Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Hey, a method to treat the congenital vital meridian blockage has indeed been found, but it was not by our Meridian Refining Master Guild!”

Vice Chairman Qian Sanyuan gave a self-deprecating smile, then shifted his gaze onto the densely packed geniuses from the Hidden Dragon Continent below, seemingly trying to find a certain figure in such a vast crowd.

It is worth mentioning that Miss Xue Ningxiang, who had been silent all this while, was also scanning the crowd below with her beautiful eyes, harboring a touch of expectation in her heart. Among these people, could there be her life-saving benefactor?

”Could it be that it’s not the Association’s Chairman, but... a Meridian Refining Master from the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud descended to the lower realm?”

Elder Wu Tong from Firewood Valley jumped to conclusions without noticing the expressions of the two, showing a shocked look on his face. His remark had caused the complexions of the few nearby to change dramatically.

In reality, it’s no wonder that these elders would think this way; the congenital vital meridian blockage that even the Meridian Refining Master Association was powerless against, and even the Association’s Chairman couldn’t cure. If not a higher-grade Meridian Refining Master from an even higher plane, what other possibilities could there be?

The Tenglong Continent looms high above these Hidden Dragon Continent’s genius cultivators, but when compared to the Great Witch of the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud from an even higher plane, they truly seemed insignificant.

If the Meridian Refining Master Association really could invite a Great Power from the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, these elders would likely have to reconsider the significance of this force. Could it be that the Meridian Refining Master Association has connections with the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud?

”Stop making wild guesses. The one who came up with the treatment for innate pulse cutting is right here on the Hidden Dragon Continent!”

Vice Chairman Qian shook his head to deny the speculations but kept everyone in suspense, his mind already recalling the scene when he previously visited the Lingtian Empire’s Meridian Refining Master Guild.

”Has that young man named Yun Xiao come to participate in the Hidden Dragon Conference of Myriad Nations?”

A name that surfaced in his mind left Vice Chairman Qian with an impulse to question Xuan Haoran directly on the spot, but he held back in the end, not wishing to disrupt the rules of the Hidden Dragon Conference.

The first thing Vice Chairman Qian did upon descending to the lower realm was to visit the Lingtian Empire’s Meridian Refining Master Guild and saw that the Qi Huang Hall was in a state of utter disarray.

Eventually, he found out from the branch President Gu Dao about Yun Xiao’s actions at the Meridian Refining Master Guild and learned that he was from the Xuanyue Empire, which was also the host of this edition of the Hidden Dragon Conference.

However, at that time Gu Dao didn’t know much about Yun Xiao’s situation, only that he seemed to be from a major sect within the Xuanyue Empire, but with his cultivation only in the Early Stage of Meridian Union Realm, it was uncertain whether he would qualify to participate in the Hidden Dragon Conference or not.

After all, the Hidden Dragon Conference was not about the art of meridian refining, but about the tangible Meridian Qi Cultivation Combat Power. Yun Xiao’s remarkable ability to heal and save people was one thing, but it might not be as impressive at the Hidden Dragon Conference.

With the crowd surging below, both Vice Chairman Qian and Miss Xue were naturally unable to find that ”Yun Xiao” among so many people, and Yun Xiao himself was unaware that these two had descended together, all because of his own unintentional actions previously.

By now, all nine seats on the high platform had been filled. Knowing Xue Ningxiang’s identity, the other seven elders had no objections. Although this young lady had a low level of strength, behind her was the Xuanyin Palace Master with Heavenly Cultivation, and who would dare offend her lightly?

The one with the lowest status on the high platform would probably have to be King Xuan Haoran from the Xuanyue Country. Seeing everyone gathered, he once again raised his right hand high, and when the field quieted down slightly, he directly broke the silence.

”I declare that the current session of the Hidden Dragon Conference of Myriad Nations officially begins. Next up is the first phase of the contests!”

King Xuan Haoran’s voice was imbued with strong Meridian Qi, and with his announcement, the scene quieted down even further. Apart from certain individuals who were already privy to the details, most geniuses were filled with curiosity about this first stage of the competition.

”Please welcome Elder Meng Liyang!”

After King Xuan Haoran finished speaking, he turned his head slightly and respectfully summoned Elder Meng Liyang from Demons Mountain. The latter didn’t put on any airs, stood up, and made a swiping motion at his waist.

Swoosh!

A mountain-like object was suddenly ejected from his hand, finally flying over the central square of Baiyue City and hovering in the air, giving off a somewhat mysterious vibe.

”Ladies and gentlemen, this is ’Demon Realm.’ It is a special space and one of Demons Mountain’s Supreme Treasures. Inside are numerous Vein Demons, but under my control, the highest grade of these Vein Demons is only Sixth Rank Low Level!”

Without holding back, Elder Meng Liyang outright explained the details of the mountain emitting a strange aura to everyone. However, upon hearing the words ”Sixth Rank Low Level,” many changed their expressions.

A Sixth Rank Vein Demon, which equated to a cultivator at the Spirit Vein Realm, was indeed formidable. Even if it was a Sixth Rank Low Level, it might be too much for some cultivators at the Early Stage of Spirit Vein Realm, as it was common knowledge that a Vein Demon’s combat power was stronger than that of a human cultivator of the same level.

”Don’t worry, there won’t be too many Sixth Rank Low Level Vein Demons. The majority in the Demon Realm are still Fourth and Fifth Rank low and mid-grade Vein Demons. Also, entering the Demon Realm is your first phase of assessments!”

Meng Liyang seemed to notice the shifting expressions of the crowd, and added an explanation before he continued, ”In the center of the Demon Realm, there is a place known as Demon Suppressing Mountain. Among you, those who are the first one thousand to reach the foothill of Demon Suppressing Mountain will be considered to have passed the first stage of the trials. The rest will be eliminated and directly transported out of the Demon Realm!”

With Meng Liyang finally unveiling the details of the first stage of the trials, the allocation of one thousand slots highlighted the ruthless nature of the competition.

Among the gathered talents from the thousands of empires present, the number had nearly reached a staggering one hundred thousand. Out of every hundred people, only one could pass, which was akin to crossing a single-log bridge with an entire army.

However, with such a massive number, if not for such a brutal elimination rule, how long would the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference possibly last? The powerhouses of the Tenglong Continent certainly weren’t idle people who could wait here for one or two years.

As for those at the very forefront, like Shen Wannian and Ye Shimei, there wasn’t the slightest hint of fear on their faces, but rather a sense of excitement and anticipation. The Countries Hidden Dragon Conference was finally about to start, and they would inevitably become the most dazzling ones.

”Now, please relax your minds and do not resist in the slightest!”

After explaining the rules of the first stage of the trials, Meng Liyang didn’t say much. With his loud declaration, he flicked a strong surge of Meridian Qi with his finger, which ultimately entered the Demon Realm.

Swoosh!

As this Meridian Qi seeped into the mountainous terrain of the Demon Realm, a brilliant light suddenly burst forth from atop the miniature mountain range. Like a curtain, it enveloped nearly one hundred thousand prodigies in Baiyue City’s central square.

The flash of bright light passed, and the leaders and elders of the various empires around the square felt a blur before their eyes, only to realize that the once crowded central square was now completely empty.

Thanks to the Xuantie Army maintaining order, only the young geniuses participating in this edition of the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference could enter the central square. Thus, under the covering light screen of the Demon Realm, they were all transported to a special space within the Demon Realm in an instant to commence the first stage of the trials.

”Hehe, Vice Chairman Qian, Miss Ningxiang, shall we also enter? At the peak of Demon Suppressing Mountain, I’ve prepared some fine wine!”

Having done all this, Meng Liyang turned his head, and after getting nods from the crowd, he waved his arm. Another flash of light swept by, and ten people including Xuan Haoran vanished from the platform.

This left the spectating powerhouses of the various empires somewhat disappointed. They had originally thought Meng Liyang would project some images to let them know what was happening inside the Demon Realm, but it seemed that was just wishful thinking.

However, everyone knew that even if Meng Liyang had projected some images, it would still be difficult to spot their empire’s prodigies amidst the nearly one hundred thousand strong army of talents. It was best to calmly wait for the results.

Yet, whether it was Yun Xiao and others who had entered the Demon Realm, or the many powerhouses who had come from the Tenglong Continent, and even the incredibly powerful Vice Chairman Qian, it seemed no one had noticed a figure in black within the crowd. A pair of beautiful eyes exposed to the air were twinkling with an unknown glimmer.

...

Swoosh!

As the stars shifted and Yun Xiao regained consciousness, he found himself in a strange space, no longer on the noisy square. Mo Qing and the others who had been by his side had all disappeared.

”So, this is the space within the Demon Realm?”

Yun Xiao had his guesses, surmising that the transportation into the Demon Realm space must have been random. It didn’t mean that if they stood together on the outside, they would be together once transported. This first stage of the trial would have to be undertaken alone.

Thinking this, Yun Xiao couldn’t help but find the actions of Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding earlier laughable. Even if he had rallied many talents to his side, upon entering the Demon Realm, it was unknown where they had each been transported. How could any alliances be formed?

Hiss!

Just as a smile started forming on Yun Xiao’s face, he suddenly heard a harsh swishing sound and immediately felt his body hair stand on end, aware that an attack was imminent.

However, Yun Xiao was no stranger to danger. As the former Long Xiao Battle God of a previous life, his combat experience was unmatched. Despite the swift assassination attempt, he managed to evade it in the nick of time, escaping unscathed.

”Screech...”

In the moment Yun Xiao dodged the deadly strike, an angry cry rang out again, and this time he could see clearly. It appeared to be a massive black python, several meters in length, flicking a deep purple and crimson forked tongue. Its snake eyes, filled with malicious intent, were fixed on Yun Xiao.

”Tsks, a Fourth Rank Advanced Vein Demon: Purple Crowned Black Snake!”

With just one glance, Yun Xiao recognized the details of the black snake. Sensing its Demon Meridian Qi, he relaxed, knowing that with his strength at the Early Stage of Meridian Union, a mere Fourth Rank Advanced Vein Demon posed no significant threat.