Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor
Chapter 98: The Secret Behind the Explosive Increase in Power

Chapter 98: The Secret Behind the Explosive Increase in Power

Yun Xiao and Tan Yun had ultimately parted ways. Such was the vastness of the first layer of Jade Pot Cave that Tan Yun’s encounter with the Cao Family brothers was an extreme coincidence, and his timely arrival here was an even greater stroke of luck.

Without Cao Jun, Yun Xiao believed that even if Tan Yun were to meet Cao Ju again, she would easily escape defeat, especially since a talent like Cao Luo, the eldest of the Cao Family, was unlikely to stay in the first layer of Jade Pot Cave.

Naturally, Yun Xiao wouldn’t stay in the first layer of the Jade Pot Cave either. And as several time periods passed, he had already reached the entrance to the second layer of Jade Pot Cave. There, just like before, a guardian was present.

By the guardian’s side were some familiar figures with weakened auras. Yun Xiao, sensing their presence, immediately understood the situation.

These people were clearly the Outer Disciples who had entered the Jade Pot Cave this time. Without exception, they had reached at least the late stages of the Meridian Introduction Realm, and some had even reached the peak of the Meridian Introduction Realm.

Unfortunately, as Yun Xiao clearly sensed, the guardian from the first layer to the second of the Jade Pot Cave was a cultivator in the early stage of the Meridian Gathering Realm. With him guarding here, it wasn’t going to be easy for the geniuses of the Meridian Introduction Realm level to pass through.

Yun Xiao didn’t know how many managed to enter the second layer of the Jade Pot Cave, fearing the numbers were not high, because those in the late stages and at the peak of Meridian Gathering Realm before his eyes were already among the best in this batch of Outer Disciples.

Fortunately, the guardian seemed to have a rather kind heart. Although he had injured these new Outer Disciples, he didn’t take their lives, but such an outcome might not be what those new geniuses wanted.

After a moment’s observation, Yun Xiao confidently advanced, swiftly approaching not far in front of the guardian. Sensing the guardian’s aura, his speed suddenly more than doubled.

"Kid, just give up, you won’t be able to get past me!" said the guardian dismissively, as he did not sense Yun Xiao’s true strength and considered him to be the same as those he had just defeated.

Compared to this guardian, the other new Outer Disciples were certainly more familiar with Yun Xiao. They held no deep grudges against Yun Xiao, so at this moment they unexpectedly began to hope for his success.

These young disciples had just suffered defeat at the hands of the guardian, and they all harbored resentful feelings towards him, eagerly needing someone to stand up for them.

The guardian was only at the early stage of Meridian Gathering Realm, but the cultivators at the early stage of the Jade Pot Sect were likely much more formidable than the majority of cultivators of the same level in the Xuanyue Empire, which is why the guardian was so confident.

Even if this shabbily dressed young man was also an early stage genius of the Meridian Gathering Realm, he was confident he could keep him within this first layer of Jade Pot Cave.

Being selected to be a guardian of Jade Pot Cave, these senior disciples had their own incentive program. Simply put, the more Outer Disciples they stopped at their post, the less reward they would receive.

Therefore, the guardian, of course, had to try his best to prevent these Outer Disciples from entering the next layer. However, what the guardian didn’t know was that the opponent he faced wasn’t comparable to those at the late stage or peak of Meridian Introduction Realm.

Whoosh!

With full confidence, the guardian wielded his Meridian Qi. However, just as he took a step to strike Yun Xiao powerless, he suddenly found his vision blur and promptly lost sight of the shabbily dressed youth.

"What?" The guardian found this scene eerily strange; he thought Yun Xiao’s speed had already reached its limit, yet that was just his assumption. The speed that Yun Xiao displayed at that moment was truly astonishing.

Even those Outer Disciples who knew a bit about Yun Xiao’s strength originally thought that Yun Xiao would need to fight for at least a dozen rounds to break through the guardian, just like his previous battle with Xuan Zhi.

But in just the blink of an eye, Yun Xiao had already passed the challenger and entered the second layer of Jade Pot Cave. This was probably the fastest breach in history, wasn’t it?

"That Yun Xiao’s strength seems to have improved again!" realized some young geniuses who, despite being injured, still had keen insight. This thought made them gasp in shock.

Yun Xiao was already at the peak of Meridian Introduction Realm cultivation level before; being able to fight without defeat against Xuan Zhi in the middle stage of Meridian Gathering Realm at such a level, what if he made another breakthrough? Who among the new generation of the Jade Pot Sect could possibly suppress him?

The guardian, having regained his composure, looked dazedly at the figure disappearing into the cave entrance and, for some reason, a cold sweat broke out on his back.

Having been in the Jade Pot Sect for a full three years, the guardian realized that even the fierce individuals ranked in the top ten of the Mortal List might not be able to achieve the speed that Yun Xiao had just shown.

Since that person possessed such terrifying speed, his Meridian Qi Cultivation mustn’t be too shabby. If he really wanted to strike against him..., fear suddenly arose in the guardian’s heart.

Thinking about the Third Prince Xuan Zhi of the empire and that extremely odd little fatty, the guardian’s state of mind changed at that moment. He secretly thought, why does this batch of Outer Disciples in the Jade Pot Sect have so many monstrous talents?

...

Jade Pot Cave, second layer!

It was unclear exactly where on the second layer of the Jade Pot Cave they were, but what could be certain was that there were no Vein Demons here, just three figures standing opposite each other.

Two of the figures, one robust and the other slender. Had Yun Xiao been present, he might have recognized these two as the Zhao Family’s geniuses from Ningfeng City: the eldest brother Zhao Ningshu and the second brother Zhao Xingwu.

And before these two stood a good friend of Yun Xiao, seeing his chubby body and the angry expression on his face, wasn’t this Tan Yun who had just achieved a breakthrough to the Meridian Gathering Realm by relying on the Mixed Element Qi?

"Zhao Ningshu, Zhao Xingwu, you two have been following me for quite some time, haven’t you?"

With the rise of his Meridian Qi, Tan Yun, facing the two "brothers," was no longer so timid as before, but possessed a newfound confidence and assurance.

After these direct words were spoken, Zhao Ningshu and Zhao Xingwu’s faces turned extremely grim, with Zhao Xingwu lashing out sharply, "Tan Yun, don’t think that just because you’ve broken through to the Meridian Gathering Realm you can start ordering us around. Let me tell you, this second layer of the Jade Pot Cave will be your burial ground today!"

"Eh, Second Brother, no matter what, Tan Yun is still our blood brother from the same mother. Don’t be so unseemly!" Interrupting suddenly, Zhao Ningshu’s tone was placid and mild, which made Tan Yun feel even more threatened by this elder brother.

Back in the Outer Sect square, Zhao Ningshu had suggested Zhao Xingwu go find trouble with Tan Yun, only for himself to end up embarrassed. Hence Zhao Xingwu’s current anger.

Zhao Ningshu, of course, was also fuming inside, but he had a more composed nature. Noting the surprising surge in Tan Yun’s strength, he had different suspicions and his attitude had shifted in this moment.

"Tan Yun, your cultivation might indeed be commendable at the Early Stage of the Meridian Gathering Realm, but you should know that you won’t be able to escape when my brother and I join forces!" Zhao Ningshu spoke with certainty as if stating an accepted fact, but he failed to notice the fleeting cold smirk in Tan Yun’s eyes.

"How about we strike a deal? If you tell me the secret of your sudden increase in strength, big brother here promises to only cripple your cultivation and spare your life. How about that?" Zhao Ningshu said, his face sporting a light smile, seemingly certain of the outcome.

Indeed, in common understanding, a Cultivator like Tan Yun at the Early Stage of the Meridian Gathering Realm wouldn’t even necessarily be able to beat Zhao Ningshu alone, let alone Zhao Xingwu, who although suffered some internal injuries, had not lost his ability to fight. United with Zhao Ningshu, Tan Yun would definitely be unable to withstand them.

Zhao Ningshu thought he was giving Tan Yun a way out. Compared to one’s life, some insignificant secrets or even Meridian Qi Cultivation were no longer important. Weighing their importance, he was confident that Tan Yun would give him a satisfactory answer.

Hearing Zhao Ningshu’s words, the cold smirk in Tan Yun’s eyes became even more pronounced. Contrary to the latter’s expectations, he slowly nodded and said, "The secret to my rapid increase in strength, I can actually tell you without any harm!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ningshu was overjoyed. In fact, he had no idea why Tan Yun could advance to the Early Stage of the Meridian Gathering Realm in such a short period of time, only a mere dozen or so days having passed, and a Cultivator at the Middle Stage of Meridian Introduction Realm had made such a breakthrough.

Zhao Ningshu was perplexed but speculated that Tan Yun must have consumed some sort of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures or obtained some incredible treasure.

If he himself could also get his hand on these treasures, his strength would surely skyrocket dramatically. Then, not even the Third Prince Xuan Zhi would necessarily be able to beat him.

"Eldest Brother, Second Brother, since you so wish to know, then I will tell you. The real reason why I was able to break through to the Early Stage of the Meridian Gathering Realm in just a few short days is that monster which you and Father considered an ominous existence... the freak!"

Tan Yun’s face suddenly contorted, his ferocity tinged with unspeakable pain. From the moment of his birth, being treated as a freak was surely an unfortunate part of his life.

Yet, such misfortune became the turning point for Tan Yun due to Yun Xiao’s defy-the-heavens methods. When he spoke these words, it was with a feeling of vindication, as if years of oppression within the family had been released in one fell swoop.

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