Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Chapter 124: 124 Outer Sect First

”Shen Xiao!”

Yun Xiao, who had already entered the Outer Sect of the Jade Pot Sect, naturally remembered this name, as Shen Xiao was none other than the second-ranked individual on the Mortal List of the Outer Sect.

Guan Tong was half a step into the Meridian Rushing Realm and was only ranked third on the Mortal List, which made Yun Xiao believe that his recent sensations were not unfounded.

Moreover, considering Shen Xiao’s strong performance earlier, he had every reason to believe that this standout figure of the Jade Pot Sect’s Outer Sect had genuinely reached the level of the Meridian Rushing Realm.

This was also the first Meridian Rushing Realm genius Yun Xiao encountered in the Outer Sect of the Jade Pot Sect. Shen Xiao possessed a unique aura, an intangible soul fluctuation of a Meridian Refining Master, which only Yun Xiao, being a Meridian Refining Master himself, could specially sense.

Yun Xiao guessed correctly; the newcomer was indeed Shen Xiao, ranked second on the Mortal List of the Outer Sect. He had also taken on the same low-level Spiritual Rank mission, hence he directly entered the crater of Yurong Mountain upon arrival.

Shen Xiao naturally recognized Guan Tong. However, as talents destined to enter the Inner Sect after this competition in the Outer Sect, how could he possibly pay any attention to someone who hadn’t even reached the Meridian Rushing Realm?

With a casual strike, it was simply because Shen Xiao was interested in the Fire Spirit Crystal within the body of the Fire Spirit Snake; besides, he was more aware than Guan Tong and, to avoid any prolonged complications, he must secure the Fire Spirit Crystal of the Fire Spirit Snake quickly.

Upon taking on this low-level Spiritual Rank mission, Shen Xiao knew that this so-called Fire Spirit Snake was not an ordinary Vein Demon, but belonged to the category of Strange Spirits, whose combat power was much stronger than that of a typical Fourth Rank Low Level Vein Demon.

Fire Spirit Snakes typically live within volcanic magma and only emerge for one month each year, which coincides with when the Jade Pot Sect issues its missions.

Most importantly, each year only one Fire Spirit Snake emerges from the magma, and its strength varies. According to the research by the Sect Elders, this year’s Fire Spirit Snake was precisely at the Fourth Rank Low Level; hence they issued a low-level Spiritual Rank mission.

Shen Xiao, familiar with these details, knew that the Fire Spirit Snake before him was the only one appearing outside the magma this year, and the so-called Fire Spirit Crystal could only be obtained from this very snake, making this his exclusive opportunity.

”Forget it, you move aside!”

Thinking of some possibilities, Shen Xiao didn’t even glance at Guan Tong, but simply gestured for him to step aside. At this moment, his eyes were solely fixed on the Fourth Rank Low Level Strange Spirit Fire Spirit Snake.

Even though Shen Xiao had reached the Early Stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm and came from a major sect like the Jade Pot Sect, with combat power possibly stronger than an ordinary cultivator at the same stage, he still looked solemn when facing the Fire Spirit Snake.

These Strange Spirits are devoid of humanity, and generally, upon encountering either humans or Devil Cultivators, fierce battles ensue. Confident in his formidable strength, Shen Xiao was still afraid of unexpected setbacks.

However, for the sake of those two thousand points, Shen Xiao wasn’t ready to retreat at this moment. He knew this was his chance; with two thousand points, he could enter the fourth or even fifth level of the Jade Pot Cave for several days, which would significantly enhance his power.

Truth be told, the competition on the Mortal List of the Jade Pot Sect’s Outer Sect was incredibly fierce. Setting aside Guan Tong, who peaked at the Meridian Gathering Realm and ranked third, the competition between the top two ranks was extremely intense.

”Squeak!”

Just as Shen Xiao was scrutinizing the Fire Spirit Snake, the latter seemed to grow impatient. In the nebulous Spiritual Wisdom it had cultivated, a human cultivator merely at the Early Stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm was certainly not its match, so with a strange cry, it preemptively struck.

”Bring it on!”

Seeing the Fire Spirit Snake’s flaming tail lash toward him, Shen Xiao didn’t dare to underestimate it. He shouted loudly as he raised both hands, and immediately, a giant cyan lion’s head appeared in front of his chest.

”Meridian Qi Gathering!”

While Yun Xiao, hiding not too far away, had yet to react, Guan Tong’s eyes burned with desire for that very power.

It seemed that on the Hidden Dragon Continent, aside from Yun Xiao, only those in the Meridian Rushing Realm could perform Meridian Qi Gathering like this. For someone like Guan Tong, who was halfway into the Meridian Rushing Realm, such Meridian Qi Gathering was merely ostentatious without substance.

The Meridian Qi Gathering performed by Shen Xiao, who had reached the Early Stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm, was no trivial matter. Clearly, it was a powerful Meridian Technique, and its force was at least of the Mortal Rank Advanced level.

The menacing Meridian Qi lion’s head emitted a ferocious roar, then fiercely bit towards the fiery snake tail. Under Shen Xiao’s control, the Meridian Qi lion’s head’s bite was extremely precise, directly clamping down on the tail of the Fire Spirit Snake.

”Hiss...”

But the next moment, Shen Xiao’s expression changed slightly; his Mortal Rank Advanced Lion Head Meridian Technique didn’t even last an instant before it was incinerated into nothingness by the tail of the Fire Spirit Snake.

Since the Fire Spirit Snake was formed from magma, it naturally possessed a very strong Fire Attribute. Moreover, the special effects of this Strange Spirit were extremely weird, as even the Lion Head of Meridian Qi couldn’t last for two breaths.

After shattering the Meridian Qi Lion Head, a hint of mockery flashed in the fiery eyes of the Fire Spirit Snake, and then its tail didn’t pause at all, sweeping towards Shen Xiao’s chest once again with a scorching breath hitting him face-on.

”Damn beast!”

Seeing this, Shen Xiao couldn’t help but curse under his breath, but he had no choice but to dodge the tail sweep, laden with a particularly intense fire attribute, because he knew that when it came to comparing Physical Strength, he definitely couldn’t match this Strange Spirit of the same rank.

Whew...

A section of tail, emitting a scorching breath, swept past the front of Shen Xiao’s chest, startling a cold sweat from him, and Guan Tong, seeing this scene, was glad once again that he had narrowly escaped, because he knew that under such an attack, he likely wouldn’t have had the slightest chance to survive.

By this time, Yun Xiao, observing from the shadows, had gained a clear understanding of the strength of the Fourth Rank Low Level Fire Spirit Snake.

He couldn’t help but feel worried, thinking to himself that perhaps it was reckless of him to take on this Low Level Spiritual Rank mission, as such a Strange Spirit was simply beyond his current capabilities.

Moreover, from the earlier exchange between Shen Xiao and the spirit, Yun Xiao clearly knew that even if Shen Xiao had broken into the Meridian Rushing Realm Early Stage and was a Meridian Refining Master with Ancestor Vein Power, he would definitely be no match for the Fire Spirit Snake in a one-on-one fight.

Even with Guan Tong, a mere beginner, added to the mix, Shen Xiao probably wouldn’t be able to obtain the Fire Spirit Crystal, making Yun Xiao, hidden in the dark, grow increasingly anxious, thinking that there may not be a chance this time.

Originally, Yun Xiao had planned to take action after Shen Xiao and the Fire Spirit Snake had worn each other down, even though doing so might offend Shen Xiao, ranked second on the Mortal List. But as the reincarnation of the Long Xiao Battle God, his actions were neither entirely righteous nor entirely evil; he wasn’t the type always to let others have their way.

After all, he wasn’t grabbing the Fire Spirit Crystal from Shen Xiao’s hands, and even if he didn’t act now, they would likely meet in the upcoming Outer Sect competition, and a direct confrontation would still ensue.

Unfortunately, despite Yun Xiao’s well-laid plans, they were destined to fail because of Shen Xiao’s lack of strength; with his combat ability, there was no way he could end up with a mutually destructive fight with the Fire Spirit Snake, much less pick up an easy advantage.

In the midst of Yun Xiao’s silent despair, Shen Xiao, who had dodged the Fire Spirit Snake’s tail strike, couldn’t help but darken his expression, knowing full well what the former had anticipated.

Shen Xiao knew that even if he deployed the Ancestor Vein Power, at best he could only exchange dozens or hundreds of strikes with the Fire Spirit Snake, but it was absolutely impossible to defeat it, let alone take the Fire Spirit Crystal from within its body; and most likely...

At this thought, Shen Xiao made a decision, suddenly turning his head in one direction and shouting loudly, ”Elder Brother Feng Hang, it seems you won’t be able to pick up an easy advantage; best to take action soon!”

The sudden loudness of Shen Xiao not only changed Guan Tong’s expression but also made Yun Xiao, who had long been hiding in the shadows, shudder as he had not sensed another person being there at all.

”Feng Hang?”

However, the name mentioned by Shen Xiao was not unfamiliar to Yun Xiao, as it belonged to the most outstanding individual on the Outer Mortal List of the Jade Pot Sect, ranked first among the super geniuses.

With Tan Yun’s knowledge about the Outer Sect of the Jade Pot Sect, Yun Xiao was roughly aware of the top five geniuses on the Mortal List during this period.

Although Yun Xiao had not previously met Shen Xiao, Feng Hang, and others, their reputations were well-known to him, and aside from the monstrous talents in the Inner Sect, these three were indeed the most talented individuals in the Outer Sect of the Jade Pot Sect.

What Yun Xiao hadn’t expected was that this Low-Level Spiritual Rank mission attracted not only Shen Xiao but also brought this foremost individual on the Mortal List—how exciting!

Yun Xiao was surprised, as he wasn’t sure whether his presence had been detected by Feng Hang, who was also lurking in the dark; if Feng Hang had been hidden here first, Yun Xiao would have nowhere to hide.

However, at this point, Yun Xiao naturally wouldn’t reveal himself prematurely, and his curiosity about the one ranked first on the Mortal List made him turn his gaze to the direction Shen Xiao had looked.

But there, only darkness and occasionally splashing magma could be seen; there was no one there, leaving it uncertain whether Shen Xiao’s alert had been mere bluster.

”Elder Brother Feng Hang, as you see, I am simply no match for this Fire Spirit Snake. It’s impossible for us to end in mutual defeat; best to come out now!”