Chapter Seventy-Two: The Demon Clan

"Miss Xiao Xian, there's no need to say more. Just act according to the situation when the time comes." Lin Fan spoke little, understanding Xiao Xian's worries. In truth, their circumstances were remarkably similar; Lin Fan himself had once been in her position.

"Though we've only known each other for a short time, I understand your nature. But above all, you must prioritize your own safety." Xiao Xian no longer tried to persuade him. Her feelings toward Lin Fan grew even fonder.

"Miss Xiao Xian, do you know where your sister Xiao Nu is? If we search blindly, we'll be like headless flies." Light shimmered as Lin Fan strode forward with the gait of a dragon and tiger, covering dozens of yards in each step, moving with incredible speed.

"I left a mark on Xiao Nu. I can sense her presence; it shouldn't be anything serious." Despite her words, anxiety lingered on Xiao Xian's face. The powerful members of the Yi family watched from the shadows, and how could an eleven or twelve-year-old girl contend with such people?

They spoke no further, both focused only on their journey, and in half a quarter hour had raced dozens of miles.

A hundred miles from Five Peaks Ravine lay a lake known as Star-Moon Pool. Usually deserted, Star-Moon Pool now had several figures near its shore.

"Xiao Nu, I'm your brother Yuan. Be good and come to me." One man sneered coldly, flanked by several burly men, each powerful in stature.

He was about twenty-five or twenty-six, somewhat frail in build, with a sickly flush upon his face. Before him stood Xiao Xian's younger sister, Xiao Nu.

"You're a villain! Don't try to trick me; my sister will be here soon. You'd better leave now." Though young, Xiao Nu was clever beyond her years, aware of her peril, and invoked her sister's name to bolster her own presence.

"Haha, you must mean that wretch Xiao Xian, neither human nor demon. She dared injure me before, but now you two are like stray dogs. If you don't surrender, you'll suffer. There's no good fate for demons in the Ancient Buddha Domain." Yi Yuan advanced, eyes gleaming with cruelty. He and his four guards were all cultivators of the Condensing Vein Realm, while Xiao Nu herself was only at the fifth tier of the Physical Body Realm—capturing her would be effortless.

"You are the wretch! My sister is not a demon!" Xiao Nu shouted, her anger rising. She drew the longbow from her back and fired an arrow at Yi Yuan, showing no mercy.

Yet the wooden shaft shattered and disintegrated to dust beneath Yi Yuan's gaze.

"Tell me where your sister is, or you'll regret it." Yi Yuan's sinister smile twisted his face as he reached out and seized Xiao Nu.

"I've heard demon blood is of great benefit to humans. It's a pity I can't catch Xiao Xian, but you, little demon, will suffice. If your blood can cure my cold poison, perhaps I'll let your body remain whole." Yi Yuan licked his lips, his eyes burning with greed.

He had volunteered to capture the Yi sisters for his own reasons; otherwise, a task so thankless would never have fallen to him.

"You—you want to eat me?" Xiao Nu's face paled, fear overtaking her. She was still a child, unfamiliar with true danger, and Yi Yuan's threats terrified her.

"Yes, I want to eat you, and crush your bones one by one. I've heard demon marrow is the true essence." Yi Yuan sneered, his gaze like a blade. It fell upon Xiao Nu's arm, and blood immediately welled forth.

"Ah!" Xiao Nu cried out in pain, but did not shed tears. Hatred smoldered in her eyes.

"Good, worthy of demon blood. I doubted you two were demons, but the truth is plain to see. Killing you brings no regret." Yi Yuan caught the blood and drank it in one gulp. Warmth spread through his body; the sickly flush on his face gave way to a healthier hue. This discovery thrilled him—he wished nothing more than to flay Xiao Nu alive.

"Such a familiar sensation. My vital energy, my blood, it's recovering." Yi Yuan laughed madly, then struck heavy blows, breaking both of Xiao Nu's arms. He produced several empty bottles and collected all her remaining blood.

"Good, good, my recovery is within reach. Too bad you're not Xiao Xian; then you wouldn't need to die." Yi Yuan sneered at the girl before him, her arms broken and hanging by mere strips of skin. His heart was cold as ice, devoid of humanity, boundlessly cruel.

"I—I will kill you." Xiao Nu coughed blood, her frail body trembling, her face drained of all color. She was close to fainting, her consciousness fading.

"No, you won't have the chance. I've heard that demon brains are extraordinary. Let me see for myself." Yi Yuan's face was expressionless as he drew a dagger and sliced across Xiao Nu's scalp, attempting to expose her skull.

"Cough, cough." Xiao Nu's lips quivered, unable to speak, but her eyes transformed, turning blood red.

"A demon indeed. We cultivators are born to slay demons and eradicate evil." For the first time, Yi Yuan's expression changed. He had never seen such eyes—within them lurked the suggestion of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

"You claim to hunt demons, but your actions are no different from theirs. Yi Yuan, you truly deserve to die!" A cold voice echoed from afar, saturated with boundless killing intent. At last, Xiao Xian had arrived. Her aura had changed dramatically, shifting from calm to murderous—none could stand in her way.

"Xiao Xian? You finally show yourself. Are you angry now?" Yi Yuan sneered, utterly unafraid, turning slowly. Xiao Nu's body collapsed to the ground; she had no blood left to spill. If not for her formidable vitality, she would have died long ago.

"Yes, I want to tear you to pieces." Xiao Xian's eyes burned red, and behind her surged an immense ocean, composed entirely of blood and strewn with countless corpses. The thick scent of blood suffused Star-Moon Pool.

"All demons must be destroyed. Those not of our kind have hearts alien to ours." Yi Yuan sneered and attacked, striding forward. His gaze blazed like lanterns, unleashing tremendous power that shook the heavens.

In that moment, his strength erupted, revealing his true power—he had reached the sixth tier of the Condensing Vein Realm, unfathomably deep. Yi Yuan's pride prevented him from summoning his four guards to assist.

"Then come and try! Anyone who harms my sister dies without doubt!" At this moment, Xiao Xian seemed divinely inspired. Though her cultivation lagged behind, every move was deadly, and for a time she held her own, even forcing Yi Yuan into moments of disarray.