Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Regarding the conflict between Gu Changsheng and Yun Xiao in the Spiritual Pill Courtyard, Xue Tianao was naturally unaware, so when he heard Xue Ningxiang’s questioning, he felt a bit baffled.

”Junior Sister, this time you have truly wronged me. You don’t know what kind of trouble Yun Xiao caused in the Xuanyin Cave!”

Gu Changsheng definitely would not admit that he was the one who initially provoked Yun Xiao. Seeing his shameless demeanor, he was already subtly trying to pin the blame for the appearance of the Strange Spirit on Yun Xiao.

”Trouble? What kind of trouble?”

Xue Tianao’s brow furrowed even tighter. He knew the Xuanyin Cave was full of dangers and that Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were guarded by powerful Vein Demons, but this could only be considered as training, not ”trouble”!

”I don’t know whether Yun Xiao triggered some mechanism or did it deliberately, but we encountered countless... Strange Spirits on the seventh level of the Xuanyin Cave!”

Gu Changsheng spoke fluently at first. However, when he mentioned ”Strange Spirit,” he was visibly still somewhat apprehensive. If he hadn’t been lucky, he might have never made it out of the Xuanyin Cave this time.

”What? Strange Spirits?”

Upon hearing this sudden revelation, Xue Tianao’s previously calm expression finally changed. Xuanyin Cave was one of the most important places in Xuanyin Hall. Although he hadn’t entered it in decades, he ultimately refused to believe there were Strange Spirits inside the cave.

If it were just one or two, it would be fine. But hearing Gu Changsheng use the word ”countless,” Xue Tianao knew it wasn’t a small number — it was almost like an infestation.

”What is the strength of those Strange Spirits?”

Xue Tianao didn’t concern himself with Gu Changsheng’s accusations against Yun Xiao but instead asked a crucial question. If they were just Seventh Rank or Eighth Rank Vein Demons, then even in large numbers, they wouldn’t pose much of a threat to Xuanyin Hall.

In Xue Tianao’s mind, he wasn’t too worried. After all, if even someone as gifted as Gu Changsheng in the Half-step Earth Realm managed to escape, it indicated that the Strange Spirits likely hadn’t reached the Ninth Rank.

”The strongest Strange Spirit we saw was of the Ninth Rank low-level,...”

Upon hearing the first words from Gu Changsheng again, Xue Tianao was relieved. Ninth Rank low-level Strange Spirits might be unbeatable for these young talents, but he, being a Heavenly Rank Third Realm expert, could probably crush such Strange Spirits with just a slap, right?

”But the thing that appeared last... that thing...”

Sensing Xue Tianao’s mindset, Gu Changsheng was still somewhat afraid as he revealed the final scene. The Water Column Tentacles with an unclear appearance still made his hair stand on end thinking about it, because he nearly died under the sweep of those tentacles.

”There is an even stronger Strange Spirit?”

Xue Tianao’s eyebrows furrowed deeply. If it was just a Strange Spirit army led by a Ninth Rank low-level Strange Spirit, he wouldn’t have a single care. But the last terrifying glimpse of that thing stirred a sense of unease within him.

”Are you saying Yun Xiao is trapped on the seventh level of the Xuanyin Cave, and his fate is grim?”

As for Xue Ningxiang’s concern, it was evidently on another level. Her tone was somewhat anxious when she spoke. If Gu Changsheng was truthful, then Yun Xiao likely wouldn’t have even the slightest chance of surviving.

”Junior Sister, even now you’re worried about that brat Yun Xiao? If not for him, how else could there be so many Strange Spirits, and Junior Brother Wanyou also died by his hand. If he can survive, our Xuanyin Hall will surely regard him as a formidable enemy!”

The more he saw Xue Ningxiang worried about Yun Xiao, the more Gu Changsheng felt jealous and angry. At this moment, he kicked him while he was down and mentioned the two ”grave sins” Yun Xiao had committed, believing that even the Hall Master wouldn’t protect Yun Xiao in the face of such ”facts”.

After all, Yun Xiao killing Jiang Wanyou was indeed a fact, and Xuanyin Hall was notoriously protective. If their disciples were bullied outside, as long as they had some reason, they would definitely seek justice afterward without exception.

This time, Yun Xiao would undoubtedly perish in Xuanyin Cave, but just letting him die easily might turn him into a hero for saving everyone, which Gu Changsheng was extremely unwilling. He wanted to smear Yun Xiao’s reputation before those talents emerged.

”Nonsense, Gu Changsheng, you, the top genius of Xuanyin Hall, have quite the skill in distorting facts!”

However, just as Gu Changsheng wanted to say more to tarnish Yun Xiao’s reputation, an angry voice emerged from Xuanyin Cave, and then several figures appeared. The leading one was Ye Ku from Lianyun Mountain’s Sky Poison Institute.

Beside Ye Ku were several from Demons Mountain, including Xu Hongzhuang and Ling Wan. Knowing that these two had a close relationship with Yun Xiao, he took care to escort them, not slower than Gu Changsheng.

After these individuals emerged, others like Long Xiwawa, Su Jian, and the remaining surviving talents followed one after another, but their auras were either dispirited or extremely chaotic. In particular, a few weren’t much better off than Gu Changsheng who came out first.

”Brother Ye Ku is right. If it weren’t for Brother Yun Xiao this time, we all would have perished in the seventh level of Xuanyin Cave. You don’t even show gratitude, yet you slander here. Gu Changsheng, doesn’t your conscience hurt?”

This time, it was Luo Fusheng, the first genius from Demons Mountain, who spoke. After Yun Xiao saved them twice, he had no jealousy left over, instead feeling deep gratitude towards Yun Xiao.

”Clearly it was you teaming up to trouble Yun Xiao for the Illusion Yin Grass; being killed is what you deserve. If Yun Xiao suffers any harm, I... I...”

Xu Hongzhuang’s face was full of hatred, pointing at Gu Changsheng and scolding continuously. However, towards the end, her eyes reddened, likely saddened by the thought that Yun Xiao might never emerge from Xuanyin Cave.

The three exchanged words, essentially laying the real facts before everyone present. At this point, in front of so many witnesses, Gu Changsheng knew he couldn’t just offer his one-sided story anymore.

”Changsheng, is this true?”

Upon hearing this, Xue Tianao’s face turned somewhat grim. He had initially believed Gu Changsheng’s words, but didn’t expect another truth to emerge. If what Luo Fusheng and Xu Hongzhuang said was true, it would indeed greatly disgrace Xuanyin Hall.

Although Xuanyin Hall has always prioritized protecting their own, it’s only when their disciples are justified. If a disciple blatantly massacres an entire clan or abducts women, they must enact rules to clean their ranks.

”Master, I...”

Seeing all the talents looking at him disdainfully, Gu Changsheng’s lies could no longer continue. He was momentarily speechless, prompting Xue Tianao’s anger to flare.

Pa!

A crisp slap echoed, and everyone clearly saw the first genius of Xuanyin Hall being struck to the ground by Xue Tianao, even losing a few teeth.

The Xuanyin Palace Master was already in a foul mood due to the emergence of a Strange Spirit in Xuanyin Cave, and Gu Changsheng’s deceit pushed him to his limit.

In fact, Xue Tianao was still holding back; if he’d used full force, Gu Changsheng might cease to exist in this world.

Having been slapped, Gu Changsheng dared not utter another word, while Xue Ningxiang’s focus wasn’t on this. She seemed slightly excited.

”From what you’re saying, Yun Xiao obtained the Illusion Yin Grass?”

Xue Ningxiang directly voiced her question, her tone carrying a trace of subtle joy, prompting many to react oddly. My lady, now doesn’t seem like the time to focus on the Illusion Yin Grass, does it?

”Master Xue, please rescue Yun Xiao!”

Xu Hongzhuang ignored Xue Ningxiang’s question, biting her lip and knelt before the Xuanyin Palace Master. Because she knew that if anyone could save Yun Xiao, it might only be this Palace Master.

”Master Xue, the entity that appeared last is likely a... Heavenly Rank Strange Spirit!”

Compared to Gu Changsheng, the Sky Poison Institute’s first genius, Ye Ku, was not only powerful but also a genuine Earth Rank Middle Level Poison Vein Master, able to sense far more than Gu Changsheng.

”What?!”

His words caused everyone’s faces to change drastically, including Xue Tianao’s, even the geniuses who fled the Xuanyin Cave hadn’t considered this possibility.

If it truly was a Heavenly Rank Strange Spirit, escaping the cave would be a monumental honor for these geniuses, becoming a proud tale to boast of in the future.

”Master Xue...”

Xu Hongzhuang remained kneeling, prioritizing Yun Xiao’s life over her own. If Yun Xiao never returned, she couldn’t imagine the rest of her life having meaning.

”I... will try!”

Seeing Xu Hongzhuang’s despair, Xue Tianao nodded despite having little confidence, feeling an obligation to act since it was Xuanyin Hall.

Xue Tianao stepped forward to the entrance of Xuanyin Cave, and as he touched the entrance space, a cold wave rushed towards him, followed by the appearance of a faint blue light screen at the entrance.

Clearly, it was the seal forbidding cultivators over a hundred years old from entering. This Xuanyin Palace Master was likely centuries old, thus the seal activated upon contact.

Boom!

A massive power burst from Xue Tianao, causing nearby geniuses to stagger back a step. They then saw the Xuanyin Palace Master also step back, showing a look of shock.