Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Whoosh!

Just when Yun Xiao was about to unleash the Thunder Dragon’s Wings to chase after the Gold-grade Heavenly Spirit, he suddenly noticed that its speed had dramatically increased, disappearing from sight in an instant.

”This...”

Such speed left Yun Xiao momentarily stunned. It had surpassed his ability to catch up, and he knew even if he managed to close the gap, he wouldn’t be a match for the Gold-grade Heavenly Spirit.

Therefore, Yun Xiao abandoned the chase, realizing that the Gold-grade Heavenly Spirit wasn’t at its peak, and the energy absorption over the past half year wasn’t without impact on it.

”Damn it!”

On the other hand, Hou Tianlie, the Mountain Master of Demons Mountain, looked quite displeased. Yun Xiao could understand the situation, and so could Hou Tianlie, who had attempted to keep the Gold-grade Heavenly Spirit forever trapped at Demons Mountain.

Yet, despite his efforts, the Golden Grade Holy Spirit could still burst forth with such overwhelming power, thwarting his plan. Hou Tianlie knew that given more time, the Gold-grade Heavenly Spirit might truly recover to its peak state.

Currently, the entire Eastern Domain of the Continent was being ravaged by Strange Spirits. The escape of another Gold-grade Heavenly Spirit from Demons Mountain was akin to adding insult to injury for the cultivators of the Hidden Dragon Continent, leaving the two Heavenly Rank Experts of Demons Mountain deeply anxious.

”Squeak squeak!”

Just as Yun Xiao was feeling melancholy, a familiar sound reached his ears. Then he felt a weight on his shoulder, realizing it was Chi Yan.

”Huh? Your aura!”

Upon glancing aside, Yun Xiao noticed Chi Yan’s aura had drastically changed from more than half a year ago. It had broken through to the level of Ninth Rank Intermediate, equivalent to the Middle Late Stage of Earth Bending Realm for humans.

Moreover, Chi Yan, being an ancient exotic Fiery Holy Rat, had combat prowess that surpassed ordinary Vein Demons. Yun Xiao believed that the newly advanced Ninth Rank Intermediate Chi Yan would become a significant asset for him in the future.

”Squeak!”

Chi Yan somersaulted proudly on Yun Xiao’s shoulder but quickly turned its gaze to Xu Hongzhuang nearby, with a hint of curiosity in its mouse eyes.

Truthfully, Chi Yan, having been with Yun Xiao for so long, had not developed much affection for this young lady of the Lingyun Sect.

But at this moment, witnessing Xu Hongzhuang again, a peculiar feeling arose within it, as if this woman wasn’t as detestable as once thought.

”Hey, you felt it too? The Myriad Demon Divine Body indeed charms both young and old!”

Seeing Chi Yan’s reaction, Yun Xiao couldn’t help but express his sentiment, finally bringing Xu Hongzhuang back to her senses. Her face slightly blushed as she released her grip on Yun Xiao’s arm and escaped from his encircling grasp around her slender waist.

”What is the Myriad Demon Divine Body?”

By this time, Hou Tianlie wasn’t concerned with the escaped Gold-grade Heavenly Spirit. Hearing the unfamiliar term, he promptly asked, seemingly having a vague suspicion about its connection to Xu Hongzhuang.

”It’s a coveted Treasure Body for Beast Vein Masters. A Beast Vein Master possessing the Myriad Demon Divine Body naturally attracts Vein Demons, making taming of Vein Demons far swifter than for an average Beast Vein Master!”

Yun Xiao didn’t conceal information from the Mountain Master of Demons Mountain, explaining briefly but causing Hou Tianlie to silently marvel, as he had never heard of such a Beast Vein Treasure Body.

However, Hou Tianlie didn’t doubt Yun Xiao’s words, considering Xu Hongzhuang’s strange aura earlier and her effortless taming of the Snow Stepping Flying Horse, all made him feel like he had discovered a precious gem.

”Master... Master!”

Suddenly, a somewhat hesitant voice came from the side, drawing everyone’s gaze with surprise.

This voice didn’t belong to any human present but originated from the Snow Stepping Flying Horse, which had just broken through to Silver-grade Sky Demon. From its voice, Yun Xiao finally realized something.

”Turns out you’re a female, no wonder you didn’t let me touch you!”

Yun Xiao spoke impulsively, detecting the female tone in the Snow Stepping Flying Horse’s still unfamiliar voice. However, this unthinking comment drew a swift white hoof in return.

”Ouch!”

Snow Stepping Flying Horse grew somewhat indignant, launching a back hoof towards Yun Xiao. Luckily, he reacted quickly, feigning exaggerated pain while swiftly evading to the side.

”Xue’er!”

Seeing the situation, Xu Hongzhuang stepped in to mediate. It would be unseemly for them to clash in her presence. After comforting the Snow Stepping Flying Horse, she also casted a sharp glance at the coarse-clothed youth, full of warning intent.

”Hmph, I’ll let you off this time for the Master’s sake!”

The Snow Stepping Flying Horse naturally obeyed Xu Hongzhuang’s every command, snorting coldly at her words, yet there was still a trace of resentment in its eyes, indicating it harbored some lingering grudge.

”Hey, no matter what, I count as your lifesaver, right? Is this how you treat your savior?”

Yun Xiao called out with righteous indignation, and indeed, what he said was true. If he hadn’t arrived at the Demons Mountain in time, the Snow Stepping Flying Horse and Xu Hongzhuang might have been devoured by that Golden Grade Heavenly Spirit, becoming dried-out corpses, unable to step so proudly here.

”Hmph, you made my master sad, I don’t want to talk to you!”

Since what the other party said was true, the Snow Stepping Flying Horse turned its head away, snorting again, making it seem like a girl who’s been wronged or a younger sister standing up for her elder sister, giving it an air of adorable innocence.

”Xue’er!”

At these words, Xu Hongzhuang’s face turned crimson, feeling touched, as she suddenly understood why the Snow Stepping Flying Horse had behaved with such coldness and disdain upon first meeting Yun Xiao.

Since taming the Snow Stepping Flying Horse, Xu Hongzhuang had confided all her deep-seated secrets to this good companion, always believing that the non-speaking Xue’er was her best listener.

Little did she know that while she spoke without intent, the listener took it to heart, the Snow Stepping Flying Horse, having already considered Xu Hongzhuang a family member, empathizing deeply with her grievances.

Although it hated her father, it resented Yun Xiao’s heartlessness even more; why should the sins of the previous generation weigh upon the innocent next generation?

Previously, the Snow Stepping Flying Horse hadn’t reached the Heavenly Demon Rank, thus couldn’t speak. But now, with one sudden sentence, it revealed Xu Hongzhuang’s buried secrets, causing her blush.

Upon hearing this, Yun Xiao was also a bit embarrassed. Their relationship had become quite complicated since their reunion, with both skirting the past, trying to maintain a friendship reborn.

The atmosphere grew peculiar, until Hou Tianlie spoke, forcibly steering the conversation to another topic.

”Yun Xiao, what are your plans next?”

Hou Tianlie glanced at his prized disciple, sighing internally. He had learned about the matters of the Hidden Dragon Continent from Meng Liyang, yet even as he ranked seventh on the Heavenly List, he was powerless to intervene.

”Has the Tenglong Continent had any major events recently?”

Yun Xiao pondered, seeing a trace of worry on Hou Tianlie’s face, prompting him to ask meaningfully. Upon these words, both Hou Tianlie and Xiao Bailin couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

”Major events, indeed, but events of monumental scale, concerning the survival of the Tenglong Continent!”

Just as Yun Xiao anticipated, Hou Tianlie’s introduction shocked both him and Xu Hongzhuang. The master of the mountain then asked, ”Do you still remember the Holy Grade Heavenly Spirit slumbering in Xuanyin Cave?”

Of course Yun Xiao couldn’t forget the powerful Strange Spirit from the seventh level of Xuanyin Cave. After all, he had seen it firsthand, and it was him who brought this information out of the cave.

”On that day, the leaders of various major forces, invited by Elder Lu, gathered at Xuanyin Hall. Ultimately, it was through everyone’s combined efforts that we broke the seal in Xuanyin Cave!”

Since Yun Xiao had arrived abruptly that day and immediately entered a special state, it was only now he learned from Hou Tianlie about the incident at Xuanyin Hall.

Hou Tianlie didn’t hold back, elaborating on the Holy Grade Heavenly Spirit’s escape from Xuanyin Hall, the destruction of Impermanence Island, the opening of the Slaughter Spirit Battlefield, and the escalating human and Strange Spirit war, reaching a fever pitch.

”Slaughter Spirit Battlefield!”

Listening to Hou Tianlie’s account, both Yun Xiao and Xu Hongzhuang gasped, realizing that in mere months, the situation on the Tenglong Continent had deteriorated drastically.

”From what I know, practitioners below the Heavenly Rank from various forces, including young disciples, have almost all entered the Slaughter Spirit Battlefield. Your friends are no exception!”

Hou Tianlie’s pointed remark prompted Yun Xiao to immediately make up his mind. With his considerably enhanced strength, he felt capable of confronting Silver Grade Heavenly Spirits; few on the Tenglong Continent now posed threats.

”What are we waiting for? Let’s head straight to the Slaughter Spirit Battlefield!”

Having recently advanced to the Early Stage of Earth Bending Realm, Xu Hongzhuang was brimming with confidence, especially with the Snow Stepping Flying Horse reaching the Heavenly Demon Rank; few would dare provoke her.

”Hongzhuang, you can go, but the Snow Stepping Flying Horse cannot!”

Hou Tianlie, reminded of certain matters, finally spoke out, causing both Xu Hongzhuang and the Snow Stepping Flying Horse to pause, the latter showing stubborn determination in its eyes.

”No, Xue’er must follow the master!”

This mount—former ride of the Demons Mountain’s founder—now resembled a child longing for its parent, keeping its head close to Xu Hongzhuang in fear of abandonment.

Even Yun Xiao was intrigued by this war with Strange Spirits, wary of certain factors. He had seldom heard such things on the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, but decided to hear Hou Tianlie’s explanation.