Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Chapter 287: 287 Opening Meridian Pill

”Let’s hope it doesn’t disappoint me!”

Yun Xiao thought to himself, knowing that the owner of the Meridian Treasure was a genuine Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Refining Master. He figured that the item inside the black jade bottle could not be too low level. With this thought, filled with anticipation, he finally opened the lid of the black jade bottle.

For Yun Xiao, who was a Holy Rank Meridian Refining Master in his previous life, the Mortal Rank and Spiritual Rank Meridian Refining Masters of the Hidden Dragon Continent really weren’t worth his attention.

However, due to his current situation, Yun Xiao only had the cultivation of the Early Stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm and the expertise of a Mortal Rank Middle Level Meridian Refining Master. Even if he had higher rank pill recipes from his previous life memorized, he probably wouldn’t be able to refine them.

As Yun Xiao moved, a round, black elixir was poured into the palm of his left hand. This time, he had learned his lesson and did not touch the elixir with his right hand, perhaps because of the previous two experiences.

Although Yun Xiao and the golden snake worm had eased their tensions after fighting side by side, he could not guarantee that the sleeping golden snake worm wouldn’t claim the elixir for itself.

”This... is actually a Spiritual Rank Intermediate Opening Meridian Pill!”

But in the next moment, Yun Xiao no longer had those inexplicable thoughts. With his expertise, as soon as the aroma of the elixir assailed his nostrils, he had no more doubts.

The Opening Meridian Pill, a Spiritual Rank Intermediate elixir, didn’t have many complicated effects—the only effect was to double the expansion of the cultivator’s meridians throughout the body!

Don’t underestimate this special effect of doubling expansion. The volume of meridians in the human body is more or less fixed, and the amount of Meridian Qi that the meridians can accommodate determines the cultivation speed of that cultivator.

Once, in the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, Yun Xiao had seen some major clans and powers cleanse the marrow and bones of newborns to make their meridians more robust and widened.

But for cultivators without such conditions, how can they increase the capacity of their meridians to hold more Meridian Qi? That’s when they must seek a Meridian Refining Master.

Some Earth Rank Meridian Refining Masters, who can use Earth Power without relying on elixirs, can help ordinary cultivators expand their meridians, a feat not achievable by any Mortal or Spiritual Rank Meridian Refining Masters.

For those below Earth Rank Meridian Refining Masters, they can only rely on elixirs. This so-called Opening Meridian Pill is one such elixir, and even a Spiritual Rank Intermediate level Opening Meridian Pill is effective even for cultivators in the Meridian Union Realm.

Although it is not a strength-enhancing elixir, the knowledgeable Yun Xiao still felt excited. His own Meridian Qi Cultivation was already at the peak of the Early Stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm, and he was just one step away from breaking through to the Middle Stage of the Meridian Rushing Realm, which was undoubtedly an opportunity for him.

”Hehe, looks like I’m in luck!”

A chuckle emerged from Yun Xiao’s lips, and without any hesitation, he tossed the black Opening Meridian Pill into his mouth, chewed a few times, and then swallowed.

Boom!

After swallowing the Opening Meridian Pill, a powerful force burst forth. Yun Xiao immediately felt this force spread out, seemingly quietly infiltrating all the meridians in his body.

”Ah, it hurts!”

In a moment, Yun Xiao’s body suddenly seized up, feeling as if someone was slicing through his meridians with a knife, causing him to cry out involuntarily.

Fortunately, Yun Xiao had strong pain tolerance. After the initial surprise, he did not cry out in pain again, although the rampant energy inside his body still caused him immense pain.

This was about forcibly doubling the size of the meridians that had been developed over many years—a fortune and an indescribable ordeal. Perhaps, this is the fairness granted by the heavens to cultivators: if you want power, you have to give something up.

Under such pain and torment, Yun Xiao’s entire meridians were undergoing an unknown transformation, perhaps waiting for the day to break free and transform.

...

Xuanyue Empire, Northwest, Luocheng!

Luocheng is the largest city in the Northwest Territory of the Xuanyue Empire and although this city also has many families, they are directly under the control of the City Lord’s Mansion, always deferring to the Xuanyue Imperial Family.

Today, the atmosphere in the City Lord’s Mansion was undoubtedly heavy. The usually domineering and arrogant City Lord Guan Rong was completely devoid of his usual aura because seated before him was a young man in white, appearing quite young.

It’s worth noting that this City Lord of Luocheng, Guan Rong, who had reached the Mid-Stage of the Meridian Union Realm, was actually nodding and bowing to this young man in white, who was only at the peak of the Meridian Gathering Realm. If outsiders were to see this, their eyes would probably pop out.

In fact, this young man in white was the Third Prince of the contemporary Xuanyue Empire. Although his strength was far less than Guan Rong’s, his identity and status were indeed not something a city lord of a remote city could compare to.

”Guan Rong, how is Master Yan doing?”

Sitting at the head of the table, Xuan Zhi’s expression was noticeably grave. As he asked this question, the image of a youth in rough clothing inexplicably flashed through his mind, worsening his mood even further.

”Your Highness, I have invited the best Medical Pulse Master in Luocheng. According to him, Master Yan should be out of mortal danger!

Luocheng’s City Lord Guan Rong indeed possesses some cunning. He didn’t draw the situation towards himself, but repeatedly emphasized that it was the Medical Pulse Master’s suggestion, distancing himself from any blame should something untoward happen to Master Yan.

”That’s good. I will be returning to the Jade Pot Sect tomorrow. Take good care of Master Yan, and don’t forget the matter I mentioned to you!”

A sharp light flashed in Xuan Zhi’s eyes, and when he reached the last sentence, it was laced with unmistakable murderous intent. It seemed that the matter he was referring to was no small issue.

”Rest assured, Your Highness. I have already issued a manhunt notice. As long as Yun Xiao has not left the Northwest Territory, even if it means digging three feet into the ground, I will find him!”

As the lord of the largest city in the Northwest Territory, Guan Rong indeed had such confidence. However, if he knew who actually injured Master Yan, who is also in the Mid Stage of Meridian Union Realm, he probably wouldn’t be so boastful.

Obviously, Xuan Zhi had not fully disclosed the events within the Meridian Treasure to Guan Rong—a matter which was quite embarrassing for them and, moreover, the issue of the Crown Prince wanting to eliminate Second Prince Xuan Jing hadn’t been made public as it concerned the reputation of the Crown Prince.

Hearing Guan Rong’s words, Xuan Zhi finally nodded in satisfaction, thinking it best to keep the Crown Prince out of this matter. Even though Yun Xiao was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Jade Pot Sect, and even the Direct Disciple of the Sect Master, he was eager to eliminate him swiftly.

If the situation were to be exposed later, and the Jade Pot Sect demands an explanation, he could push the blame onto the City Lord of Luocheng, Guan Rong. The Xuanyue Royal Family would not be linked to this matter by half a gold coin—such was Xuan Zhi’s cunning plan.

As Guan Rong mentioned, the entire Xuanyue Empire was under the royal family’s control. With such a Heaven and Earth Net of warrants scattered, Yun Xiao, a mere beginner in the Meridian Rushing Realm, probably had no chance at all.

Even though Xuan Zhi had witnessed Yun Xiao’s terrifying increase in power, he realized afterwards that such a state couldn’t last long. Eventually, by using a war of attrition, they could deplete the enhanced energy of Yun Xiao; capturing him would be easy, and at most, a few more people would die.

Xuan Zhi was quite pleased with his arrangements this time. Yun Xiao had brought him too much humiliation, and failing to kill this detestable youth would always cast a psychological shadow on him, greatly affecting his cultivation journey.

...

Inside the Meridian Treasure!

In a certain cavern space, a youth in rough clothing sat cross-legged, his surroundings wreathed in a faint, peculiar aura, making the atmosphere somewhat hazy.

*Huu... huu...*

At a certain moment, the Heaven and Earth Energy in the cave seemed drawn by something, surging towards the body of the youth in rough clothing, ultimately transforming into strands of pure energy, filling his entire meridian system.

This youth in rough clothing was naturally Yun Xiao, who had taken the Opening Meridian Pill. Having consumed the pill over half a month ago, he finally reached the moment of fruition.

The Spiritual Rank Intermediate Elixir, Opening Meridian Pill, was extremely violent in effect. While it bombarded the meridians, it also greatly expanded the impacted meridians—a contradictory situation that inflicted tremendous pain on Yun Xiao.

Fortunately, as the saying goes, sweetness follows hardship. After over ten days of refining the power of the Opening Meridian Pill, Yun Xiao’s meridians, inspired by the effect of this Spiritual Rank Intermediate Elixir, reached a satisfactory state.

Even at this moment, the expanded meridians led Yun Xiao directly to a breakthrough opportunity reaching the Middle Stage of Meridian Rushing Realm—his pain over the past half-month thus receiving substantial compensation.

The breakthrough process didn’t encounter any mishaps, smoothly progressing as naturally as water flows into channels. Eventually, as the aura around Yun Xiao subsided, he finally opened his eyes that had been shut for many days.

”Meridian Rushing Realm Middle Stage!”

Standing up, Yun Xiao clenched his fists, feeling the strength that had more than doubled, and chuckled satisfactorily. Then, he stepped forward, knowing it was time to leave the Meridian Treasure.

Guessing that after such a long time, those people probably wouldn’t be waiting outside the Meridian Treasure anymore, he confirmed his speculation the moment he stepped through the crystalline gate.

*Roar roar roar!*

Just as Yun Xiao stepped out of the crystalline gate, a rumbling sound came from behind. When he turned to look, he saw the crystalline gate, unaided by any wind, gradually sinking into the ground.

It seems the Meridian Treasure also possessed some spirituality. After the last outsider left the Meridian Treasure, the gate automatically closed, leaving one to wonder when it would open again.

Of course, even if the Meridian Treasure were to open again, with the most precious three items already scavenged, the place had essentially lost its former glory.