In no time, Mei Tianmo, Lin Xiao, and Ling Hu returned to the Ling family city. Ling Zhongqian and the others had been deeply worried, fearing an attack from the Su or Guo families, and thus hadn’t gone to observe the battle.
Besides, they couldn’t intervene in a Wujun-level fight and could only wait anxiously. Seeing the trio return unharmed, they let out a sigh of relief.
On the city wall, watching the three land, Ling Zhongqian hurriedly asked, “What happened? Xu Qin and the two from the Cao family…”
“All taken care of,” Lin Xiao said calmly.
“Hiss!”
Ling Zhongqian and the others gasped. They could understand Xu Qin being killed by their combined efforts.
But the two from the Cao family as well? That was hard to believe.
It was obvious that after Xu Qin’s defeat, Lin Xiao and his allies had dealt with the Cao family members.
What they couldn’t fathom was how, with only one Wujun on Lin Xiao’s side, they’d managed to take down two.
Could they have defeated two Wujun with just one?
“Senior, let’s talk inside,” Lin Xiao said promptly.
Ling Zhongqian nodded, leading the group into the Ling family stronghold.
With Lin Xiao and the others back, they no longer feared an attack from the Su or Guo families.
Back at the Ling family, Lin Xiao immediately sent people to spread the news, starting with Ling family city, then to the Su, Guo, and Cai family cities, and even to the Cao and Xu families. Messengers were dispatched in all directions.
The Xu and Cao families were some distance away, so the Ling family sent Wuzun-level experts to deliver the news.
Soon after, the Ling family gathered two fifth-grade spirit stones, and Mei Tianmo began refining them in a secret chamber, with Lin Xiao personally guarding her nearby.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiao focused on studying the Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Art, a technique tailored for spirit controllers with Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon spirit energy. After half a day, he grasped its essence and immersed himself in deduction and cultivation.
Over three days and nights, Lin Xiao roughly figured out the first form of the Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Art, the Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Roar, including its activation and execution. Though he hadn’t tested it, success seemed close.
This progress was due to the technique’s link to his Thunder Dragon spirit energy.
For other spirit controllers, even those with different spirit energies, mastering it could take a lifetime.
While guarding Mei Tianmo, testing the indiscriminate Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Roar within the Ling family was unwise.
Uncertain of its success without testing, Lin Xiao decided to try it later when the opportunity arose.
Three days later, a powerful aura surged from the Ling family’s secret chamber. Mei Tianmo had successfully broken through from Second Layer Wujun to Third Layer Wujun, her peak combat strength now likely capable of facing a Sixth Layer Wujun.
Lin Xiao then took Mei Tianmo to Cao Family City Five.
With Ling Zhongqian and Ling Hu guarding the Ling family, no major issues were expected.
To the north, the Guo family faced the Cai family.
The Cai family, with its Wujun experts, wouldn’t miss the chance to exploit Guo Xiong’s death. The Cai family alone would keep the Guo family too busy to target the Ling family.
The Su family, thousands of li away, had lost its Wujun and lacked the strength to destroy the Ling family.
Moreover, they feared the forces backing the Ling family.
The Ling family wasn’t foolish either, sending messengers to the Cai family to discuss dealing with the Su and Guo families while spreading the news.
The greater trouble lay with the Su and Guo families.
The Ling family’s biggest potential threat came from the Xu and Cao families. Lin Xiao had instructed that if they came, the Ling family should temporarily submit, feigning loyalty and pinning all blame on the two major families.
It would likely take the Xu and Cao families ten days or more to send investigators.
In that time, Lin Xiao had enough opportunity to stir trouble for the Cao family, keeping both families focused on each other and distracted from smaller clans like the Ling family.
Using a large number of elixirs, Lin Xiao and Mei Tianmo reached Cao Family City Five, tens of thousands of li away, in just half a day.
Their speed likely outpaced the Ling family’s Wuzun messenger.
Lin Xiao decided to handle the message-spreading himself.
Under the scorching sun, gazing at the bustling Cao Family City Five, Lin Xiao felt a wave of heat.
To avoid recognition, he wore a mask and prepared one for Mei Tianmo.
Her striking appearance would draw trouble before they could act against the Cao family.
Entry to Cao Family City Five required no fee. The guards gave a cursory glance and let them pass.
A grand family like the Cao likely didn’t care for petty entrance fees.
Inside, the lively, crowded scene unfolded. Martial Kings were common, and even Wuzun figures appeared occasionally.
Cao Family City Five teemed with strong fighters.
Its scale dwarfed Ling family city several times over, leaving Lin Xiao quietly impressed.
“Hey, brother, may I ask how many Cao family Wujun oversee this city?” Lin Xiao soon asked a young Heavenly Martial cultivator.
Young martial artists loved gossip and might reveal useful information.
The youth paused, puzzled, “Why do you ask?”
“I plan to stay in Cao Family City Five for a while, but I’m worried if the Cao family’s experts can fend off an attack from the Xu family. I heard days ago that a Third Layer and Fourth Layer Wujun from the Cao family killed the Xu family’s Fourth Layer Wujun and their genius Xu Wei. With such a bold move, if the Xu family attacks and the Cao family’s experts can’t hold them off, we might get caught in the crossfire!” Lin Xiao said, feigning concern.
The youth’s eyes widened, nearly jumping in shock, “Xu Wei and a Fourth Layer Wujun from the Xu family were killed? Where did you hear this?”
“I’ve heard it everywhere on my way here. You didn’t know?” Lin Xiao acted equally shocked.
“This is huge news! Is it true?” the youth exclaimed.
“I’m not sure, but everyone’s saying it, so it’s probably true,” Lin Xiao said uncertainly.
“If it’s true, this region’s about to get lively. No wonder Elder Cao Gang came to City Five recently. It might actually be real,” the youth speculated curiously.
Lin Xiao’s eyes brightened, and he asked, “What level is Cao Gang? If the Xu family attacks, can he hold them off?”
