Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Flame Spirit Fruit? Teacher, aren’t you being a bit too generous to this fellow?”

Yun Xiao held his teacher in high respect, given his kindness, yet he was still somewhat astonished upon hearing the words ”Flame Spirit Fruit,” because that was a medicinal ingredient at the intermediate level of the Spiritual Rank.

Upon hearing this, Yu Shu waved his hand and said, ”You healed Elder Li Shan, and the Sect hasn’t given you any reward yet. Although the Flame Spirit Fruit is precious, if it can help this little fellow make a breakthrough, it’s well worth it!”

Hearing this, Yun Xiao was even more moved. In fact, it had been said that curing Elder Li Shan was merely to compensate for Chi Yan sneaking and eating the Mysterious Artifact Hall’s medicinal ingredients, and there had been no talk of any additional reward.

Looking at it now, Chi Yan really did have good luck. The Flame Spirit Fruit was something that even Yun Xiao himself would probably have to spend a great deal of time to find.

”Alright, no need to dwell on this matter. What are your plans next?”

Yu Shu clearly did not want to dwell on this matter and swiftly changed the topic. He also believed that with Yun Xiao’s intelligence, he would surely grasp the implicit meaning in his words.

Yun Xiao’s performance in the Spiritual Chick Battle List this time had truly astonished Yu Shu. Originally, he thought the boy would at most rank in the top four, and whether he could secure one of the three spots to the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference was still uncertain.

Who would have known that Yun Xiao would go on a tear, defeating Xue Gong, Bi Luo, and Yue Qi, and actually topping the Spiritual Chick List, becoming the undisputed number one among the younger generation of the Jade Pot Sect. That was truly beyond anticipation.

However, Yu Shu also knew that although Yun Xiao had defeated Bi Luo and Yue Qi, his fighting methods were somewhat opportunistic. If he were to participate in the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference, it might not be so easy.

It’s important to know that even top geniuses like Yue Qi and Mo Qing are numerous in the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference, and they might not even make it into the top twenty. That is a gathering where many anomalies converge.

Regardless, at this moment, Yun Xiao was only at the peak level of the Meridian Rushing Realm. Although his ability to fight above his level was strong, if he were to encounter geniuses in the late stage of the Meridian Union Realm, the chances of defeat would be nine out of ten.

As the Sect Master of the Jade Pot Sect, Yu Shu had many ways to make Yun Xiao break through; at least within the next half year, reaching the early stage of the Meridian Union Realm should not be a problem.

But for some reason, Yu Shu had a strange feeling about this disciple, as if his methods were not quite suitable for Yun Xiao, perhaps this youngster had his own ideas.

Indeed, after Yu Shu finished speaking, Yun Xiao did not immediately respond but pondered for a moment before asking, ”Teacher, you must be aware of the tragedy that befell my family, right?”

”Yes!”

Hearing Yun Xiao suddenly mention this, Yu Shu’s expression turned gloomy. Initially, he did not pay much attention when Yun Xiao was not well-known, but since he took him as a disciple, how could he not find out his only disciple’s background?

Although the Shang Family of Moon Bow City was only a small family clan with their strongest member at the early stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm, someone like Yu Shu, a great sect leader, would find it easy to inquire about them.

Moreover, the extermination of the Shang Family over two years ago was no longer a secret. Yu Shu was unaware of the true relationship between Yun Xiao and the Shang Family, and he often lamented the unfortunate fate of the youth.

Yun Xiao did not reveal the truth and continued to ask, ”Since you are aware, I wonder if you have been able to gather any information about those villains who exterminated the Shang Family in the meantime?”

”Of course, such extremely vicious people who go as far as slaughtering entire families should be exterminated by everyone. However... despite my sending people to inquire in all directions, there has been no trace at all!”

Yu Shu’s face showed a hint of resentment. Since he had become Yun Xiao’s teacher, his disciple’s enemies were naturally his as well. Moreover, it was his duty to seek out such cruel murderers.

Although the three major sects of the Lingtian Empire were not like the Royal Family, who would have to deal with every trivial matter, they would not hesitate to eliminate extremely evil people when they emerged.

Yet, despite Yu Shu deploying a large number of Sect powerhouses to investigate, they were unable to find any traces due to the length of time and the meticulous nature of those people. Thus, their efforts had been futile.

”Teacher, you may not have any leads, but I have one!”

Yun Xiao had anticipated the outcome and was not too fixated. Instead, he looked up with hatred shining in his eyes.

Yun Xiao had never cared much for the Shang Family, but those who ”died” in that battle included his mother and sister in this life, two of his closest kin whom he could not let go no matter what.

Moreover, the goal of those people had been to find the Blood Moon Jade integrated into his body, and this item was the only keepsake his late father had left him. Perhaps he could use this as a clue to find some information about his father.

”Teacher, have you ever heard of a person named ’Yu Qian’?”

Seeing the teacher listening attentively, Yun Xiao did not keep him in suspense. Perhaps this was the only clue to the tragedy that occurred years ago, a name shouted by the tall and thin elder he would never forget in this lifetime.

Moreover, that day inside the Xuanyue Imperial Palace, it seemed that the Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding had also mentioned this name. It was quite evident that he must know something. Perhaps from his teacher, the Sect Master of the Jade Pot Sect, he might hear some substantial information.

Yun Xiao’s main goal in joining the Jade Pot Sect at that time was to utilize the sect’s powerful intelligence network to investigate some clues related to the annihilation of his family years ago. Now that he had been taken in as a direct disciple by Yu Shu, it might be easier to just ask the teacher directly.

”Yu Qian? Isn’t that... the Great Elder of the Lingyun Sect?”

Yu Shu truly didn’t disappoint Yun Xiao, reacting with shock in just a moment, and then with confusion, ”But how could a dignified Great Elder of the Lingyun Sect do such a thing? Could it be a case of a shared name?”

”Lingyun Sect?”

Hearing this name, which seemed so distant yet familiar, a sharp glint suddenly sprang up in Yun Xiao’s eyes, and with it surged memories like a tidal wave.

When Yun Xiao first met Yin Huan, the genius of the Jade Pot Sect, wasn’t the latter entrusted to break off an engagement at the Shang Family? But back then, Yun Xiao’s strength was too weak to even withstand a single blow from Yin Huan.

”Heh, if it really is the Great Elder of the Lingyun Sect, then everything would make sense!”

A cold smile appeared on Yun Xiao’s face. With a wave of his hand across his waist, a flash of light swept by, and he was holding half a jade pendant—the very pledge of engagement with the daughter of the Lingyun Sect Master.

”What happened?”

Yu Shu was evidently not aware of this past event and immediately inquired. If it was indeed the Great Elder of the Lingyun Sect who had led a massacre of the Shang Family, then this matter was considerable.

”Teacher is unaware, but my maternal grandfather had an engagement by touch of a finger with the previous generation Sect Master of the Lingyun Sect, and the daughter of the current Sect Master of the Lingyun Sect and I were the parties to this arrangement!”

Yun Xiao briefly explained, then his voice turned bitter with hatred, ”Regrettably, at that time my meridians were impaired. I suppose the Lingyun Sect did not wish to see their proud daughter of the heavens marrying a ’waste,’ so they sent Yin Huan to break off the engagement. However, when the engagement was not successfully dissolved, they actually...”

Yun Xiao did not finish the sentence, but Yu Shu had already guessed. It was likely that after the Lingyun Sect’s refusal to break off the engagement, they had dispatched the Great Elder to annihilate the Shang Family, an act of ruthlessness.

You see, the overall strength of the Lingyun Sect could even surpass that of the Jade Pot Sect, wiping out a small Shang Family whose strongest was only at the Early Stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm would take no effort at all. They just never expected Yun Xiao to still be alive.

”Yun Xiao, although this speculation is sensible, there’s always room for uncertainty. We must act cautiously!”

Yu Shu, aware of his disciple’s temperament, knew that although Yun Xiao appeared gentle on ordinary days and bothered no one, anyone who provoked him would face a dire fate. This was evident in how he dealt with the likes of Yin Huan, Bi Luo, and Yue Qi.

”I have my own judgment; without solid evidence, I will not act rashly.”

Yun Xiao nodded his head. He knew that Yu Shu was not discouraging him from seeking revenge but advising him to be patient. After all, he was still far behind the mighty Lingyun Sect.

Furthermore, as Yu Shu mentioned, the matter seemed logical but might’ve been a misunderstanding. Who could say for certain the name ”Yu Qian” was indeed Yu Qian and not ”Fish Money” or ”Yu Qian (remaining former)”?

”No matter what, I will get to the bottom of this!”

With his thoughts swirling, Yun Xiao had made a decision and spoke earnestly, ”Teacher, I want to visit the Lingtian Empire. Some matters, it’s time they were concluded!”

Yun Xiao spoke the words, but his palm was clenched tight, in it half a jade pendant that seemed to have pierced into his flesh, yet he was utterly unaware.

Regardless if the Yu Qian who destroyed the Shang Family was the Great Elder of the Lingyun Sect, the fact that the Lingyun Sect had sent Yin Huan to call off an engagement was undeniable. Yun Xiao originally did not care about such an engagement, but now, he needed to reclaim his dignity.

The current Yun Xiao was no longer the ’waste’ that anyone could manipulate. He intended to proudly stand in front of that Lingyun Sect’s lady and let her know how laughable her initial decision was.

”However, heading to the Lingtian Empire alone, to such a dragon’s lair as the Lingyun Sect, if the Shang Family’s annihilation is truly the work of the Lingyun Sect, it would be a perilous place!”

Yu Shu was somewhat worried and after pondering for a moment, continued, ”Otherwise, let your teacher accompany you. With my presence, the Lingyun Sect would not dare to touch you!”

”Teacher, you are overthinking it. My trip to the Lingyun Sect is not to confront them head-on!”

Yun Xiao smiled faintly and then added, ”Besides, I also wish to gain experience while traveling. If a super-strong figure like you, teacher, was with me, without a sense of crisis, how could I break through?”

With eight months until the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference, if Yun Xiao were to continue cultivating step by step in the Jade Pot Sect, he could not guarantee when he would break through to the Meridian Union Realm. It might be better to take this opportunity to venture out and seek a breakthrough.