Chapter 1253: Whose Mouth Is Really Powerful?

Yuyanluo stepped forward, her face stern. "Little lion, there's always someone better, always something bigger. Being too arrogant will only bring trouble upon yourself."

Hearing his disrespectful remarks and insults directed at her lover, she was quite displeased. After all, she was a queen of her own race, and even among humans, she had long held a high position. It was not for some child to spout nonsense in front of her.

However, the lion spirit's identity was somewhat sensitive. Zu An was already deeply involved with the demon race because of her, and she felt guilty about it. If she made too many enemies within the demon race, she worried her lover would be in danger. So, her aura surged, and a powerful pressure emanated from her, hoping to make the lion spirit retreat gracefully.

Seeing this, Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue both uttered sounds of surprise. They exchanged glances, each seeing confusion in the other's eyes. How much time had passed? Yuyanluo had already advanced from an eighth-rank to a ninth-rank cultivator? They had mostly been together recently, and she hadn't encountered any special opportunities. Moreover, she had suffered such severe injuries earlier. At a normal cultivation speed, merely recovering her combat strength would have been remarkable, let alone ascending a major level.

Both women were exceptionally knowledgeable and quickly deduced the most probable reason: Zu An's transcendent-level aptitude. An ancient legend spoke of the essence blood of a transcendent-level talent being a great tonic, allowing cultivators to achieve twice the results with half the effort. They had initially thought it was just a joke, but now it seemed the essence blood of a transcendent-level talent might indeed have significant effects. Yuyanluo's cultivation had also broken through recently. When Zu An had saved her, they had shared an intimate moment. No wonder even Yuyanluo, usually so dignified, had secretly snuck off to "steal a bite" at the Green Hills King's Palace yesterday, regardless of appearances. It seemed she had tasted the marrow and knew its flavor.

The two women suddenly felt a daze, wondering if, after being stagnant at the Grandmaster level for so many years, they might have a hope of breaking through to the Earth Immortal realm with Zu An's help. As this thought emerged, both women's beautiful faces flushed, and their hearts pounded. "What strange thoughts are we having? How could that be possible!"

While the two women were lost in their fanciful thoughts, the other demon experts' expressions also changed. Yuyanluo had been inconspicuous before, but it turned out she was a ninth-rank master. Moreover, the pressure emanating from her was clearly not that of an ordinary ninth-rank cultivator; even they felt a sense of fear. She must possess something that could threaten them! Seeing this unexpected turn of events, the others gloated as they watched the lion spirit, eager to see how he would resolve the situation.

The lion spirit's expression also changed. He had initially thought the other party was merely a woman using her beauty to serve a man, never imagining she was a master who kept her abilities hidden. However, he was always proud. How could he back down and admit defeat in front of so many onlookers? Of course, he wasn't foolish. Directly fighting a ninth-rank cultivator, especially if he got injured, would only benefit the others. So, he said coldly, "As a man, it's too humiliating to fight a woman."

After speaking, he looked at Zu An and challenged, "You, over there, the man, do you only know how to hide behind women and live off their coattails?"

Yuyanluo's eyebrows shot up. She was truly angry. Just as she was about to lash out, Zu An patted her shoulder, signaling for her to let him handle it. Yuyanluo was understanding. She knew that intervening forcefully on his behalf at this moment would be counterproductive, so she quietly stepped back.

Princess Solun, who had been observing the group, showed a hint of surprise on her face. This woman, despite her high cultivation, was so obedient to that man. Was that man truly living off her with just his looks?

"A man?" Zu An sneered, "How old are you, really? Pull down your pants and see if you've grown all your hair yet."

A muffled snicker came from the side. A wave of suppressed laughter spread through the crowd. Everyone wanted to laugh but felt it might offend the lion spirit, so they held it in with great difficulty. Princess Solun's face reddened slightly, and she secretly spat, "Hooligan."

At this moment, the lion spirit's expression turned cold. "How dare you disrespect this prince? Come kowtow and apologize, and perhaps this prince will spare your life!"

Seeing his arrogant, head-held-high demeanor, Zu An was instantly amused. "Were your nostrils flared like that even when you were nursing at home?"

"Haha~" Some people around could no longer suppress their laughter and burst out. Their statuses weren't much lower than the lion spirit's, and they were also older. Witnessing the little brat's arrogant behavior all this time had already made them quite displeased.

The lion spirit's face flushed crimson. "You stinking brat! I was going to spare your life for your female companion's sake, but it seems you just had to be mouthy. Not even a Heavenly King could save you today, I swear it!" His entire aura suddenly rose, and it was as if the faint roar of a male lion could be heard. This was a special ability of the lion tribe. While not a true domain, it could achieve some of a domain's effects to a certain extent. Enemies struck by the lion's might would have their fighting spirit weakened, even if they were masters of the same level. Against those weaker, it would be a complete crushing defeat.

The others' expressions also became solemn. With words exchanged to this extent, it was certainly going to be a fight to the death. The lion spirit was young, successful, and notoriously bad-tempered. This man could have saved his life by just showing a little weakness, so why insist on being so quick-witted? Princess Changning thought to herself, *These men are all so obsessed with saving face that they'd rather die. If something bad happens, they deserve it.* Princess Solun, however, eyed Zu An with curious fascination, wondering if this man was truly relying on the woman behind him, or if he possessed genuine skill.

"Not even a Heavenly King could save you?" Locked onto by the opponent's aura, Zu An seemed unaffected. He sighed and said, "Ten thousand years from now, when people discover your ancient tomb and open your coffin, they'll find nothing left but a mouth. And it'll still be very hard."

Everyone was a bit bewildered, wondering why he was talking about ancient tombs. It took them a moment to realize, and then the whole group couldn't hold back, laughing until their stomachs ached. Princess Solun couldn't help but smile. *This guy really was...*

The lion spirit was initially bewildered, but when he heard the general laughter, he finally understood and erupted in fury. "Today, I will flay you alive, tear out your tendons, and burn you with raging fire every day! Only then will my hatred be quenched!"

Zu An calmly looked at him. "It seems I was right after all. Your strongest weapon is indeed your mouth."

The others wore odd expressions, thinking, *Yours is clearly more potent, isn't it?*

The lion spirit, however, fell silent at this point. He was a genius after all and knew the other party was deliberately messing with his composure. His cold gaze was like looking at a dead man. "Fine, since you say my mouth is powerful, I'll use my mouth to make you wish you were dead but couldn't die."

The chubby Taoist priest, who was watching from the side, instantly widened his beady eyes. *Hmm? Why does that sound a bit... dirty?* Fortunately, the lion spirit didn't know what he was thinking, or he might have abandoned Zu An and come for him first.

The other demon experts, however, instantly understood his meaning. He clearly intended to use the Lion's Roar Skill. The Lion's Roar Skill was a unique technique of the lion tribe. It could directly reduce a target to an idiot, and if the target's cultivation was lower, they might even burst into a cloud of blood mist. The group scattered, moving to the sides and rear of the lion spirit. The Lion's Roar Skill was an area-of-effect ability, and they didn't want to be caught in the crossfire.

Princess Solun looked at Zu An with concern, thinking that even if this guy had some tricks, he was being too overconfident. The lion spirit was unleashing the Lion's Roar Skill with hatred, and its power was astonishing. He could very well be instantly killed.

Qiao Heng couldn't help but warn, "Be careful!"

Unfortunately, it was already too late. A low, terrifying sound rumbled from the lion spirit's throat, and then he opened his mouth, a massive surge of energy about to burst forth. Just then, a teasing voice echoed: "What are you looking at?"

The lion spirit felt an intense impulse deep within his soul and instinctively retorted, "What's it to you?!" The moment the words left his mouth, he froze. Why would he say something like that at such a critical moment? But before he could react, the energy accumulated for the Lion's Roar Skill, which had reached his mouth but not been released, was entirely swallowed back into his body. It caused his blood and qi to churn, inflicting a certain degree of injury.

At this moment, Duan Tiande, the Dark Elf who had been watching, instantly sharpened his gaze. This was what had interrupted him just as he was about to successfully kill Qiao Heng. At the time, he thought it was a coincidence, but now it seemed it wasn't! Qiao Heng was also both surprised and delighted. He looked at Zu An, thinking that it was indeed Zu An who had saved him earlier. But he had never seen him before, so why would he save him? *Never mind,* he thought. *If he truly gets into danger later, I'll risk offending the lion tribe to save him.* The other noble scions were not fools. Connecting this to what had just happened by the swamp, they immediately understood what was going on. Princess Solun smiled faintly. *This guy is indeed not simple.*

The lion spirit swallowed the blood that had welled up in his mouth. "What evil spell did you use?!" The lion tribe possessed powerful physiques. Although he was injured by the backlash of the Lion's Roar Skill, he circulated his primal energy and quickly suppressed the minor injury. However, the thought of his recent grand boasts immediately followed by suffering a loss against the other party filled him with towering rage.

Zu An chuckled, "Isn't your mouth very tough? Go on?"

The lion spirit's breath hitched. He instinctively wanted to use the Lion's Roar Skill again to shake him to death, but his reason made him stop. The opponent's skill clearly countered his Lion's Roar Skill. Using it again would be foolish.

"Very well!" The lion spirit took a deep breath, his face grim. "Soon I will trample you underfoot, rip out your tongue, chop it into pieces, and feed it to the dogs!" As he spoke, he swung both fists. Two golden fists flew through the air, growing larger as they moved, quickly transforming into two mighty male lions. They let out deafening roars, appearing fierce and sinister, opening their gaping maws as they lunged at Zu An. With a casual swipe, the two spectral golden lions turned massive rocks along their path into powder and large trees into dust.

"The Lion Tribe's ultimate technique, the Overlord Lion Punch, is indeed incredibly powerful and hard to face head-on," Princess Solun couldn't help but exclaim.

At this moment, Yun Jianyue, somewhat surprised, couldn't help but gently elbow Yuyanluo. "How does your man manage to attract romantic interests everywhere? This demon princess is praising him on the surface, but she's actually giving a subtle warning."