Miss Ling's Strength Is Not Below Mine

"Heh, after a year apart, Wang Yan, you're still as arrogant as ever!"

Just then, a faint laugh drifted over from afar. Immediately afterward, a streak of azure light swept through the sky from the distance, though as it drew near, it rapidly slowed down.

Roar!

Little Flame, who had been lying beside Lin Dong, suddenly let out a low growl. His massive tiger body instantly rose to its feet as he glared at the azure light with clear hostility.

As the azure light approached, Lin Dong finally saw clearly that it was a luan bird with a wingspan of several zhang. Its strength had actually reached the Creation Three Realms!

"Tsk, tsk, a Wind Luan Bird—a demonic beast with a thin trace of Nine Phoenix Clan bloodline. No wonder this fool is so hostile."

Little Marten gave a strange laugh. As he spoke, the way he looked at Little Flame changed slightly.

Although the Wind Luan Bird's bloodline was not as potent as that of the two Nether Profound Dragons he had obtained before, it was undoubtedly far superior to the Dragon Clan bloodline within Little Flame, which was so thin it was almost nonexistent.

Yet despite the considerable gap in both bloodline and strength, Little Flame still dared to display such momentum. That was exceedingly rare.

After all, demonic beasts differed from humans. In the world of demonic beasts, bloodline suppression was terrifying. Any beast capable of breaking through such suppression by its own power was extraordinary!

"Kid, when you get the chance, hehe, ask that freak from your clan for some help and see if you can get some high-grade bloodline. At worst, let this fool become the guardian beast of your Lin Clan!"

Lin Dong did not take Little Marten's teasing to heart. However, Little Marten's praise made him happy for Little Flame, and he smiled as he stroked the tiger's head.

At this moment, Lin Ke'er spoke in surprise from beside him.

"I didn't expect the Qin Clan to send even a Wind Luan Bird."

"The Qin Clan? Then among the Four Great Clans, only the Huangfu Family is missing?"

Hearing this, Lin Dong raised his head again. Only then did he notice that standing atop the Wind Luan Bird was a man in blue robes, so handsome that he could almost be called bewitching.

Qin Shi stood in the distance and glanced at the Wind Luan Bird circling below his feet, too afraid to approach. Still, he could not really blame it. After all, the Wind Luan Bird was merely a Shaping Realm demonic beast. How could he demand too much of it?

"Before the Sword Saint, Qin Shi offers his respects!"

Standing atop the Wind Luan Bird, Qin Shi smiled and put away his feather fan. He then raised his hands in a respectful salute toward Lin Xuan below.

As he spoke, Qin Shi also glanced at Wang Yan, his eyes carrying a hint of gloating.

This brute clearly knew nothing. He thought it was some cushy assignment and came running over eagerly. But did he not stop to think why his older brother had not come? Was it because he did not want to?

In truth, compared to the title Sword Saint, more people among the Four Great Clans—apart from the Lin Clan—privately called him the Sword Demon. It was said that this man was obsessed with the sword. Since the day he first held one, he had never let it leave his side, not even for a single day over all these years.

Of course, Qin Shi would never dare call him that to his face. He did not believe the Wind Luan Bird could outrun Lin Xuan, the man who could cleave Flood Dragons with his sword.

"You flatter me, Young Master Qin. Lin is merely an ordinary swordsman."

Lin Xuan returned the salute courteously. At the same time, he withdrew his aura, causing both Wang Yan and Lin Langtian to inwardly breathe sighs of relief.

Once Lin Xuan withdrew his aura, the Wind Luan Bird beneath Qin Shi finally flew forward slowly. Its sharp eyes became gentle, and it obediently restrained the fierce aura of a demonic beast around its body.

Lin Xue, Lin Chen, and the others all looked at Lin Xuan's back with admiration and reverence. Only then did Lin Ke'er withdraw her gaze and answer Lin Dong's question.

"No one from the Huangfu Clan will be coming. However, I heard that the Huangfu Family has invited a very powerful ally this time!"

"A very powerful ally?"

After freezing for a moment, Lin Dong instinctively turned to look at Lin Xuan. Very powerful? How powerful could they be? Could they possibly be stronger than Lin Xuan?

After all, even Little Marten openly called this man a monstrous freak of a genius. To call someone very powerful in front of him...

"Miss Ling's strength is no weaker than mine!"

At that moment, Lin Xuan's voice sounded beside Lin Dong's ear. Lin Dong then saw a faint fervor in Lin Xuan's eyes as he stared at the distant sky.

"She's here!"

The moment Lin Xuan finished speaking, a light and ethereal voice rang out. It was like celestial music descending from the nine heavens into the mortal world, and a look of intoxication surfaced in many people's eyes.

"My apologies for making everyone wait. Qingzhu has been discourteous."

"What an incredible person!"

Once Lin Dong came to his senses, a flash of shock passed through his eyes. He now believed Lin Xuan's words a little more. With such strength, she was indeed no weaker than him.

Lin Xuan, who remained completely unaffected, kept his eyes fixed on the clear blue sky. Then, a streak of clear light swept over from the horizon. In but an instant, it transformed into an Azure Lotus and appeared before everyone.

Upon the Azure Lotus stood a woman in a plain, light-colored dress. Her brows resembled distant mountains tinged with dark jade, her eyes autumn waters rippling with waves. Her hands were soft and delicate, her skin smooth as congealed cream, her neck graceful and fair, her teeth white as melon seeds. Her smile was sweet and lovely, her beautiful eyes radiant.

Standing upon the Azure Lotus, the woman seemed independent from the world. Her bare jade feet lightly stepped upon the lotus; she was more beautiful than the flower, while the flower only further enhanced her splendor.

After the simply dressed woman standing upon the Azure Lotus arrived, her beautiful eyes swept over Wang Yan, Lin Langtian, and Qin Shi. She also sensed that the atmosphere seemed somewhat amiss.

"Miss Qingzhu is too courteous. We have only just arrived ourselves. It is the Sword Saint who seems to have waited for quite some time."

Qin Shi smiled slightly at Ling Qingzhu. Unlike that brainless fellow Wang Yan, he knew quite a few inside details.

Upon hearing this, a trace of surprise appeared on Ling Qingzhu's breathtaking face beneath her thin veil. Though she had only been polite to these people, she understood the pride of this group of geniuses.

Someone who could earn such respect from Qin Shi—one could even say fear—must be far from ordinary!

At this moment, Ling Qingzhu lowered her head and briefly surveyed the people below. Her gaze first paused on Little Flame, whose aura was quite remarkable, before finally settling on Lin Xuan.

The next instant, Ling Qingzhu's pupils contracted slightly, and disbelief flashed through her heart. From Lin Xuan, she had actually sensed an extremely dangerous aura.

That man's strength was at least no weaker than hers!

"I never expected the Great Yan Dynasty to have a prodigy such as Young Master Lin Xuan. Qingzhu truly failed to recognize greatness!"