Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”It was the Holy Grade Heavenly Spirit You River, suddenly attacked our Meridian Refining Master Guild headquarters and abducted Hanyi, Qing’er, and Lingwan!”

Qian Sanyuan saw the somber expression emerging on Yun Xiao’s face, and without beating around the bush, he directly explained what happened on Lianyun Mountain succinctly.

”You River!”

Upon suddenly hearing this news, these two words were almost squeezed out from Yun Xiao’s teeth, and with just Qian Sanyuan’s brief words, he already guessed something.

”Abducted Senior Sister Mo Qing and the others, You River must want to force me to appear voluntarily. Where is it now?”

Thoughts rapidly turned in Yun Xiao’s mind, then he directly voiced his inquiry, causing Lu Yanji and others to show different expressions, silently admiring that this young man was not only remarkable in Meridian Qi Cultivation combat power but also extremely wise.

”In three months, no, two and a half months, at Chongxiao River, a battle of life and death!”

Lu Yanji’s eyes flashed with a strange light, and the last eight words were firm and resolute, as if the opponent’s challenge was directed at him, the top of the Heavenly List, rather than Yun Xiao.

”Two and a half months? That’s enough!”

Upon hearing this, Yun Xiao seemed to instantly repress the deep anger in his heart and calmly nodded, but the suppressed fury was palpable to everyone.

Since the extermination of the Shang Family, Yun Xiao almost had no family of his own. Reborn after those betrayals in his previous life, making friends became exceptionally cautious.

But like Liu Hanyi, Mo Qing, and Lingwan, these companions were Yun Xiao’s life-and-death allies, traveling together on this journey, they could probably entrust their lives to each other.

These companions were Yun Xiao’s reverse scale. Anyone who dared to harm these brothers and sisters was stoking Yun Xiao’s fury, and at this moment, he couldn’t tolerate it anymore.

Moreover, those who kidnapped Liu Hanyi and the others were Strange Spirits, the great human enemy. Yun Xiao knew those few were just collateral damage, You River’s greatest hatred was towards him.

Whether it was publicly revealing its secret of regaining strength in Xuanyin Cave or later destroying the Array Core of the Thousand Stars Blood Gathering Array on Impermanence Island, You River’s plans were thwarted.

Thus, the enmity between the two must end with the destruction of one party, and this time You River’s provocation brought potential resentment to the forefront.

”Should we head to Chongxiao River now and catch it off guard?”

Qingmu Wu, being quite impatient, his eyes flashed with a strange light as his words made both Lu Yanji and Qian Sanyuan slowly nod.

The Holy Grade Heavenly Spirit You River set a three-month period, who knows what schemes it might have. If we adhere to the appointed time, when it’s fully prepared, the human side would be at a disadvantage.

”No rush, it wants three months, I’ll give it three months. Let’s see who outwits whom then?”

While everyone around profoundly agreed, Yun Xiao slowly shook his head, his words leaving them somewhat blurred, for considering his wisdom, he couldn’t possibly overlook You River’s cunning.

Not to mention, the Holy Grade Heavenly Spirit You River is proficient in many human arrays. By then, setting up some powerful arrays beside Chongxiao River would greatly enhance its combat strength.

”Did he mention where at Chongxiao River?”

Yun Xiao didn’t explain much, yet at this moment, he recalled something and immediately asked, as Chongxiao River stretches tens of thousands of miles, without a specific location, how can anyone know where it is?

”It’s at the most famous Stepping Heavenly Stone of Chongxiao River!”

Upon Yun Xiao’s inquiry, Qian Sanyuan realized he overlooked the final spot, and as he uttered the words ”Stepping Heavenly Stone,” Wu Zhukong beside him nodded.

Legend has it that the Stepping Heavenly Stone has existed by the Chongxiao River for countless years, where two Heavenly Realm experts once fought to the death, eventually falling into the Chongxiao River, never to be seen again.

Some believe those two Heavenly Realm experts perished together underwater; others speculate that they both entered the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, opinions vary.

Due to the numerous cultivators attracted by that battle, from then on, the Stepping Heavenly Stone became the most famous location by Chongxiao River.

The Holy Grade Heavenly Spirit You River evidently knew this legend, and to make it easier to find, it set the final battle location as the Stepping Heavenly Stone.

”Hmm, Stepping Heavenly Stone!”

Yun Xiao had obviously heard of this place, as he’d been on the Tenglong Continent for four to five years and had set his heart on reaching the higher plane, the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, naturally understanding the details of Chongxiao River.

”Yun Xiao, what are your plans in these coming days?”

Since Yun Xiao had decided not to go to Chongxiao River’s Stepping Heavenly Stone prematurely, Qian Sanyuan couldn’t help but ask curiously about the young man’s thinking, now finding it genuinely unfathomable.

”I want to walk around; if I can break through again, I should have more confidence!”

Regarding his decision, Yun Xiao did not conceal anything. He knew himself well; at present, he had only managed to break through to the Peak of the Lingyun Realm, not yet reaching the highest Tongtian Realm of the Heavenly Rank Third Realm.

Having dealt with the Holy Grade Heavenly Spirit You River several times, Yun Xiao knew it quite well. He believed that it was definitely an Intermediate Holy Grade Heavenly Spirit, not much weaker than Lu Yanji.

Moreover, the combat power of strange spirits has always been much more formidable than that of human experts of the same level. Yun Xiao believed that if he didn’t break through to the level of the Tongtian Realm, his chance of winning against that Holy Grade Heavenly Spirit You River was probably less than twenty percent.

Therefore, after hearing the time set by You River, Yun Xiao said, ”That’s enough.” He wanted to use this time to see if he could find some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that could help him break through, which would surely increase his confidence.

Yun Xiao also believed that before the end of the three-month period, the Holy Grade Heavenly Spirit You River should not easily harm Liu Hanyi, Mo Qing, and the others. Its ultimate target was himself, who posed the greatest threat.

”Rest assured, I will definitely arrive at the Stepping Heavenly Stone at the agreed time. By then, all the past grudges will be settled together!”

At this moment, Yun Xiao’s body undoubtedly surged with a strong confidence and fighting spirit. He and the Holy Grade Heavenly Spirit You River could be considered old adversaries, and this grudge had lasted for years.

Previously, Yun Xiao was always suppressed by You River. Had he not possessed some methods from his past life, he would have already lost his life at the hands of such a Heavenly Spirit expert.

”Yun Xiao, I’m going with you!”

Beside him, Xu Hongzhuang’s eyes flashed with a hint of struggle, but she couldn’t help but speak out in the end. She truly didn’t want to be separated from Yun Xiao for a moment.

”Besides, with Xue’er, we can travel faster, can’t we?”

Seeing Yun Xiao’s hesitation, Xu Hongzhuang pointed to the sky, where a snow-white Pegasus with wings while pirouetting gracefully.

”Hehe, as I said earlier, this time there’s no rush to get to Stepping Heavenly Stone; it’ll be much easier for me to act alone!”

Hearing Xu Hongzhuang mentioning the Snow Stepping Flying Horse, Yun Xiao instead firmed up his decision. He shook his head, and his words made Xu Hongzhuang feel a wave of melancholy.

With Yun Xiao’s intelligence, how could he not notice Xu Hongzhuang’s deep affection for him? Yet, after those events on the Hidden Dragon Continent, he always had a slight grudge in his heart.

Later, by chance, he had skin contact with Shen Xingmou from the Li Yuan Realm. Since then, all his thoughts were occupied by that black-clad girl who held the Jinghong Umbrella and had left him with an indelible impression of her mesmerizing presence.

If it weren’t for Shen Xingmou, Yun Xiao might have gradually accepted this girl, who had a marriage agreement from a young age, under Xu Hongzhuang’s subtle influence. But destiny had its own plans, and the shattered mirror could never be made whole again.

”Everyone, see you at Stepping Heavenly Stone!”

Unwilling to see Xu Hongzhuang’s expression of dejection, Yun Xiao gently patted the Fire Cloud Rat Chi Yan on his shoulder, cupped his fists towards Lu Yanji, Qian Sanyuan, and the others, and finally didn’t even bring his loyal servant Wu Zhukong.

”Yun Xiao, be careful in everything, we’ll be waiting for you at Stepping Heavenly Stone!”

Seeing the young man already rising into the air, Qian Sanyuan knew that further persuasion was useless. He called out loudly, then witnessed an incredible scene.

Whoosh...

A white figure flashed across the sky. The Snow Stepping Flying Horse, which was flapping its wings, suddenly without warning swooped down behind Yun Xiao, aiming a hoof at his back.

”Hey, hey, hey, Xue’er, what are you doing?”

With Yun Xiao’s current strength, how could he be sneak attacked by a Peak Advanced Silver Grade Heavenly Demon? After dodging a hoof and turning around, he was filled with confusion.

Yun Xiao felt optimistic, believing that after he saved the Snow Stepping Flying Horse’s life on Demons Mountain, they were already friends. But Xue’er’s sudden attack left him utterly baffled.

”You heartless, fickle fellow, who let you bully Sister Hong Zhuang?”

Having missed her mark, the Snow Stepping Flying Horse knew her strength was far from Yun Xiao’s, but she didn’t want to appear weak. Her words made even Qian Sanyuan and the others below suddenly realize.

Xu Hongzhuang’s feelings for Yun Xiao were well-known on the Tenglong Continent, especially for those like Qian Sanyuan, who had once visited the Hidden Dragon Continent.

However, while the falling flower is willing, the flowing water is heartless; this much was revealed when Yun Xiao refused to let Xu Hongzhuang follow him just now, which gave away some clues. It seemed that the Snow Stepping Flying Horse regarded Xu Hongzhuang as a dear sister and was directly angered by Yun Xiao’s attitude, leading her to launch a furious attack.

”I...”

Such a rebuke left Yun Xiao momentarily speechless, not knowing how to refute. Xu Hongzhuang was a good girl, a fact he couldn’t deny, but he always felt something was missing between them.

Perhaps it was because he had met Shen Xingmou that he was unwilling to accept another woman’s affections?