Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

"What a pitiful person!"

Standing from a distance, Yun Xiao observed Xu Qingshan bowing down to the ground. With his Power of Soul, he naturally heard the low murmur from Xu’s mouth and sighed inwardly.

However, Yun Xiao had no intention of getting involved in such matters. Everyone has their own destiny. The fact that Xu Qingshan encountered him today could be considered a fortunate fate.

"Thank you for saving my life, My Lord. I have an unreasonable request and hope you’ll grant it."

Just as Yun Xiao was sighing and about to turn away, he suddenly heard a voice come, which made him frown slightly.

"If it’s an unreasonable request, then it’s better left unsaid!"

Yun Xiao replied with a frown, and his previous appreciation for Xu Qingshan vanished completely. If Xu was someone who would take an inch when given a mile, Yun Xiao definitely wouldn’t waste his breath.

"My Lord, I wish to become your disciple!"

However, the next words from Xu Qingshan surprised Yun Xiao. He had never anticipated such a result, thinking Xu wanted him to seek revenge on his behalf.

To be honest, even in his previous life as the Long Xiao Battle God, Yun Xiao had only taken one disciple. Moreover, he had accepted that direct disciple not because of their outstanding talent but because they were a relative of an old friend.

During a battle against a Strange Spirit, that old friend died protecting the Long Xiao Battle God, leaving behind a slightly slow-witted son with no one to care for him, so the Long Xiao Battle God naturally took on the responsibility.

But when the Long Xiao Battle God was plotted against by Emperor Canglong and Lu Qinwan, he had no time to make any arrangements for the future. After reincarnating and rebirthing, Yun Xiao never knew what became of that sole disciple from his past life.

What Yun Xiao pondered most was that those ruthless individuals would likely have eradicated any traces, leaving his past life disciple in a grim situation. Yet thinking too much about this now was pointless; he’d have to search step by step.

For some reason, Yun Xiao seemingly noticed a trace of similarity with that honest disciple from his past life when he looked at Xu Qingshan. Both were alone, both with unremarkable talent, which led Yun Xiao into a moment of silence.

"My Lord, I know my talent may not catch your eye, but my entire Hidden Sword Sect has been annihilated. If I can’t avenge this in my lifetime, what’s the point of living? I beg for your support!"

Seeing no response from Yun Xiao, Xu Qingshan spoke again, this time directly kneeling before Yun Xiao. The posture was so reminiscent that it stirred a fleeting sense of familiarity in Yun Xiao.

"Your name is Xu Qingshan? What’s your father’s name?"

For unknown reasons, a figure suddenly flashed through Yun Xiao’s mind, prompting him to ask aloud a question even he didn’t understand the motivation for.

"My father’s surname is Xu, and his name is Shitong!"

Although Xu Qingshan was puzzled as to why the young lord before him suddenly inquired about his father’s name, he dared not hesitate and promptly spoke his father’s full name.

"Xu Shitong, Xu Shitong, Xu... Xu..."

Upon receiving the desired answer, Yun Xiao’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. Disappointment initially flitted through his eyes before a sudden realization made them light up vibrantly.

"Qingshan, actually, your father’s original surname wasn’t Xu; it was Xu, right? And his name isn’t really Xu Shitong. Your father’s true name is... Xu Tongshi!"

As Yun Xiao’s eyes sparkled with intensity, he threw out these questions while keeping his gaze fixed on Xu Qingshan before him. He seemed to have discovered an answer that thrilled him immensely.

"How... how do you know?"

Just as Yun Xiao expected, hearing this chain of questions made Xu Qingshan abruptly look up, his face filled with disbelief as he gazed at this plainly dressed young man before him, seemingly in incredulity.

To be honest, Xu Shitong had never revealed this truth to his only son since it was his deepest secret.

As fate would have it, once Xu Qingshan accidentally triggered a mechanism to a secret chamber, entering a room he’d never been in before, where he discovered an enshrined memorial tablet.

The name "Yun Xiao" on the tablet was unfamiliar to Xu Qingshan, but he could glean some understanding from the small characters below: "Set up by unworthy disciple Xu Tongshi."

The similarity between Xu Shitong and Xu Tongshi was undeniable. When doubts arose in Xu Qingshan’s mind, Xu Shitong, alerted by the activation of the secret chamber, suddenly appeared before him.

Once his son had uncovered his secret, Xu Shitong didn’t hide anything further, recounting all his past experiences to Xu Qingshan.

From that day, Xu Qingshan learned of his father’s extraordinary background as the direct disciple of the Long Xiao Battle God who had once traversed the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud a century ago.

Unfortunately, the Long Xiao Battle God was deemed a human traitor by the Emperor Canglong Palace, and even his disciple became a criminal. If Xu Shitong hadn’t received a tip-off from some source, leading to his early escape, he might have long perished.

It is clear that Xu Qingshan’s father, also the Sect Leader of the Hidden Blade Sect, Xu Shitong, was the direct disciple of the Long Xiao Battle God a hundred years ago. His real name was Xu Tongshi.

Although Xu Tongshi was honest and simple, and his cultivation talent was not exceptional, he was not a fool. After escaping from the Emperor Canglong Palace, he hid his identity for nearly a hundred years, even secretly joining the Hidden Blade Sect and becoming the current Sect Leader of this small sect.

Naturally, when Xu Tongshi informed his son of these past events, he specifically warned him not to reveal them casually, or it would undoubtedly bring disaster.

Unexpectedly, Xu Tongshi’s identity as a disciple of the Long Xiao Battle God wasn’t exposed, yet a change occurred because the Emperor Palace wanted to annex the Hidden Blade Sect, leading to his death.

The cause and effect of this matter were unknown to Yun Xiao, and Xu Qingshan had never told outsiders. Now, when this rough-clothed youth revealed it with a single word, one could imagine the storm in Xu Qingshan’s heart.

This was arguably the greatest secret of the Xu family father and son. Xu Qingshan could also ascertain that his father would never tell a second person, not even his own mother, who likely wasn’t aware of this matter.

It wasn’t that Xu Tongshi didn’t trust his wife, but with such a significant matter, the more people knew, the greater the danger. Unexpectedly, the Hidden Blade Sect was still annihilated in an instant.

"So it’s true!"

Seeing Xu Qingshan’s reaction, though he didn’t respond directly, it indirectly confirmed Yun Xiao’s suspicions, causing his body to tremble slightly.

Ever since his reincarnation, Yun Xiao had been worried about the safety of that disciple. In his view, Xu Tongshi had long been eradicated by the Emperor Canglong and the Empress.

He never expected that today, by accidentally saving a young man, it would turn out to be his former life’s disciple’s own son. Indeed, what one seeks remains elusive, yet comes effortlessly.

Previously, Yun Xiao had only spoken on a whim, never suspecting that Xu Qingshan would truly be related to his previous life’s disciple. But this inquiry revealed the truth he sought.

Thus, the similarities Yun Xiao saw in Xu Qingshan that reminded him of Xu Shitong were explained. They were father and son, in action and in blood, bearing many resemblances to each other.

"Qingshan, where... where is your father now?"

Though Yun Xiao had been calm all along, his voice quivered slightly when he asked this question because he had already vaguely guessed some truths from Xu Qingshan’s previous words, but didn’t want to admit it.

"Father... Father sacrificed himself along with the Hidden Blade Sect to save me!"

When speaking of this matter, Xu Qingshan’s eyes showed a trace of hatred and sorrow. Yet, upon hearing these words, the rough-clothed youth in front of him couldn’t help but tremble violently.

Listening to the turmoil of the Hidden Blade Sect narrated by Xu Qingshan, Yun Xiao’s eyes were also filled with growing hatred. His disciple from a past life ultimately could not escape the vile hands of the Emperor Canglong Palace.

"Shitong, it’s my fault for implicating you!"

A low voice came from Yun Xiao’s mouth, which even Xu Qingshan, who remained kneeling, didn’t hear. After uttering these words, Yun Xiao’s gaze suddenly became more resolute.

"Qingshan, I cannot be your teacher!"

Suppressing the sadness in his heart, the words Yun Xiao spoke brought waves of disappointment to Xu Qingshan’s heart. He thought, missing out on such a powerful mentor, how long will it take to avenge his father?

"You should call me Master Ancestor. From today onwards, I will teach you everything I have learned in my life!"

Just when Xu Qingshan was in despair, a voice like heavenly music suddenly came from above, causing him to pause amid his extreme sorrow and joy.

Though he didn’t understand why the other wouldn’t be his teacher but wanted to be his Master Ancestor, as long as he could learn skills from this powerful figure to avenge the Hidden Blade Sect, Xu Qingshan was willing to do anything.

"Disciple pays respects to Master Ancestor!"

Turning his thoughts quickly, Xu Qingshan did not dare to hesitate, fearing that even a slight hesitation would make the other party change his mind. He directly knelt in the air, kowtowing nine times loudly to Yun Xiao, making a thumping sound even in the sky.

"Rise!"

Feeling quite emotional, Yun Xiao softly uttered while watching Xu Qingshan stand up with a face full of joy, convinced it was his other responsibility.

Failing to protect the son of an old friend, and causing Xu Tongshi to live a life of hardship because of him, who ultimately couldn’t escape being killed by the Emperor Canglong Palace, Yun Xiao felt a bit guilty.

Fortunately, the Heavenly Dao was not completely ruthless, allowing Yun Xiao to inadvertently encounter Xu Tongshi’s son, Xu Qingshan. It felt like heavenly compensation, and he resolved to help Xu Qingshan become a peerless powerhouse in the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud.