big Cat's eyes grew moist. He suddenly opened his arms and pulled Little Cat into a tight embrace. "Alright, we live and die together. As long as I have breath, I will never let anything and anyone harm you."

Watching the scene before him, Tang San couldn't help but feel a bit melancholic, even wondering if what he was doing was right or wrong.

But he quickly dismissed the thought. Given the Lion-Tiger Sword Saint's personality, even if Tang San didn't give him this opportunity, he would likely find a chance to venture out independently. His heart was not at peace.

"When do we leave?" the Lion-Tiger Sword Saint asked Tang San.

Tang San said, "I will return to the Ancestral Court to take care of some things, but I need to stay here for two more days. You can prepare and then head to the Ancestral Court. I can travel faster than you, so I will catch up with you, and if I don’t, you can stay at the White Tiger Hotel there until I arrive. We will meet up and then set off to the Golden Lion clan together."

"Alright."

The Lion-Tiger clan lacked the natural ability to fly; they weren't Winged Tigers. They could use the Lion-Tiger Golden Astral for that purpose, but even though they were extremely fast, the energy consumption was simply too great for it to be sustainable. Tang San let them go ahead because he had some matters to handle here, and even if he left two days later, he would probably still reach the Ancestral Court before the Lion-Tiger Sword Saint and his wife.