Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

"What is that?"

From such a great distance, aside from Yun Xiao, the cultivators below couldn't sense clearly, but they had some guesses. Judging by the movement of the small red shadow, it was likely coming to aid the humans against the spirit entities.

"That is... Chi Yan?!"

Perhaps among the human cultivators below, only Xu Hongzhuang could see some clues from that distant fiery red shadow. Hearing her soft mutter, many turned their puzzled gazes towards her.

"It's Yun Xiao's demon pet!"

Seeing Wu Yingjiang and others staring at her, Xu Hongzhuang had to explain once more. This explanation made everyone suddenly realize, concurrently igniting immense confidence in the fiery red shadow.

Now everyone knew that anyone or any vein demon related to Yun Xiao would not be ordinary.

For example, the dual charm of medicine and poison from Lianyun Mountain, the One-shot Saint Son and Queen of Absolute Vein from Xuanyin Hall, or the Hu family's young lady who single-handedly destroyed the entire Xiao family.

Although no one had seen the so-called demon pet represented by that fiery red shadow, knowing it belonged to Yun Xiao undoubtedly boosted their confidence. This was evident from Yun Xiao's current demeanor.

If that demon pet truly lacked strength, Yun Xiao would not display such calmness. He would have likely used his Thunder Wings to rush in that direction to help his demon pet deal with the spirit entity.

"Not seen him for two months, and it seems he had some fortuitous encounters!"

High in the sky, Yun Xiao was unaware of what people below thought. He stopped because he sensed the Demon Vein Qi Cultivation of Chi Yan, which had surprisingly reached the level of a half-step Heavenly Rank.

Two months ago, when they parted ways in the Yin Sha Mountain Range, Chi Yan was only at the Ninth Rank Intermediate. It was unexpected that in just two months, it had broken through two realms. Without some kind of creation, that would have been impossible.

Vein demonic breakthroughs have always been harder than for humans, especially for an ancient variant like the Fire Cloud Rat. Chi Yan's breakthroughs have always relied on devouring and refining powerful Fire Attribute heavenly treasures, the most effective way to enhance.

Yet breaking through nearly two realms in just two months is astonishing. Even Yun Xiao remains at the peak of the Earth Bending Realm with no progress, doesn't he?

Regardless, after sensing that Chi Yan had reached the half-step Heavenly Rank, the joy in Yun Xiao's heart far surpassed his surprise, which is why he could leisurely enjoy the show.

Boom!

As Yun Xiao expected, within a few rounds, when Chi Yan spit out a Burning Flame, the spirit entity was incinerated completely, and the Spirit Crystal was grabbed by the Spirit Flame, which then leaped onto Yun Xiao's shoulder.

Seeing the palm-sized fiery red mouse carrying a large Spirit Crystal, everyone felt a sense of awe, internally acknowledging that the companions around that person were indeed extraordinary.

After all, figures like Wu Yingjiang and Wu Tong could sense Chi Yan's half-step Heavenly Demon cultivation. Its overwhelming power in annihilating spirit entities of the same level convinced them that it was truly an extraordinary vein demon mutant.

"Squeak!"

Returning to Yun Xiao's shoulder after so long excited Chi Yan. It squealed, holding a Spirit Crystal with its front paws close to Yun Xiao's cheek.

"Well done!"

Regarding Chi Yan's eagerness, Yun Xiao naturally wouldn't refuse. The Spirit Crystal wasn't a Fire Attribute one, holding no allure for the former, so it was accepted without hesitation.

"Squeak, squeak!"

But just as Yun Xiao pocketed the Spirit Crystal, Chi Yan waved its paws, looking downward, and called out again in a tone filled with a hint of pride, seemingly showing off to certain others.

"Hmph, insolent little Mouse Demon. I could smack you away with a single strike!"

At Yun Xiao's slightly perplexed moment, a cold snort emanated internally, making him instantly realize that Chi Yan, having reached the half-step Heavenly Rank, was taunting the Golden Snake Worm Xiao Wu and the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix fledgling, Red Feather.

Apparently, Chi Yan held a grudge against those two over the previous rivalry for the Xuanyang Earth Pearl. While Red Feather managed to keep its cool, Xiao Wu couldn't help but retort.

"Squeak, squeak!"

No one knows how Chi Yan could even hear Xiao Wu's soul transmission, but upon hearing this, it stood upright, brandishing its claws as if to say "come and fight if you dare."

"Pesky mouse, getting all worked up, aren't you?"

Xiao Wu, the self-proclaimed Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, lost all its Nine Heavens Divine Dragon dignity and was ready to come out to contend, feeling that it might not necessarily fear the half-step Heavenly Rank Chi Yan.

"I say, you two, stop fighting already, lest we become the laughingstock of others!"

At this moment, Yun Xiao had no choice but to step in and mediate. Although he knew that these two wouldn't really fight to the death, he also didn't want to lose face in front of everyone. Many of the human cultivators below were still watching.

Moreover, the Golden Snake Worm Xiao Wu was Yun Xiao's greatest trump card, a lifesaver at critical moments. Now that Chi Yan had also broken through to the half-step Heavenly Rank, considered a formidable force, he couldn't let them waste their energy on internal strife.

With Yun Xiao's words, Chi Yan finally ceased his provocations, though he waved his paw as he lay down. It seemed Xiao Wu wasn't really looking for a fight either, and after Yun Xiao's words, they both quieted down.

"Since the threat of Strange Spirits here has been eliminated, then... hmm?"

After calming Xiao Wu and Chi Yan, Yun Xiao lowered his head to look at the victorious human side below. Just as he was about to speak of their next action, his expression suddenly changed, and his gaze swiftly turned to the eastern sky.

Whoosh!

There, a streak of light was rapidly approaching. Sensing the aura of this light, Yun Xiao's face suddenly became unprecedentedly grave.

"That is..."

As for the many human cultivators below, they naturally noticed the changing direction of Yun Xiao's gaze and saw the light coming from the sea, causing a chill in their hearts.

Nowadays, the overseas islands have long since been occupied by the Strange Spirits. Clearly, the light represented the Strange Spirits, and could it be that a Heavenly Spirit able to fly was coming?

"It might just be a special kind of strange spirit like the Human-faced Blood Wing Flower!"

Some human cultivators, recalling the half-step Heavenly Spirit in Moyun City, had a different thought arise. After all, Strange Spirits aren't like humans and don't necessarily follow the iron rule that only upon reaching the Heavenly Rank can one fly.

Certain special Strange Spirits, much like Flying Beast Pulse Demons, are born capable of flight. After witnessing Yun Xiao's previous fierce tactics, if it was merely a half-step Heavenly Rank Strange Spirit, it wouldn't make much of a splash.

"Something seems off!"

But as the light drew nearer, and the figure of the Strange Spirit became increasingly clear, strong individuals like Wu Yingjiang and Wu Tong perceived something amiss, their expressions growing as grave as Yun Xiao's.

"An Earth Attribute Strange Spirit, and one that can fly!"

When Wu Yingjiang mumbled these words in shock, everyone understood what it implied.

The entire body of that Strange Spirit glowed with an earthy yellow hue, floating in the sky, clearly not a flying spirit like the Human-faced Blood Wing Flower.

Even though Strange Spirits and humans have different structures, the fact that Earth Attribute Strange Spirits shouldn't be able to fly before the Heavenly Rank Third Realm is absolute truth. Now, this Earth Attribute Strange Spirit floating in the sky suggested something significant. The answer was almost self-evident.

"A true Heavenly Rank Strange Spirit, this spells trouble!"

Nie Xiaosheng took a deep breath, articulating the thought all the human cultivators were verging on but hadn't spoken. With these words, the entire group of human cultivators gasped.

The Slaughter Spirit Battlefield had been erupting for nearly a year, and during this time, the strongest on either side had only been at the half-step Heavenly Rank. Never had there been a true Heavenly Rank expert.

From the human perspective, this balance was a unique tacit agreement between both sides. Once broken, it could very well lead to a life-and-death situation. Therefore, many human cultivators had a deeply ingrained belief that there would not be any Heavenly Rank experts within the Slaughter Spirit Battlefield.

Previously, under Yun Xiao's leadership, the humans had breached ten cities and reached Denghai Pier, while the Strange Spirits had only gathered seven half-step Heavenly Rank Strange Spirits.

But now, witnessing that Earth Attribute Strange Spirit emitting a heavy aura in the sky, the human cultivators had no doubts. It was a genuine Heavenly Spirit, another layer of cultivation beyond half-step Heavenly Rank Strange Spirits.

"The Heavenly Rank Strange Spirits have finally appeared!"

Floating in the sky with his Thunder Wings flapping, Yun Xiao had naturally sensed the aura of that Heavenly Rank Strange Spirit from a distance. However, unlike many ordinary human cultivators, he had foreseen such a situation.

After all, the path of conquest Yun Xiao had taken was clearly leading directly to the main base of the Strange Spirits on Impermanence Island. Though others might not understand what this meant, the Strange Spirits surely knew how important Impermanence Island was to them.

In Yun Xiao's view, no matter what, the Strange Spirits wouldn't let him reach Impermanence Island, as it might spell the downfall of a great power on their side.

Since half-step Heavenly Spirits couldn't stop Yun Xiao, the Strange Spirits would undoubtedly send a stronger entity, a Heavenly Spirit, to block him. Denghai Pier was the perfect location for interception.

Even though spotting that Heavenly Rank Earth Attribute Strange Spirit sent a shiver through Yun Xiao's heart, it also ignited a fierce fighting spirit, because all along, the Strange Spirit opponents had been too weak. Perhaps today, there would finally be a thrilling battle!