Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor
Chapter 223: Two hundred twenty-three Gap

Chapter 223: Two hundred twenty-three Gap

The Guardian of the first layer of Jade Pot Cave, naturally, could not pose any threat to Yun Xiao and his companions, and didn’t even cause any hindrances before they arrived inside the first layer.

However, the first layer of Jade Pot Cave only contained low-level Mortal Rank Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, which were of no significant use to Yun Xiao, so they all headed straight for the deeper layers.

Since life and death were allowed in Jade Pot Cave, upon entering the cave, Xuan Zhi, Zhao Ningshu, and Cao Luo hurriedly separated from Yun Xiao and the rest.

These individuals all bore grudges with Yun Xiao, and not insignificant ones at that. They were frightened that Yun Xiao might do something to them inside the cave and they would die unjustly.

In fact, Yun Xiao’s attention had long shifted away from these individuals who at most were at the Late Stage of Meridian Gathering Realm. As long as these fellows didn’t provoke him again, he couldn’t be bothered to deal with them since he had more important things to do.

First layer, second layer, third layer!

Soon, Yun Xiao, Ling Wan, and Song Tian had all entered the third layer of the Jade Pot Cave. If initially entering the third layer posed a difficulty when they first joined the Outer Sect, now it was incredibly easy.

After all, the Guardian that protected the entrance to the third layer was at the Late Stage of Meridian Gathering Realm just like Guan Hu had been. Such a Guardian was nothing for Song Tian, a cultivator at the Early Stage of Meridian Rushing Realm, to deal with, let alone for Ling Wan to break through easily.

In the third layer of the Jade Pot Cave, they could occasionally encounter low-level Spiritual Rank Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, akin to the Stone Heart Marrow that Yun Xiao had obtained back then on this very layer.

Ling Wan, being at the Late Stage of his Meridian Gathering Realm Cultivation, found the third layer was the most suitable for him, and with his strength, it was unlikely that he would even need to break through to the fourth layer.

Thus, upon entering the third layer, Ling Wan parted ways with Yun Xiao. Searching for treasure in the Jade Pot Cave naturally relied on luck. Besides, Yun Xiao and Song Tian’s goal was not the third layer.

Within the third layer of the Jade Pot Cave, although there were quite a few low-level Spiritual Rank items, more were still those of high-level Mortal Rank Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. Now, Yun Xiao naturally had to maximize the benefits.

Free entry into Jade Pot Cave was an opportunity not to be missed, which might even be a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Hence, Yun Xiao had to seize it to obtain the most suitable treasures.

Song Tian was a genius at the Early Stage of Meridian Rushing Realm and naturally would not linger on this third layer. The two moved together, searching for the heavenly treasures on the third layer while advancing towards the fourth level.

With the strength of Yun Xiao and Song Tian, the third-rank middle-level or advanced Vein Demons of the third layer posed little threat to them. Thus, after half an hour, they had already arrived at the entrance to the fourth layer.

Upon seeing that young figure standing at the cave’s entrance, both Yun Xiao and Song Tian tensed up, muttering to themselves as expected, for it was clearly the Guardian leading to the fourth layer of Jade Pot Cave.

"Early Stage Meridian Rushing Realm!"

With the strength of Yun Xiao’s soul, he had immediately sensed the Meridian Qi Cultivation of the young figure and murmured this aloud, leaving Song Tian beside him without any doubts.

The previous contender for the third layer was a young genius at the Late Stage of Meridian Gathering Realm. Back then, Yun Xiao had speculated about the level of the Guardian leading to the fourth layer.

Generally speaking, in cultivation, every three realms represent a threshold, such as the commonly mentioned Third Realm of Mortal Rank or Third Realm of Spiritual Rank. Thus, Yun Xiao had surmised that the Jade Pot Cave would similarly have a guardian every three layers, and now it seemed he was right.

No matter that Yun Xiao had consecutively defeated Feng Hang and Shen Xiao, both at the Early Stage of Meridian Rushing Realm, in the Outer Sect competition by employing certain clever strategies. He knew that a genius like the one in front of him, an Inner Sect Disciple at the Early Stage of Meridian Rushing Realm, might have an even stronger combat power than Feng Hang and Shen Xiao.

The person before them was clearly one of the genius disciples from a faction within the Inner Sect. As Yun Xiao knew, those who served as Guardians in the Jade Pot Cave were also rewarded with points. It seemed that if he wanted to enter the fourth layer, he must first overcome this challenge.

"Brother Song Tian, will you take the lead, or shall I?"

Yun Xiao didn’t dwell on it much longer. After glancing at the silent Guardian prodigy, he spoke up. In the next moment, he saw Song Tian step forward, expressing his own stance.

It seemed Song Tian was quite confident in his Early Stage Meridian Rushing Realm Cultivation, and he was grateful to Yun Xiao, intending to test the Guardian’s strength so that Yun Xiao would have more chance when he made his attempt to break through the barrier.

In Song Tian’s heart, he knew that the cultivation resources of these Inner Sect prodigies must be far more abundant than what he, a new recruit to the Inner Sect, had. However, the current situation was not about fighting these figures to death; he just needed to break through to the fourth layer.

"Junior Brothers, do not blame this Senior Brother here for not warning you, but life and death are not prohibited in Jade Pot Cave. If you’re accidentally injured later, that would be unfortunate!"

The Guardian scoffed disdainfully, as he listened to the conversation between the two challengers and watched Song Tian’s movements. The words he spoke were laced with a heavy threat.

Because the rewards in points these talented Inner Sect disciples received for participating in this guarding mission were tied to their performance. That is to say, for every genius that managed to breach the fourth layer, points would be deducted based on the intruder’s Meridian Qi Cultivation level.

For instance, during the first and second layers, Yun Xiao and Song Tian were much stronger than the Guardians; hence their advancement did not result in any deduction of reward points.

Only when a challenger with equal Meridian Qi Cultivation as the Guardian entered the next layer would there be a penalty of points deduction. For example, Song Tian, who was currently at the same Meridian Rushing Realm Early Stage as this Guardian, would certainly cause points to be taken away if he managed to break through.

As for Yun Xiao, needless to say, if he were to succeed in his challenge, the Guardian would lose even more reward points. This has been the rule in the Jade Pot Sect, to encourage the Guardians to be diligent and not to slack off even in the slightest.

Just like when Guan Hu let Xuan Zhi into the third layer initially, he probably had all of his reward points deducted. However, such an event could only occur under special circumstances.

Therefore, whether for the sake of fairness or personal interest, this Guardian would do his utmost to prevent Yun Xiao and Song Tian from entering the fourth layer. After all, what could be more important than points within the Jade Pot Sect?

Nonetheless, Song Tian was not about to be intimidated by the Guardian’s words. As a cultivator also in the Meridian Rushing Realm Early Stage, it would be daunting if it were a life-or-death fight, but simply breaking into the fourth layer seemed much easier.

Whoosh...

Hearing the sound of a rushing wind, Song Tian was quick to launch an attack, and in the eyes of the Guardian, a cold smile appeared, thinking these newly admitted Inner Sect Disciples were indeed too naive.

What appeared to be a swift strike from Song Tian was easily dodged by the Guardian. The next moment, his body slightly shifted to the left as if pushed back by Song Tian.

Seeing this, Song Tian’s heart surged with joy, as this was precisely his ultimate goal. Spotting the opening in front of him, without overthinking, he swiftly moved, attempting to exploit the space yielded by the Guardian to break into the fourth layer.

"Brother Song Tian, be careful!"

However, at this moment, Yun Xiao, not far away, noticed a slight change in expression and couldn’t help but shout out a warning. However, his alarm came a bit too late.

Bang!

Song Tian, who had just had his heart set on breaking through to the fourth layer, suddenly felt a whooshing in the wind, followed by a powerful blow to his lower abdomen. He felt as if he was being swept up by the clouds, flying backward, and finally landing heavily on the ground.

It turned out that the Guardian’s sidestep was not due to being pushed back by Song Tian, but a deliberate move designed to create an opening for a devastating counterattack.

After dodging the strike, the Guardian’s right leg lashed out like lightning at Song Tian’s lower abdomen, the force behind the kick so immense that Song Tian couldn’t withstand it.

"Pfft!"

Song Tian, thrown to the ground, seemed not to have fully absorbed the brunt of the hidden force and spat out a mouthful of blood, his form appearing rather pitiful and bloody.

At this point, Song Tian finally realized that though his cultivation at the Meridian Rushing Realm Early Stage seemed respectable, when faced with a veteran Inner Sect talent of the same level, he was effortlessly defeated.

One could say that with that single kick, the Guardian had completely shattered Song Tian’s confidence that had bolstered him to the Meridian Rushing Realm Early Stage; no wonder so many Outer Disciples were breaking their heads to join the Inner Sect.

Due to the tilt in resources, Cultivation Methods, and Meridian Techniques, even though Song Tian and the Guardian were both at the Meridian Gathering Realm Early Stage, a single move had led to his tragic defeat.

Not everyone in the world could fight across ranks like the Yun Xiao Spirit Pill. At the same level, the application of various techniques could make the combat strength of two cultivators worlds apart, just like Song Tian and the Guardian now.

This scene was also beyond Yun Xiao’s expectation. He had thought that being at the same Meridian Rushing Realm Early Stage, Song Tian could at least hold out for several exchanges, and possibly even have a chance to advance to the fourth layer of the Jade Pot Cave. To his surprise, the fight ended so quickly.

"Little junior brother, I’ve already said it just now, stop overestimating yourself. Next time, I won’t be merciful!"

With a single strike leaving Song Tian severely injured, a smug expression emerged on the Guardian’s face. These words, although seemingly directed at Song Tian, were in fact meant for another person in the room.

In the Guardian’s eyes, since Song Tian at the Meridian Rushing Realm Early Stage was already heavily injured by him, that kid who seemed to only have Meridian Gathering Realm Peak cultivation, must have been frightened out of his wits by now. With these words, he could save himself some effort.

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