"What kind of background does this kid have?"
Yang Dingshan couldn't help but flash this thought through the depths of his heart after coming to a realization. He suddenly discovered that he seemed to have provoked some people he shouldn't have.
A young man who possesses Earth Rank Advanced Meridian Techniques, a young talent who can slaughter enemies like dogs in fights against those of the same level, a monster who could even contend with him—a practitioner in the early stage of the Seeking Origin Realm—during the late stage of the Qi Seeking Realm, all these things made Yang Dingshan feel a surge of unease.
If this person wasn't a genius from one of those major sects and powerful grand forces, how could he have such heaven-defying abilities? Whether it's the wooden sword that nothing could withstand or the meridian techniques that seemed to be of Earth Rank Advanced, they all indicated that the youth standing before him had an extraordinary origin.
"Given that, he must not be allowed to leave the Yang Family alive today!"
Although Yang Dingshan felt uneasy, the situation had already escalated to the point where their enmity was irreconcilable. Moreover, the more extraordinary the youth seemed, the less he could afford to let his own actions be exposed, for fear it would attract strong retribution from the youth's backing powers.
"Break for me!"
After his thoughts settled, Yang Dingshan let out an explosive shout, and as his hand seals changed, the Meridian Qi Giant Hammer that was pressing down suddenly became even more powerful.
The unexpected increase in the hammer's power seemed to be the last straw that broke the camel's back. No matter how astonishing the defensive power of Yun Xiao's golden shield was, his Meridian Qi Cultivation was ultimately a Great Rank lower.
Indeed, Yang Dingshan was right in using this meridian technique to counterattack Yun Xiao. While Yun Xiao knew some powerful meridian techniques from the memories of his past life, without the support of matching Meridian Qi, he could not possibly hold on for long.
Crack! Crack!
A series of breaking sounds transmitted, causing the three Elders of the Yang Family who were observing from a distance to beam with joy. Even from far away, they could see the dense cracks that began to spread across the golden shield.
"It's going to break!"
One of the Yang Family Elders muttered, and indeed, right after his words, the golden shield burst open with a thunderous explosion, and energy fragments scattered and quickly dissipated into the air.
But what about Yang Dingshan's Meridian Qi Giant Hammer? Although almost half of its energy had been consumed by the golden shield, it still retained an imposing aura. Without the defense of the shield, it seemed that in the end, Yun Xiao would not escape the fate of being smashed to death.
"Roar!"
However, at the very moment when the three Elders of the Yang Family were experiencing joy and Yang Dingshan was feeling a sense of accomplishment, a strange beast roar suddenly echoed from where the youth was, causing their expressions to stiffen once again.
In front of Yun Xiao, a huge Ice and Fire Giant Dragon mysteriously appeared, and no one knew exactly when it had formed. As soon as the dragon appeared, its colossal head had already fiercely collided with the hammerhead of the enormous Meridian Qi Hammer.
Bang!
A huge sound echoed, and then amidst the rampaging energy, the giant Meridian Qi Hammer was directly sent flying by the dragon's head, bursting apart in the sky, scattering its energy with imposing ferocity.
"What... what is that?"
This unexpected turnaround not only left the three Yang Family Elders dumbstruck, but also made Yang Dingshan feel a hint of unease, as if something was out of his control.
Even Yang Dingshan hadn't seen when the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon had appeared; how could his Earth Rank Middle Level meridian hammer be directly sent flying and shattered in an instant?
While Yang Dingshan was at a loss, a sense of satisfaction emerged in Yun Xiao's eyes. In fact, all of this was within his plan, and his ultimate goal was to use this Ice and Fire Giant Dragon to achieve his final great feat.
The defensive Meridian Technique of the golden shield that he had used earlier was indeed an Earth Rank Advanced Meridian Technique from the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud. However, with his current level of cultivation, it was incredibly forced to use such an Earth Rank Advanced technique and might even cause backlash if mishandled.
Therefore, Yun Xiao never really intended to fully defend against an Earth Rank Middle Level attack Meridian Technique with that golden shield. He used this defensive technique only to buy time for his real killing move to take shape.
The Ice and Fire Giant Dragon that came after wasn't from the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, and even Yun Xiao himself didn't know what grade of Meridian Technique it was.
Back in the Hidden Dragon Continent, Yun Xiao used this Ice and Fire Giant Dragon technique to, with the Peak Cultivation of the Spirit Vein Realm, defeat or even kill early-stage Qi Seeking Realm practitioners from the major empires, ultimately accomplishing unprecedented feats.
The Meridian Technique of the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon automatically appeared in Yun Xiao's mind after he activated the fifth Gold Attribute Ancestor Vein, just as the inherent nature of the Ancient Dragon Taming Technique.
Moreover, Yun Xiao was certain that the power of this miraculous Meridian Technique would rise in tandem with the enhancement of his Meridian Qi, or rather the Ancestor Vein Power.
Therefore, now that Yun Xiao had made a breakthrough to the late stage of the Qi Seeking Realm, the power of the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon Meridian Technique was far greater than the improvement of his Meridian Qi.
Even when facing Yang Dingshan in the early stage of the Seeking Origin Realm, with the disparity much larger than during his time on the Hidden Dragon Continent, Yun Xiao was confident that the means of the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon would not disappoint him.
In fact, although the Meridian Technique seems to manifest Ice and Fire Dual Attributes, there are subtle Wood, Gold, and Earth Attributes interwoven among the scales and claws of the Giant Dragon. It is precisely these Five Elements Attributes that balance the energy of the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon, unleashing unparalleled formidable power.
"No, I will not be defeated, how could you, a mere youth at the late stage of the Qi Seeking Realm, be my opponent, Yang Dingshan?"
After a brief moment of shock, the gloomy-faced Yang Dingshan would never admit defeat. Even though his Meridian Qi Hammer was shattered by the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon, it did not push him to the brink of despair.
However, after this subconscious exclamation was uttered, Yun Xiao's sneer on his face grew even more intense. As his handprints changed, the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon, which had been sent flying into the sky by the impact of the Meridian Qi Hammer, turned its dragon head towards Yang Dingshan.
Within the frosty and fiery dragon eyes seemed to lie an extremely indifferent sentiment, making Yang Dingshan's scalp numb. He clearly knew that this time, he would likely have to switch to the defensive position.
Nevertheless, Yang Dingshan was very confident. After all, the kid was merely at the late stage of the Qi Seeking Realm, and besides, his own Meridian Qi Hammer's energy had already been depleted by half by the golden shield, which might very well be the real reason the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon could shatter the hammer.
Hoo... Hoo...
Under Yang Dingshan's rapid hand movements, a giant Meridian Qi Net had formed above his head, looking rather familiar.
As it turns out, the technique Yang Dingshan was using now was still the Meridian Qi Net he had employed the previous two times. However, while he had previously used it to bind Yun Xiao, this time it was for his own defense.
Yang Dingshan naturally had full confidence in his Meridian Qi Net. The kid's method was certainly strange, but it should pose no problem simply to block the attack of the Giant Dragon.
At a moment's notice, as the Meridian Qi Net took shape above Yang Dingshan's head, the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon had already pounced fiercely, leading to a shocking scene that unfolded.
The two front claws of the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon directly grabbed onto the gaps in the Meridian Qi Net, one claw on each side, and then brutally pulled apart.
Rip!
A sound akin to fabric being torn rang out, clear for all to see - Yang Dingshan, the Family Head of the Yang Family, and the three Yang Family Elders witnessed the seemingly tenacious Meridian Qi Net being ripped into two by the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon, not even lasting a moment.
That was a Meridian Technique that had reached the middle level of Earth Rank. The three great Yang Family Elders had witnessed the power of this Meridian Qi Net before, even half-step Origin Seeking Realm experts bound by it could absolutely not break free.
Yet, such a powerful Meridian Qi Net was so easily torn apart by the claws of the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon, which truly overturned everyone's understanding of middle-level Earth Rank Meridian Techniques.
In that case, the grade of the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon must be higher than the Meridian Qi Net. At this moment, Yang Dingshan was even more certain that the young man in front of him originated from a significant Sect or noble clan. Otherwise, how could such high-level Earth Rank Meridian Techniques seem to appear so endlessly?
Perhaps the cause and effect of this could only be understood by Yun Xiao, the caster of the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon, because before the claws of the giant dragon tore the net apart, it already called forth two forces - one cold and one hot on either side.
These were powers augmented by Yun Xiao's Ice and Fire Ancestor Vein Power. Amidst the alternating cold and hot forces, no matter how strong the Meridian Qi Net was, it would be influenced by the two divergent powers and could no longer withstand a blow.
Thus, to outsiders, the surprisingly stunning and peculiar tearing of the Meridian Qi Net had its reasons, although Yang Dingshan and the Yang Family Elders might not be able to comprehend them for a while.
However, regardless, the immediate tearing of the Meridian Qi Net was clearly beyond Yang Dingshan's expectations. It was his most confident defensive measure, directly rent asunder - leaving him no time to deploy any countermeasure.
"Roar!"
With a roar, the Ice and Fire Giant Dragon opened its vast maw and devoured Yang Dingshan whole into its dragon belly. Then, in the dark of the night, it sparked a trace of icy and fiery light, appearing incredibly dazzling and fearsome.
For a moment, the entire scene was silent!