Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor
Chapter 529: Five hundred and twenty-nine Hongjun’s Hammer

Chapter 529: Five hundred and twenty-nine Hongjun’s Hammer

"Is he... at the Late Stage of Meridian Union Realm?!"

Some sharp-eyed individuals stared at Yun Xiao on the stage in shock, as they suddenly realized that Yun Xiao, who had been blasted back a dozen steps, had at some point broken through to the Late Stage of Meridian Union Realm.

"It seems he has finally activated the power of his Ancestor Vein!"

Many friends or adversaries familiar with Yun Xiao came to a realization, but those prodigies from foreign empires in the Hidden Dragon Continent barely knew anything about Yun Xiao.

To be able to propel his Meridian Qi Cultivation from Mid Stage to Late Stage of Meridian Union Realm by activating the power of his Ancestor Vein, it was clear that the grade of his Ancestor Vein had reached the Intermediate Spiritual Rank.

This was the Hidden Dragon Continent after all, where Ancestor Veins of Intermediate Spiritual Rank were not unheard of, but seeing one with one’s own eyes was a completely different matter.

Considering that even Xu Jiuding, the prodigious Crown Prince of Xuanyue Empire who activated the power of two Ancestor Veins, only managed to advance a single step at the Peak of the Meridian Union Realm and had not achieved a true breakthrough.

Could it be that the grade of Yun Xiao’s Ancestor Vein was even higher than that of the Xuanyue Royal Family, which had a legacy of a thousand years? Where on earth did this young man come from, and how could he possess such a formidable Ancestor Vein?

The elders of the Jade Pot Sect and King Xuan Haoran of Xuanyue Country thought they understood Yun Xiao well, having thoroughly investigated his background.

But now, this young man who emerged from a minor merchant family in Moon Bow City actually possessed an Ancestor Vein of Intermediate Spiritual Rank, and possibly more than one - what was going on here?

According to what Xuan Haoran and others knew about the merchant family in Moon Bow City, such a small family lineage could barely have a hundred years of history, lacking significant heritage.

It’s not unheard of for a family to suddenly rise—perhaps having acquired some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, or fortunate enough to find powerful Cultivation Techniques and Meridian Techniques, or even attaching themselves to some strong forces, enabling a swift rise was not impossible.

However, the power of an Ancestor Vein is not something that a family that recently rose could possess; it requires a deep foundation passed down through generations.

The longer a family’s history, the stronger the ancestors, the greater the chance for their descendants to inherit Ancestor Veins, and higher-grade ones at that.

"Could it be the never-before-seen father of Yun Xiao?"

A flicker of realization crossed Xuan Haoran’s eyes. If the Intermediate Spiritual Grade Ancestor Vein couldn’t be explained by his maternal merchant family, then there was only one other possibility.

These mighty individuals from Xuanyue Empire knew that the merchant family was only Yun Xiao’s maternal side, after all, he didn’t bear the Shang surname. However, even Yun Xiao himself wasn’t clear about his father, let alone outsiders.

But no matter what, at this moment, Yun Xiao had activated the power of his four Ancestor Veins, breaking through to the Late Stage of Meridian Union Realm, narrowing the gap in realm between him and Xu Jiuding dramatically.

Originally, when Xu Jiuding activated his Ancestor Vein and executed the formidable technique of Human and Moon Unity, not many thought Yun Xiao stood a chance. However, now that Yun Xiao demonstrated an Ancestor Vein power even stronger than Xu Jiuding’s, the outcome of this fight became unpredictable once again.

"Hmph, what about being at the Late Stage of Meridian Union Realm? He’s still going to die!"

Xu Jiuding, wrapped in the white crescent moon, also sensed the surge of Meridian Qi emanating from Yun Xiao, but at this moment, he had no choice but to attack since he might not get another chance to execute Human and Moon Unity.

After all, this was an Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Technique that, whether regarding its toll on the human body or the consumption of Meridian Qi, was extremely substantial. Without advancing to the level of Spirit Vein Realm, Xu Jiuding definitely could not perform it a second time.

Whoosh!

On the stage, another white crescent moon furiously struck towards Yun Xiao, but what everyone failed to see was the fleeting look of mockery in the latter’s eyes.

If before reaching the Late Stage of Meridian Union Realm, Yun Xiao wasn’t sure of easily dealing with Xu Jiuding, now, having broken through to the Late Stage of Meridian Union Realm, his combat power had increased significantly more terrifyingly than Xu Jiuding with his Ancestor Vein power.

Furthermore, the Meridian Technique Human and Moon Unity from Xuanyue Empire might be formidable, but who was Yun Xiao? He was the reincarnation of the Long Xiao Battle God, and the Meridian Techniques he knew absolutely surpassed anything a mere Xu Jiuding could comprehend.

Among the means known to Yun Xiao, there were countless Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Techniques that could be executed in the Late Stage of Meridian Union Realm. For instance, upon knowing his opponent today would be Xu Jiuding, he had already chosen last night the most "suitable" Meridian Technique for Xu Jiuding, and now was indeed the time to bring that Meridian Technique back into the light.

In fact, if Yun Xiao had used his Dragon Taming Sword directly, he might not be this tired, but after witnessing some unique aspects of Jin Wuli, he wasn’t ready to reveal his ultimate trump card to Xu Jiuding.

So, seeing the white crescent light furiously approaching, a smile appeared on Yun Xiao’s face, then his left and right hand each performed several movements. In front of him, a huge Meridian Qi Hammer appeared.

The Meridian Qi Hammer seemed to carry the weight of a thousand jun, giving everyone watching a profound sense of power. Then, with a change of hand seals by Yun Xiao, the gigantic Meridian Qi Hammer ferociously smashed towards Xu Jiuding executing Human and Moon Unity.

"Hongjun’s Hammer, crushing all spirits!"

At the same time, a fierce shout burst from Yun Xiao’s mouth, letting everyone know the name of this giant hammer Meridian Technique.

This was yet another Earth Rank Meridian Technique that Yun Xiao was capable of cultivating. The so-called "crushing all spirits" meant that under this hammer, all cultivators or Vein Demons at the Spiritual Rank Three Realms would be utterly shattered.

Clang!

A sound like a massive bell resonated from the arena, and the giant Meridian Qi Hammer controlled by Yun Xiao finally smashed onto the body of Xuan Jiuding, who was merged with the human and moon, making the entire arena tremble violently.

Crack!

The massive hammer did not send Xuan Jiuding and the crescent moon flying directly, but there was a brief stalemate. However, in the next moment, a faint sound was heard by the crowd.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

As the crowd looked towards the source of the sound, they saw that the white crescent moon encasing Xuan Jiuding’s body started showing clear and increasing cracks.

Within the cracked crescent moon, reflected was the slightly panicked face of Xuan Jiuding, who seemed to have realized something – his invincible Human and Moon Unity Meridian Technique had actually been broken by Yun Xiao.

This was an Earth Rank Low-Level Meridian Technique, and it was performed by Xuan Jiuding at the Peak of the Meridian Union Realm. However, it was shattered by a young cultivator in the Late Stage of Meridian Union Realm. What did this mean?

It indicated that the grade of the Meridian Qi Giant Hammer must not be below the Human and Moon Unity Meridian Technique, and was likely even stronger. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have unleashed such tremendous power, leaving Xuan Jiuding, merged with the moon, so vulnerable.

Splash!

Regardless of how unwilling Xuan Jiuding was and how much he refused to believe it, when the cracks filled the entire white crescent moon, it finally burst open with a loud explosion, revealing the slightly trembling true form of Xuan Jiuding.

"Pfft!"

The pale-faced Xuan Jiuding couldn’t help but spurt out a mouthful of fresh blood - this was the aftermath of the Human and Moon Unity, which wouldn’t kill him instantly, but the moment the white crescent moon shattered, he was severely injured.

Originally, Xuan Jiuding had forcibly used the Human and Moon Unity Meridian Technique, and after its successful execution, he and the white crescent moon had become one. If either one suffered any damage, the other could not remain unscathed.

Yun Xiao, in an extremely domineering and aggressive manner, smashed the white crescent moon to pieces, akin to directly smashing Xuan Jiuding’s body, causing him to vomit blood and suffer severe injuries on the spot.

Swoosh!

Xuan Jiuding’s aura instantly weakened, but Yun Xiao, seizing the opportunity, moved swiftly and the next moment, he was already in front of Xuan Jiuding.

"Crown Prince Ding, when you plotted against me and the Jade Pot Sect, did you ever think there would be today?"

The encounters with this Xuanyue Crown Prince flashed through Yun Xiao’s mind, and he couldn’t find even a trace of a positive impression. He spoke coldly, his voice laden with a certain kind of mocking irony.

In his interactions with the Xuanyue Royal Family, from the very first meeting with the Third Prince, Xuan Zhi, Yun Xiao had never had a good impression. Especially during the birthday celebration of the King when Xuan Jiuding set a trap and almost made Yun Xiao unable to stay in the Xuanyue Empire.

One could say that between Yun Xiao and this Xuanyue Crown Prince, there was only enmity. Perhaps the grievances between the two might finally be settled on the arena today.

"I..."

Faced with such a question from Yun Xiao, even someone as mentally strong as Xuan Jiuding was momentarily at a loss for words. Knowing very well his own despicable deeds, how could he refute them in front of Yun Xiao, the person involved?

Moreover, at this moment, Xuan Jiuding was utterly weak, feeling as if all his Meridian Qi was leaving his body, especially seeing the undisguised murderous intent in Yun Xiao’s eyes, which made him feel somewhat terrified.

Xuan Jiuding had great ambitions; he had long decided to achieve great things, taking the throne of Xuanyue as merely his first step. His plans also included conquering neighboring countries to unify the Hidden Dragon Continent.

But now, Xuan Jiuding realized that this young man before him was not one to show mercy. If this final strike were to fall, all his grand ambitions might be dashed.

Xuan Jiuding had considered surrendering and begging for mercy, but as the Xuanyue Crown Prince, to plead with Yun Xiao in front of so many onlookers might annihilate his future dignity. Thus, he momentarily hesitated, undecided.