Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Just now, several members of the Poison Vein Sect have taken this Spiritual Rank Intermediate task, all traceable, but what about Yun Xiao? Since being taken as a direct disciple by the Sect Master, his background has been thoroughly exposed by many inner sect disciples.

A mere merchant from Moon Bow City, and moreover, from a family that was completely annihilated, it can be said that Yun Xiao now has no background apart from the Jade Pot Sect, a fact far incomparable to those from the Poison Vein Sect just now.

Moreover, Yun Xiao’s Meridian Qi Cultivation is only at the early stage of Meridian Rushing Realm, a point clearly sensed by many old genius; with such a cultivation level, if without assistance, he would surely find this task more difficult than Zhao Ningshu and Cao Luo, wouldn’t he?

Yet under the unusual gazes of these surrounding disciples, Yun Xiao did not hesitate at all to take up the task of the Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Treasure, which ended all suspicions that he was just seeking attention.

As for the thoughts of these onlookers, Yun Xiao naturally wouldn’t care much. When he caught the task token, a stream of Meridian Qi directly entered it.

”So that’s how it is!”

As soon as Yun Xiao’s Meridian Qi entered the task token, a stream of information was displayed, appearing to be an extremely small map with a distinctly visible light spot.

Initially, Yun Xiao was somewhat puzzled. This Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Treasure task didn’t even have a location, so how was he supposed to find it? It seems now that the exact location of the Meridian Treasure can only be known after taking the task.

Perhaps this was a method used by the Jade Pot Sect to prevent the task location of the Meridian Treasure from leaking, as such treasures are extremely tempting for small to mid-sized families; if too many go, it would inevitably lead to chaos.

”You all should be ready, right?”

Seeing that the three had collected their task tokens, Mo Qing asked with a dip of her right hand, and the three nodded in agreement. Now that everyone had their Waist Storage, there really wasn’t much to prepare.

However, just as the four were about to step out of the Task Hall, a figure suddenly rushed in from outside, nearly bumping into Mo Qing, who was walking in front.

”So rash, what kind of behavior is that?”

Walking behind Mo Qing, Xue Gong hadn’t clearly seen the newcomer but had already scolded, with his status, unless it was someone like Yue Qi or Bi Luo, he had the right to deliver such a reprimand.

”Ling Wan?”

However, just as Xue Gong spoke out, Yun Xiao had already darted forward, revealing that he had seen the fast-moving figure—it was his good brother Ling Wan.

”Brother Yun Xiao!”

Ling Wan seemed somewhat anxious, and upon seeing Yun Xiao, he couldn’t help but call out, his ignoring attitude making Xue Gong’s face even gloomier.

As for the chubby Ling Wan, neither Xue Gong nor Chang Qing had much association with him, but Mo Qing knew well that Ling Wan and Yun Xiao shared an excellent relationship. Back in the Jade Martial Institute, Yun Xiao had even spent 1500 points to exchange for a low-level Spiritual Rank Cultivation Technique for Ling Wan.

”We’ll wait for you outside!”

Seeing that Ling Wan and Yun Xiao seemed to have matters to discuss, Mo Qing waved her hand, and Xue Gong and Chang Qing no longer said anything, following her out.

”Eh? Ling Wan, your Meridian Qi Cultivation...”

Just as Mo Qing and the others stepped out of the Task Hall, Yun Xiao suddenly noticed something shocking—the level of cultivation aura of Ling Wan at that moment.

Yun Xiao remembered clearly, just a few days ago when he parted with Ling Wan at the Jade Martial Institute, this fellow merely had the peak cultivation of Meridian Gathering Realm. How, in just a few short days of not seeing each other, had this guy actually broken through to... the early stage of Meridian Rushing Realm?

”Meridian Rushing Realm Early Stage!”

Thinking of this possibility, Yun Xiao sucked in a breath of cold air. Even though Ling Wan was a special being with the Mixed Element Qi and had a precedent of breaking through three levels in one go when assisting him in opening the governor and conception vessels, Yun Xiao was still somewhat unable to wrap his head around it.

The gap from the peak of Meridian Gathering Realm to the early stage of Meridian Rushing Realm was not the same as breaking through from the middle stage of Meridian Introduction Realm to the early stage of Meridian Gathering Realm—the higher the cultivation, the more energy needed, and the difficulty of the breakthrough also increased.

”Is it because of that low-level Spiritual Rank Cultivation Technique?”

With his quick wits, Yun Xiao guessed the true reason in an instant and couldn’t help feeling somewhat fortunate; those 1500 points were indeed well spent.

”Brother Yun Xiao, let’s not talk about this for now, I urgently came to find you because there’s something else!”

Although breakthroughs are pleasing, Ling Wan’s mind was clearly not on this; his expression remained somewhat anxious as he swiftly changed the subject.

”Brother Yun Xiao, I... I might need to return to Ningfeng City!”

Taking a couple of deep breaths, Ling Wan suddenly made this statement, which caused Yun Xiao to be momentarily stunned, his face immediately darkening because he had no idea why Ling Wan would return to that family.

Having come to thoroughly understand Ling Wan’s background, Yun Xiao knew that the young man’s childhood was perhaps even more miserable than his own, who at least had the love and support of a mother and a sister.

As for Ling Wan, due to the sporadic outbursts of the Mixed Element Qi, he was always treated as a freak and waste by his family members, even his own biological father and two brothers.

Thus, Yun Xiao believed that there was no need to return to that cold family, as it could even lead to enmity and fighting to the death at some point.

”What happened?”

However, Yun Xiao still asked with a stern face, knowing that this young man was simple-minded but hoping he hadn’t been deceived by the Zhao Family, and it would be good to help him analyze the situation if he shared.

”My... my mother has fallen seriously ill, she might... she might not make it!”

But what Ling Wan said next caused Yun Xiao to fall silent because from the words ”mother,” he suddenly remembered how his mother in the Shang Family had protected him in this life.

”Brother Yun Xiao, although the Zhao Family has been unkind to me, my mother still loves me dearly. Whether this matter is true or not, I can’t ignore it!”

It seemed that Ling Wan wasn’t too naive; when he received this message, he might have considered it could be a trap. However, given the reason of his mother’s serious illness, even if it was a trap, he still had no choice but to face it.

Knowing the hearts of others through one’s own, Yun Xiao could only nod at this point because he knew that all the members of the Zhao Family might dislike Ling Wan, but maternal love is a natural instinct; no mother in this world would harm her own child.

”If you want to go back, then go back. Perhaps the Family Head of the Zhao Family will see your current cultivation and start to respect you!”

Yun Xiao spoke reassuringly, as he stated, Ling Wan was indeed a Zhao by name. Although previously the Zhao Family treated him unfairly, the current Ling Wan’s talent was far beyond Zhao Ningshu’s, and he believed not all members of the Zhao Family were fools; they should know who held more value.

”By the way, isn’t Ningfeng City, where your Zhao Family is located, in the northwest of the Xuanyue Empire?”

After encouraging Ling Wan, Yun Xiao suddenly remembered something, and as soon as he asked, Ling Wan nodded, then happily said, ”Sister Mo Qing and I have taken on a task also in the northwest of the Empire; in that case, you could travel with us initially, which would provide some support!”

”Really?”

Hearing this, a smile finally appeared on Ling Wan’s face. Honestly, due to the long-standing authority of the head of the Zhao Family, he was quite nervous about returning alone, but having the ”all-capable” Brother Yun Xiao accompany him alleviated some concerns.

Although they were only traveling together, Yun Xiao would not return to the Zhao Family with Ling Wan. Still, having him on the journey would certainly reduce many troubles, as Ling Wan’s strength at the early stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm was not yet strong enough to move unhindered across the Xuanyue Empire.

The two of them set out together, while Mo Qing and Chang Qing didn’t show much reaction, Xue Gong, however looked impatient. Seeing the two emerge, he immediately said, ”Are you guys done talking?”

Yun Xiao ignored this person who always looked at him unfavorably and turned to Mo Qing, saying, ”Sister Mo Qing, Ling Wan wants to visit his mother in Ningfeng City, letting him travel with us initially shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

”Ningfeng City?”

Upon hearing this, Mo Qing paused for a moment, then nodded her head. Since it was the same direction and wouldn’t delay their mission, having one more or one less person didn’t matter.

Moreover, Mo Qing had a good impression of the honest Ling Wan, now that they were fellow sect disciples, and having known somewhat of Ling Wan’s family grievances, she didn’t have any objections.

”Great, another burden!”

Seeing Mo Qing agree, Xue Gong had nothing much to say, but still sarcastically mocked Ling Wan’s cultivation skill. In the eyes of such a talented individual, even though Ling Wan had reached the early stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm, he was still not worthy of consideration.

With the group’s disappearance beyond the Task Hall, the hall finally became lively, where discussions buzzed with key terms like ”Spiritual Rank Intermediate tasks” and ”Meridian Treasure,” occasionally sprinkling in several people’s names.

However, some keen-minded folks were seriously contemplating the Spiritual Rank Intermediate task, wondering who among the strong Inner Sect disciples attracted by this Meridian Treasure task would truly complete it.

A Spiritual Rank Intermediate task can potentially spawn a Fifth Rank Vein Demon, and during such formidable confrontation, even Mo Qing and Yue Qi might not dare claim they could come back unscathed.

This Spiritual Rank Intermediate task offered a reward of five thousand points, but first, one must survive the ordeal; a careless slip could mean failing the mission or even losing one’s life in the Meridian Treasure, which would be a loss indeed.