Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor
Chapter 343: Three hundred and forty-three Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Masters

Chapter 343: Three hundred and forty-three Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Masters

"Father, great joy has arrived!"

However, just as Yun Xiao was about to employ some technique to help Xuan Jing resolve the issue of the Yin Light Devouring Energy Worm, a somewhat familiar voice suddenly rang out from outside the doors of the bedchamber.

Immediately afterward, as the door eased open, two figures, one in white and one in black, entered side by side. Upon seeing the younger figure, everyone in the room dared not show any negligence, because that person was none other than the Crown Prince of the Xuanyue Empire: Xuan Jiuding!

Although Xuan Haoran remained the nominal ruler of Xuanyue Country, in the past few years, Xuan Jiuding had been handling most of the political affairs. Moreover, many people knew that Xuan Haoran’s end was approaching and he wouldn’t live much longer. The future Xuanyue Empire was bound to be under the Crown Prince’s control.

"Jiuding, you’ve arrived. May I ask the reason for your good cheer?"

Xuan Haoran looked to be in a good mood, presumably because Yun Xiao had just made the transparent worm visible, giving him hope for Xuan Jing’s cure. Thus, he did not object to Xuan Jiuding’s abrupt arrival.

However, the Empress next to him did not share his pleasant disposition. She knew that her beloved son lying in bed and this Crown Prince had never got along. Even more, she suspected that her son’s current condition could very well be the Crown Prince’s doing.

Since Xuan Jing fell into a coma, Xuan Jiuding had repeatedly sent people to treat him under the pretense of concern, but each attempt was futile. The Empress kept a keen eye on these events.

Now, just as Yun Xiao had discovered the cause of Xuan Jing’s ailment and was about to intervene with his healing technique, Xuan Jiuding appeared uninvited. Despite the Empress’s secluded life within the palace, she was capable of making her own judgments.

On the other hand, Yun Xiao, upon seeing Xuan Jiuding’s arrival, had already withdrawn his hand from Xuan Jing’s chest. He glanced intentionally or unintentionally at the elder man in black robes, only to realize that the latter was also sizing him up.

"Indeed, a low-level Earth-rank Meridian Refining Master. This Crown Prince is truly extraordinary!"

The moment Yun Xiao saw the elder in black robes, he was struck with realization, confirming his suspicions beyond a doubt.

Normally, a Mortal Rank Meridian Refining Master would be incapable of sensing the specifics of a low-level Earth-rank Meridian Refining Master, as the difference between their Powers of Soul was simply too vast.

However, Yun Xiao was different. In his past life, he was the Dragon Cloud Battle God, a Holy Rank Meridian Refining Master. Even though his current Meridian Refining ability had just achieved Mortal Rank Advanced, he was extremely familiar with the aura of an Earth-rank Meridian Refining Master.

"Hmph, and here I thought who it could be, turns out it’s just a minor Mortal Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master, you gave me quite the scare!"

In contrast, the black-robed elder whom Xuan Jiuding called Elder Xing, after taking a glance at Yun Xiao, lost all interest, deeming him nothing more than a fluke discovery without any real threat.

Yun Xiao and Elder Xing’s exchange of looks only lasted a moment. The next, Xuan Jiuding also shifted his gaze away from Yun Xiao and respectfully replied, "Father, this Elder Xing is a low-level Earth-rank Meridian Refining Master. After much effort, I finally persuaded him to accompany me back to have a look at the Second Brother. Is this not a happy event?"

"Gasp... A low-level Earth-rank Meridian Refining Master?"

Xuan Jiuding spoke confidently, and as he did, his words turned the entire bedchamber silent. The title of "low-level Earth-rank Meridian Refining Master" was too shocking to hear.

After all, this was the Hidden Dragon Continent, where not even the chief Meridian Refining Master of the Royal Family or the current Sect Master Yu Shu of the Jade Pot Sect had reached beyond the peak of Spiritual Rank Advanced Meridian Refining. The prospect of breaking into Earth Rank was a distant dream.

Ever since Xuan Jing fell comatose, even Xuan Haoran had failed to invite a single low-level Earth-rank Meridian Refining Master. Clearly, such masters could disregard a whole country’s monarch with impunity.

On the Hidden Dragon Continent, it wasn’t that low-level Earth-rank Meridian Refining Masters didn’t exist, but in the Xuanyue Empire, they were like phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, extremely rare. Wasn’t Xuan Jiuding’s ability to find and even bring one back to the Xuanyue Imperial Family suggesting that his capability surpassed even his father’s?

"Having Elder Xing grace us with his presence, I am remiss for not greeting you from afar, please forgive me!"

Facing a low-level Earth-rank Meridian Refining Master, and potentially one whose Meridian Qi Cultivation ranked even above his own, Xuan Haoran, the monarch of an entire nation, dared not slight him. He immediately folded his hands in a bow, a gesture not seen from the monarch for quite some time.

"It’s alright. I am here in consideration of the Crown Prince’s request to take a look," Elder Xing said, dismissing the remark with a wave of his hand, appearing neither humble nor arrogant. After his words, a hint of pride clearly flitted across Xuan Jiuding’s eyes. It was as if gold was being added to his face.

"Elder Xing, please help my son to diagnose and see what exactly has befallen him," urged Xuan Haoran.

Xuan Haoran was not losing his sense. With just a few words, he redirected the conversation back to Xuan Jing’s condition. At this moment, the one who had drawn out the transparent worm had willingly stepped aside.

No matter how miraculous Yun Xiao’s method just now was, in front of a low-level Earth-rank Pulse Refining Master, he was undoubtedly insignificant, barely even qualified to speak.

However, Yun Xiao didn’t pay much attention to this. Noticing Elder Xing looking over, he directly retreated several steps, signaling the elder to step forward. He was actually rather curious to see, what abilities did this old man truly possess?

Who knew that as Yun Xiao stepped aside, Elder Xing did not move forward. Instead, he pondered for a moment with a solemn expression and then spoke directly: "If I am not mistaken, the Second Prince has been invaded by a poison called the ’Yin Light Devouring Energy Worm,’ which has led to his coma!"

While Elder Xing talked, he waved his sleeve, and Xuan Jing, who was lying on the bed, became transparent once again, with the worm situated near his heart appearing lifelike.

Even though everyone had already seen the eeriness of the transparent worm, Elder Xing’s prowess was undoubtedly far superior to Yun Xiao’s previous contact with Xuan Jing and making it visible just now. Their difference in skill was immediately apparent.

"Yin Light Devouring Energy Worm?"

Upon hearing this name, both Xuan Haoran and the Empress showed bewildered expressions. It was clear that they had never heard of such a poisonous insect, let alone knew how to cure it.

"Elder Xing, I beg you to lend your aid and save my son!"

Just a single demonstration of skill had filled Xuan Haoran with immense confidence in Elder Xing. He bowed with his fists again, and this time the Empress also put aside the strangeness in her heart, hoping that this robed elder could truly heal her son.

"Your Majesty, waking the Second Prince is not a difficult task; we only need to force the Yin Light Devouring Energy Worm out of his body. However..."

Elder Xing paused for a moment and then turned his head to glance at Xuan Jiuding before continuing: "But considering that the Second Prince has been afflicted by the Yin Light Devouring Energy Worm for almost two months, even if he is brought back, his cultivation... alas!"

Elder Xing left his last words unfinished, but everyone in the sleeping quarters understood his implication—that the dignified Second Prince, even if he survived, could only be a cripple from then on.

"What... what?"

At these words, Xuan Haoran managed to keep his composure, only trembling slightly. The Empress, bound by a mother’s intuition, nearly fainted on the spot.

The Empress knew all too well how proud and talented her son was. He wouldn’t have been considered the greatest threat by Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding otherwise.

Having laboriously cultivated his Meridian Qi to the Meridian Union Realm level, if he were to be knocked down from his pedestal and become a cripple, the Empress knew that this would be even harder for Xuan Jing to accept than death itself.

"Elder Xing... Elder Xing, is there really no other way?"

The Empress’s voice quivered as she asked, unaware that as she spoke, Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding, standing nearby, had a malicious glint flicker in his eyes.

Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding came here this time mainly because of the manifestation of the Yin Light Devouring Energy Worm and the worries of any mishap occurring; but the more significant reason was precisely what Elder Xing had said.

The attack on Xuan Jing was because he posed a threat to Xuan Jiuding’s position as Crown Prince. After the scheme within the Meridian Treasure failed to succeed, Xuan Jiuding had Elder Xing take action once again.

However, Xuan Jiuding knew that although this matter was done covertly, it would still raise many suspicions, especially in the minds of those like the Empress, who had preconceived notions.

Hence, Xuan Jiuding brought Elder Xing with him. He intended to show a facade of brotherly affection in front of his father, the King, because, as Elder Xing had said, even if Xuan Jing was saved, he would just be a cripple and pose no threat to him, the stunningly talented Crown Prince.

It has to be said that after many years as Crown Prince, Xuan Jiuding had developed a ruthless and unscrupulous character to achieve his goals, whether it was the initial ploy against Yun Xiao or this incident involving Xuan Jing; he had everything under control.

"It seems that neither Your Majesty nor the Empress is aware of how formidable the Yin Light Devouring Energy Worm is!"

Elder Xing cast a glance at Xuan Haoran, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. He proceeded to explain some of the peculiar attributes of the Yin Light Devouring Energy Worm. When the crowd heard that such a poison might not originate from the Hidden Dragon Continent, everyone was greatly shocked.

Even a few Spiritual-rank, low-level Pulse Refining Masters started to subtly distance themselves from Xuan Jing, as if they were afraid to be affected by the Yin Light Devouring Energy Worm and suffer the consequences.

"If that is the case, then please, Elder Xing, do your utmost to save him. It would be fortunate for Jing’er to keep his life!"

With matters having reached this point, Xuan Haoran had no better options, or perhaps he had developed blind trust in this low-level Earth-rank Pulse Refining Master. Since Elder Xing had said so, perhaps preserving Xuan Jing’s life was indeed the best outcome.

However, in the moment of Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding and Elder Xing’s self-satisfaction, they failed to notice, somewhere, a stocky man’s eyes flashed with disdain and peculiarity.

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