Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor
Chapter 65: Sixty-five Red-tailed Tiger Crocodiles

Chapter 65: Sixty-five Red-tailed Tiger Crocodiles

"Roar!"

However, just as Cao Luo was filled with murderous intent towards Yun Xiao, swearing to kill this coarsely dressed youth here and now, an angry and heaven-shaking roar suddenly came from behind him, causing him to shiver in his heart.

By the time Cao Luo turned his head, he immediately realized where the roar came from, because now at the entrance to Medicine Valley, two figures had appeared, figures he was all too familiar with.

"Zhao Ningshu, Zhao Xingwu, these two bastards!"

With just one glance, Cao Luo recognized the robust and the slim figures, and though he spat out words of hatred, he could no longer afford to concern himself with Yun Xiao and the others behind him.

It turned out that while Cao Luo was striking at Yun Xiao, the Zhao brothers had seized this opportunity, intending to enter Medicine Valley in advance. With Zhao Ningshu’s early-stage Meridian Gathering Realm strength, even if he couldn’t defeat the Low Level Third Rank Vein Demon, the two brothers working together still had a chance to break into the valley.

Now, not a single person had entered Medicine Valley, indicating that the heavenly materials, earthly treasures, and rare medicinal herbs inside had not yet been taken. The first cultivator to enter the valley would surely reap the greatest harvest.

Previously, the cultivators did not rush into the valley because there was a Low Level Third Rank Vein Demon guarding the entrance. Anyone who acted first would probably fall victim to the others waiting to reap the rewards of the fisherman, and nobody was foolish enough to do so.

But Zhao Ningshu didn’t have such concerns. His biggest rival, Cao Luo, was actually dealing with a bunch of ants at such a critical moment, clearly presenting a grand opportunity to him and his brother. Even if Cao Luo realized what was happening, the two of them would have already entered the valley by then, wouldn’t they?

However, Zhao Ningshu, despite all his calculations, slightly underestimated the strength of the Low Level Third Rank Vein Demon. When he and his brother Zhao Xingwu approached, the Vein Demon was clearly provoked, rising to its feet and lashing out with a tail attack as swift as thunder, catching the early-stage Meridian Gathering Realm Zhao Ningshu off guard.

Fortunately, Zhao Ningshu came from a noble family and was a low-ranked Mortal Rank Meridian Refining Master. His Soul Power was exceptionally strong, and the speed and reflexes he demonstrated at that moment would have probably earned even Cao Luo’s grudging respect.

Yet this time, Zhao Ningshu seemed to have forgotten something. When he dodged the Vein Demon’s powerful tail swipe with a rapid movement technique, the second Zhao brother, Zhao Xingwu, became the Vein Demon’s next target.

Perhaps Zhao Xingwu had never thought that "fortune" would come so suddenly, nor had he imagined that with just one move, his brother in the Meridian Gathering Realm would dodge in such a panic.

Caught off guard, Zhao Xingwu, who had neither Meridian Gathering Realm cultivation nor powerful Soul Force, was too late to dodge.

Bang!

Just as Cao Luo turned back in anger, he saw the second of the Zhao family, a genius at the peak of the Meridian Introduction Realm, get struck by the tail of the Low Level Third Rank Vein Demon. His entire body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, spurting a mouthful of crimson blood in midair.

This scene was unexpected to everyone. All watched dumbfounded as Zhao Xingwu flew far away, crashing into a large tree that could be circled by three people, before slowly sliding down, with his vitality severely diminished.

A look of apprehension appeared in everyone’s eyes—it seemed they had still underestimated the strength of that Low Level Third Rank Vein Demon. Even Zhao Ningshu and Cao Luo, strong Meridian Gathering Realm cultivators, couldn’t possibly send Zhao Xingwu, at the peak of the Meridian Introduction Realm, flying so far with one strike and leave him seriously injured, could they?

"He got what he deserved!"

Originally full of anger at the thought that the Zhao brothers might steal the opportunity to enter Medicine Valley, Cao Luo couldn’t help but reveal a cold smile on his face and also felt a tinge of relief.

The Vein Demon’s displayed strength was truly formidable. Even Cao Luo was not confident he could avoid being hit by it unexpectedly, and with the force of an equal-ranked Vein Demon, if it hit a vital spot, even a Meridian Gathering Realm cultivator like him would not escape unscathed.

However, Cao Luo did not delay. Since the Zhao brothers had made their move, he naturally could not ignore Medicine Valley and continue to entangle with Yun Xiao. He believed that as long as he obtained the heavenly materials and earthly treasures from Medicine Valley, dealing with those few ants afterward would be effortless.

Or perhaps, after his recent clash with Yun Xiao, Cao Luo had a feeling that this late-stage Meridian Introduction Realm ant was not as easy to handle as he had imagined. If he delayed too long here and allowed Zhao Ningshu to get ahead, it would truly be a loss far outweighing the gain.

No matter what, in Cao Luo’s heart, only Zhao Ningshu, who was also at the early stage of the Meridian Gathering Realm, was his real rival. As for the other ants, he would deal with them one by one after addressing the main issue.

Cao Luo’s retreat was a huge relief for Yun Xiao. This was exactly what he had in mind, using the heavenly materials and earthly treasures within Medicine Valley to make the geniuses competing for the Jade Pot Sect’s quota vie against each other. It seemed to be very effective.

At this moment, Yun Xiao also turned his gaze to the massive creature guarding the entrance to Medicine Valley, and his heart could not help but shudder.

"It’s actually a third-rank low-level ’Red-tailed Tiger Crocodile’; this could be a bit tough to deal with!"

With Yun Xiao’s knowledge, he naturally recognized at a glance what the massive Vein Demon was. This Vein Demon, called the "Red-tailed Tiger Crocodile", had a dark red body, with a tiger head atop its neck, but the latter half of its body was that of a crocodile, making it extremely bizarre.

However, Yun Xiao, having seen a wide variety of creatures, had an impression of even low-rank Vein Demons, and he had an in-depth understanding of the characteristics of this Red-tailed Tiger Crocodile.

For a Vein Demon like this, strength and defensive power were its greatest assets. A typical cultivator of the same level might not be able to break through its scales even with one strike.

"Yun Xiao, what should we do?"

Tan Yun, who had just been repelled by Cao Luo, had returned to this side without anyone knowing. After glancing at the mouth of the valley, she asked softly.

It seemed that throughout their journey, Tan Yun and the others had become thoroughly convinced by Yun Xiao’s knowledge and capabilities. Coupled with Yun Xiao’s formidable fighting power and his status as a Meridian Refining Master, it was natural for him to take charge in such a critical situation.

"Let’s just wait and see for now. That Red-tailed Tiger Crocodile is no easy opponent. Let’s have the leaders of the Zhao and Cao families take the lead!" Yun Xiao smirked weirdly, as he had apparently noticed some subtle dynamics between the two geniuses, Zhao Ningshu and Cao Luo, from earlier signs.

It was quite clear that neither of these outstanding individuals wanted to concede to the other. If the two were to fight, Yun Xiao would then have the chance to sneak into Medicine Valley.

However, this time Yun Xiao had guessed wrong. After his younger brother had been severely injured, Zhao Ningshu realized the formidable nature of the third-rank low-level Vein Demon, knowing that he probably couldn’t handle it alone.

"Brother Cao Luo, how about you and I join forces to fight this beast?"

Right after Yun Xiao had spoken, Zhao Ningshu, not far away, already loudly voiced his proposal, which frustrated Yun Xiao quite a bit. This eldest member of the Zhao family seemed not to be a simple character.

"Heh heh, Brother Ningshu really knows how to calculate!"

Cao Luo was noncommittal at first, subtly ridiculing Zhao Ningshu for trying to sneak into Medicine Valley without his notice just now. However, in the next moment, he opened his mouth to say, "It’s not impossible for us to join forces, but before we take down this beast, no one is allowed to enter Medicine Valley!"

"Agreed, it’s settled then. If anyone dares to sneak into Medicine Valley while we two are dealing with this beast, they’ll be at enmity with both the Zhao and Cao families!" Zhao Ningshu readily agreed, also wary of someone taking advantage of the chaos. They shook hands on the spot.

Zhao Ningshu and Cao Luo were already considered the strongest ones present. With their alliance, it was unlikely anyone would dare provoke them, especially considering that Cao family’s second and third brothers, as well as the injured second member of the Zhao family, were all watching coldly.

"Roar!"

At this moment, the third-rank low-level Vein Demon, as if understanding their conversation, let out another tiger roar. Its massive crocodile tail swept toward Zhao Ningshu, who was closest.

"Brother Cao Luo, attack its left side, the right is mine!"

Seeing the ferocious momentum of the Red-tailed Tiger Crocodile, Zhao Ningshu didn’t dare to delay. After a loud shout, he flashed to the right side of the huge Vein Demon, delivering a punch that was clearly a powerful Meridian Technique.

Since an agreement had been reached, Cao Luo didn’t hesitate either; he stepped forward to the left side of the Red-tailed Tiger Crocodile. The power contained in his palm strike instilled fear in many of the onlookers, who didn’t dare to make any rash moves.

However, there was one exception among them—Yun Xiao. Seeing that the two-on-one battle had already begun, a sneaky smile flashed in his eyes, and he made a subtle move.

"Sister Tan Yun, I’ll take the chance to slip into Medicine Valley first. The situation is bound to descend into chaos later; seize the opportunity to act then!"

Yun Xiao turned his head and whispered his instructions; the people beside him nodded slightly. They had already become enemies with the Cao brothers anyway, so there was no need for further consideration since Cao Luo wouldn’t spare them either.

As soon as he finished speaking, Yun Xiao glanced at the intense battle still raging on the side. Without any hesitation, his figure shot out like a specter; in just a few breaths, he had already reached within a few dozen feet of the entrance to Medicine Valley.

Seeing this scene, many bystanders reflected thoughtfully and became restless. But in the next moment, three figures already stood in front of Yun Xiao. Seeing these three figures, everyone paused their movements, thinking that it might be better to assess the situation first.

"Kid, you’re courting death, do you know that?"