This was the best opportunity for Lin Dong to improve his strength.
Had it really just vanished like that?
Xiao Diao had no answer for this either.
Yet, vaguely, it seemed to sense a terrifying aura that weighed upon it, making it feel deeply uncomfortable, though it could not locate the source of this aura.
It left a profound sense of unease deep within its heart, as if something momentous was about to happen.
Xiao Diao decided to offer a warning: "Lin Dong, I have an ominous premonition. This is no place to linger. We should head to the Great Wilderness County immediately!"
Lin Dong paused, then nodded. "Alright!"
...
[Ding! Lin Dong feels confused and curious; Emotion Value +100]
[Ding! Xiao Diao feels strange; Emotion Value +50]
Hearing the several system notifications ringing in his ears, Chen Xuan, standing in mid-air above the Thunder Source Mountain, gave a cold laugh.
"Oh, Lin Dong, Lin Dong! You must be dumbfounded, right?"
"Heh, you wanted to use the Thunder Source Crystal Beast to increase your power? You must be dreaming!"
That was exactly right. The mysteriously vanished Thunder Source Crystal Beast had been killed by Chen Xuan in passing when it suddenly crossed his mind to do so. He had collected all the lightning source energy within its body, which he could use as a gift for someone else later—or simply to sever Lin Dong’s current opportunity.
Now, hearing that they intended to head straight for the Great Wilderness County, Chen Xuan sneered.
"Did you ask for my permission?"
With a flick of his figure, he vanished from the spot. When he reappeared, he was already inside a tent.
"You... who are you?"
Seeing the sudden appearance of Chen Xuan, the head of the Liu Family was scared out of his wits. This was an expert!
Chen Xuan spoke coldly: "You are not worthy of knowing my name or my origin!"
Liu Kui: "???"
Chen Xuan: "Call that old thing, Di Teng, to see me!"
"Understood! I will arrange it immediately, my lord. Please wait a moment."
The terrifying pressure radiating from Chen Xuan made it impossible for Liu Kui to breathe. He guessed that the strength of the person before him was at least that of a Creation Stage powerhouse! He could not afford to offend such a person. He immediately accepted the command and turned to find Di Teng.
Not long after, he returned with a group of puzzled experts from the Di Family.
Upon entering the tent and discovering that it was just a young man, Di Teng was immediately incensed. He turned to Liu Kui and scolded: "Old man Liu, are you playing games with me?"
Di Teng was speechless. You told me a Creation Stage expert wanted to see me. Fine. I brought my people. But the person in front of me couldn't even be eighteen yet! This is your "super expert"? Who are you trying to fool?
He turned around, prepared to leave.
In the next second, a terrifying force lifted him directly off his feet.
Di Teng was scared out of his soul and hurriedly begged for mercy: "My lord, spare me! Please, spare my life!"
Di Teng had never imagined that the young man before him would be so formidable. Such a casual move made him feel as though he had met his ancestors early. He realized he had misjudged his opponent.
Meanwhile, Liu Kui was smirking on the side. *Old Ghost Di, I warned you. You didn't take it seriously yourself. Don't blame me!* If it had been him, he probably would have been deceived by Chen Xuan’s appearance as well. People say that seeing is believing, but sometimes, even your own eyes can deceive you.
Di Teng begged desperately: "My lord, please spare my life."
Chen Xuan did not care to kill him and simply tossed him to the ground.
"Thank you for your mercy, my lord! Thank you..." Having escaped death, Di Teng kowtowed and bowed in gratitude until Chen Xuan’s voice cut him off.
Chen Xuan said: "I have a task for you two. If you do not perform it well, you die!"
Without even waiting to hear what the task was, Di Teng hurriedly expressed his loyalty: "Please command us, my lord. The Di Family will surely exhaust every effort."
Seeing this, Liu Kui was not to be outdone: "The Liu Family is willing to die for you, my lord!"
Although Chen Xuan was younger than them, his strength was far superior. Thus, both men found it remarkably natural to address Chen Xuan as "my lord," without a hint of psychological burden.
"The two of you will join forces. Use whatever means necessary to find a boy near Thunder Source Mountain accompanied by a Fire Python Tiger and beat him! Just make sure you leave him alive!"
If Chen Xuan merely wanted revenge to vent his anger, he could have simply killed him and wiped out the Lin Family in Qingyang Town. But he felt that would be letting Lin Dong off too lightly. He was brewing a much more insane plan for revenge—a plan that would make Lin Dong regret everything!
Di Teng paused, then asked tentatively: "My lord, is that person's name Lin Dong?"
Chen Xuan nodded: "Yes."
"No problem. Old Ghost Liu and I will certainly get this done."
As it happened, Di Teng had already had friction with Lin Dong previously. He knew that while the boy was capable, he had not yet broken through to the Lesser Form Creation Stage. If not for his focus on the Thunder Source Crystal Beast, he would have taught him a lesson long ago. Now, with the help of Liu Kui and the experts from both families, beating him would be even easier.
However, what they found strange was that with a lord's level of strength, dealing with a boy who hadn't even reached the Form Creation Stage should have been child's play. Why leave it to them? *Oh, I see,* they thought. *He must be someone who disdains bullying the weak and doesn't want to use his power to oppress others. How rare in this world where might makes right!*
Chen Xuan did not know what they were thinking. To save time and prevent Lin Dong from escaping, he provided them with a location and vanished.
The two did not dare to delay and immediately gave chase.
Meanwhile, an oblivious Lin Dong was riding the Fire Python Tiger, weaving quickly through the forest.
Soon, Xiao Diao in the Stone Talisman sensed an abnormality.
Xiao Diao warned: "Lin Dong, that Di Teng from before has brought people here!"
Lin Dong was speechless: "That old fellow Di Teng... I only snatched twenty thousand Pure Yuan Pills from him, is it really worth such a grand mobilization?"
"Pure Yuan Pills? I fear it isn't that simple."
"Ah? They don't think I'm the one who took the Thunder Source Crystal Beast, do they?" Lin Dong's mouth twitched. Just thinking about it was a headache.
Xiao Diao’s expression was solemn: "That possibility cannot be ruled out!"
"Damn it!"
"Two experts at the Lesser Form Creation Stage. What do you think? Can you handle them?"
"I haven't even broken through to the Form Creation Stage yet; how am I supposed to fight two Lesser Form Creation Stage experts!"
Lin Dong was caught between laughing and crying. It really was a case of it raining just when the roof started leaking. If they had been a moment later, he would have cleared this area already.
By this time, the forces of the Di and Liu families had almost completely surrounded the valley. Di Teng and Liu Kui stood atop a large tree, looking down at the valley with surging killing intent.
Lin Dong had no way out.
Di Teng roared: "You little brat, get out here!"
Faced with the encirclement of so many people, Lin Dong had no choice but to show himself: "Brother Di Teng, isn't there some sort of misunderstanding between us?"
A misunderstanding?
Di Teng’s expression darkened: "You snatched my twenty thousand Pure Yuan Pills in broad daylight and stole the Thunder Source under the eyes of everyone. You call that a misunderstanding?"
Well, the reasoning was sound.
"Fine, I'll return the Pure Yuan Pills. As for the lightning source, I really had nothing to do with it."
Lin Dong did not want to tangle with them.
...