Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Xiaoqiu, you attend to our guest,” the older girl, a flash of disappointment in her eyes, turned her head, only to see another charming girl walking briskly forward with a delighted expression.

”Thank you, Sister Yun!”

This girl seemed to have arrived here not long ago, feeling everything quite novel. Seeing that Yun Xiao was about the same age as herself, she immediately felt a sense of closeness.

”Sir, may I know which level of Meridian Refining Master you would like to be assessed for?”

Xiaoqiu, the girl in question, didn’t look down on Yun Xiao because of her youth. She asked her question by the book, as was the standard procedure for a Meridian Refining Master assessment.

Yun Xiao was not very familiar with the Meridian Refining Master Guild’s assessment of the Hidden Dragon Continent. Upon hearing the question, she paused slightly, scratched her head, and responded truthfully, ”It should be... a Spiritual Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master, I guess?”

”Pfft!”

At that answer, Xiaoqiu’s face froze in bewilderment, and that Sister Yun who had just scoffed at Yun Xiao nearly sprayed out a mouthful of water. Was this supposed to be shocking?

A Spiritual Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master, even in Lingtian Imperial City, was an extraordinary figure. Any one of them, even to some medium-sized families, would be treated with great reverence.

But such masters, who among them has not spent decades immersed in the art of Meridian Refining, and some with white hair, old men? And here you are, a youth of sixteen or seventeen, coming to be assessed as a Spiritual Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master? What kind of joke is this?

Sister Yun lifted her head with a surprised look, thinking if this was indeed a rare Meridian Refining prodigy, then her attitude just now might have offended him. She felt a twinge of regret.

”Hmph, such arrogant and pompous claims! I have not visited the Meridian Refining Master Guild for a few days, and there are already those who shamelessly seek attention with such outrageous behavior!”

Just as Sister Yun was feeling somewhat regretful, a cold snort suddenly came from not far away, drawing everyone’s gaze.

Yun Xiao frowned slightly, his gaze becoming a bit more intense. Honestly, after what Xuanyue Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding had done to him, he had a bit of an aversion to the term ”Crown Prince” now.

Here in the Lingtian Empire, was it just a coincidence that he would encounter the Lingtian Empire’s Crown Prince upon coming to be assessed for a Meridian Refining Master level?

And listening to the tone of this Crown Prince, it seemed as if Yun Xiao’s earlier remarks had unintentionally offended him. But in truth, he was indeed here for the assessment of a Spiritual Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master. Was there something inappropriate about this?

”Ah, unaware of Crown Prince’s arrival, Mu Yun has failed to greet you from afar, please forgive me!”

Just as Yun Xiao was mulling it over internally, Sister Yun had already emerged from behind the front desk and bowed to the approaching young man, her voice filled with reverence and a subtle hint of... admiration.

The newcomer was a young man in his twenties, dressed in fine green silk, holding a folding fan which fluttered gently, the figure of a Golden Dragon painted on one side as if ready to leap off the fan, giving off a rather dashing appearance.

Yun Xiao guessed right; indeed, this was Nie Qianqiu, the current Crown Prince of the Lingtian Empire, whose cultivation talent was certainly no weaker than Xuanyue Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding. Unless something unexpected happened, he would be the next Lingtian Emperor.

Crown Prince Nie Qianqiu of the Lingtian Empire was not only exceptional in cultivation, but also a genuine Meridian Refining Master. At the age of twenty, he had earned the badge of a Mortal Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master at the Guild, a feat that became a much-talked-about story in the Lingtian Empire.

With such noble status and such high talent, coupled with his double cultivation of Meridian Qi and Meridian Refining, over time, the Crown Prince had developed an aloof, self-important demeanor.

Of course, Nie Qianlai indeed had the standing to look down on his peers; in the whole Lingtian Empire, probably only Xu Hongzhuang, the daughter of the Sect Master of the Lingyun Sect, could be compared to him.

And Xu Hongzhuang’s talent for Meridian Qi cultivation might be on par with Nie Qianqiu, but she was not a Meridian Refining Master. From this perspective, she was somewhat lacking.

Speaking of these two, one must mention the subtle relationship between them; this Crown Prince from the Lingtian Royal Family has always harbored special feelings for Xu Hongzhuang, and perhaps in his heart, he has long considered the daughter of the Lingyun Sect Master as the future Lingtian Empress once he ascends the throne.

It was the unstoppable Crown Prince Nie Qianqiu of the Lingtian Empire, who upon arriving at the Meridian Refining Master Guild and going up to the third floor, heard a young boy arrogantly seeking to be assessed as a Spiritual Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master. How could he not be angered?

Not to mention a youth so much younger than himself—in the entire Lingtian Empire, Nie Qianqiu had never seen anyone of his peers with higher Meridian Refining talent.

Being able to undergo the assessment for a Mortal Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master at the age of twenty was also something that he took pride in. His visit today was an attempt to challenge the assessment for a Spiritual Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master, only to have someone else steal the limelight unexpectedly.

Now, Nie Qianqiu was already twenty-five years old, meaning that he had spent a full five years since reaching a Mortal Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master, only now feeling a sliver of confidence to be assessed for Spiritual Rank Low Level. The hardships of his Meridian Refining cultivation over these five years may only truly be known to himself.

This nobody who suddenly popped up from who knows where, barely sixteen or seventeen years old, actually has the audacity to attempt the assessment for a Spiritual Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master, causing Nie Qianqiu to suddenly feel that the threshold for the Meridian Refining Master Guild might just be a bit too low.

However, given the special status of the Meridian Refining Master Guild, even Nie Qianqiu, a prince of the royal family, could only grumble in his heart. The commands of the Lingtian royal family certainly couldn’t dictate this behemoth.

”Mu Yun, the Meridian Refining Master Guild is after all a place of significance. People like this, who have little to no actual strength but only know how to boast with their words, should be more rigorously screened in the future!”

Nie Qianqiu merely cast a casual glance at Yun Xiao and lost interest, deeming an insignificant Early Stage of Meridian Union individual unworthy of further attention, perhaps believing even a spare glance would be beneath his dignity.

”Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

Given his status as the prince of the Empire, it went without saying, so even though Sister Yun was part of the Meridian Refining Master Guild, she couldn’t afford to show the slightest disrespect.

Moreover, Mu Yun, who originally had some doubts about Yun Xiaotian’s talent, now conveniently categorized Yun Xiao as a show-off looking for attention, guided by Nie Qianqiu’s words. This guy must be saying these things just to make a name for himself.

Even Mu Yun, who was extremely confident in her own appearance, with the cute and lovely Xiaoqiu by her side, couldn’t help but wonder if this fellow in coarse clothing, carrying a broken wooden sword, might harbor feelings for her, thus making delusional statements about taking the Spiritual Rank Low Level Meridian Refining assessment.

With this thought, a look of disgust swept through the depths of Mu Yun’s eyes. She had seen plenty of such people, all talk but no substance; it was best to focus on serving the Crown Prince properly.

”Your Highness the Crown Prince, you are here to take the assessment for the Spiritual Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master, right? Please hand over your Mortal Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master badge for verification!”

Though he was addressing the Prince, Mu Yun was an employee of the Meridian Refining Master Guild, where certain regulations must be adhered to. She reached out respectfully.

Nie Qianqiu knew the rules well; he swiped his right hand over his Waist Storage, and instantly, a black gleam flashed, and a somewhat shiny black badge appeared in his hand.

”A Meridian Refining Master level badge?”

Upon seeing this badge, Yun Xiao couldn’t help but frown slightly, giving it a careful look. On Nie Qianqiu’s badge, besides the name ”Nie Qianqiu,” there were three black stars shining brightly, indicative of the level of a Mortal Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master.

After passing the badge to Mu Yun, Nie Qianqiu’s gaze turned somewhat provocative, seemingly anticipating something, and the previously still Xiaoqiu finally made a move.

”Sir, please present your Mortal Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master badge!”

Xiaoqiu didn’t entertain as many thoughts as Mu Yun and Nie Qianqiu. This was a necessary step in the assessment for Meridian Refining Masters: one must present a badge of one rank lower in order to take the higher-level assessment.

”I don’t have a Meridian Refining Master badge!”

After learning of this requirement, Yun Xiao felt quite helpless and could only spread his hands honestly. As these words left his mouth, Xiaoqiu displayed a look of surprise, while the other two were filled with cold smirks and mockery.

”Aha, what has this prince heard? Someone who doesn’t even have a Mortal Rank Advanced badge dares to boast about taking the Spiritual Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master assessment—this is indeed the biggest joke I’ve heard in my life!”

Nie Qianqiu laughed out loud, with the subsequent words heavily laced with mockery. Alongside him, Mu Yun’s eyes brimmed with an increasingly intense disgust.

”It seems this truly is some revolting fellow trying to catch my attention!”

As an employee of the Meridian Refining Master Guild, Mu Yun did not voice her comment, yet her facial expression of repulsion clearly reflected her inner contempt. She despised those who have no real ability yet pretend to be something they are not.

”What about the Mortal Rank Middle Level Meridian Refining Master badge?”

Xiaoqiu was genuinely kind-hearted, but she was unaware that her seemingly well-intended question would cause Yun Xiao to shake his head again. With that response, Nie Qianqiu couldn’t even be bothered with scornful remarks anymore, for in his eyes, such a person was utterly unworthy of being his opponent.

”I don’t have that either. What about the Mortal Rank Low Level badge?”

Xiaoqiu persisted, hoping that since he came for the assessment, he wouldn’t lack even the lowest-level Meridian Refining Master badge. However, as she asked, she already had an ominous premonition.

”Sorry, I don’t have any of those either!”

Yun Xiao’s expression grew even more helpless. Since his rebirth, he had spent most of his time at the Jade Pot Sect, where there were many Meridian Refining Masters and no need for any assessments—having the skills of a Meridian Refining Master was what mattered.

Yun Xiao didn’t know whether Yu Shu, Lu Zhan and the others had undergone any assessments at the Meridian Refining Master Guild of Xuanyue Imperial City. After all, he had never set foot in the Meridian Refining Master Guild of the Xuanyue Imperial City and would have no level badge.

At this point, even Xiaoqiu was speechless. This guy must be here to cause trouble, having none of the Meridian Refining Master badges at all, perhaps not even being a true Meridian Refining Master?