CHAPTER 690: SIX HUNDRED NINETY TAO FAMILY

"Hehe, Brother Yun Xiao’s recovery ability is truly impressive!"

Lin Xuanting approached and complimented with a forced smile, but such words only made Yun Xiao feel the insincerity even more.

"This is all thanks to Master Qiao’s miraculous healing techniques!"

Yun Xiao responded calmly, giving a fist salute to Qiao Guinong standing nearby. His tone genuinely sounded thankful for the life-saving grace.

However, Yun Xiao’s attitude puzzled Qiao Guinong, as he could clearly feel the strong poison still inside Yun Xiao’s body; why hadn’t it erupted yet?

In fact, once the poison entered Yun Xiao’s body, it became uncontrolled. Qiao Guinong wanted to trigger it, but he would first need Yun Xiao’s consent.

Thus, while Qiao Guinong sensed the poison in Yun Xiao’s body, he was completely unable to activate it, which only deepened his interest in the modestly dressed young man.

"It’s getting late; let us set off!"

Unaware of the underlying meaning in the conversation, Lin Family Head Lin Zhenjiang swung his arm leading the way toward the South Gate of Yujiang City, with everyone quickly following behind.

Given that this hunt was merely for a Seventh Rank Low Level Vein Demon, having Lin Zhenjiang, an Origin Seeking Realm Early Stage cultivator, and Qiao Guinong, a Peak of Qi Seeking Realm Earth-rank Meridian Refining Master, the expedition was bound to be safe.

As for Lin Xuantian and his brother Lin Xuanhao, along with Lin Family guards of Meridian Union Realm and Spirit Vein Realm, they were just there for the excitement; this expedition was without danger or surprises.

...

"Brother Yun Xiao, do you remember this ’Nanyu Mountain Range’?"

As a lush, verdant mountain appeared ahead, Lin Xuanhao suddenly came up to Yun Xiao; however, his question left the latter bewildered.

Knowing that Yun Xiao was new to the Tenglong Continent, how could he possibly be familiar with places like Nanyu Mountain or Beiyu Mountain—his only knowledge being of Yujiang City?

"Hehe, the day you descended from the sky, you landed right here in this Nanyu Mountain Range. Seems like you have truly forgotten!"

Lin Xuanhao didn’t keep him in suspense but hearing this made Yun Xiao’s heart stir, wondering if it was such a coincidence that he and Chi Yan arrived through the Boundary Tower at the same place?

"So that’s the case!"

Yun Xiao’s face remained impassive, thinking if the Fire Attribute Vein Demon was really Chi Yan, he would risk his life to protect it.

But Yun Xiao wasn’t too worried. After all, he owed Lin Xuanhao a life-saving debt, and seeing that Lin Family Head Lin seemed approachable, he might just ask for help rather than cause a confrontation.

Tap, tap, tap!

As the group ventured deeper into the Nanyu Mountain Range, footsteps suddenly approached, and although the figure was unfamiliar to Yun Xiao, he recognized from the attire that this must be one of the Lin Family’s guards.

"Family Head, the situation is not good; the Tao Family seems interested in that Fire Attribute Vein Demon!"

This guard wore a grim expression, and his words caused noticeable concern among the Lin Family cultivators, indicating they were aware of the influential Tao Family.

"The Tao Family? Could it be that old man Tao Chengju himself has come?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Family Head Lin Zhenjiang’s face showed a hint of a cold smile, yet thinking about Tao Family Head Tao Chengju’s strength, he knew that the success of their plan might not be so straightforward.

"Yes, the Tao Family Head has indeed come!"

The guard nodded, acknowledging that if it weren’t for such a situation, with the Lin Family Head leading, why would they fear the Tao Family?

"The Tao Family, who are they exactly?"

Listening to the conversation between Lin Zhenjiang and the guard, Yun Xiao turned his head in confusion. He only knew of Yujiang City and was completely ignorant about the distribution of power within the city.

"Ah, it’s a long story!"

Upon hearing Yun Xiao’s question, Lin Xuanhao firstly sighed, and then said: "Yujiang City has always been dominated by two major families, the Lin Family and the Tao Family. Coincidentally, both my father and the Family Head of the Tao Family, Tao Chengju, cultivate the Fire Attribute Technique. For many years, the two families have been fighting over the Fire Attribute resources so many times that it’s countless."

"Fortunately, the overall strength of the Tao Family and the Lin Family is almost equal. Although they have been fighting for many years, neither side has gained the upper hand. However, over time, the grievances between the two sides have undoubtedly deepened!"

Lin Xuanhao briefly introduced the relationship between the Lin Family and the Tao Family, while Yun Xiao just nodded. Such strife, whether in Tenglong Continent or Hidden Dragon Continent, probably exists in every city, doesn’t it?

"Unexpectedly, even the Family Head of the Tao Family, Tao Chengju, has personally come this time, looks like acquiring that Fire Attribute Vein Demon will bring a lot of troubles!"

It seems that Lin Xuanhao is very familiar with Tao Chengju, the Family Head of the Tao Family. He knows that in a solo fight, his father might not necessarily be Tao Chengju’s opponent. A plan that was originally safe and sound has now changed due to the Tao Family’s involvement.

"Hmph, so what if Tao Chengju comes in person, I just don’t know if his strength has improved after not seeing him for several months?"

Lin Family Head, Lin Zhenjiang, is inherently hot-tempered, and backing down is not his style. The Tao Family’s interference has instead ignited his arrogance. With a grand wave of his hand, a throng of people surged towards the depths of Nanyu Mountain.

...

Bang!

Deep within the Nanyu Mountain range, a loud noise erupted, followed by a huge figure flying backwards, appearing to be a formidable Vein Demon with a whistling sound and tremendous presence.

However, when this huge shadow harshly crashed onto the ground, there was no longer any movement. Sensing the gradually dissipating aura from its body, it was clearly dead.

"Tsk tsk, with the Princely Heir’s strength, I’m afraid he might already be at the Half-Step Earth Rank. Dealing with this Sixth Rank Peak Vein Demon was effortless indeed!"

A sullen-faced old man revealed himself, sensing the lifeless Vein Demon. He couldn’t help but exclaim, immediately followed by a swath of figures appearing by his side.

"Hehe, a fortunate breakthrough, a small trial of my newfound power; not too shabby, right!"

A young figure among them, with a flash of excitement in his eyes, wholly accepted the flattery from the sullen old man. Beside him, another middle-aged man also showed a satisfied expression.

This group, naturally, was from the other major family of Yujiang City, the Tao Family. The old man who had just spoken was Lu Yuanpei, the Chief Meridian Master of the Tao Family, focusing on the Poison Meridian Path and a bona fide Earth Rank Low-level Poison Vein Master.

The young man was the Tao Family’s Princely Heir, Tao Liqian, not much older than the Lin Family Head’s son, Lin Xuantian, yet he had already reached a cultivation close to the Earth Rank. Only one step away, and he could step into the true Earth Rank Qi Seeking Realm.

As for the middle-aged man displaying satisfaction, he was none other than Tao Chengju, the Family Head of the Tao Family. Despite his sinister appearance, he cultivates a genuine Fire Attribute Technique, and his strength is by no means inferior to Lin Family Head Lin Zhenjiang.

"Family Head, in my opinion, if we encounter the Seventh Rank Low-Level Fire Attribute Vein Demon later, we might let the Princely Heir try first. With us supporting him from the side, he won’t face any danger!"

The Chief Meridian Master of the Tao Family, Lu Yuanpei, was extremely loyal to the Tao Family. Seeing him glance around, he further suggested: "Such a cross-level battle can greatly enhance one’s insight into the Heavenly Dao. Perhaps it might even lead to a breakthrough to the Early Stage of the Qi Seeking Realm!"

"Good, let’s do as Mr. Lu suggests!"

Tao Chengju had already intended this. If Tao Liqian could break through to the Earth Rank Third Realm faster than Lin Xuantian, they could naturally suppress the Lin Family.

Hearing this, Tao Liqian also became a bit excited. Such a situation, without the risk of life and death and yet being able to battle a Seventh Rank Low-Level Vein Demon across levels, was indeed a rare opportunity he must seize.

"Seventh Rank Low-Level Vein Demon is not scary, but that Lin Family must be guarded against!"

Lu Yuanpei turned his head to look in a certain direction, the words that came out caused Tao Chengju to show a hint of gloom. It seems that he also greatly disdains his old rival of many years.

"Have you prepared everything I asked you to?"

Tao Chengju calmed his mind and suddenly asked. As he spoke, the gloom in his eyes turned into a cold smirk, indicating he was well-prepared.

"Don’t worry, Family Head, the items Lu prepared this time, even if Qiao Guinong that old fellow is present, it will be enough to give them a hard time. At the very least, they won’t have time to disrupt our plans!"

Lu Yuanpei was full of confidence; as he spoke, a hint of faint greenish hue seemed to entangle around his right hand’s fingertips, causing the nearby Tao Family guards to subconsciously step back, seemingly afraid to be touched by that substance.

You should know that he is a bona fide Earth Rank Low-Level Poison Vein Master. His intense poison is tremendously powerful. The Origin Seeking Realm Early Stage Family Head might manage, but if these low-rank guards got even a touch of it, even if they took an antidote promptly, they would likely suffer immense pain.

"Hmph, Lin Zhenjiang, I wonder what you will use to compete with me this time?"

Having got the answer he desired, Tao Chengju let out a cold chuckle, then turned his gaze towards the back; he could barely wait to personally see those Lin Family folks writhing in agony from the intense poison.