Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Chapter 171: 171 Wrist movements performed to perfection

”Bi Luo Senior Brother, what’s wrong with you?”

Yin Huan quickly noticed something off about his Second Senior Brother beside him and immediately asked, though he was unaware of last night’s events and why Bi Luo’s face looked so gloomy.

A seamless plan, that was supposed to ensure that Yun Xiao would never appear in the Arena Hall, had unexpectedly fallen through. How could Bi Luo be in a good mood?

Yet, these matters were not something he could discuss openly, not even with his junior brother, whom his teacher held most dear. Bi Luo kept his thoughts to himself, his face sullen and silent.

Without receiving the answer he wanted, Yin Huan did not ask further. His gaze then shifted towards a shabbily dressed young boy, his eyes flickered as if he was deep in thought.

In the northeast corner, the eyes of Mo Qing also hadn’t left Yun Xiao since he entered the hall, because she suddenly realized that after their interaction last night, her feelings towards the boy seemed to have changed somewhat.

When someone faces a life-and-death situation, their emotions are undoubtedly most vulnerable. Mo Qing had experienced such a moment last night and, ultimately, it was that emotionally complex boy who had saved her.

Although there were reasons leading to these outcomes, and Mo Qing had also saved Yun Xiao, it was this undeniable mutual dependence that rendered her emotions exceedingly complicated, making it impossible for her to look away.

Xue Gong, who had been paying close attention to Mo Qing, naturally noticed his junior sister’s unusual demeanor. As he followed her gaze, he was startled to see the shabbily dressed boy, who had distinguished themselves in the first two rounds of the Outer Sect competition.

Initially, Xue Gong wasn’t such a narrow-minded person, but love turning into resentment because of Mo Qing’s continuous focus on the Outer Disciple made him develop a bit of spite unknowingly, maybe even without his own clear awareness.

Putting aside these geniuses’ peculiar sentiments, as Yun Xiao entered the Arena Hall, he sensed the various gazes cast from every direction, but only smiled slightly, nodded to Tan Yun and his group, and then walked over to a certain area with Ling Wan.

Here gathered were the winners of the second round of the Outer Sect competition, led by Feng Hang and Shen Xiao, who were initially the most dazzling talents on the Mortal List within the Jade Pot Sect.

Yet at this moment, the thirty talents progressing to the third round were all fixated on Yun Xiao and Ling Wan. Compared to the seasoned talents of Feng and Shen, these two new Outer Disciples were undeniably the dark horses of this year’s competition.

Seeing the fervent gazes that other contestants cast towards Yun Xiao and Ling Wan, Third Prince Xuan Zhi was gritting his teeth so hard they were nearly cracking.

Like Bi Luo, Xuan Zhi that previous night had believed Yun Xiao to have no chance of turning the tides, having devised that plan himself, yet unforeseeably it fell apart at the last minute due to Mo Qing’s interference.

Strictly speaking, Xuan Zhi had also made it to the third round of the Outer Sect competition. Why then had he not amazed these Outer Disciples each causing them admiration? There was naturally a reason for that.

Yun Xiao and Ling Wan’s performance in the first two rounds was there for all to witness, especially Yun Xiao, whose Flying Sword decisively defeated the third-ranked Guan Tong on the Mortal List — a feat far beyond any ordinary Outer Disciple.

Contrastingly for Xuan Zhi, his character was not that commendable, setting aside the fact that he and Guan Tong swapped draw numbers trying to avoid Yun Xiao. What really happened in his round two battle was clear to many Outer Sect talents.

This Prince of the Empire, having progressed to the third round of the Outer Sect contest, didn’t rely on his own skills but rather used his royal status to make his opponents purposely lose to him, which was somewhat unbecoming of a true martial artist.

In this third round of competition, it’s unlikely Xuan Zhi will continue to be so fortunate; even if he wants to employ any tricks, his opponents probably won’t let him, as everyone aims to have the Northern seats’ Elders regard them with special favor. Such tactics are indeed too despicable.

Yet these Outer Sect geniuses obviously underestimated Xuan Zhi’s shamelessness or perhaps the power of his royal background. In the upcoming third round, this fellow once again exposed them to some unsavory truths.

As the top three Northern Elders appeared, the third round of the Outer Sect competition finally began vigorously. It wasn’t until Feng Hang climbed onto the second arena and faced his opponent that Yun Xiao was finally able to breathe a hearty sigh of relief.

It seems Feng Hang truly is unmatched in his pride, disdaining those covert manipulations, and unlike Xuan Zhi, he probably believes that no matter who he faces, he can effortlessly crush them, seeing no need for foul play.

Indeed, this was the case, as within just three moves, a top ten talent on the Mortal List surrendered, which also unexpectedly allowed Feng Hang’s final killer move to be unused, thus narrowly dodging a bullet.

For this battle, whose outcome was already anticipated by many, most weren’t particularly interested, while their gaze already moved to the fourth arena, because the two talents competing there seemed a bit unusual.

Since the second round when Xuan Zhi and Guan Tong exchanged their draw numbers, the number of this Third Prince of the Empire was undoubtedly sixteen, and after his victory in the second round, he was bound to appear on the number four stage in this third round.

However, at this moment, the two individuals on stage four were not Xuan Zhi. Some keen observers, after recalling the progression of yesterday’s battles, turned their gaze toward Xuan Zhi who had a slightly triumphant expression on his face.

Only at this moment did everyone realize that this Imperial Third Prince had indeed played his tactics again in the third round, moving his position to the fifteenth spot in the upper bracket.

Due to the number of participants in the Outer Sect Tournament, after two rounds of battles which eliminated many talents, each of the upper and lower halves was left with fifteen people.

Thus, a special rule was added for the third round of this Outer Sect Tournament: the last person gets a bye, advancing directly to the next round.

And this lucky last person originally belonged to one of the individuals on stage four, which meant something that everyone was well aware of—Xuan Zhi had incredibly managed to break through to the fourth round without danger.

This also showed the powerful influence of the Royal Family. The young talent, who originally supposed to have the bye on the stage, also came from a strong family. It’s intriguing how Xuan Zhi coerced or enticed him to give up the opportunity to directly advance to the fourth round.

But nonetheless, this genius voluntarily stood on stage four, and after causing his opponent a bit of surprise, ultimately faced a magnificent defeat.

The defeated individual, naturally not in the best of moods, but recalling the benefits Xuan Zhi offered, no longer dwelled on it. Since he had no chance to make it to the top two anyway, it was better to owe a favor to the Third Prince.

The Outer Sect Tournament proceeded methodically, and soon it was Yun Xiao’s turn; his opponent this time was a disciple ranked fourteenth on the Mortal List.

Even compared to Gao Zheng, Yun Xiao’s opponent from the first round, this Outer Sect genius was less strong. Yun Xiao, who even defeated Guan Tong, how could he possibly capsized against such an opponent?

Just after a few moves, when the genius ranked fourteenth on the Mortal List dodged a heavy hit from Yun Xiao and suddenly felt a chill at the back of his neck, he dared not move any further.

”Senior brother, I concede!”

While controlling his Meridian Qi Sword, Yun Xiao already had a smile on his face. Dealing with such an ordinary Meridian Gathering Realm Peak genius was indeed much easier than fighting with Guan Tong.

This time, Yun Xiao’s opponent was not as foolish as Gao Zheng. Moreover, after two rounds of battles, he knew that the seeming warm and pleasant new disciple was not as harmless as he appeared.

This was evident from the first round’s Gao Zheng and the second round’s Guan Tong; one had his palm burned, and the other had already reported to King Yama. This one did not want to follow the footsteps of those two unlucky fellows.

So the man could only bow in defeat. Originally, losing to a newly advanced Outer Disciple would damage his pride, but now Yun Xiao was not seen just as a simple new disciple anymore; this guy was the one who killed the third-ranked individual on the Mortal List.

Regarding the result of this combat, everyone didn’t hold much expectation; it ended just as they had imagined. After a while, all seven matches in the upper bracket were concluded.

When Yun Xiao turned his head in a certain direction, he saw an unpleasing face—it was the Imperial Third Prince, Xuan Zhi.

Why was His Highness not in great spirits? Wasn’t he the one who just smoothly entered the fourth round without shedding blood?

That’s because after Yun Xiao’s victory, his opponent for the fourth round turned out to be this same Third Prince. It must be said, it was fate’s calling.

Facing this Third Prince who has always sought to put him to death, Yun Xiao no longer had any thoughts of mercy. If you want to play, then let’s show our true skills on the stage.

Xuan Zhi also realized this fact, and even though Yun Xiao, likewise in the Meridian Gathering Realm Late Stage and possessing Ancestor Vein Power, had managed to kill even Guan Tong, he truly developed a psychological shadow.

If there was even one instance where Xuan Zhi’s plans against Yun Xiao turned in his favor, perhaps he wouldn’t feel this way. But being humiliated time and again has certainly left its mark—it would be odd if it hadn’t.

Onlookers clearly noticed the exchange of glances between the two and after making some calculations, each wore a schadenfreude smile for the misfortune of the Third Prince from the Empire.