CHAPTER 437: FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN BEAST VEIN MASTER

"Assessing for a Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Refining Master, there’s no need for a deposit!"

Just as everyone was astonished by Yun Xiao’s thick-skinned request, a clear voice suddenly emerged, and an emaciated elder quickly approached from somewhere.

"Chairman!"

Upon seeing this emaciated elder, Yun Xiao was not much moved, but the surrounding spectators were all stirred up, recognizing the elder as the Chairman of the Lingtian Empire Meridian Refining Master Guild: Gu Dao!

The Meridian Refining Master Guild is an independent entity, rumored to be headquartered in the Middle Three Realms. Therefore, Chairman Gu Dao’s status in the Lingtian Empire is on par with the Lingtian Emperor.

Even the Royal Family of the Lingtian Empire dares not easily offend the Meridian Refining Master Guild, for one cannot guarantee when they might need to seek their help, given the number of high-level Meridian Refining Masters there.

Seeing the old man step out, even Nie Qianqiu’s expression changed slightly. He knew that Chairman Gu Dao always worked in mysterious ways, rarely seen even by him, the Crown Prince, having only met him a few times.

"Could it be that my successful assessment as a Spiritual Rank Low-level Meridian Refining Master has caught the attention of Chairman Gu Dao?"

As Nie Qianqiu thought about it, his thoughts might have gone a bit too far. Just as this idea crossed his mind, he saw Gu Dao’s gaze fall on a young man in coarse clothes, which made him even more frustrated.

"It’s this kid again!"

At that moment, Nie Qianqiu finally had a vague idea of why the Chairman would appear here—it certainly wasn’t because of him, the prince of the Royal Family, but because of that youth from the Xuanyue Empire, Yun Xiao.

Putting aside their personal grievances, Yun Xiao’s performance today was something Nie Qianqiu couldn’t even catch up to if he tried. In just one time unit, Yun Xiao successively passed the assessments for both medical and poison low-level Spiritual Rank Meridian Refining Master badges, while it took him a whole day and night just to pass one, with no comparison at all.

"You’re Yun Xiao, right?"

Gu Dao indeed came for Yun Xiao. Ignoring the burning gazes of the onlookers, he spoke directly to Yun Xiao.

Although Yun Xiao did not know how this man knew his name, he showed no disrespect to the Chairman of the Meridian Refining Master Guild.

"Yun Xiao greets the Chairman!"

Since he couldn’t guess the Chairman’s purpose, Yun Xiao did not ask further. He believed that since the Chairman was here, he wouldn’t hide anything.

Indeed, no sooner had Yun Xiao finished speaking than Gu Dao replied, "I would like to ask for your help. If successful, the Meridian Refining Master Guild will directly award you the badge of a Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Refining Master!"

"What?"

Though Gu Dao spoke lightly, to the onlookers, it sounded like thunderous roars. The esteemed Chairman of the Meridian Refining Master Guild, a real high-ranking Advanced Peak Meridian Refining Master, was actually asking a favor from an unknown youth. What was going on?

Especially for the prince Nie Qianqiu, who was almost driven mad. What abilities did this kid have that even the Chairman personally solicited his help? Could there be things even the Meridian Refining Master Guild couldn’t handle?

But if even the Meridian Refining Master Guild couldn’t handle it, what help could a kid, whose only achievements were Early Stage of Meridian Union in Meridian Qi Cultivation and low-level Spiritual Rank in Meridian Refining Technique, possibly provide? It would be better to seek help from the Lingtian Royal Family.

"Oh? Directly award the Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Refining Master badge?"

Hearing this, Yun Xiao’s eyes lit up. In fact, he had just thought about assessing as a Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Refining Master, but he lacked the money, and Nie Qianqiu refused to lend him any, making it seem like a perfect timing.

Although Yun Xiao’s Power of Soul had just broken through to Spiritual Rank Low-level, he believed his reincarnated soul, compared to some at the Spiritual Rank Intermediate, was not inferior. As he was here, assessing as a Spiritual Rank Intermediate Meridian Refining Master seemed feasible.

Since such an opportunity had presented itself, Yun Xiao, of course, would not refuse. Moreover, the Chairman did not mention any consequences of failure, which kind of resembled the recent bet with Nie Qianqiu—win and gain something, lose but suffer no loss.

"Indeed, are you interested?"

Chairman Gu Dao, still not mentioning any consequences of failure, conveyed a message to Yun Xiao with his attitude—he believed in the young man and had no doubt he would not be disappointed.

"Alright, I agree, but..."

Yun Xiao didn’t delay, his eyes twinkling as he added, "I would like to propose a condition: if I manage this task, then a Spiritual Rank Intermediate Poison Vein Master badge should be given to me as well!"

As someone reincarnated from the Dragon Cloud Battle God, Yun Xiao naturally aimed to maximize benefits. Seeing how seriously Chairman Gu Dao regarded this matter, the task was probably not simple. Not taking the opportunity to gain an advantage was not his style.

"You lad, really unwilling to suffer any loss!"

Gu Dao couldn’t help but laugh and scold, then nodded and said, "Alright, but if it doesn’t work out, you’ll have to take the assessment for these two badges yourself!"

The Chairman did not make an absolute statement, and with those words, the matter was deemed set. This left the onlookers somewhat baffled and they could only regain their senses after the figures of the old and the young had completely disappeared from the end of the hall.

"What do you think the Chairman wants the young man’s help with?"

One of the individuals, an old man with graying hair who seemed to hold a high status, stared fixedly at the disappearing backs of the old and the young and eventually could not refrain from voicing his question.

However, nobody present could answer his question; they rarely even saw the Chairman on normal days, let alone guess his intentions, so speculative guesses were all they could manage.

Comparatively, Crown Prince Nie Qianqiu of the Lingtian Empire was feeling rather complicated today. He had come joyfully to assess for the Spiritual Rank Low-Level Meridian Refining Masters, but had not expected to encounter Yun Xiao, an unusual character who caused him to lose face. The joy of successful assessment was now completely absent.

"Yun Xiao, is it? This is the Lingtian Empire, and offending me, Nie Qianqiu, can lead to quite a bit of trouble!"

A dangerous gleam flashed in Nie Qianqiu’s eyes, then he slowly faded from view at the entrance of the third floor hall against Mu Yun’s slightly disappointed expression.

......

Naturally, Yun Xiao had no idea that his actions had offended a significant figure. Now, he was really curious about what kind of help the Chairman wanted from him.

With this mindset, Yun Xiao followed Gu Dao straight ahead, and soon they had left the Meridian Refining Master Guild’s temple building and arrived at an open area.

"Hmm? There’s a presence of a Vein Demon!"

With the immense strength of Yun Xiao’s Power of Soul, he sensed a peculiar aura as soon as he arrived, which was distinctly different from that of humans, prompting him immediately to speculate.

After turning past a rocky outcropping, Yun Xiao had no more doubts because not far away, there was a massive creature - evidently a strong Vein Demon.

"Chairman, you’re here!"

Just as Yun Xiao was scrutinizing the huge Vein Demon, a voice suddenly came through. When he turned around, he saw an elderly man, looking somewhat disheveled, bowing to Gu Dao.

The reason Yun Xiao thought the elderly man looked disheveled was because not only were his clothes in disarray, but his face was also bruised, as if he had just been beaten up.

However, the elderly man’s Meridian Qi Cultivation was far from ordinary; the faintly emanating majestic aura indicated that he must have reached the Spirit Vein Realm, and not just at the Early Stage.

"What happened to Elder Han Santong? How did you end up like this?"

Gu Dao clearly didn’t understand the appearance of the elderly man and immediately asked, but as soon as he spoke, the elder called "Han Santong" appeared quite uncomfortable, glancing at the huge creature nearby with a hint of resentment in his eyes.

"The Chairman might not be aware, but that big fellow’s temper has gotten worse lately. Even when I tried to approach, it... it flung me away with a wing, which is how I ended up like this!"

Despite the elder’s embarrassment, he spoke the truth, which confirmed Yun Xiao’s earlier speculation, that in this place, probably only that strong Vein Demon could have injured a powerhouse at least in the Advanced Stages of the Spirit Vein Realm.

"Is that so?"

Hearing the elder’s words, Gu Dao’s eyes flashed with a tinge of unease, but he quickly covered it up and pointing to the side introduced, "Yun Xiao, let me introduce you to the only Beast Vein Master of our Meridian Refining Master Guild: Elder Han Santong Han!"

"Beast Vein Master?"

Upon hearing this title, memories flooded Yun Xiao’s mind. He hadn’t expected that in this Hidden Dragon Continent, there would be such a sect of Meridian Masters which he had not seen even in Xuanyue Empire.

Meridian Masters are generally divided into two categories: medical and poison, yet apart from these, there exists a unique branch, that is the Beast Vein Masters. As the name implies, these are Meridian Masters who specialize in studying Vein Demons or domestic beasts.

On the Continent, humans are the apparent dominators, but the power of Vein Demons should not be underestimated. Unlike humans, the meridians of Vein Demons are entirely different.

Moreover, compared to humans, Vein Demons are diverse, including terrestrial Vein Demons, Flying Beast Vein Demons, and aquatic Vein Demons among others – studying them thoroughly could potentially take a lifetime.

Yet, there are still people tirelessly researching the meridians and acupoints of various Vein Demons on the Continent. Though they are rare, they are highly revered.

Although Vein Demons do not attack humans on sight like Strange Spirits, their relationship with humans is not especially friendly. However, these Beast Vein Masters are those who can best forge relationships with Vein Demons.

What makes Beast Vein Masters most enviable is not their research into the meridians and acupoints of Vein Demons, but that they can, through certain methods, tame some fierce Vein Demons as their Demon Pets, thus significantly enhancing their combat abilities, to the envy of others.