Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Huixu, do you have confidence that you can defeat Yun Xiao in a face-to-face combat?”

Amidst his excitement, Shang Huiyu suddenly heard his grandfather asking this question. His expression immediately stiffened, and his initially excited mood rapidly cooled down, his face turning somewhat bitter.

If it were before today, Shang Huiyu probably had never considered Yun Xiao as a rival. Even when he tempted Xue Qi to betray Yun Xiao and his mother, he had never personally taken action.

But the Yun Xiao who walked out alive from Snake Nest seemed to have transformed into a different person. In that secluded little courtyard, Shang Huiyu gained no advantage, and later in the Righteous Hall, Yun Xiao broke his wrist with a single move.

With such a combat record, speaking of confidence, even Shang Huiyu himself didn’t believe it. Until now, he couldn’t understand why Yun Xiao, who clearly only had late-stage Meridian Qi cultivation, could win against him in the middle stage of the Meridian Introduction Realm?

Even though Shang Huiyu was unwilling and unconvinced, whenever he thought of Yun Xiao’s ghostly techniques, he felt a chill, as if Yun Xiao’s two attacks had cast a shadow over his heart.

Moreover, Shang Huiyu vaguely guessed that the techniques Yun Xiao displayed were not his full strength, so after his father’s question, he kept a straight face and did not respond immediately.

”Huixu, do you know why Yun Xiao’s strength suddenly improved so drastically?”

Shang Ying also harbored some doubts in his heart. Logically speaking, Shang Li and her son had been living in a secluded small courtyard all these years, practicing the most basic Cultivation Techniques and Meridian Techniques, without access to any resources. How could their strength suddenly increase?

Hearing his grandfather’s question, Shang Huiyu suddenly recalled something and replied, ”Grandfather, I guess that the kid Yun Xiao must have found some treasure in the Snake Nest, which gave him those strange techniques. This treasure, perhaps it could be of great use to our Shang Family!”

Shang Huiyu was not entirely foolish. Now that he had a psychological shadow regarding Yun Xiao, he knew that regardless of how strong Yun Xiao was, he could not surpass his own grandfather. If he could acquire that ”Treasure” by some means, then he could become as powerful as Yun Xiao.

”Snake Nest, treasure?” Shang Ying was clearly not very aware of this matter, as the childish fights between the children were not something he would normally concern himself with as the eldest grandson of the Shang Family’s main branch, so he only learned of it from his grandson just now.

”Are you saying, Yun Xiao entered the Snake Nest and not only survived but also came out alive?” Shang Ying’s expression became solemn, and he first asked this most crucial question.

”Yes, grandfather, that kid stayed in the Snake Nest for a whole month, and when he came out, his strength had greatly increased!” Shang Huiyu nodded, his mind constantly fixated on that treasure.

”This... it makes no sense!” Shang Ying was clearly immersed in deep thought, seemingly puzzled by something. One must know that although the Snake Nest was within the headquarters of the Shang Family, even the Family Head Shang Yan never dared to step half inside, let alone this young fellow Yun Xiao.

”Grandfather, our top priority now is to snatch the treasure Yun Xiao got from the Snake Nest. With that, I am fully confident in obtaining the position of an Outer Disciple at the Jade Pot Sect!” Shang Huiyu did not have many other thoughts, always believing that his defeat to Yun Xiao was due solely to the latter having a unique treasure.

”Do not, you two must not take action against Yun Xiao for now!”

Just as Shang Huiyu finished speaking, before Shang Ying could respond, an old and familiar voice came from outside the courtyard gate, startling both grandfather and grandson.

However, when the two turned their heads to look, they relaxed again, finding that the visitor was none other than Shang Yan, the current Family Head of the Shang Family. It is worth mentioning that behind Shang Yan, there followed an equally old white-bearded elder with a proud posture, standing upright and silent.

”Father!”

”Greetings to the Family Head!”

Regarding the Family Head of the Shang Family, Shang Ying and Shang Huiyu dared not show any negligence, promptly paying their respects. Then, Shang Ying directly addressed his concerns: ”Father, if we do not take some measures, I’m afraid Huixu is no match for that kid Yun Xiao!”

Time and time again, Shang Ying didn’t want to just hand over the quota spot for an Outer Disciple of Jade Pot Sect to Yun Xiao. However, the fight during the day in the Righteous Hall left him very clear; Yun Xiao, who could defeat Shang Huiyu with a single move, seemed quite mysterious, and he had no confidence at all.

”Ying’er, have you forgotten the words Yin Huan said before he left? Our Shang Family can’t afford to offend the Jade Pot Sect right now!” Shang Yan first clarified this, and seeing Shang Ying’s lips move as if to speak, he gestured to stop him.

”However, as long as Huixu can defeat Yun Xiao, then there’s no problem. I know what you are worried about, so I want to introduce a patron to you!” With no dragging, Shang Yan’s words fell, and he let the white-bearded elder behind him step forward.

”This is Mr. Yan Cheng, whom I had people bring from Luoxing City across a thousand miles. He is a truly genuine Mortal Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master!” Shang Yan’s tone was somewhat respectful, and upon hearing his introduction, both Shang Ying and Shang Huiyu’s eyes immediately lit up.

A Mortal Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master is rare even in the entirety of Moon Bow City, and those old fellows, each with their noses in the air, have never had a good relationship with the Shang Family.

Shang Ying and Shang Huiyu did not expect that this time the Family Head could be so capable, having invited a Mortal Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master from thousands of miles away in Luoxing City. Thinking of the possibility, both grandfather and grandson felt an inexplicable thrill of delight.

”Mr. Yan, we are honored to meet you!”

Immediately, Shang Ying and his grandson did not dare to delay and showed their utmost respect. Despite Yan Cheng’s Meridian Qi Cultivation being similar to Shang Yan’s, the title of Mortal Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master alone was countless times more prestigious than that of Shang Yan. This title was highly coveted by all major powers throughout the Xuanyue Empire.

”Enough, if there’s nothing else, then let’s begin!”

Yan Cheng waved his hand, seemingly oblivious to Shang Ying in front of him, and directly fixed his old eyes upon Shang Huiyu. After a moment, he nodded and said, ”The talent is not bad, this makes things more certain!”

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy appeared on Shang Yan’s face, but he still explained to the two, ”I had Mr. Yan come over originally for Huiyu. Now with these unexpected events, it’s indeed a fortunate coincidence. I believe with Mr. Yan’s Meridian Refining skills, there should be no problem for Huiyu to advance to the late stage of the Meridian Introduction Realm!”

At this point, Shang Yan clearly paused before continuing hesitantly, ”Moreover, if we’re lucky, that inactive Ancestor Vein from Huiyu’s breakthrough attempt in the Meridian Introduction Realm might also be reactivated. By then, a mere Yun Xiao will no longer be a match for Huiyu!”

”Ancestor Vein?!”

Suddenly hearing these two seemingly magical words, Shang Ying and Shang Huiyu were first shocked, then immediately felt ecstatic. It was truly an unexpected delight from heaven, something they had never imagined could happen.

Normally, an Ancestor Vein can only be activated during a breakthrough in a Great Rank, and the chances are higher the higher the cultivation reached by the ancestors.

Within the entire Shang Family, only Shang Yan had activated an Ancestor Vein, and he is already a powerful figure in the Meridian Rushing Realm. That is to say, only upon breaking through three Great Ranks did he succeed once.

Of course, the activation of an Ancestor Vein isn’t only possible during a Great Rank breakthrough. Some powerful Meridian Refining Masters have methods to activate Ancestor Veins for Meridian Qi Cultivators, but it requires some luck and the chances are much smaller than during a Great Rank breakthrough.

Thus, hearing what Shang Yan said, Yan Cheng couldn’t help but frown slightly, saying, ”Family Head Shang Yan, I am completely confident in increasing this young fellow’s cultivation to the late stage of the Meridian Introduction Realm, but regarding the Ancestor Vein... it’s elusive. If it doesn’t succeed, you cannot go back on the promise you made to me!”

”Of course, of course!”

Seemingly detecting the slight displeasure in Yan Cheng’s tone, Shang Yan immediately knew he had spoken out of turn, and he also knew how difficult it was to activate an Ancestor Vein under these circumstances, repeatedly affirming his agreement.

”Let’s begin!”

Yan Cheng, not bothering about Shang Yan’s flattering attitude, commanded coldly and then waved his hand. Then, the two powerful figures from the Shang Family understood the gesture and withdrew from the courtyard.

”Father, do you think Huiyu will really succeed in activating the Ancestor Vein?” Shang Ying, still immersed in that fantasy, asked immediately after exiting the courtyard gate.

”Didn’t you hear what Mr. Yan said? Even he isn’t sure. I think it’s better to leave it to fate!” Shang Yan turned around to look at the tranquil courtyard, his words tinged with a bit of melancholy.

”In that case, maybe we still need to prepare something. This time, we absolutely cannot let that bastard Yun Xiao steal the spot that belongs to Huiyu!” A gleam flashed in Shang Ying’s eyes, his tone carrying a hint of vehemence.

”Don’t worry, I have already prepared for this!” Shang Yan glanced at Shang Ying, then reached out to his Waist Storage, and a dark red Jade Bottle suddenly appeared in his hand.

”With this, even if Huiyu does not activate the Ancestor Vein, there’s no way he will lose to that boy Yun Xiao. As for the spent Meridian Qi Cultivation, once we enter the Jade Pot Sect, are you afraid we won’t be able to restore it?” A sinister smile appeared on Shang Yan’s face, immediately putting Shang Ying at ease.

This father and son duo of the Shang Family was indeed extremely ruthless. Now, they completely disregarded the half Shang Family bloodline in Yun Xiao, having become sworn enemies after the day’s events as if they were irreconcilable.

However, what this father and son pair never expected was that today’s Yun Xiao was no longer the timid youth they could manipulate at will. With Shang Huiyu supported by a Mortal Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master, Yun Xiao was not devoid of his own methods either; perhaps it wouldn’t be long before they were in for a big surprise.