Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

This Floating Life Realm Middle Stage powerhouse named Zhou Jicang is indeed a super figure in the Northern Domain of Tenglong Continent. His own strength is even more formidable than the top elders of some first-class forces.

Being used to acting domineeringly by himself for many years, after hearing that Stepping Heavenly Stone was a battlefield for Heavenly Realm powerhouses, he decided to go and check it out, but his purpose wasn’t simple.

Because Zhou Jicang has been stuck at the Floating Life Realm Middle Stage for quite a long time, he wanted to sense the aftermath of battles from higher rank powerhouses to see if he could find any opportunity for a breakthrough.

This idea is quite common among cultivators. Sometimes, it’s not just from observing the battles of powerhouses that one gains enlightenment. From lingering auras or so-called artistic concepts, there’s also a chance to find a breakthrough opportunity.

Who knew that when Zhou Jicang came to this Stepping Heavenly Stone, he would find it guarded by these proactive cultivators like Xie Mingtao.

Zhou Jicang, a lone wolf, wasn’t much concerned, and he believed that even if he stood on the Stepping Heavenly Stone, that so-called Lord Yun Xiao wouldn’t possibly appear in time to slap him to death, right?

Yet, just as Zhou Jicang wanted to kill the reckless Xie Mingtao, he didn’t expect that the strange hand’s speed would be so fast, so sudden, catching him completely off guard.

"I said, there’s no deep hatred between you, no need to resort to such measures, right?"

A slightly unusual voice reached the ears of the two, making their gazes immediately turn. Upon seeing it, Zhou Jicang was indifferent, but Xie Mingtao’s eyes instantly widened.

"Lord Ling Wan?!"

Even though Zhou Jicang was injured, he was still a Floating Life Realm Middle Stage powerhouse, but at this moment, such a powerhouse was trembling all over, too excited to speak clearly.

Because the one gripping Zhou Jicang’s wrist was obviously a chubby young boy, someone who the long-term resident of Stepping Heavenly Stone, Xie Mingtao, surely recognized.

"Oh? You recognize me?"

Upon hearing the trembling voice from Xie Mingtao, the chubby boy couldn’t help but show surprise, followed by a bit of excitement, seemingly thrilled to no longer be an insignificant figure.

"The name of Lord Ling Wan is known throughout Tenglong Continent. I am Xie Mingtao; I have seen Lord Ling Wan!"

After a brief moment of shock and excitement, Xie Mingtao finally calmed his mind, bowing in mid-air towards the chubby boy, a scene that left everyone below stunned.

Among them, many had witnessed the great battle at Stepping Heavenly Stone firsthand, especially those proactive Stepping Heavenly Stone guardians who felt a sense of satisfaction.

Just when Xie Mingtao seemed about to be defeated by Zhou Jicang and lose his guardian role, the renowned Xuanyin Hall’s One-shot Saint Son, Ling Wan, appeared just in time.

"It’s said that Lord Ling Wan and Lord Yun Xiao are inseparable, could it be..."

Some sharp-minded individuals thought of a possibility. When they turned their gaze skyward, a group of imposing figures appeared in their sight.

"Is that... the President of the Meridian Refining Master Association, Lu Yanji?"

A voice of surprise emerged, causing everyone to gasp in awe. Yet, at a glance, besides the venerable old man, there was also a group of young figures.

"It’s Lord Yun Xiao, he’s indeed here!"

The cultivators, with waves of astonishment in their hearts, all focused their gaze on the plainly dressed young man at the forefront. For some, this figure was all too familiar.

Even those cultivators who came to Stepping Heavenly Stone for the spectacle understood instantly, upon seeing everyone’s expressions, that this boy was probably the most famous in Tenglong Continent today.

The newcomers were Yun Xiao, Lu Yanji, and their group. In fact, they had seen the conflict from afar earlier. With their sensing abilities, they even heard Zhou Jicang and Xie Mingtao’s dialogue clearly.

However, none of them expected that after that great battle, Stepping Heavenly Stone would become Yun Xiao’s place of divine enthronement, where people could only gaze but not approach, gathering a group of devoted Stepping Heavenly Stone guardians.

This undoubtedly led their gazes to weirdly fixate on the plainly dressed young man beside them, thinking to themselves how extraordinary he was, for even places he battled at became imbued with special significance.

Almost instinctively, everyone developed a fondness for Xie Mingtao, who was willing to die to protect Stepping Heavenly Stone. Seeing him almost perish at Zhou Jicang’s hands, Ling Wan finally couldn’t resist stepping in.

For such a minor issue, Yun Xiao naturally didn’t bother further. He trusted that with Ling Wan’s current Early Stage Lingyun Realm strength, Zhou Jicang should not be able to stir up any trouble.

"Please give me some face, could you stop fighting, alright?"

Ling Wan didn’t make a big deal out of Zhou Jicang’s actions. After all, he only wanted to visit Stepping Heavenly Stone, which wasn’t an unforgivable crime. Ling Wan, being kind-hearted, made Zhou Jicang feel quite honored with this request.

"Zhou Jicang, Lord Ling Wan is here, are you still going to act recklessly?"

Seeing Zhou Jicang appear somewhat dazed, Xie Mingtao, as if holding onto a giant tree, immediately barked coldly, causing the former’s body to shiver and snap back to reality.

"Lord Ling Wan commands, Jicang shall obey!"

No matter how unruly Zhou Jicang usually was, in front of this plump and chubby youth, he couldn’t muster the slightest courage to oppose him.

From the obscure sensing, Zhou Jicang knew this figure was already a genuine Lingyun Realm powerhouse; even if given courage, he wouldn’t dare show any disrespect.

"Haha, big brother, now I’m a person of stature too!"

Seeing such a life-or-death grievance resolved with just a few words, Ling Wan felt quite proud, turning his head to boast towards a certain place in the sky.

"Big brother?"

With this remark, the shadows of people in the distant sky were finally noticed by Xie Mingtao and Zhou Jicang, whose bodies shook again as they turned their gaze to where Ling Wan was looking.

"It really is Lord Yun Xiao!"

Back then, Zhou Mingtao had witnessed Yun Xiao’s splendor firsthand, leaving no doubt upon seeing it again, making his heart inexplicably excited.

As for Zhou Jicang standing by, although he hadn’t seen Yun Xiao personally, Yun Xiao’s reputation recently was like thunder in his ears.

In the Divine Enlightenment Pavilion branch of major cities, there was even a dedicated biography printed for Yun Xiao, chronicling all his experiences on the Tenglong Continent.

Of course, this biography from Shenxiao Sect had Yun Xiao’s approval; he didn’t mind such a thing, perhaps considering it a form of deterrence.

Combining what he’d seen himself, Zhou Jicang felt his entire body uncontrollably trembling, wishing he could slap himself hard several times.

It’s known that Zhou Jicang dared act against Xie Mingtao because he believed the sky was high and the emperor far, thinking that Lord Yun Xiao, who returned to Lianyun Mountain, could not interfere in matters thousands of miles away?

But who would have thought, just as he was about to brutally kill Xie Mingtao, the Stepping Heavenly Stone Guardian, Yun Xiao suddenly led a large group into the scene.

At this moment, Zhou Jicang felt that fortune was against him, and perhaps with one wrong move today, he’d lose his life here, given that lord’s power, a mere pinky would squash him dead.

Although there were no strict rules against outsiders stepping onto the Stepping Heavenly Stone, Zhou Jicang’s actions indeed constituted a challenge to Yun Xiao’s authority.

A strong person’s prestige cannot be offended, not to mention Zhou Jicang had injured Xie Mingtao, the Guardian of Stepping Heavenly Stone, such a challenge was blatant.

"Northern Domain Independent Cultivator Xie Mingtao, pays respect to Lord Yun Xiao!"

Compared to Zhou Jicang, Xie Mingtao’s sentiments were the complete opposite now, disregarding the intense pain in his right side, he bowed to the sky towards Yun Xiao’s direction, uttering words with utmost respect.

"Xie Mingtao, are you guarding this Stepping Heavenly Stone?"

Yun Xiao naturally did not know this Northern Domain Independent Cultivator, but his actions earned him some goodwill, as Yun Xiao spoke, his eyes flashed strangely, seemingly sensing something.

"Yes, Stepping Heavenly Stone is the site of your Divine Enthronement, we can’t allow some ignorant folks to trample it!"

With head lowered, and hearing these words, Zhou Jicang’s body shook more fiercely; this old guy really knew how to kick someone when they’re down.

"Lord Yun Xiao, please discern, I only wanted to go to the Stepping Heavenly Stone to find some insights from your past battle with the Strange Spirit River, with no disrespectful intention!"

At this point, afraid Xie Mingtao might say more to his detriment, Zhou Jicang, though frightened, had no choice but to speak up to defend himself.

"Hehe, you’re quite interesting!"

Yun Xiao chuckled lightly, greatly relieving Zhou Jicang, as he continued, "However, my methods are useless to you, and any remnants from the Strange Spirit River are harmful rather than helpful to you, better to abandon that idea in the future!"

Yun Xiao’s words weren’t baseless, for indeed he had battled You He at Stepping Heavenly Stone, leaving numerous residual auras, though of little use to ordinary cultivators.

Because the techniques Yun Xiao used against You He at the time were extremely high-level, and he even employed methods from Nine-layered Dragon Cloud; such sophisticated techniques, if recklessly sensed by low rank cultivators, would be detrimental rather than beneficial.