Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

"Is my mother still alive? If she is, where did those people take her? I implore Sect Leader Xu to provide Yun Xiao with an answer!"

Yun Xiao's voice trembled slightly. Even though he harbored deep hatred towards Xu Lingsong, finding clues about his mother was of utmost importance, and this Sect Leader of Lingyun Sect, familiar with past events, might just be the most direct clue.

From Yun Wei's account, Yun Xiao knew that the tall, thin elder who annihilated the Shang Family might have come from the Star-picking Tower in the Li Yuan Realm, but such matters were still too far out of his reach for now, and he could only proceed step by step.

Furthermore, it was not certain that his mother had been taken to the Star-picking Tower. If he could learn something unknown from Xu Lingsong, it would be a pleasant surprise.

"What are you talking about? I don't know!"

At this moment, even though people already knew that Xu Lingsong was inseparably linked to the annihilation of the Shang Family, he absolutely did not want to admit it explicitly, because once he confessed, perhaps his authority as the Sect Leader of Lingyun would plummet drastically.

"Yun... Yun Xiao, you should leave. I, Xu Hongzhuang, promise you that I will do everything in my power to rescue your mother in this lifetime!"

As Yun Xiao's expression grew grim, a familiar voice suddenly reached his ears. When he looked up, he saw a face full of utter despair.

These words were spoken by Xu Hongzhuang. She had always worried that her father and Yun Xiao would truly become adversaries, but she had not expected that day to come so quickly.

Seeing the conversation deadlocked, and fearing that both parties might end up in an unrelenting struggle, Xu Hongzhuang couldn't help but speak out.

Through her own father, Xu Hongzhuang knew that Yun Xiao's mother might still be alive, and indeed, Yun Xiao's sister, Yun Wei, had also appeared at the end of the Hidden Dragon Conference.

With this, the serious grievances of filial vengeance were much lessened. Xu Hongzhuang believed that if she could rescue Yun Xiao's mother alive, the relationship between both parties might not be unrepairable forever.

But how could Xu Hongzhuang understand the feelings of a son? Even if she could rescue his mother alive, who would compensate for the years of suffering? This debt was ultimately not so easily settled!

"Yun Xiao? Xu Hongzhuang? Sheathing the sword for Hongzhuang, could it be that this Yun Xiao is Miss Hongzhuang's fiancé?"

With these words from Xu Hongzhuang, many Lingyun Sect cultivators who only half-understood the events of the past realized another astonishing fact, and their expressions turned exceptionally strange.

These cultivators of the Lingyun Sect knew that Xu Hongzhuang had been betrothed before she was born, yet later it was said that the fiancé, a deemed useless man, had tragically died in a family annihilation.

It now seemed, this matter might be linked with the annihilation of the Shang Family. Could it be that the Sect Leader did not want his daughter to marry a useless man, thus dispatched Elder Yu Qian to annihilate the Shang Family?

Unintentionally, everyone guessed a truth: although the massacre was led by the old man from the Star-picking Tower, it was not without Xu Lingsong's intention to eliminate Yun Xiao, truly serving multiple purposes with one action.

"Yun Xiao, for Hongzhuang's sake, today I will not pursue the crime of you destroying our sect's gate. Leave quickly!"

Hearing his daughter speak and sensing the numerous unusual gazes around, Xu Lingsong knew that if he continued to entangle with Yun Xiao, his base desires might become exposed, so he appeared magnanimous as he spoke loudly.

Whoosh!

As Xu Lingsong's words fell, Yun Xiao had already lightly touched the back of the Blood Winged Fire-Eyed Lion and leapt down, distancing himself only a few feet from Xu Lingsong.

"Since Sect Leader Xu persists in his delusion, then I must offend!"

In a low voice, Yun Xiao slowly extended his hand, pointing at the Sect Leader and spoke, "Sect Leader Xu, regarding the past matter, I'm willing to believe it does not involve others, but you, by the Heavenly Dao, cannot escape your sin!"

"Xu Lingsong, daring to bear the responsibilities as a Sect Leader, today I will resolve this with you here. If I, Yun Xiao, am defeated, the annihilation of the Shang Family shall be wiped clean!"

At this point, Yun Xiao's voice suddenly rose, and such a declaration also left the cultivators of Lingyun Sect somewhat dumbfounded, wondering if this young man intended to confront the Sect Leader alone.

Even though some elders of Lingyun Sect could sense that Yun Xiao's Meridian Qi Cultivation had already broken through to the Peak of Spirit Vein Realm and he was even stronger than some elders, but challenging the Sect Leader was certainly overestimating himself.

It was well-known that Sect Leader Xu Lingsong of Lingyun Sect was one of the top powerhouses in the whole Lingtian Empire, and in a one-on-one fight, perhaps only the reigning King of Lingtian Empire could match him.

As for the many disdainful expressions of the Lingyun Sect cultivators, upon hearing Yun Xiao's words, Xu Hongzhuang's face turned pale, her body softened, fortunately supported by the Sect Leader's wife by her side.

"Has it really come to this step?"

Xu Hongzhuang's murmurs sounded somewhat desolate, torn between the man she loved and her own biological father, truly unsure how to choose.

"Rest assured, Xiaolan, although your father's actions are sometimes reprehensible, he knows restraint and will not harm Yun Xiao's life!"

Sect Leader's wife gently patted Xu Hongzhuang's back, softly comforting her, but the latter's eyes flashed with a peculiar gleam as she spoke.

"Mother, I'm not worried about Yun Xiao, but about father!"

As Xu Hongzhuang turned around, the words that followed left the Sect Leader's wife slightly startled, completely baffled about where her daughter's worries stemmed from. Could it be that she believed that the mere sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy was truly a match for the mighty Sect Leader of Lingyun?

Although the Sect Leader's wife was not very strong, being married to Xu Lingsong for many years, she was well aware of his formidable prowess.

But hearing her daughter's tone, it seemed that the unremarkable boy might indeed pose a threat to Xu Lingsong, which was utterly inconceivable.

What the Sect Leader's wife didn't know was that her daughter, perhaps, knew Yun Xiao far better, having witnessed his devilish charisma at the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference.

In Xu Hongzhuang's heart, there seemed to be nothing Yun Xiao could not do. No matter the predicament, he always seemed to find a way out.

Today, it was Yun Xiao who had come knocking, challenging Xu Lingsong to a duel of his own volition. Knowing Yun Xiao, Hongzhuang understood that he never fought a battle he wasn't sure he could win. He must have been absolutely confident in his actions.

Yet, even Xu Hongzhuang's mother, who always doted on her, would not believe such thoughts, let alone the other cultivators of Lingyun Sect; hence, their faces showed nothing but disdain and mockery.

Even if some cultivators of the Lingyun Sect disapproved of the Sect Leader's actions, being challenged by such a young boy required them to regain their honor or they would become a joke among other sects.

"Yun Xiao, these are your own words!"

Unlike the onlookers, Xu Lingsong, although discontent with Yun Xiao's arrogance, concealed a glint of pleasure deep in his eyes, stemming from confidence in his own strength.

To Xu Lingsong, the thought of defeat never crossed his mind. The boy who had just managed to compete with the younger generation half a year ago, even if he had luckily reached the Peak of the Spirit Vein Realm, the outcome wouldn't change.

Thus, it might be better to use this opportunity to completely eliminate Yun Xiao, or at least cripple his Meridian Qi Cultivation, ensuring he could no longer pose a threat.

To be honest, Xu Lingsong was truly surprised by Yun Xiao's rapid advancement to the Peak of the Spirit Vein Realm, and he could foresee that given more time, he might actually become incapable of defeating him.

"Of course, a gentleman's word is his bond. If I win, I just need Sect Leader Xu to answer my earlier question!"

Yun Xiao's eyes flickered with a strange light, believing Xu Lingsong would never refuse his proposal, as opposed to the disciples of Lingyun Sect, his sensing might be the most accurate.

"Rest assured, even if I win, I will spare your life!"

As the battle became imminent, Xu Lingsong, on the contrary, calmed down. This statement greatly relieved both Xu Qingyuan and the Sect Leader's wife beside him.

"Heh, then Sect Leader Xu, you'd better be careful yourself!"

Contrastingly, Yun Xiao revealed a peculiar smile. As his words fell, a thick Meridian Qi began to emanate from his body. The disciples of Lingyun Sect instinctively backed away tens of meters, leaving a large area for Xu Lingsong and Yun Xiao.

These disciples of Lingyun Sect, however, believed the battle would not last long, which stemmed from their utmost confidence in the Sect Leader, who had never disappointed them since they joined the Lingyun Sect.

"Be careful!"

Xu Lingsong shouted, and without waiting for Yun Xiao to make a move, he swung his right hand lightly, forming a massive Meridian Qi Palm Seal in front of him, then fiercely slammed it towards Yun Xiao.

As this gigantic palm seal, mingled with a hint of special power, surged out, many of the Elders and disciples of Lingyun Sect were utterly dumbfounded.

"Earth… Earth Rank Third Realm?!"

Especially those Elders who had reached the Spirit Vein Realm level, were left staring blankly. They had keener sensing compared to the lower-ranked younger disciples and recognized it as the true Earth Rank Third Realm.

However, these Elders of the Lingyun Sect had previously known that Xu Lingsong had only reached a Half-step Earth Rank level, still some distance from this significant realm. How had he suddenly achieved such a breakthrough today?