Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Before the Xuanyin Cave opens, our hall prohibits any outsiders from entering!”

Standing at the entrance of the Xuanyin Hall, one of the two guards seemed to have said these words countless times, speaking with considerable fluency, though his expressionless demeanor left no room for negotiation.

Upon hearing the guard’s cold words, the sneer on the faces of the onlookers grew more pronounced. People naturally possess a competitive spirit, and since they themselves cannot enter Xuanyin Hall early, they hope no one else will be an exception.

So when the crowd saw even geniuses like Wuyan Tongmo and Su Jian being barred, a sense of satisfaction rose in their hearts, as they mused that Xuanyin Hall’s matchmaking event indeed treated everyone equally this time.

As for the unfamiliar, rough-clothed youth, he didn’t seem to have any background either; since even Su Jian couldn’t enter, this fellow surely would return empty-handed.

In the minds of Long Xiwawa and others, it was certainly the same. No matter how renowned Yun Xiao was or even if he was Xue Ningxiang’s lifesaver, Xuanyin Hall would surely keep up appearances, lest these young geniuses coming for the matchmaking lose heart.

”Please inform them that Yun Xiao requests an audience!”

Yun Xiao would certainly not make things difficult for the diligent guards. He cupped his hands respectfully, and upon saying this, many among the crowd changed their expressions slightly.

Due to Su Jian’s deliberate promotion in recent days, the name Yun Xiao had become the most well-known in Extreme Yin City. Some had even found out where Yun Xiao lived and attempted assassination.

Though the crowd was surprised, envy rose in their hearts, as Yun Xiao could likely be their biggest rival, maybe even a formidable opponent whose presence could prevent them from successfully courting the beauty after obtaining the Illusion Yin Grass.

Thus, everyone secretly cursed, hoping Yun Xiao would be blocked outside Xuanyin Hall just like them. At least on the surface, Xuanyin Hall should maintain its image, right?

”Ah! You are Young Master Yun Xiao?”

But just when everyone was cursing Yun Xiao, they saw the previously cold-faced guard suddenly made a 180-degree turn in attitude, respectfully saluting Yun Xiao, even displaying a rather flattering smile.

”This...”

Witnessing this scene, not only the ordinary talents watching the show but even top-tier geniuses like Ji Sanjian and Long Xiwawa showed a gloomy expression.

This included Su Jian, a genius from Spirit Fighting Commerce who had orchestrated the entire event. The guard’s sudden change in attitude seemed completely contrary to what Su Jian had anticipated.

In Su Jian’s view, even if Yun Xiao was indeed Xue Ningxiang’s lifesaver, Xuanyin Hall shouldn’t so blatantly show bias in front of so many geniuses, and should at least put up a front.

What Su Jian didn’t know was the two guards had already been instructed by Lady Xue. As soon as a young man named ”Yun Xiao” arrived, they must immediately invite him into Xuanyin Hall respectfully, without any slight.

These guards, though not directly under Lady Xue’s management, knew very well who stood behind her: the Hall Master himself, someone they couldn’t afford to offend.

Moreover, seeing Lady Xue treat Yun Xiao differently, perhaps doing so could gain her favor; why not? Surely their superior wouldn’t easily reprimand them upon learning of this.

”Genuine, honest dealings!”

Yun Xiao hadn’t anticipated such an attitude from the guard but nodded, then asked, ”Can you take us inside?”

”This... Of course, of course, you may, Young Master Yun Xiao, please!”

Upon hearing this, the guard glanced at Xu Hongzhuang but quickly shook off any indecisiveness and led the two into the headquarters of Xuanyin Hall.

Seeing this, countless people outside gritted their teeth. With Su Jian’s deliberate promotion, they already knew Yun Xiao was Xue Ningxiang’s lifesaver, and Lady Xue seemed to harbor feelings for Yun Xiao.

However, these were merely rumors, and none had witnessed it firsthand. So they clung to the last shred of hope until they saw the rugged figure disappear behind the headquarters doors, then awoke from their dreams.

From the guard’s sudden change in attitude, it was clear someone had instructed them to pay attention to Yun Xiao, likely Lady Xue from Xuanyin Hall, which hinted at something many could guess.

This scene practically confirmed the rumors that Lady Xue and Yun Xiao had an unusual relationship, amplifying the hatred young geniuses held toward Yun Xiao by several times, the threat level rising sharply.

Sensing the righteous grievances of the crowd, Su Jian noticed his previous gloom vanish, replaced by a sense of fulfilled scheming satisfaction—after all, it was his handiwork.

In Su Jian’s view, even if Yun Xiao has won Xue Ningxiang’s heart, once he becomes the target of everyone, as soon as he enters the Xuanyin Cave, he would likely be attacked by others joining forces.

By that time, Yun Xiao would not be able to fend off multiple enemies alone and would surely die inside the Xuanyin Cave. Even if Xue Ningxiang is heartbroken and disappointed, she would no longer hold her ground for a dead person, and Su Jian’s objective would then be achieved.

It seemed that everything was under his control, and Yun Xiao’s sudden entry into the Xuanyin Hall today was undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire, making the situation more intense.

......

Following the guard into the Xuanyin Hall, Yun Xiao naturally wouldn’t concern himself with how those geniuses outside felt. As he delved deeper into the hall, he increasingly sensed a vaguely bone-piercing Yin Cold Qi, understanding that this might be the reason the Xuanyin Hall was established here.

The so-called two major forces of the palace, the Xuanyin Hall excels in the utilization of Yin Cold Power, while the Wuyan Palace, despite its name ”Wuyan” (meaning ’without flames’), has most of its strong members being fire attribute cultivators. Naturally, the relationship between the two forces can’t be considered very amicable.

However, reaching the levels of the Xuanyin Hall and Wuyan Palace, a real big battle is unlikely to occur unless one side is confident enough to annihilate the other. Otherwise, the most probable outcome is mutual destruction.

As for some petty squabbles among the younger generation, or minor frictions between them, nobody pays attention to these. Thus, during this open marriage selection by the Xuanyin Hall, Wuyan Palace indeed sent both Long Xiwawa and Duan Wuya to participate.

This may not necessarily mean that the Wuyan Palace truly wants to ally by marriage with Xuanyin Hall, but if Long Xiwawa or Duan Wuya were to obtain the Illusion Yin Grass and eventually marry the daughter of the Master of Xuanyin Hall, then Wuyan Palace would undoubtedly gain leverage over Xuanyin Hall in an invisible manner.

Yun Xiao was unaware of the exact origin of this Yin Cold Qi, and as time passed, he increasingly sensed its extraordinary nature, but the true source was evidently not clear to sense.

Bang!

As Yun Xiao followed the guard and turned around a pavilion, he suddenly felt a slightly familiar aura emanating from a very distant place to his left.

”This aura...”

Yun Xiao paused slightly, turning his gaze towards the place where the aura was coming from. Moments later, a smile appeared on his face, and he said softly, ”It’s Ling Wan’s Mixed Element Qi!”

As once life-and-death partners on the Hidden Dragon Continent, Yun Xiao and Ling Wan had long developed an inseparable rapport, especially in sensing each other’s aura, clearly and undoubtedly, even from such a long distance.

”Let’s go see Ling Wan first!”

Upon sensing that it was Ling Wan’s aura, Yun Xiao no longer cared about the guard leading the way ahead and, with excitement, changed direction, swiftly heading towards the source of the aura he just sensed.

Xu Hongzhuang naturally followed immediately. Her impression of the chubby little fellow who once called her ”big sister-in-law” was profound, and she even wanted to hear him call her ”big sister-in-law” again, but of course, these thoughts wouldn’t be expressed outwardly.

”Hey! Hey! You two, the lady’s residence is not in that direction!”

Already dozens of meters ahead, the guard, hearing the commotion behind him, turned his head to see only the two figures changing direction, and hurriedly shouted as he chased after them.

The direction where Ling Wan lived was extremely remote. To train Yun Xiao’s brother, many things Xue Ningxiang refrained from assisting with. Thus, the guard had no idea why these two had suddenly changed direction.

Ignoring the guard’s shouting, Yun Xiao moved quickly, so fast that the guard couldn’t keep up, and even Xu Hongzhuang struggled to follow.

In just about fifteen minutes, Yun Xiao had already neared a courtyard, and from within the courtyard was a burst of conversation, causing him to stop and not rush in immediately but to listen outside.

However, after listening for a moment, Yun Xiao’s expression became extremely dark, and his impression of the Xuanyin Hall worsened considerably, all because of what Ling Wan was experiencing inside the courtyard.

......

Time went back thirty minutes!

In the courtyard where Ling Wan resided, a group of uninvited guests arrived today. Among them was a regular leader who often came to bully him, a Xuanyin Hall genius named Xu Heng, whose strength had already reached the Origin Seeking Realm Middle Stage.

However, today Ling Wan seemed somewhat different from before, something Xu Heng and the others didn’t notice. So, when they intended to beat him up as usual for no reason, they were met with an unexpected rebound.

Until that transformed round body crashed fiercely into Xu Heng, sending him flying, causing his aura to drop sharply, Xu Heng finally realized that he could hardly defeat this little fat guy he had been bullying for over a year.