Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

"I... Is there anything wrong?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Xiao’s expression turned somewhat awkward, but he forced himself to make light of the situation with a laugh. Once these words were spoken, the women rolled their eyes even more.

"Good to know there’s nothing wrong!"

Mo Qing, being of a tranquil disposition, naturally understood Yun Xiao’s effort in pretending nothing was amiss. Consequently, she refrained from saying much, instead communicating thousands of words within these four.

As for the life-saving act earlier, given their familiarity, there was no need to dwell further on it. At least they knew that if Yun Xiao was in danger, she would sacrifice her own life to save him.

"I mean, what are you all worried about? This is Brother Yun Xiao after all—what could possibly be beyond his capabilities?"

Ling Wan, sensing a peculiar atmosphere, finally spoke up, which somewhat eased the oppressive mood at the scene.

But as Mo Qing said, even if Yun Xiao is exceedingly weak at the moment, he’s standing well on this Stepping Heavenly Stone, and the worst-case scenario hasn’t happened. And that’s undoubtedly a good outcome.

"Haha, congratulations Brother Yun Xiao for slaying You He, removing a grave threat for our Human Clan!"

As Yun Xiao was conversing with the women, a hearty laughter suddenly echoed from somewhere. Hidden within this voice is the faint hint of wind and thunder.

When everyone turned around to see the figure making the sound, their expressions turned peculiar, for this person was none other than Duan Zixiao, Valley Master of Thunder King Valley.

Yun Xiao’s reputation is at its peak, not only are his deeds on the Tenglong Continent no longer a secret, even his brilliance on the Hidden Dragon Continent is known to those well-informed.

Thus, most people knew Yun Xiao had long since harbored enmity with Thunder King Valley in the Southern Domain of Tenglong Continent, and their grudges were reportedly quite deep.

It’s said that four of Thunder King Valley’s five young thunders died at Yun Xiao’s hands. As such, they should be absolutely irreconcilable, yet Duan Zixiao is congratulating him.

However, those with keen insight thought deeper. After all, Yun Xiao’s slaying of You He makes it likely that no one on this Tenglong Continent can rival him now.

Despite Thunder King Valley’s previous misfortunes at Yun Xiao’s hands, circumstances are now stronger than individuals. Duan Zixiao couldn’t be sure if Yun Xiao would seek retribution at their headquarters once recovered.

"Haha, you’re the Valley Master Duan, how is your esteemed thunder child Brother Xu Changgui?"

Yun Xiao naturally recognized Duan Zixiao but bore little fondness, given their previous unpleasant encounters with the Southern Domain’s dominant force.

Four of Thunder King Valley’s thunder children perished because of Yun Xiao; the remaining one, known as Heavenly Thunder Child Xu Changgui, followed his teacher Duan Zixiao to Stepping Heavenly Stone this time but could only spectate from afar.

Amongst Thunder King Valley’s cultivators, the one Yun Xiao remembered most was not this Valley Master Duan, but Heavenly Thunder Child Xu Changgui, with whom he participated in disciple selection at Lianyun Mountain.

But now, Yun Xiao stands at the pinnacle of the Tenglong Continent, while Thunder King Child Xu Changgui has only just reached the Early Stage of Earth Bending Realm—lesser even than Ye Ku and Nie Xiaosheng, marking a world of difference between the two.

"Good! Good!"

Observing Yun Xiao’s seemingly mocking demeanor, Duan Zixiao’s heart skipped a beat, realizing that past grievances lingered. Should he fail to express atonement, Thunder King Valley might harbor hidden dangers.

"Brother Yun Xiao, years ago it was some blind members of Thunder King Valley who offended you. I, Duan, apologize to you and hope you will forgive. Our Thunder King Valley is willing to pay any price for your pardon!"

This Valley Master Duan Zixiao of Thunder King Valley proved quite forthright. Upon grasping Yun Xiao’s implications, he bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle, astonishing those around Yun Xiao.

Who was this person? This was a great master in the Early Stage of Lingyun Realm, Valley Master of Thunder King Valley, a figure with the authority to dominate life and death across the Southern Domain of Tenglong Continent.

Even the once-arrogant Xiao Family of the Southeast dared not lightly provoke Thunder King Valley, showing the sect’s strength and dominance.

Yet on this day, at this moment, Thunder King Valley’s Valley Master Duan Zixiao bowed to a young lad, his words respectful, his actions devout—leaving many familiar cultivators in disbelief.

Only perhaps those sharing similar circumstances, like Destroyer Venerable or the Zhao Family, truly understood the deeper meaning behind Duan Zixiao’s actions.

For they suddenly realized, aside from seeking Yun Xiao’s forgiveness, no other path seemed available. Duan Zixiao’s conduct likely set the precedent for them.

"Brother Yun Xiao, the branch of the Huai’an and Huaixian brothers who once offended you at Yanji Lake has been completely expelled from the Zhao Family. We ask for your forgiveness!"

Just as Duan Zixiao finished speaking and Yun Xiao had yet to make a decision, the Family Head Zhao Gujin, who had long been close by, suddenly spoke up, announcing that the matter had already been dealt with.

In fact, the enmity between the Zhao Family and Yun Xiao stemmed from that single incident at Yanji Lake, where the true instigator was actually Wuyan Palace, and both Zhao Huaixian and Zhao Huai’an were merely caught up in the situation.

Nonetheless, the Zhao Family had indeed taken action against Yun Xiao, and under the current circumstances, no one could assure that the young man, who defied convention, wouldn’t one day recall the matter and destroy the Zhao Family with a wave of his hand.

Not to mention, even without Yun Xiao acting personally, the Firewood Valley, known to be on good terms with him, might seize the opportunity to suppress the Zhao Family—and this time, there might truly be no one daring enough to aid them.

In Zhao Gujin’s eyes, since it was only the Huai’an and Huaixian brothers who had offended Yun Xiao, expelling their branch from the Zhao Family should be enough to quell Yun Xiao’s anger.

"Amitabha, Benefactor Yun Xiao, this old monk has decided that from today onward, Thunder Sound Mountain will seal its sect for ten years, chanting the Confession Scripture daily as penance!"

As Zhao Gujin’s loud voice faded, another high-pitched Buddhist chant resonated from the other side, revealing that the speaker was the Destroyer Venerable of Thunder Sound Mountain. The voice carried hints of Buddhist melodies, a testament to extraordinary cultivation.

This leader of Thunder Sound Mountain had attained the Late Stage of the Lingyun Realm, rivaling even Hou Tianlie, the Mountain Master of Demons Mountain. It was, after all, one of the twin mountains.

Yet, the Destroyer Venerable understood that even with a Late Stage Lingyun Realm or Early Stage Heavenly Realm cultivation, he was likely no match for the coarse-clothed young man.

Did they not see that even the Intermediate Holy Grade Heavenly Spirit, You He, was effortlessly stripped of his Spirit Crystal by him? If they didn’t yield, the legacy-laden Thunder Sound Mountain’s sect might truly be in peril.

The act of self-imposed seclusion and daily scripture recitation naturally referred to the past offense against Yun Xiao by the two arhats of Thunder Sound Mountain at Yanji Lake.

Unfortunately, the Eight-Armed Arhat Zong Puti and Demon Suppressing Arhat Yu Kuzhan had both perished at Yun Xiao’s hand. Yet, it was Thunder Sound Mountain that had to apologize and seek forgiveness from Yun Xiao, underscoring the reality that strength ruled the continent.

"Yun Xiao, my teacher has said, from now on, just one word from you, and the Killing Heart Sect can cancel any task it has already accepted!"

While everyone else was still ruminating over the words of the Destroyer Venerable, another voice came from a different direction, seemingly belonging to a woman.

"It’s Ye Suxin, the talent of the Killing Heart Sect, known as Su Shou Yanluo!"

Upon seeing her, someone as knowledgeable as Nie Xiaosheng immediately identified the white-robed woman, pondering the situation.

At least Shenxiao Sect intelligence must surely know about the events that occurred at Thunder King Valley. The once famous genius of the Killing Heart Sect, Tong Baisha, known as the Purple-robed Cultivator, had died at Yun Xiao’s hand.

Later, even Zheng Qiming, the Seven Killings Guardian of the Killing Heart Sect, also met his end because of Yun Xiao. The enmity between the two was perhaps not less severe than that between Yun Xiao and the other three major forces.

This time, however, the Sect Leader of the Killing Heart Sect didn’t speak but sent a young talent instead. It seemed they weren’t placing as much importance on it as the other three forces, but Nie Xiaosheng and others understood the Sect Leader’s intent.

Relatively speaking, the relationship between Yun Xiao and Ye Suxin, Su Shou Yanluo of the Killing Heart Sect, was somewhat ambiguous. Originally, whenever they met, they would fight, but later on the Slaughter Spirit Battlefield, they fought alongside each other.

Since then, Ye Suxin’s hatred for Yun Xiao had vanished, and Yun Xiao held no more hostility towards the cold and frosty woman.

The Killing Heart Sect Leader likely knew of this past and believed sending Ye Suxin would have a better effect than appearing personally as the Sect Leader.

The leaders of all four major forces spoke one after another, seeking Yun Xiao’s forgiveness, leaving the ordinary onlookers stunned and wondering if these high and mighty figures also had to bow down one day.

"That’s Yun Xiao for you!"

Just as many people were puzzled, a voice full of sentiment suddenly emerged, instantly dispelling their internal conflicts. Just six words conveyed the ultimate truth.

If the Tenglong Continent still maintained its old order, even facing the leaders of the four top forces, figures like the Destroyer Venerable could remain composed and unyielding.

After all, the four super forces had mutual constraints: Xuanyin Hall and Wuyan Palace were arch-enemies, Spirit Fighting Commerce had Demons Mountain as counterbalance, and the Meridian Refining Master Association preferred not to meddle in worldly affairs, creating a balance.

But ever since Yun Xiao appeared like a meteor, the unspoken rules of the Tenglong Continent had no effect on him whatsoever.