"No need. Just him alone, no need for you all to make a move!"

However, just as Liu Hanyi and the others were ready to storm in and hold back Lu Tianrun, giving Yun Xiao a slight chance to escape, a smile appeared on the face of the young man in coarse clothing.

"Yun Xiao, you..."

Liu Hanyi, Mo Qing, and even Xu Hongzhuang were genuine Earth-rank Meridian Refining Masters, with extraordinarily strong soul power. They sensed Yun Xiao's severe injuries as soon as he emerged from the lake.

Such injuries would likely be a challenge for some early-stage Floating Life Realm cultivators, let alone Lu Tianrun, a late-stage Floating Life Realm cultivator who is also the Vice President of Douling Commerce.

Moreover, although Lu Tianrun seemed to be fighting alone, it shouldn't be forgotten that Wuyan Palace and Douling Commerce have already joined forces. Should anything happen, Fu Lingxue, who is also in the late-stage Floating Life Realm, will surely not stand by idly.

"I trust my big brother!"

As the women were filled with worry, Ling Wan chimed in suddenly, possibly believing in his heart that his big brother was the embodiment of omnipotence.

"Don't worry, I'll cut off this old bastard's head and let you kick it around like a ball!"

The smile on Yun Xiao's pale face grew stronger, filling the women with heartache because they all knew by now that he was ready to fight to the death.

All the women could see that Yun Xiao was at the end of his rope, so even if they knew he might have some last cards, using them might affect his cultivation foundation.

However, after some contemplation, Liu Hanyi, Mo Qing, and the others knew that even if they joined forces, they wouldn't be a match for Lu Tianrun, which would instead distract Yun Xiao with concern for them.

"Then... take care of yourself!"

Knowing Yun Xiao's temperament well, the women understood that once he made up his mind, nothing could change it. Hence, they could only give a gentle reminder and step back.

"Yun Xiao, oh Yun Xiao, I once doubted the rumors of your arrogance, but now I truly believe. Among the younger generation, you are the most arrogant I've seen!"

Seeing the women retreat dozens of meters away as told, Lu Tianrun did not attack immediately, but his cold laughter was filled with sarcasm.

Indeed, as Lu Tianrun mentioned, in the past year or so, the name Yun Xiao was so often mentioned that it almost turned into a buzz in his ears. Wherever he went, there was constant talk of this genius young man.

In these discussions, Yun Xiao was always the symbol of invincibility, often emerging victorious from seemingly hopeless situations.

This time, the situation looked like a death trap, but Lu Tianrun was no low-level practitioner Yun Xiao had encountered before; he was the dignified Vice President of Douling Commerce, a genuine late-stage Floating Life Realm powerhouse.

This level of cultivation would be comparable to the leaders of some first-class forces, potentially a dominator on the Tenglong Continent.

In such circumstances, the young man still dared to boast, claiming he would fight Lu alone without relying on his half-step Heavenly Rank comrades' strength — utterly ridiculous!

"Yun Xiao, don't say I didn't give you a chance. I'm standing here; if you have any means, use them quickly, or you'll lose the opportunity!"

As the high-standing Vice President of Douling Commerce, Lu Tianrun had his pride, and he pretended to be generous, allowing Yun Xiao to make the first move.

At this moment, Lu Tianrun felt the thrill of a cat toying with a mouse, planning to exhaust Yun Xiao's means and then kill him in front of his beloved women.

In Lu Tianrun's eyes, this was the inevitable outcome of arrogance; even if the young man had achieved incredible feats, he was still not worth much.

"Then thank you, Vice Chairman Lu!"

Hearing this, Yun Xiao was first taken aback, but after a brief contemplation, he understood the meaning and was thrilled, though he concealed it on his face. With those words, Lu Tianrun would be even less likely to make the first move.

Previously, Yun Xiao was worried about his severe injuries, needing time to summon the Five Elements Ancestor Veins Power or harness the power of the Golden Snake Worm Xiao Wu.

But during that period, if Lu Tianrun, the late-stage Floating Life Realm cultivator, forcibly attacked, Yun Xiao might not even have the chance to use his final trump cards.

However, at this moment, Lu Tianrun's own cleverness, relying on his status, failed to seize the opportunity to strike when Yun Xiao was at his weakest, thus providing Yun Xiao with a last glimmer of hope to turn the tables.

Faced with a formidable late-stage Floating Life Realm adversary, even though weaker than the high-level Silver-grade Heavenly Spirit before, it was still not something Yun Xiao could handle in his normal state.

Adding to Yun Xiao's current exhausted state, if he doesn't fight desperately now, he might lose even the chance to fight desperately. So he made a decisive decision, and as soon as he finished speaking, he immediately triggered the power of eight Ancestor Veins.

Earlier, Yun Xiao had already twice triggered the power of eight Ancestor Veins: once in this lakeside battle with the You He clone; the other time was at the lake bottom when he encountered You He's true form.

It's fair to say that the two previous instances of triggering the power of eight Ancestor Veins almost exhausted all of Yun Xiao's Meridian Qi Cultivation. At this moment, the third time he fired it up, meant he was already squeezing the very essence of his life force.

At this critical moment, Yun Xiao had no retreat. If he didn't do this, merely preserving his life essence would only lead to being slapped to death by Lu Tianrun.

Forcefully triggering the power of Ancestor Vein made Yun Xiao's complexion turn paler by several degrees, as if all his spirit and vitality were taken away by this triggered power.

Fortunately, Yun Xiao's eight Ancestor Veins seemed subconsciously aware that their master was facing a life and death situation, at this moment bursting forth without reservation, allowing Yun Xiao's Meridian Qi Cultivation to instantly break through to the Early Stage of Floating Life Realm.

"Ancestor Vein power, huh?"

Lu Tianrun, watching coldly from the side, seemed disdainful with his light remark, but inside, waves of shock were surging. Hearing is one thing, but seeing it firsthand is another.

The battle at Denghai Pier now had been deliberately spread by Shenxiao Sect across various regions of the Dragon Continent, with at least the power holders of the top fleets or first-class forces having gotten the news.

Lu Tianrun was naturally no exception; he knew at that time, Yun Xiao relied on this Ancestor Vein power to reach the Early Stage of Floating Life Realm and thus managed to slay three low-level Silver-grade Heavenly Spirits.

However, Lu Tianrun had not anticipated that this young boy, so severely injured, could still trigger the power of Ancestor Veins, raising his own cultivation up to the Early Stage of Floating Life Realm.

On Dragon Continent, there are indeed some secret techniques that can enhance strength, and there are also many Earth Rank Ancestor Vein powers, but even those cannot allow someone to forcibly break through the barrier of Great Rank.

Perhaps Lu Tianrun had just witnessed a miracle, and its impact was undoubtedly many times more profound than hearing it from Shenxiao Sect intelligence.

"Is this your trump card? But merely this Early Stage of Floating Life Realm cultivation still is far from enough!"

Even though the achievement shocked Lu Tianrun in his heart, stirring up extreme killing intent, sensing the opponent remaining at Early Stage Floating Life Realm cultivation, he relaxed greatly and pretended to speak casually, with a cold smile again.

"Yun Xiao, I'll give you ten breath's time. If you can only do this, you can't blame me!"

Perhaps it was Yun Xiao's powerful Ancestor Vein that finally gave Lu Tianrun a trace of unease, so he didn't continue with empty boasting but instead changed his tactics to ten breaths.

"Old man, breaking your word, shamelessly!"

Hearing Lu Tianrun's words from afar, Liu Hanyi couldn't help but loudly ridicule, which caused Lu Tianrun's thick-skinned face to slightly blush for a moment, yet he paid no attention.

To become Vice President of Douling Commerce, none of them are rash people, especially someone as ruthless as Lu Tianrun.

Earlier, he thought Yun Xiao was at the end of his strength, unlikely to pose any threat. Yet, in an instant, this debilitated youth reached the Early Stage of Floating Life Realm, which surprised him greatly.

To avoid further unexpected events, Lu Tianrun immediately changed his decision.

Even he himself was unaware that after hearing about Yun Xiao's recent achievements, deep down, a hidden dread towards this youth had silently formed.

Lu Tianrun knew very well, should Yun Xiao's own cultivation directly reach the Floating Life Early Stage, it would take more effort to handle him.

Today's opportunity is undoubtedly an extremely good one, although this kid has triggered the power of Five Elements Ancestor Veins, it's obvious he's desperate, and perhaps in such a state, he can't hold out for very long.

"Ten breaths, huh? That's enough!"

Yet what Lu Tianrun didn't see was, after his seemingly complacent words dropped, a fleeting strange hue in the eyes of the rough-clothed youth.

This Vice President of Douling Commerce, believing himself to be highly cautious, thought that within these mere ten breaths of time, there would be no tricks from the rough-clothed youth.

Without realizing it, precisely these short ten breaths would plunge Lu Tianrun into a dire situation, and the Vice President of Douling Commerce perhaps would soon pay a very costly price for his confidence, yet he remains oblivious.

"Xiao Wu, are you ready? I'm already ready!"