Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

"But... ever since Qingshan Sect was destroyed, Yun Xiao's whereabouts have been unknown. No one even knows where he could be!"

After a moment of enlightenment, Xuan Jing's next words were like a bucket of cold water poured over him. After all, Yun Xiao was now a figure shrouded in obscurity.

Yun Xiao went to the Lingyun Sect of the Lingtian Empire, and perhaps only the Sect Master Yu Shu and a few Great Elders of the Jade Pot Sect were aware of this. Such private matters of Yun Xiao's, naturally, they wouldn't disclose casually.

"The Eight Great Empires have allied to overthrow the Xuanyue Empire; this matter is anything but trivial. I'm sure Yun Xiao, no matter where he might be, will have heard the news and will surely come back in time!"

In contrast, Xuan Haoran was quite confident in Yun Xiao. Even if he knew the latter did not get along well with the Xuanyue Imperial Family, his own sect, the Jade Pot Sect, was also trapped in the Xuanyue Imperial City.

As the Eight Great Empires joined forces to attack, the news quickly spread throughout the entire Xuanyue Empire. Thus, powerful sects like the Jade Pot Sect and the Luoyi Sect all gathered in Xuanyue Imperial City to join forces against the enemy.

Because everyone knew that when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. Once the Xuanyue Royal Family falls, it's likely that the power structure of all major sects and families within the Xuanyue Empire will be reshuffled.

Hence, the major sects and families naturally banded together in shared hatred. Under Xuan Haoran's direction, the Jade Pot Sect and the Luoyi Sect led various medium and small sects to defend the southwest gates of the Imperial City, Baiyue City.

And some of the powerful families of the Imperial City were in charge of defending the East Gate, leading medium and small families. Although this would not completely neutralize the allied enemies of the Eight Great Empires, it at least provided some defensive strength.

Xuan Haoran thought of these things, and thus he confidently believed that Yun Xiao would never leave the Jade Pot Sect unattended. As long as he received the news, he would definitely rush back to the Xuanyue Imperial City as soon as possible, and perhaps he could turn the tide.

Just considering this possibility, Xuan Haoran found it somewhat bizarre. Since when did the fate of the majestic Xuanyue Empire depend on a mere youth? This was truly a sorrowful and lamentable fact.

Tap tap tap...

As Xuan Haoran and his son were conversing, suddenly, several riders burst forth from the northern camps. Among them, two figures were, surprisingly, not too unfamiliar to the father and son.

"Nie Yi! Xuan Jiuding!"

These two names were almost squeezed out between Xuan Jing's clenched teeth. He and his mother had suffered terribly at the hands of the two men below and had nearly met their demise. And now, it was very likely that the catastrophe of Xuanyue's ruin was also orchestrated by these two. How could he not harbor hate?

"Xuan Haoran, when you drove my mother and me out of the Xuanyue Royal Family a few months ago, did you ever imagine a day like this would come?"

As Xuan Jing was grinding his teeth in rage, the Nie Yi below suddenly spoke out loud, his voice filled with a hint of sorrow and anger. But more than that, there was an undisguised smugness.

Back in the day, under Yun Xiao's machinations, Xuan Haoran's power was restored. Xuan Jing led the Jingyu Army into the Royal Family's stronghold, and many from the Xuantie Army surrendered. Seeing the tide turn, Nie Yi and her son had no choice but to flee desperately from Xuanyue Imperial City.

That period could be considered the most embarrassing and difficult time for Nie Yi and Xuan Jiuding, which sowed deep-seated hatred in their hearts. People like them would never look for the reasons within themselves.

"Xuan Jing, my dear brother, how comfortable is it to sit on the throne of the Xuanyue King? It's a pity that you won't be able to sit there for much longer!"

After Nie Yi finished speaking, Xuan Jiuding also sneered. His words were directed at Xuan Jing, who had always been his biggest obstacle to ascending the throne. At this moment, his posture was unmistakably that of a victor.

"Treacherous minister, a dog of a ruined house, Xuan Jiuding, do you still recognize that the blood of the Xuan Royal Family flows in your veins?"

Hearing Xuan Jiuding's mocking words, Xuan Jing's anger was no small matter. He immediately retorted sarcastically, and at the issuance of those words, the latter's expression darkened instantly.

"Nie Yi, we were once husband and wife. The matters of the past were indeed your fault first. Can you not withdraw for the sake of our past relationship?"

Xuan Haoran was naturally also enraged, but with the thousand-year-old Xuanyue Empire on the brink of destruction, he had to swallow his pride and utter these words.

"Ha ha, Xuan Haoran, it's laughable that you still have the audacity to speak to me of husband and wife affection. From the moment you wrote that Emperor's Decree for succession, our marital affection was severed completely!"

At those words, Nie Yi laughed heartily thrice. Her laughter was laced with a trace of sorrow and anger. Having made her decision, how could this woman full of ambition easily retreat?

"Xuan Haoran, you really have a thick skin, don't you? I kindly gave my sister to you in marriage, and this is how you treat her and her son?"

Just then, a dignified voice came from beside Nie Yi. By the mention in his speech, it was clear it was the current Lingtian Emperor, Nie Wencang.

The continuous accusations from this brother and sister pair left Xuan Haoran with no room for rebuttal, and he knew arguing was futile. These people had come with much fanfare, so how could they retreat with just a word from him?

"Nie Wencang brother, why waste words on this guy? Quickly command the army to attack and annihilate his Xuanyue Imperial Family!"

Another short and plump figure joined the conversation, drawing the attention of Xuan Haoran and the others, who immediately recognized him as Luo Qingkong, the current King of the Black Star Empire—Xuanyue's nemesis!

Luo Qingkong, with his short and stout stature, was ironically quite chubby, and a small black Five Stars mark on his forehead that wriggled as he spoke was somewhat repulsive.

The Xuanyue and Black Star empires have harbored hatred for nearly a thousand years. During the internal turmoil of the Xuanyue Empire, the Black Star Empire sought to loot the chaos and obliterate Xuanyue in one fell swoop.

Regrettably, Xuan Haoran later rose to power dominantly, reviving the Xuanyue Empire and making it prosper once more, which led to the rulers of the Black Star Empire fearing for their positions, wary of Xuan Haoran's retribution.

In fact, if not for the Lingtian Empire coalition with the Eight Great Empires, the Black Star Empire wouldn't have had the courage to attack Xuanyue. But now, Luo Qingkong's smug expression was written all over his face.

"Luo Qingkong, you coward who bullies the weak and fears the strong, dare you face me in a duel, and fight for three hundred rounds?"

Xuan Haoran naturally held no affection for his lifelong rival, and immediately let out a thunderous shout, his tone laced with contempt and provocation.

Previously, Xuan Haoran and Luo Qingkong were both at the Half-step Earth Rank level with equal strengths, unable to gain the upper hand over each other. But now, Xuan Haoran had forcefully broken through to the early stage of Qi Seeking Realm, no longer even considering Luo Qingkong a threat.

In Xuan Haoran's mind, if Luo Qingkong couldn't resist the provocation and agreed to a duel, he would strike him down under Baiyue North City like a bolt of lightning, causing the Black Star's army to instantly crumble.

But Luo Qingkong was no fool. He knew of Xuan Haoran's breakthrough to Earth Rank Third Realm after the conclusion of the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference. How could he possibly be provoked by the latter?

"Heh heh, Xuan Haoran, your opponent isn't me!"

Hearing Luo Qingkong's sneer, Nie Wencang from the Lingtian Empire immediately stepped forward. With a thought, an overpowering aura erupted from him, like a giant dragon roaring.

"Earth Rank Realm!"

Sensing the formidable aura bursting forth from Nie Wencang, everyone atop the Baiyue City Wall changed expressions. How could such rare Earth Rankers in the Hidden Dragon Continent appear one after another?

"Xuan Haoran, you dared to bully my sister, you must be prepared to pay the price. Today, I, Nie Wencang, shall seek justice for my sister!"

Every invasion of another nation requires a justifiable reason. At this moment, Nie Yi undoubtedly served as Nie Wencang's bargaining chip, his overwhelming aura acting as a challenge, already locking onto Xuan Haoran.

"Keep an eye on the movements in other areas at all times; I'll find an opportunity to kill that old man Nie Wencang!"

Since Nie Wencang agreed to a duel with him, Xuan Haoran gladly accepted, knowing this was his only chance. Defeating Nie Wencang could disrupt the coalition of the Eight Great Empires.

Swoosh!

Earth Rank power Xuan Haoran, with incredible speed, leaped from the city wall tens of feet high without a second thought; an Earth Rank's capabilities. A great battle between two early stage Qi Seeking Realm powerhouses thus thunderously commenced.

...

Baiyue City, South Gate!

A group of imposing figures also stood atop the South City Gate. If Yun Xiao had been there, he would have recognized these figures, for they belonged to the Jade Pot Sect.

Moreover, aside from Yu Shu, the Sect Master, and the various Great Elders in the forefront, even Spiritual Pill Moqing and Chang Qing were present, showing that no one could remain indifferent in the face of such a nation-destroying war.

It is worth mentioning that during Yun Xiao's visit to the Lingtian Empire, both Mo Qing and Spiritual Pill had astonishingly broken through to the early stage of Spirit Vein Realm, multiple times earlier than the time frame set by the two major powers of the Tenglong Continent.

Of course, Mo Qing and Spiritual Pill must have had some fortunate encounters during this time; otherwise, they couldn't have made such rapid progress. However, in a war where several Earth Rankers were present, their early stage Spirit Vein Realm cultivation seemed somewhat insignificant.

"Sect Master, those two empires seem to be making a move!"

Great Elder Lu Zhan caught sight of several figures emerging from the sprawling tents, reaching beneath the South Gate of the Imperial City of Baiyue in moments, their features discernible even from a distance.