Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”This kid, he’s not seriously thinking of taking on a Spiritual Rank Low Level mission, is he?”

”Isn’t that courting death? Generally, only Inner Sect Disciples who have reached the Meridian Rushing Realm dare to take such missions!”

”If he’s seeking his own demise, who can stop him? Overestimating himself will cost him his life!”

”Exactly, and he seems addicted to showing off. I really want to see how you handle things after taking on a Spiritual Rank mission.”

”...”

Originally, Yun Xiao had a good reputation among these Outer Disciples, except for the families of Zhao, Cao, Xuan Zhi, and others, the other newly admitted disciples held some awe for him.

However, not all present were newly admitted Outer Disciples. Those young talents who joined the Jade Pot Sect’s Outer Sect three years ago but could not advance to the Inner Sect, their strength could be on par with Xuan Zhi.

Even some seasoned Outer Disciples, who rank high on the Mortal List, could be even stronger than Guan Hu.

Yet even these famed talents on the Mortal List dared not touch the Spiritual Rank Low Level missions, for they had no chance of completing them without breaking through to the Meridian Rushing Realm.

Hence, when these elite members of the Jade Pot Sect saw a new Outer Disciple, a youngster who merely appeared to be at the Meridian Gathering Realm Early Stage contemplating a Spiritual Rank Low Level mission, they all harbored a touch of jealousy.

Regardless, whether Yun Xiao can complete the Spiritual Rank Low Level mission or not, his presence has already outshone everyone in the hall, a limelight everyone craved but dared not to attempt lightly.

However, even if people within the Task Hall envied or resented Yun Xiao, no one dared to act out here. So they could only watch as Yun Xiao slowly reached out his hand, about to press the button to accept the mission.

Under each mission description, there is a corresponding button. Yun Xiao had watched carefully as Tan Yun and others chose their Mortal Rank Middle Level missions; pressing the button would drop out a mission token.

When obtaining this token, a trace of Meridian Qi must be infused into it, which is erased when the mission is handed over for differentiation.

However, just as Yun Xiao’s right index finger was about to touch the button, there suddenly came a sound of footsteps from behind him, causing some disturbance among the crowd and making his right hand swiftly retract.

Yun Xiao turned around and saw a robust young man. When he saw this person’s face, his heart stirred, and he involuntarily glanced towards a direction - there stood his old acquaintance, Xuan Zhi and Guan Hu.

What felt strange was, after seeing the newcomer, Yun Xiao felt the man quite resembled Guan Hu. Combining the information he had previously received, he had a good guess about the identity of the newcomer.

Especially when sensing the faintly emitted formidable aura from this robust young man, his whole body tensed up, preparing some defenses even within the Task Hall.

”Eh? Isn’t that Senior Brother Guan Tong? Is he also here for a mission?”

”I heard Senior Brother Guan Tong recently went into seclusion to break through to the Meridian Rushing Realm, but I wonder if he succeeded?”

”If Senior Brother Guan Tong really managed to break through to the Meridian Rushing Realm, then in the upcoming Outer Sect competition in two months, he might break forth and join the Inner Sect.”

”Oh, I wish I could join the Inner Sect too!”

”...”

Subsequent discussions in the brief silence confirmed Yun Xiao’s guess. The robust figure who suddenly appeared in the Task Hall was none other than Guan Hu’s elder brother, Guan Tong, ranked third on the Outer Sect’s Mortal List of the Jade Pot Sect.

Indeed, it was Guan Tong. Honestly, being forcefully pulled out from his seclusion by Guan Hu, he was quite angry because he was at a critical moment in his breakthrough to the Meridian Rushing Realm. Being interrupted at such a moment was extremely frustrating.

The Jade Pot Sect’s Outer Sect held a major competition annually, and the top two from these competitions would ascend to become Inner Sect Disciples. Unfortunately, Guan Tong was only ranked third on the Mortal List, still behind the top two tough contestants.

Because both of them had already broken through to the Meridian Rushing Realm, although only within this past year, it represented a different level in cultivation. Even if Guan Tong was half a step into the Meridian Rushing Realm, there was no comparison between them.

Thus, with over two months left until the competition, Guan Tong had forcefully entered seclusion to attempt achieving the Meridian Rushing Realm, but unexpectedly, just as he found a slight opportunity, he was forcibly interrupted by his brother, Guan Hu. How could he possibly be happy about it?

If it weren’t for his own brother interrupting him, Guan Tong might have slapped someone to death, but hearing Guan Hu mention Xuan Zhi, his anger was instantly subdued.

No matter how well Guan Tong mixes in the Jade Pot Sect, his background, the Guan Family, is an affiliated family of the Xuanyue Royal Family, and these family descendants can only obey the royalty, these noble heirs.

Moreover, with the Guan brothers entering the Jade Pot Sect upon the instructions of Xuan Zhi, now that their master has been bullied, if Guan Tong continues to ignore this while focusing on seclusion, that would truly be a terrible situation.

Thus, abandoning even the opportunity to reach the Meridian Rushing Realm, Guan Tong hastily arrived at the Task Hall after receiving news from Xuan Zhi on the morning of the second day.

At this time, Guan Tong’s raging fury naturally couldn’t be vented towards Xuan Zhi, especially in such a public setting. He also wouldn’t be too affectionate in his words towards Xuan Zhi.

Seeing Guan Tong enter, a hint of joy appeared on Xuan Zhi’s face, while next to him, Guan Hu had already given a meaningful look towards his older brother. His gaze landed on a lone, skinny figure standing in a corner.

Receiving the signal from his brother, Guan Tong immediately knew that the youth standing to the right of the task wall who had caused him to miss his breakthrough opportunity was Yun Xiao, so he strode directly towards him.

To be honest, having his breakthrough interrupted, Guan Tong couldn’t help but harbor some resentment towards Xuan Zhi. However, how could he dare to say more to the Third Prince of the Empire; hence, all his hatred was now directed at Yun Xiao.

”Are you Yun Xiao?”

Approaching, Guan Tong, with a slanted eye, asked such a sentence, causing some of the Outer Disciples in the vicinity to take pleasure in Yun Xiao’s misfortune, thinking to themselves that this prominent youngster seems to have some grudge with Guan Tong.

Perhaps only Tan Yun and Ling Wan knew about the grudge between Yun Xiao and the Guan brothers because everything stems from Xuan Zhi, and the incident that occurred inside the Jade Pot Cave isn’t widely known.

”Tsk tsk, Yun Xiao sure knows how to stir trouble!”

Those unaware of the details like Zhao Ningshu or Cao Luo had even greater pleasure in their eyes. Now, as they dare not trouble Yun Xiao themselves, seeing the third-ranked on the Mortal List, Guan Tong making a move, they presumed Yun Xiao couldn’t withstand him.

Yun Xiao, recognizing Guan Tong’s identity, knew well that this man had no goodwill towards him. Thus, he was not about to be polite, merely nodding slightly before turning away.

Seeing his own question being ignored by a mere youth at the early stage of the Meridian Gathering Realm, Guan Tong’s anger became quite significant. Originally frustrated by the interrupted seclusion, new grievances piled atop old, and he exploded instantly.

”Kid, I’m talking to you, didn’t you hear?”

Guan Tong moved incredibly fast, and in a flash, he had positioned himself between Yun Xiao and the task wall. His body subtly emitted a strong aura.

Of course, since Guan Tong hadn’t reached the Meridian Rushing Realm, he couldn’t externalize his Meridian Qi. His aura was merely formidable and could not hurt Yun Xiao even in the slightest. For such an aura, Yun Xiao didn’t care much at all.

”Sorry, I need to accept a task, please move aside!”

Yun Xiao’s expression was calm as water, seemingly unthreatened by Guan Tong’s aura, who was half-stepping into the Meridian Rushing Realm. This scene shifted the mindset of the other Outer Disciples watching.

Initially, everyone thought Yun Xiao was just making a spectacle, but seeing him facing a genius ranked third on the Mortal List with equanimity at least showcased a courage none there possessed.

But since there’s such a spectacle to witness, these Outer Disciples in the hall all stopped their activities, all wanting to see whether the third ranked on the Mortal List, Guan Tong, would allow Yun Xiao to take up the task smoothly.

”Task?”

Hearing this, Guan Tong was slightly startled, feeling something amiss, not realizing until he recognized where he stood. Then he burst into laughter, saying: ”Haha, what did I hear? You, a junior at the early stage of the Meridian Gathering Realm, actually want to accept a low-level Spiritual Rank task?”

Hearing this, Yun Xiao frowned slightly and asked, ”What, can’t someone at the early stage of the Meridian Gathering Realm take on low-level Spiritual Rank tasks?”

Honestly, Yun Xiao indeed didn’t know if there was such a rule. If the task acceptance was limited by cultivation level, that could be troublesome. For those Mortal Rank tasks, he truly disdained them.

”That... No, there isn’t!”

Suddenly asked by Yun Xiao, Guan Tong was briefly stunned again, instinctively answering. However, he soon realized why he was so responsive to every question, wasn’t this elevating the young man in front of him?

”Kid, I advise you to go over there and accept a Mortal Rank task; Spiritual Rank tasks could cost you your life!” Guan Tong extended his hand, pointing to the left, as if including all the Outer Disciples.

”You’re really strange. Do you need to meddle in what task I accept?” Yun Xiao had no good impressions of Guan Tong, and after speaking, intended to bypass the man and press the button to accept the task.