Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor
Chapter 337: Three hundred and thirty-seven, change beyond recognition

Chapter 337: Three hundred and thirty-seven, change beyond recognition

Tat tat tat...

Xuanyue Imperial City.

In the dark of night, on a street within Baiyue City of the Imperial City, a uniform tapping sound could be heard. Following that, a troop of guards wearing Xuan Armor swiftly passed through, their footsteps quick, as if they were in pursuit of something.

"Hey, have you heard? The Royal Family has issued a Xuan Kill Order to hunt down a guy named Yun Xiao."

"Nonsense, who doesn’t know about that? It’s said that Yun Xiao stole a Supreme Treasure of the Royal Family, which triggered the King’s wrath and led to the issuing of the Xuan Kill Order!"

"It’s no surprise that you know this, but do you know who Yun Xiao is?"

"Isn’t he just a disciple of the Sect Master of the Jade Pot Sect? Daring to steal a Supreme Treasure of the Royal Family, even if he were the Heavenly King’s father, he wouldn’t be able to take a single step in the Xuanyue Empire!"

"You’re right. It looks like Yun Xiao won’t survive tonight!"

"..."

As that uniformed troop of guards in Xuan Armor vanished around the street corner, some people emerged from hiding, and from their discussions, it was evident that the major incident that had occurred within the Royal Family had spread far and wide.

Today was the birthday of King Xuan Haoran of the Xuanyue Country, and even Cultivators who had not received an invitation came to Baiyue City of the Imperial City to join in on the excitement.

Perhaps they might find some opportunity to establish connections with the powerful individuals from major Sects and noble families, which is why Baiyue City was bustling with life even at this late hour.

Moreover, with such a significant incident taking place and the King himself issuing the long-unseen Xuan Kill Order, this event had become the talk of Baiyue City.

However, regarding that disciple of the Sect Master of the Jade Pot Sect, Yun Xiao, everyone was pessimistic, believing that this young man who dared to provoke the Royal Family would certainly be unable to escape Baiyue City alive, and the only outcome waiting for him was a dead end.

Even if Yun Xiao had the Sect Master of the Jade Pot Sect as his teacher, under the Xuan Kill Order, it was feared that the Sect Leader, for the sake of the Sect, would not tear faces with the vast Xuanyue Imperial Family over a young Disciple, right?

"Hey, buddy, this Yun Xiao you’re talking about, what Treasure exactly did he steal that the Royal Family is making such a big fuss?"

As a small group of Cultivators was engaged in an animated discussion, a short-statured man with a pair of mustache appeared beside one of the middle-aged men, asking in a hushed tone.

The middle-aged man turned his head around and did not recognize this short man, but with the Cultivators in Baiyue City coming from all parts of the world, it was not unusual to live in the same inn and yet not know each other, so he did not find it too strange.

Moreover, the question that the short man asked was exactly what the middle-aged man knew, especially when he saw not only the short man but also the surrounding crowd looking at him, a smug expression quickly appeared on his face.

"Heh heh, brother, you’ve really asked the right person. The Treasure that Yun Xiao stole from the Royal Family is truly extraordinary!"

The middle-aged man maintained his proud demeanor but decided to tease the crowd. Seeing that everyone was listening attentively, he grew excited, yet his voice suddenly dropped lower as he said, "Do you know that the Royal Family possesses a Cultivation Technique known as a National Treasure?"

"Are you talking about the Earth Rank Low-Level Cultivation Technique: Xuantian Treasure Mirror, created by the founding King?"

It has to be said that there were knowledgeable people among the crowd. With just a hint from the middle-aged man, someone immediately exclaimed in response, instantly clarifying the matter for everyone.

"Xuantian Treasure Mirror, Earth Rank Low-Level Cultivation Technique?"

Yet while everyone was shocked and filled with speculation, the short man who initially asked the question now wore a puzzled look, which caused the crowd to show a hint of disdain.

"Brother, you haven’t even heard of the Xuantian Treasure Mirror? Are you not from the Xuanyue Empire?" The middle-aged man asked with a look of surprise, and the people around him seemed to agree.

Because they knew that any Cultivator from the Xuanyue Empire, except for a few extremely Low-Level Cultivators, would probably have heard of the name of the Xuantian Treasure Mirror, as it had become a faith of the Xuanyue Imperial Family and even the entire Xuanyue Empire.

The Xuan Tian Bao Jian might very well be the Xuanyue Empire’s sole Earth Rank Low Level Cultivation Technique, which signifies a whole different level of importance. Yet now, someone out there had apparently never heard of this name, how could they not be astonished?

"Yes, yes, yes, I am from a very remote family, and indeed I have not heard of the Xuan Tian Bao Jian!"

Seeing the expressions on everyone’s faces, a glint flashed in the stocky man’s eyes. After a brief explanation, he then asked, "Could it be that the Treasure lost by the Royal Family tonight is this Earth Rank Low Level Cultivation Technique, the Xuan Tian Bao Jian?"

"Could it be anything else? Besides the Xuan Tian Bao Jian, what else could cause so much rage from the King, to the extent of issuing the Xuan Kill Order?" The middle-aged man curled his lips, his previously created sense of mystery completely dissipated, leaving him only able to nod in acknowledgment.

With this confirmation, not only the stocky man, but also the others, even if they had speculated, couldn’t help but suck in a breath of cold air. They marveled at Yun Xiao’s audaciousness and at the same time couldn’t help but admire the youth’s courage.

In the Xuanyue Empire, who else possessed such boldness to dare to steal a Treasure from the Royal Family, and what’s more, a National Treasure like the Xuan Tian Bao Jian that had been passed down for a thousand years?

Moreover, Yun Xiao’s Cultivation hadn’t even broken through to the Meridian Union Realm. Now, everyone was curious as to how this Meridian Rushing Realm kid managed to steal the Xuan Tian Bao Jian and also escape from the heavily guarded Royal Palace.

Even though Yun Xiao was a disciple of the Jade Pot Sect Sect Leader, everyone knew in their hearts that in such a matter, Yu Shu would most likely never give a helping hand, as that would definitely cause an immediate rift between the Royal Family and the Jade Pot Sect.

All the changes were obvious at a glance, but the more people thought about it, the more they found the whole affair to be perplexing. Was that kid named Yun Xiao really blessed with extraordinary abilities that allowed him to steal the Treasure and escape from the Royal Palace?

What the crowd did not see was that, while they felt startled and amazed, the very stocky man who had earlier asked the question had quietly slipped away from the crowd, disappearing into a modestly sized inn.

"Goodness, that Crown Prince really uses every means at his disposal. However... an Earth Rank Low Level Cultivation Technique, how could that possibly catch the Long Xiao Battle God’s eye?"

Upon entering a room in the inn, the stocky man first let out a peculiar sigh of admiration. But the final part of his statement was filled with disdain, and from his self-reference, it turned out to be Yun Xiao who had escaped from the Royal Palace.

In fact, Yun Xiao, who had escaped from the Imperial Palace, indeed could not run far, given that the power of the Golden Snake Worm had almost shattered his body.

Fortunately, this time the situation seemed to be much better than when he was in the Meridian Treasure; the Golden Snake Worm had returned to sleep after withdrawing its power, and unlike last time, Yun Xiao didn’t immediately lose the ability to move.

Taking advantage of the time before the Xuan Kill Order was issued, Yun Xiao chose a small inn, and with the Disguise Technique he was proficient in from his previous life, he greatly changed his appearance and even used the Bone Shrinking Technique to make himself shorter.

At this moment, Yun Xiao appeared to be a short middle-aged man, nowhere near his original flair. What he had not anticipated was that the Royal Family would pursue him through the night and even issue a Xuan Kill Order, cutting off all his hopes of leaving the city.

Although extremely weak, Yun Xiao still forced himself to go out and gather the information he sought. However, as the former Long Xiao Battle God, the Earth Rank Low Level Xuan Tian Bao Jian truly did not appeal to him.

In Yun Xiao’s mind, there was an abundance of Heaven Rank and Holy Rank Cultivation Techniques; it was just that he currently could not Cultivate them. Besides, with the Ancient Dragon Taming Technique, any other Cultivation Technique seemed as redundant as a spare rib to him, utterly useless except as a gift.

Yun Xiao wasn’t too worried for his safety, as his Disguise Technique was so adept that even if he stood face to face with Ling Wan, someone who knew him very well, he might not be recognized, let alone by those Imperial Guards.

Previously, a squad of guards had even searched this little inn but failed to recognize him. Who could imagine a young lad transforming into a stocky middle-aged man in the blink of an eye?

What Yun Xiao needed to do most at the moment was to heal his injuries. Since the Golden Snake Worm had gone back to sleep after lending its strength to him, he had to rely on himself for what came next.

Nonetheless, Yun Xiao did not intend to escape the city overnight, especially since Baiyue City was under tight security. Although the inspection for those entering the city might not be strict, any individual leaving the city would likely be thoroughly interrogated. Under such circumstances, he could not assure that he would not reveal any flaws.

As for help from the Jade Pot Sect, Yun Xiao did not entertain the thought. Although he looked down on the Earth Rank Low Level Xuan Tian Bao Jian, from the discussions he had heard, he knew what this Cultivation Technique meant to the Xuanyue Royal Family.

After all, Yu Shu was the head of a Sect. In such a situation, Yun Xiao could understand why Yu Shu, for the sake of the Sect, wouldn’t risk falling out with the colossal Xuanyue Royal Family over a mere newly initiated Disciple.

Huff... huff...

The Ancient Dragon Taming Technique circulated, and it had to be said that this Cultivation Technique had an extremely effective healing power. Yun Xiao’s body, which had nearly fallen apart, had undergone rapid repair as the technique operated, and perhaps before long, he would be restored to peak condition.

This night in Baiyue City saw neither the local residents nor the various inns and lodges get a moment’s peace. Even the larger inns were searched several times by the Royal Guards, causing a real commotion.

However, all these actions were ultimately fruitless. They were doomed not to find the Treasure Thief, or perhaps they had once faced Yun Xiao without realizing it—a lamentable and pitiable oversight.