Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

"In the end... still have to leave, huh?"

Watching the figure already heading towards the southeastern sky with the support of Mo Qing and Xu Hongzhuang, Xue Ningxiang couldn’t help but feel a bit melancholic, as if even the joy she felt just moments ago had been somewhat diluted.

To be honest, Xue Ningxiang herself didn’t know exactly how she felt about Yun Xiao. She only knew that the moment she saw Yun Xiao, she would feel an uncontrollable joy in her heart, and when she didn’t see him for a long time, she would inexplicably become melancholic.

It wasn’t until that moment, when Xue Ningxiang heard the words with implied meaning from Yun Xiao, that she finally realized something — the so-called feelings!

"Alright, he ultimately isn’t someone this small Tenglong Continent can hold back!"

Beside her, Xue Ningsheng gently patted his daughter’s shoulder, seemingly reluctant, and then added, "Don’t forget, you too are of the rare Illusion Yin Ghost Body constitution. Why worry about not meeting again in the future?"

Upon hearing her father’s words, Xue Ningxiang regained some confidence. She understood her father’s meaning, which was to say that she was also uniquely gifted and would surely leave the Tenglong Continent in the future, heading towards the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud.

In that higher plane, known to them as the highest plane, it was the stage for these exceptionally talented individuals. That stage would undoubtedly be even more spectacular.

Not only was this Xuanyin Hall’s young lady feeling melancholic watching Yun Xiao’s departing figure, even the ordinary cultivators or the leaders of first-class forces had a sense of unfulfilled desire.

"From now on, I fear that the Tenglong Continent will be dominated by the Meridian Refining Master Association, won’t it?"

Li Yunfan, the Island Master of Ling Kong Island, approached his old friend Ouyang Wuantong, expressing his sentiment aloud while withdrawing his gaze from the figure disappearing into the southeastern sky.

Hearing this, Ouyang Wuantong nodded. Even as the Sect Leader of the Shenxiao Sect, known for his meticulousness, he understood who now controlled the dynamics on the Tenglong Continent.

Wuyan Palace and Spirit Fighting Commerce had long been annihilated, and Xuanyin Hall was in ruins. Among the once four superpowers, only the Meridian Refining Master Association remained intact.

Not only were its experts unharmed, but it also saw the rise of a younger generation led by Yun Xiao. That monstrous fellow needed no mentioning. Both Liu Hanyi and Mo Qing had reached the Floating Life Realm’s peak as Heavenly Rank experts.

The Floating Life Realm peak – some leaders of first-class forces were only at this level of cultivation, for example, the Family Heads of the Chu Family or Zhao Family, were both at the Floating Life Realm peak.

Previously, the Meridian Refining Master Association relied solely on Lu Yanji’s support. Other figures like Qingmu Wu and Qian Sanyuan were only remarkable in the Meridian Refining Technique, but their Meridian Qi Cultivation combat power wasn’t much stronger than the leaders of other first-class forces.

But now, the Meridian Refining Master Association not only had Lu Yanji but also a monstrous Yun Xiao who had risen like a comet. Who would dare challenge its power?

Reflecting on Yun Xiao’s performance over the years on the Tenglong Continent, Ouyang Wuantong felt a sense of lament, thinking that the Tenglong Continent had never seen such a demon-like figure in its history.

"Xiaosheng, you should set out for Lianyun Mountain immediately. If you can receive even a tip or two from Yun Xiao, it will benefit you for a lifetime!"

Apparently recalling something, Ouyang Wuantong suddenly looked at the Shenxiao Sect’s top talent beside him, speaking words that left Nie Xiaosheng both amused and in agreement.

To be honest, since the Meridian Refining Conference ended, Nie Xiaosheng had been staying at the Meridian Refining Master Association, aiming to gain Yun Xiao’s guidance and to build a closer relationship with him, as Ouyang Wuantong suggested.

But who would have thought that even staying at Lianyun Mountain almost brought unexpected disaster when Wuyan Palace launched a massive attack, leaving Nie Xiaosheng in despair.

Yet it was that young man who appeared out of nowhere with mystical and ingenious methods, saving Lianyun Mountain from dire straits, and allowing the outsider cultivators like them to survive the catastrophe.

Because, at that time, like Nie Xiaosheng, they all understood that if Wuyan Palace truly destroyed the Meridian Refining Master Association, none present—no exception—would survive.

"Yes, teacher!"

Understanding this, Nie Xiaosheng did not hesitate much. Perhaps he knew in his heart that the young man, younger than himself, now possessed strength far surpassing his own teacher.

"Just right, Beiche, you should also accompany Xiaosheng to the Meridian Refining Master Association along the way!"

Seemingly inspired by Ouyang Wuantong, Li Yunfan’s eyes lit up, then he turned to the array formation genius beside him from Ling Kong Island and spoke, his eyes glinting with a sparkle.

This Ling Kong Island genius was named Yu Beiche, whose Meridian Qi cultivation was a notch above Nie Xiaosheng’s. It is worth mentioning that he was already an Earth Rank Advanced Array Master at a young age.

Ling Kong Island’s younger generation boasted a pair of genius heroes, named Li Jizhou and Yu Beiche, both were direct disciples of Li Yunfan, with comparable talent and expertise in array formation.

However, back when Li Jizhou was at Lianyun Mountain, he received an array formation summary passed down by Yun Xiao. In the following period, his array formation techniques advanced rapidly, nearing the level of a Heavenly Rank Array Master.

Yu Beiche had naturally seen that Array Formation Summary, but he did not refuse his teacher’s suggestion at the moment. Gaining personal guidance from Yun Xiao would be like a blessing.

"Beiche, you must set aside your pride on this journey. Yun Xiao’s understanding of array formations has likely surpassed your teacher’s. If you can humbly seek advice, you’ll surely benefit greatly, just like Jizhou did!"

Noticing a hint of pride on his disciple’s face, Li Yunfan had to remind him again. He didn’t want his disciple’s arrogance to offend Yun Xiao.

"Teacher, am I someone who doesn’t know what’s appropriate?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Beiche’s face showed a trace of helplessness. He thought to himself, in today’s Tenglong Continent, even the most prideful geniuses or senior experts dare not show off in front of Yun Xiao.

Indeed, while Yu Beiche was extremely proud, he knew when to draw the line. His array formation talent was impressive among young geniuses, but the one known as the demon Yun Xiao was clearly out of his league.

To say nothing else, the fact that Yun Xiao broke through the so-called Sky-covering Water Formation in an instant made Yu Beiche sincerely convinced. That was a large array that even his own teacher, a Heavenly Rank Intermediate Array Master, couldn’t dismantle after over a month of effort.

Who knew that the guy named Yun Xiao could break the Sky-covering Water Formation in just thirty minutes and even rescued Liu Hanyi and others casually?

If Yun Xiao’s strength in meridian qi cultivation wasn’t enough to convince Yu Beiche, then his profound skill in array formations certainly was.

For any genius, only by being surpassed in their area of expertise can they truly be convinced, much like the geniuses of Lianyun Mountain or the Beast Vein talents of Demons Mountain.

Similar to Shenxiao Sect and Ling Kong Island, many leaders of first-class forces, after weighing their options, sent their young talents to Lianyun Mountain, all with somewhat similar purposes.

Even Sky Thunder Valley or the Zhao Family sent their young talents to the Meridian Refining Master Association, for example, the genius Ye Suxin of Killing Heart Sect, who was reluctantly pushed out by the sect leader.

"Suxin, even after you offended Yun Xiao, he didn’t kill you. Maybe he has some interest in you. You must seize this opportunity!"

The Killing Heart Sect Leader advised Ye Suxin earnestly, making the genius known as "Su Shou Yanluo" of Killing Heart Sect blush for the first time.

"Teacher, why did you use the word ’also’?"

Ye Suxin, keen-minded, immediately noticed her teacher’s choice of words. Her face flushed as she asked, feeling a strange sensation in her heart.

"Suxin, you’ve been with me since you were little, do you think I can’t see through your thoughts?"

The Killing Heart Sect Leader replied with a half-smile, causing Ye Suxin’s pretty face to turn even redder. Memories of fighting alongside Yun Xiao on the Slaughter Spirit Battlefield flashed in her mind.

Ye Suxin once had deep animosity with Yun Xiao and even pursued him. At this moment, she felt a little grateful for the sudden attack of the Strange Spirit Army back then.

If not for that battle with the strange spirits, Ye Suxin believed Yun Xiao wouldn’t have spared her anywhere else.

The previous battles fought together, along with the young man’s dazzling performance, gradually replaced Ye Suxin’s grudges with admiration, something she barely admitted to herself until her teacher mentioned it.

"Teacher... sigh, there are so many women who fancy him, and each one has deep ties with him. What am I?"

After some awkwardness, Ye Suxin didn’t hide her thoughts in front of her teacher, and by the end of her words, there was a sense of melancholy.

Just as Ye Suxin said, there were many female friends around Ye Bing. Both Liu Hanyi and Mo Qing had deep ties with Yun Xiao from their time on the Hidden Dragon Continent.

Ye Suxin even knew that Xu Hongzhuang, who went with Yun Xiao to Lianyun Mountain, had a marriage arrangement with him. She noticed something special about their relationship during the Slaughter Spirit Battlefield.

"Everything requires effort, and only by trying will you not have regrets!"

As the Killing Heart Sect Leader, he knew that Yun Xiao, so dazzling, would naturally attract many women. But he supported his disciple; if she didn’t even try, she would surely regret it in the future.

"Alright, then I’ll follow your advice and try my luck at Lianyun Mountain!"

Seemingly encouraged by her teacher’s gaze, Ye Suxin found a certain courage within herself. Her eyes became more resolved, and she strode towards the southeast.

At the same time, many young talents from first-class forces were also urged by their leaders to flock to Lianyun Mountain. Their intentions seemed the same—they all wanted to form a connection with the extraordinary young man.

After these first-class forces’ leaders and young talents departed, the area around the Stepping Heavenly Stone was left with mid-sized forces or some powerful loose cultivators.