Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Due to her attention towards Yun Xiao, Mo Qing had long been aware that the latter didn’t get along well with the talented members of the Cao and Zhao families. This time, both Family Heads had taken an interest in the Meridian Treasure; if Yun Xiao were to appear here, it would likely cause significant trouble.

However, with Mo Qing’s strength, two early-stage Meridian Union Realm old men wouldn’t concern her too much. If these two old men truly dared to make a move against Yun Xiao, she would absolutely not allow it.

In fact, Mo Qing, having entered the Illusion Array earlier, didn’t believe that Zhao Ningshu and Cao Luo could possibly make it through the array. But now, she somewhat understood the details of the Illusion Array.

Like Yun Xiao, who entered the array, the illusions within were created from the mind, and they would form Vein Demons or Strange Spirits according to the strength of the ones entering, in order to achieve the effect of attacking and injuring their enemies.

No matter what, Zhao Ningshu and Cao Luo were genuine Meridian Refining Masters with strong Soul Power. Their resistance to the Illusion Array was stronger, so they were lucky enough to break out of its bounds.

On the contrary, someone like Yun Xiao, who harbored many obsessions, suffered greatly within the Illusion Array. The betrayal in his previous life and the extermination of his sect in this life made it very difficult for Yun Xiao in the array.

Strictly speaking, Zhao Ningshu and Cao Luo, the two geniuses with slightly lower Cultivation, entered the Illusion Array even faster than Mo Qing and Yun Xiao.

Because whether it was Yun Xiao, Mo Qing, or even Yue Qi over there, they all held onto inextinguishable obsessions. This was a great advantage to the Illusion Array, almost trapping them inside forever.

Both the Cao and Zhao families had their own ways of communication. Having emerged from the Illusion Array, the father-son duos contacted each other within these past few days, so they arrived together at the ultimate entrance to the Meridian Treasure.

”Hehe, this must be Brother Yue Qi, known as the number one talent of the Jade Pot Sect. Indeed, fame is less than meeting in person, truly well-deserved!”

Cao Kong, the Family Head of the Cao family, had a gaunt appearance, and it might scare some timid commoners just to look at him. But the words he spoke made Yue Qi quite pleased.

In reality, Cao Kong was well aware that the current number one talent of the Jade Pot Sect had long been replaced by Mo Qing of the Medical Pulse lineage several years ago.

However, since his son Cao Luo had joined the Poison Vein lineage of the Jade Talisman Sect, the well-informed Cao Kong certainly wanted to curry favor with the prominent figures of the Poison Vein lineage first.

But as he called out ”Brother Yue Qi,” Cao Luo’s face showed a tinge of embarrassment. He had just referred to Yue Qi as ”senior brother,” and now his father’s wording made it seem that he was a generation lower than his ”Senior Brother Yue Qi.”

”Fair enough!”

For this slight misnaming, Yue Qi didn’t mind it. He looked proudly at the girl in black not far away and said with some expression on his face, no longer ignoring her as he did initially.

Yue Qi was proud because although he was no longer the top of the Spiritual Chick List, overtaken by Mo Qing, he still considered himself the true number one talent of the Jade Pot Sect in the eyes of those Xuanyue Empire clans.

Caught up in his pride, Yue Qi selectively ignored the flattering undertone in Cao Kong’s words. Then, he heard another voice that lightened his mood even more.

”Young Master Yue Qi, I am grateful for looking after my son. With the guidance of the most talented senior brother of the Jade Pot Sect, my son’s Cultivation will certainly soar!”

This time it was Zhao Huan, the Family Head of the Zhao family. Having been outpaced by Cao Kong just now, he wasn’t willing to be left behind. This differed slightly from the overt flattery of the latter; it carried a bit more of an emotional element to closer the distance.

In truth, how could an Inner Sect genius like Yue Qi possibly give pointers to Zhao Ningshu, who had only just joined the Inner Sect—especially under exceptional circumstances and without yet breaking through to the Early Stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm?

It’s likely that after entering the Inner Sect, Zhao Ningshu had only seen Yue Qi once at the Task Hall. However, Zhao Huan, with his thick skin, boldly brought the practically non-existent relationship much closer.

The laughter and conversation among the few over there made Mo Qing’s side seem rather quiet, but given her naturally cold disposition, even if the Family Heads of the Cao and Zhao families were to approach her, she likely wouldn’t bother with them, consequently enjoying some peace.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh...

After a short while, several sounds of rushing wind arose. This time two figures finally joined Mo Qing’s side—Xue Gong and Chang Qing had also managed to break through the Illusion Array and arrived here timely.

As for the two additional people at Yue Qi’s side, it was Bi Luo and Yin Huan, two of the Jade Pot Sect’s Poison Vein lineage’s genius cultivators, both with insidious and vicious dispositions.

The arrival of Bi Luo and Yin Huan caused the Family Heads of the Cao and Zhao families to fawn over them again. After all, their precious sons still had to cultivate in the Jade Pot Sect. Forming good relations with these talented figures of the Poison Vein lineage might make things easier for their sons.

”Brothers Xue and Chang, have you seen Yun Xiao?”

Mo Qing didn’t pay attention to the conversation on the other side and turned to ask. However, upon seeing Chang Qing shake his head, her heart couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.

”Junior Brother Yun Xiao’s strength is modest; could he be trapped within that illusion array?” Xue Gong’s eyes flitted, and the insinuation behind his words worsened Mo Qing’s mood further.

”I believe that Junior Brother Yun Xiao will definitely break through the illusion array, Senior Brother Xue Gong should not underestimate him!” Before Mo Qing could speak, Chang Qing could not resist jumping in.

It should be known that within the Jade Martial Institute of the Jade Pot Sect, it was from Yun Xiao that Chang Qing had received guidance and succeeded in cultivating the advanced version of the Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Technique, Lightless Seal. He had been grateful to Yun Xiao ever since.

”Junior Brother Chang Qing, don’t hold him in such high regard either, if he could break through the illusion array, why hasn’t he arrived here after so long?” Hearing Chang Qing’s words, Xue Gong, rather irritated, countered.

”Perhaps...something has delayed him!” At this point, even Chang Qing began to feel uncertain, reasoning that once the Meridian Treasure task was accepted, the Task Token would guide one to the Final Land. If Yun Xiao had truly passed through the illusion array, there would be no reason for him not to hurry over.

”That kid...”

”Alright, can I have some peace and quiet for a while?”

As Xue Gong was about to say more, the increasingly irritated Mo Qing finally couldn’t help but burst out, cutting off the forthcoming words of the former.

However, after holding his tongue, Xue Gong glanced around in several directions and for some reason, he found himself secretly cursing that Yun Xiao would die within that illusion array, better off never coming out.

Subsequently, dozens of figures, old and young, appeared one after another, whom Mo Qing and Yue Qi did not recognize, presumably belonging to some families from the Xuanyue Empire, having rushed over upon learning that the Meridian Treasure was about to open.

As previously mentioned, the news of the Meridian Treasure opening was not only known to the Jade Pot Sect. Getting inside the Meridian Treasure meant not only guarding against the traps and schemes within but also these competitors, also human cultivators, likely posed the greatest threat.

Worthy of note is that the Third Prince of the Empire, the Inner Sect genius Xuan Zhi who also accepted the task, did not appear at this Final Land at this time.

Even members of the Royal Family were absent, causing a moment of surprise among the people, but it was not dwelt upon much, as with the millennia-old heritage of the Royal Family, such a Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Treasure might not attract their interest.

In the blink of an eye, another night passed and as the morning sunlight poured down the next day, everyone’s gaze, at this moment, turned towards the azure Light Shield above.

It was indeed peculiar; while snowflakes were gently falling in the area, the sky far above was bathed in bright sunshine, such a contrast in scenery was not often seen.

However, at this time, everyone was clearly overlooking this fact because at the moment of the sunrise, that previously static azure Light Shield began to undergo some faint changes.

Among the people present, many were Meridian Refining Masters with formidable Soul Power, after all, it was a Meridian Treasure belonging to a Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Refining Master, naturally attracting many Meridian Refining Masters.

Even for the likes of Mo Qing and Yue Qi, their Soul Power had already reached the peak of Mortal Rank Advanced, just one step away from entering the level of a Spiritual Rank Soul, hence their sensing abilities were exceptionally strong.

Under the sensing of these Soul Experts, when a cluster of snowflakes fell upon the Light Shield, a subtle crack appeared at the base of the shield, spreading upwards.

”The seal is about to break; the Meridian Treasure is about to open!”

Suddenly, a cheer erupted from somewhere, and immediately, a figure rushed impatiently towards where the crack in the seal had appeared.

”Seeking death!”

Seeing the action of this person, although his Meridian Qi Cultivation had already reached the Early Stage of Meridian Rushing Realm, Mo Qing and Yue Qi, as well as the Family Heads of the Zhao and Cao families, all displayed a hint of disdain in their eyes.

Rashness always comes with a price; this early-stage Meridian Introduction Realm cultivator who sought to gain an advantage would meet his predestined end. He had indeed gained the advantage, but it was the lead in death.

Crack! Crack!

This person was indeed swift, rushing to the location of the crack in a few steps, but just as he neared the Light Shield, a visible burst of extreme cold shot out from the crack, instantly freezing him into a human-shaped ice sculpture.

Everyone was slightly shocked and bewildered, for in the blink of an eye, that early-stage Meridian Rushing Realm cultivator, without even emitting a scream, had turned into an ice sculpture.

Through the transparent ice, everyone could clearly see the man’s running posture and even the confident smile lingering on his face, unaware that in the next moment, he would be meeting King Yan.

For a moment, an eerie silence fell around the entrance of the Meridian Treasure seal, save for the continuing sound of the crack spreading—no human voices could be heard.