Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Jade Pot Sect, Inner Sect!

In the depths of a secluded great hall sat a burly elder clad in black. Before him, a massive furnace painted in the same hue bellowed flames within. Elixirs, plump and round, gently swirled inside, emitting faint whiffs of medicinal fragrance.

Bang!

At a certain moment, the elder fiercely slapped the lid of the furnace. As the lid tumbled away, he drew an elixir out with a gust of Meridian Qi, pulling it into his palm, then brought it to his nose for a sniff, at last nodding in satisfaction.

”Is it Qing’er? Come in.”

Having just finished refining an elixir and placed it into a jade bottle, the elder smiled and turned his head, calling out to the entrance of the great hall.

Creak!

As soon as the words of the elder in black left his lips, the doors of the hall were pushed open from the outside. Promptly, a graceful figure, also in black, stepped in, her features fair and clear, yet a trace of innate frostiness lingered on her visage.

Had Yun Xiao been there, he might have recognized this black-clad young lady as Mo Qing, the talented girl of Jade Pot Sect whom he had met twice before.

The events that transpired today in Yulin Mountain were indeed curious and unusual, which is why, after Mo Qing had settled the newly joined Outer Disciples, she sought out her teacher.

But knowing that her teacher was at a critical juncture in elixir refining, Mo Qing dared not disturb him, waiting until he had finished and called for her before pushing the door open and entering.

”Teacher!”

Mo Qing entered the great hall and respectfully performed a salute. Meanwhile, the elder in black rose to his feet, looking at his proudest disciple and revealing a slight smile.

Naturally, this elder clad in black, second to none in the Jade Pot Sect and above myriad others, was the Great Elder of the Sect. His name was Lu Zhan, powerful in Meridian Qi Cultivation, and most importantly, he was a bona fide Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Refining Master. Even compared to the Second Elder Fu Du, he was a notch stronger.

”Qing’er, what brings you to your teacher so late at night?”

Lu Zhan knew that his beloved disciple usually only focused on cultivation and seldom saw her even once in a month. Such impromptu visits were rare, making him curious as to what could be so important to make her come so urgently.

”Teacher, do you remember the matter of the Talisman Poison Master and disciple I mentioned to you about a month ago?”

Mo Qing hesitated slightly, unsure of where to begin, but after a moment found a lead. Hearing her words, a flash of brilliance darted through the elder Lu Zhan’s eyes, casting a distinct glimmer.

Medical Pulse Masters and Poison Vein Masters, though both were Meridian Masters, belonged to two entirely different schools of thought. One healed and saved lives, while the other concocted poisons and harmed others—ideals that were completely at odds. It stood to reason they should not coexist within the same sect.

Yet, when Jade Pot Sect was founded, these two factions were forcibly merged by the Sect Master, crafting the infancy of the vast Sect within the Xuanyue Empire and passed down to this day.

Except for that Sect Master of Jade Pot Sect, Medical Pulse Masters and Poison Vein Masters always kept a clear boundary between them, hardly seeing eye to eye. In particular, the kind-looking Medical Pulse Masters truly detested the Poison Vein Masters and their art of poisoning and harming others.

With his mighty soul power, Lu Zhan would of course not forget what Mo Qing had told him. Pondering, he said, ”You mean the incident when you went to the Poison Hall and saw them using live subjects to test their poisons?”

Mo Qing nodded and then, with a flicker of strangeness in her beautiful eyes, asked, ”Teacher, do you know what became of that young man who was afflicted with the severe poison of the Seven-Colored Immortal Spider?”

”What? Didn’t you tell me that the young man was beyond help with the poison having reached his brain?” Upon hearing this, Lu Zhan looked slightly startled and inquired with astonishment.

”I thought so too at the time, which is why I didn’t expose the matter right then and there. But teacher, I saw that young man again today during the assessment of the Jade Pot Sect’s Outer Disciples. He... he’s actually still alive!”

Although she was already aware of the fact, Mo Qing couldn’t help but feel astonished as she recounted the events, for it completely defied her understanding.

One could imagine, even if Lu Zhan was indeed a genuine Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Refining Master, upon hearing this sudden news, his body involuntarily quivered, and he took a step forward, solemnly asking, ”Is this true?”

”Teacher, you know I never lie, especially not about something as serious as this,” spoke Mo Qing, her expression growing stern, knowing the implications of such an extraordinary occurrence.

Lu Zhan wasn’t really doubting Mo Qing’s honesty; it was just that the matter was too miraculous and odd, and he had to be cautious. Listening to her, he asked, ”What is the background of this young man?”

Mo Qing pondered, ”His name is Yun Xiao, said to be from the Shang Family of Moon Bow City. Teacher, I suspect that the deadly poison the Talisman Poison Master and disciple tested on him might not only be from the Seven-Colored Immortal Spider!”

It had to be said, Mo Qing was exceptionally clever. While waiting outside, she had already guessed some truth, and as her words fell, a bright light grew in Lu Zhan’s eyes, after which he said, ”From the look of it, this young man is indeed a prodigy. We cannot let him slip by!”

Mo Qing nodded and said, ”However, Yin Huan has also figured out Yun Xiao’s background. Judging from what he said, it seems he won’t give up easily. Should we do something about it?”

During the daytime, Mo Qing had seen Yin Huan’s attitude towards Yun Xiao, and she knew that, as a Poison Vein Master, he might be particularly interested in this youth, who was immune to all poisons.

However, at this moment, Lu Zhan shook his head and replied, ”You’re saying he’s just joined the Outer Sect? I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to intervene in such matters. You should keep a closer eye on him.”

”Yes, Master!”

Mo Qing understood what her teacher was cautious about. She did not try to persuade him further, but as she turned to leave the hall, she looked back and said, ”Teacher, that Yun Xiao is a Meridian Refining Master who has activated a Fire Attribute Ancestor Vein. Additionally, he managed to embarrass the Third Prince of Xuanyue Empire, Xuan Zhi, who is in the Meridian Gathering Realm Middle Stage, with the strength of Peak of Meridian Introduction Realm!”

”Oh?”

Initially ready to sit back down, Lu Zhan’s body trembled slightly upon hearing Mo Qing’s words from afar, and he then exclaimed, ”Qing’er, no matter what, that boy named Yun Xiao must be brought into our Medical Pulse lineage!”

With her back to Lu Zhan as she exited the hall, Mo Qing’s cold cheeks couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile. It seemed that her teacher was also extremely interested in this young man named Yun Xiao.

...

Jade Pot Sect Outer Sect.

Tap, tap!

Suddenly, a white figure approached the gate of a certain courtyard, and in the darkness of the night, this white figure stood out prominently, also showcasing the person’s confidence.

If Yun Xiao were here, he might instantly recognize that this person was the Third Prince, Xuan Zhi of the empire, whom he had once crossed paths with in battle. At this moment, Xuan Zhi walked straight to the courtyard gate and without even knocking, pushed the door open.

”Who’s there? Tired of living, are you?”

As soon as Xuan Zhi pushed the door and entered, a deep and stern voice came from within the courtyard. However, the voice sounded suppressed as if afraid to disturb someone.

”Hmph, Guan Hu, it’s been three years, and your temper seems to have only gotten worse!” said Xuan Zhi, looking at the robust figure that had leaped out from somewhere, and chuckled coldly, sounding as if he knew the identity of the speaker all too well.

”Ah, you are... the Third Prince?!”

The muscular figure that emerged from the shadows finally recognized Xuan Zhi’s appearance. His shock was indeed significant, and as his voice fell, he knelt down, showing extreme reverence.

”Enough, where is Guan Tong? Why isn’t he coming out to pay his respects to this prince?”

Xuan Zhi, with an air of superiority, did not pay attention to Guan Hu’s reverence and instead coldly asked, causing Guan Hu’s frame to tremble slightly, not daring to stand up.

”Replying to the Third Prince, my elder brother has been in seclusion these past few days, attempting a breakthrough into the Meridian Rushing Realm, which is at a critical juncture and can’t come to greet you, please forgive us, Your Highness!” Guan Hu said with his head bowed, which somewhat softened the expression on Xuan Zhi’s face.

”Rise!” said Xuan Zhi as he took a seat on a stone bench in the courtyard, his finger lightly tapping on the table beside him, his face looking somewhat gloomy.

It was not until then that Guan Hu, aided by the faint starlight, noticed the evident sword scar on Xuan Zhi’s face. Although he had cleaned up after arriving at the Jade Pot Sect Outer Sect, the scar could not be hidden.

”Guan Hu, do you know why I arranged for you and your brother to join the Jade Pot Sect three years ago?” Xuan Zhi suddenly posed this question, sending a jolt through Guan Hu’s heart, and he abruptly recalled the scene from three years ago in a room of the Xuanyue Empire Royal Family.

Back then, the brothers Guan Tong and Guan Hu were playmates and attendants to the Third Prince, Xuan Zhi, during their childhood. However, as they grew older, they realized that the prince’s temper was becoming increasingly sullen and difficult to serve.

One day, Xuan Zhi suddenly summoned the brothers and instructed them to participate in the triennial Outer Disciple assessment of the Jade Pot Sect. With the brothers’ skills, they naturally joined the sect smoothly.

But over these three years, Xuan Zhi had never given them any specific orders. With the resources of the Jade Pot Sect, the Guan brothers had made rapid progress in their Meridian Qi Cultivation. Even Guan Hu, who was slightly less talented, had broken through to the Late Stage of the Meridian Gathering Realm a few months ago, just one step away from reaching the Peak of the Meridian Gathering Realm.

”Your Highness’ intentions, how could I possibly guess? But we brothers will surely complete any command from Your Highness with our lives on the line!” Although seemingly unsure of Xuan Zhi’s intentions, Guan Hu made his loyalty clear when he spoke these words with considerable vigor.

”Forget it, there’s no need for you to know these things,” said Xuan Zhi with a glance at Guan Hu, and then he suddenly raised his right hand and lifted his index finger towards his left cheek, softly asking, ”Do you know how I got this scar on my face?”