Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Elder Brother Yin Huan, your grand arrival to the Shang Family is quite the surprise. Why didn’t you notify me in advance so I could prepare a welcoming?”

As the Family Head of the Shang Family, Shang Yan was probably somewhere between seventy and eighty years old, yet in facing a young man of around twenty, he addressed him as a brother, which clearly indicates the prestigious identity of this person.

The young man referred to as Yin Huan wore a dark green robe, neither too fat nor too thin. Based solely on appearance, he was quite handsome, except his lips had a slight blue-ish tint and his eyelids bore a thin layer of black sheen, giving him a somewhat bizarre look.

The reason why Shang Yan, the Family Head of the Shang Family, was so courteous to Yin Huan was that he knew the young man in front of him came from the Jade Pot Sect and was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Poison Vein faction within the sect—a man who should not be easily offended.

The Jade Pot Sect is one of the most powerful sects within the Xuanyue Empire, producing many Meridian Refining Masters. This prestigious profession commands respect from cultivators of the empire, making them wary of offending anyone associated with the Jade Pot Sect.

Despite the esteemed status of Meridian Refining Masters, as the years passed on the Nine Dragons Continent, the profession evolved into two schools: the Medical Pulse Masters, who primarily focus on healing and saving lives, and the Poison Vein Masters, who are skilled in using poison to kill.

Relative to Medical Pulse Masters being more revered, some formidable Poison Vein Masters instill fear, making others dread and careful not to provoke them, like Yin Huan here, who is a Mortal Rank Middle Level Poison Vein Master.

So even though both Yin Huan’s and Shang Yan’s Meridian Qi strength were just beginning to enter the Meridian Rushing Realm, Shang Yan really didn’t dare to offend this genius from the Poison Vein faction of the Jade Pot Sect. Instead, he was trying his best to curry favor.

Shang Yan, swallowing his pride, said these words, greatly satisfying Yin Huan’s ego. He chuckled and replied, ”Family Head Shang Yan, my visit to the Shang Family is indeed for your benefit, or rather, to bring an extraordinary piece of good news to your family!”

”Oh? I implore Elder Brother Yin Huan to enlighten me!” Hearing these words, Shang Yan’s aged eyes suddenly brightened. The Shang Family elites present all turned their heads, eager to know what this ”extraordinary piece of good news” might be.

Yin Huan smiled slightly, evidently enjoying the attention, and after a short pause, he said, ”Due to the Shang Family’s years of tribute to our Jade Pot Sect, the elders have decided to grant your family an extra spot in this year’s quota for Outer Disciples!”

”Elder Brother Yin... Yin Huan, are you serious about this?”

Upon hearing Yin Huan’s declaration, even the composed Shang Yan couldn’t help but react with ecstatic joy, seemingly in disbelief, as he stood up and asked with a trembling voice.

Following Shang Yan’s shaky voice, a middle-aged man in the foremost seat became even more excited and turned his head, asking, ”Second Brother, has Huiyu been found yet by his elder brother? Why hasn’t he returned?”

This man was Shang Huiyu’s direct grandfather, Shang Ying, and a senior member of the Shang Family’s main branch, the man set to take over as the head of the family wielded real power. Even so, he too was somewhat rattled at the moment.

To Shang Ying, only his exceptionally brilliant grandson was qualified for the Jade Pot Sect’s Outer Disciple spot. If this opportunity didn’t go to his own grandson, that would be inexplicable.

However, what Shang Ying failed to notice was that a glint of secretive knowledge flashed through the eyes of his second brother following his words—how could he not understand Shang Ying’s implications?

”Hmph, why should the spot from the Jade Pot Sect belong to Shang Huiyu?”

The head of the second branch of the Shang Family could not hide his discontent, nevertheless not daring to show it openly, merely spreading his hands as if he knew nothing.

In fact, Shang Ying had forgotten that Shang Yan had sent Shang Huifeng not to find his treasured grandson, Shang Huiyu, but Yun Xiao, the grandson from the secluded third branch who rarely interacted with the family.

As if sensing the excitement among the Shang Family members, Yin Huan once again smiled faintly and continued, ”Family Head Shang Yan, even the quota for a Jade Pot Sect Outer Disciple must be taken seriously, awarded only to the most talented youngsters in your family!”

The implication in Yin Huan’s words was that the quota couldn’t just be handed to anyone they chose; it had to be earned based on genuine merit. If they ended up presenting the Jade Pot Sect with an incompetent cultivator, wouldn’t that also tarnish his reputation?

”That’s right, that’s right!”

By now, Shang Yan had regained his composure, agreeing repeatedly with Yin Huan, until his eyes caught a figure flashing at the entrance. He immediately became joyful and said, ”Come, come, Elder Brother Yin Huan, let me introduce you. This is the most promising young member of the Shang Family, his name is Shang Huiyu!”

As it turned out, the person who hurried in from the entrance was none other than Shang Huiyu, the eldest grandson of the main branch of the Shang Family. He had anticipated that the visitor from the Jade Pot Sect might be related to the recruitment of Outer Disciples. So, not bothering with Yun Xiao, he hurried over, and just as he walked into the hall, he heard the Family Head mentioning him and quickened his steps.

”Oh? Shang Huiyu?”

Upon hearing Shang Yan’s introduction, Yin Huan shifted his gaze, and upon looking, he nodded slightly and said, ”Channel Introduction Realm Middle Stage in cultivation, that’s quite good!”

Indeed, although Yin Huan was not much older than Shang Huiyu, he was an authentic Meridian Rushing Realm powerhouse, on par with Shang Yan. Shang Huiyu’s cultivation would only barely catch his eye.

”Huixu, come here and meet your Senior Brother Yin Huan!” It must be said that Shang Yan truly had thick skin; before Shang Huiyu had even set foot in the Jade Pot Sect, he already asked him to address Yin Huan as ”Senior Brother.” Was he trying to create a fait accompli?

Upon hearing this, Shang Ying on the lower end naturally beamed with joy, while the eldest son of the second branch’s face turned somewhat gloomy. He had wanted his grandson Shang Huifeng to compete for the spot, but now that Shang Yan had set his sights on Shang Huiyu, he had no choice but to swallow his pride.

However, just as Shang Huiyu was about to step forward in pleasant surprise and prepare to bow in greeting, Yin Huan waved his hand and said, ”How the Shang Family selects this spot is none of my concern, but it must be someone with the best talent. Family Head Shang Yan, the reason for my visit is actually another matter!”

After his words, Yin Huan shifted his gaze, his eyebrows knitting slightly, and said, ”That Yun Xiao I asked you to find, why hasn’t he come yet?”

As these words were spoken, Shang Yan’s expression unavoidably became somewhat embarrassed. At this point, he couldn’t very well say it was because he disliked Shang Li and her son, placing them in an extremely remote courtyard, now could he?

Thus, Shang Yan could only feel anxious inwardly while procrastinating with his words, ”I am truly sorry to keep Junior Brother Yin Huan waiting. May I ask, what is the matter with you seeking Yun Xiao?”

To tell the truth, Shang Yan wasn’t quite sure of Yin Huan’s intentions; after all, Yun Xiao had been staying in the Shang Family for over a decade, rarely even stepping outside the family’s main gate, so he should have no connection with the Jade Pot Sect.

Yin Huan did not beat around the bush and replied, ”Family Head Shang Yan, there’s no need to imply, the reason I’m here seeking Yun Xiao has nothing to do with our Jade Pot Sect!”

Hearing this, Shang Yan breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear Yin Huan ask again, ”Has Family Head Shang Yan ever heard of the Lingyun Sect from the Lingtian Empire?”

”Lingtian Empire? Lingyun Sect?”

Suddenly hearing these two names from Yin Huan, Shang Yan was first taken aback, then his complexion changed as he suddenly remembered something, exclaiming, ”Could it be for...”

”Correct, another reason for my visit to the Shang Family is on behalf of someone else, regarding the betrothal between your Shang Family and the Lingyun Sect!” A peculiar gleam shone in Yin Huan’s eyes, looking somewhat odd.

Yin Huan’s words left no doubt in the minds of many Shang Family powerhouses, including Shang Yan. They had some understanding of this matter, but it was not very clear until today when Yin Huan brought it to the surface.

Back then, Shang Li’s father was a person of exceptional talent, his cultivation talent far surpassing even both his brothers, Shang Ying, and was greatly favored by Shang Yan.

At that time, Shang Li’s father, fond of traveling the continent, encountered the previous Sect Master of the Lingyun Sect during a visit to the Lingtian Empire. The two hit it off over a fight, eventually becoming sworn brothers.

By that time, Shang Li had already grown up, and that Sect Master of Lingyun Sect happened to have a son, seeking to unite the two families through marriage, strengthening their bonds further.

Regrettably, the son of the Lingyun Sect Master already had his heart set elsewhere, and thus the matter came to nothing. Shang Li’s father could only settle for the next best thing, agreeing with the Lingyun Sect Master that if Shang Li had offspring, she would be betrothed to the grandson of the Sect Master, sealing the pact with a vow.

Even a prophecy of ”Li Feng suppressing the evil masses, sheathing his sword and smiling upon Hongzhuang” arose from this, naming Yun Xiao and the daughter of Lingyun Sect respectively after ”smile” and ”Hongzhuang.”

Regrettably, Shang Li’s father passed away early, and this good story was no longer mentioned thereafter. The Lingyun Sect never contacted the Shang Family, so the people of the Shang Family gradually forgot about this engagement.

The overall strength of the Lingtian Empire was not inferior to that of the Xuanyue Empire, and the status of Lingyun Sect within the Lingtian Empire was somewhat similar to that of the Jade Pot Sect within the Xuanyue Empire—both colossal beings.

Considering a certain possibility, Shang Yan’s complexion nearly changed; could it be that Lingyun Sect suddenly remembered this marriage arrangement and intended to use the Jade Pot Sect as a mediator to propose marriage to the Shang Family?

Shang Yan was well aware of how the Shang Family treated the widow and orphan after the death of Shang Li’s father these past years. If Yun Xiao were to truly marry into Lingyun Sect, it would be like a salted fish turning over, and for the Shang Family, whether it was good or bad, was indeed uncertain.

Yin Huan’s thoughts were gloomy, and he perceived Shang Yan’s internal struggle at a glance. With a slight smile, he said, ”Family Head Shang Yan, it’s true I am here on someone’s behalf, but not to propose marriage, rather... to dissolve one!”

Upon hearing this, everyone from the tensed Shang Family let out a huge sigh of relief, thinking to themselves that this was the expected script indeed. What right had this illegitimate child, whose father was unknown, to cling to the high branches of Lingyun Sect?