Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”No, I refuse to accept it, why him? What qualifications does a young brat like him have to become the Defender?”

Just as everyone was lost in thought, a roar echoed from the plaza. When the crowd turned to look, they saw Heavenly Thunder Valley’s protector Yao Tiansha taking a few strides, his aura slightly unstable.

Yao Tiansha had a bone-deep hatred for Yun Xiao. Having several Thunder Sons killed by him, and being toyed with by Yun Xiao at Xuanyun Peak, if it weren’t for being in the headquarters of Refining Cloud Mountain, he might have already attacked Yun Xiao directly.

When Yao Tiansha first heard there would be a Defender, he assumed the position would be his. After all, he was a veteran Earth Rank Middle Level Meridian Refining Master who came with a specific purpose to participate in the selection of Refining Cloud Mountain Disciples. If he couldn’t dominate the competition, it would indeed be inexplicable.

Little did he expect those old fellows of Refining Cloud Mountain to give the Defender position to Yun Xiao. What merits or abilities did that boy possess to stand above him? Thus, Yao Tiansha erupted on the spot.

”Why, Protector Yao, are you questioning the decision of Refining Cloud Mountain?”

For a Half-step Earth Realm Protector of Heavenly Thunder Valley, Qian Sanyuan naturally didn’t take him seriously. Even if the Valley Master of Heavenly Thunder Valley stood here, he would likely not back down in the slightest, hence he coldly retorted.

These words immediately calmed Yao Tiansha, who was filled with indignation just a moment ago. Perhaps he was still seething inside, but he dared not show it openly.

After all, Refining Cloud Mountain is one of the four super forces; it’s best not to provoke them usually. According to Yao Tiansha, once someone dared to challenge the prestige of Refining Cloud Mountain, no one had ever walked away unscathed, not even the thirteen first-class forces.

Yao Tiansha was merely a protector of Heavenly Thunder Valley. If he caused trouble for the valley by offending Refining Cloud Mountain, even the Valley Master might not be able to save him. He was well aware of the situation.

Since it was impossible to seek a turnaround from the elders like Qian Sanyuan, Yao Tiansha’s eyes turned to the young man in coarse clothing.

”Yun Xiao, do you dare to compete with me, or are you just a coward who needs others’ protection?”

Yao Tiansha didn’t bother to disguise his words, allowing everyone in and around the plaza to hear them. When these words came out, Qian Sanyuan and Qingmu Wu exchanged a glance, each seeing a strange expression on the other’s face.

It must be noted that after discussing with the two deans, Qian Sanyuan decided to let Yun Xiao be the Defender, which was not the ”caregiving” or ”favoritism” Yao Tiansha imagined, but simply to prevent Yun Xiao from bullying the Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Masters.

Even Guan Rufeng, the dean of Heavenly Hospital, was informed last night of the events in Yun Xiao’s courtyard by Qian Sanyuan. They all knew that with Yun Xiao’s Meridian Refining Technique, he was on a completely different level from other Meridian Refining Masters entering the final round.

Even Yao Tiansha, an Earth Rank Low Level Poison Vein Master, was likely not remotely a match for Yun Xiao. Yet the Heavenly Thunder Valley Protector boldly challenged Yun Xiao, how could it not make Qian Sanyuan, Qingmu Wu, and others show strange expressions?

”This is truly self-inflicted, and one must face the consequences!”

Especially Qingmu Wu, at this moment, he vaguely guessed what Yao Tiansha had in mind. He certainly had some understanding of the enmity between Yun Xiao and Heavenly Thunder Valley.

However, having just learned a strong Poison Meridian Skill from Yun Xiao yesterday, Qingmu felt that many of his long-standing puzzles were easily solved. At least in terms of understanding the Poison Meridian Path, he dared not compare himself to Yun Xiao, hence the title of ”Master Yun.”

What sort of scallion was this protector of Heavenly Thunder Valley, daring to use the Poison Meridian Skill against Yun Xiao? This was simply the quintessential example of lifting a stone to drop it on one’s own foot. If one sought death, it couldn’t be stopped.

Qingmu Wu’s guess was correct. Yao Tiansha had been waiting for an opportunity, a justified chance to eliminate Yun Xiao. Ordinary competitions of Meridian Refining Technique, like those in the ten rooms yesterday, obviously didn’t provide such an opportunity.

But if Yun Xiao agreed to compete in Poison Meridian Skill with him, Yao Tiansha confidently believed this youngster who dared offend Heavenly Thunder Valley wouldn’t escape his grasp alive.

The potent poisons he meticulously crafted could not be easily resolved even by some Earth Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Masters.

Truth be told, Yao Tiansha’s goading method was rather clumsy, and nearly everyone inside and outside the field recognized it. But in such a moment, if Yun Xiao backed down from the fight, it would severely damage his reputation.

”Since Protector Yao is so eager to seek death, wouldn’t it be ungracious not to fulfill your wish?”

While everyone was watching Yun Xiao, the young man in coarse clothing spoke out, almost driving Yao Tiansha to burst with rage.

Though both were Earth Rank Middle Level Meridian Refining Masters, the victor was yet undecided before the match. How could this lad be so sure of his victory?

In fact, for Yun Xiao, whether as the final Defender or being crowned the first in each round, it was not a big deal. It was merely spending a bit more effort.

Among the many Meridian Refining Masters present, only this Yao Tiansha was worth noting. Since he couldn’t be defeated in terms of Meridian Qi Cultivation, it would be best to truly defeat him in Meridian Refining Technique.

Moreover, with Yun Xiao’s intelligence, how could he not know what kind of plan Yao Tiansha was plotting? This was undoubtedly an opportunity for him. If they were to compete in Poison Meridian Skill, it might be easy to handle this Half-step Earth Realm guy.

”Alright, Yun Xiao, today I’ll compete with you in Poison Meridian Skill. If there happens to be any damage, you can’t blame the opponent for being ruthless!”

Suppressing his anger, Yao Tiansha said these words, which, although directed at both parties, sounded as if he was already confident in his victory.

”Competing in Poison Meridian Skill, naturally there will be accidents. I hope Yao protector won’t plead for mercy then!”

Yun Xiao nodded. After his words, this first battle of the final round of Refining Cloud Mountain disciple selection commenced. The other seven Meridian Refining Masters automatically retreated from the square, leaving the center for these two.

Yao Tiansha was surely an Earth Rank Middle Level Poison Vein Master, and if one were to carelessly get tainted by his potent poison, it would undoubtedly be a troublesome affair.

”How do you want to compete, Yao protector?”

Seeing everyone retreat from the square, Yun Xiao waved his right hand. His calm demeanor impressed many, for being unperturbed in front of an Earth Rank Middle Level Poison Vein Master was no small feat.

Although people had witnessed Yun Xiao’s incredible feat of neutralizing the poison the previous day, they couldn’t be sure if the coarse-clothed young boy was a Poison Vein Master or a Medical Pulse Master. Could his proficiency in Poison Meridian Path really compare to the Earth Rank Middle Level Yao Tiansha?

”Since it’s a challenge of Poison Meridian Skill, let’s compete in the simplest way: poisoning each other, and whoever can’t hold on first will lose. Or whoever first neutralizes the other’s poison wins, how about that?”

Yao Tiansha indeed came prepared. As soon as he spoke, many drew a sharp breath because the original Meridian Refining Technique competition carried little life risk, but this method could end in death or mutual destruction.

”It seems the feud between Sky Thunder Valley and Yun Xiao has indeed reached an irreconcilable point!”

Some astute minds realized the reason behind Yao Tiansha setting such a rule, knowing that several from Sky Thunder Valley had perished at Yun Xiao’s hands, deepening the animosity to an undying extent.

Of course, Yao Tiansha proposed this competition rule, but it still required Yun Xiao’s consent before proceeding, otherwise they’d have to negotiate a mutually acceptable method.

Most thought Yun Xiao wouldn’t agree to such a dangerous competition, considering the risk of being poisoned to death, especially for someone as young yet achieved like him.

What they missed was that, besides Qingmu Wu, Qian Sanyuan and Guan Rufeng helplessly shook their heads, quietly acknowledging Yao Tiansha’s unique suicidal method.

”As you wish!”

Just as most onlookers believed Yun Xiao wouldn’t accept the perilous rule, four words emerged from the coarse-clothed boy’s mouth, bringing an unexpected silence to the square.

”Could Yun Xiao’s Poison Meridian Skill also have reached Earth Rank Middle Level?”

Such a thought crossed everyone’s mind. On the Tenglong Continent, there were indeed Medical and Poison Cultivation Meridian Refining Masters, but they were extremely rare.

Even if someone practiced both, they’d usually emphasize either Medical Vein or Poison Meridian specialization, making high proficiency in both uncommon.

The previous night, people saw Yun Xiao’s prowess in neutralizing poison, which was strictly within the realm of Medical Pulse School. Many assumed him to be an Earth Rank Middle Level Medical Pulse Master.

Yet now, Yun Xiao agreed to Yao Tiansha’s Earth Rank Middle Level Poison Vein Master competition rule without hesitation, which suggested he was either provoked or confident of his skills.

As for Yao Tiansha, the protector of Sky Thunder Valley, upon hearing Yun Xiao’s words, a gleam of sinister satisfaction crossed his eyes.

This time, Yao Tiansha came well-prepared, not only relying on his own Earth Rank Middle Level lethal poison concoctions. He had acquired one powerful poison from an Earth Rank Advanced Poison Vein Master, which would finally have its moment to shine.