Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor
Chapter 396 Red-dressed Girl

Chapter 396: 396 Red-dressed Girl

Xuanyue Empire, Northern Domain!

This is the northernmost part of the Xuanyue Empire, almost at the boundary of the empire. Heading further north would lead to the territory of the neighboring Lingtian Empire.

Swoosh!

A figure dashed from afar, and revealing his face, it was Yun Xiao who hurried from the Jade Pot Sect to the Lingtian Empire. On his shoulder, a fiery-red, skinny old mouse lay listlessly.

"Once we pass the fort ahead, we should be able to reach the Lingtian Empire, right?"

Yun Xiao muttered to himself as he gazed at the distant row of formidable buildings. His steps, however, did not halt; he headed straight towards the fort.

Before embarking on this journey, Yun Xiao had again helped Ling Wan unblock his meridians, strengthening his Mixed Element Qi significantly and propelling him to the Peak of Meridian Rushing Realm.

However, upon reaching the Peak of Meridian Rushing Realm, Ling Wan met with some complications. No matter what methods Yun Xiao deployed, his Meridian Qi remained utterly stagnant, as if stuck.

It was only after being reminded by the Golden Snake Worm that Yun Xiao came to understand some mysterious secrets about the Mixed Element Qi. Thus, although his destination was the Lingyun Sect, he also purposefully looked out for an item known as "Mixed Element Grass," a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure crucial for Ling Wan’s Mixed Element Qi during his journey.

Despite travelling all the way from the Jade Pot Sect, Yun Xiao had not encountered even a trace of Mixed Element Grass, which quite frustrated him. It seemed he could only try his luck in the Lingtian Empire.

After paying the departure fee, Yun Xiao smoothly left the city and headed north for about a day. The silhouette of a large city was already visible in his line of sight.

"Is that Xuri City, the largest city in the south of the Lingtian Empire?"

Gazing at the city sprawled before him like a gigantic beast upon the land, Yun Xiao couldn’t help feeling rather sentimental. Although the Lingtian Empire bordered the Xuanyue Empire, the former’s national power was evidently stronger; one could tell just by looking at this border city.

Border cities are generally bustling, and after entering, Yun Xiao got a taste of Xuri City’s prosperity before eventually stopping in front of a grand pavilion.

"Treasure Pavilion?"

Looking at the three gold-encrusted characters above the door, a thought struck Yun Xiao. Thinking that the pavilion dared to claim itself as "Treasure," perhaps there could be Mixed Element Grass inside. He decided to go in and have a look.

Tap tap tap...

Just as Yun Xiao was about to step into the Treasure Pavilion, people rushed by his side as fast as the wind, several individuals swiftly entered the pavilion, accompanied by some discussions echoing around.

"Hurry, today is the Treasure Pavilion’s appraisal event, let’s try our luck!"

"Yes, I heard there are a few items even the Pavilion Master of Treasure Pavilion couldn’t identify. I wonder what treasures they are!"

"I got news that if someone can recognize three items, one of them will be gifted!"

"What luck, let’s not waste time!"

"..."

Though the people moved speedily, Yun Xiao, with his keen hearing, caught every word clearly. He didn’t take it to heart and was about to step into the Treasure Pavilion.

"Tsk tsk, who would’ve thought that after so many days, the Treasure Pavilion would even allow such lowly people to enter?"

A voice came from behind, and soon Yun Xiao felt several people forcefully pushing past him, squeezing him to one side. As he turned his head to see, a man dressed in luxurious robes, pot-bellied and walking arrogantly, approached slowly—it seemed that the remark was made by him.

Though the man didn’t give Yun Xiao a second glance, the implication of his words seemed to target the travel-worn youth, causing Yun Xiao’s expression to unconsciously darken.

However, after inspecting himself, Yun Xiao couldn’t help but wryly smile. He had been on the road for a long time without paying attention to his appearance, moving through deep forests and backwoods. No hint of the Jade Pot Sect’s top genius could be seen in his present state.

Furthermore, Yun Xiao had deliberately concealed his Meridian Qi Cultivation. At this moment, he appeared like a bumpkin who had never seen the world, no wonder he was looked down upon.

"So, it’s Lord Qiao Lin gracing us with his presence, truly an honor that brightens our humble pavilion!"

Upon seeing this person arrive, a steward, who had been serving guests within the pavilion, hurriedly came forward. From this, Yun Xiao finally learned the man’s name—Qiao Lin!

"Steward Zhang, the Treasure Pavilion is after all a reputable place in Xuri City. Perhaps we shouldn’t let just anyone in, shouldn’t we?"

Qiao Lin still didn’t spare Yun Xiao a glance, but his words grew increasingly impolite, the sharpness in Yun Xiao’s eyes flaring more intensely.

"Yes, yes, Lord Qiao Lin is absolutely correct!"

Steward Zhang was merely a steward in this ground-floor hall, and both in terms of status, strength, or position, he could not compare to Lord Qiao Lin. Knowing also that this person was somewhat acquainted with the Master of the Treasure Pavilion, he dared not neglect him.

After the conversation, Steward Zhang subtly stepped forward, blocking Zub Xiao from the pavilion doors, a move that pleased Qiao Lin enough for him to stride into the Treasure Pavilion.

Speaking of which, Yun Xiao was really frustrated—what had he done to deserve this? Just because his clothes were a bit simple? How had he become a lowly person denied entry to the Treasure Pavilion?

Resisting and yielding were not Yun Xiao’s style. Seeing Qiao Lin about to enter the Treasure Pavilion, his figure suddenly moved, inexplicably bypassing Steward Zhang, and he took a step ahead into the pavilion.

"Hmm?"

Qiao Lin only saw a blur before his eyes when that roughly dressed young man, whom he had never bothered to look at properly, was now standing right in front of him, which startled him into fury.

With Qiao Lin’s status, he wouldn’t normally deign to glance at a nobody like Yun Xiao. Thus, from beginning to end, he disdained to speak a single word to Yun Xiao, to demonstrate his, Qiao Lin’s, authority.

However, Qiao Lin had never expected that the seemingly intimidated country bumpkin would dare to rush in front of him into the Treasure Pavilion. This was nothing short of a slap in the face.

"How audacious!"

Seeing his master furious, a guard immediately could not restrain himself from shouting loudly. Taking a few steps forward, he reached out with both hands straight for Yun Xiao’s throat—a killing move right from the start.

"Truly seeking death!"

Seeing this, Yun Xiao’s expression darkened. He had not intended to squabble too much with these people, but seeing that they were poised to injure someone at the slightest displeasure, how could he possibly hold back?

The guard may appear imposing, his strength also being at the Meridian Rushing Realm Early Stage, but under Yun Xiao’s hand, his end was bound to be tragic.

"Pfft!"

While Qiao Lin was sneering, wanting to see that ignorant youngster be disciplined by his guard, a soft sound reached his ears. Subsequently, the guard was already clutching his stomach, rolling on the ground in extreme pain.

"What’s going on?"

Not only Qiao Lin was shocked, even Steward Zhang of the Treasure Pavilion was dumbfounded. Wasn’t that boy just a naive country bumpkin?

What was happening?

Even Qiao Lin, a strong practitioner of the Meridian Union Realm, hadn’t clearly seen what happened in that instant; it seemed he only saw the young man stretch out his hand, and immediately the guard at the Meridian Rushing Realm Early Stage was rolling on the ground.

But being accustomed to commanding others, Qiao Lin failed to realize the young man’s strength at once but instead bellowed with vexation, "Insolence!"

As the shout came out, Qiao Lin turned his head and again bellowed, "Steward Zhang, this is the Treasure Pavilion, are you really just going to watch this youngster commit violence here?"

Provoked by Qiao Lin, Steward Zhang’s heart chilled as he thought of Qiao Lin’s relationship with the Pavilion Master, and his Meridian Qi began to surge, ready to make a move against Yun Xiao.

"Hehe, the grand Treasure Pavilion, yet so blind and unreasonable, today this miss has truly seen it all!"

Just when Yun Xiao was inwardly cautious, ready to tear off the facade and seriously deal with these people, a pleasant feminine voice suddenly came from outside the pavilion. Though the voice was lovely, it was filled with sarcasm.

"Who is it? Daring to meddle in my, Qiao Lin’s, business?"

Hearing this, Qiao Lin’s fury was truly exceptional. In this Xuri City, he was a local hegemon. What was going on? Why did every Tom, Dick, and Harry feel they had the right to mock him?

As Qiao Lin turned his head, he was momentarily stunned, for standing before him was an extraordinarily beautiful young girl. Dressed in a pale red gown, which slightly reddened her snow-white beautiful face, she was utterly mesmerizing.

Even Yun Xiao, as composed as he was, couldn’t help but take a few more glances. This girl’s charm surpassed any woman he had seen since his rebirth, whether it was Mo Qing or Liu Hanyi, there seemed to be something lacking in comparison.

"Hmm? This gaze feels somewhat familiar?"

As Yun Xiao was sizing up the girl in red, her captivating eyes also turned towards him at that moment. Their gazes met, and Yun Xiao felt a shiver in his heart because these eyes, they seemed familiar from someone else.

"Wan’er..."

Like a name etched deep in his memory, never expected to reappear, it suddenly emerged in Yun Xiao’s mind, helping him remember where this familiar feeling originated.

For this red-dressed girl’s gaze was strikingly akin to his wife, Qinwan, who had betrayed him in his previous life. Even though their appearances were entirely different, that look was uncannily similar.

"What a great authority, it seems the Treasure Pavilion is really declining!"

Qiao Lin’s harsh tone did not make the girl in the red dress hesitate in the slightest. After retracting her gaze from Yun Xiao, she already spoke out coolly, her superiority evident, even more forceful than Qiao Lin.

"I wonder who this miss is..."

Faced with such an aura, even Qiao Lin felt somewhat unsure, a noble-born aura emanating from her very bones. If she came from a significant background, rashly offending her could lead to severe consequences.

People like Qiao Lin, who bully the weak and fear the strong, wouldn’t have survived till now otherwise. He had no apprehensions against the shabbily dressed Yun Xiao, but facing this evidently distinguished young lady, he really didn’t dare to act rashly.

"My identity, you aren’t qualified to know yet. Now I want to enter, do you still intend to stop me?"

The girl in the red dress’s eyes shifted eloquently. After her words fell, without waiting for Qiao Lin to respond, she had already walked directly into the Treasure Pavilion, leaving behind a trail of fragrance that left everyone somewhat dazed.