Chapter 1492: Out with it

"Big bird, what are you still hesitating about? This girl is about to unleash her ultimate move. One of us three is bound to fall under her fatal attack. Let's quickly combine our strength to eliminate this key girl, then we can take our time devouring the others."

The leader, a roc-like bird engulfed in black flames, uttered a warning. Immediately, two grey-brown giant eagle beasts and three other flying demonic beasts soared into the sky together, launching a frantic assault.

Their colossal wings generated immensely powerful storms that rapidly gathered around their bodies, locking onto Xiaoxiang, their sole target below. A massive gust of wind then howled down from the sky, poised to strike Xiaoxiang and prevent her from releasing her ultimate sword attack.

Just as Xiaoxiang felt her physical strength wane and her cultivation become strained, a boundless, ocean-like power surged into her body from behind.

Unbeknownst to her, Xu Yang had appeared behind her at some point, gently placing his right hand on her shoulder. The profound, ocean-like power surging within her, an overwhelming sensation, filled Xiaoxiang with an unprecedented feeling of strength. She knew, of course, that the mysterious man was the one who had come to her aid.

However, she had no time for further contemplation. Without hesitation, she directly utilized the tremendous power Xu Yang had channeled into her, instantly amplifying the might of her sword glow tenfold.

"Damn it, what does that guy mean by suddenly helping these young women? Is he going to be our enemy as well?"

The eagle beast beside it immediately sensed the danger, decisively abandoned their combined assault, and flapped its wings wildly to take flight, fleeing in terror due to Xu Yang's power.

"Bastard! This guy actually betrayed us at a crucial moment. It's just one more person, though. I want to see how much combat power he can genuinely provide to this group of useless girls."

The most powerful Level 7 Demonic Venerable beast in the middle showed no sign of retreating. It suddenly shrieked, and a massive vortex of wind coalesced and howled down towards Xiaoxiang's position. At that moment, the look in Xu Yang's eyes, standing behind Xiaoxiang, also grew colder.

"Make your move."

These three words, whispered softly, reached Xiaoxiang's ears. Without hesitation, the young woman unleashed a sword strike, and the terrifying power of its glow utterly astonished even Xiaoxiang herself.

She had never before witnessed, nor had she ever conceived, that such world-shattering power could emanate from her own hands.

"My goodness! How can Senior Sister's sword strike be this powerful? Even the Grand Elder, I've never witnessed him having such cultivation."

The dozen or so fellow disciples who were maintaining the formation were completely stunned. All eyes turned to the formidable Xu Yang standing behind Xiaoxiang.

"What exactly is this person's identity, to possess such terrifying power!"

The other female cultivators were equally astonished, uttering exclamations of awe.

"Fortunately, this person is our ally and not an enemy. Otherwise, he would probably be more terrifying than all those monstrous beasts combined."

With a single, world-shattering sword glow, the Level 7 demonic beast in the sky was utterly obliterated. The other remaining beast, which had not yet fled and was still observing, was completely petrified. Without a word, it immediately turned and fled, desperate to escape.

After delivering that sword strike, Xiaoxiang's body was already in a weakened state and she couldn't immediately give chase. However, Xu Yang now appeared before her, his gaze icy as he locked onto the Level 7 fierce beast that was about to escape.

He chuckled coldly, "Where did that arrogant demeanor from a moment ago go? Since you've arrived, you might as well all stay."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Yang simply raised his right hand in a relaxed gesture. An incredibly powerful devouring vortex immediately formed and locked onto the fleeing eagle's body in the sky, tearing the creature completely to shreds in an instant.

As for the nature of the cultivation technique Xu Yang employed, these young women had never witnessed anything of its kind. They only knew that he was unfathomably powerful, a being far beyond their ability to comprehend or estimate.

Witnessing how the three most threatening demonic beasts had been instantly annihilated after Xu Yang's intervention, Xiaoxiang felt a wave of relief.

Her mind relaxed, but precisely because of this, her previously intense combat state immediately dissipated. She felt the tide of power recede from her body, and she instantly fell into an utterly weakened state, collapsing limply backward.

Xu Yang had no choice but to gently catch Xiaoxiang's falling body, letting her rest comfortably against his chest.

"Wahahaha, have you been waiting for this moment for quite a while, you rascal?"

The little cat on his shoulder immediately made a teasing remark. Xu Yang quickly gave it a cold stare, forcibly silencing the small feline.

To his surprise, the little cat, quite familiar with them, immediately jumped off Xu Yang's shoulder and directly nestled into the 'valley' between Xiaoxiang's breasts in Xu Yang's arms, rubbing against the "Fairy Xiaoxiang" with immense affection. This unexpected gesture instantly revitalized the young woman, who had just fallen into a weakened state.

Just as she was about to retaliate with a look of deep annoyance, she looked closer and saw the little cat in her arms smiling innocently at her.

This instantly extinguished the anger in Xiaoxiang's heart and also filled the young woman with an overwhelming sense of maternal affection. She couldn't resist holding the little cat and stroking it for a long while before finally realizing it was Xu Yang who had helped her. She quickly reverted to her usual dignified demeanor.

However, this time, Xiaoxiang found it impossible to harbor any animosity towards Xu Yang. She knew very well that without him, she and her sisters would likely have perished at the hands of those terrifying fierce beasts.

At the very least, given the current circumstances, she absolutely should not maintain a cold demeanor towards Xu Yang. Thus, she utilized the highest form of etiquette unique to the Misty Rain Imperial Lineage to express her gratitude to him.

"Although I cannot yet consider you an ally, your timely assistance in helping us overcome this crisis is a kindness Xiaoxiang will engrave in her heart."

Xu Yang waved his hand dismissively. "You are all prodigies nurtured by this generation's Kunlun Divine Path, but your practical combat experience is simply too limited.

These cruel and bloodthirsty beasts have survived to this day precisely because of the harsh, high-pressure environment of 'survival of the fittest.' Especially those Demonic Venerables that have reached Level 7 or higher, they are even more formidable and are far from as easy to deal with as you might imagine.

Furthermore, the unique cultivation technique of your Misty Rain Royal Lineage possesses extremely strong vitality. However, that concentrated life aura is precisely what most attracts these fierce beasts in a place like this. To successfully complete the tasks you've been assigned, you must use your ingenuity and adapt your combat strategies."

After a conversation between Xu Yang and the dozen or so core female disciples led by Xiaoxiang, their previously tense relationship significantly eased. Just then, large numbers of male beasts on the main battlefield began to converge towards a central point, and Xu Yang immediately sensed danger.

"This isn't good. Quickly order all your female disciples to retreat. If my judgment is correct, these demonic beasts are about to make an even more dangerous move."