Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor
Chapter 425, I will return it to you in a moment!

Chapter 425: 425, I will return it to you in a moment!

"Mu Yun, I think this kind of person who has no abilities and just comes to create trouble should be thrown out to prevent the atmosphere of the Meridian Refining Master Guild from being tainted!"

Nie Qianqiu turned his head, seemingly angry. Indeed, as someone of the Crown Prince’s status, taking an exam with such people would truly be a stain on his life.

"This..."

Hearing this, Mu Yun hesitated; although she wanted to drive away this person who coveted her beauty, this was the Meridian Refining Master Guild, and the person hadn’t actually caused any trouble, so kicking them out was not a very good decision.

"That... Since I don’t have a badge, can I start the exam from Mortal Rank Low-Level Meridian Refining?"

Just as the Crown Prince was feeling uneasy and thinking of a way to get rid of Yun Xiao, the latter spoke again, which once again surprised everyone.

"Start from the beginning?"

Xiao Qian nodded and said, "That’s feasible, but you must first pay a deposit of one thousand Gold Coins. If you pass, it will be returned; if not, consider it compensation for the material losses!"

Yun Xiao’s proposal was naturally viable, as not all who come to the Meridian Refining Master Guild for assessment would have badges. Some examining for Mortal Rank Low-Level Meridian Refining Master have to start from the beginning, right?

Regarding the deposit of one thousand Gold Coins, it was quite fair, as the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for the exam, and patients, are certainly provided by the Meridian Refining Master Guild. With how many people they assess each day, without a deposit, they would likely incur heavy losses.

"One thousand Gold Coins?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Xiao frowned slightly and felt a bit regretful that he hadn’t sold those Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures identified in the Treasure Pavilion at Xuri City; otherwise, he wouldn’t be unable to produce one thousand Gold Coins.

However, he obviously forgot that the Treasures obtained from the Treasure Pavilion, which comprised all of Pavilion Master’s possessions, were taken by him, he just wasn’t aware of it.

Originally, at the Shang Family’s place, Yun Xiao was always under his mother’s protection, then he was taken to the Jade Pot Sect where he only needed Points, inadvertently neglecting this common currency. Now, he saw himself as utterly poor.

"I say, lad, don’t tell me you can’t even produce one thousand Gold Coins?"

Seeing this, Crown Prince Nie Qianqiu’s face looked quite strange. This guy had boasted about taking the exam for Spiritual Rank Low-Level Meridian Refining Master, but not only did he lack the Meridian Refining Master Badge, he couldn’t even produce one thousand Gold Coins.

Where on earth did this bumpkin come from, not here to make trouble but rather to joke? At this moment, Nie Qianqiu’s anger seemed to have vanished, replaced by a smirk.

"That... Crown Prince, right? Could you lend me five hundred Gold Coins, I’ll return it to you in a bit!"

Hearing the Crown Prince speak, Yun Xiao brightened up. All counted, he could only gather five hundred Gold Coins on himself, presuming that to the Crown Prince, five hundred Gold Coins wasn’t a significant amount.

Indeed, five hundred Gold Coins is already a considerable amount for a regular family, but Yun Xiao had never worried about money; in the Treasure Pavilion, transactions often involved tens of thousands of Gold Coins, so five hundred seemed trivial.

Moreover, Yun Xiao thought, examining for Mortal Rank Low-Level Meridian Refining Master would certainly be a piece of cake, saying "I will return it shortly" wasn’t just talk.

But Yun Xiao’s overly confident words met with different reactions from those around him; Xiao Qian was stunned, Mu Yun was disgusted, whereas the Crown Prince could not help but laugh.

"Fine, I’ll lend you five hundred... no, one thousand Gold Coins. I, the Crown Prince, must see just how capable you are, and if you can’t return it later, don’t blame me for being discourteous!"

Nie Qianqiu was just looking for an opportunity to take action against Yun Xiao. The lad himself had openly asked to borrow money. Although they had no real connection, if he failed the examination and could not produce one thousand Gold Coins, he (Nie Qianqiu) would be completely justified in his actions, and even the Meridian Refining Master Guild couldn’t say much.

"Thanks a lot, Crown Prince!"

Yun Xiao was not as circuitous as Nie Qianqiu; he thought, despite the Crown Prince’s harsh words, he certainly seemed to be a helpful person. It would be good to make connections with him if possible.

Thud!

A money bag was thrown onto the front desk by Nie Qianqiu, making a loud sound, and Yun Xiao just pointed to it saying, "This is my deposit, can we start the exam now?"

"This... Yes!"

Seeing that this fellow had indeed managed to borrow money from the Crown Prince in just a few words, Xiao Qian was speechless. Since the deposit had been paid, everything would proceed by the rule.

"Please follow me!"

Xiao Qian didn’t drag his feet; after stowing the money bag in his Waist Storage, he gestured with a hand, and Yun Xiao, smiling at Nie Qianqiu, followed along.

"Crown Prince, are you also taking the exam for Spiritual Rank Low-Level Meridian Refining Master now?"

Seeing the backs of the two men, Mu Yun turned to ask, but while mentioning the Spiritual Rank Low-Level Meridian Refining Master, a spark of eagerness crossed her eyes.

This is the Crown Prince of the Lingtian Empire, much more reliable than the man who just appeared out of nowhere. Being a Spiritual Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master at twenty-five, how exhilarating it would be to establish a connection with him.

"Not so fast, let’s see if that young fellow can pass first!"

However, as soon as Mu Yun stopped speaking, Nie Qianqiu had already moved his feet and quickly walked in the direction of Yun Xiao and Xiao Qian, causing Mu Yun to feel a sense of unease.

Whether that youngster is truly skilled or not, at least he managed to garner the attention of the Crown Prince. Even if that fellow indeed fails the examination, this might be considered an honor, right?

Thinking thus, Mu Yun quickly followed, and soon saw Xiao Qian and Yun Xiao standing in front of a room, waiting.

Yun Xiao examined the room briefly; a wooden plaque hung beside the door with "Mortal One" written on it, indicating that this was the evaluation place for Mortal Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master.

Creak!

Just as Yun Xiao was observing the room, the door was suddenly pulled open from inside, and out came a middle-aged man with a face full of disappointment and frustration, apparently failing the assessment.

"Why has the examination for Mortal Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master become increasingly difficult?"

The middle-aged man muttered to himself and when he raised his head, he instantly paused upon noticing the several people in front of him, especially when he saw a young man in plain clothes. He seemed to find some solace, which somewhat dissipated the discontent on his face.

A Meridian Refining Master not only needs guidance from a teacher but also a cumulative experience over time. Like this middle-aged man, who is over forty years old and still unable to pass the Mortal Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master, there must be some aspect in which he doesn’t meet the requirements.

Perhaps only people with influential backgrounds like the Crown Prince of the Empire could have both a teacher and a continuous supply of resources to cultivate their Meridian Refining Technique. Otherwise, how could someone attain the level of Mortal Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master in their early twenties?

Therefore, when this middle-aged man saw Yun Xiao, he knew that this young man most likely wouldn’t succeed. A teenager of sixteen or seventeen had no way to match his years of refining experience.

Little did the middle-aged man know that, although this young man appeared to be merely sixteen or seventeen, his Meridian Refining Technique was informed by his past life experience of being at the Holy Rank Peak, making him unparalleled in the Meridian Refining Master Guild solely based on experience.

"Ah, Crown Prince!"

A moment later, the middle-aged man finally noticed another young man standing not far away, and was so frightened that his legs weakened, prompting him to hurriedly offer a respectful bow.

Anyone who was a cultivator in the Imperial City of Lingtian Empire would recognize Nie Qianqiu. Furthermore, the middle-aged man knew that his Meridian Refining Technique was probably much stronger than his own. Why then was he standing outside the room for the examination of Mortal Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master?

"Um!"

Nie Qianqiu didn’t pay much attention to these unimportant people. He came here just to see if the young man in plain clothes could pass, and the outcome might appear very soon.

"Next!"

Suddenly, a deep voice came from inside the room, and shortly after, Xiao Qian gave Yun Xiao a push on his back, indicating that it was his turn.

Yun Xiao smiled slightly, completely devoid of the nervousness one might expect before an examination. After all, it was just a test for Mortal Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master. What difficulty would that pose for him?

"Yun Jie, do you think he can pass?"

Since she was the one receiving him, Xiao Qian was hopeful that Yun Xiao could pass, but she wasn’t very sure, and directly asked the more experienced Mu Yun next to her.

"Hmph, I hope his Meridian Refining Technique is as impressive as his acting!"

Mu Yun had no good feelings towards Yun Xiao and even held a prejudiced view in her heart that Yun Xiao was eyeing her beauty, hence she used the term "acting." From her perspective, Yun Xiao’s earlier behavior was just to catch her attention, merely pretending.

Creak!

However, just as the two women had exchanged a few words, the door of the room was pulled open again from inside, and a young figure with a tranquil demeanor walked out.

That figure was naturally Yun Xiao. In just a few breaths’ time, he had already come out, and his clothing and expression remained unchanged; it looked as if he just took a round inside the room.

"Did he... fail?"

Seeing Yun Xiao’s state, Xiao Qian’s heart sank, pondering if he just messed around immediately upon entering and was thrown out directly by the Meridian Refining Master assessing Mortal Rank Middle Level.

Others naturally thought the same, for if he had passed, it was unlikely he would be out this soon. Even when Nie Qianqiu himself took the test for Mortal Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master, he spent a full two hours.

"Ah, it seems I really overestimated this young man!"

Although Nie Qianqiu sighed inwardly, a fierce light flickered in his eyes. Now that the young man had failed, he of course couldn’t return the 1000 Gold Coins he had borrowed.

’It’s a matter of life for life and debt for money.’ With this, he could legitimately cause trouble for this young man since he had made rash and exaggerated statements earlier.