Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Perhaps only Yun Xiao himself knew that the pale golden shield he was using as a defensive Meridian Technique was indeed a genuine Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Technique from the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud.

Yun Xiao knew well the disparity in Meridian Qi between himself and Yue Qi, hence he was acutely aware that if he took that Black Demon Finger with his own strength, no matter how strong his physical strength was, he would likely burst open and possibly even meet instant death.

An Earth Rank Meridian Technique was said to be capable of harnessing the Earth Power to bolster one’s combat effectiveness. That moment earlier, when Yun Xiao seemed to be scared stiff, he was in fact connecting with the earth beneath his feet, trying to draw a trace of Earth Power for his own use.

In truth, even Yun Xiao could not guarantee success when he initially deployed this Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Technique, as his current Cultivation was only at the Peak of Meridian Rushing Realm, which by most people’s understanding, would not be sensitive enough to perceive the Earth Power.

Only those who have breached the Third Realm of Earth Rank would be able to utilize Earth Power against an enemy during their Cultivation, and such individuals on the Hidden Dragon Continent were extremely few.

Fortunately, in his previous life, Yun Xiao was none other than the triumphant Long Xiao Battle God of Holy Rank Third Realm. Even though he had been reborn and Yun Xiao’s current body was only at the Peak of Meridian Rushing Realm, certain things that resided in his forgotten memories didn’t vanish with his rebirth.

Even the Earth Power, which should only be invoked at the Earth Rank Third Realm, was eventually drawn forth by Yun Xiao through some special methods. Therefore, that pale golden shield not only carried the enhancement of his Peak Meridian Rushing Realm Meridian Qi but also a whiff of subtle Earth Power, naturally leaving the onlookers astonished by its defensive power.

As for the Cultivation of Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Techniques at the level of Meridian Rushing Realm, it seemed utterly inconceivable to the cultivators of the Hidden Dragon Continent, but such cross-level technique Cultivation was, in fact, quite common in the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, especially for someone who stood above all others like the Long Xiao Battle God.

Yun Xiao didn’t use this Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Technique for show, he simply wished to rely on that strand of Earth Power to counter Yue Qi’s Black Demon Finger. Little did he know, the display of power from this defensive Meridian Technique was shockingly unparalleled.

”Yu Shu Sect Leader, from that pale golden shield, did you sense any special aura?” asked Jia Yi, the Luoyi Sect Leader, suddenly turning his head after withdrawing his gaze from the arena, which caused all the Great Elders to prick up their ears.

To tell the truth, although these Elders were amazed at Yun Xiao’s pale golden shield’s defensive power, they hadn’t considered the possibility of it being an Earth Rank Meridian Technique.

Such a high-level technique would be unattainable to Yun Xiao who was at the Peak of Meridian Rushing Realm, and not to mention across the entire Hidden Dragon Continent, there could scarcely be a few Earth Rank Meridian Techniques available, at least none were known to Jade Pot Sect.

Even the supreme Xuanyue Empire’s Royal Family only possessed the National Treasure Xuantian Treasure Manual passed down from their ancestors, and that was a Cultivation Technique.

The issuance of the Xuan Kill Order by Xuan Haoran in response to the theft of the Xuantian Treasure Manual was a testament to the enormous value of Earth Rank Cultivation Techniques or Meridian Techniques.

Upon hearing Jia Yi’s words, Yu Shu’s eyes, too, revealed a trace of doubt. Perhaps only those half-step into the Third Realm of Earth Rank could perceive the faint hint of Earth Power within the pale golden shield.

”Tsk tsk, Sect Leader Yu Shu, who would’ve thought your Jade Pot Sect possessed an Earth Rank Meridian Technique. We of the Luoyi Sect are truly inferior!” Seeing Yu Shu’s expression, Jia Yi understood and pointedly remarked with emotion, causing the surrounding Elders to be stunned speechless.

”Earth Rank Meridian Technique?”

Hearing these words, the faces of the Great Elders changed, and their gazes immediately fixed upon Sect Leader Yu Shu, with the implications being quite clear.

Particularly Fu Du and Mo Li, who glared fiercely at Yu Shu, presuming that the Sect Leader had been keeping secrets, not sharing an Earth Rank Meridian Technique with the sect but instead passing it to his newly favored disciple Yun Xiao.

It wasn’t ungrounded speculation to think that among those in the Jade Pot Sect, it was the Sect Leader Yu Shu, heir to generations of leadership, who might possess an Earth Rank Meridian Technique.

Little did they realize, just as dissatisfaction swirled in their hearts, Yu Shu shook his head and said, ”Sect Leader Jia Yi is right. I also sensed a subtle hint of Earth Power from that pale golden shield, but I must say I’ve never seen this Earth Rank Meridian Technique before.”

”Oh?”

Upon hearing this, Jia Yi showed a quasi-mocking smile, obviously doubting Yu Shu’s words, as did Fu Du and Mo Li, whose faces bore expressions of skepticism due to their deep knowledge of Yun Xiao’s background.

Fu Du and others were well aware of Yun Xiao’s origins, and since the royal birthday celebration, even Jia Yi and his disciple had grown deeply curious about that miraculous youth.

Yun Xiao hailed from Moon Bow City’s Shang Family, which was no secret, and how could such a small family from a small town possess an Earth Rank Meridian Technique? That was something that even the Xuanyue Royal Family had only as a Supreme Treasure.

”I really don’t know, and there is nothing I can do if you don’t believe me!”

Seeing the expression of the crowd, Yu Shu, with his astuteness, knew exactly what they were thinking. Truth be told, he himself was somewhat shocked and grew more inscrutable about the beloved disciple he had recently taken in.

”Hehe, no matter how you look at it, Yun Xiao’s defensive Meridian Techniques are undoubtedly of the Earth Rank. Otherwise, they couldn’t have blocked Yue Qi’s Black Demon Finger. It seems the upcoming battles will become quite interesting indeed!”

Great Elder Lu Zhan suddenly chuckled, pulling people’s attention back to the ongoing duel on the stage. Perhaps as he said, Yun Xiao, who possesses Earth Rank Meridian Techniques, is not without a chance in the fight against Yue Qi.

”Hmph, it’s merely a low-level Earth Rank Meridian Technique. Yue Qi hasn’t even used one-tenth of his abilities. Just you watch!”

Hearing the words of the Great Elder, Fu Du retorted disdainfully. Earth Rank Meridian Techniques might be formidable, but they also require strong Meridian Qi Cultivation to support them. Merely a defensive Meridian Technique won’t be of much use.

Moreover, Fu Du knew that the more powerful the Meridian Technique, the more Meridian Qi it would consume. Someone like Yun Xiao deploying a low-level Earth Rank Meridian Technique at the Meridian Rushing Realm would probably drain half of his Meridian Qi in just the time it takes to breathe.

But ultimately, Fu Du was not a Cultivator of the Earth Rank Third Realm, nor had he ever cultivated Earth Rank Meridian Techniques, so he didn’t know that at this level, Meridian Techniques often draw more on the Earth Power, and the consumption of one’s own Meridian Qi was not unbearable.

For instance, Yun Xiao on the stage looked somewhat pale at the moment, but that was due to excessive blood loss from the Dragon Pattern Lock. The Meridian Qi inside his body was still overwhelming.

”Yun Xiao, you have indeed surprised me, but your luck won’t last in the rounds to come!”

Yue Qi, whose Black Demon Finger was blocked by Yun Xiao’s small shield, flickered a covetous glint in his eyes. It seemed he had taken an interest in the defensive Meridian Technique that could block his strike at the Meridian Rushing Realm.

Huff... Huff...

As the words fell, Yue Qi’s right middle finger stretched out quietly. The energy between heaven and earth became chaotic once more, as if it were being manipulated by some force.

”Black Demon Finger, Two Fingers Break the Universe!”

A deep shout echoed from Yue Qi, causing even Lu Zhan and Li Shan in the northern seats to become restless, for many of them had cultivated this intermediate Spiritual Rank Meridian Technique.

The Black Demon Finger technique is divided into five fingers, each with its special power. But when two fingers come together, the effect is not as simple as one plus one.

Now that Yue Qi could perform Two Fingers Black Demon, it indicated that his proficiency in the Black Demon Finger had reached an incredibly deep level. As for whether Yun Xiao’s pale golden shield could withstand it, they were left with little certainty.

Another jet-black finger separated from Yue Qi’s middle finger. Expanding against the wind, it grew to twice the thickness of the previous one and bore down on Yun Xiao aggressively.

For some reason, Yue Qi aimed his second finger’s pressure at the same pale golden shield again, resolute in his determination to obliterate Yun Xiao’s last resort.

Boom!

The two giant fingers, as if overlapping, pressed firmly against the pale gold shield. In the next instant, everyone’s eyes sharpened, and they all silently exclaimed that it was as expected.

Crack!

In the quiet coliseum, a sound like something shattering clearly rang out. Those with keen eyes or powerful Soul felt distinctly saw a fine crack had appeared on the golden shield at some point.

”That pale gold shield can’t hold up much longer!”

An exclamation sounded from somewhere. Then, everyone saw the cracks on the pale gold shield become more dense until they covered every part of the shield.

Wham!

As Yue Qi changed the seals in his hand, the pale golden shield finally shattered under everyone’s scrutiny, turning into pale golden Energy Fragments that dissipated into the air above the central main stage.

Whoosh!

But at this time, everyone’s gaze was not on the vanishing pale golden Energy Fragments. The two giant black fingers that had shattered the shield had already struck Yun Xiao’s chest with the ferociousness of a thunderclap and sent his entire figure flying nearly ten zhang backwards.

”He can’t be defeated just like that, can he?”

Seeing the thin silhouette sent flying, many people couldn’t help but have this thought. In fact, when Yun Xiao had deployed the pale gold shield, they had even believed that he could hold on for a few more exchanges.

Who would have thought that such a formidable defensive shield would still not withstand Yue Qi’s Black Demon Two Fingers? Under such power, Yun Xiao’s Physical Strength probably couldn’t bear it, could it?