Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

High-level Spiritual Rank weapons, on the Hidden Dragon Continent, are already considered peerless treasures, as only some Artifact Refiners of high-level Spiritual Rank can craft such items.

Of course, this is not to say that there are no Earth Rank weapons in the Hidden Dragon Continent, but on such a plane, Earth Rank weapons would certainly not be something that Spiritual Rank Artifact Refiners could forge.

It is only because the Xuanyue Imperial Family is so wealthy and powerful that the Xuan Jiuding has such a high-level Spiritual Rank weapon. In fact, across the entire Hidden Dragon Continent, there would hardly be too many such weapons.

Although it is said that on the Nine Dragons Continent combat is still based fundamentally on Meridian Qi Cultivation, having a top-tier weapon will definitely enhance one’s combat strength by ten to twenty percent, particularly with some divine weapons.

For example, in the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, Yun Xiao had once seen Emperor Canglong, whose long spear weapon was a divine artifact exceeding a high-level Holy Rank weapon, its might capable of destroying heavens and earth, known as one of the top ten ancient divine artifacts.

A high-level Spiritual Rank weapon naturally cannot compare with Holy Rank weapons or divine artifacts, but in the eyes of Yan Chun and Xuan Zhi, it was filled with envy, because they too wished to possess such a weapon.

”Big Brother, your ’Falling Star Slash’ hasn’t been wielded for many years now!”

After a bout of envy, Xuan Zhi was the first to speak up, his gaze fixed on the high-level Spiritual Rank weapon, speaking a truth. After all, where would Xuan Jiuding, who spends years within the Royal Family as Xuanyue Crown Prince, get the opportunity to battle others?

The weapon in Xuan Jiuding’s hand appeared to be a stick about three feet long, but at the end, there was a five-star shaped object, quite bizarre.

However, a high-level Spiritual Rank weapon generally has its own special effects. For example, the Cold Ice Power of the Fenghang Cold Light Axe at the Outer Sect Grand Competition, the five stars at the tip of the weapon might be the origin of the name ”Falling Star Slash.”

This Crown Prince had immense confidence in his Falling Star Slash, believing that even if Xuan Zhi’s weapon was ineffective, his high-level Spiritual Rank weapon would certainly fulfill his wishes.

In the fervent gazes of Xuan Zhi and Yan Chun, Xuan Jiuding did not hesitate too much, raising the Falling Star Slash high and striking forcefully towards the Black Lock in front of the wooden box.

Xuan Jiuding had no desire to destroy the contents within the wooden box, as that could very likely allow him to ascend to the throne of Xuanyue Country earlier, and even possibly conquer neighboring nations, dominating the entire Hidden Dragon Continent.

With such thoughts in mind, Xuan Jiuding’s Falling Star Slash swiftly descended, but just when Xuan Zhi and Yan Chun were eager to witness the scene they imagined, what happened next left them stunned and disbelieving.

Snap!

A light sound emitted from atop the wooden box, followed by a clear view for both Xuan Zhi and Yan Chun, the respected high-level Spiritual Rank weapon Falling Star Slash’s five-star tip completely broke off upon touching the iron lock.

That was a high-level Spiritual Rank weapon, a divine weapon that not even the entire Xuanyue Empire possessed in great quantity, and yet it shattered upon impact just like Xuan Zhi’s intermediate Spiritual Rank weapon earlier.

”Impossible!”

Originally full of certainty, Xuanyue Imperial Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding, whose face always carried a composed demeanor, now wore an expression of ferocious gloom, replacing his previous calm.

After this roar erupted from Xuan Jiuding, he seemed to be unwilling to accept it, furiously striking repeatedly at the Black Lock with the remaining handle of Falling Star Slash.

Snap snap snap...

A succession of light sounds, and without any surprise, every time Xuan Jiuding’s Falling Star Slash hit the Black Lock, the weapon shortened by a section, until only the handle was left.

Feeling the weight in his hand lighten, Xuan Jiuding finally regained a bit of reason, watching as his right hand prepared to strike down again, possibly even coming into contact with the Black Lock with his fingers, he reflexively let go of the Falling Star Slash handle and retreated several steps with lingering fear.

In fact, Xuan Jiuding was overlooking one detail, which was that Yan Chun had clearly also touched the Black Lock with his flesh, at most it was immovable, but it didn’t cause any injury.

Just because high-level Spiritual Rank weapons were broken into pieces, even if Xuan Jiuding remained self-confident, he dared not claim that his Physical Strength was mightier than such weapons; he did not wish for his fingers to be broken into fragments too.

At this moment, the three in the hall did not speak, falling into an eerie silence, the six eyes of the three men fixated unwaveringly on the seemingly undisturbed, worn wooden box and the Black Lock, as if bewitched.

Judging from the recent incident, whatever was contained within the wooden box must indeed be an unparalleled treasure; otherwise, why would an object impervious even to high-level Spiritual Rank weapons be used to seal it.

But exactly because of this, any external force applied on this wooden box and the iron lock could not shake it in the slightest, and the contents inside remained unattainable; what use was there in just looking?

”Could it be that only the matching key can open this Black Lock?”

Xuan Jiuding, after all, is the Crown Prince of the Empire. After a moment of anger and regret, he finally came to his senses. As his murmuring voice fell, Xuan Zhi beside him seemed to have suddenly remembered something, his eyes lighting up.

”Key? The key! Ah! I remember now!”

A voice tinged with excitement echoed throughout the grand hall. When Xuan Jiuding and Yan Chun turned their gaze towards the speaker, they saw Xuan Zhi looking quite thrilled.

”Big brother, do you remember the item you asked me to retrieve from the second floor of the Outer Sect’s Mysterious Artifact Hall in Jade Pot Sect?”

Turning his head, Xuan Zhi looked at his Crown Prince brother. His words made Xuan Jiuding contemplative; in fact, he was unaware that it was a black key.

At the Outer Sect competition, Yun Xiao was looking for some highly poisonous substances in the Mysterious Artifact Hall when he discovered a black key that triggered a reaction from the Blood Moon Jade. Eventually, it took a whopping one thousand points to get his hands on it.

At that time, Xuan Zhi and Bi Luo suddenly appeared, intending to forcefully snatch away the black key, and the current excitement on Xuan Zhi’s face was clearly arising from recalling that incident.

Actually, when Xuan Jiuding had asked Xuan Zhi to fetch that item, he’d only known through certain channels that it was associated with the Sect Treasure of Jade Pot Sect but didn’t expect the connection to be so significant.

After hearing Xuan Zhi’s recount, Xuan Jiuding’s heart was already set ablaze with tumultuous waves, and at this moment, he began to pay serious attention to the name ”Yun Xiao” for the first time.

As the Crown Prince of the Empire, he was certainly aware when Yun Xiao had won first place in the Outer Sect competition and was exceptionally accepted as a Direct Disciple by the Sect Master of Jade Pot Sect.

However, back then, he had no interest in a young man who had not even broken through to the Meridian Rushing Realm, until now, when he found out that the key of utmost importance, which could be the key to unlocking this wooden box’s Black Lock, had fallen into Yun Xiao’s hands.

”No matter what, I must get my hands on that black key!”

Xuan Jiuding’s gaze swept over the fragments of the Falling Star Slash lying on the ground, feeling a great sting in his heart—it was, after all, a Spiritual Rank Advanced weapon. But the next moment, he spoke out vehemently, his voice filled with resolute determination.

”That’s obvious, but big brother, with Commander Yan Chun’s identity exposed, it has become inconvenient to act in Jade Pot Sect. What is your plan?”

Xuan Zhi’s eyes darted around, and what he said was indeed true. Initially, they thought that obtaining the wooden box meant that the task was complete, and Yan Chun’s exposure was inconsequential. They had not anticipated such a twist.

”Humph, isn’t that old Fu Du ambitious? Just let him take action. I don’t believe a dignified Second Elder of Jade Pot Sect can’t handle an Inner Sect Disciple?”

Xuan Jiuding was accustomed to commanding others, and he had never taken the Second Elder of Jade Pot Sect seriously because he knew that as long as there was enough benefit, that old man would surely listen to him.

”However... we can’t place all our hopes on others!”

After Xuan Jiuding finished speaking, pausing briefly as if remembering something, he then said: ”Father’s birthday is coming soon, when the Royal Family will host guests from all over. This could be an opportunity to weave some plots!”

Upon hearing the words of his Crown Prince brother, Xuan Zhi’s expression shifted, and he asked, ”Big brother means to have Yun Xiao also attend Father Emperor’s birthday celebration?”

”Hehe, the Sect Master’s Direct Disciple of Jade Pot Sect—that’s a novelty in the Xuanyue Empire. We should definitely meet him in person!” A strange smile appeared on Xuan Jiuding’s face, but his tone was filled with coldness. It seems that things will not be as simple as he was saying.

”You go ahead and arrange it. If Fu Du doesn’t succeed, we’ll talk then!” Xuan Jiuding waved his hand dismissively, and seeing his impatience, both Yan Chun and Xuan Zhi did not dare say more and respectfully exited the grand hall.

For a moment, the grand hall fell into absolute silence, with Xuan Jiuding’s gaze never leaving the wooden box and the inconspicuous Black Lock, lost in thought.

Whoosh!

However, unnoticed in the quiet of the grand hall, a figure wrapped in a black robe had appeared. Xuan Jiuding, it seemed, was no longer surprised by such occurrences.

”Elder Xing, can you open it for me?”

It was only after a long while that Xuan Jiuding finally turned around. If outsiders or even the just-departed Yan Chun and Xuan Zhi had heard this address, their eyes would have surely popped out of their heads in shock.

After all, Xuan Jiuding ranked above millions in the Xuanyue Empire, subordinate only to his father, the King. Who else could command such respect from him?

Yet, following Xuan Jiuding’s words, the figure shrouded in the black robe simply shook their head slightly, causing the Crown Prince to feel a profound sense of disappointment.