Chapter 95
The lush scenery and tranquil feeling the place gives it truly heaven sent. The clear water of the lake would make one want to take a dip in it and enjoy the freshness of the water. But the scenery of the place was tainted by the presence of many people which numbers up to a hundred.
Within this crowd stood a handsome looking young man with a proud and an imposing aura. Beside the young man stood a dashingly beautiful young woman wearing a body-hugging bluish-white cultivator's robe. These two people are Wei Qi Nian and Yun Bo Xi the beloved princess of the Xi Empire. Standing behind the two are their servants, who show confidence especially a woman wearing a white semi-translucent veil on her face.
Form afar, Shin Jiao saw the two very conspicuous people and when his gaze turns to the princess, he suddenly found that she looks very familiar though no matter how hard he tries he could not remember when or where he met her.
Shin Jiao decided not to dwell on it and turn his gaze to his surroundings. He then noticed that the faces of the crowd of young people seem to be full of anxiousness mixed with the feeling of excitement. They seem to be waiting for something as all of them are staring towards the center of the lake. Even Wei Qi Nian and the princess are not an exemption.
In Shin Jiao's confusion, he wanted to ask the person in front of them but then before he could open his mouth he heard the person talk in a low voice.
"When is it going to start? We've been waiting here for more than 2 hours now. This is such a waste of my time. We could have spent this time hunting some demon beast instead of just waiting for nothing in here." A young man muttered.
"Shhh!... Do you want to die? This is the eldest young master's command and we don't have any choice but to listen and obey." the person beside him replied signaling for the other person to hush as he also turns his head from side-to-side as if they both are keeping some secret.
"The young master wanted our help, plus this is a young flood dragon we are talking about in here. They said that it's only a level 3 one, so the young master is excited to hunt it down. Look, he has already thrown some bait in the lake. All we have to do is to just have to wait for…" the person added as he tried to explain things to the person beside him, but then before he could finish the lake water suddenly became turbulent.
"Everyone get ready! It's starting!" one of the servants of Wei Qin Nian shouted a warning.
Upon hearing this command everyone immediately took out their weapons and prepared themselves to attack whatever it is that would come out of the lake.
As the surface water of the lake began to create huge waves, everyone suddenly saw a huge head which slowly peeked out of the water. From the head itself, one could see that the demon beast is truly humongous. As the huge grayish flood dragon emerges out of the water, everyone in the area was suddenly rooted to the ground. Everybody is truly scared now, as they have miscalculated one thing. The flood dragon which they wanted to hunt is not a normal level 3 demon beast but instead...
A level 3 demon beast king.
The strong aura emanating from its body has sent chills at the back of all the people standing on the shore around the lake. The pressure it is emitting is already enough to suppress their fighting spirit, as everyone's hand started to uncontrollably shake.
Right now on everyone's mind is the question, how can they face a demon beast king? Most of the people in this place are just in the core-forming realm, so it is clear who would win even if they all gang up against the flood dragon.
Zen Nian suddenly noticed his big brother taking some steps back upon feeling and seeing the majestic and imposing aura of the demon beast. But because of this unconscious action of his, the princess beside him sent her contemptuous gaze at his cowardly action.
Wei Qi Nian also noticed her and swore in his heart to kill the flood dragon for thoroughly shaming him. So he wanted to exact his revenge immediately and gritted his teeth as he waved his sword in the air and shout.
"Everyone attack this damnable creature!" Wei Qi Nian yelled angrily while pointing his sword towards the demon beast floating about the water.
But to his dismay, none actually followed his command as everyone is still rooted on the ground with fear clearly visible in their eyes.
"Cowards! If you don't attack now, I will personally punish all of you when we came back to the clan!" Wei Qi Nian head is now smoking in anger.
"Eldest young master! This... this creature is a level 3 beast king. How... how can we lowly cultivators even be a match for it?" someone from the crowd said which silenced Wei Qi Nian.
But before he could erupt in his anger once again.
"Big brother, it's no use. Unless you lead them and charge ahead, they would not follow." A beautiful voice of a young woman suddenly appears from behind Wei Qi Nian.
This is Ya Nian, the second elder sister of Zen Nian and is also considered as one the young genius cultivators of the clan. But since she is a woman, the clan put more focus in cultivating Wei Qi Nian though she is much stronger than him.
Right now she is wearing a sweet smile, but Wei Qi Nian already knows that deep within that smile of his younger sister lurks an evil scheme. The two have been fighting in secret since they were younger and that they would always compare each other on who is the best in everything. Since both of them are good at many things the competition between them became stiff as they grew up.
Wei Qi Nian is a very domineering person who always gets what he wanted because he is the future head of the clan. While his sister almost has the same standing as him, but this is due to her talent as a cultivator. Although Ya Nian is a woman with beauty to boot and there are many pursuing her hand in marriage, but due to her talent in cultivation, her value in the clan greatly surpasses everyone's expectation. And not only that, even many of the elders are even on her side.
Being the head of a clan requires prestige and manpower. One's strength is always a great factor so that the clan would prosper and grow. The Nian clan has been in existence for thousands of years and they have stayed strong because of their great ancestor's power. It is known in the clan that their Dao ancestor is already at the peak of the World nascent realm, and has been alive for thousands of years.
During these thousands of years, the Nian clan in the kingdom of Wu became well known as the great supporter of the current nobility of Wu.
It has been many years since the Dao ancestor of the Nian clan was seen, so the young members of the clan only knew the story. It is said that when the Dao ancestor comes out, it would always cause turmoil even in the whole empire. No one knew why, but most of the old elders of the clan clearly know the reason.
Looking at his younger sister, Wei Qi Nian can only glare at her. Even if he would try to make his move on her, he still not sure if he can defeat her. Plus the princess is still beside him and it would be unsightly to see both siblings fighting.
Without a choice, Wei Qi Nian just kept his mouth shut. He could not deny the fact that he is afraid of the huge flood dragon in front of them.
When the flood dragon emerges from the lake, it actually felt surprised to see many humans surrounding its home. It was just sleeping and minding its own business after finishing a very scrumptious meal. But then all of a sudden something that smells really good enters its senses, and it seems to be coming from outside, so out of curiosity, it decided to go to the surface.
It now felt a little angry at the provocation of the humans by their intrusion in its territory. If it didn't dispose of these pesky humans then the flood dragon would be a laughing stock in the whole of the Dark Forest.
Roar!!!
The flood dragon suddenly roared as it taunted the humans, then its eyes sweep over the crowd. It could clearly sense that every one of them is afraid. A smirk seems to appear on the flood dragon's huge mouth as it suddenly jumped up in the air and landed on the shore.
The crowd of cultivators immediately disperses after they saw the figure of the flood dragon.
After landing on the shore, it immediately began to attack the humans.
"Everyone listen to me! We need to fight back or else we will all die in here." Suddenly a beautiful woman's voice which sounded like a lark echoed throughout the surroundings.
This is Ya Nian, who immediately grabs the opportunity to command the group, and then she suddenly charges towards the demon beast. The people seeing her heroic posture and courage became inspired to follow her lead.
Everyone started charging towards the flood dragon. Using different types of skills and techniques, the young cultivators began to push the flood dragon back.
The glow and sparks of many weapons clashing against its scales and claws are a sight to behold.
Because of the many powerful skills used by the cultivators, though weak if alone, but when combined has started to hurt the demon beast. Wounds have now begun to appear on its strong body, which made it thoroughly incensed. It could not accept that the weak humans who relied on their numbers to attack it are now causing it some pain.
Roar! Roar!
Standing not too far ahead, Wei Qi Nian had a grim look on his face. He is glaring at his sister who is walking like a cat towards him with a sneer on her face.
"And that is how you lead people." She just muttered as she walks behind her older brother who already had his face crimson red in anger and humiliation.
Wei Qi Nian really wanted to send a flurry of attack towards Ya Nian, but he kept on holding himself back.
Then all of a sudden the battle began to change.
With a loud roar, the flood dragon began to twist its body, and like a spinning whip, it uses its tail to hit every cultivator entering its range.
Wei Qi Nian and the others have their gazes turned towards the crowd of young clan members who are now being helplessly being sent flying by the flood dragon. Countless blinking light would appear every now and then as those who were attacked are sent back to the safe zone.
It didn't take long for the flood dragon to reduce the number of people around it. Now only around 30 people are left and among those who survived, Wei Qi Nian suddenly noticed someone.
The handsome face of the young man is always a cause for envy in the clan. Although Wei Qi Nian is also a good looking but compared to the one he is looking at, he is truly inferior. Sensing the changes in her brother's mood, Ya Nian immediately followed her brother's gaze and found who her brother is glaring at. Seeing the young man, her heart suddenly feels at a loss. Since they were young, though she tries to hide it, her heart would always skip a beat whenever she would see his handsome face.
"Why is that useless trash here? I thought they already took care of him?" Wei Qi Nian muttered in a low voice.
But this didn't escape the ears of the people surrounding him.
"Young master Nian, who is that handsome young man?" a voice suddenly interrupted Wei Qi Nian's thought.
"It seems that you have great enmity towards him." Princess Yun Bo Xi added with a curious smile on her beautiful face.
"Haha… Princess you jest, that is my younger brother. He is just a clown and a shame of our clan as he is weak." Wei Qi Nian replied with a laugh.
"Oh, really?" Yun Bo Xi replied now feeling a little curious.
Then the woman wearing a veil on her face whispered something in her ears. Wei Qi Nian felt curious and wanted to hear their conversation but his sense of hearing is not yet sharp enough.
"Young master Nian, it seems that you like to joke around. If he is considered as trash in your Nian clan then your clan who is the genius?" Yun Bo Xi said while she playfully twirls her hair.
"What do you mean princess?" Wei Qi Nian feeling a little bit confused.
Even Ya Nian behind them also became curious about what the princes are talking about.
"Is she saying that Ze Nian is a genius?" Ya Nian thought as she scrutinized Zen Nian who is standing a distance away.
"If being in the core-forming realm at a young age is trash in the eyes of the Nian clan, then your clan has a really high standard." Yun Bo Xi said with a chuckle.
"What!" Both Wei Qi Nian and Ya Nian shouted in disbelief.
"This… this is impossible… How could he reach the core-forming realm?" Wei Qi Nian muttered with disbelief look in his eyes.
"No this cannot be… if Father found out that Zen Nian has reached the core-forming realm then my position as the future clan head would be in jeopardy. I won't accept this…" Wei Qi Nian thought.
"You think you can fool me? You think because you have reached the core-forming realm you can take my position in the clan away? I will show you… I will show you all, what would happen if you oppose me!" Wei Qi Nian suddenly had a glint of killing intent in his eyes.
The first to notice the changes in his countenance is Ya Nian, she immediately felt that her brother has suddenly turned into a beast. She felt a little angry at the provocation that the princess has brought. If she can she wanted to punch her and ask what her purpose in angering her older brother.
But before everyone could react to the situation, Wei Qi Nian suddenly made his move by jumping high up in the air. While airborne he took out a scroll from his spatial pouch and began to imbue it with his spiritual Qi. Then a bright light suddenly emitted from his whole body, as a powerful surge of energy began to congeal in front of his palm. When the scroll vanished a large ball of light replaced its place.
Wei Qi Nian suddenly had an evil grin on his face while he releases the ball of light. When the flood dragon felt the energy it immediately charges towards it source wanting to devour the person who dared to sneak attack it from behind.
The demon beast charges high up in the air with its mouth wide open wanting to bite the despicable human. But it was already too late as a ball of light hits its body, flinging it in a certain direction. The wicked smile on Wei Qi Nian didn't disappear as he watches the demon beast fall towards a group of three people.
When Ya Nian saw this, her anger was to the roof. Though she always shows indifference towards her younger brother, yet in truth, she held him with great care in her heart. But because of the clan ostracizing the weak, she could not show this towards her brother fearing that he would be bullied more.
So she would always help him in secret. Plus she knew something about this younger brother of hers that no one knows.
"Zen Nian watch out!" Ya Nian shouted as she felt helpless about the situation.
Wei Qi Nian landed on the ground and a sneer appears on his face while looking at the figure of Ya Nian who is full of worry.
"Do you think that I'll just sit by and do nothing? This is what you'll get for opposing me. Now let's see if you can save that trash." Wei Qi Nian said with a challenging look towards his sister.
He is now feeling elated and is imagining the demise of his supposed rival for the clan head position. But before he can be happy, a voice suddenly interrupted his train of thought.
"What a vicious fellow."