Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”This must be Second Brother Cao Ju, I am Tan Yun!”

Sensing the immense Meridian Qi emanating from Cao Family’s second brother, Tan Yun also felt enormous pressure, so she did not act rashly but instead clasped her fists and spoke.

”Oh, the little girl does have some insight, correct, I am Cao Ju!” The second young master of the Cao Family, assuming an air of superiority, spoke with complete arrogance.

”Second Brother Cao has been considerate. There might have been some misunderstandings between my younger brother and me. Both parties got injured, and the Demon Core has already been taken by your younger brother. How about we let this matter rest?” Tan Yun spoke candidly, narrating the truth.

”You wishful girl, that fat little boy, where does he have the right to compare with this young master?” Before Cao Ju could reply, Cao Jun interjected angrily, feeling that his noble identity was above the combined value of their entire five-person team.

Tan Yun kept a stern face and said nothing, focusing her gaze on Cao Ju, believing that if this second brother agreed, Cao Jun would have no ground to bounce back.

Seeing Tan Yun’s actions, Yun Xiao beside her could not help but shake his head and bitterly smile. So-called brothers fighting a tiger – it was unlikely that he would agree when the Cao brothers had a clear upper hand.

Moreover, these individuals were here to attend the Jade Pot Sect’s Outer Disciple examination and were competitors among each other. Seizing this opportunity to eliminate a rival from the examination was, in truth, entirely justifiable.

Little did Yun Xiao know, just as the thought crossed his mind that Cao Ju would certainly not ease the conflict, this second brother of the Cao Family displayed a smile, nodding his head while saying, ”What you said makes some sense...”

As these words were uttered, seeing that Second Brother Cao seemed inclined to agree, Tan Yun could not hide her delight. However, the next instant, she heard Cao Ju continue, ”However, the fact that you injured my third brother is true. How about this: you strip off your clothes, and let my third brother whip you on the back, then I’ll consider this matter as if it never happened?”

Cao Jun, who had been complaining about why his brother would compromise, lit up upon hearing this, nodding repeatedly, ”Just agree to Second Brother’s terms, and I promise all will be forgiven, and we won’t trouble you anymore!”

”You... you are too bullying!”

Before Tan Yun could respond, the four people beside her were already filled with righteous indignation, and Ling Wan couldn’t help but burst out scolding. Such conditions were outright insulting and showed no sincerity for reconciliation.

If it were a young man, perhaps agreeing to such demands might be acceptable, but Tan Yun was a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old delicate girl. If she really complied with Cao Ju’s words, she probably would never be able to lift her head in honor for the rest of her life.

At this moment, how could Tan Yun not realize that she had been played by Cao Ju? This person never intended to reconcile from the beginning but instead wanted to humiliate her with such words, truly detestable.

”How about it, Tan Yun, you better think this through. In this way, at least one life, or rather... six lives will be spared!” Cao Ju smiled as he looked at Tan Yun, stretching his hand towards Ling Wan and the others beside her, even including Yun Xiao in his gesture.

The implication in Cao Ju’s words was clear - if Tan Yun did not agree to his terms, then he would start a massacre today. A cultivator at the Peak of Meridian Introduction Realm certainly had the standing to say such things.

After all, on this Continent, not everyone could fight beyond their strengths like Yun Xiao. Normally, a cultivator who was a minor realm higher could easily defeat those with lower cultivation.

”I’ll hold off Cao Ju, you guys... take the chance to escape!”

Tan Yun hadn’t even thought it through, such conditions were impossible for her as a girl to accept. But she was also wary of Cao Ju’s strength, so she simply turned her head and whispered softly.

”Why run? Let’s fight them!”

Ling Wan, although only at the Middle Stage of Meridian Introduction Realm, was stubborn, and he knew that Tan Yun would not be a match for Cao Ju. If they fell into the hands of those brothers, they would definitely suffer unbearable humiliation.

”Exactly, let’s fight them, even if we die, we must take a piece of them with us!” A young man who had previously doubted Yun Xiao now spoke with a determined look, which somewhat changed Yun Xiao’s perception of him.

Such a group of youngsters, willing to stand together at a life-and-death moment, was much better than Xue Qi, who had once betrayed her own kin for some benefits. Thus, Yun Xiao already made a decision in his mind.

However, the next moment, Yun Xiao suddenly thought of something and exclaimed, ”Isn’t this the place for the Jade Pot Sect Outer Disciple examination? Are we allowed to kill here?”

As soon as these words came out, Tan Yun and others turned their heads to look at him weirdly, and even Cao Jun nearby laughed loudly upon hearing this, mocking, ”Where did such a naïve fool come from!”

Indeed, this was the place for the examination of Jade Pot Sect Outer Disciples, and according to the rules of the Jade Pot Sect, it was indeed forbidden to harm others’ lives during the examination.

However, as the saying goes, ”where there is a will, there is a way,” this place was the Yulin Mountain Range, and it was not always possible for the warriors of the Jade Pot Sect to take care of every single area. Killing a person and disguising it as an attack by a Vein Demon was a far too simple task.

”How is it? Isn’t this the case?”

Looking around at the odd glances, Yun Xiao touched his head, but the next moment, a gleam flashed through his eyes. If murder isn’t forbidden, then things might get a lot easier.

”Kid, cut this useless chatter. Today, none of you can escape from this place!” Cao Ju seemed to be growing impatient. After his cold shout, his breath already locked onto Tan Yun, apparently recognizing her as the strongest amongst the enemies.

However, with Cao Ju’s Peak of Meridian Introduction Realm cultivation, it was impossible for him to take Tan Yun from the Late Meridian Introduction Realm seriously. In his view, after making a move, it would only take three moves to subdue Tan Yun.

Sensing that Cao Ju was locking onto her, Tan Yun took a step forward with a gloomy face because she knew, in the case of this Peak of the Meridian Introduction Realm fellow, only she could put up some resistance. The others, like Ling Wan at the Middle Stage of Meridian Introduction, would probably be severely injured by Cao Ju in just one move.

”Stinky girl, I have already given you a chance. It was you who didn’t appreciate it, so don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Even at this time, Cao Ju still put on a pretense of generosity, which was utterly nauseating, but the skills he employed were exceptionally exquisite; within just one move, he forced Tan Yun back several steps.

Simultaneously as the battle erupted here, Cao Jun, not wanting to fall behind though he hated Tan Yun, who injured him with a whip, hated not only her but also bore no mercy for any member of this small team.

Cao Jun, being at the Late Stage of Meridian Introduction, faced against Ling Wan and the other four who were only at the Middle Stage. With their numerical advantage, they could hold out for several dozen rounds, but the outcome was undoubtedly doomed to defeat.

However, Ling Wan and the others knew well that even if the four of them could hold out for several dozen rounds together, it would be meaningless. Once Cao Ju defeated Tan Yun on that side and joined the battle here, their defeat would be inevitable.

Ling Wan and the others were secretly anxious, but when the young member of the squad, who had spoken earlier, noticed a thin silhouette still standing stupidly in place, he couldn’t help but fume.

”Yun Xiao, why aren’t you helping yet?”

Although he didn’t think highly of Yun Xiao’s cultivation, he was still a combatant, so he shouted out loud. In his view, if Yun Xiao joined the battle on their side, it might just be the last straw to break Cao Jun’s back, and then they could turn to help Tan Yun, possibly creating a chance to turn the tide.

”Alright, a life-saving grace cannot be ignored, I’ll make a move then!”

The young man shouted, and Yun Xiao seemed to come back to his senses. However, the direction he dashed at made the young man incredibly frustrated because Yun Xiao was actually heading towards Cao Ju, who was overwhelmingly suppressing Tan Yun.

”Ah, this kid!”

Seeing Yun Xiao running towards there without looking back, the young man felt helpless and could only sigh, focusing all his attention on the battle with Cao Jun.

Bang!

As Yun Xiao darted out, Cao Ju’s palm strike accurately landed on Tan Yun’s left shoulder, causing her bone-deep pain and making her stagger back several steps. The chaos in her Meridian Qi made her realize she had sustained some non-light injuries.

Just as Tan Yun was being knocked back and injured, she suddenly felt a tightening in her back and her body was steadied, obviously, someone was supporting her from behind.

”Yun Xiao, is it you?”

Turning her head, the sight of Yun Xiao revealed a thin face with messy hair, which she immediately recognized—this was the stranger, Yun Xiao, they had rescued last night.

Thinking of a possibility, Tan Yun became anxious, took a deep breath, and spoke urgently, ”Yun Xiao, this is a feud between our squad and the Cao brothers; don’t get involved in this mess, hurry and leave!”

It seemed Tan Yun truly was a kind-hearted girl; she knew she was no match for Cao Ju and that after Cao Ju had dealt with her, he would not spare anyone in her team.

However, Yun Xiao was not a member of their squad. What she now feared was that by helping her, Yun Xiao might provoke Cao Ju’s anger, resulting in this young man, who might not even be as strong as Ling Wan, suffering collateral damage.

”Hehe, you all have saved my life; wouldn’t it be impolite to run away alone at this time?”

Yun Xiao paid no attention to Tan Yun’s words of urgency. After speaking with a light laugh, he walked out from behind her, instead positioning her behind him.