Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Ling Wan ultimately did not choose to forgive the Zhao Family father and son, allowing them to stay outside his courtyard overnight. However, this incident did not affect Yun Xiao at all.

On the contrary, while the Zhao Family father and son were begging for Ling Wan’s forgiveness, a strange guest arrived at the Jade Pot Courtyard. Although this person’s strength and status were not comparable to Xue Ningxiang and Qian Sanyuan from two days ago, he was nonetheless a significant figure in the Xuanyue Empire.

”Empress gracing my Jade Pot Courtyard, may I inquire the purpose of your visit?”

Yu Shu looked at the noble figure who confidently took the seat of honor, his expression unwavering while hearing his address. The visitor was none other than Nie Yi, the Empress embodying maternal grace of the Xuanyue Empire!

In front of this person, Yu Shu felt none of the unease he had when facing Xue Ningxiang and Qian Sanyuan a few days prior. Even though Nie Yi was the Empress of Xuanyue, he himself was the Sect Master of the Jade Pot Sect, and his status was not inferior to the King, Xuan Haoran.

Moreover, Yu Shu vaguely guessed the purpose of Empress Nie Yi’s visit, flashing upon a thought of a shabbily dressed youth, yet he didn’t reveal anything, silently waiting for the Empress to continue.

As for the other Elders of the Jade Pot Sect, none spoke. It was said the Empress was quite assertive and well-backed, treasuring her son, the Crown Prince, dearly. Her visit today likely held intentions of demanding accountability.

”Sect Master Yu Shu, if I recall correctly, this is our second meeting, isn’t it?”

Empress Nie Yi did not delve straight into the main issue but instead asked something seemingly unrelated. Indeed, as she mentioned, she and Yu Shu had only met once before at a birthday feast hosted by Xuan Haoran and never had any real interaction.

”The Empress has a good memory. It has indeed been several years since that meeting!”

Since the Empress did not bring up the main issue, Yu Shu also wasn’t in a hurry, casually continuing the conversation. However, he didn’t notice a flash of anger across the eyes of the other.

”After many years, I didn’t know that Sect Master Yu Shu had taken such a promising disciple. What brilliant tactics, and what boldness!”

The Empress wasn’t really here to chat casually with Yu Shu. The words she uttered, although filled with praise, carried a sarcastic tone which anyone seasoned would perceive.

”Is the Empress referring to Yun Xiao? I am indeed very satisfied with this disciple!”

Yu Shu appeared completely oblivious to the hidden taunts in Nie Yi’s words. Instead, he touched his chin, which bore no beard, and nodded with a satisfied smile, comfortably accepting the supposed compliment.

”Sect Master Yu Shu, let’s speak frankly. The disrespect shown by that boy Yun Xiao towards my son, I will overlook for now. But about the Absolute Spirit Stabilizing Pulse Hand, your Jade Pot Sect must give an explanation to me.”

After much ado, Nie Yi finally broached the main topic. Indeed, if not for the cruel harm inflicted on her precious son, why would she, the grand Empress herself, condescend to personally visit the Jade Pot Courtyard?

However, having been imperious for so long, even while requesting help, she carried a lofty demeanor, presuming that these members of the Jade Pot Sect wouldn’t dare refuse respect to the Empress.

With such an attitude, as if everything was rightfully hers, Yu Shu and the Elders subtly frowned, internally muttering ”as expected.” The Empress was indeed here specifically for the Absolute Spirit Stabilizing Pulse Hand that involved the Jiuding.

”This... I’m afraid Yu Shu is not in a position to decide!”

Just as Nie Yi assumed absolute compliance from the Jade Pot Sect, Yu Shu gently shook his head, his words immediately provoking her into a fierce rage.

Slap!

Swish!

A hand slapped on the table echoed throughout the hall, followed by the sturdy wooden table breaking into pieces under the force. After all, this Empress was a genuine peak master of the Spirit Vein Realm.

”Yu Shu, as the grand Sect Master of the Jade Pot Sect, are there truly things beyond your decision-making? Tell me, are you deliberately disregarding this Queen?”

A wrathful Empress is no small matter. Unfortunately, today Nie Yi faced not the Xuanyue Palace concubines or the subjects of the Xuanyue Empire, but rather a group of powerful Jade Pot Sect members who did not heed the Royal Family’s commands.

Seeing Nie Yi’s anger result in smashing the table of the Jade Pot Courtyard, the Elders were undisturbed internally thinking, even if you are the Empress, flaunt your authority back at your palace, why act tyrannically here?

”Empress, please calm down to preserve dignity!”

Yu Shu, after all, was the leader of a sect. His cultivation in comportment was exemplary. Even if he was as angry as the Elders, he showed no hint of it. Instead, he spoke extremely calmly, which made Nie Yi unable to vent her building fury.

”Very well, then let me hear what you cannot decide on?”

Suppressing her rage, Nie Yi was aware that if she truly angered these people, her precious son’s affliction might indeed become incurable.

”Empress must think that the Absolute Spirit Stabilizing Pulse Hand is a hereditary Meridian Technique of the Jade Pot Sect, right?”

Yu Shu’s expression remained calm, but when he said this, a peculiar sense surged in his heart. Such a strange Meridian Technique, where did Yun Xiao learn it from? He was certain that it wasn’t from the Jade Pot Sect.

”Isn’t it?”

Nie Yi was quick-witted, already guessing a possibility from Yu Shu’s words and expressions, yet she still asked in return.

”Indeed, it is not. In fact, I also didn’t know Yun Xiao knew this technique. I believe the Elders of the Jade Pot Sect are unaware of it as well, hence, it’s not that I won’t cure, but I cannot!”

Yu Shu finally clarified the true reason behind ”I cannot make the decision,” while in his mind, the image of a figure in coarse clothing and thin figure reappeared.

”So it seems, it is Yun Xiao’s unique secret technique. Then call him out to undo the Absolute Spirit Stabilizing Pulse Hand on my son!”

Nie Yi finally understood the truth, but once again said something as if it were to be expected, causing the faces of Yu Shu and several Elders to turn slightly peculiar.

”I apologize, Empress, as you know, tomorrow is Yun Xiao’s final battle day. He is in closed-door cultivation, and has ordered that no one disturb him!”

This time Yu Shu was unequivocal. To him and the Elders of the Jade Pot Sect, nothing was more important than Yun Xiao’s cultivation, especially since tomorrow was the day of the final great battle.

”Can even I not?”

Nie Yi was extraordinarily irritated. As the Empress of the Xuanyue Empire, she had never begged so humbly before, and yet she was thwarted.

Indeed, in the Empress’s heart, such an attitude was already dissenting, as before, whatever she wanted done, she didn’t even need to say it—just with a glance, someone would handle it properly.

”If the Empress is truly anxious, perhaps you could wait until after tomorrow’s battle to see what Yun Xiao’s mood is like?”

For this Empress who deems herself high and mighty, Yu Shu’s patience was wearing thin, and the word ”mood” clearly carried a hint of mockery, making Nie Yi’s mood worsen even more.

”Hmph, it’s just a small trick performed by a lad in the Mid Stage of Meridian Union Realm. I refuse to believe that with my status as the Xuanyue Empress, coupled with the fame of the Crown Prince of Lingtian, there really is nothing we can do?”

Since Yu Shu firmly refused her seeing Yun Xiao, Nie Yi realized that her visit today was rash, so she promptly turned and left with stern words, not turning back as she exited the hall.

And upon hearing her last few words, a peculiar light flashed through the eyes of Second Elder Fu Du, yet nobody noticed it.

”Sect Master, is there really no problem? I heard that this Empress is known for holding grudges!”

Elder Su He, ever the smooth operator, couldn’t help but worry a bit. This wasn’t because he feared the Jade Pot Sect would be implicated, but because he feared the Royal Family might use underhanded means to harm Yun Xiao.

”Xuanyue Royal Family’s reach is long, but can’t interfere with the Jade Pot Sect, and the Lingtian Royal Family is far, far away, not worth fearing!”

Yu Shu was very clear on this. In the Xuanyue Empire, Nie Yi, the Empress, didn’t have the power to cover the sky with one hand, and the wise and insightful current King of the Empire, after all, was not dead yet.

All of this was unknown to Yun Xiao, who was in the midst of cultivation. He spent the entire night thinking about techniques from his past life to apply to his current body, as tomorrow’s opponent was quite special.

...

Late into the night, inside the Xuanyue Palace.

”Xuan Haoran, did you find Vice Chairman Qian like I asked you to?”

Inside a majestic hall, the loud voice of Empress Nie Yi echoed, causing the guards stationed at the door to dare not even breathe a sigh, for these were not matters they could afford to meddle in—an errant word might spell disaster.

Standing face-to-face within were a man and a woman. The man, of dignified appearance, was none other than the current King Xuan Haoran, and facing him, the regal and imposing woman whose bright phoenix eyes glared, was Empress Nie Yi.

Even in the face of King Xuan Haoran, Nie Yi remained assertive to the extreme, showing none of the disposition expected of a woman from the harem, especially since she had the backing of the Lingtian Empire.

The Lingtian Royal Family bore the surname Nie. The current King of Lingtian was Nie Yi’s older brother, making her and Nie Qianqiu, the Crown Prince of Lingtian who was defeated by Yun Xiao, and who had also fallen victim to Yun Xiao’s Absolute Spirit Stabilizing Pulse Hand, related as aunt and nephew.

Thus, whether it was Nie Qianqiu’s defeat under Yun Xiao or her beloved son being struck by Yun Xiao’s technique, Nie Yi harbored a deep-seated hatred for that genius of the Jade Pot Sect, wishing nothing more than to flay his skin and sleep on his flesh to quench the raging hatred in her heart.