Chapter 368: Nine-Star Bloodshadow Worm, Gu Fills Hongfeng Lake!
"Family Head, once Chong’er and the Saintess are married, our Xing Family will have two Grandmasters in residence!" an elder said with a smile after Li Lingqing was led away.
"Becoming a Martial Arts Grandmaster isn’t that easy," Xing Yong’s expression stiffened for a moment before he smiled again. "However, as long as Chong’er and this girl are united, it’s only a matter of time before he advances to Grandmaster."
"Indeed," the other man said. "I observe that this girl is brimming with a pure and spiritual aura. It is extremely similar to the Cauldron described in our ancestral records and will surely be of great aid to Chong’er’s cultivation."
The ancestral records stated that the union of the dragon and phoenix would lead to Reaching the Divine!
Xing Chong was the Dragon of the Xing Family, while the Saintess, Li Lingqing, was the Phoenix of the Li Clan. It took them generations to confirm this truth, and they had exerted much effort to do so.
"Remember, this matter must not be spread!" Xing Yong said in a grave tone. "As soon as Chong’er leaves his seclusion, have him consummate their relationship immediately!"
"Yes!"
「...」
Li Lingqing stood at the window, her heart incredibly heavy as she looked out at the sparkling waters of the lake.
I cannot let the Xing Family succeed!
A resolute look flashed in her eyes as she turned and pushed the door open. However, just as Li Lingqing stepped over the threshold, a sneering voice reached her. "Saintess, shouldn’t you be resting in your room? Is there something you need?"
It was Xing Yi. The Xing Family had actually sent this man to guard her.
Li Lingqing’s heart sank. "It’s a bit stuffy in the room. I wanted to take a walk."
Xing Yi shook his head. "I advise the Saintess to stay in her room. The Dragon of the Xing Family will be here to visit you shortly."
Li Lingqing’s expression changed. The Xing Family is in such a hurry?
Xing Yi smiled. "Rest assured, Saintess. Once you unite with the dragon of our clan, you will be the future matriarch of the Xing Family. This is a win-win situation for both you and the Li Clan."
"I don’t see it that way!" Li Lingqing retorted. "Bring Xing Chong here. I want to see him!"
"My apologies, the Young Master is in seclusion. It will be a while before he can..."
Xing Yi hadn’t finished speaking when a chuckle interrupted him.
"Since the Saintess wishes to see me, I should come for a visit, no matter how busy I am."
A slender young man slowly approached. Strange lights flickered in his eyes, and he exuded a powerful aura.
It was Xing Chong.
"Young Master!" Upon seeing Xing Chong, Xing Yi immediately bowed respectfully, a flash of excitement in his eyes.
Xing Chong waved his hand, his gaze fixed on Li Lingqing. The more he looked, the more satisfied he became. "Not bad. You are worthy of being my woman."
He nodded in satisfaction. "Come, serve me while I rest."
His tone was extremely casual, as if he were discussing some trivial matter.
Li Lingqing’s eyes suddenly turned icy. This Xing Chong... he’s so impatient?
Xing Chong suddenly smiled. "Marriage is just a formality. Neither of us is an ordinary person. We don’t need such cumbersome rites."
Li Lingqing took a deep breath and looked at him. "Let’s fight. If I lose, I will do as you wish. But if you lose, this matter ends here. How about it?"
This was her true purpose for coming to the Xing Family in person! She would challenge Xing Chong!
"Hmm?" Xing Chong blinked in surprise. "You want to challenge me?"
Then, he slowly shook his head. "You are no match for me, and I would hate to hurt you."
"We’ll only know that after we fight!"
Li Lingqing’s aura suddenly erupted, and her form became a blurred afterimage as she charged toward Xing Chong.
"What a reckless woman," Xing Chong shook his head in annoyance and then casually threw a punch.
BOOM!
With that one punch, all of Li Lingqing’s afterimages were shattered. She herself staggered back several steps, her face growing pale.
Xing Chong retracted his fist. "The Li ethnic group Saintess? Is that all you amount to?"
A trace of defiance flashed in Li Lingqing’s eyes as she retorted coldly, "Again!"
A white light began to radiate from her body in waves, making her appear even more ethereal and otherworldly.
A hint of greed suddenly appeared in Xing Chong’s eyes. Licking his lips, he chuckled, "Since you insist, then today I will beat you into submission!"
The moment he finished speaking, Xing Chong dashed forward, engaging Li Lingqing in combat. Their exchange was extremely fast, trading over a dozen moves in the blink of an eye and attracting countless spectators.
"What’s going on?" Xing Yong asked, watching the two combatants with a grave expression.
Xing Yi explained the situation, then laughed. "Clearly, the Li ethnic group Saintess is not resigned to this, delusionally challenging the Dragon of the Xing Family."
"Hmm," Xing Yong said indifferently. "Send men to guard this area. Don’t let any outsiders approach."
Xing Yi assented and quickly departed.
Meanwhile, Xing Yong continued to watch the fighters, his expression solemn. This Li ethnic group Saintess... such splendid agility. Li Lingqing was like a butterfly, continuously launching attacks as she fluttered around Xing Chong. Her graceful movements were like a dance.
A pity. She is no match for Chong’er, Xing Yong concluded.
"That’s to be expected. Chong’er is the Dragon of the Xing Family and has already set one foot through that door. With just one more push, he will reach Half-step Grandmaster within three years and will surely become a full Grandmaster within ten!"
"Indeed, Chong’er’s talent is extraordinary. He is no longer a mere mortal."
"..."
The few Xing Family elders who had rushed over also nodded frequently, their faces full of confident smiles.
They were right. Li Lingqing only managed to hold on for a few minutes before Xing Chong landed a palm strike on her shoulder, sending her flying.
COUGH! COUGH!
Blood trickled from the corners of Li Lingqing’s mouth as she looked at Xing Chong in shock. She hadn’t expected Xing Chong to be so powerful. She couldn’t even defeat him.
But she had not yet unleashed her full strength.
At that thought, a coldness entered Li Lingqing’s eyes. She stretched out her hand, and a white insect immediately landed on her shoulder, letting out a faint squeaking noise.
"What is that..." Xing Yong suddenly exclaimed. "The Nine-Star Bloodshadow Worm?"
"Xing Yi was right! The Jiuli Tribe actually managed to cultivate this insect!" another elder exclaimed, his eyes burning with greed.
"Go! Fetch that item! This insect must be brought under the control of our Xing Family!" Xing Yong suddenly ordered.
"Yes!"
Li Lingqing’s eyes were fixed coldly on Xing Chong. With a mere thought, the Nine-Star Bloodshadow Worm on her shoulder began to flap its wings wildly.
SKITTER! SKITTER!
An eerie sound followed. To the shock of the Xing Family Members, Hongfeng Lake was suddenly overrun with countless snakes, insects, rats, and ants. The sheer density of the swarm was enough to make one’s scalp crawl.
For the first time, Xing Chong’s expression changed. "What are you doing?" he demanded.
Her face slightly pale, Li Lingqing declared, "Defeating you, of course!"
She pointed a finger, and ice-cold words escaped her lips. "Devour them!"
Countless insects began to gnaw at everything around them. Flowers, plants, trees, buildings—anything visible was being frenziedly devoured. Even many Xing Family Members began to fall victim, letting out piercing screams.
"You’re asking for death!" A cold glint flashed in Xing Chong’s eyes. "Do you think I don’t dare to kill you?"
"That depends on whether you have the ability!"
With a cold snort, Li Lingqing utilized the Exterminate God Gu Sutra to command the thousands of insects, madly planting Gu throughout the Xing Family’s estate.
That madwoman! To think she would actually control the Nine-Star Bloodshadow Worm to plant Gu all over Hongfeng Lake