Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Big... Sister Hongzhuang, here, take this demon core!”

The Ling Wan, having returned to its original form, excitedly extracted a demon core from the body of the Vein Demon and then walked back to hand it over to Xu Hongzhuang. Just as he was about to call her ”Sister-in-law,” he caught a glare from Yun Xiao and quickly corrected himself.

”This...”

This demon core was the spoils of battle for Ling Wan. Xu Hongzhuang appeared a bit hesitant; however, after sensing her group’s Meridian Qi cultivation, she knew that this demon core was indeed most suitable for her.

Yun Xiao was already at the Late Stage of the Seeking Origin Realm, and the physique of Ling Wan’s Mixed Element One Qi Body had also reached the Middle Stage of the Seeking Origin Realm. This Eighth Rank Low Level demon core was clearly most fitting for Xu Hongzhuang, who was at the peak of the Early Stage of the Seeking Origin Realm.

”This is also a gesture from Ling Wan, just accept it!”

Once Yun Xiao spoke, Xu Hongzhuang no longer demurred. She promptly absorbed all the energy of that Eighth Rank Low Level demon core, spending half a day in the process, with her Meridian Qi aura greatly advancing.

Although Xu Hongzhuang did not break through to the Middle Stage of the Seeking Origin Realm, she made significant progress on her journey through the Early Stage. With a few more demon cores like this, a breakthrough to the Middle Stage is within reach.

Whoosh...

Cold winds howled. The first layer of the Xuanyin Cave was quickly explored by the many young prodigies. It was evident that there was no Illusion Yin Grass here; mostly, there were some Earth Rank Low Level Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

To many prodigies who had already reached the Middle Late Stage of the Seeking Origin Realm, these held no allure.

Yet, on their journey, Yun Xiao and his companions managed to kill several Eighth Rank Low Level Vein Demons that attacked them, culminating in Xu Hongzhuang finally breaking through from the Early Stage to the Middle Stage of the Seeking Origin Realm with the help of several demon cores.

In this Xuanyin Cave, Xu Hongzhuang could not rely on the Snow Stepping Flying Horse, so when Yun Xiao and Ling Wan offered her the demon cores, she did not refuse excessively, achieving a breakthrough.

”Second layer!”

As Yun Xiao led the two through a sloping downward entrance, he couldn’t help but murmur softly, for he distinctly felt the Yin Cold Qi in this layer of the Xuanyin Cave was several notches stronger than the previous one.

Yun Xiao and his companions had no idea how many layers the Xuanyin Cave had; they could only keep moving forward. When a Vein Demon blocked their path, they realized the second layer was indeed much more challenging than the first.

”An Eighth Rank Middle Level Vein Demon, perfect for practice!”

Yun Xiao, looking at a huge creature ahead, turned back to give Xu Hongzhuang a light smile, which famously enraged the Eighth Rank Middle Level Vein Demon, causing it to roar and rush at them.

This time, it was Xu Hongzhuang who made the move. Although she didn’t possess Ling Wan’s abnormal physique or Yun Xiao’s heaven-defying combat power, having reached the Middle Stage of the Seeking Origin Realm, she could fight an Eighth Rank Middle Level Vein Demon on equal footing.

Even if her physical strength occasionally fell short, Xu Hongzhuang could use her strong Ancestor Vein power to turn danger into safety. After all, she was now a genuine Earth Rank Low Level Beast Vein Master.

The ultimate victor was Xu Hongzhuang, though her victory was extremely perilous. Seeing her employ such a mutual destruction method to finally slay the Vein Demon caused Yun Xiao’s expression to grow serious.

”Why go to such extremes?”

Seeing Xu Hongzhuang walking over while holding the demon core, her face slightly pale but with excitement in her eyes, Yun Xiao couldn’t help but frown. It seemed that from this battle, he had seen another side of Xu Hongzhuang.

”If I don’t give it my all, how could I win?”

Xu Hongzhuang panted a few heavy breaths. To be honest, although the last strike had been risky, with her calculated maneuver, she ended up largely unscathed, ultimately slaying the gigantic Vein Demon.

Perhaps Xu Hongzhuang didn’t want Yun Xiao to underestimate her; in front of this young man, she always wanted to perform to her best, ensuring at least she didn’t fare worse than Ling Wan, who was also at the Middle Stage of the Seeking Origin Realm.

Boom!

Just as Yun Xiao was about to say something else, a mighty energy fluctuation emanated from within the second layer of the Xuanyin Cave. Although it sounded somewhat muffled in the cave, it caused Xu Hongzhuang’s expression to change slightly.

”This aura seems to be from Senior Brother Fusheng and the others!”

As a fellow Beast Vein Master hailing from the Demons Mountain, Xu Hongzhuang was extremely sensitive and familiar with certain auras. Upon sensing it, she furrowed her brows and murmured a few words.

”Luo Fusheng?”

Truth be told, Yun Xiao didn’t particularly like this name’s owner. Previously, outside the cave, when Xu Hongzhuang introduced him to the Demons Mountain’s top genius, Luo Fusheng had shown clear hostility.

”Let’s go check it out. I assume that with your senior brother’s strength, he shouldn’t face any dangers in this second layer of the Xuanyin Cave, right?”

Seeing Xu Hongzhuang’s expression, Yun Xiao nodded slightly, perhaps the element of stopping by to have a look was more significant in this conversation.

After all, as he mentioned, most of the second layer of Xuanyin Cave only housed Eighth Rank Middle Level Vein Demons, whereas Luo Fusheng was a genius at the Peak of Seeking Origin Realm, how could he be in danger?

In fact, if you disregard Luo Fusheng’s jealousy towards Yun Xiao, his character was unlike Bai Wushuang and Liu Qingchen from before, who would go to any lengths for a woman; at least in Demons Mountain, Xu Hongzhuang received considerable care from him.

This is also why Xu Hongzhuang did not develop an aversion to Luo Fusheng, perhaps it’s the difference between a gentleman and a villain, similar to Ye Ku at that time, who eventually became friends with Yun Xiao, didn’t he?

......

Time rewinds to not long before!

Boom!

Deep within the second layer of Xuanyin Cave, a massive black shadow was blown back, crashing hard into the cave wall. After sliding down, its breath was barely perceptible, clearly gravely injured and near death.

”Brother Fusheng is mighty!”

Amidst a cheer, Demons Mountain’s top genius Luo Fusheng didn’t show any pride; he was disdainful of acting against just an Eighth Rank Middle Level Vein Demon. This Vein Demon was foolish enough to come to him first, so he dealt with it casually.

Whoosh!

However, as a junior brother excitedly ran over to try to extract the Demon Core from the Vein Demon, a sound of rushing wind suddenly arose from the shadows, causing Luo Fusheng’s expression to subtly change.

”Be careful!”

Although Luo Fusheng could not be certain of an attack amidst the sudden aura, sensing the violent Qi within it compelled him to give a warning.

Luo Fusheng’s warning came not too late, but his junior brother, who had reached the Late Stage of Seeking Origin Realm, ultimately couldn’t evade the attack.

Boom!

A loud noise erupted as that talented member from Demons Mountain was caught off guard, not only failing to obtain the Demon Core but being blown backward with tremendous force like the previous Vein Demon before him, ultimately colliding with the cave wall and sliding down, weakened and dispirited.

Fortunately, despite the surprise, as a Late Stage Seeking Origin Realm talent, he managed to react amid the crisis, hence the outcome was slightly better than that of the Vein Demon; he only sustained relatively minor internal injuries.

”Who is the coward hiding?”

Seeing the blood trickling from his junior brother’s mouth in the gloom, Luo Fusheng’s face immediately showed a furious expression, his voice noting a tinge of danger, his gaze fixed on the slightly blurry figure.

Truth be told, the background of Demons Mountain is strong, already regarded as the top sect under the four major powers, yet due to the established double-guild dominance, they’ve never had a chance to prove themselves.

Moreover, over the years of open and covert struggles with the Spirit Fighting Commerce, Demons Mountain hasn’t been absolutely overwhelmed, suggesting its overall strength is comparable to the Spirit Fighting Commerce’s.

”Kou Baichuan, is it you?!”

As Luo Fusheng’s words fell, he could finally make out the blurry figure with the dim light, forcing these words through clenched teeth.

”Those from the Spirit Fighting Commerce are indeed so dishonorable, only knowing how to engage in despicable sneak attacks!”

By now, the injured Demons Mountain genius had hastily returned to Luo Fusheng’s side, sensing the slight discord within his Qi, he could not help but voice his mockery. Listening to his words, the guy named Kou Baichuan turned out to be from the Spirit Fighting Commerce.

Speaking of which, Kou Baichuan’s reputation among the Tenglong Continent’s younger generation wasn’t any less than Li Gongnian’s, who died at Yun Xiao’s hands. Both were top talents in Spirit Fighting Commerce Headquarters, aside from Su Jian, equally matched in power.

So clearly, Kou Baichuan was a genuine genius at the Peak of Seeking Origin Realm; even though he had not been in the peak realm for long, he was beyond the Late Stage Seeking Origin Realm talent from Demons Mountain, especially as he attacked stealthily.

”You’ve been waiting here for some time, haven’t you? Where’s that hypocrite Su Jian? Even at this point, does he still plan to lurk in the shadows playing schemes?”

Recognizing Kou Baichuan at the first moment, Luo Fusheng knew the situation. Remembering the long-standing grudge between Demons Mountain and Spirit Fighting Commerce, he realized they perhaps planned to seize this opportunity to eliminate Demons Mountain’s younger generation.

Due to philosophical differences, Spirit Fighting Commerce and Demons Mountain have always been at odds, clashing openly and covertly numerous times. Among the younger generation, relations are naturally strained.

Earlier outside Xuanyin Cave, both sides restrained themselves as it was others’ territory, but once inside the unrestrained cave, a schemer like Su Jian would undeniably devise a plan to harm Demons Mountain.

Not to mention, with Kou Baichuan being an upright Peak Seeking Origin Realm genius, he couldn’t possibly act merely for an Eighth Rank Middle Level Demon Core. His true intent was to spark a conflict, giving Spirit Fighting Commerce a reason to act against Demons Mountain’s talents.