Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Do you have a way to resolve it?”

To be honest, at this moment, Mo Qing was already provoked by Yun Xiao’s words, and she had a good relationship with Li Shan who also took care of her, so she did not want to see Li Shan get into trouble.

”Senior Sister Mo Qing, are you overestimating me?”

Upon hearing this, Yun Xiao looked at Mo Qing with a somewhat bizarre expression and said sarcastically: ”Do you really think the intense poison that caused Li Shan from the Spirit Vein Realm to be unaware of his poisoning is something I, a mere Mortal Rank Middle-Level Meridian Refining Master, can resolve?”

At first glance, Yun Xiao’s words seem quite reasonable. If Li Shan was really poisoned, then it must be no ordinary toxin. Such a toxin would be fatal just by touching or smelling it, not to mention resolving it, for any cultivator at the Initial Stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm.

However, Mo Qing had been keeping an eye on Yun Xiao all this time, and this youngster never spoke a word of truth. She and Li Shan met several times a month, and even his teacher, a Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Refining Master, often consulted with Li Shan about complicated issues.

Mo Qing also knew that perhaps the Sect Leader had not even noticed the intense poison in Li Shan, otherwise he wouldn’t have been so nonchalant just now.

It was these facts that high-level pulse refining masters couldn’t detect, yet Yun Xiao revealed it with a single statement. Though there was no final conclusion yet, Mo Qing had selectively chosen to believe that Li Shan truly was poisoned.

Due to her relationship with Li Shan, Mo Qing cursed this youngster’s cunning inwardly, yet she bit her silver teeth and said softly, ”Yun Xiao, if you can really neutralize the intense poison in Elder Li Shan, then... then... I promise that what happened in the hot springs at Yurong Mountain... in the springs, I... I can pretend it never happened!”

Mo Qing’s words were somewhat disjoined, especially when she mentioned ”hot springs,” her face even flashed with embarrassment, betrayed by an undeniable blush.

Thinking back, that incident was an unintentional mistake. Having pondered over it, Mo Qing felt that Yun Xiao was probably not deliberate, which is why she could not bring herself to fatally strike at him.

Now, for Elder Li Shan’s sake, Mo Qing could not care less about anything else, feeling deep inside that perhaps only this young man in front of her could solve the intense poisoning of Elder Li Shan.

”Agreed!”

Little did Mo Qing expect that the commitment she thought would at least make Yun Xiao ponder, would be shattered the next moment. The youngster did not even hesitate for a split second before firmly speaking out.

In fact, Yun Xiao had a good impression of Elder Li Shan, and even without Mo Qing, once he confirmed his speculation, he would spare no efforts to assist.

However, having just seen Mo Qing’s state, Yun Xiao had an epiphany and thought that perhaps this matter could dissolve the grudge from that incident at Yurong Mountain hot springs.

It seemed Yun Xiao’s plan was quite successful, or perhaps it was because he guessed Mo Qing’s feelings for Elder Li Shan—finally prompting her to propose turning conflict into peace, hitting right into his desires.

”Senior Sister Mo Qing, you can’t go back on your word now!”

Yun Xiao firmly sealed the deal with his comment, and upon hearing this, Mo Qing realized that she had been tricked by this youngster once again, causing a greater sense of embarrassment on her face.

”Hmph, if you can’t cure Elder Li Shan, we’ll settle both new and old accounts together!”

Realizing she fell into Yun Xiao’s trap, Mo Qing snorted coldly, no longer elaborating, turned around, and quickly mounted her Wolf Hawk, lightly stepping her feet and with a whoosh, she rode the clouds.

Seeing this, Yun Xiao could only chuckle dryly. However, he soon lowered his head and muttered, ”How could such a peculiar poison appear on this tiny Hidden Dragon Continent? Truly bizarre and strange!”

”Big Brother Yun Xiao!”

Just as Yun Xiao was deep in thought, a voice pulled him back to reality. When he looked up, he saw Ling Wan and Song Tian walking towards him, both displaying a touch of frustration on their faces.

”Were you guys kicked out too?”

Yun Xiao smiled slightly. He knew that after Yu Shu issued that command, no one would be allowed to stay inside the Jade Pot Cave, ending this round of free treasure exploration prematurely.

”What’s going on? Wasn’t it supposed to be three days? It hasn’t even been one day, and they kicked us out!”

Clearly upset, Ling Wan muttered softly. Song Tian, more composed, had a suspicion that this turn of events might not be unrelated to the person in front of him.

”There was an incident inside the Jade Pot Cave, don’t worry, you’ll get your full three days of free treasure hunting!” Yun Xiao did not explain much, just offered a brief clarification.

Since things had come to this, Ling Wan could stay upset all he wanted, it was futile. The trio then mounted the Wolf Hawk and rode the clouds, unaware that at the mouth of the Jade Pot Cave, on a certain stone platform, a green-cloaked young figure stared at their retreating figures, his expression darkly grimacing.

...

Night falls!

Jade Pot Sect, Poison Vein lineage.

In a dark green hall stood three figures: an old man and two young men, among whom the elder in green looked quite familiar. He was indeed the Second Elder Fu Du, the ruler of the Poison Vein lineage.

As for the two young figures standing to the left of Fu Du, they were Yin Huan and Xuan Zhi. However, all three of them had rather unpleasant expressions on their faces, especially Yin Huan.

”Yin Huan, tell me, how did you fail this time?”

Fu Du looked at his most beloved disciple, but his tone was rather stern. After hearing these words, Yin Huan couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

It seemed that Yin Huan was aware of being favored by his teacher solely because of his talent. However, he knew that once he displeased his teacher, it wouldn’t take long before someone else, such as this Third Prince beside him, would replace him.

After Xuan Zhi personally visited Fu Du that night, Yin Huan distinctly felt his significance diminish in his teacher’s heart. Indeed, there were many matters that the teacher now discussed only with Xuan Zhi, excluding Yin Huan.

Now, with the failure to handle Yun Xiao, Yin Huan felt even more anxious and fearful, so he dared not conceal the slightest detail, recounting everything that had happened inside the Jade Pot Cave to his teacher.

”So you’re saying a Strange Spirit appeared inside the Jade Pot Cave?”

Upon hearing this, Fu Du abruptly rose from his chair. Apparently, the situation had been urgent at that time, and no one had informed the Second Elder, so he only became aware of this major incident at this moment, understandably surprised.

Even Xuan Zhi, standing nearby, showed an unusual expression; this was an unexpected development for him too. His main purpose of joining the Jade Pot Sect had been something within the Jade Pot Cave. Now, with these changes in the Cave, his plans might be affected.

”Yes, teacher, if it weren’t for that Strange Spirit suddenly appearing and severely injuring me, Yun Xiao would have already been meeting with King Yan!”

Yin Huan was somewhat indignant—indeed, it was just Yun Xiao’s good luck, not a flaw in his plan or lack of strength. He wanted to make this clear to Fu Du.

”Alright, I understand. You may leave now.”

After listening to Yin Huan, Fu Du pondered for a moment, glanced at Xuan Zhi beside him, and then waved his hand, indicating that Yin Huan should leave first.

”Yes, teacher!”

Hearing this, a hint of jealousy flashed through Yin Huan’s lowered eyes, but he dared not disobey. He bowed and retreated, aware that this mistake might further decrease his standing with his teacher.

As soon as Yin Huan’s figure vanished at the entrance of the hall, Xuan Zhi suddenly turned his head and said, ”Second Elder, since there has been a change in the Jade Pot Cave, it seems our plans need to be adjusted!”

”Oh? What are you thinking?”

Fu Du’s eyes flashed with a green light, expressing interest. He didn’t mind that this Third Prince had addressed him as ”Second Elder” instead of ”teacher,” rather curious about what this person—or the one behind him—had planned.

”The appearance of a Strange Spirit in the Jade Pot Cave definitively implicates the guardian Elder. Perhaps we can use this incident to kick the obstructive Fourth Elder out and install our own people!”

Xuan Zhi spoke confidently, having harbored this plan for a long time but lacking the right opportunity. Now, it seemed the opportunity had literally fallen from the sky.

Hearing this, Fu Du’s eyes brightened, and he clapped his hands, ”Indeed, this really seems like an opportunity. With such a major event, the Sect Leader will likely convene all the Great Elders soon to discuss. Perhaps then, we might be able to pull down that old man, Li Shan!”

”Exactly, Second Elder. As long as I can successfully obtain that item, my elder brother will certainly not forget the favors owed to you!” Enthusiastically, Xuan Zhi and the co-conspiring Second Elder both showed smiles brimming with unspeakable implications.

...

After nightfall.

In the Cold Jade Hall, Yun Xiao sat cross-legged. However, at this moment, he was not in the state of cultivation but was fussing over a small golden snake worm on his body that emitted a faint golden light, somewhat grudgingly.

”You little fellow, you really know how to pick the best things to eat!”

Yun Xiao felt extremely frustrated. Previously, he had acquired a Fourth Rank Low Level Fire Spirit Crystal in the Yurong Volcano, but this creature had forcibly devoured it. Now, he had just managed to wrest a Fourth Rank Intermediate Spirit Crystal from Yin Huan, and it had once again taken possession of it, leaving him utterly crestfallen.

Yet Yun Xiao had no way to deal with this little creature. This tiny golden snake worm seemed to think of his body as its home and would not leave. It occasionally caused havoc, leading to significant losses for him.

If the golden snake worm was conscious, Yun Xiao might be able to communicate with it, but unfortunately, it seemed to be in a half-conscious state, only reacting to strong alternative energies or potent poisons. It ignored everything else.

Thus, Yun Xiao could only stew in silence here. As he sensed it, the energy of the Fourth Rank Intermediate Spirit Crystal within the golden snake worm was gradually diminishing—perhaps it won’t be long before it was completely devoured.