Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”What is the relationship between these two?”

This conversation left Hou Tianlie and the others thoroughly confused, wondering silently if the two sides were really related like a big sister-in-law and her brother-in-law’s wife. If so, it would be quite a mixed-up situation.

”Bah, you ungrateful and unfaithful woman, using the identity and status gained by betraying your kin, have you never felt ashamed?”

Xue Qi’s smile was warm, but it did not receive a reciprocal smile from Xu Hongzhuang. Instead, upon learning her identity, the latter’s heart instantly surged with a touch of disgust, and she directly started mocking.

Perhaps in Xu Hongzhuang’s heart, Xue Qi’s actions years ago indirectly contributed to the breakup between her and Yun Xiao.

”Xu Hongzhuang, you’re asking for death!”

Upon hearing the other’s ridicule, Xue Qi’s previously friendly expression instantly darkened. That matter had always been a forbidden area in her heart and now it was being exposed face-to-face!

Originally wanting to say a few more words, Xue Qi, to prevent Xu Hongzhuang from revealing more of her scandals, was already showing a strong surge of Meridian Qi.

”Lingyun Realm Early Stage?!”

As Xue Qi’s aura erupted, Xu Hongzhuang and the elders from Demons Mountain all had their expressions change, each of their hearts rising with astonishment.

Because the young girl named Xue Qi looked extremely young, yet at such an age managed to reach Lingyun Realm Early Stage in Meridian Qi Cultivation, was simply monstrous.

At this moment, the minds of Hou Tianlie and others involuntarily conjured the image of a figure carrying a wooden sword, dressed simply. In their view, perhaps only that equally extraordinary youth could compare to Xue Qi.

Yet according to the Shenxiao Sect’s intelligence, during the battle at Lianyun Mountain, Yun Xiao was merely at Half-step Lingyun Realm. Merely in terms of Meridian Qi Cultivation, he was a level below Xue Qi.

This also indirectly showed that during the year and a half on Tenglong Continent, Xue Qi hadn’t stayed idle. Going directly from Floating Life Realm Middle Stage to Lingyun Realm Early Stage was indeed astonishing.

The reasons for this were naturally unknown, but regardless, Xue Qi had already reached the level to walk horizontally on Tenglong Continent. Only a handful could surpass her.

Of course, experts like Hou Tianlie, who were at Lingyun Realm Late Stage, would not take a Lingyun Realm Early Stage girl seriously. His attention was focused on the elderly man in a coarse robe.

”Xu Hongzhuang, I initially intended to spare your life so my dear brother could come and save you, but your mouth was too foul. I must first knock out those sharp teeth!”

Sensing the mighty power within her, Xue Qi was filled with confidence. As her words fell softly, she prepared to attack Xu Hongzhuang’s side.

Although Xu Hongzhuang was now a Floating Life Realm Peak expert, she wasn’t Yun Xiao and could not battle across realms. Once Xue Qi got close, her fate was sealed.

Swish!

Just as Xue Qi intended to shatter Xu Hongzhuang’s teeth, a breaking wind sound suddenly came from afar, drawing everyone’s attention. Their faces changed dramatically upon seeing what was coming.

”It’s the President!”

The sharp-eyed Great Elder of Spirit Fighting Commerce was the first to recognize the figure’s appearance. After exclaiming, a peculiar fact dawned on him, making his expression extremely strange.

”Wei Duzheng? Didn’t I order you to guard the approach?”

Xue Qi also withdrew some of her intent to attack Xu Hongzhuang. Her expression darkened, seeming extremely displeased with Wei Duzheng’s disobedience.

As soon as Xue Qi spoke, the aura of the elderly man Ma Nu beside her surged directly at Wei Duzheng, stopping him in his tracks.

”Huh? Are you injured?”

After Xue Qi’s words, she suddenly sensed Wei Duzheng’s slightly chaotic aura and the large hole in the robe on his lower abdomen. Her gaze finally fixed on Wei Duzheng’s right wrist.

Though Wei Duzheng had set his right wrist bone as he arrived, he could not hide the fact it had once been broken. The powerful souls present sensed it immediately.

Xue Qi and Ma Nu were shocked, while Hou Tianlie and others from Demons Mountain were both surprised and delighted. The person who could injure Wei Duzheng’s wrist couldn’t possibly be an ally of Spirit Fighting Commerce.

Hou Tianlie had experienced Wei Duzheng’s strength firsthand during a fierce battle days earlier. As the Mountain Master of Demons Mountain and a Lingyun Realm Late Stage expert, he had lasted merely a dozen moves before being heavily injured.

”Could a powerful figure from Lianyun Mountain have arrived?”

Hou Tianlie’s thoughts wandered far, clutching at straws. If anyone would lend aid, it might only be Lianyun Mountain and Xuanyin Hall.

Xuanyin Hall now has only a handful of people left. It’s said that both the Hall Master and Deputy Hall Master are currently hunting down the remnants of Wuyan Palace with Queen of Absolute Vein, Xue Ningxiang, in Wuyan Palace’s territory, so there’s no way they could arrive at Demons Mountain so quickly.

Because of Xu Hongzhuang’s presence, Hou Tianlie immediately thought of the Meridian Refining Master Association, and the only one who could have put Wei Duzheng into such a state might be the legendary President of the Association who broke through to the Heavenly Realm, right?

”It’s Yun Xiao, Yun Xiao is here, and also...”

There was a trace of fear on Wei Duzheng’s face, implying that he had narrowly escaped several times before finally rushing back here. However, before he could finish his sentence, a loud voice from behind interrupted him.

”Wei Duzheng, if you’ve got guts, don’t run!”

This loud voice wasn’t concealed at all, and aside from the anomalies Xue Qi and Ma Nu from the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, people like Hou Tianlie and Xiao Bailin felt a faint sense of familiarity.

”That is... Wu Zhukong?”

Moments later, when a figure dashed to the scene at lightning speed, Hou Tianlie and the others had no doubt—it was Wu Zhukong, the Palace Master of Wuyan Palace, who was reported dead in the Shenxiao Sect’s intelligence!

But seeing Wu Zhukong’s movements in pursuit, and hearing his loud voice, the crowd was left puzzled—weren’t these two masters of top forces always colluding?

Previously on Impermanence Island, Hou Tianlie had personally witnessed Wu Zhukong and Wei Duzheng working together to trouble Yun Xiao, yet now they’re fighting each other first?

”Yun Xiao has come?”

In contrast, Xu Hongzhuang had a different feeling since Wei Duzheng’s unfinished words had mentioned the name she constantly thought about, making her heart skip a beat.

Since their separation on Impermanence Island, Xu Hongzhuang and Yun Xiao hadn’t seen each other for half a year. She had long fallen for Yun Xiao, and if it weren’t for her diligent cultivation efforts, she might have already succumbed to the pain of longing.

Contrary to the mixed feelings of Hou Tianlie and Xu Hongzhuang, when Xue Qi heard that seemingly long-lost name, his body trembled slightly, and then a strange smile appeared on his face.

”My dear brother, I’ve finally waited for you!”

Xue Qi murmured, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on the direction Wei Duzheng had arrived from. When an old silhouette appeared, a form deeply etched into his bones followed.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Amidst the various thoughts of the crowd, two figures, an old and a young, were swiftly approaching behind Wei Duzheng. To Hou Tianlie and the others, these two figures were certainly not unfamiliar.

”It’s indeed Wu Zhukong and Yun Xiao, but why are these two together?”

Hou Tianlie’s eyes sparkled with insight and a blatant inquisitiveness—he knew that Wuyan Palace and Yun Xiao were irreconcilable, and when they meet, shouldn’t they be at each other’s throats?

Moreover, from Wu Zhukong’s earlier shout, it seemed that Wei Duzheng’s broken wrist was also inflicted by the Palace Master of Wuyan Palace. What on earth is happening here?

”Xue Qi, it’s you behind all this!”

Following closely behind Wei Duzheng were indeed Yun Xiao and Wu Zhukong. When the young man’s gaze turned to that charming woman who was likewise staring at him, he couldn’t help but burst out in a deep voice.

Since the annihilation of the Shang Family, Yun Xiao and Xue Qi hadn’t seen each other for about six or seven years, and now meeting again under such circumstances was completely unexpected.

The gazes of the man and woman interlocked, seemingly creating invisible sparks in the air. These once childhood companions had become mortal enemies upon reunion.

”What? After all these years, you still won’t call me sister?”

Staring at the now-matured young man, who had lost much of his youthful innocence, Xue Qi finally suppressed the strange light in her eyes, replacing it with a barely concealed sneer.

Back in the Shang Family days, Xue Qi, as an older sister, had taken care of Yun Xiao, but a sudden calamity revealed her vile nature, setting her on a path of no return.

”Sister? Haha, I, Yun Xiao, have no such sister. The events that transpired in the Shang Family, you might easily dismiss, but I’ll never forget them for a lifetime!”

A smile also appeared on Yun Xiao’s face, but it was suffused with coldness. He could never forgive someone who betrayed his mother and him.

Perhaps in Yun Xiao’s heart, the hatred for Xue Qi was even stronger than for Lingyun Sect or the Star-picking Tower. Betrayal by those you love most is an unbearable pain.

However, the events of the past have been long over, and the Yun Xiao reborn with a new soul is no longer the boy who needed to be looked after by his two sisters. His temperament has been tempered to unwavering resolve over the years.