Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Sigh...

The green-eyed bat, staggering in flight, seemed to harbor a hint of fear in its emerald eyes as it stared blankly at the young lad below clad in coarse garments, clearly puzzled by something.

This was merely a human Cultivator at the Early Stage of the Meridian Gathering Realm, yet why were his methods so strange and uncanny? Moreover, that recent roar seemed to be specifically targeted at it.

As a Vein Demon of the Third Rank, it possessed considerable Spiritual Wisdom. Therefore, at this moment, it did not make any rash moves. If this human had more peculiar tricks up his sleeve, it might not be so lucky to escape unscathed again.

The green-eyed bat did not continue its attack, and Yun Xiao did not pay it much mind. Compared to this special kind of Flying Beast Pulse Demon, the effects of some of his special techniques were simply too effective.

In contrast, if he were to encounter a normal Vein Demon, or ground-based demons that primarily focus on Body Refinement, he would not have such an easy time dealing with them.

”Eh?”

However, just as a smile appeared on Yun Xiao’s face, about to continue his treasure hunt deep within the Jade Pot Cave’s third floor, he suddenly uttered a sound of surprise. He sniffed the air and immediately turned his gaze in a particular direction.

”Gaa!”

Seeing Yun Xiao’s action, the previously motionless green-eyed bat suddenly let out a loud cry, seemingly issuing a warning. But at this moment, Yun Xiao had already spotted his target, so why would he bother with a pitch-black bat?

Despite the constant cries of the green-eyed bat, Yun Xiao did not stop; he strode directly to a certain spot, then with great speed leaped up and grabbed something from within a stone pillar in the cave.

”Indeed, it’s the Stone Heart Marrow!”

When Yun Xiao saw the trace of black liquid emerging from within the stone pillar, he couldn’t help but feel ecstatic. For someone at his current level of Meridian Gathering Realm Cultivation, such a find was incredibly useful.

The so-called Stone Heart Marrow was an extremely rare Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure. Even in the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud where Yun Xiao’s Soul had once been, locating such a large amount of Stone Heart Marrow would require extraordinary luck.

Stone Heart Marrow was not material for refining any particular Elixir, but rather something that could be directly dropped into clear water, then used to soak one’s body, achieving the purpose of tempering Physical Strength.

Although human Cultivators cultivated Meridian Qi at a much faster rate than Vein Demons, their Physical Strength was always far inferior to that of a Vein Demon of the same rank. Hence, in a fight between counterparts of the same level, human Cultivators typically ended up at a disadvantage.

The Stone Heart Marrow, on the other hand, could greatly enhance the Physical Strength of a human Cultivator or a Vein Demon. It was indeed a rare treasure, and Yun Xiao had just detected its scent, but he didn’t expect to find such a vast quantity.

Looking at the pitch-black liquid in the stone pillar, Yun Xiao believed that there was enough Stone Heart Marrow for him to temper his Physical Strength to the level of a late Third Rank Vein Demon.

With thoughts spinning in his mind, Yun Xiao reached into his chest and pulled out a Jade Bottle. Although he did not possess a Waist Storage, as he was entering the resource-rich Jade Pot Cave, how could he not have made preparations in advance?

Yun Xiao did not have much regard for the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures of the first and second floors of the Jade Pot Cave, but he didn’t expect to come across this valuable Stone Heart Marrow just upon entering the third floor. It seemed his luck today was truly exceptional.

”Gaa!”

Yet, just as Yun Xiao extended the Jade Bottle, intending to collect the Stone Heart Marrow, he heard a familiar cry above and behind him, indicating without looking that the green-eyed bat had launched an attack.

However, Yun Xiao had already found a way to deal with the green-eyed bat. He suddenly turned his head, and then another roar burst forth. The green-eyed bat’s control of sound waves was thrown into disarray. Not only did it fail to attack Yun Xiao, but it also nearly slammed headfirst into the stone pillar.

”I know this is what you’re guarding. Don’t worry, I’ll leave some for you!”

Yun Xiao turned around and spoke in a gentle, reassuring tone. It was well-known that a powerful Vein Demon guarded treasures, and he wouldn’t be too greedy. This creature had guarded it for who knows how long; it wouldn’t be right to take it all in one go.

After being nearly stunned by Yun Xiao’s Sound Wave Meridian Techniques for the second time, the green-eyed bat felt a renewed sense of caution. Yet, as it watched the human youth about to take away the treasure it had guarded for many years, how could it just resign itself to this fate?

Yun Xiao no longer paid any attention to the thoughts of the green-eyed bat. However, the delay meant that collecting the Stone Heart Marrow wouldn’t be as easy anymore. Right at that moment, two figures – one robust and one lean – appeared not far behind him.

Yun Xiao, with his extremely powerful Power of Soul, clearly heard the footsteps coming from behind him as well. Thus, as he held the Jade Bottle in his left hand, it suddenly stiffened. He did not continue to collect the Stone Heart Marrow but instead turned around.

”Xuan Zhi! Guan Hu!”

When Yun Xiao saw the appearance of these two men, the ecstatic joy in his heart instantly vanished, replaced by a dense gloom, for he knew that he was likely in big trouble this time.

”Yun Xiao, did you not expect it, this prince... huh?”

Xuan Zhi, who had just arrived here, had already wiped away the fresh blood on his face, only the bloodstain was a bit conspicuous. As he caught up with Yun Xiao, he felt quite smug. However, just as he started to speak, his gaze fiercely sharpened and suddenly turned to the stone pillar behind Yun Xiao.

”It’s actually Stone Heart Marrow!”

Xuan Zhi was also a genuine Mortal Rank low-level Meridian Refining Master, and his Power of Soul was not much weaker than Yun Xiao’s. Born into the Royal Family, with a broad range of knowledge, he recognized the inconspicuous black liquid within the stone pillar in just a moment—it was the Stone Heart Marrow that human cultivators dreamt of obtaining.

Even as the Third Prince of the Empire, Xuan Zhi coveted the Stone Heart Marrow. Such a treasure was something you could encounter but not seek; even with the Royal Family’s wealth, they had no idea where to purchase it.

By this moment, Xuan Zhi seemed to have selectively forgotten the frustration he suffered from Yun Xiao’s earlier attack; his eyes were filled only with the pitch-black Stone Heart Marrow.

He believed that if he got his hands on this Stone Heart Marrow, his combat power would definitely see a tremendous enhancement—perhaps, he wouldn’t need to be wary of Yun Xiao in a solo fight anymore.

”Guan Hu, kill him!”

Fortunately, Xuan Zhi still retained a bit of rationality and didn’t rashly charge at Yun Xiao by himself, given the strength that Yun Xiao had demonstrated earlier, which truly made him somewhat fearful.

To be honest, Guan Hu had also recognized the Stone Heart Marrow by now. To say he wasn’t moved by such an item would be false, but he had a master to serve beside him, so he could only act in accordance with his master’s orders first.

Because he had been slapped by Xuan Zhi earlier, all the resentment in Guan Hu wanted to be vented upon Yun Xiao. Furthermore, being outdone by this junior in the Meridian Gathering Realm Early Stage and breaking into the third layer was humiliating for him.

In Guan Hu’s view, Yun Xiao’s breakthrough into the third layer was merely due to a few unexpected tricks; the kid didn’t dare to confront him head-on.

Now, if he was just a bit more careful, the incident that just occurred shouldn’t happen again. Therefore, as soon as Xuan Zhi finished speaking, Guan Hu had already dashed towards Yun Xiao without any hesitation.

At this juncture, Yun Xiao knew that he had lost the best opportunity to collect the Stone Heart Marrow; against an enemy in the Meridian Gathering Realm Late Stage, he simply couldn’t contend without going all out.

Previously, Yun Xiao had indeed used some cunning to break into this third layer. However, he had never expected that Guan Hu would ignore the rules of the Jade Pot Sect and follow Xuan Zhi into the third layer; this was truly a headache.

Of course, Yun Xiao wouldn’t call out to question these two despicable individuals at this moment. He believed that since both of them had pursued him here, they truly intended to kill him. What followed would be a fight where he had to give it his all.

Clang!

A cold gleam flashed, and Guan Hu had already drawn a thick-back broadsword from his Waist Storage. The blade gleamed sharply, suggesting extreme sharpness.

Facing the overwhelming slash from Guan Hu, Yun Xiao had no choice but to move away from the location of the stone pillar. It seemed Guan Hu was not just a simpleton; he knew what Xuan Zhi coveted the most. If he could just drive Yun Xiao away, then his master would be able to easily collect the Stone Heart Marrow.

Under such a sharp slash, Yun Xiao couldn’t just take the blow like he had at the entrance to the third layer; he wasn’t made of steel—getting hit would undoubtedly lead to being split into two.

Compared to the Stone Heart Marrow, his life was definitely more important, so Yun Xiao dodged with a flash of his body. In a moment of thought, his right hand surged with powerful Meridian Qi, and his Meridian Qi Cultivation broke through to the Meridian Gathering Realm Middle Stage in an instant.

”Hm? Ancestor Vein Power?”

Yun Xiao’s sudden surge in Meridian Qi caught Guan Hu off guard, but in the next instant, he had reacted, piecing together the blood-red flames that had burned Xuan Zhi’s sleeves before, leading him to believe that the man before him also possessed a Fire Attribute Ancestor Vein.

Before their fight today, Guan Hu thought of Yun Xiao as a Cultivator at the Peak of the Meridian Introduction Realm. After their first encounter, he realized that this kid had already broken through to the Meridian Gathering Realm Early Stage.

But now, Guan Hu discovered that he had, after all, underestimated this lad who had offended Xuan Zhi; reaching the Meridian Gathering Realm Middle Stage meant he wasn’t that far off from his own Meridian Gathering Realm Late Stage Cultivation.

However, since enmity had been established between them, Guan Hu knew that he couldn’t possibly show mercy today. Besides, he believed that once Xuan Zhi obtained the Stone Heart Marrow from the other side, he would come to assist him. Then, with two against one, he didn’t believe they couldn’t deal with Yun Xiao.

But while Guan Hu was making his perfect plans, he missed out on one thing—when his mighty slash missed its target, a cold smirk had appeared in Yun Xiao’s eyes.

At the same time, just as Xuan Zhi was extremely excited about collecting the Stone Heart Marrow, a shadow descended rapidly from the sky. The target was none other than Xuan Zhi, who was eager to lay his hands on the Stone Heart Marrow.