Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Tenglong Continent, Southern Domain, Yujiang City!

In this small city of the Southern Domain of Tenglong Continent, there were two rival families, the Lin Family and the Tao Family. When Yun Xiao first arrived on the Tenglong Continent, he even got embroiled in the feud between these two powerful families.

However, later on, the Lin Family Heir and Lin Xuanhao became quite close. After the news about Yun Xiao spread, the Tao Family no longer dared to trouble the Lin Family.

Especially as Yun Xiao’s reputation grew larger, in recent years, the Lin Family almost suppressed the Tao Family to the point where they couldn’t show themselves.

To be honest, it wasn’t solely because of Yun Xiao. Nowadays, Lin Family Heir Lin Xuanhao was also a Direct Disciple of Lianyun Mountain, and his mentor was the Dean of the Heavenly Hospital, Guan Rufeng, making his status and power completely different from before.

But today, the Lin Family welcomed a group of uninvited guests, among whom was the Tao Family Patriarch, Tao Chengju, a powerful figure who had reached the Peak of the Seeking Origin Realm.

Seeing his old rival, the Lin Family Patriarch Lin Zhenjiang couldn’t help but show a cold smile. Not only did his Meridian Qi Cultivation match Tao Chengju’s, but the current Lin Family was also a force even some mid-sized family sects dared not provoke.

”Tao Chengju, why have you stopped being a turtle hiding in your shell?”

Lin Chengjiang’s face showed a cold smile as he spoke with mockery. In the past year or two, he hardly saw this Tao Family Patriarch, clearly intimidated by the Lin Family’s background.

”Hmph, Lin Zhenjiang, do you really think just because you lean on the Meridian Refining Master Guild, you’re invincible in the world?”

Tao Chengju was different today, showing none of the past tendencies to retreat immediately at the sight of Lin Family members, instead snorting coldly with an air of defiance.

”Tao Chengju, what do you want by coming to my Lin Family today?”

Lin Zhenjiang was simply bluffing with the name of the Meridian Refining Master Association. In fact, Lianyun Mountain was far from Yujiang City; he could only rely on the power of the Lin Family itself.

”With the protection of the Meridian Refining Master Association, of course, I don’t dare to do anything to you, but this Yujiang City isn’t your Lin Family’s alone. I just want to take back what belongs to the Tao Family!”

Tao Chengju clearly wasn’t as unafraid as he seemed. After all, the Tao Family was a mere family with its strongest member only at the Peak of the Seeking Origin Realm; against a superpower like the Meridian Refining Master Association, they would be crushed with just a finger, wouldn’t they?

”On what basis?”

Seeing that the territory they’d fought for over the years might be reclaimed by the Tao Family, Lin Zhenjiang wasn’t willing to accept it. He couldn’t understand where Tao Chengju got the confidence to say such words.

”Liqian, tell the Lin Patriarch on what basis we stand?”

Tao Chengju didn’t mind Lin Zhenjiang’s attitude. He slightly stepped aside to reveal the Heir of the Tao Family, Tao Liqian, leaving the Lin Family members confused.

The Lin Family people naturally recognized the Heir of the Tao Family, who was once considered a young prodigy in Yujiang City alongside Lin Xuanhao, unmatched in cultivation talent.

But later, Lin Xuanhao fortunately activated a Fire Attribute Ancestor Vein and, due to Yun Xiao, entered Lianyun Mountain and was taken as a Direct Disciple by Guan Rufeng, the Dean of the Heavenly Hospital. People stopped comparing Tao Liqian with Lin Xuanhao.

Because the two were incomparable; one remained confined in little Yujiang City muddling through, while the other became a super genius of a top power, with a future as different as heaven and earth.

Hence, many Lin Family members couldn’t understand why Tao Chengju pushed Tao Liqian forward until they saw the young man step forward and reveal a badge engraved with a special pattern on his chest.

”Is that... the Yun Ling emblem representing a Direct Disciple of the Spirit Fighting Commerce?”

When a Lin Family Elder saw the pattern on that badge, he couldn’t help but exclaim, and the faces of the Lin Family members all changed dramatically.

”Hahaha, Lin Zhenjiang, surprised, aren’t you? Your Lin Family produced a Lin Xuanhao, and my son Tao Chengju is not one to idle away. Liqian is now a Direct Disciple of a Great Elder of the Spirit Fighting Commerce. How about that, doesn’t he compare well to your family heir?”

Seeing the recognition of the Yun Ling emblem, Tao Chengju laughed heartily with satisfaction, confirming the Lin Family’s speculations.

The Spirit Fighting Commerce and the Meridian Refining Master Association are known as the twin associations of the Tenglong Continent, absolute dominators of the Southeast and Southwest of the Inner Domain, once untouchable by these small families and powers.

The Lin Family having Lin Xuanhao, who was taken as a Direct Disciple by the Dean of Lianyun Mountain’s Heavenly Hospital, was an explosive event in the Southern Domain of the Continent, drawing attention from many family powers’ experts, all eager to establish good ties with the Lin Family.

Because of this, the Tao Family was oppressed in Yujiang City to the point of being unable to lift their heads. However, no matter how audacious Tao Chengju was, he couldn’t possibly dare to provoke the Meridian Refining Master Association lightly, could he?

But unexpectedly, Tao Liqian also got a chance to soar. The Lin Family didn’t doubt for a moment that the Tao father-son duo was bluffing; spreading such rumors could lead to annihilation by the Spirit Fighting Commerce.

Even though these members of the Lin Family may have not seen the Great Elder of the Douling Commerce Guild, they must have heard of his reputation, knowing that he is a bona fide Heavenly Rank Floating Life Realm expert, whose strength is not below that of Heavenly Hospital Director Guan Rufeng.

As such, with the Lin Family backed by the Meridian Refining Master Association, and the Tao Family supported by the Douling Commerce Guild, both sides return to being evenly matched, and their overall strength is about equal, bringing everything back to square one.

”How about it, Lin Family Head, does my Tao Family now have the qualification to reclaim the territory that originally belonged to us?”

Tao Chengju had a smug look on his face. He believed that with the old subjects brought up again, the Lin Family would not be as forceful, since both sides are using their backgrounds as banners, relying on their overall strength.

”Family Head, it’s said that the Great Elder of the Douling Commerce Guild is narrow-minded and vengeful. Perhaps we should step back. There’s no point in getting into a life-and-death struggle with the Tao Family!”

The Lin Family Great Elder’s eyes rolled a few times, and he finally whispered a suggestion to the Family Head, Lin Zhenjiang. Perhaps in his mind, the Douling Commerce Guild is far more terrifying than the Meridian Refining Master Association.

After all, Lianyun Mountain has always been reluctant to intervene in mundane affairs on the continent, and Guan Rufeng is a bona fide Medical Pulse Master, known for his benevolent and gentle demeanor and aversion to conflict.

But the Douling Commerce Guild is different. Its branches are spread across the Tenglong Continent, and while it may seem modest and approachable on the surface, anyone with a bit of sense knows that this colossal entity is not as harmless as it appears.

”That makes sense, but... it’s really hard to accept!”

Listening to the words of the Great Elder, Lin Zhenjiang’s face showed a hint of reluctance. It was hard for him to willingly return the territory he had snatched away from the Tao Family without any compensation.

Tap tap tap...

Just when Lin Zhenjiang was deeply unwilling, and when it seemed he’d have to compromise in the end, an urgent set of footsteps suddenly sounded from the outside, drawing everyone’s attention, including those of the Tao Family.

”Family Head! Family Head! There’s news about the Heir!”

The person was clearly a Lin Family member in charge of intelligence transmission, but at this moment, his steps were a bit hurried and chaotic, as if he had received some news that made him extremely unsettled.

Lin Zhenjiang first frowned upon seeing the person lose composure, thinking this could make others ridicule them. But once he heard it was news from Lin Xuanhao, all his dissatisfaction dissipated.

Since Lin Xuanhao went to Lianyun Mountain, Lin Zhenjiang had specially established a communication channel to always stay updated on Lin Xuanhao’s situation at Lianyun Mountain.

There was a time when Lin Xuanhao sent a message saying he was accepted as a direct disciple by the Heavenly Hospital Director, Guan Rufeng, and Lin Zhenjiang was so delighted that he could not sleep for several days and nights. The Lin Family held a banquet that lasted three days, inviting almost everyone from Yujiang City.

Now, facing pressure from the Tao Family trying to divide up the acquired territory, Lin Xuanhao’s sudden message was undoubtedly a great morale booster for the Lin Family.

Hearing that person’s shout, the faces of a few people from the Tao Family changed slightly, while the Heir of the Tao Family, Tao Liqian—himself a direct disciple of the Douling Commerce Guild’s Great Elder—wore a faint sneer on his face.

Lin Xuanhao becoming a direct disciple of Lianyun Mountain had always irked Tao Liqian since they were always evenly matched until Lin Xuanhao’s fortunate activation of a Fire Attribute Ancestor Vein.

Tao Liqian once thought it was just Lin Xuanhao’s good luck, but such fortune is rare and hard to obtain. Over the years, this Heir of the Tao Family had privately cursed countless times.

One must admit that Tao Liqian had quite the luck himself, as he was unexpectedly noticed by the Great Elder of the Douling Commerce Guild and was also accepted as a direct disciple, leading him to believe that he and Lin Xuanhao were once again at parity.

Even the Tao Family, because of his joining the Douling Commerce Guild, seemed to see the hope of resurgence. Tao Liqian saw himself as the savior of the Tao Family.

However, though Tao Liqian’s heart sneered, he was also curious about what was written on that note. In any case, he was determined that today he would reclaim the territory belonging to the Tao Family, even if it meant going to war with the Lin Family.

”This... hahaha... this... hahaha!”

Just as the thoughts of the Tao Family father and son were churning, across from them, the Lin Family Head Lin Zhenjiang, who just received the note, suddenly seemed to go crazy, acting frenetically.

”Family Head!”

Even the Lin Family Great Elder couldn’t help but express his disapproval. They’re being pressed by the Tao Family to give up territory, and here he is making a fool of himself at such a critical moment.

”Hahaha!”

However, the Lin Family Great Elder’s words only spurred Lin Zhenjiang to laugh wildly into the sky, leaving everyone utterly perplexed by his sudden madness.