Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor-Chapter 549 Various Responses

"Vice Chairman Qian, Elder Meng Liyang, congratulations!"

Atop the high platform, looking at Qian Sanyuan and Meng Liyang returning triumphantly, people like Gu Hua and Wu Tong showed envy on their faces, yet their mouths spoke congratulatory words, unsure if their sentiments were genuine or pretense.

Qian Sanyuan is one thing, as he was already an expert at the Peak of Earth Bending Realm, an entire Great Rank above people like Gu Hua; even if he obtained the Heavenly Breath Pill to break through to the Heavenly Rank Third Realm, they still couldn’t beat him.

However, Meng Liyang was different. Originally, everyone was at the Peak of the Seeking Origin Realm, and him breaking through to the Earth Bending Realm put him ahead of everyone else. To say that there was no envy in their hearts would be impossible.

It’s believed that once Meng Liyang returns to Demons Mountain on the Tenglong Continent, he might even move up from his Elder position. How come this guy’s luck is just so good?

"Hehe, it’s all just luck!"

Qian Sanyuan’s face was still smiling, but recalling the previous dangers, there was still a trace of afterfear in his heart because if Yun Wei hadn’t shown up, he wasn’t sure he could have made it alive off the stage.

Everything was fated; or perhaps, it was Yun Xiao’s luck that was too good. To not die even at the hands of a Heavenly Rank Expert like Shen Xingmou – that’s something no one else could ever hope to manage.

"Elder Meng Liyang, pass on a message for me. Say that in three days, I will showcase Meridian Refining Technique at the Xuanyue Empire Meridian Refining Master Guild, and all Meridian Refining Masters are welcome to observe and learn!"

Qian Sanyuan reined in his excitement and suddenly uttered such a statement, leaving several Great Elders beside him somewhat unable to react, but the next moment, they all nodded in agreement.

Even though Qian Sanyuan acquired the Heavenly Breath Pill, he wouldn’t use it here in the Hidden Dragon Continent; the Heaven and Earth Energy here might not be sufficient for his breakthrough to the Heavenly Rank Third Realm.

A Treasure Pill like the Heavenly Breath Pill was a once-in-a-lifetime encounter. If this one were wasted, the entire Tenglong Continent probably wouldn’t be able to find a second one, and by then, it would be regret with no tears left to cry.

As for Qian Sanyuan publicly showcasing the Meridian Refining Technique, it was a small benefit extended by him, the Vice Chairman of the Guild, to the Meridian Refining Masters of the Hidden Dragon Continent.

...

Xuanyue Imperial Palace!

Atop an extremely magnificent hall, the face of the Xuanyue Crown Prince, Xuan Jiuding, was gloomy as he stared at a woman donning a Phoenix Robe, seemingly waiting for something, yet also unsure of how to phrase it.

This woman in the Phoenix Robe is naturally Empress Nie Yi, the current Empress of the Xuanyue Empire. Her identity is prestigious, and her strength is considerable, having already reached the Peak of Spirit Vein Realm, and even half a step into the Earth Rank Third Realm, not far off from the previous King of Xuanyue Country, Xuan Haoran.

"Mother, will you speak? What are we supposed to do now?"

After a long time, seeing that Nie Yi still hadn’t spoken, Xuan Jiuding became anxious and blurted out coarsely: "My Meridian Qi is sealed, and Father had the good fortune to break through to the Qi Seeking Realm. Does this mean the throne of the Xuanyue Empire is destined not to be mine?"

These last few sentences were the biggest reason for Xuan Jiuding’s depression. He used to be so spirited, a Crown Prince of a country – even Sect Masters had to treat him with respect.

But now, having been hit by Yun Xiao’s Absolute Spirit Stabilizing Pulse Hand, Xuan Jiuding’s prospects of ever breaking through to the Spirit Vein Realm were destroyed, effectively ruining his talent.

Xuan Haoran had more than just one son, Xuan Jiuding. Not to mention others, Second Prince Xuan Jing was already a major threat at Xuan Jiuding’s peak, even more so now.

Furthermore, even this Empress herself still had her own son, Xuan Zhi. Seeing that Xuan Jiuding was of no use, switching her support to Xuan Zhi was entirely possible.

"Why the panic? The sky hasn’t fallen, has it?"

Seeing her normally composed beloved son looking like this, Nie Yi really felt an iron not turning into steel situation and lightly scolded him, then fell back into contemplation.

"How can I not panic? Father’s lifespan has increased by a whole three hundred years, and that vile spawn Yun Xiao has a powerful backer now. If we don’t take action soon, we may never have good days ahead!"

This is exactly what Xuan Jiuding worried about the most; he knew that all the things he had done to Yun Xiao before wouldn’t be easily forgiven.

If Yun Xiao from before attracted attention from Tenglong Continent’s major forces, acting against one from the Imperial Family of a Lower Five Realm Empire would still have many hesitations.

But now, the newly emerged Heavenly Rank Expert Yun Wei could easily annihilate the Xuanyue Royal Family with a mere flick of her finger, and those Tenglong Continent big shots wouldn’t dare utter a word of dissent.

Now that Xuan Haoran has received Yun Wei’s favor, if word goes out suggesting enmity with the Crown Prince, then it wouldn’t be surprising if somebody acted on behalf of Yun Xiao and his sister without them even lifting a finger, right?

Although Xuan Jiuding had lost his talent, his mental acuity remained intact, and he saw through these matters with extreme clarity. The situation was now urgent, leaving him no choice but to act swiftly. The Empress Nie Yi before him represented his last lifeline.

Tap, tap, tap!

Just as Xuan Jiuding was burning with anxiety, the sound of footsteps came from the entrance of the grand hall, stirring his heart. He immediately turned to look.

"Mr. Ran Xing, you’ve finally arrived!"

No sooner had Xuan Jiuding turned around than an excited voice sounded from behind him, and he then saw a black-clothed elder walking in from the outer area—a man whom he found remarkably familiar.

For this elder was none other than Ran Xing, the low-level Earth Rank Meridian Refining Master, who once conspired with Xuan Jiuding in an attempt to poison Xuan Jing. Thus, the two of them had become old acquaintances. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

However, back then, Ran Xing was outsmarted by Yun Xiao and forced to flee the Xuanyue Imperial Family, ultimately crossing paths with Yun Xiao again in the Lingtian Empire.

It wasn’t until that night, when Ran Xing and the Lingtian Crown Prince Nie Qianqiu sought to ambush Yun Xiao, only for Shen Xingmou to suddenly appear at the last moment, that with a single word "scram," Ran Xing’s body and soul were severely injured. After recuperating for a good half-year, he had just barely recovered.

"Empress, are you aware of the price for Ran’s assistance?"

Ran Xing paid no mind to the feverish-faced Xuan Jiuding, striding boldly forward to take a seat at the head of the hall, sipping the prepared fragrant tea before speaking in a deep voice.

"Of course, since I dared to invite Mr. Ran Xing, I’ve naturally made all the preparations. As long as this endeavor succeeds, anything from the Xuanyue Empire and Lingtian Empire will be at your disposal!"

As the Empress of the Xuanyue Empire and the younger sister of the current King of the Lingtian Empire, Nie Yi was well within her rights to make such a statement. Her words instantly made Ran Xing’s aged eyes light up.

"Tell me, Empress, what would you have me do?"

After agreeing on the terms, Ran Xing didn’t beat around the bush. Yet, there was a solemn look on his face, as this was the Xuanyue Empress requesting the deed; it surely wouldn’t be an easy task.

"This time, I want Xuan Haoran, that undying old man, to fall into a perpetual coma, but he must not die. Can you do it?"

After a brief moment of contemplation, Nie Yi took a deep breath and spoke, shocking not only Ran Xing with her words, but also the incredulous Xuan Jiuding sitting at the lower seat.

Xuan Jiuding indeed aspired to ascend to the throne of Xuanyue Country, but when Xuan Haoran, through Yun Wei’s aid, broke through to the Earth Rank Third Realm, he understood that this lofty dream might never come to fruition.

Moreover, as a young prodigy at the peak of the Meridian Union Realm, Xuan Jiuding had never contemplated taking action against his own father—the Emperor loomed large in his heart, an insurmountable mountain.

Even when Xuan Haoran’s time was nearing its end, Xuan Jiuding never wished to ascend the throne prematurely, not just due to Xuan Haoran’s formidable strength, but also because deep down, there remained a trace of filial affection.

However, Nie Yi had no such reservations. As a princess of the Lingtian Empire, her status was not much inferior to Xuan Haoran’s. Her strong-willed demeanor throughout the years had cultivated a disdain for others in her.

Nie Yi was aware that Yun Xiao had incapacitated Xuan Jiuding and that her third son, Xuan Zhi, had not yet matured. Consequently, the throne of the Xuanyue Empire might very well fall into Xuan Jing’s hands in the future.

Nie Yi had always looked down on Xuan Jing and her son. If it weren’t for Xuan Haoran’s constant protection, she might have long ago used her cunning to eliminate them—pose the greatest threat to her two sons.

Now that the threat had come to the fore, Nie Yi recognized that if she did not act now, she might never have another chance, which compelled her to take risks.

In the end, Xuan Haoran held sway over the Xuanyue Empire. While Nie Yi once had a say, that was because her strength was on par with Xuan Haoran’s. But now, it’s likely that Xuan Haoran no longer regarded her as an equal.

To achieve her goal, Nie Yi had to make a decisive move, thus she resolved to summon Ran Xing, a low-level Earth Rank Meridian Refining Master, hoping to target Xuan Haoran, who had just advanced to the early stage of the Qi Seeking Realm. Perhaps only a Poison Vein Master of such caliber stood a chance.

"Heh, the Empress has indeed approached the right person this time. After months in seclusion, I have just developed a new type of potent poison. I believe that even that lad Yun Xiao wouldn’t be able to unravel it easily!"

It seems Ran Xing was still fixated on Yun Xiao; after all, his several plots had been foiled at the hands of Yun Xiao. Given the chance, he would not hesitate to raze Yun Xiao to oblivion to quench the hatred in his heart.

Upon hearing this, a gleam appeared in Empress Nie Yi’s eyes, and Xuan Jiuding finally snapped back to reality, his eyes flashing with ruthlessness. He thought, if he was going to act, he might as well go all-in; this could be his last opportunity.

If Xuan Haoran were to fall into an unwakeable coma, the power of the Xuanyue Empire would invariably fall into the hands of the Empress. Then, by eliminating Xuan Jing and her son, Xuan Jiuding could still reign as the king of the Xuanyue Empire.

As for his sister Yun Wei, both Xuan Jiuding and Nie Yi knew that such a powerful being wouldn’t linger in the Lower Five Realms for long. Perhaps before long, Yun Xiao would no longer have such a formidable backing.