Thinking this over, Xue Wuya's expression softened. He said to Xue Lian, "Your defeat this time was understandable. That Xu brat and the demonic beast attacked you together; it was only natural that you couldn't hold them off. I can tell that both the man and beast are far stronger than Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivators, strong enough to challenge those above their ranks. I'll allow you to atone for your failure through meritorious service."
Xue Lian's face lit up with joy, and his heart settled back into his chest. Though Xue Wuya was his father, he was notoriously mercurial, and Xue Lian feared him greatly. Their relationship was therefore rather distant. Xue Wuya had always doted on Xue Meng and paid little attention to Xue Lian, so Xue Lian had always regarded Xue Meng as a thorn in his side, fearing that Xue Wuya would leave his inheritance to him. That was why Xue Lian had thanked Xu Yang for killing Xue Meng.
Xue Lian let out a breath and immediately bowed. "Thank you for understanding, Father. I'll atone for my failure through meritorious service and wash away the shame of this defeat."
Hearing this, Xue Wuya nodded in satisfaction and paid Xue Lian no further heed. He turned to Xu Yang, his face darkening. "You're quite the handful, brat. No wonder you managed to kill my son Xue Meng. I can't let you leave here alive today."
With that, Xue Wuya rose into the air and rapidly formed hand seals, sending out two streaks of blood-red light. They shot upward toward the ceiling of the stone cavern, then spread rapidly, enveloping the entire cavern in the blink of an eye. The blood flowing from the Earth Dragon Earthworms and White Bone Scorpions on the ground rose into the