Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor
Chapter 59: Fifty-nine Meridian Fire re-emerges

Chapter 59: Fifty-nine Meridian Fire re-emerges

Because the slender figure that appeared on the battlefield at this moment was none other than Tan Yun, who had only days before caused Cao Jun to suffer an injury with a whip, and she was also a cultivator in the late stage of the Meridian Introduction Realm, just like him.

The reason Cao Jun was confused was that he knew very clearly that this woman had already been targeted by his second brother not long ago. So why was she able to spare the effort to join this battle after Cao Ju had made a move?

As Cao Jun was puzzled and turned his head towards a certain part of the battlefield, he finally had a realization and felt an extreme sense of disbelief. He was astonished to see his second brother, the formidable cultivator at the peak of the Meridian Introduction Realm, actually being suppressed by a frail-looking youth.

"Meridian Introduction Realm... Middle Stage?"

Especially when Cao Jun sensed the Meridian Qi aura of Yun Xiao, he doubted if his eyes were deceiving him. With a two-small-realm gap, why was his second brother being suppressed so disadvantageously?

Tan Yun’s appearance, with a single move, had forced Cao Jun back, which greatly relieved the pressure on Ling Wan and the few team members. But like Cao Jun, they first couldn’t fathom how Tan Yun could spare the effort, not until they turned their heads and saw the fight over there.

"It’s... It’s Yun Xiao, how... how is this possible?"

The youth who had previously been dismissive of Yun Xiao trembled as he spoke, but when he saw that Yun Xiao seemed to have the upper hand, he took a sharp intake of cold breath and had a look of embarrassment on his face.

Before the Cao brothers had come after them, this youth had expressed dissatisfaction when Ling Wan invited Yun Xiao to join the team, thinking Yun Xiao was unworthy to stand with them. Looking at it now, it was truly a slap in the face, and a loud one at that.

What a joke, to be able to fight on par with Cao Ju, the peak Meridian Introduction Realm cultivator, and even somewhat gaining the upper hand—if one thought with their toes they could understand that the Yun Xiao they were seeing was definitely not the real Yun Xiao.

"We really were short-sighted indeed. Although Yun Xiao appears to have only a middle-stage Meridian Introduction Realm cultivation, his combat prowess is something even I cannot match!" exclaimed Tan Yun with a face full of admiration, not bothering with the youth’s embarrassed and heated face as she openly praised.

"Haha, we’re saved now!" Ling Wan, trying to endure the pain from being bombarded by Cao Jun just now, laughed heartily, though his breath was obviously somewhat weak.

"Since the biggest enemy is being handled by Yun Xiao, we cannot just sit idle, can we?" A fierce light flashed in Tan Yun’s beautiful eyes. Although she was a woman, she was also not a soft-hearted person due to her years of experience.

Indeed, the derogatory words of the Cao brothers had enraged her greatly. Now that the tide had turned, she naturally wanted to reclaim everything and let these people know that she, Tan Yun, was not to be provoked.

Cao Jun’s face looked a bit ugly. Forget the fact that he seemed to be handling the encirclement of four people including Ling Wan with ease; if he had to add Tan Yun, a cultivator at his level, the result would be different.

Even with just Tan Yun alone, Cao Jun was clear that he might not be able to emerge victorious, let alone the other three teammates who were unscathed. His defeat was just a matter of time.

Caught up by Tan Yun and the others, Cao Jun could only pin his hopes on his second brother now. However, he failed to notice that as the battle here reignited, his second brother had already become unable to fend for himself.

Speaking of which, Yun Xiao, who had just freed himself from the ice freeze, plus the fact that he had been asleep for a year, hadn’t fully regained control of this body to its peak in an instant.

But as the fierce battle ensued, and facing a cultivator at the peak of the Meridian Introduction Realm, after dozens of moves, his actions became more adept, smoother, and more effective.

And with the rich combat experience of the Long Xiao Battle God from his previous life, against these low-rank cultivators of the Hidden Dragon Continent, even if their cultivation was two small realms higher than Yun Xiao’s, after these dozens of moves, Cao Ju was increasingly struggling to cope.

"Damn it, what is this power?"

Moreover, as the battle intensified, with every clash against Yun Xiao’s right hand, Cao Ju felt a burning pain at the point of contact with Yun Xiao, as though it had been seared by a hot coal.

This naturally was the Meridian Fire within Yun Xiao’s Ancestor Vein. At that moment, he had not truly triggered the power of the Ancestor Vein. He wanted to see if his middle-stage strength in the Meridian Introduction Realm could defeat Cao Ju, who was at the peak of the Meridian Introduction Realm?

The fact proved that Yun Xiao had somewhat overestimated himself; intense battles required the support of Meridian Qi. Regardless, his Meridian Qi Cultivation was two small realms lower than Cao Ju’s. Even with rich combat experience, as time went on, his stamina in battle was definitely weaker than Cao Ju’s.

Seeing that in another ten or so moves, his Meridian Qi Storage would be depleted, Yun Xiao made a decisive decision and did not wish to continue the struggle with this opponent. As his thoughts moved, an unusual aura had already gathered along a blood-red vein in his right arm.

This blood-red vein, naturally, was Yun Xiao’s Fire Attribute Ancestor Vein. As all the Meridian Qi in his veins entered this Ancestor Vein, his Meridian Qi Cultivation instantly broke through to the late stage of the Meridian Introduction Realm.

"What’s going on?"

Such a change was naturally sensed by Cao Ju, and even Yun Xiao, who was at the middle stage of Meridian Introduction Realm, was able to suppress him. When he saw this frail young man breaking through to the late stage of the Meridian Introduction Realm, he suddenly lost his will to fight.

It seems that Cao Ju had some self-awareness, but would Yun Xiao, who had activated the power of the Ancestor Vein and elevated his Meridian Qi Cultivation to the late stage of the Meridian Introduction Realm, let him escape so easily?

The answer was obviously no. Just when Cao Ju harbored a sense of fear and intended to dash away, from Yun Xiao’s right hand’s middle finger, there suddenly appeared a tiny blossom of blood-red flames, which looked so eerily charming.

"Go!"

Upon hearing the low shout from Yun Xiao, the blood-red flame was flicked towards Cao Ju’s right palm with precision.

Originally, Cao Ju had launched his palm strike to temporarily push Yun Xiao back, allowing himself to fully retreat. However, it transformed into a terrifying specter that hounded and threatened life itself.

"Ah!"

The moment the tiny flame touched Cao Ju’s palm, it swelled without wind, instantly enveloping his whole right hand.

Witnessing the scene, Yun Xiao suddenly found it familiar, because more than a year ago in the Arena Hall of the Shang Family, it was such an unexpected blood-red flame that caused Shang Huiyu indescribable agony, eventually leading to Shang Ying’s intervention.

The only difference was, the blood-red flame last time was not under Yun Xiao’s control, while this time, he wielded it with ease, causing Cao Ju to pay a painful price.

Cao Ju’s agonized screaming echoed deep in the woods of the Yulin Mountain Range. Whether other examiners elsewhere could hear it was uncertain, but the six people not far from another battle circle heard it loud and clear.

It was as if there was an unspoken agreement; the scream from Cao Ju halted Cao Jun’s and Tan Yun’s fight instantly. Cao Jun, panting heavily, realized who the voice belonged to after a brief pondering, and his face finally became grave.

"Second brother, what’s wrong with you?"

Cao Jun rushed to Cao Ju’s side in just a few breaths, and as he spoke, he was about to gather Meridian Qi in his right hand to pat out the blood-red flame.

"Third brother, don’t!"

Just as Cao Jun reached out, Cao Ju seemed to realize something. Enduring the intense burning pain from his palm, he let out a voice strained as if squeezed from between his teeth.

"Third brother, let’s go, quickly!" Cao Ju was clearly very resolute. Seeing the frail young man on the other side starting to stir, he trembled fiercely inside, and the shouting made Cao Jun start to reconsider.

Now, to Cao Ju, Yun Xiao might still look frail, but that appearance made him feel like he was facing a demon or ghost. This young man, when ruthless, was hardly less formidable than Cao Ju himself.

Blood-red flames continued to burn on Cao Ju’s hand, spreading from his palm up to his wrist. At this point, he was not yet aware of the special properties of the blood-red flames, but he knew that with a severe injury, depending on Cao Jun alone, they were no match for the frail-looking young man.

If they were to further delay, it was possible that today’s fight could cost both brothers their lives. So Cao Ju made a decisive decision, glaring venomously at the still young man and turned to leave.

"Wait for me, I, Cao Ju, swear I will get revenge for today’s humiliation!"

A voice full of bitter resentment drifted from afar, but the footsteps of the Cao brothers did not dare to halt, fearing being caught up and the tremendous trouble that would ensue.

Listening to Cao Ju’s distant malicious voice, Tan Yun slightly frowned, stepping closer to Yun Xiao in puzzlement, "Since you’ve already severely injured him, why let him go?"

This was what puzzled Tan Yun. Previously, Yun Xiao had asked her if it was really permissible to kill someone. In her view, this frail young man shouldn’t be the type to hesitate, right?

"I didn’t want to, but..."

Yun Xiao turned his head, revealing a pale smile. Before he could finish his words, his body swayed slightly, and then he collapsed onto the ground covered in dry leaves.

Seeing Yun Xiao’s condition, Tan Yun realized the reason without asking. It seems the battle with Cao Ju wasn’t as simple as she had thought. Although Yun Xiao had severely wounded Cao Ju, this frail young man named Yun Xiao must have also paid a corresponding price.