Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Brother Yun Xiao, are you going to the Task Hall to hand over the task first?”

Near the entrance to the Inner Sect of Jade Pot Sect, two figures slowly walked, and the plump one asked aloud as soon as he saw the black and green plaza ahead.

These two were naturally Yun Xiao and Ling Wan, who had just parted ways with Tan Yun and the others. When Yun Xiao heard Ling Wan, he was about to nod in response but his expression suddenly turned sharp.

Swoosh!

A huge fire-red shadow flashed through the Poison Vein sector on the left ahead, followed closely by another green figure in hot pursuit.

”Brother Yun Xiao, it’s Chi Yan!”

Ling Wan, with his sharp eyes, recognized the giant red shadow ahead—it was the familiar Fire Cloud Rat Chi Yan—and immediately cried out.

Although Chi Yan was rather indifferent toward Ling Wan, Tan Yun, and the others, they had become good friends after spending some time together, so Ling Wan was somewhat anxious to see Chi Yan appeared to be fleeing.

Compared to Ling Wan, Yun Xiao, being more familiar with Chi Yan, sensed his companion’s presence much earlier. With his superior Power of Soul, Yun Xiao also sensed the serious injury within Chi Yan.

Immediately, Yun Xiao quickened his pace, dashing towards the plaza, and at that moment, the green figure had already caught up to Chi Yan.

Bang!

The power of an attack from someone at the Mid Stage of Meridian Union Realm was formidable. Chi Yan, already internally injured, could not dodge after running such a distance and was struck squarely.

The force of this strike was immense. The nearly two zhang (about seven meters) long body of Chi Yan was sent flying by the impact, as if all his Demon Meridian Qi was dissipated by the hit, and in an instant his form shrank to the size of a palm.

Seeing his strike had succeeded, Shi Ping, the Steward of Poison Vein in the Mysterious Artifact Hall, was overjoyed. To tell the truth, he was genuinely afraid that Chi Yan might escape, as he was not sure he could catch up with such speed.

At this moment, Shi Ping couldn’t help feeling relieved that he had caused internal injury to the fire-red rat at the start, or else his efforts might have been in vain.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh...

When Shi Ping had reverted Chi Yan back to his original form, a dozen more figures appeared around him, including a young man in green, the junior disciple of Fu Du, Yin Huan.

Upon seeing the reverted form of the fire-red rat, Yin Huan’s eyes flashed with a hint of murderous intent. He was a proud person, and the unexpected development was his idea; he didn’t think that in the end, they would still have to rely on Shi Ping’s strength at Mid Stage of Meridian Union Realm. This was a blow to his pride.

Thus, Yin Huan, who had just arrived, didn’t hesitate and immediately lunged at the small fire-red rat, intent on crushing the creature that damaged his pride to vent his fury.

Yin Huan had already advanced to the Meridian Rushing Realm Late Stage; his strength was comparable to the Fourth Rank Intermediate Chi Yan. But how could the grievously wounded Chi Yan by Shi Ping have the power to retaliate now?

Whoosh...

Just as Chi Yan was about to meet his demise under Yin Huan’s strike, unexpectedly, at this critical moment, a tremendous force came surging in from an angle, causing Yin Huan’s expression to change.

Feeling the aura within this massive force, Yin Huan didn’t dare to gamble with his life and had no choice but to pivot his fist to meet the oncoming power head-on, resulting in a loud collision.

Bang!

After the loud crash, Yin Huan stumbled several steps backward. In contrast, the owner of that mysterious force took only one step back before regaining his footing, clearly demonstrating the difference in strength.

”Yun Xiao!”

Having regained his footing, Yin Huan finally steadied his breathing, and when he turned his head to that slender figure, the two words seemed to be squeezed out through clenched teeth.

”Yun Xiao?”

Yin Huan’s tooth-gritting voice was not concealed, and Shi Ping and the others behind him also heard it. They were all familiar with the name; after all, that was the Sect Leader’s sole Direct Disciple since the founding of Jade Pot Sect.

However, Shi Ping was also vaguely aware of the relations between Yun Xiao and a few Elders of Poison Vein, so even though Yun Xiao was a disciple of the Sect Leader, with his strength at Mid Stage of Meridian Union Realm, he wouldn’t be too cautious.

”Chi Yan, are you alright?”

At this time, Ling Wan had also rushed over. Seeing him bend over to hold the dying Chi Yan in his palms, his voice was slightly trembling.

Presumably feeling the severe injury of Chi Yan so closely, Ling Wan could sense the severity of it. With the Fourth Rank Intermediate Demon Meridian Qi Cultivation enduring two heavy hits from a cultivator at the Mid Stage of Meridian Union Realm, it was a great fortune that Chi Yan was not dead.

”You...you, why did you act so viciously?”

Ling Wan looked at Chi Yan with a heartache and turned around with a face full of anger. His words also caused Yun Xiao’s face to darken significantly because in his heart, Chi Yan was a brother whose status was not inferior to Ling Wan’s.

”Yun Xiao, isn’t it? You are unaware that this beast has stolen numerous Spiritual Rank Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures from our Mysterious Artifact Hall. If I do not capture it, I cannot explain myself to the Elders!”

Seeing Yin Huan trembling with rage, Shi Ping had no choice but to speak up. Moreover, as soon as he started talking, he took the moral high ground, thinking even if you are a Sect Leader’s Direct Disciple, you must still abide by the Sect’s rules, right?

”Who are you?”

Yun Xiao suppressed the anger in his heart, or perhaps he sensed Shi Ping’s Mid Stage Meridian Union Realm Cultivation and knew he was no match for Shi Ping, hence he asked coldly first.

”I’m Shi Ping, the Steward of the Poison Vein Mysterious Artifact Hall. You can call me Steward Shi!” Shi Ping had no idea there was anything inappropriate with this title, instead, he felt a bit superior.

”Steward Shi, is it? Chi Yan is my companion. Would you please do me, Yun Xiao, a favor and let it off?”

Yun Xiao probably already knew the ins and outs of the incident, understanding that it must have been because he was not at the Sect that Chi Yan, unable to bear the loneliness, went on to steal from the Poison Vein Mysterious Artifact Hall.

But at this point, Chi Yan was already at death’s door, having received its punishment. In his view, his status as a Sect Leader’s Direct Disciple should still wield some deterrent power.

”It’s not possible. The rules of the Sect are the rules of the Sect. Don’t think that just because you are a Sect Leader’s Disciple, you can do whatever you want!”

Who knew that as soon as Yun Xiao’s words fell, Yin Huan finally came back to his senses. With the feud between him and Yun Xiao, how could he simply let it go so easily, especially now that he had Chi Yan’s wrongdoings in hand?

Anything that Yun Xiao protected, Yin Huan wanted to destroy. Seeing how much the former valued that fiery-red rat, he was even less likely to let go this time.

”Steward Shi, Chi Yan is young and doesn’t know any better. However much it has eaten from your hall, I will compensate at the full price!”

Yun Xiao paid no mind to Yin Huan’s jumping up and down. In his eyes, only this Mid Stage Meridian Union Realm Steward posed a threat to him; a mere Yin Huan couldn’t make much of a splash.

Indeed, it was Chi Yan who had erred first, and Yun Xiao was not an unreasonable man. He intended to use the corresponding Points as compensation for what Chi Yan had eaten. That should satisfy Shi Ping, shouldn’t it?

”This...”

Indeed, after Yun Xiao put forward this compensation condition, Shi Ping couldn’t help but hesitate. If it were an ordinary Inner Sect Medical Pulse Disciple, he would probably not have compromised no matter what, but the person in front of him was a Sect Leader’s Direct Disciple. One should always give face to the Sect Leader, shouldn’t one?

”Alright, it’s impossible to count all that this beast has eaten. Since you’re so willing to take responsibility with such deep pockets, compensate with one hundred thousand Points!”

Just as Shi Ping hesitated, Yin Huan, who was to the side, quickly took the opportunity to demand an astronomical figure of ”one hundred thousand Points.”

This astronomical number not only made Yun Xiao and Ling Wan stare dumbfounded, but even Steward Shi Ping of the Mysterious Artifact Hall looked at Yin Huan in disbelief, thinking to himself that this guy’s skin was a little too thick, wasn’t it? That was just too shameless.

One hundred thousand Points, let alone a Disciple like Yun Xiao who had just joined the Inner Sect, even these Stewards probably couldn’t afford it.

For an Intermediate Spiritual Rank task, the reward was only four to five thousand Points, and such tasks were extremely dangerous. One mistake could cost a life.

Shi Ping had a clear idea of what Chi Yan had eaten. In his view, it would amount to at most a few thousand, maybe ten thousand Points. But when Yin Huan spoke, he immediately demanded one hundred thousand, obviously not intending to let the matter go lightly.

Chi Yan was merely a Fourth Rank Intermediate Vein Demon, unlikely to dare to consume those Mid-Level Spiritual Rank Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures carelessly. Even with the body of a Vein Demon, it would not be able to withstand such powerful forces.

Indeed, this was what Yin Huan thought. Aren’t you, Yun Xiao, wealthy and powerful? Don’t you have the Sect Leader to back you up? Alright then, provide one hundred thousand Points and we’ll call it even.

”Yin Huan, isn’t that a bit...”

”Steward Shi, do you even understand the purpose of what that beast consumed? Do you know, there’s one item that Teacher had long set his sights on. If he looks into it, how do you plan to explain it?”

Just as Steward Shi was about to say something, Yin Huan had already turned around with a grim face. The words he uttered made Steward Shi swallow back the rest of what he was about to say.

Although the present Yin Huan was only at the Late Stage of Meridian Rushing Realm, the deterrent power of his teacher was probably much stronger in the Jade Pot Sect than even the Sect Leader.

Offending the Sect Leader might at most result in a reprimand or some non-trivial punishment. But if one offended Fu Du, it could cost one’s fortunes and even their life.

The conversation between these two allowed Yun Xiao, who was initially shocked, to immediately understand. He had just silently cursed at Chi Yan for consuming something so valuable that it would warrant one hundred thousand Points, but now it seemed that Yin Huan was clearly trying to swindle him!

With that in mind, it was time to play a game with this utmost shameless character!