After battling for about half an hour, Xu Qin was finally killed by the combined efforts of the three. However, the storage ring in Xu Qin’s possession was snatched by Cao Zheng.
Mei Tianmo did not vie for it and quickly returned to stand before Lin Xiao and the other.
“Finally, we got rid of that old fellow Xu Qin!” Cao Chen let out a sigh of relief, exclaiming.
“One Wujun elder is dead, the competition between our two families will become fiercer in the future. But the Xu family won’t go to war with us over one elder. After all, the Lu family is watching closely. Besides, Xu Qin struck first, so even if the Xu family head comes knocking, we have the upper hand,” Cao Zheng nodded.
“True, and the one who killed Xu Qin wasn’t us.”
At this, a sinister smile crept across Cao Chen’s face as he glanced at Mei Tianmo and Lin Xiao.
After a moment’s thought, a sly grin appeared on Cao Zheng’s face as he nodded, “Exactly, Xu Qin wasn’t killed by our Cao family.”
At that moment, Cao Zheng’s gaze fell on the Xutian Phoenix Wings beneath Lin Xiao’s feet, brimming with intense greed.
Ling Hu’s expression darkened, anger flaring within him. The Cao family were indeed no good, planning to turn on them after dealing with the Xu family and pinning the blame on them.
Yet, a smile played on Lin Xiao’s lips, as if oblivious to their intentions, and he said cheerfully, “Seniors, what do you mean by this?”
“What do you mean?” Cao Chen was momentarily stunned, a flicker of disdain crossing his mind. Was this fellow daft, unable to grasp their words?
“It means Xu Qin, along with the Su and Guo families, were killed by you, not us. You agree with that, right?” Cao Chen said with a smile, his tone laced with a hint of threat.
Lin Xiao responded with a smile, “Why would you say that, senior? Su Shan, Guo Xiong, and Xu Qin were indeed killed by us, nothing to do with your Cao family.”
Cao Chen was slightly taken aback, confusion crossing his face. Had this fellow suddenly wised up? Was he trying to curry favour with the Cao family?
“You’re right, that’s how it is,” Cao Chen said with a smile, “By the way, could we take a look at those wings under your feet?”
“Heh, no problem, but let’s clear up the earlier matter first.”
Lin Xiao smiled and continued, “The Xu family members, whether Xu Wei or Xu Qin, weren’t killed by you, and have nothing to do with the Cao family. That’s true. But there’s one thing left unsaid: the Cao family members weren’t killed by us either, they were killed by the Xu family.”
At this, both men froze. Cao Chen’s face showed a trace of anger as he said in a low voice, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Heh, neither of you are fools, so if you still don’t get it, I’ll be blunt,” Lin Xiao said with a smile, “In truth, we killed Ling Lie. We also tried to rope in Xu Qin and the Su and Guo families to deal with you. Unfortunately, those three were too dim to work with us and ended up dooming themselves.”
Their faces darkened, and Cao Chen said furiously, “So you killed Ling Lie! They were telling the truth!”
Lin Xiao nodded meaningfully, “Of course. Using you to kill them, then killing you, and pinning it on Xu Qin to stir conflict between your families, that’s the best plan!”
“You’re despicable!” Cao Chen’s expression grew grim, his eyes flashing with cold light. To think he’d mistaken this young man for a fool, when he was so cunning and calculating.
“Takes one to know one. Weren’t you two planning to use us to eliminate the Su, Guo, and Xu families?” Lin Xiao said coolly.
“Using us to get rid of three families, you’re clever!” Cao Zheng spoke up, his voice icy, “But do you think you can take us down with just her? Isn’t that a bit delusional?”
Lin Xiao shook his head, removing his mask to reveal a youthful face. He gazed calmly at them and said, “Do you seniors know who I am?”
He was keen to find out if the Cao family had gathered information about him from the Chaos Lands, as it would help him plan his next move against them.
Seeing Lin Xiao’s face, both men were stunned. It was clearly their first time seeing him.
But his words puzzled them. From his tone, it seemed they should know him?
After a moment’s thought, Cao Chen suddenly recalled something and exclaimed, “I remember now, you’re the youth who caused three of our Cao family Wujun to perish in the Chaos Lands, Lin Xiao?”
Lin Xiao’s brow furrowed slightly. The Cao family had indeed investigated and likely seen his portrait. He’d need to be more cautious about showing his face in the future.
Still, since no one had sensed his aura, and with his Heavenly Eye shielding his presence, it wouldn’t be too troublesome.
“Exactly, senior has a sharp eye, recognising me from a portrait. But do you know what other cards I have up my sleeve to deal with you?” Lin Xiao replied with a faint smile, probing for more information.
Cao Chen’s brow furrowed, “You still have a Blue Corpse Puppet and a Tier-6 beginner spirit beast!”
“Hmph, a Tier-6 beginner spirit beast, a Blue Corpse Puppet, and a Second Layer Wujun, let’s see how you kill us, Elder Chen…” Cao Zheng roared, “We’re leaving!”
With that, Cao Zheng’s aura erupted, and he swiftly retreated.
He’d heard rumours of that terrifying Tier-6 spirit beast capable of trapping many experts instantly. If they were caught now, with this woman and the Blue Corpse Puppet, it would be extremely dangerous.
Moreover, two against three, they likely couldn’t defeat them. So, Cao Zheng chose to retreat immediately.
Ling Hu was stunned, a wave of disdain rising in him. He’d thought Cao Zheng had some guts, but after a loud shout, he was ready to flee.
“Think you can escape?” Lin Xiao flicked his hand, and the Blue Corpse Puppet shot forward, charging at Cao Chen.
At the same time, a torrent of dark energy surged from Mei Tianmo. Black wings, three to four zhang long, unfurled, hard and dark like bat wings, gleaming with a terrifying dark light, as if they could swallow space itself.
In that instant, a sound like chanting or prayer echoed, as if the heavens trembled.
Behind Mei Tianmo’s head, a sharp, dark spike rose like steel, shrouded in rolling black mist. She looked both eerie and formidable, like a demon king ruling the world, radiating a terrifying aura.
“What’s that, Mei Tianmo!” The two men were horrified, shocked by the woman’s true form.
They’d thought Mei Tianmo was just a Wujun elder preserved by elixirs, but she was a spirit beast in human form.
Her combat strength had already shocked them, and now, in her true form, her power was likely even more terrifying.
