CHAPTER 457: FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-SEVEN YOUNG MASTER FLYING FLOWER

"It seems everyone has misjudged the situation!"

This was the thought that echoed in the minds of all the onlookers. They had originally thought that he was just a youngster at the Early Stage of Meridian Union, but unexpectedly, his move amazed everyone present.

That second senior brother of the Yufeng Sect was a renowned genius at the Mid Stage of Meridian Union, and the Cultivation Techniques or Meridian Techniques he practiced were surely top-notch. Yet, he couldn’t withstand that kick from the youth in coarse clothing?

Not just the onlookers, even Shen Wannian, the big senior brother from Yufeng Sect, had a trace of shock in his eyes, because perhaps only he knew just how formidable his second junior brother’s Physical Strength actually was.

The Yufeng Sect was famous for controlling Meridian Qi, and its disciples delved more into Meridian Qi Cultivation. This second senior brother had taken a unique path; while cultivating Meridian Qi, he had also refined his Physical Strength to perfection.

According to Shen Wannian, the Physical Strength of this second junior brother was nearly at the level of a Vein Demon of the same rank. Now he was actually sent flying by someone’s kick – how did the kid do it?

Shen Wannian had exceptional vision, and he could clearly sense that the kick Yun Xiao had just delivered was pure Physical Strength, without mixing any Meridian Qi. Yet such a kick held such power, which puzzled him greatly.

Indeed, the kick from Yun Xiao was entirely powered by his physical body. In terms of strength alone, this right leg of his was probably the strongest part of his entire body.

The boost in strength provided by the Earth Attribute Ancestor Vein Power was unparalleled. Coupled with Yun Xiao’s refinement of his body with Stone Heart Marrow and Body Tempering Golden Crystal Silk, after enduring much suffering, his physical strength was no longer what it used to be.

Now, Yun Xiao’s Physical Strength was likely on par with some fifth-rank, middle-level Vein Demons, and with the Ancestor Vein Power in his right leg, in terms of pure physical power alone, not to mention that second senior brother who was kicked flying, even Shen Wannian, a genius of the Late Stage of Meridian Union Realm, was no match for him.

"The second senior brother of Yufeng Sect?"

Yun Xiao retracted his right leg, lightly tapped the ground with his toe, and looked up, his gaze filled with a hint of unusual teasing as he spoke, almost causing the two to lose their composure.

"You little beast, I’m going to kill you!"

Right at that moment, the second senior brother who had knocked over several stalls finally got up. Having lost such face in full view of the public, where was the Yufeng Sect second senior brother supposed to put his pride?

Seeing the second senior brother charging forward furiously, a trace of ferocity flashed in Yun Xiao’s eyes. Since you’re courting death, then you can’t blame anyone else.

"Luo An, keep your anger in check!"

However, just as the second senior brother had charged back, Shen Wannian stretched out his hand and grabbed him, his voice carrying an inexplicable meaning.

"Senior brother Wannian, what are you doing?"

Luo An, the second senior brother who was still fuming, looked completely incredulous, his tone losing any trace of respect and instead revealing undisguised resentment.

Shen Wannian didn’t mind Luo An’s tone. Turning to Yun Xiao, whose face was indifferent, he said: "It seems that you do not take our Yufeng Sect seriously?"

Those who were familiar with Shen Wannian knew that when he spoke in that tone, he was truly angered, and by bringing up the powerful name of the Yufeng Sect, even some competitors who had reached the Spirit Vein Realm would have to give face.

Shen Wannian was reminding Yun Xiao that if he was wise, he would obediently hand over that Mixed Element Grass. Otherwise, not only would he no longer be courteous, but the Yufeng Sect behind him would not let it go easily.

"Yufeng Sect? That is indeed a grand title. However, this is the Xuanyue Empire. No matter how domineering the Yufeng Sect is, they can’t reach this far, right?"

A sneer flashed across Yun Xiao’s face, and he deliberately mentioned the previous discussions: "Could it be that controlling the Yufeng Empire is not enough for the Yufeng Sect, and it actually aspires to become the overlord of the entire Hidden Dragon Continent?"

Upon hearing these words, the expressions on everyone’s faces varied, and Shen Wannian witnessed for the first time the sharpness of this crudely dressed youth’s words. This statement was truly piercing to the core.

In fact, the Yufeng Sect’s control of the Yufeng Empire was never publicly acknowledged. Although it was a well-known secret, such ambition could cause suspicion among many.

Now seeing a young disciple from the Yufeng Sect daring to throw his weight around on the territory of others, Yun Xiao’s words were not unfounded, leading the crowd into deep contemplation.

"Hmph, what a sharp tongue you have, but I wonder if your skills are as formidable as your rhetoric?"

Shen Wannian did not wish to dwell on this topic further, and his anger was fully inflamed by this conversation. He knew his strengths. As his words fell, a tremendous surge of Meridian Qi erupted from him, truly astonishing.

It was undeniable that one of the top contenders for the champion of the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference had a presence that even in the eyes of Yun Xiao, appeared more formidable than Xuan Jiuding and Nie Qianqiu. Facing him one on one would indeed be a formidable challenge.

However, Yun Xiao did not wish to be entangled in this affair. With a calm expression on his face, he casually asked, "Are you certain you want to fight me here?"

"What, you’re scared now?"

Shen Wannian sneered coldly, his aura becoming even more grand, while faintly, a sound like that of the wind could be heard, leaving people feeling somewhat dizzy and overwhelmed.

"Afraid? Heh, I am afraid you wouldn’t dare to make a move!"

Yun Xiao let out a light chuckle, then with a slight tremble of his shoulders, the Fire Cloud Rat Chi Yan, which had been lying on his shoulder all along, suddenly stood up. A fierce Demon Meridian Qi swept out, causing many to unconsciously take a step back.

"That little red mouse... is actually a fifth rank advanced Vein Demon!"

A violent aura erupted, causing everyone’s complexion to change drastically, for they had never imagined that the seemingly lazy mouse lying on the young man’s shoulder, like a pet, was actually such a formidable Vein Demon.

A fifth rank advanced Vein Demon was equivalent to a human Cultivator at the late or even peak of the Meridian Union Realm, and the combat power of Vein Demons was known to be much stronger than that of human Cultivators at the same level.

Although the mouse appeared small and skinny, everyone knew that in actual combat, even some who had just entered the Spirit Vein Realm might not be able to handle it, let alone Shen Wannian, a genius in the late stage of the Meridian Union Realm.

Shen Wannian’s face turned somewhat ugly. Confident in his late stage Meridian Union Realm Cultivation and coming from the Yufeng Sect, he considered himself unmatched among his peers in the Hidden Dragon Continent.

But now, the young man in front of him, not bothering to reason with him, directly unleashed a fifth rank advanced Vein Demon. Against such a Vein Demon, he really had no confidence at all.

Moreover, even if Shen Wannian thought he could hold off the fifth rank advanced Vein Demon for some time, his two junior brothers might not match up to this strange young man. The situation today truly seemed a bit rash.

"What’s wrong? Big brother Wannian, are you still going to make a move?"

Yun Xiao showed a strange smile on his face, and without waiting for Shen Wannian’s response, he reached out and took the Mixed Element Grass.

From beginning to end, Shen Wannian’s face remained gloomy. Regardless of anything else, that fifth rank advanced Vein Demon was truly something he feared deeply, and he wouldn’t risk it without absolute certainty.

"Haha, isn’t this brother Wannian? I didn’t expect to see you here!"

Just as Yun Xiao was about to store the Mixed Element Grass into his Waist Storage, another voice suddenly came from somewhere, and immediately after, three figures came into everyone’s view.

When Yun Xiao turned his head, he saw a young man in bright clothing, extremely handsome, leisurely walking with a folding fan in hand. Yun Xiao could even smell a faint fragrance wafting towards him, refreshing to the soul.

"So it’s you, the one who’s neither man nor woman!"

Shen Wannian obviously knew this handsome young man, but the words he said were far from courteous, resonating with the crowd’s agreement.

"Ah, I remember now; isn’t this the ’Young Master Flying Flower’ Ye Shimei?"

"Clicking tongue, truly living up to the reputation, that charming demeanor surpasses even women!"

"Hush... keep it down, if she hears you, you’re going to be in trouble!"

"..."

A murmur of quiet conversation reaches Yun Xiao’s ears, helping him to instantly recognize the ambiguously gendered individual. Indeed, this person was also a notorious figure in the Hidden Dragon Continent.

Legend had it that the rulers of Flying Flower Empire had always been Empresses, yet this generation saw no daughters, just a sole male heir, the Young Master Flying Flower Ye Shimei.

No one knows why, but as the Flying Flower Prince grew up, he started to behave more like a woman. Whether it was a tradition of the Flying Flower Empire or not, everyone in the Hidden Dragon Continent was aware of this figure.

Not only did the Young Master Flying Flower act extremely feminine, but his name also sounded rather feminine. If one heard the name for the first time, they might truly mistake him for a woman.

Today, Yun Xiao finally witnessed the rumors about Ye Shimei’s androgynous reputation. However, what surprised him was that Young Master Flying Flower’s Meridian Qi Cultivation seemed not to be inferior to Shen Wannian’s and seemed to have some unusual... affection for Shen Wannian?

"It looks like brother Wannian has run into some trouble. Would you like this little sister to lend a hand?"

The Young Master Flying Flower called himself "little sister" and, ignoring the nauseated expressions of others, moved closer to Shen Wannian, bringing a gust of fragrant breeze that put the latter on his guard.

"Stay away from me!"

Shen Wannian retreated discreetly, but he did not refuse Ye Shimei’s offer of help, pointing towards Yun Xiao and saying, "That kid has stolen my stuff!"

As these words came out, everyone’s expressions became a bit odd, silently thinking that the head brother of the Yufeng Sect really had such thick skin.