"Hehe, it's been a year, Wang Yan, you're still as arrogant as ever!"
Just then, a faint laugh came from a distance, followed by a flash of azure light. However, as it approached, it quickly reduced its speed.
"Roar!"
Little Flame, who was lying next to Lin Dong, suddenly let out a low growl. Its massive tiger body instantly stood up, staring at the azure light with a hint of hostility.
As the azure light drew closer, Lin Dong could see clearly that it was actually a Wind Luan Bird with a wingspan of several dozen feet, and its strength had even reached the Creation Three Realms!
"Tsk tsk, a Wind Luan Bird... a demonic beast with diluted Nine Phoenix Clan blood," Little Marten chuckled strangely, his eyes gleaming as he glanced at Little Flame. "No wonder this simpleton's bristling."
Although the bloodline concentration of this Wind Luan Bird was not as good as the bloodline of the two Nether Profound Dragons he had obtained before, it was definitely far superior to the almost non-existent Dragon Clan bloodline in Little Flame's body.
However, under such circumstances where bloodlines and strength differed greatly, Little Flame still dared to have such momentum, which was extremely rare.
After all, demonic beasts are different from humans. In the world of demonic beasts, bloodline suppression are very terrifying. Those who can break through this bloodline suppression on their own are very remarkable!
"Kid," Little Marten smirked, "if you ever get the chance, track down that freak in your clan and see if he can hook you up with a better bloodline. Worst case, turn this fool into the Lin Clan's guardian beast."
Lin Dong only smiled, ignoring the teasing. Still, a trace of pride bloomed in his chest. He stroked Little Flame's broad head fondly, heart warmed by Little Marten's rare praise.
At this moment, Lin Ke'er on the side also spoke in surprise.
"I didn't expect the Qin Clan to send the Wind Luan Bird."
"Qin Clan? Then, of the Four Great Clans, only the Huangfu Family is missing?"
Hearing this, Lin Dong looked up again. Only then did he notice that standing on the back of the Wind Luan Bird was a man in a blue shirt, so handsome that he could be called bewitching.
Qin Shi stood in the distance, glanced at the Wind Luan Bird circling under his feet and not daring to come forward, but he couldn't blame it. After all, the Wind Luan Bird was only a Shaping Realm demonic beast, so how could he ask for so much?
"Ahh.. The legendary Sword Saint, Qin Shi pays his respects."
Qin Shi smiled gently as he folded the feather fan in his hand. From below, Lin Xuan returned the gesture with a polite salute.
And as he did, Qin Shi's eyes slid sideways, settling on Wang Yan with a hint of schadenfreude.
That oaf probably thought this was just a good errand and came running without a second thought. But he clearly hadn't wondered why his own brother hadn't come. Didn't dare? Or knew better?
Among the Four Great Clans, Lin Xuan was known not just as the "Sword Saint" but whispered behind closed doors as the "Sword Demon." It was said that since the day he first picked up a blade, it had never left his side. He loved swords more than life itself.
Not that Qin Shi would ever dare to call him that to his face. He didn't think that the speed of the Wind Luan Bird could outrun Lin Xuan, who could slay Flood Dragons with his sword.
"Young Master Qin is too courteous," Lin Xuan replied calmly. "I am but a wandering swordsman."
Lin Xuan also returned a polite salute. At the same time, he also withdrew the aura from his body, which made Wang Yan and Lin Langtian breathe a sigh of relief.
After Lin Xuan withdrew his aura, the Wind Luan Bird under Qin Shi's feet slowly flew forward, and its pair of sharp eyes also became docile. The ferocious aura of the demonic beast on its body was obediently restrained.
Lin Xue, Lin Chen, and the others stared at Lin Xuan's back with awe. Lin Ke'er, too, turned her attention back to Lin Dong, answering his earlier question.
"The Huangfu Clan won't be sending someone directly. But word is, they've invited a very powerful reinforcement."
"A powerful reinforcement?" Lin Dong blinked. His first instinct was to glance at Lin Xuan. Strong? Stronger than him?
Even Little Marten, ever the cynic, had called this man a freak of nature. If someone's being called "strong" in his presence.
"Miss Ling's strength is not below mine!"
At this time, Lin Xuan's voice sounded in Lin Dong's ear. Immediately, Lin Dong saw that Lin Xuan's eyes were filled with a bit of eagerness as he stared at the distant sky.
"She's here!"
As soon as Lin Xuan's voice fell, a light and ethereal voice came. That voice was like the sound of celestial music falling into the mortal world, causing many people's eyes to reveal a touch of intoxication.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, it was Qingzhu's fault."
"What powerful presence...!"
Lin Dong snapped out of his daze, a trace of awe flashing through his eyes. He could now believe Lin Xuan's claim, this woman truly was his equal.
Unmoved by her presence, Lin Xuan continued staring into the sky. A beam of clear light shot across the heavens and condensed into the shape of a green lotus that hovered in mid-air.
Atop the lotus stood a woman in a pale dress, graceful and otherworldly. Her brows arched like distant ink-washed mountains; her eyes shimmered like rippling autumn water. Her fingers were delicate, her skin like carved jade, her teeth white as melon seeds. Her bare feet, like moonlight, stepped upon the lotus, as if she were born from it rather than merely riding it.
(T/L: Classic Chinese Introduction.. Haha.)
That woman, standing on top of the green lotus, was independent from the world. Her bare jade feet lightly stepped on the green lotus, and she was even more beautiful than the flower, with the flower setting off her beauty.
As the woman arrived, her eyes swept gently across the gathering. Her gaze paused on Wang Yan, Lin Langtian, and Qin Shi, taking note of the strange tension in the air.
"Miss Qingzhu is too polite," Qin Shi smiled up at her, his tone smooth and warm. "We only just arrived. It seems Sword Saint has been waiting the longest."
Ling Qingzhu raised a brow, though it was hidden beneath a thin veil. She had offered courtesy out of habit, but she understood well the arrogance of these young masters. For someone like Qin Shi to respond so respectfully, even reverent, must be very extraordinary!
At this time, Ling Qingzhu also lowered her head and glanced down briefly. First, she paused on Little Flame, who had an imposing aura, before turning her gaze to Lin Xuan.
In the next moment, Ling Qingzhu's pupils also shrank slightly, and a look of disbelief flashed in her heart. This was because she had sensed an extremely dangerous aura from Lin Xuan.
That person's strength was at least not weaker than hers!
"I didn't expect the Great Yan Dynasty to produce a genius like Master Lin Xuan," she said softly. "It seems Qingzhu has been blind."