Chapter 434 Liu Ruyan's blush? The Liu family head's massive hemorrhage?!

"Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng?!"

These words were like a heavy hammer.

Smashing hard against the heart of everyone inside the Spirit Sealing Hall.

The entire hall fell into a brief, deathly silence, followed by a succession of sharp intakes of breath.

"You're joking, right... Old He said the Bloodline this bird possesses is the Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng Bloodline?!"

"Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng! That's an overlord-level Divine Beast that dominated the skies during the Primordial Era!"

"Legend says that when the Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng spreads its wings, it covers the sky and blots out the sun. With a flap of its wings, storms and thunder roar in unison, and it can swallow a hundred thousand mountains in one gulp!"

"More than that! Ancient records state that during its Peak, even True Dragons had to yield to the Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng! Although its Bloodline Rank isn't as supreme as a True Dragon's, its terrifying combat power is enough to Rank in the top three among avian Divine Beasts!"

"Yes! I've also seen it in the clan's 'Records of Primordial Divine Beasts'! It says the Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng attained the Dao through the dual Laws of wind and thunder. Its wings tear through the firmament, and its claws crush stars. It is the true overlord of the sky, the ancestor of all rocs!"

"Heavens... Grand Tutor Dongxuan not only has a Beast with a True Dragon Bloodline but also one with the Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng Bloodline!"

"Two! Two ancient Divine Beast Bloodlines! And both are top-tier existences among ancient Divine Beasts!"

The entire Spirit Sealing Hall was in a complete uproar.

The members of the Liu family were all flushed red.

Trembling with excitement.

Just a moment ago, it was a True Dragon Bloodline.

Now, there's a Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng.

This Grand Tutor Dongxuan's foundation is simply bottomless!

Great Master Master Fu Shan's aged Face, lined with the furrows of time, was filled with shock.

He considered himself to have seen plenty of Heaven And Earth Treasures and Divine Beast variants, but today, within a short half-hour, his understanding had been refreshed again and again.

"Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng..."

He murmured the name repeatedly.

His voice was trembling.

"When I followed my Revered Master to travel through the Central Province years ago, I saw a mural of the Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng in an ancient ruin. The mural recorded that during the Primordial Era, this Divine Beast tore through a part of the firmament with its wind and thunder wings. Its power was so great that even the True Dragon clan, which dominated the land at the time, was unwilling to easily contend with it!"

"Although the Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng's Bloodline Rank is slightly inferior to a True Dragon's, in terms of the sharpness of its attacks and its extreme speed, almost no beast at the same Rank can surpass it! Once it grows to its Peak, even a True Dragon must avoid its edge!"

Old Mo took a deep breath, a complex light flickering in his cloudy old eyes.

"Dual attributes of wind and thunder, the Primordial Roc Bloodline, and it has already awakened its Divine Roc True Form at Gold Rank Eight... The potential of this Beast is likely not inferior to that of the True Dragon just now. Grand Tutor Dongxuan's Beasts are each more Heaven-Defying than the last. I have never seen such a Prodigy-level Beast configuration."

"No."

Great Master Master Fu Shan shook his head, his tone certain.

"It's not that the Beasts are Heaven-Defying; it's that this Grand Tutor Dongxuan himself... is too Heaven-Defying. No matter how strong a Beast is, it depends on whether the Beast Tamer has the ability to nurture it. What does it mean that he can simultaneously nurture two Beasts with ancient Divine Beast Bloodlines?"

The two old men looked at each other, seeing the same answer in each other's eyes.

This Grand Tutor Dongxuan is by no means an ordinary person.

Elder Liu Lan stood at the front of the crowd.

Her delicate body under her long dress trembled slightly.

She looked at Jiang Yun's profile, hidden behind the silver mask, her heart churning with stormy waves.

When she first met this youth, she only thought he was a somewhat special Appraiser.

Later.

He successively demonstrated array and rune attainments that crushed the Grand Tutor Level, and she realized she had far underestimated him.

But now.

True Dragon Bloodline.

Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng Bloodline.

And both were nurtured by him personally.

In the entire Central Province.

The forces that can produce even one Beast with an ancient Divine Beast Bloodline can be counted on one's fingers.

Yet he alone possesses two...

Elder Liu Lan found that she could no longer see through this youth at all.

Liu Qingyun was equally horrified.

As the head of the Liu family and an Eclipsing Moon Rank high-tier existence, he had seen no shortage of Geniuses.

But no Genius could ever make him feel shocked and powerless over and over again like the Jiang Yun before him.

Arrays, runes, appraisal, Beast nurturing...

This youth had reached heights unattainable by ordinary people in every field.

Could such a Prodigy really be born in a provincial city?

"Central Province..."

These two words involuntarily surfaced in Liu Qingyun's mind.

In the provincial city, there was absolutely no force capable of nurturing such a Prodigy.

Only that Holy Land of Beast Tamers.

Those ancient families and Sects that have passed down their Legacies for thousands or tens of thousands of years could possibly possess such a foundation.

If the Liu family could establish a connection with such an existence, even if it was just a slight acquaintance, it would definitely bring immeasurable benefits to the Liu family's future.

Thinking of this, Liu Qingyun's gaze toward Jiang Yun became a few degrees more fervent.

While everyone was discussing in shock.

A cold figure stood quietly in place.

Liu Ruyan's icy blue eyes.

Stared at Jiang Yun without blinking.

As usual, not a ripple could be seen on her Face, but a massive wave had already surged within her heart.

Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng.

This guy's second Beast was actually a Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng.

Like her Nether Phoenix, it belonged to the avian ancient Divine Beast Bloodlines.

And her Nether Phoenix, when facing this Gold Rank Eight Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng, actually took the initiative to stimulate its Bloodline aura to resist it.

What did this mean?

It meant that in the Nether Phoenix's Bloodline perception, this Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng was an existence on the same level, or even faintly stronger!

Her Nether Phoenix was at the Purple Crystal Ninth Rank Peak, while the opponent was only at Gold Rank Eight.

There was a difference of more than an entire major Realm, yet it could make her Nether Phoenix actively trigger its Bloodline defense.

The Bloodline concentration of this Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng was likely far beyond her imagination.

"Just who on earth is he..."

Liu Ruyan thought secretly in her heart.

A Beast with a True Dragon Bloodline, a Beast with a Ancient Wind-Thunder Divine Peng Bloodline, and a dark attribute Nether-type Beast that has yet to appear.

Combined with his array and rune attainments that crushed the Grand Tutor Level, as well as an appraisal ability that even Old Mo felt inferior to.

All of this added together.

Had already far exceeded the scope of any Genius she knew.

Even the core descendants of the first-rate families in the Central Province were probably only at this level.

Or perhaps.

Not even as good as him.

"Could it be... he really comes from those ancient forces in the Central Province that have passed down their Legacies for thousands of years?"

This thought involuntarily surfaced in Liu Ruyan's heart.

She rarely felt such curiosity toward a peer, but at this moment, she was truly deeply interested in this youth wearing the silver mask.

While she was pondering.

She suddenly remembered her father Liu Qingyun's painstaking efforts over the years.

Her father, as the head of the Liu family.

Had exhausted his heart and soul for the future of the Liu family all these years.

Although the Liu family was a hidden family with a deep foundation, being situated in a corner ultimately limited its scope.

Her father had always wanted the Liu family to step out of this closed space, establish connections with stronger external forces, and seek a broader path for the Liu family's future.

And right now, this Jiang Yun...

No matter where he came from, the strength he had displayed alone was enough to prove that the force behind him was definitely not simple.

If the Liu family could connect with this line, even if it was just gaining a sliver of the other party's goodwill, it would definitely bring immeasurable benefits to the Liu family's future.

Her father's long-cherished wish might be realized because of this.

And her own path as a Beast Tamer might also become broader as a result...

Liu Ruyan's thoughts involuntarily drifted a bit further.

She remembered the underlying meaning in the words of her father and the two Great Masters earlier...

At the time, she only felt that it was the elders' wishful thinking and even felt a bit of resistance in her heart.

But thinking back on it now.

Although this Jiang Yun wore a mask and his true appearance couldn't be seen, he naturally possessed a calm and unhurried aura in every gesture.

That composure in the Face of change and that confidence that looked down upon the world were indeed unique among the peers she had seen.

In terms of talent, his arrays were stronger than a Grand Tutor, his runes were stronger than a Grand Tutor, and his appraisal ability was also at the Grand Tutor Level.

In terms of strength, he could casually produce two Beasts with ancient Divine Beast Bloodlines, and both were nurtured by him personally.

In terms of background, although his specific Origin was unknown, judging by these performances alone, it was definitely not simple.

If there really was a peer in this world who could be worthy of her, Liu Ruyan...

It seemed like only this guy in front of her...

"Stop!"

Liu Ruyan suddenly snapped back to her senses, realizing what she had been thinking, and two faint blushes immediately flew onto her cold and beautiful cheeks.

She subconsciously bit her lower lip and lowered her eyelids, not daring to look at Jiang Yun again.

What kind of nonsense was she thinking!

What "worthy" or "not worthy"!

She, Liu Ruyan, had reached where she was today by relying on her own talent and hard work; she never needed to rely on any man!

Her Nether Phoenix was nurtured by her own hands.

Her strength was raised step by step by herself.

She had never been the kind of decorative vase that needed to rely on a man to stand firm!

But...

Although she thought this in her heart, her gaze still involuntarily stole a glance at Jiang Yun.

The silver mask glinted with a faint luster under the light in the hall.

The eyes beneath the mask were dark and deep, as if they held an endless starry sky.

Liu Ruyan's heart skipped a beat for no reason.

She quickly withdrew her gaze and took a deep breath, trying to restore her usual coldness.

However, the two faint blushes on her cheeks wouldn't fade away.

Right at this time.

Jiang Yun was scanning everyone's reactions with satisfaction.

To be honest, even he was a bit surprised that these people's reaction to Little Skylark's Bloodline was even stronger than to Little Fire's.

Little Fire had a True Dragon Bloodline, so logically, it should have been more shocking.

But thinking about it, Little Fire was currently still in the process of evolving. Although its appearance was already very close to a True Dragon, it hadn't completely finished its transformation yet.

On the other hand, when Little Skylark's Divine Roc True Form was activated, it was a solid ancient Divine Beast phantom, so the visual impact was indeed greater.

This made Jiang Yun couldn't help but look forward to it.

If he called out that fellow Nether Abyss later.

A pure-blooded ancient Nether Abyss Divine Beast Bloodline, at the Purple Crystal Tier 5 Peak, which was higher in Realm than Little Fire and Little Skylark.

Wouldn't that just scare these people silly?

Thinking of this, the corner of Jiang Yun's mouth curled up slightly.

Then, his gaze inadvertently swept over the direction where Liu Ruyan was, but he suddenly paused.

He saw that on Liu Ruyan's cold and beautiful Face, two faint blushes had actually appeared.

Although she quickly turned her head away, that blush was still caught by Jiang Yun's sharp gaze.

Jiang Yun's brow furrowed slightly, a big question mark popping up in his mind.

What's the situation?

Why is this woman blushing?

Wasn't she just acting all cold and unapproachable? Why did she suddenly blush?

And she seemed to be looking at him just now?

Jiang Yun thought back.

He confirmed that he hadn't seen it wrong.

This favored daughter of the Liu family was indeed peeking at him, and she was blushing.

Could it be that she's feeling unwell?

Doesn't seem like it.

Under his Brick Stone Rank perception, it was very clear to see.

Her blood and Qi were stable throughout her body; she didn't seem to be ill.

Or was she so shocked by the two ancient Bloodline Beasts that she blushed from excitement?

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

That doesn't seem right either; given her cold and aloof nature, she wouldn't be blushing even if she were shocked.

Then what on earth is she blushing about?

Jiang Yun felt a bit confused, but he didn't think too much about it.

He had always been too lazy to guess what was on a woman's mind.

Anyway, regardless of why she was blushing, it had nothing to do with him.

What was most important right now was the matter of the soul crystal.

He had already revealed his two beasts, so these people from the Liu family should understand his value by now.

Next, it was time to wait for them to speak up.

As expected, it was just as Jiang Yun had predicted.

Liu Qingyun took a deep breath, calming the shock in his heart, and with a warm smile plastered on his Face, he strode over to Jiang Yun.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan!"

He bowed with cupped hands, his tone even more respectful than before.

"Revered Master, you are truly a Prodigy of this generation. With two beasts possessing the Bloodline of ancient Divine Beasts, such a foundation would be enough to look down upon one's peers even in the Central Province! I am full of admiration, truly full of admiration!"

Jiang Yun nodded slightly in return, neither humble nor arrogant, and said: "Family Head Liu, you flatter me."

Liu Qingyun waved his hands repeatedly and said solemnly.

"It is absolutely not flattery. Revered Master's mastery of arrays is peerless among your peers, and your runic cultivation makes even Elder Mo feel inferior. Now that you have displayed such a Heaven-Defying beast configuration, I have seen as many geniuses as there are carp crossing the river, but never has anyone been able to be mentioned in the same breath as you!"

These words of his were not entirely flattery.

What Jiang Yun had displayed was truly too shocking.

"Indeed, indeed! Grand Tutor Dongxuan is simply a Heavenly God descending to the mortal world!"

"With Grand Tutor Dongxuan taking action, our Liu family's soul crystal will definitely be successfully activated!"

"That's right! Two beasts with ancient Divine Beast Bloodlines, plus Young Miss Liu Ruyan's Nether Phoenix, perfectly gather the three attributes of fire, wind, and dark! This is Heaven's will!"

"Heaven bless the Liu family! Grand Tutor Dongxuan is our Liu family's noble benefactor!"

"We implore Grand Tutor Dongxuan to help us!"

"Please, Grand Tutor, grant our request!"

The members of the Liu family spoke all at once, their tones filled with pleading and anticipation.

Great Master Master Fu Shan also stood up and bowed solemnly to Jiang Yun.

"Young friend Dong Xuan, I have been a Guest Elder in the Liu family for many years, so I can be considered half a member of the Liu family. The Liu family has guarded this soul crystal for a thousand years; if it were to fall short in this generation, it would truly be regrettable. Since you happen to possess beasts with both wind and fire ancient Bloodlines, perhaps this is fate. I hope you will look at this from the perspective of a fellow Cultivator on the path of beast taming and help us out."

Elder Mo also sighed, his aged voice filled with emotion.

"Young friend, I have seen quite a few people and events in my time. Although the Liu family is not a top-tier power, they are loyal and righteous. If you can help the Liu family overcome this crisis today, everyone in the Liu family will never forget this kindness."

For a moment, everyone's gaze was fixed on Jiang Yun.

There were gazes of pleading, anticipation, awe, and nervousness.

At this moment, Jiang Yun was no longer just that Genius with Heaven-Defying attainments in arrays and runes.

He was the only hope for the Liu family to awaken the soul crystal and recreate their former glory!

The atmosphere of the entire Spirit Sealing Hall was concentrated on him alone.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, Jiang Yun remained as calm and composed as ever.

After listening to everyone's pleas, he remained silent for a moment.

Then, he sighed softly, a look of perfectly feigned difficulty appearing on his Face.

"Everyone," he said slowly, his tone carrying a hint of gravity.

"It is not that I am unwilling to help. It is just that the soul crystal has already lost a large amount of its Origin due to the Nether Phoenix's single-pulse impact. If we are to use the three Bloodlines for resonant Awakening now..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across everyone present, and continued: "The process and risks involved are likely far more complex than you all imagine."

"First, the resonance of three ancient Bloodlines is not as simple as just releasing Bloodline aura. It requires the three beasts to simultaneously unleash their Bloodline Origin at specific nodes, maintaining absolute consistency in aura strength and frequency. The slightest deviation will result in failure."

"This process extremely drains the beasts' Bloodline Origin Qi and can even damage their Origin. At best, they will be unable to recover for several months; at worst..."

Jiang Yun did not finish his sentence, but his hesitant posture was more lethal than any words.

"Moreover, when the Nether Phoenix struck with a single pulse earlier, the soul crystal's Origin was already damaged. If any other accidents occur during the resonance process, not only will the Awakening fail, but the soul of the Nether Phoenix might..."

He stopped again, the look of difficulty on his Face becoming even more obvious.

After he finished speaking, the expressions of everyone present changed.

Although they did not quite understand the specific principles of soul crystal resonance, Jiang Yun spoke with reason and evidence, and the scene of the soul crystal's Origin being damaged earlier was still fresh in their minds.

For a moment, everyone's heart hung in suspense.

However... there were a few people who heard the subtext in Jiang Yun's words.

Great Master Master Fu Shan narrowed his eyes slightly. The corner of Elder Mo's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. Liu Qingyun's smile stiffened for a moment.

These three old foxes. Which one of them wasn't the cream of the crop when it came to being shrewd?

Draining Bloodline Origin Qi? Damaging the Origin? These words sounded like they were stating difficulties, but combined with the look of difficulty on Jiang Yun's Face, it was clearly saying: "This job isn't easy to do; you need to pay more."

The Liu family members also gradually caught on, looking at each other with complex expressions.

They never expected that this peerless Genius, whom they regarded as a god, would actually hint at wanting benefits at such a critical juncture.

Yet, they had no room to refuse. Because the initiative had never been in their hands from the very beginning.

Jiang Yun came to the Liu family to appraise the soul crystal. The appraisal was done, and he had already stated his conditions; whether they could be met was the Liu family's business.

But now, the Liu family didn't have the ability to satisfy the third condition and instead had to rely on Jiang Yun to save the situation. In this situation, it was reasonable and legitimate for him to ask for some compensation.

In fact, if Jiang Yun had agreed without a word, it would have been abnormal. After all, whose beast with an ancient Divine Beast Bloodline isn't a precious treasure? Why should they work for the Liu family for nothing?

Liu Qingyun smiled bitterly in his heart. He had long expected that this hurdle would not be so smooth.

At first, he thought that Jiang Yun not stopping Yan'er from attempting the single-pulse Awakening was giving the Liu family some Face. Now he understood. How was that giving Face? He was waiting for you to hit the south wall and then come back to beg him.

At this point, the initiative was completely in his hands. Thinking this through, Liu Qingyun felt not only a bitter smile but also a touch of helpless admiration.

This young man was not very old, but his calculations were sharper than anyone else's.

Just as he was calculating how much benefit would be appropriate, a voice suddenly echoed in his Sea of Consciousness. It was Elder Mo's telepathic transmission.

"Qingyun." Elder Mo's voice carried a hint of earnest advice. "Listen to my advice."

Liu Qingyun looked slightly to the side. Elder Mo continued.

"This Grand Tutor Dongxuan is by no means an ordinary person. I have seen many geniuses, but none of them are as comprehensive as him. Arrays, runes, appraisal, beast cultivation—he has reached a Realm that ordinary people can hardly reach. A person like this, even if placed in the Central Province, would definitely be a core successor cultivated with all the resources of a top-tier power."

"Think about it, could a power capable of cultivating such a junior be simple?"

Liu Qingyun listened calmly, but his heart was already surging. He had naturally thought of what Elder Mo said.

"If we can use some benefits to gain the friendship of this Grand Tutor Dongxuan, it will absolutely be of great benefit and no harm to the Liu family." Elder Mo's voice continued to echo in his Sea of Consciousness.

"Qingyun, you must have a long-term vision. The benefits given out today might one day be exchanged for an Opportunity for the Liu family to rise."

"Establishing a good relationship with such a person, the Liu family will not lose out."

After listening, Liu Qingyun's heart suddenly opened up. Indeed.

Given the ability and talent Jiang Yun had displayed, the power behind him must be terrifyingly strong. Although the Liu family reigned supreme in this enclosed space, when placed in the entire Eastern Region, they were only considered an upper-second-tier power.

If they could establish a connection with the existence behind Jiang Yun, which was suspected to be a top-tier power in the Central Province, this would definitely be a massive Opportunity for the Liu family.

Moreover, the current situation was that the Liu family was the one begging for help. Since they had to give benefits, they should be generous, which would also leave a good impression.

"Thank you for your guidance, Elder Mo." Liu Qingyun replied in his Sea of Consciousness, already having a plan in mind.

He looked up at Jiang Yun. A smile reappeared on his Face. Only, there was a bit more shrewdness and calculation in that smile.

Two treasures. And increase the number of treasures he could choose from the treasury.

Firstly, it would appear generous enough to satisfy Jiang Yun.

Secondly, Liu Qingyun sneered inwardly. Those strongest treasures in the treasury were not so easy to take. Every truly top-grade treasure had a challenge set up for it.

The Liu family set up these Restrictions to ensure that treasures would not be easily taken away by the Liu family's mediocre disciples, wasting such precious items.

If Jiang Yun really had the ability to take them, that was his skill, and the Liu family would accept it. If he couldn't take them, then he couldn't blame the Liu family. Anyway, the Opportunity was given to him; whether he could grasp it depended on his own ability.

In this way, it would make the Liu family appear generous without actually losing anything. It killed two birds with one stone.

Thinking of this, the last bit of heartache in Liu Qingyun's heart dissipated.

Meanwhile, everyone present focused their gaze on Liu Qingyun. They knew that the moment of silence from the Family Head just now was to weigh the pros and cons. Now, it was time to give an answer.

Jiang Yun stood in the center of the crowd, his expression as calm as water. He was not in a hurry. He had already spoken to this extent, and the hint was obvious enough. He believed that Liu Qingyun, an old fox who had been a Family Head for decades, would not fail to understand his meaning. All he had to do was wait. Wait for Liu Qingyun to offer the conditions himself.

As expected. Under everyone's gaze, Liu Qingyun finally spoke. He bowed with cupped hands, his tone sincere and solemn.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan's concerns, I completely understand. Revered Master's two beasts with ancient Bloodlines are one-in-a-million treasures. If they were to have their Origin damaged because of helping the Liu family, the Liu family would be unable to shirk the blame even if we died ten thousand times."

Speaking of this, he changed the subject, his voice rising a few notches.

"How about this! To compensate for the potential damage that Revered Master's two beasts might suffer during the resonance process, the Liu family is willing to add two more treasures to the original three, for a total of five treasures for Revered Master to choose!"

"In other words, Revered Master can choose a total of five treasures from the Liu family treasury!"

"With these two extra opportunities, Revered Master can specifically select some Heaven And Earth Treasures for these two beasts with ancient Bloodlines to compensate for their loss. What does Revered Master think of this arrangement?"

When he finished speaking, the whole place went silent. Then. Boom! The Liu family members were all dumbfounded.

Five times! The Family Head actually gave away five opportunities to choose treasures in one breath! Every treasure in the Liu family treasury was an accumulation of a thousand years; any one of them would be enough to cause people outside to fight to the death. Now the Family Head had directly given five opportunities! This was too generous!