Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Kid, don’t try to provoke me. When necessary, I can lend you a hand, but whether your little body can take it or not, I’m not responsible!” The Golden Snake Worm obviously wasn’t a pushover either. After subtly clarifying its stance, it fell silent.

”Deal!”

That was exactly what Yun Xiao wanted to hear. Although he didn’t believe that the Golden Snake Worm was truly a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, its mysterious origins and ability to speak human language certainly meant it was no ordinary Vein Demon.

The reality was as Yun Xiao had said. With his Meridian Rushing Realm Early Stage cultivation, he could fight and defeat geniuses like Yin Huan at the Meridian Rushing Realm Middle Stage, but any stronger than that became uncertain.

Especially for this Meridian Treasure opening, with several powerhouses at the Early Stage of the Meridian Union Realm present, facing these formidable opponents, Yun Xiao feared that even escaping would become extremely difficult.

Of course, these were not reasons for Yun Xiao to give up. Realizing it was the Dragon Summoning Tree, he was already determined not to let go; even if the Golden Snake Worm hadn’t spoken up, he would have done everything in his power to seize it.

But with the Golden Snake Worm’s willingness to help, how could Yun Xiao not maximize its power to his advantage? With such an ally, perhaps he would have a better chance at grabbing the Dragon Summoning Tree.

The Golden Snake Worm must have thought similarly; it likely picked up on Yun Xiao’s provocative intent but for some reasons, it couldn’t presently fight on its own and thus needed to rely on Yun Xiao’s strength.

It was these underlying factors that made Yun Xiao and the Golden Snake Worm click instantly, and because of the Dragon Summoning Tree, they truly communicated for the first time, moving beyond their previous state of mutual speculation.

”Yun Xiao, what’s wrong?”

While Yun Xiao was exchanging thoughts with the Golden Snake Worm, Mo Qing found his behavior strange and couldn’t help but speak up, snapping Yun Xiao back to reality.

However, Yun Xiao didn’t respond to Mo Qing; instead, his expression darkened as he shifted his gaze toward a particular spot, sensing a somewhat familiar presence.

”Someone’s coming!”

Yun Xiao’s expression soured as he internally regretted the delay; being the first to enter with Mo Qing, they had squandered too much time. Now, it seemed, trouble was brewing again.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!...

As soon as Yun Xiao’s grave words were spoken, the figures that appeared in the core space of the Meridian Treasure were not solitary but several people, all of whom they were not too unfamiliar with.

From the eastern tunnel appeared Yue Qi and Yin Huan, and interestingly, Bi Luo from the Poison Vein Lineage had somehow joined them.

At the southern and northern tunnels, two figures emerged simultaneously—Zhao Family Head Zhao Huan and Cao Family Head Cao Kong, both formidable Early Stage Meridian Union Realm cultivators.

Due to Yun Xiao’s methods outside a few days ago, the Family Heads of the Zhao and Cao families had not taken their sons deeper into the Meridian Treasure, as bringing along two individuals at the Late Stage of the Meridian Gathering Realm was now far too dangerous.

Watching these five figures, both Yun Xiao and Mo Qing’s expressions weren’t pleasant. Without exception, all five had grievances with Yun Xiao, including the Family Heads who had even deeper feuds with him over their sons’ deaths.

While Zhao Family Head Zhao Huan might hold back from acting against Yun Xiao, after forcing his son Zhao Ningshu to take the Corrosive Intestine Pills, Cao Family Head Cao Kong had no such reservations. Furthermore, Cao Luo wasn’t present to be used as a hostage by Yun Xiao.

As for Yue Qi and the other two, despite being from the same Jade Pot Lineage, Mo Qing and Yun Xiao had no expectation that they would lend a hand. Judging by Yin Huan’s bitter gaze, they would probably love to tear Yun Xiao limb from limb.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Fortunately, just as the various parties were on guard, two figures appeared beside Yun Xiao and Mo Qing. They were the two geniuses of the Medical Pulse of the Jade Pot Sect, Xue Gong and Chang Qing. It seemed they hadn’t been too slow to arrive either.

The gathered individuals represented the strongest contenders for the Meridian Treasure this time, and any other common cultivators, even if they managed to get here, would likely end up with nothing in the end.

What no one noticed was that, as the space suddenly filled with people, bringing a multitude of presences, some unknown changes began to occur in the skeletal corpse lying on the central platform.

”Haha, it looks like all the most important treasures inside this Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Treasure are gathered here!”

Cao Family Head Cao Kong glanced at Yun Xiao from a distance before he shifted his gaze to the center, where he immediately noticed the three items placed in front of the skeletons.

As a cultivator from the Hidden Dragon Continent like Cao Kong, he naturally could not recognize the Dragon Summoning Tree, so his attention first settled on the scroll and Jade Bottle.

The belongings left behind by a Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Refining Master would undoubtedly be extraordinary, far surpassing the low-level Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures found earlier.

In their hearts, Cao Kong and the others still harbored hope; even though the Meridian Treasure came from a Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Refining Master, there might still be advanced items of Spiritual Rank. If they could obtain such treasures, the entire family’s strength could leap forward significantly.

If such treasures really existed, they would most likely be located on the platform with the skeletons. Hence, with Cao Kong’s hearty laughter expressing his desire, everyone present surged with eagerness.

Swish!

The first to act was the top talent of the Poison Vein lineage of the Jade Pot Sect, Yue Qi. He believed his strength was unrivaled among all cultivators present and understood well the principle of striking first.

Seeing Yue Qi’s action, the family heads of the Zhao and Cao families were not slow to react. Although they harbored fear towards the Poison Vein lineage of the Jade Pot Sect, they were willing to set aside these concerns in the face of priceless treasures.

Here lay an ownerless Meridian Treasure, and its contents belonged to whoever claimed them first. The Jade Pot Sect was not an unreasonable sect. If they were to create difficulties over this issue later, it would seem rather unjustifiable.

”Be careful, I’m making my move!”

As three figures rapidly approached the central area, Mo Qing quickly made a decision and, after whispering a word of warning to Yun Xiao, whose cultivation was only at the Early Stage of Meridian Rushing Realm, she leaped into action and joined the fray.

Mo Qing’s words were obviously intended for Yun Xiao, and she knew which item Yun Xiao valued most. Compared to the scroll and Jade Bottle, perhaps there was a greater chance of obtaining that item.

The four cultivators at the Early Stage of Meridian Union Realm converged in the central region with incredible speed. It’s worth mentioning that both Cao and Zhao family heads immediately aimed for the black Jade Bottle as their first target.

Generally, scrolls record either Cultivation Techniques, Meridian Techniques, or Pill Recipes and Meridian Arrays. For family heads like those of the Zhao and Cao families, their clans were not lacking in Cultivation Techniques or Meridian Techniques, so such items did not tempt them greatly.

However, within the Meridian Treasure of a Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Refining Master, the most probable contents of a Jade Bottle would be an Elixir.

Obtaining an elixir of Spiritual Rank Intermediate or even Spiritual Rank Advanced would be perfect for cultivators like the Zhao and Cao family heads, who were in the Meridian Union Realm. Therefore, their targets aligned at last.

”Get lost!”

Cao Kong was undoubtedly faster, but Zhao Huan was not far behind. Seeing a figure flash before him, Cao Kong let out a loud shout. In the face of treasures, this fellow family head of the Zhao Family, also at the Early Stage of Meridian Union Realm, was clearly not in his good graces.

Just days ago, these two family heads had joined forces against a common enemy in Yun Xiao outside of the Meridian Treasure. But now, influenced by the potential treasures, they were involved in a fierce clash; the allure of possible treasures dictated the situation.

As these two engaged in battle, on the other side, Mo Qing had a very clear goal: to obtain the Dragon Summoning Tree that shocked Yun Xiao into speechlessness. Although she was unaware of the special effects of this tree, she chose to trust Yun Xiao’s judgment.

Was it bad luck for Mo Qing? Just as she was about to collect the tree, Yue Qi, who initially locked onto the scroll, seemingly had a change of heart and now aimed to vie for the Dragon Summoning Tree with her.

Unlike the family heads of the Zhao and Cao families, Yue Qi was a bona fide Mortal Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master. Thus, the allure of elixirs had less impact on him; he was more interested in Meridian Arrays or Pill Recipes.

Within the Meridian Treasure of a Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Refining Master, the scroll likely contained more than ordinary Cultivation Techniques or Meridian Techniques; it probably included Pill Recipes and Meridian Arrays of at least Spiritual Rank Intermediate, if not Advanced.

Yue Qi obviously thought deeper than the family heads of the Zhao and Cao families. He had assumed Mo Qing’s goal was the scroll, which likely contained Pill Formulas and Pulse Arrays. However, unexpectedly, this top talent of the Medical Pulse lineage of the sect disregarded the scroll and took great interest in an unremarkable tree.

Was Yue Qi genuinely recognizing the tree’s worth, or was he attempting to create obstacles for Mo Qing after their battle two days ago? Regardless, in that moment, as though compelled by some unknown force, he shifted his target and clashed with Mo Qing’s reaching hand, resulting in a loud noise.

”Yue Qi, I won’t compete with you for the scroll, but don’t contend with me for this item!”

Mo Qing, stepping back, grew even colder, but her words unintentionally had the opposite effect, increasing Yue Qi’s interest in the special tree.

Previously, Yue Qi had only speculated or sought to trouble Mo Qing, but now he genuinely coveted the tree. What was it about this tree, so highly valued by Mo Qing, that made it so extraordinary?