Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Elder Daohe, you say this is the ancestral land of Wuyan Palace, but it seems somewhat off, doesn’t it?”

Elder Jia Tianshu of Shenxiao Sect, who had been playing the role of a peacekeeper earlier, suddenly spoke up in response to Zhang Daohe’s deep voice. Upon hearing this, the face of the Seventh Elder of Wuyan Palace grew increasingly grim.

”Jia Tianshu, you are indeed an elder of Shenxiao Sect. Our Wuyan Palace was established here, known by all under heaven. As an elder of Shenxiao Sect, would you not know this?”

Zhang Daohe felt a surge of anger rising in his chest, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm. This was indeed a fact, widely recognized that Wuyan Palace was first established here. To him, it seemed this old fellow from Shenxiao Sect was being deliberately provocative.

Jia Tianshu was not angered by Zhang Daohe’s words. He looked up at the shimmering lake above and then at the crystalline buildings, with a faint smile appearing on his face.

”Elder Daohe, you must know that the place where Wuyan Palace was established was above Yanji Lake, not beneath it!”

Jia Tianshu spoke eloquently, then pointed towards the distant cluster of buildings and continued, ”Wuyan Palace was established here, that’s well-known, but there’s another well-known fact about Wuyan Palace which Elder Daohe seems to have forgotten!”

”What?”

Zhang Daohe felt something wasn’t right, but at this moment, he clearly hadn’t thought of deeper implications. He asked instinctively, drawing the attention of the others to Jia Tianshu.

”Everyone knows that Wuyan Palace, famous for ’no flame,’ actually practices fire attribute techniques, including Palace Master Wu. But look, from Yanji Lake to these buildings, what part resembles anything of fire attribute? Saying this is Wuyan Palace’s headquarters seems rather inappropriate, doesn’t it?”

Jia Tianshu spoke without any pause. After his words fell, everyone suddenly understood, and their gaze shifted to Zhang Daohe, whose face alternated between blue and white, filled with a peculiar expression.

Because Jia Tianshu raised a question that hit the nail on the head, most cultivators of Wuyan Palace practice fire attribute techniques, which is renowned across the continent.

Water and fire oppose each other, generally speaking. Cultivators who practice fire attribute techniques most dislike the aura of water attribute. This is why, since the formation of Yanji Lake, few powerful Wuyan Palace members are willing to explore the lake waters.

In fact, when Wuyan Palace’s founding ancestor, Hua Wuyan, discovered the Wuyan Lake initially, it was merely an underground dark lake. It wasn’t until Wuyan Palace relocated that it gradually appeared before the world.

There might be reasons related to the Myriad Illusion Water Cloud Array, but because of the long history, it’s impossible to verify. At least Zhang Daohe knows for sure that Wuyan Palace’s ancestral hall was built above the surface, not below it.

Even if there’s some special energy that isolates the lake water above, the water attribute aura within those crystalline buildings can be sensed by everyone, and this is unquestionable.

Jia Tianshu’s words hit the essence, making Zhang Daohe unable to refute. If it were another attribute, it might be acceptable, but this water attribute is entirely incompatible with Wuyan Palace.

It’s indeed so; these crystalline buildings at the lake bottom of Yanji Lake are not the ancestral land of Wuyan Palace, but the headquarters of the Wuyan Water Palace at that time. Just one extra word, but the essence is vastly different.

”Elder Daohe, since this isn’t the ancestral land of Wuyan Palace, then it’s unclaimed territory. We can freely take the things inside!”

Ge Wanli finally spoke, and once he did, his figure swiftly darted forward, directly entering the cluster of crystalline buildings, quickly disappearing from sight.

Swish, swish, swish...

Following Ge Wanli’s lead, Zong Puti, Wu Tong, and others didn’t hesitate too much. In an instant, among the six powerful elders, only Zhang Daohe of Wuyan Palace remained.

”You... you...”

Zhang Daohe pointed at the backs of Zhao Huai’an and others, trembling with anger, but alone, he couldn’t stop them and could only watch as their figures disappeared into the palatial complex.

Meanwhile, numerous independent practitioners or low-level cultivators from places like the Lv Family of Wuchuan City no longer paid attention to the trembling Zhang Daohe, swiftly passing by him one by one, like streams entering the sea, soon disappearing from sight.

”Seventh Elder, we should go in too!”

Knowing that the Seventh Elder wasn’t in a good mood, Long Xiwawa stepped forward a few steps and, without bothering about Zhang Daohe, led Duan Wuya into the crystalline building complex.

”Damn it, the treasure of Wuyan Palace’s ancestral land is definitely mine!”

At this moment, Zhang Daohe forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart, his voice low, and then quickly entered the building. As he darted in, he seemed to regain some confidence.

After all, he was a powerhouse at the late stage of Earth Bending Realm. Among the cultivators entering the palatial complex, he was the strongest. Even without the background of Wuyan Palace, he was most likely to obtain the most important treasure.

......

”Haha, it’s the Water Heart Pillow. Really lucky!”

In one of the crystalline palaces, a sudden burst of laughter rang out, followed by a figure rushing forward, grabbing something that seemed like a pillow, constantly changing shape, embracing it in their arms. It seemed someone had found a precious treasure.

This person should count as well-informed, aware of some special effects of the so-called Water Heart Pillow. It’s said that sleeping with the Water Heart Pillow enhances one’s Power of Soul gradually during slumber, truly an invaluable Treasure for a Meridian Refining Master.

Aside from Meridian Refining Masters, other ordinary cultivators find it exceptionally difficult to enhance their Power of Soul. However, with the Water Heart Pillow, it might compensate for the slow enhancement of the Power of Soul.

Crunch!

Yet, just as the cultivator felt smug, thinking his luck was incredible to find such a Treasure upon entering the hall, he suddenly heard a soft sound and immediately felt a slight pain in his chest.

”I... I...”

An extremely incredulous expression appeared on this person’s face, as he lowered his head, looking at the bloody sword tip protruding from his chest—still somewhat unbelieving.

”Hmph, how could a Treasure like the Water Heart Pillow be owned by a mere Seeking Origin Realm Early Stage ant like you?”

The blood-stained sword was withdrawn from the man’s back, revealing an elderly figure. Hearing his cold snort, he didn’t bother with the corpse that fell aside but directly stooped down to pick up the Water Heart Pillow that had dropped nearby.

Whoosh!

As the idiom goes, ”the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind”, just when this person felt at ease and satisfied, another sound of wind breaking echoed in the hall, causing his face to change dramatically, realizing he ultimately became the mantis.

Fortunately, the person’s reaction wasn’t slow. Seeing the aggressive advance, he could only retreat with the Water Heart Pillow, but the attack seemed aimed not at his vital body parts but at the right hand holding the Water Heart Pillow.

Crunch!

A slightly familiar sound emerged, followed immediately by a severe pain in his right arm. In the next moment, the horrified expression on his face mirrored that of the Seeking Origin Realm Early Stage cultivator he just killed.

Because this person saw clearly that his right arm had already detached from his body, with his palm still holding the Water Heart Pillow. However, before it dropped to the ground, it was swiftly snatched by someone.

”Is it you?”

At this moment, the person, enduring the severe pain in his right arm, saw the figure—a young man who didn’t appear too old and seemed somewhat familiar to him.

”You recognize me?”

The young man lifted his head, not attacking further to claim the other’s life, but tossing the Water Heart Pillow in his hand with interest, asking with a tone containing a hint of arrogance.

”Zhao Family, Zhao Ling!”

These four words squeezed out from the man’s clenched teeth. Upon recognizing the other’s identity, he had no desire for revenge.

The young man was none other than Zhao Ling, the Zhao Family’s number one genius. Though he wasn’t a match for top talents like Yun Xiao or Su Jian, he was genuinely a genius at the Peak of Seeking Origin Realm. How could these mid-low-level Seeking Origin Realm cultivators compare?

In reality, among those entering the Wuyan Water Palace this time, besides the six top Late Stage Earth Bending Realm experts, people like Zhao Ling and Jun Tieshu were considered first-tier powerhouses.

The majority were still mid-low-level Seeking Origin Realm, or even Qi Seeking Realm-level cultivators.

”Since you recognize me, I assume there’s no objection to me taking this Water Heart Pillow?”

Being recognized, Zhao Ling didn’t mind much, hearing the other’s inquiry and speaking with a hint of coldness, giving the person a chill.

”No... no objection!”

Even at his peak, this person would be no match for Zhao Ling, let alone now with a severed arm. How could he dare show resistance?

Moreover, he knew that with a severed arm, he probably had no qualification to compete for other Treasures in this Water Palace with others.

”You know how to be tactful. In that case, I’ll spare your life!”

Having obtained the Water Heart Pillow, Zhao Ling was undoubtedly in a good mood, not intending to kill here. Even if this person harbored resentment, he didn’t care—a mid-stage Seeking Origin Realm ant, the Zhao Family’s top genius wouldn’t pay attention.

A similar scenario played out in many halls within the Water Palace. Of course, those who obtained Treasures were cultivators with certain strengths, such as Long Xiwawa and Nie Xiaosheng.

As for other low-level cultivators, some might be lucky enough to acquire Treasures, but more often than not, people died for wealth, with many not even touching a Treasure before meeting their demise.