Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Young Master Flying Flower, Ye Shimei, is the only son of the current Empress of the Flying Flower Empire. In reality, he is a male, but for certain reasons, this Young Master Flying Flower, in both temperament and conduct, identifies and acts as a woman.

To orthodox cultivators, this is seen as a deviant practice. Therefore, numerous powerhouses of the Tenglong Continent frown upon him, seemingly displeased with Ye Shimei’s ambiguous gender identity.

”Crown Prince Nie Qianqiu of the Lingtian Empire seems to be quite impressive as well, and I’ve heard he’s a low-level Spiritual Rank Meridian Refining Master!”

Elder Meng Liyang glanced at Qian Sanyuan and alluded to a name with significant intent, suggesting that he too knew that the Meridian Refining Master Association was only interested in meridian refining geniuses.

Subsequently, several other powerhouses mentioned names of Hidden Dragon Continent geniuses. It seemed they had decided to descend to the Lower Realm to observe the competition, having already investigated some information beforehand. Moreover, their attitude indicated they were likely here for these top talents of the Hidden Dragon Continent.

”King Haoran, I’ve heard your Crown Prince’s talent is quite impressive too!”

Seemingly noticing King Xuan Haoran of Xuanyue Country seemed a bit overwhelmed and unable to interject, Meng Liyang suddenly changed the subject to him, causing the King to feel unexpectedly flattered.

”Elder Liyang flatters me too much. My son does have some talent indeed. With access to some quality resources, perhaps he can progress even faster!”

King Xuan Haoran knew this was an opportunity for him and his treasured son, Xuan Jiuding. It was rare for Elder Liyang to have heard of Xuan Jiuding’s name, so the subtext of his words contained a certain implication.

Generally speaking, if nothing unexpected occurs, Xuan Jiuding should be the next ruler of Xuanyue Country. But how could a ruler of a minor empire on the Hidden Dragon Continent compare to the direct disciples of the great sects of the Middle Three Realms?

In Xuan Haoran’s view, as long as Xuan Jiuding caught the eye of these few and became a direct disciple, the entire Xuanyue Empire could benefit from his recognition.

Xuan Haoran did not have only one son. The Second Prince, Xuan Jing, and several other princes all possessed notable abilities. He knew that only with a powerful backing could the Xuanyue Empire stand tall and unyielding.

”Hehe!”

With Meng Liyang’s shrewdness, how could he not understand Xuan Haoran’s intentions? However, he merely mentioned it casually, out of consideration for the somewhat neglected Xuan Haoran.

For the Xuanyue Crown Prince to catch his eye, it would depend on his performance in this session of the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference. His sect, Demons Mountain, certainly did not accept mediocrity.

”King Haoran, I wish to inquire about someone!”

Just as Meng Liyang turned his head, intending to add another comment, a cool and distant voice suddenly came from somewhere, attracting the attention of all the powerhouses present.

Upon seeing who it was, several of them had peculiar expressions, for the speaker was none other than Xue Ningxiang, who had remained silent since her arrival—the daughter of the Xuanyin Palace Master.

Truthfully, with Miss Xue being silent for so long, many had wondered if she was mute. But given her noble status, whether she could not speak or simply chose not to, no one wanted to provoke her. They could not afford to offend the Xuanyin Hall.

The moment Xue Ningxiang spoke for the first time, she posed such a question, provoking thoughtful expressions from everyone. As for Qian Sanyuan on the side, a flicker of light passed through his eyes, leaving others wondering what he was thinking.

”Could it be that Miss Xue has descended to the Lower Realm for someone’s sake?”

Elder Meng Liyang, who had been pondering her purpose, suddenly had an epiphany, especially considering Xue Ningxiang’s known condition of Innate Pulse Cutting and certain remarks made by Vice Chairman Qian earlier. He couldn’t help but nod to himself in secret.

”Miss Xue, please ask, and I, Haoran, shall tell all I know!”

Suddenly addressed by the highly esteemed Miss Xue, Xuan Haoran started in surprise and quickly stood up. Even if her strength was far inferior to his, with the backing she had, not all the empires of the Hidden Dragon Continent combined would be able to withstand the pressure of a single finger from her.

”Does your country have a young man named Yun Xiao? Has he attended this Countries Hidden Dragon Conference?”

This question had been on Xue Ningxiang’s mind for quite some time. Since her visit to the Lingtian Empire branch of the Meridian Refining Master Guild with Qian Sanyuan, she knew her life-saving benefactor was called Yun Xiao, from Xuanyue Empire.

However, with the plaza previously filled with people, even a powerhouse like Qian Sanyuan had not detected Yun Xiao’s whereabouts, let alone Xue Ningxiang, a girl only in the Early Stage of Meridian Rushing Realm.

”Yun Xiao? Miss Xue means the Yun Xiao from the Jade Pot Sect?”

Hearing this name, which left a deep impression on him, the figure of a young man in coarse clothing emerged in Xuan Haoran’s mind, and he promptly responded.

When Yun Xiao was falsely accused by Xuan Jiuding of stealing the Xuanyue Royal Family’s Mystical Heaven Mirror during the King’s birthday banquet, and later disguised himself as Bo Ku to cure Xuan Jing’s incurable illness, how could Xuan Haoran not be profoundly impressed?

Since then, Xuan Haoran paid much more attention to Yun Xiao, particularly after hearing that Yun Xiao won first place in the Spiritual Chick Battle List of Jade Pot Sect, his interest in the young man grew even stronger.

”Should be... right?”

Who knew that as soon as Xuan Haoran finished speaking, Xue Ningxiang herself seemed somewhat uncertain, and turned her head towards Qian Sanyuan as if seeking confirmation.

”King Haoran, didn’t Yun Xiao visit the Lingtian Empire recently?”

Qian Sanyuan couldn’t be sure either, but if some information could be linked, perhaps Yun Xiao’s true identity was about to be revealed.

”Vice Chairman Qian is correct; indeed, Yun Xiao has just returned from the Lingtian Empire not long ago and should currently be participating in the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference!”

Upon hearing this, Xuan Haoran also recalled some details and nodded in affirmation. He remembered the commotion Yun Xiao caused in the borderland Moon Cool City, which Commander Lin Hao of the Jingyu Army did not dare to take lightly, reporting it up the ranks until it reached the King himself.

Even though Xuan Jing personally controlled the Jingyu Army, unlike the Crown Prince, all important matters were to be presented for the King’s review, so Xuan Haoran immediately remembered.

”That’s right, it must be that Yun Xiao!”

With this confirmation, Qian Sanyuan stroked his beard with a smile towards Xue Ningxiang, who at that moment fell silent, seemingly as if the previous question had not come from her at all.

This scene left the onlookers, including Xuan Haoran himself, utterly baffled, prompting Meng Liyang to resist asking, ”Vice Chairman Qian, what exactly is Yun Xiao’s background?”

Meng Liyang did not directly question Xue Ningxiang, for it seemed asking her would yield no response, so he could only hope that Vice Chairman Qian would resolve his doubts.

Of course, having come to partake in the Hidden Dragon Continent’s Countries Hidden Dragon Conference, Meng Liyang and the others had certainly done their homework. They inquired about the Continent’s talents worthy of note, including those who had yet to emerge prominently but possessed great potential.

However, despite wracking their brains, Meng Liyang and Wu Tong could not recall any unrivaled genius named Yun Xiao from the Hidden Dragon Continent.

Yet such an obscure young prodigy, unknown to them, was being inquired about so earnestly by Vice Chairman Qian and Miss Xue. They certainly would not believe that he was without a significant background.

”Haven’t I mentioned before? The solution for Miss Xue’s Innate Pulse Cutting was devised by an eccentric individual from the Hidden Dragon Continent, and that person is Yun Xiao!”

Vice Chairman Qian didn’t keep them in suspense, glancing at Xue Ningxiang to see her reaction before revealing the information, though he still found it unbelievable.

According to Gu Dao, Chairman of the Lingtian Empire’s Meridian Refining Master Guild, this incredible individual named Yun Xiao was just a sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth.

Yet it was this very young man who not only solved nearly a hundred Qihuang Steles for the Lingtian Empire’s Meridian Refining Master Guild but also came up with the method to treat Innate Pulse Cutting.

In Qian Sanyuan’s mind, he was already amazed once, but the elders from Tenglong Continent were now exchanging looks of utter disbelief.

They had just heard Xuan Haoran saying that Yun Xiao was a disciple of Jade Pot Sect and that he was participating in the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference, meaning he must be under thirty years old. How could such a young man have a solution for Innate Pulse Cutting?

The mysterious affliction of Innate Pulse Cutting of the Xuanyin Palace Master’s daughter had troubled the entire Tenglong Continent for nearly twenty years, yet countless Meridian Masters of Earth Rank and even Heaven Rank from Tenglong Continent were helpless against it.

If it were a seasoned Meridian Refining Master from Tenglong Continent who found the solution, these powerhouses would not be so astonished, but how did a person under thirty achieve it?

”Do not doubt, for it is the truth!”

Knowing what was on everyone’s mind, Qian Sanyuan did not bother to explain any further. After a glance at Xue Ningxiang, he added, ”Moreover, Miss Xue and I descended to this Lower Plane specifically for Yun Xiao, so you’d better not compete with my Meridian Refining Master Association for him!”

It was only at this point that Meng Liyang and Gu Hua finally understood why the Vice President of the Meridian Refining Master Association from the prestigious Tenglong Continent personally descended to observe a mere event on the Hidden Dragon Continent—it was for a reason.

”No, Yun Xiao belongs to my Xuanyin Hall, no one can take him away!”

Just as Qian Sanyuan’s voice fell and the others were internally lamenting Yun Xiao’s good fortune, that familiar cool voice came again, if not Xue Ningxiang then who?

With that statement, the others’ expressions grew even more intense, including Qian Sanyuan, who harbored a hint of resentment, for even he had not anticipated that Miss Xue, whom he brought along, would become his rival. What a twist of events!