Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Tsk tsk, truly overestimating oneself. You, an old man with merely an intermediate Spiritual Rank in Meridian Refining, how could you resolve such methods?”

With a glimpse of that Meridian Master’s expression from the corner of his eye, a trace of mocking light couldn’t help but flash through Yun Xiao’s eyes. To tell the truth, with the perspective of the Long Xiao Battle God, from the very first glance at Xuan Jing, he had already noticed some clues.

Ever since Li Shan was afflicted with the Seven Evil Poisonous Flame, Yun Xiao had harbored some suspicions towards the Xuanyue Imperial Family, as it was unlikely that any power on the Hidden Dragon Continent could possess such a thing.

Now, seeing Xuan Jing fall into such a coma, and so many middle and high-level Spiritual Rank Meridian Refining Masters unable to do anything, Yun Xiao was even more certain that within the Xuanyue Imperial Family, there must be an unknowable expert.

However, since he had not personally touched Xuan Jing’s body, Yun Xiao did not dare to be absolutely certain, but he could at least affirm that the intermediate Spiritual Rank Meridian Master, that Meridian Master, probably couldn’t even find out the reason for Xuan Jing’s coma, let alone cure him.

As expected, about thirty minutes later, that Meridian Master’s face had become extremely ugly, but in the end, he had no choice but to release his grip from Xuan Jing’s wrist.

”I’m sorry, Your Majesty, forgive me for being powerless!”

In the face of reality, no matter how much he didn’t want to admit it, since he couldn’t even diagnose the cause of the illness, what more could he do? Blind treatment could lead to Xuan Jing’s death, and he would be in deep trouble.

Don’t look at the Meridian Master being ruthless; in fact, to be able to sit in the position of a Sect Master, he was very cautious, especially in the presence of one who ruled a whole country; he dared not act recklessly.

”Hmph, I thought Sect Master Yan had some abilities, but it turns out it was nothing after all!”

Hearing Yan’s words, Liu Hanyi finally found an opportunity to speak with derision, and as these words left her mouth, that Meridian Master’s old face turned even more gloomy, as if water was about to drip from it.

However, when his gaze shifted to Yun Xiao, he found some consolation, thinking to himself that this fellow that the Luoyi Sect found from god knows where, may not be able to cure Xuan Jing’s strange illness either.

Just as these two were verbally sparring, several other Spiritual Rank middle and low-level Meridian Refining Masters also stepped forward one by one to examine Xuan Jing’s condition. Of course, without exception, all ended up defeated, just like that Meridian Master.

The faces of King Xuan Haoran and the Empress Dowager changed from initial hope, to disappointment, and finally to despair. Such torment was truly worse than death.

”Everyone, thank you for your hard work!”

As if he could no longer bear such torment, even with Yun Xiao not having made a move, King Xuan Haoran already stood up to speak.

Because in his view, this unremarkable, short and stout man didn’t look to be anything special, and was probably just like everyone else, unlikely to provide any surprises.

”Your Majesty is too kind; it is our incompetence!”

Yan quickly waved his hand. However, the next moment, seeing his eyes shift, he already pointed to a figure and said: ”Your Majesty, this brother just now claimed he could cure all sorts of diseases, and a sickness like the Second Prince’s is but a trifle to him. Why not let us all widen our views?”

The Sect Master’s eyes carried a hint of a sullen smile. Having finally seized this opportunity, how could he not kick a man when he’s down?

Hearing what Yan said, even Liu Hanyi, who always had confidence in Yun Xiao, couldn’t help but feel apprehensive now. This fellow was really putting Yun Xiao on the spot.

If it had been before, Yun Xiao’s failure would have been no different from theirs with Yan, but now the words of Yan had sparked hope in King Xuan Haoran and the Empress Dowager. If Yun Xiao were to fail again, even if the King wouldn’t do anything to Yun Xiao, their impression of him would surely plummet.

Those words just now may not have really been said by Yun Xiao, but at this moment, with them being spoken by Yan, it was as though they were his words. If he couldn’t save Xuan Jing, he would become someone who boasted recklessly and would face disgrace.

”Oh? Is that so?”

Indeed, hearing Yan’s words, King Xuan Haoran, who was about to leave, lit up with interest, and his gaze swept across Yun Xiao, as if trying to discern what made him different.

”Eh?”

With King Xuan Haoran’s scrutiny, he indeed noticed some peculiarities. After all, being an old monster who had lived nearly two centuries with unfathomable cultivation, Yun Xiao’s Disguise Technique ultimately could not escape his eyes.

Of course, even though King Xuan Haoran had noticed Yun Xiao’s disguise, he did not know that beneath that face was the Great Thief Yun Xiao who had stolen the royal Xuantian Treasure Manual.

If King Xuan Haoran knew the identity of the person before him, he would likely explode in an instant. Even if Yun Xiao had Heavenly abilities, he wouldn’t allow a Royal Thief to meddle with his son.

Being stared at with such an odd look from King Xuan Haoran, Yun Xiao’s heart also couldn’t help but tense. He really didn’t know how skilled this Emperor was and whether his secrets would be seen through.

Fortunately, although Xuan Haoran realized that Yun Xiao was in disguise, such situations had occurred before. Many high-profile, high-level Meridian Refining Masters from various empires, in order to save their own face, had also chosen to disguise themselves. This was to avoid embarrassment in case of failure.

”How about it? Got cold feet at the last minute? Don’t tell me you don’t even have the guts?”

As Xuan Haoran and Yun Xiao were each lost in their own thoughts, Yan Sect couldn’t help but urge them again, and this remark finally brought both of their minds back to reality.

”If that’s the case, then I shall humbly comply!”

At this moment, Yun Xiao became settled in his heart. He knew that curing Xuan Jing was his only way out, otherwise, once discovered in the Heaven and Earth Net of the Imperial Palace, he would likely find it impossible to escape.

Of course, all of this was predicated on confirming the suspicions in his heart. If Xuan Jing’s illness was as Yun Xiao initially thought, there was still a glimmer of hope; otherwise, not only Xuan Jing’s life was at risk, but Yun Xiao himself would face deadly peril.

In the midst of Liu Hanyi’s anticipation, Yan Sect’s mocking laughter, and the slightly odd gazes of the others, Yun Xiao finally stepped forward. He nodded to the plain-clothed consort and extended his hand, placing it on the pulse of Xuan Jing’s right wrist.

Sss...

A thread of Meridian Qi burst out from the middle finger of Yun Xiao’s right hand, instantly entering Xuan Jing’s wrist pulse. However, a moment later, a look of confusion, similar to Yan Sect’s earlier, appeared on his face, as if he couldn’t make sense of something.

”Hmph, what a pretense!”

Seeing this, Yan Sect finally let go of his worries and coldly snorted. Strictly speaking, it was extremely rude and disrespectful to interrupt someone while they were administering treatment, but it seemed that he had completely disregarded this fact.

The others naturally thought so too. Even Xuanyue Country’s leader Xuan Haoran didn’t pay heed to Yan Sect’s words, because, based on Yun Xiao’s expression, whether he was disturbed or not, the end result would likely be the same.

A few moments later, Yun Xiao’s expression remained unchanged, and his right hand had moved to the pulse on Xuan Jing’s left wrist, appearing to be somewhat competent.

”Kid, there’s no need to keep up this charade. If you can’t cure him, you can’t cure him. There’s no shame in that!”

Seeing Yun Xiao still putting on a front, Yan Sect couldn’t hold back his ridicule again. However, this time, he failed to notice the slightly darkened expression on the face of Xuanyue’s leader, Xuan Haoran.

”Shut up!”

However, just when Yan Sect thought that after his interruption, Yun Xiao could no longer pretend, this unremarkable-looking fellow turned his head and sharply rebuked him, leaving Yan Sect somewhat unable to recover.

”You... you dare...”

In a fury, Yan Sect was at a loss for words, his face turning pale with anger. He never expected that he, a Sect Master, would be reprimanded by an unknown nobody.

At this point, Yun Xiao had no interest in paying any attention to this old man. Having withdrawn his right hand, he then said to the Xuanyue Empire’s Emperor: ”Your Majesty, I have detected some clues about the Second Prince’s condition. But if there are still some people speaking nonsense here and interrupting, I cannot guarantee what might happen next!”

”What... what did you say?”

When Yun Xiao said this, not only Liu Hanyi, who had been full of confidence in him, but also Xuan Haoran and the plain-clothed consort widened their eyes. They had not heard such words in all the days leading up to this moment.

Be it the Royal Family’s Chief Meridian Master or the Sect Master Yu Shu of the Jade Pot Sect, or even the Chief Meridian Masters of the three major sects, none could discern the cause of Xuan Jing’s coma, and thus, naturally, they could not treat him.

But now, the person in front of them, unremarkable in appearance and whose very name was unknown, claimed to have detected clues about the cause of Xuan Jing’s coma. To Xuan Haoran and the consort, this was as shocking as a divine light descending from the heavens.

”You... you... Boy, you can eat recklessly, but you can’t speak recklessly. You’ve made such a bold statement—if you cannot cure the Second Prince, do you know the consequences?”

While Xuan Haoran and the consort were still trying to regain their composure, Yan Sect finally found an opportunity to vent his frustration. His infuriated voice pulled everyone back from their stupor.

But upon hearing Yan Sect’s implications, they all nodded inwardly, wondering if this kid had the audacity, intending to attract the Emperor’s attention through this method. The risk seemed too great.

Even Xuan Haoran himself, after the initial surprise, calmed his mind. After all, he was the Emperor. How could this fellow, unwilling to reveal his true face, possess any impressive capabilities?

In the entire Xuanyue Empire, did Xuan Haoran believe there was anyone stronger than the Royal Family’s Chief Meridian Master or the Sect Master Yu Shu of the Jade Pot Sect?

After these thoughts crossed his mind, Xuan Haoran quickly spoke up: ”Sir, may I ask for your honorable name?”