Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Chapter 476: 476 Great Powers of the Middle Three Realms

Emerging from the Heavenly Moon Pavilion, the trio led by Yun Xiao were naturally unaware of the secret plot between Xuan Jiuding and Li Yue, and they returned directly to the Jade Pot Courtyard to await the opening of the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference two days later.

In the following two days, no other incidents occurred. The time passed calmly until the once-in-a-decade grand event arrived, causing the entire Xuanyue Imperial City of Baiyue City to boil over with excitement.

The immense city capable of accommodating millions of people buzzed with heavy crowds everywhere, especially near the central plaza of the Imperial City, where it was so packed that not a drop of water could trickle through.

When Yun Xiao and his fellow Jade Pot Sect members arrived, they saw nothing but heads. Fortunately, the talented contenders for the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference had their own dedicated passage, otherwise, they would have faced a severe struggle to get through.

As for the likes of Lu Zhan and Li Shan, they lacked the credentials to enter the plaza. Even the Sect Masters of the three great Sects of the Lingtian Empire, including the Jade Pot Sect and Qingshan Sect, could only watch from the periphery and couldn’t enter the most central area.

With thousands of Empires across the Hidden Dragon Continent, even if each Empire had only ten participants, that would amount to tens of thousands of competitors. Yet, to Yun Xiao’s estimation, the sea of people in the vast plaza of Baiyue City might have approached a staggering hundred thousand.

Thankfully, the central square of the Imperial City was spacious enough that even with a hundred thousand people, it did not feel particularly cramped. Moreover, apart from those from the same Empire or the same Sect, the geniuses didn’t interact much with one another, and there was even a subtle hint of hostility in the air.

Among all these gifted individuals from the various Empires, Yun Xiao could vaguely spot a few familiar faces: Shen Wannian from the Yufeng Empire’s Jade Pot Sect, Ye Shimei, the Young Master Flying Flower from the Flying Flower Empire, and Nie Qianqiu, who had crossed paths with the Lingtian Empire.

These individuals were touted as the most likely contenders for the champion of this edition of the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference, naturally positioned at the forefront, standing out like cranes among chickens. In contrast, as members of the host Sect, Yun Xiao and company were submerged within the crowd, practically unnoticed.

To the north of the central plaza, a platform had been erected at some unknown time, with ten chairs on it, it was unclear for whom it had been prepared.

Even the Sect Masters of the three great Sects of the Xuanyue Empire had no right to sit there. It wasn’t until nearly all the talented youngsters had arrived that the first figure appeared on the platform.

This figure was not too alien to the young geniuses of the Xuanyue Empire, for it was none other than their current ruler, the nearly two hundred-year-old peak Spirit Vein Realm powerhouse: Xuan Haoran!

Although Xuan Haoran’s life was nearing its limit, his vitality and spirit were rather impressive. Dressed in a golden dragon robe and standing on the platform, he exhibited an innate sense of majesty.

For the talented individuals and team-leading Elders of the other Empires, even if they were unaware of Xuan Haoran’s identity and appearance, they recognized the authoritative presence of the Xuanyue Empire’s foremost figure from his attire and aura.

This year’s Countries Hidden Dragon Conference being held in the Xuanyue Empire meant that many were acquainted with the life of Xuan Haoran. They held considerable respect for the King who had pulled Xuanyue Empire back from the brink and was subtly heralding a resurgence.

As the host, it was only fitting for the King of Xuanyue to preside over the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference, and as such, no one showed any surprise.

However, the geniuses standing at the foremost position of the central square all wore a hint of unusual anticipation on their faces because they knew that the current Xuanyue King Xuan Haoran, though present, was only the host. The greatest surprise was yet to come.

”Ladies and gentlemen!”

The voice, imbued with the peak Spirit Vein Realm Meridian Qi from Xuan Haoran atop the platform, resonated so that everyone inside and outside the noisy central square could hear him crystal clear.

Even in those two words, there was a trace of power that was different from ordinary human Meridian Qi - it seemed to be the Earth Power that only Earth Rank Third Realm powerhouses could wield.

”To think that the King of Xuanyue Empire is so close to that realm already!” remarked many strong leaders of the great Empires, discerning something from just these two words. However, thinking of what they had learnt about the age of Xuanyue’s King, they couldn’t help but sigh and shake their heads.

Having one foot in the Earth Rank Third Realm didn’t equate to being a true Earth Rank Third Realm cultivator, and Spirit Vein Realm cultivators typically lived to be only two hundred years old at most. If they couldn’t break through before their time was up, they would have no choice but to succumb to fate and fall.

Ignoring the peculiar gazes of the crowd, seeing that the venue had quieted down, Xuan Haoran once again spoke out loud, ”Welcome to the Xuanyue Empire. I am the King of the Xuanyue Empire, Xuan Haoran, and have the honor of hosting this Countries Hidden Dragon Conference!”

In the presence of so many Empire powerhouses, Xuan Haoran did not refer to himself as ”we,” a pronoun that only held significance for the cultivators of the Xuanyue Empire. Therefore, he simply addressed himself as ”I.”

”Before the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference begins, I shall introduce several senior figures that have come from the Middle Three Realms!”

Xuan Haoran didn’t leave the audience in suspense. As soon as his words were uttered, the square fell into a deep silence, as if even the breathing sounds had vanished.

The Hidden Dragon Continent is part of the Lower Five Realms, which together with the other four continents make up the lowest tier of the Nine Dragons Continent. The strength of cultivators here is the weakest among them.

And beyond that lies what is known as the Middle Three Realms, which encompass three continents. All the strong and genius talents from these great empires are well aware that the Hidden Dragon Continent falls under the jurisdiction of one of the Middle Three Realms, the Tenglong Continent. Therefore, the seniors from the various sects and powers of Tenglong Continent who are here to observe the competition should be the esteemed figures.

This is precisely why talents like Shen Wannian and Ye Qianqiu were so excited and looking forward to it. They came to the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference not just to achieve a better ranking, but also to catch the attention of the strong ones from the Middle Three Realms and thus soar to the heavens.

The Lower Five Realms simply cannot compare to the Middle Three Realms. It is said that in that higher plane, Spiritual Rank fighters are as common as dogs, and Earth Rank fighters roam everywhere. Some Sect Masters of major sects are even at the super-strong level of Heavenly Rank Third Realm, possessing the ability to move mountains and overturn seas.

For these talents from the Hidden Dragon Continent, it is naturally too much to hope for the Supreme Plane of Nine-layered Dragon Cloud. Therefore, their pursuit is to enter into the major sects of the Middle Three Realms, which is their true goal.

Xuan Haoran felt quite satisfied with the reactions from the crowd below the arena, but when he sensed a terrifying presence suddenly appearing behind him, his face turned solemn, and he quickly turned around.

”This is Elder Gu Hua from the Impermanence Island of Tenglong Continent!”

Xuan Haoran dared not be negligent, extending his hand towards the old man who had seemingly taken a seat at some point, and the voice he emitted made many talents familiar with the power distribution of Tenglong Continent gasp in shock.

”It’s actually an Elder from Impermanence Island. It is said that even within Tenglong Continent, it is a colossal power. To catch Elder Gu Hua’s eye would be an honor in this lifetime.”

That comment was made by many talents familiar with the forces of Tenglong Continent. However, such remarks were often met with disdainful glances from nearby, as if saying that, with their strength, how could they possibly be noticed by Elder Gu Hua?

”Hmm!”

The elder introduced by Xuan Haoran had a stern face, wearing a dark red robe. Despite the intense scrutiny of so many hot gazes, he still gave a slight nod of his head, emitting a nasal sound.

”Haha, old Gu Hua, this time you’ve beaten me to it!”

Just as everyone was marveling at Gu Hua’s identity, a loud laugh suddenly came from the sky above, followed by a huge black shadow descending from the sky.

”Ah, is that a Flying Beast Pulse Demon? What a terrifying presence!”

Some well-informed individuals recognized the essence of the enormous black shadow at first sight—it seemed to be a black crane with an exceptionally wide wingspan. Yet, the faint aura it emitted made the nearby young talents feel somewhat breathless.

The one standing on the back of the black crane was an elderly man in blue clothes, who, from the sound of his loud laugh just now, was obviously acquainted with Elder Gu Hua and even seemed quite familiar.

Some even speculated that since Gu Hua arrived before the elder in blue, he might also have a Flying Beast Pulse Demon. These great powers that came from the Middle Three Realms were indeed extraordinary.

”Elder Meng Liyang of Demons Mountain from Tenglong Continent has arrived!”

Seeing the elder in blue clothes leap down from the black crane, Xuan Haoran quickly made a loud introduction and then bowed respectfully to the elder named Meng Liyang.

”I am Xuan Haoran, King of Xuanyue Country. I pay my respects to Elder Liyang!”

Even though the former Xuan Haoran was considered supremely eminent in Xuanyue Empire, he did not dare show any disrespect in front of these great powers from the Middle Three Realms. After all, if such powerful beings wished to wipe out Xuanyue Empire, it could likely be done with a mere flip of their hands.

”Demons Mountain? Is that the unique sect famous for Demon Taming, which has many Beast Vein Masters among its ranks?”

Some strong talents from the Hidden Dragon Continent should have heard of the vast influence of Demons Mountain, a force with unique methods where Beast Vein Masters are common, a profession seldom seen in the Hidden Dragon Continent.

That is, like the Meridian Master Han Santong that Yun Xiao once encountered in the Meridian Refining Master Guild of Lingtian Imperial City. This specialized branch of Meridian Masters, with its most proficient research in Vein Demons and unrivaled Demon Taming Technique.

Tenglong Continent differs from the Hidden Dragon Continent; once the Power of Soul reaches Earth Rank or even Heaven Rank, it’s easier to communicate with Vein Demons, making taming Vein Demons not as difficult as in the Hidden Dragon Continent.

Yun Xiao, whose soul comes from the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, was naturally somewhat aware of this, but he only knew about the distribution of Tenglong Continent’s powers from the surrounding discussions.

”Eh? What’s happening?”

Just as Yun Xiao nodded to himself, many people showed surprise on their faces because, all of a sudden, it seemed that a strange aura had filled the air.

And what was strange was that they couldn’t detect where this aura was coming from.