21: Chapter 21 The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

Two days later, deep into the night, the moon hung like a silver platter.

Deep within the Yunnong Mountain Range, atop a remote and rarely visited Peak, Chu Xiao's figure stood silently by the cliff's edge like a statue melded with the darkness, gazing down at the secluded valley bathed in moonlight below.

Two days of rest and consolidation had allowed him to fully master the immense power brought by the third level of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Now, the range of his Divine Sense had doubled, his five senses had sharpened to an incredible degree, and the surging pale golden Spiritual Qi within his body was exceptionally pure and potent. Every movement he made contained a terrifying might far surpassing others of his same stage.

His gaze pierced through layers of night mist, clearly locking onto the dozen or so figures concealed in the shadows at the valley's entrance.

Leading them were the two Golden Core Stage powerhouses, Second Elder Li Qingcang and Third Elder Li Qingshan.

Behind them were over ten of the Li Family's most accomplished Disciples at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, each with a steady aura and a murderous expression—clearly the Family's elite reserve force.

This was the full combat strength the Li Family had assembled to seize the kongchan spirit milk.

"The time is almost right."

From the distance, Third Elder Li Qingshan's aged voice clearly reached Chu Xiao's ears: "The power of the moonlight is at its Peak. That beast's demonic power will be suppressed to its lowest point. Now is our best chance to act."

A greedy glint flashed in Second Elder Li Qingcang's gloomy eyes. Lowering his voice, he instructed a young man with a resolute expression beside him, "Li Feng, remember this. After the Third Elder and I lure the beast away, you must charge into the valley and retrieve the spirit milk within ten breaths! Once you have it, do not hesitate for even a moment. Retreat immediately along the planned route! The Family's future, your own prospects—everything hinges on this!"

"Second Elder, rest assured. Li Feng will not fail this mission!"

The young man named Li Feng nodded heavily, his eyes filled with fanaticism and excitement.

Li Qingcang's gaze then turned towards the profound darkness, his tone icy as he added, "Once we have the spirit milk and the Clan Chief successfully achieves his Breakthrough, I will turn the entire Yunnong Mountain Range upside down to dig out that bastard who killed Wei'er! I will make him understand that the consequences of offending our Li Family are ten thousand times more painful than falling into the deepest pits of Hell!"

Listening to their conversation, the corner of Chu Xiao's mouth lifted slightly.

At that moment, the Li Family's team began to move.

Like a pack of wolves in the dark night, they advanced silently and stealthily towards the depths of the valley.

Chu Xiao's figure moved as well.

He executed the Perfection-level Flying Cloud Flash, his entire body transforming into a wisp of nearly invisible green mist, like a weightless leaf, silently trailing at the very rear of the group.

He perfectly controlled his own aura, not leaking the slightest trace.

Passing through a narrow, winding stone path, the view before them suddenly opened up.

A massive ring-shaped valley appeared before everyone's eyes.

Pure moonlight cascaded down like liquid silver, illuminating the entire valley as bright as day.

At the center of the valley floor lay an emerald-green pool. On a natural crystal platform beside the pool, a small depression held a milky-white liquid that emitted a soft, holy radiance, resting there quietly.

The liquid seemed to possess life, pulsing gently.

With each pulse, it released an intoxicating, rich fragrance. Merely taking one whiff made Chu Xiao feel the Spiritual Qi within his body begin to stir restlessly.

kongchan spirit milk!

A legendary treasure of heaven and earth, one that could drive even Golden Core Stage powerhouses to madness!

And beside that crystal platform, a terrifying Yao Beast, its size comparable to a giant elephant, lay prostrate on the ground, resting with its eyes closed.

Its entire body was covered in smooth, silvery fur that shone like satin, flowing with a metallic luster under the moonlight.

Its form was elegant yet powerful, brimming with explosive strength.

Even in its slumber, an aura of innate majesty and ferocity emanating from the depths of its Bloodline made the surrounding air feel thick and heavy.

Third-tier Peak Yao King—the Moon-Howling Sky Wolf!

Despite Chu Xiao's steady Heart-Nature, witnessing this legendary treasure and Vicious Beast firsthand still caused his heart to skip a beat.

At the valley entrance, a flash of resolve crossed Third Elder Li Qingshan's eyes. He waved his hand fiercely towards the dozen or so elite Disciples behind him!

"Deploy the Formation!"

At his command, the dozen-plus Li Family Disciples at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment instantly sprang into action. They swiftly took up positions they had rehearsed countless times, unleashing the Spiritual Qi within their bodies without reserve. It surged forth madly, intertwining and converging before them.

"Hummm—!"

A massive golden net composed of pure Spiritual Qi instantly took shape!

Runes flowed across the surface of the net, radiating a powerful binding force. Like a heaven-spanning trap, it descended directly towards the resting Moon-Howling Sky Wolf!

This was one of the backup plans the Li Family had prepared—the 'Spirit-Locking Formation,' specifically designed to trap enemies. Its power was sufficient to temporarily restrain a newly-advanced Golden Core Stage powerhouse!

However, just as the golden net was about to fall, the Moon-Howling Sky Wolf's tightly shut eyes suddenly snapped open!

Those were a pair of icy, savage eyes! Devoid of any emotion.

Only pure, lofty contempt, and the fury of having its peaceful sleep disturbed by mere insects!

"Awooo..."

A low, guttural howl, as if emanating from the deepest abyss, slowly rumbled from its throat.

A visible wave of black sound, centered on it, violently expanded outwards!

"Boom—!"

The golden net, jointly deployed by over a dozen Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators...

A net powerful enough to trap a Golden Core powerhouse, upon contact with that black sound wave, shattered like fragile glass!

It disintegrated into a shower of golden light points, vanishing without a trace.

"Pfft!"

The dozen-plus Li Family Disciples who had formed the Formation simultaneously spat out mouthfuls of blood. Their faces instantly turned deathly pale, their bodies swaying unsteadily.

With just one low roar, it had shattered their combined attack Formation and left them severely wounded!

Chu Xiao, hidden in the distance, also narrowed his pupils slightly.

Was this the power of a Third-tier Peak Yao King?

Even during its weakened state under the moonlight's suppression, it was still this terrifying!

The Li Family's calculations seemed to have been a bit too optimistic.

Thoroughly enraged, the Moon-Howling Sky Wolf slowly rose to its feet. Its massive frame cast a long shadow.

It didn't even bother with unnecessary movements, simply opening its enormous maw lined with ferocious fangs.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

In the next moment, hundreds upon hundreds of wind blades, condensed from wind elements and shimmering with a dark, quiet light, swept towards the Li Family members like a storm!

Wherever the wind blades passed, the very space emitted piercing shrieks as if unable to bear the load.

The ground was carved with terrifying, bottomless trenches!

"Not good! Fall back, quickly!"

Second Elder Li Qingcang and Third Elder Li Qingshan's expressions changed drastically. They had never anticipated the Yao King's reaction would be so swift, its attack so ferocious!

But their warning ultimately came a step too late.

Several Li Family Disciples standing at the forefront, their faces still frozen in shock from the shattered Formation, were instantly engulfed by the endless torrent of black wind blades.

No screams, no struggle.

Their protective Spiritual Qi, their Magical Artifacts, their Physical Bodies—under the cutting of those sharp wind blades, they were as flimsy as paper, instantly dismembered, torn apart, transformed into a mist of blood and flesh!

With just one counterattack, nearly a third of the Li Family's elite force was annihilated on the spot!

"You beast! How dare you!"

Witnessing the gruesome deaths of the Family's elites, Li Qingcang's eyes nearly burst from their sockets with rage. He could no longer stand idly by.

With a heaven-shaking roar, the terrifying pressure of the Golden Core Stage erupted from him like a volcano!

He summoned a crimson flaming longsword. Transforming into a streak of light, he actively charged towards the Moon-Howling Sky Wolf!

"Qingcang! Don't act recklessly!" Third Elder Li Qingshan was horrified, but knowing the situation had reached this point, he could only brace himself and join the fray.

He also roared in fury, summoning a turtle-shell-shaped defensive Magic Treasure to protect the remaining clansmen. Then, with hands forming seals, countless earthen-yellow spikes erupted from the ground. Coordinating with Li Qingcang, he attacked the Moon-Howling Sky Wolf from another direction.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The two Golden Core Stage powerhouses finally clashed head-on with the Third-tier Peak Yao King!

Instantly, the entire valley shook violently. Wild energy shockwaves swept out in all directions. Blades of light, sword shadows, and pitch-black Demonic Qi collided madly, erupting in deafening roars!

The valley's rock walls continuously crumbled. The water in the pool was completely vaporized. The scene was one of extreme chaos and violence!

And just as everyone's attention was captivated by this earth-shattering battle...

A figure quietly moved.

It was precisely that Li Family youth entrusted with the crucial task—Li Feng!

Seizing the moment when the two Elders were entangled with the Yao King, he pushed a body technique for concealing his aura to its absolute limit.

As a result, his entire person seemed to merge with the surrounding rocks. Silently skirting the edge of the fierce battlefield, he swiftly and stealthily made his way towards the crystal platform holding the kongchan spirit milk!

He knew this was his only chance! The Li Family's only chance!

However, he failed to notice.

In another patch of shadows not far behind him, an even more indistinct, more illusory figure followed him like a ghost, unhurried and deliberate.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.