Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Chapter 324: 324 Qingshan Sect

The birthday of the King of the Xuanyue Country could arguably be called the grandest event in the Imperial City every year. On that day, not just the Imperial Palace bustles with extraordinary liveliness, but the entire Imperial City, Baiyue City, is filled with joyous festivities.

The contemporary King of Xuanyue is an enlightened and wise monarch, who has revived a lifeless Xuanyue Empire and significantly fostered its rejuvenation. Therefore, in the hearts of many ordinary people and Cultivators within the Empire, the Xuanyue King is held in great reverence.

Thus, the annual birthday of the King is celebrated with the same pomp as the New Year’s festival. Not only do distinguished figures from within Xuanyue Empire come to offer their congratulations, but emissaries from neighboring allied nations also arrive to join the lively celebrations.

Without mentioning the drumbeats and gongs filling Baiyue City, today is the actual birthday of the Xuanyue King, seeing countless Sect and family leaders gather from all over towards the Imperial Palace. Among these, what attracted the most attention was naturally the Heavenly Moon Pavilion, which hosted the important guests.

Walking out of the premier ’Heaven’ building along with Yu Shu, Yun Xiao immediately saw an old man clothed in earthy yellow robes, accompanied by a young man in yellow attire, striding towards them. However, when passing by Yu Shu, the elder did not greet him, but instead, huffed loudly.

”Who is that old fellow?”

Yun Xiao felt a tinge of surprise in his heart, and knowing the old man’s cold hum was aimed at Yu Shu, his inquiry came with a lack of politeness.

”You mustn’t underestimate him; he’s the current Sect Leader of the Qingshan Sect, named Li Feng. His Meridian Qi Cultivation is no less than mine!”

Yu Shu watched the retreating figure of the elder in yellow robes, a glint flickering in his eyes. Hearing this introduction, Yun Xiao, though not entirely ignorant, immediately understood.

Within the Xuanyue Empire, the Xuanyue Imperial Family reigns supreme, but there are three other great Sects standing in rivalry, each with overall strength not too far off from the Royal Family’s. It’s rare for anyone to dare provoke them carelessly.

Among them, the Jade Pot Sect naturally counts as one, and having witnessed the formidable strength of Sect Leader Yu Shu, Yun Xiao could easily comprehend why they held a place of their own in the Xuanyue Empire.

Aside from the Jade Pot Sect, there were two other Sects that could stand toe-to-toe with it - the Qingshan Sect and the Luoyi Sect. Leaving aside the somewhat mysterious Luoyi Sect, the Qingshan Sect and the Jade Pot Sect continually vie for the coveted position of the number one Sect in Xuanyue Empire.

Regrettably, despite centuries of overt competition and covert clashes, it seems both old and young generations of the two Sects have yet to establish superiority over the other, thus the situation has remained at a stalemate.

However, relative to the others, the Jade Pot Sect, with its numerous Meridian Refining Masters, does hold a slightly higher status in comparison. This is a point that greatly displeases Li Feng, Sect Leader of the Qingshan Sect.

”Have you seen that young man beside Li Feng?”

While Yun Xiao pondered, Yu Shu’s voice reached him again. Without waiting for his Disciple’s response, Yu Shu continued, ”His name is Li Yue. He is the foremost young Cultivator of the Qingshan Sect, and perhaps before long, he will become a formidable rival for my Jade Pot Sect Disciples at the ’Countries Hidden Dragon Conference’!”

”Countries Hidden Dragon Conference?”

Hearing Yu Shu’s words, Yun Xiao selectively ignored the name ”Li Yue” and instead focused on the so-called ”Countries Hidden Dragon Conference,” as it was his first time hearing of the event.

”You really don’t know about the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference?”

Seeing Yun Xiao’s expression, Yu Shu felt puzzled and asked as they walked. In his opinion, even though his Disciple hailed from a small merchant family in Moon Bow City, there was no reason not to have heard of the Hidden Dragon Continent’s grandest event.

In truth, Yu Shu’s understanding of Yun Xiao’s past in the Shang Family and the Xuan Jiuding was too superficial. Although the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference was well-known, Yun Xiao had always lived secluded in a small yard with his mother and sister. Naturally, Shang Li would not have told him about such events.

Moreover, how could a small merchant family from Moon Bow City, struggling to gain even a single spot within the Jade Pot Sect, be qualified to participate in the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference?

”Alright!”

Seeing that Yun Xiao seemed genuinely unaware, Yu Shu had no choice but to accept this fact and explained, ”The so-called Countries Hidden Dragon Conference is an event for young talents under thirty from numerous empires throughout the Hidden Dragon Continent. Whoever wins the championship will not only receive the title ’Hidden Dragon Emerges’ but also countless honors and rewards!”

”Moreover, the decennial Countries Hidden Dragon Conference may even draw the attention of the Great Powers from the ’Middle Three Realms’ to watch the contest. If one catches their eye, it can lead to soaring success.”

A hint of emotion tinged Yu Shu’s voice, revealing how much he valued the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference. Or perhaps, the last two sentences he said were the real crux of the matter.

”Middle Three Realms!”

Upon hearing this term, which he seemed not to have heard in a long time, Yun Xiao’s heart stirred. The so-called Middle Three Realms was a completely different plane from the Hidden Dragon Continent, or rather, a higher plane composed of three continents.

This continent, collectively known as the Nine Dragons Continent, held the number ”Nine” for a reason. From top to bottom, there were nine different continents that formed the complete Nine Dragons Continent.

The whole Nine Dragons Continent was structured like a pyramid, with the highest plane undoubtedly being the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud where Yun Xiao, reincarnated from the Long Xiao Battle God of his previous life, once resided.

Below it lay the Middle Three Realms, formed by three continents, where nature’s spiritual energy was richer and the strong Cultivators were undoubtedly more numerous and powerful, making it a sacred place for cultivation that Cultivators from the Hidden Dragon Continent yearned to enter.

In fact, the place where the Hidden Dragon Continent is located has another name, called the Lower Five Realms, because there are four other continents at the same level, but they are extremely far apart from one another. Cultivators from the Hidden Dragon Continent could spend their entire lives without being able to set foot on the other four continents.

The Hidden Dragon Continent, along with the four other continents, collectively known as the Lower Five Realms. As the reincarnation of the Long Xiao Battle God, Yun Xiao was naturally very familiar with all of this. However, he had never considered that the so-called Countries Hidden Dragon Conference would actually attract the Great Powers from the Middle Three Realms to observe the battle, which might be an opportunity for him.

Master and disciple talked and walked, and before long, they had arrived at the imposing gates of the Imperial Palace. In fact, thanks to Yu Shu’s stature, they no longer needed to produce any invitations, but they still followed the rules, because in this place, everyone would show respect to the Royal Family.

As one of the three major Sects of the Xuanyue Empire, Yu Shu’s treatment was naturally different from that of smaller families and Sect leaders. He and Yun Xiao were directly led to the most important hall of the Xuanyue Imperial Family, named the Moon Embracing Hall. Just by hearing the name, one could sense the overwhelming aura it possessed.

Even though it was impossible to truly embrace the moon inside the Moon Embracing Hall, as soon as Yun Xiao entered, he felt an unusual aura.

However, Yun Xiao’s thoughts were not focused on this strange energy. Inside the Moon Embracing Hall were already many guests, among whom Yun Xiao only recognized Li Feng, the Sect Master of the Qingshan Sect.

Although the Qingshan Sect and the Jade Pot Sect had always been at odds, the two did not greet each other. Following Yu Shu, Yun Xiao walked to a seat at the top left side and immediately felt an unfriendly gaze cast upon him.

”Hmph!”

As soon as Yun Xiao turned his head, he heard a familiar snort of disdain. If not the Sect Master Li Feng of the Qingshan Sect, then who could it be?

In the next moment, after assessing the seating arrangements, Yun Xiao understood why the Sect Leader was displeased. Judging by their seats, the Qingshan Sect was undoubtedly ranked below the Jade Pot Sect.

Yun Xiao stood behind Yu Shu, and while sizing up Li Feng, a figure in a yellow robe suddenly stood before him.

”Hehe, this must be Junior Brother Yun Xiao. To be taken as a direct disciple by Sect Leader Yu Shu, I’m sure Junior Brother Yun Xiao must possess some extraordinary talents, right?”

The young man in yellow spoke with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Although he seemed to be praising Yun Xiao, several people nearby could detect a hint of subtle disdain and mockery in his tone.

Hearing this, Yun Xiao shifted his gaze from Li Feng and replied with a smile, ”So it’s Senior Brother Li Yue. My apologies!”

This unassuming response made Li Yue feel a twinge of displeasure. The Qingshan Sect and the Jade Pot Sect had long been at odds, and there were frequent disputes among the younger generation. Now, Li Yue clearly sensed Yun Xiao’s true strength.

”Hmph, someone with mere Meridian Rushing Realm Late Stage Cultivation dares to be Yu Shu’s direct disciple? Let me test this youngster!”

With a thought flashing through his mind, Li Yue put on another smile, reached out his hand, and said, ”Junior Brother Yun Xiao, as the disciples of our respective Sect leaders, we should get to know each other better!”

The moment Li Yue extended his hand, the intention was clear to all onlookers, who naturally sensed Yun Xiao’s Meridian Rushing Realm Late Stage Cultivation. They couldn’t help but sneer inwardly at Li Yue’s pettiness, as it seemed like a case of the stronger bullying the weaker.

Although these prominent figures disdained Li Yue’s behavior, none spoke up. After all, the Qingshan Sect was a formidable force, and none wanted to offend such an entity.

Moreover, many people were aware of the discord between the Qingshan Sect and the Jade Pot Sect. Such Sect feuds were not something they could meddle in. It appeared as though Li Yue wanted to put Yun Xiao in his place, aiming to earn some honor for the Qingshan Sect at this high-profile gathering, especially since the Jade Pot Sect was seated above the Qingshan Sect.

What the crowd did not see, however, was the unknown sneer that crossed Yun Xiao’s eyes as he watched the talented individual from the Qingshan Sect extend his hand. This guy was really asking to be humiliated!