Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

"Hmph, the drama of seizing power and positions is truly inescapable!"

Upon hearing yet another melodramatic tale, Yun Xiao couldn't help but shake his head. The Xuanyue Imperial Family was like this in the past; now, the Lin Family was no different—perhaps this was the norm for the great families and sects of the Continent.

"I didn't want to meddle initially, but since you, Lin Xuanting, dared to make a move against me, Yun Xiao, then don't blame me for returning the favor!"

As his words of sentiment fell, a sharp gleam abruptly shot from Yun Xiao's eyes. To Luo Cheng, who witnessed this sight, an inexplicable sadness for his former master, Lin Xuanting, began to surface subconsciously.

"It seems that Young Master Xuanting has really played a foolish move this time!"

The thought of this shabbily dressed youth's ruthlessness and cunning sent a shiver down Luo Cheng's spine. He wondered why, with Lin Xuanhao's meticulous mind, would he provoke this calamity at this time? Wasn't secretly contending for the position of the next Family Head sufficient?

"Luo Cheng, do you want to live?"

As certain thoughts passed through Luo Cheng's mind, Yun Xiao suddenly posed this question, igniting a glimmer of hope in the eyes of Luo Cheng, who had resigned himself to death.

Even the most powerful of cultivators would value their lives, especially after enduring such agony. Luo Cheng knew that if he didn't act sensibly, he could be killed easily—and that would be letting him off lightly.

"Whatever you wish to do, Young Master Yun Xiao, please command me!"

Luo Cheng wasn't afraid of death but dreaded that indescribable pain, so at this moment, he had already mentally discarded his former master, offering flattery to his new master before him.

"Quite a sensible fellow!"

Seeing Luo Cheng harboring no ulterior motives, Yun Xiao chuckled lightly, then continued, "Alright, you'll pretend to capture me and escort me back to the Lin Family, and then…"

Yun Xiao laid out his strategy bit by bit, to which Luo Cheng's eyes widened in amazement, feeling once more how formidable the person before him was. Both in terms of methods and craftiness, Young Master Xuanting had offended someone who was truly extraordinary.

From the plans proposed by Yun Xiao, Luo Cheng firmly believed that if this matter were resolved perfectly, it would be even more embarrassing for Lin Xuanting than if he were to be killed. The ambitious heir of the Lin Family had stumbled upon a severe challenge.

"Do you still have some Ziwu Dream Inducing Incense? Sprinkle some on me to avoid exposing any flaws to Lin Xuanting!"

After finishing his speech, Yun Xiao's face once again broke into a smile. Upon hearing this, Luo Cheng's expression became even more perplexing.

One must know that the Ziwu Dream Inducing Incense is a low-level Earth Rank deadly poison. Even cultivators in the early or mid-stages of the Qi Seeking Realm would instantly fall into an unconscious dream upon smelling it.

Yet, this young man, who seemed to be only seventeen or eighteen, was actually asking to have Ziwu Dream Inducing Incense sprinkled on himself. Such a peculiar person, Luo Cheng truly hadn't seen before.

But since Yun Xiao had commanded, Luo Cheng did not dare to delay. He immediately took out a bamboo tube from his Waist Storage and carefully blew it towards Yun Xiao, even covering his own mouth and nose as he did so.

Thus, it appeared that Luo Cheng, the one who administered the poison, was more nervous than Yun Xiao, who was sprayed with the Ziwu Dream Inducing Incense. If the Meridian Refining Master who refined the incense saw this scene, one could only imagine the excitement of their expression.

"This Ziwu Dream Inducing Incense—Qiao Guinong shouldn't have been able to refine it, where did you get it from?"

Sensing the scent of the poisonous incense on himself, Yun Xiao suddenly became curious. To his knowledge, though Qiao Guinong was no better than Lin Xuanting, his Poison Meridian Skill was only at an advanced Spiritual Rank, while his Medical Pulse Technique just reached a low-level Earth Rank.

"This... I don't know, Young Master Xuanting gave it to me!"

Seeing Yun Xiao's skeptical smile as usual, Luo Cheng, with a strange expression on his face, did not dare to hide anything. His reply deepened Yun Xiao's wariness of Lin Xuanting.

Since Lin Xuanting managed to acquire such a low-level Earth Rank deadly incense, it indicated that besides Qiao Guinong, there must be a Poison Vein Master of at least low-level Earth Rank behind him. This warranted caution.

"Alright, let's go!"

However, Yun Xiao was not overly concerned about a low-level Earth Rank Poison Vein Master. After all, hadn't he dealt with Ran Xing, a low-level Earth Rank Poison Vein Master, in a most pitiful state?

Luo Cheng was about to bind Yun Xiao with ropes, but the latter stretched out his hand and pressed a few points on his body. In an instant, a sensation of Sealing Meridian Qi erupted from him.

"Just a small trick, no need to be surprised!"

Seemingly perceiving the doubt in Luo Cheng's eyes, Yun Xiao explained with a smile, and at those words, Luo Cheng suddenly realized that the youth probably hadn't truly sealed his Meridian Qi. Instead, he had created a false appearance with a certain technique, which would make Lin Xuanting even less guarded.

This trip to the Lin Mansion was to expose Lin Xuanting's conspiracy, so naturally, Chi Yan could not come along. The two of them set off side by side towards the Lin Family.

...

Lin Family!

This is the bedroom of Lin Zhenjiang, the Family Head of the Lin Family. Under normal circumstances, no one dared to disturb him at this late hour without urgent matters, but today was an exception.

Knock, knock, knock...

A series of knocks on the door caused Lin Zhenjiang, who was in the midst of cultivation, to open his eyes. A flicker of displeasure swept through his gaze. Ever since the day he crossed hands with Tao Chengju at the Nanyu Mountain range, he had deeply felt the inadequacy of his strength and the urgency to increase his efforts, lest he fall behind Tao Chengju one day.

However, Lin Zhenjiang was, after all, the head of a family. Knowing someone dared to disturb him at this time, it must be a significant matter. His voice, tinged with a hint of gravity, inquired, "What is it?"

"Reporting to the Family Head, Young Master Xuanting has sent a message, requesting your presence at his other residence for an urgent matter!"

A familiar voice came through from outside the door. It seemed it was the guard who was always stationed outside the Family Head's manor, and upon hearing this, a trace of puzzlement flashed across Lin Zhenjiang's eyes.

Logically speaking, Lin Zhenjiang was the Family Head of the Lin Family. If Lin Tingxuan had anything to discuss, he should come and consult in person. Why would he have Lin Zhenjiang visit his residence in the dead of night?

Despite the confusion, Lin Zhenjiang still rose to his feet, indeed wanting to see what kind of medicine his eldest son was selling in the gourd.

Outside the manor, there was already a figure waiting—a figure not too unfamiliar to Lin Zhenjiang, likely the one sent by Lin Tingxuan with the message. However, shortly after stepping out of the manor, Lin Zhenjiang was surprised to find that his younger son, Lin Xuanhao, was also heading in the same direction.

"Father? Are you also going to my brother's other residence?"

Before Lin Zhenjiang could respond, Lin Xuanhao had already hastened his steps to approach, his voice filled with a thick layer of astonishment, as he had not expected his father to be disturbed by his brother's summons.

"Hmm, that boy is being secretive. Do you know what it's about?"

Lin Zhenjiang nodded and posed the question instead, but the next moment, he saw Lin Xuanhao shake his head in confusion, obviously unaware of the purpose behind the late-night summons.

Filled with doubts, father and son headed towards Lin Xuanting's other residence, unaware that a gripping drama was unfolding there, which might soon send shockwaves throughout the entire Lin Family.

...

Lin Mansion, within a grand other residence.

Naturally, this residence belonged to Lin Xuanting, the eldest son of the Lin Family. As the eldest son, his other residence was even more majestic and imposing than the legitimate residence of Lin Xuanhao, the direct descendent of the Family Head.

The night was getting deeper, yet two figures, one old and one young, appeared somewhat excited within the courtyard—none other than Lin Xuanting and Qiao Guinong.

"Uncle Qiao, do you think Luo Cheng will succeed? That kid is a bit weird!"

The first to speak was Lin Xuanting. It seemed although he had sent Luo Cheng to assassinate Yun Xiao, he didn't have much confidence in success. After all, the abilities that Yun Xiao demonstrated in the Nanyu Mountain range had left a profound impression on him.

"Don't worry, Luo Cheng has the Ziwu Guiding Dream Incense that you provided him. That low-level Earth Rank powerful poison is something even I can't neutralize within moments. How can a mere neophyte in the Qi Seeking Realm Early Stage withstand it!"

As a low-level Earth Rank Medical Pulse Master, Qiao Guinong felt more confident than Lin Xuanting. Indeed, as he said, the Ziwu Guiding Dream Incense, even unbearable for him, he believed there would be no mishaps this time.

All Lin Xuanting wanted was reassurance. He never doubted Tao Cheng's attempt would fail, and all they needed to do now was wait for Tao Cheng to return victoriously.

In reality, there was no deep hatred between Lin Xuanting and Yun Xiao. As Luo Cheng mentioned, it was Yun Xiao's arrival that obstructed the path of this ambitious eldest son of the Lin Family.

Whether it was Yun Xiao's first dramatic arrival—crushing the spotted leopard—or saving Lin Xuanhao from the Tao Family's clutches the second time, it gave Lin Xuanting the frustration of failed efforts.

The ambitious Lin Xuanting sought to eliminate Lin Xuanhao, the natural heir of the Family Head, but Yun Xiao repeatedly foiled his plans, prompting him to harbor murderous intentions.

For this attempt, Lin Xuanting employed a Death Soldier like Luo Cheng, convinced that even if his identity were exposed, no one would suspect Lin Xuanting—it was an infallible plan.

Step, step, step!

As Lin Xuanting was indulging in his fantasies, several footsteps finally echoed from outside the manor. He and Qiao Guinong exchanged glances, seeing in each other's eyes a spark of smugness and excitement.

Because Lin Xuanting knew, at this hour, anyone visiting his other residence could only be the victorious Luo Cheng, so he hurriedly pulled open the courtyard door.

The first thing that caught Lin Xuanting's eye was a figure clad in black, and as he saw the young figure being escorted by this black-clothed silhouette, a richer smile spread across his face.