Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Haha, this is truly a case of searching high and low, only to stumble upon it effortlessly!”

This hearty laughter echoed in Situ Lang’s mind, but he did not voice it. In fact, his journey to the range of Lianyun Mountain this time was with a mission, and encountering Fire Cloud Rat Chi Yan was merely an unexpected delight.

Just like Xia Yong, the Special Envoy from the Spirit Fighting Commerce Headquarters, Situ Lang was also a trusted direct descendant of the Vice President of Douling Commerce, Lu Tianrun. At that time, Xia Yong mysteriously died in Thunder Mountain, which made the Vice President extremely angry.

The life or death of Xia Yong wasn’t of much concern to someone of Lu Tianrun’s stature, but what mattered was whether Xia Yong had truly found the object he was sent for. That object, even for someone at the Heavenly Rank Realm like Lu Tianrun, was useful.

This object was naturally the Xuanyang Earth Pearl that had already been refined by Chi Yan. Yun Xiao wasn’t aware of the reasons behind this, but the protector from the Spirit Fighting Commerce before him had a mission to investigate this matter, to find out whose hands the Xuanyang Earth Pearl had ultimately fallen into.

During this time, Situ Lang visited Yuyang City in the Southern Domain of the Tenglong Continent and learned that the small family originally possessing the Xuanyang Earth Pearl had been completely annihilated. Hence, he was sure the Xuanyang Earth Pearl must have once fallen into Xia Yong’s hands.

Following the clues, Situ Lang quickly tracked down Thunder King Valley in Thunder Mountain. After all, many had witnessed that battle firsthand. With a bit of inquiry, a young man named ”Yun Xiao” had gradually come to light.

But the situation later discovered left Situ Lang at a loss, because that fellow named Yun Xiao had surprisingly signed up for the Refining Cloud Mountain disciple selection, and was reportedly performing quite well.

Even if Situ Lang had the courage, he wouldn’t dare to go to the Refining Cloud Mountain Headquarters to catch someone. Hence, he could only wait for an opportunity around the neighboring cities of Lianyun Mountain, unexpectedly encountering exactly that opportunity.

Capturing Yun Xiao and retrieving the Xuanyang Earth Pearl were the biggest tasks given to Situ Lang on the orders of Vice President Lu Tianrun.

So even though he hadn’t fully understood the details, he had already made up his mind that today, he would not let that young man named Yun Xiao leave the Chunxiao City Spirit Fighting Commerce division alive.

”What is the relationship between Young Master Gongnian and this Yun Xiao?”

After a quick turn of thoughts in his mind, Situ Lang directly voiced his question. It seemed the relationship between Li Gongnian and Yun Xiao was somewhat special, and he wanted to clarify it.

”I...”

”He’s my captive!”

Just as Li Gongnian tried to say something, Yun Xiao’s calm voice suddenly came from the side, making Li Gongnian’s face turn pale and blue, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into.

Though it was true, among the people of Spirit Fighting Commerce, Li Gongnian still had his pride. As the second talent of Spirit Fighting Commerce, becoming someone else’s captive would ruin his reputation if the news spread, leaving him unable to hold his head up high in the headquarters.

”Captive?”

Upon suddenly hearing this word, Situ Lang and Shen Litong were momentarily unable to react. However, excitement quickly sparked in Situ Lang’s mind, realizing that if this was the case, his previous worries were unfounded.

At first, seeing Yun Xiao and Li Gongnian together, Situ Lang thought they had some friendship. But now, it was clearly not what he had imagined.

Though Situ Lang had already decided to take Yun Xiao back to Spirit Fighting Commerce Headquarters, even if he were a friend of Li Gongnian, he understood that the task given by the Vice President was paramount. No matter how special Li Gongnian’s status was, he couldn’t compare to Vice President Lu Tianrun.

Now, things were different; Li Gongnian not only had no friendship with Yun Xiao but had become an enemy. This meant that Situ Lang could act without hesitation, though some things still needed to be settled before tearing everything apart.

Swish!

Once his thoughts settled, Situ Lang rapidly moved to stand before Li Gongnian, pulling him behind him with extraordinary speed while everyone was still somewhat stunned.

This sudden and swift action of Situ Lang was indeed quick, and even in Shen Litong and others’ eyes, although Li Gongnian was thought to be the captive of the young man in coarse clothes, Yun Xiao, this time, the situation would inevitably change.

What Shen Litong and others didn’t know was, regardless of how fast Situ Lang was, with Yun Xiao’s current Power of Soul, it wasn’t that he couldn’t react; he just felt it wasn’t necessary.

”Yun Xiao, now you no longer have a captive!”

Feeling pleased with his actions, Situ Lang’s proud voice resounded as he protected Li Gongnian behind him, his eyes fixed on the young man in coarse clothes opposite him.

Truth be told, up till now, Situ Lang was still somewhat puzzled. How could Li Gongnian, who had cultivation at the Peak of Seeking Origin Realm, become a captive of a young man at the Late Stage of Seeking Origin Realm?

However, thinking about what Li Gongnian said just now, that Yun Xiao had once defeated the top genius of Lianyun Mountain, Bai Wushuang, Situ Lang felt somewhat relieved.

After all, a top genius like Bai Wushuang from Lianyun Mountain is probably well-known throughout the entire Continent, let alone someone like Situ Lang, a protector of the Spirit Fighting Commerce headquarters.

This made Situ Lang even more appreciative of his quick decision-making. If Li Gongnian was still in Yun Xiao’s hands, making a move would be risky; if Yun Xiao used some demonic method to escape, Situ Lang would be extremely dissatisfied.

However, what Situ Lang couldn’t see was that as soon as he spoke, not only Yun Xiao but also Li Gongnian, whom he was guarding behind him, revealed a helpless smile. Some things, after all, this person didn’t know.

Li Gongnian became Yun Xiao’s captive, not because of any external control, but because of the deadly poison deep within his body. Li Gongnian believed that even from such a distance, just a thought from Yun Xiao could trigger the poison in an instant.

”Protector Situ, how about exchanging Li Gongnian’s life for Chi Yan’s?”

Nobody knew what Yun Xiao was thinking, but at this moment, he suddenly said this, making Chi Yan on his shoulder quite dissatisfied. Didn’t this guy say he would avenge him earlier? How did it suddenly turn into a trade?

However, upon hearing this, Li Gongnian was overjoyed. To be honest, after the encounters at Lianyun Mountain and the constant open and hidden struggles along the way, he had developed a psychological shadow of Yun Xiao.

If possible, Li Gongnian would never want to be enemies with Yun Xiao again in his life, for whether it was his ruthless methods or strategic mind, he considered himself far inferior to Yun Xiao. Fewer such enemies would be better.

Moreover, seeing the fiery red rat now back in Yun Xiao’s hands, Yun Xiao was still willing to exchange his life at this moment, which was simply an unexpected surprise.

But how could Situ Lang possibly know what Li Gongnian was thinking? He only knew that Li Gongnian, whom he was protecting, was no longer in danger and could no longer be used by that boy as leverage against him.

”Yun Xiao, since you have done such things, you must bear the consequences. I advise you to surrender honestly and come back to the Spirit Fighting Commerce headquarters with me!”

Even in this highly advantageous situation, Situ Lang didn’t reveal his ultimate task and purpose, as it concerned the reputation of the Vice Chairman. Within the Spirit Fighting Commerce, only a few insiders knew about it.

”Oh? Protector Situ made this decision, shouldn’t you discuss it with Brother Gongnian first?”

When Situ Lang finished speaking, Yun Xiao suddenly displayed a strange smile on his face and then pointed at the brocade-clad genius behind the former, hinting at something with his words.

”Protector Situ, why not... just let this matter go!”

Li Gongnian, anxious to escape unscathed, couldn’t possibly let go of such a good opportunity, so even before Situ Lang could respond, he already spoke up proactively.

”Young Master Gongnian, with me here, you have nothing to fear; he can’t harm you!”

For one of the top talents of the Spirit Fighting Commerce, Situ Lang was quite courteous. Of course, this was based on his one-sided view; when he said this, Li Gongnian was about to cry.

Li Gongnian knew his own predicament. If he were truly controlled by external forces, breaking free now might indeed mean he had nothing to fear as Situ Lang said. But he was afflicted by a mysterious poison, one that as an Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master, Li Gongnian hadn’t even seen before, let alone knew how to neutralize.

”Protector Situ, I said, let this matter drop!”

In his anxious heart, Li Gongnian was no longer as courteous as before; with his life threatened, how could he care about the status of the headquarters protector? Besides, his own status wasn’t necessarily much lower than that of a headquarters protector.

”Li Gongnian, where did all your courage go? Are you this scared by a mere late-stage boy from the Origin Seeking Realm?”

Seeing Li Gongnian’s slightly rude tone, Situ Lang’s mind sank once again. This time, he even addressed him by name directly, indicating that a trace of rage had indeed risen within him.

Based on Situ Lang’s understanding of Li Gongnian, this guy usually held himself aloof, looking down on everyone among the younger generation, except for the number one genius of the Spirit Fighting Commerce.

Now, he was actually frightened by a mere late-stage boy from the Origin Seeking Realm; this not only disgraces Li Gongnian but also brings shame to the Spirit Fighting Commerce. Didn’t he see Shen Litong and others nearby revealing looks of disdain?

”Hey, have you finished discussing? We’re about to leave!”

The look in Yun Xiao’s eyes also carried a tinge of strangeness; he hadn’t expected internal strife to break out within the opponent before the battle even began.

However, this was a scene that delighted him, watching the dogs biting each other entertained him greatly. Yet, he finally interrupted, causing the others to turn their gazes back towards him.