CHAPTER 449: FOUR HUNDRED AND FORTY-NINE, IS THIS WHAT YOU RELY ON?

"Come out!"

Yun Xiao’s wrist paused momentarily, then he continued to roast the Meridian Demon’s Leg in his hand as if nothing had happened, but the cold voice he uttered caused the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion on the other side to halt its movements.

The mountain forest was quiet, and the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion, with eyes as large as copper bells, scanned around but ultimately spotted nothing, turning its head to gaze at Yun Xiao with a somewhat confused look.

Yun Xiao calmly rotated the Meridian Demon’s Leg, seemingly unaffected by the potential threat, until after a long while, under a certain large tree, a figure wrapped in a black robe inexplicably appeared.

"Roar!"

Right when this figure appeared, the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion sensed it immediately and roared angrily. This individual had arrived so mysteriously, it likely harbored ill intentions towards Yun Xiao.

"Yu Qian?"

This time Yun Xiao finally lifted his head, and though it was hard to see clearly in the dark night, this figure was one he would never forget in his lifetime.

He recalled back in Moon Bow City at the Shang Family, it was this figure who, under someone’s lead, eradicated the Shang Family in its entirety, causing both Yun Xiao’s mother and sister to perish in that battle.

However, what Yun Xiao did not expect was that even after he intentionally stayed in Lingtian City for several days, and even with the flying speed of the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion, Yu Qian still managed to intercept him. It must be said, the Great Elder of Lingyun Sect indeed had some skills.

"It seems Elder Yu Qian already knew I would travel from here back to Xuanyue Empire; probably he has been waiting here for days, right?"

Upon this thought, Yun Xiao realized suddenly, his faint smile indicating that he had guessed certain truths, because this place was indeed the only route from Lingtian Empire back to Xuanyue Empire.

"Yun Xiao, I must say your sensing ability is indeed remarkable, but even so, today you absolutely cannot leave this mountain forest alive!"

Having his identity exposed outright by Yun Xiao, Yu Qian no longer hid it, revealing his face which Yun Xiao both intimately recognized and intensely loathed.

Hearing Yu Qian’s words, Yun Xiao still did not stand up, but instead stretched his hand towards a certain direction and meaningfully said, "If it’s just Elder Yu Qian alone, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed!"

With the exploration of the Golden Snake Worm, along with his own powerful Power of Soul, Yun Xiao had long sensed that only Yu Qian was around, not the entirety of Lingyun Sect dispatched to assassinate him.

Yun Xiao didn’t know what had happened after he left Lingyun Sect, but he guessed perhaps Lingyun Sect didn’t want to make too much of a stir, and with Xu Qingyuan and Xu Hongzhuang present, Yu Qian’s actions might just be a personal initiative.

If so, what does Yun Xiao have to be afraid of?

In a one-on-one fight, though he was no match for Yu Qian, having the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion by his side, a mere Yu Qian posed no great threat.

However, Yun Xiao clearly underestimated some factors; since Yu Qian had already been lurking here, how could he possibly fail to notice the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion? His daring to show himself might not be without a strong backup plan.

"So this big fellow is your reliance?"

Following Yun Xiao’s pointing, Yu Qian glanced somewhat oddly at the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion, his words enraging the latter.

The Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion was always extremely proud, and if not for the Ancient Dragon Vein’s aura from the Golden Snake Worm on Yun Xiao and the curing of its July Flowing Fire Poison, it would never obediently let him ride.

But the stranger who suddenly appeared, despite having reached the Peak of Spirit Vein Realm, was still nothing more than an ant compared to himself, who was half a step into becoming a Seventh Rank Meridian Demon.

"Roar!"

Feeling underestimated, the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion, without needing Yun Xiao’s command, roared and its huge body ferociously pounced towards Yu Qian, its might formidable.

Seeing such a powerful Meridian Demon charging at him, Yu Qian seemed startled at first, but just as the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion was about to strike and break his bones with a claw, Yu Qian suddenly stretched out his right hand, and a vague object flew towards it.

"Hmm?"

Seeing Yu Qian’s move, for some unexplained reason, a trace of unease arose in Yun Xiao’s heart. The Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion was indeed his biggest reliance, but by Yu Qian’s reaction, it seemed he already had a way to counter it.

Indeed, Yun Xiao’s intuition was not mistaken. Once the object in Yu Qian’s hand was released, in the dark night, a highly illusory net directly enveloped the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion.

This move was extremely precise, and even the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion’s reaction couldn’t avoid it; it was immediately covered by the net and then seen Yu Qian gently pull, the net tightened, and the entire Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion seemed to be wrapped up like a zongzi (rice dumpling).

"Hehe, Yun Xiao, I bet you didn’t expect this—my ’Mystical Dragon Entangling Silk Net’ can trap even some Seventh Rank Vein Demons, let alone this Sixth Rank Peak giant!"

Seeing the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion trapped, Yu Qian also secretly heaved a sigh of relief, but his tone was filled with pride, as though everything was under his control.

The Mystical Dragon Entangling Silk Net that Yu Qian used just now is a strange treasure. Speaking of its origin, it was the reward he received after following that tall and thin elder to annihilate the Shang Family.

That tall and thin elder was no ordinary figure, and naturally, the items he gave were extraordinary. This Mystical Dragon Entangling Silk Net had actually reached the Earth Rank Low Level; aside from its unique material, it could also invoke a trace of Earth Power upon activation.

Just as Yu Qian mentioned, even some Vein Demons at the early Seventh Rank, once trapped by this net, could not break free in a short time.

If it were a one-on-one fight, Yu Qian truly had no confidence in defeating the Sixth Rank Advanced Peak Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion, but now, by restraining it with the Mystical Dragon Entangling Silk Net, how much trouble could a mere Early Stage of Meridian Union Realm Yun Xiao cause?

Yu Qian’s sudden move finally caused Yun Xiao’s expression to change several times. Originally confident with the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion at his side, he didn’t expect Yu Qian to be prepared and directly control his strongest combat power, leaving him to face Yu Qian alone.

A Great Elder of the Lingyun Sect at the Peak of Spirit Vein Realm, Yun Xiao knew well that even with many strategies, he was far from being an opponent.

"Hey, looks like I’ll have to rely on you again this time!"

In his urgency, Yun Xiao could only inwardly shout out, discarding the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion, his last resort could only be the Golden Snake Worm.

Previously, within the Meridian Treasure and at the Xuanyue Palace, Yun Xiao had relied on this Golden Snake Worm to escape a fatal calamity. Now that he had broken through to the Early Stage of Meridian Union Realm, if he could harness the power of the Golden Snake Worm, he might just have the strength to fight Yu Qian.

Opposite him, Yu Qian did not have so many thoughts, nor did he know about Yun Xiao’s hidden trump card. He only knew that there was nearly a two Great Rank difference between them—if he couldn’t stop Yun Xiao from escaping with that, he might as well not live on the Continent anymore.

"Don’t worry, Yun Xiao, I won’t kill you. Your life is quite valuable!"

Just as Yun Xiao was communicating with the Golden Snake Worm, Yu Qian suddenly broke into a grim laugh and spoke, causing Yun Xiao’s heart to stir, suddenly coming up with some ideas.

Back when the Shang Family was annihilated, Yu Qian had followed that elder, and ultimately, all clues seemed to point towards Yun Xiao. However, at that time, the latter had mysteriously disappeared within the Shang Family Snake Nest, and eventually, the elder could only let it be.

Yu Qian, who once thought Yun Xiao had died among the snakes, upon seeing Yun Xiao again, thought not of killing him but of capturing him to claim a reward from that immensely powerful elder.

Furthermore, Yu Qian knew that since Yun Xiao had exposed him within the Lingyun Sect, he might no longer be able to stay there. So why not use Yun Xiao to connect with another higher power?

This was all of Yu Qian’s thoughts. In his view, the strength of that tall and skinny elder was far above the two generations of Sect Masters of the Lingyun Sect. If he could climb this high branch, wouldn’t it be much more promising than being a Great Elder in the Lingyun Sect?

"Great Elder Yu Qian, since everything is under your control tonight, I have a question. May I ask for an answer?"

Just as Yu Qian was making calculations in his mind, the youth in coarse clothes opposite him suddenly spoke, taking him by surprise and bringing a hint of cat-and-mouse pleasure.

"Given that you’re about to become a cripple, ask away. I can answer your question!"

Yu Qian glanced sideways at the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion, which was struggling hard but couldn’t break free, and without too much concern, he was rather interested in responding.

"Who exactly was the one who led you to annihilate the Shang Family?"

This was a question that Yun Xiao had always wanted to ask, and unfortunately, over the years, only the person in front of him, the Great Elder of Lingyun Sect, could provide an answer.

"I really don’t know, but I can tell you that the senior is not from the Hidden Dragon Continent!"

Yu Qian, confident, first shook his head, yet still explained. In his view, even knowing this fact, Yun Xiao could never avenge himself, especially since the young man was about to become a cripple.

"Since you’re so persistent, then I might as well tell you something else!"

Watching Yun Xiao’s face fluctuate, Yu Qian suddenly remembered something, and with an insinuating tone, he said: "To my knowledge, your mother might still be alive, and you should be able to reunite with her soon!"

"What... what?"

As soon as Yu Qian’s words came out, Yun Xiao’s whole body trembled, as if a certain acupoint deep in his heart had suddenly been opened. This news, for him, was truly an unexpected joy.

All along, Yun Xiao had thought that his mother and sister had perished in that battle, like all other members of the Shang Family, but the possibility that they might still be alive excited him beyond measure.