CHAPTER 438: FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY-EIGHT, SAW A GHOST!

"Could it be that this big fellow is the Demon Pet of Elder Han Santong or Chairman Gu Dao?"

As these thoughts flickered through Yun Xiao’s mind, he glanced sideways at the enormous Vein Demon, but this look quickly dispelled his earlier notion.

The Vein Demon had a head as large as a barrel, resembling that of a lion, but oddly it had a pair of blood-red flesh wings on its back, clearly marking it as a Flying Beast Pulse Demon.

Above its lion’s head were two eyes as big as bronze bells, square and fierce as if they were about to spit fire. However, its limbs were locked by massive iron chains, presumably to prevent it from lashing out and hurting people.

"It looks quite like the rare ’Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion’!"

Yun Xiao, who had seen much of the world, had some guesses in his heart. Although this kind of Vein Demon could often be seen in the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, it was quite rare on the Hidden Dragon Continent.

"Roar!"

Seemingly sensing Yun Xiao’s scrutinizing gaze, the massive lion-headed Vein Demon suddenly turned its head and let out a deep, imposing roar, so powerful that if it wasn’t Yun Xiao standing there, but another cultivator at the Early Stage of Meridian Union Realm, they would probably have collapsed on the spot in fear.

But who was Yun Xiao? In his previous life, he was the esteemed Long Xiao Battle God. Not to mention this Advanced Sixth Rank Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion, he had seen many unique and powerful Evil Demons of the Third Realm of Holy Rank, some of which he had even casually slain. How could mere roaring scare him?

"This big guy sure has a temper!"

With some speculations in mind, Yun Xiao didn’t bother to argue with the creature. Meanwhile, Gu Dao seemed to have guessed what he was thinking and began to explain.

"This Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion was the Demon Pet of the previous chairman of the Meridian Refining Master Guild. The old chairman never returned from one of his missions, and as this creature’s strength grew stronger, so did its lawless actions."

First, Gu Dao explained the origin of the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion, then he continued, "If that were all, it wouldn’t be much of a problem as it still listens to me occasionally, but not long ago..."

Here, Gu Dao paused for a moment before continuing, "After it went out and returned several days later, its temperament drastically changed, as if it no longer recognized even me, and it even attacked and injured several elders in the guild. We had no choice but to join forces to subdue it!"

Now understanding the full story, Yun Xiao nodded and asked, "Chairman, you must have some guesses, right? Why not share your thoughts?"

Hearing Yun Xiao’s words, Gu Dao wasn’t surprised. On the contrary, Beast Vein Master Han Santong looked at the youth with some astonishment, thinking that even though the person Chairman brought was young, he indeed seemed to have some skills.

Previously, when Gu Dao introduced Yun Xiao, it was very brief, and Han Santong was not very convinced. He had been studying Vein Demons for over a hundred years and was at a loss. What could this youngster possibly know?

Now, although Yun Xiao had yet to demonstrate his abilities, his temperament was apparent. Gu Dao nodded and said, "After discussions with the guild’s elders and Han Santong’s extensive research, we all agree that the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion must have been poisoned by some unknown venom, causing its violent behavior."

"Have you found out what kind of poison it is?"

Yun Xiao nodded. This conclusion was within his expectations, but on the Hidden Dragon Continent, there couldn’t be many capable of poisoning a Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion. He immediately thought of a person.

"If we knew what kind of poison it was, why would we be so anxious?"

Han Santong sounded somewhat irritated. It seemed that the days of researching the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion’s poison had driven him almost mad, and he had been sent flying by that creature’s wing just recently, making his mood even worse as he grumbled impatiently.

"Indeed, it’s not something you would recognize, being a poison that can affect an Advanced Sixth Rank Pulse Demon!"

Yun Xiao nodded his head once more, but as soon as he spoke, Gu Dao wasn’t too bothered, yet Han Santong’s eyes instantly widened in anger, ready to lash out.

"You, young man..."

He himself was a respected Advanced Spiritual Rank Beast Vein Master. How old was this youngster? Even if he had started studying Vein Demons from the womb, how much could he possibly have researched?

Moreover, considering that the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion was a rarity on the Continent, Han Santong surmised that perhaps the entire Lingtian Empire had only this one specimen. The youth’s confident claim was simply ridiculous.

"Elder Han Santong, please calm down and let Yun Xiao finish speaking!"

Seeing Han Santong about to explode, Gu Dao raised his hand to hold him back, calmingly spoke a few words, and managed to contain the elder’s temper for the moment. However, the look in Han Santong’s eyes that glared at Yun Xiao clearly meant that if the young man could not explain himself satisfactorily, this matter wouldn’t be settled.

Gu Dao had witnessed Yun Xiao’s Medical Pulse skills; even a patient who he had misdiagnosed was cured by Yun Xiao in a few moments. Just in terms of healing, Gu Dao admitted he might not compare.

Although the meridian acupoints of Vein Demons were greatly different from those of humans, when all others were out of options, they had to resort to trying anything – the dead horse was now being treated as if alive.

Yun Xiao didn’t mind Han Santong’s attitude and didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he took a step forward and calmly walked towards the enormous Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion.

"Eh, what are you doing?"

Even though Han Santong had a hot temper, his heart was not bad; he had suffered at the hands of that big fellow before. Now, with Yun Xiao approaching without any guard, he might instantly provoke the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion, right?

No matter what tricks this kid had up his sleeve, his Meridian Qi Cultivation was only at the early stage of Meridian Union. With such a cultivation level, if he took a wing strike from that big fellow, surviving would be nothing short of miraculous luck.

Surprise also filled Gu Dao’s eyes, but for some reason, he did not speak. Perhaps after witnessing Yun Xiao’s previous actions, he had gained a bit more confidence in him?

Although the youth was young, his actions had their own system, and Gu Dao firmly believed that Yun Xiao’s current moves were not about joking with his own life. He must have been certain of something to act this way.

Seeing that the Chairman didn’t speak, and the kid wouldn’t listen to persuasion, Han Santong simply kept silent too. However, his aura was swirling around him. He was not entirely unprepared, and should the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion lash out and injure someone, he would definitely step in to rescue at the first instance.

"Roar!"

Seeing a stranger daring to walk straight towards itself, the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion’s blood-red eyes instantly swelled with rage, and this roar seemed to contain some unknown power, painfully reverberating in people’s eardrums.

The giant wings flapped, and it seemed like if Yun Xiao took one more step closer, a wing strike would sweep over. A Sixth Rank advanced level Pulse Demon’s wing strike—perhaps even Gu Dao and Han Santong over there would not dare to face it directly?

Han Santong had previously suffered a huge loss from this wing strike; caught off-guard, he had ended up with a bruised and swollen face. If Yun Xiao took a hit, at the very least, he would suffer broken bones and tendons, or he might even be swept into two halves.

"Hey, it’s your turn to make a move. Make it calm down a bit!"

Yun Xiao, seemingly oblivious to the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion’s furious roar, instead sent out a voice within the depths of his mind, naturally addressing the Golden Snake Worm.

"Why should I listen to you?"

Just as Yun Xiao finished speaking, the Golden Snake Worm’s serpentine eyes flashed a disdainful light. With its pride, how could it possibly obediently follow a human’s command?

Expecting this reaction, Yun Xiao immediately retorted, "Didn’t you claim to be the noble Five-Clawed Golden Dragon? With this little demon showing off its might before you, where is the dignity of the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon?"

Yun Xiao had already clearly grasped the personality of this Golden Snake Worm. He knew that although its background was mysterious, its temperament was not very mature, and it particularly could not stand being provoked, especially by using its identity as a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon—such provocation was sure to work every time.

"Hmph!"

As expected, after Yun Xiao’s provoking words fell, the Golden Snake Worm did not say more, only issuing a cold snort. Immediately, an invisible force erupted from Yun Xiao and swept directly toward the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion.

"Roar!"

Yun Xiao’s pace didn’t pause for a moment. As he approached a few more steps again, the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion finally erupted. Seeing it prop itself up on all fours, standing up from the ground, the swinging giant wings stirred a fierce and astonishing gust.

"Chairman, get ready to save him!"

Seeing the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion’s action, Han Santong’s face turned extremely grim. As his stern voice fell, his figure had already sprinted forward a dozen feet.

"Huh?"

However, just as Gu Dao was also beginning to wonder if he had guessed wrong, the scene that unfolded before his eyes abruptly halted their intended actions, and even Han Santong, who had rushed forward, came to an instant stop.

"Whimper..."

In that split second, the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion, after having been so fierce just a moment ago, suddenly went limp, plopping down on its rear straight onto the ground, its massive body trembling non-stop and it even let out a whimpering sound of fear.

Han Santong, being closer, stared in shock at the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion, and upon closer inspection, his expression became dumbfounded. To his astonishment, he saw a hint of... fear contained within the beast’s bloody red eyes.

"What... what on earth is going on?"

The only Beast Vein Master and Elder of the Meridian Refining Master Guild, felt as if his mind was about to explode.

Was that not the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion that wouldn’t submit to anyone other than the old Chairman? Was that not the formidable Pulse Demon that had just slapped him into a bruised and swollen state? Why, in front of a youth with only early stage of Meridian Union Cultivation, did it become as docile as a well-behaved dog, motionless?

The Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion’s pride was something both the Chairman and the elder knew all too well. Even before it was poisoned, this beast didn’t submit to anyone, acting independently according to its whims and fancies.

This was truly baffling. Could it be that the youth was the reincarnation of the old Chairman, causing the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion to sense a unique aura from him, turning into this ghostly appearance?