Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

The fire dragon’s claw struck empty air, and it froze. It hadn’t anticipated such a foolish human! That was its territory down there. This guy must have a death wish!

With a deep, joyous cry, the fire dragon plunged headfirst after him.

Then, it began to struggle. Its body, with only its head inside the volcano, writhed ceaselessly as its form grew ever larger. A strange sight unfolded at the entrance to the Eye of the Volcano: the body outside was a dragon’s, but the head inside was a snake’s! This was because just below the opening, Ning Xuan had firmly clamped down on its shrunken head!

RUMBLE...

The fire dragon struggled violently. The entire secret realm quaked, and Wang Ao could barely hold on to the scroll in his hand.

"Brother Ning! What are you doing?!"

"Brother Ning, can you hear me?!"

"Ning Xuan, are you dead yet?!" Wang Ao finally lost his patience.

He didn’t get a reply from Ning Xuan. Instead, he was met with the barely concealed killing intent from the people Ning Xuan had just rescued.

"Ahem, that’s not what I meant. I was just overwrought with concern! Yes, that’s it, just overwrought!" Wang Ao immediately caved.

"I don’t care where you’re from! If anything happens to our benefactor, I will never forgive you!"

"That’s right!"

"Count me in!"

"And me!"

The remaining survivors echoed their agreement. Wang Ao’s face darkened with frustration. I have the urge to curse his mother—no, his father! Damn it all! How did I end up as the villain?

He couldn’t figure it out and lost all interest in speaking. He simply gave up and clutched the scroll tightly.

After what felt like an eternity, the shaking from the scroll finally ceased. Instantly, all eyes were fixed on it.

"Brother Ning Xuan, are you okay?"

"Benefactor, can you hear us?"

"Benefactor, are you alright?"

"..."

The moment Wang Ao opened his mouth, the others started clamoring over each other, not caring whether Ning Xuan could even hear them. Wang Ao’s face remained expressionless; he had already mentally prepared himself for this.

However, a voice echoed from the scroll. "Not dead yet!"

When Wang Ao heard Ning Xuan’s voice, he couldn’t help but leap to his feet. What a relief! Once Ning Xuan gets out, the truth will come to light! When these guys realize I was the good one all along, they’ll probably be moved to tears with gratitude!

Thinking this, he quickly urged, "If you’re okay, get out here! The secret realm is about to dematerialize!"

"I’m exhausted... can’t move," Ning Xuan’s weak voice replied.

"I’m not joking! The secret realm’s materialization is on a timer! If you don’t get out before it disappears, you’ll become a part of it forever!"

As soon as Wang Ao said this, a voice came from behind him. "Is that so?"

Wang Ao turned his head and saw Zang Peng.

"That’s a nice little toy you have there. Let me play with it." Zang Peng glanced at the scroll in Wang Ao’s hand, his aura sinister.

Someone beside Wang Ao stepped forward to rebuke Zang Peng. "I recognize you. You’re from the Tianyang Realm. I’ve heard that people there cultivate using Turbid Qi. This is no place to harbor filth, so I advise you to behave..." This guy was obviously trouble! More importantly, he wanted to trap their benefactor in the secret realm to die! He wouldn’t allow it.

However, those would be his last words in this world.

Before he could finish speaking, Zang Peng dissolved into a cloud of black smoke that enveloped him. And just like that, a living person vanished into thin air. Not a bone, not even a speck of ash, was left behind. He was gone without a trace—or more accurately, devoured by the black smoke.

The faces of the remaining survivors turned pale, and they gasped in horror. Yet not one of them retreated. One of them reached out, yanked Wang Ao behind him, and the others closed ranks, forming a defensive line in front of him.

Across from them, Zang Peng chuckled. Just as he was about to make a move, Wang Ao’s voice rang out. "Hold on!"

Zang Peng looked at him coldly, readying to strike again.

"Ning Xuan has something to say!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Ning Xuan’s voice followed from the scroll. "Your target is me. This has nothing to do with the others. Let them go!"

The people Ning Xuan had rescued knew he was still trapped inside the secret realm without even turning around. They thought something was off about the voice and were about to speak.

"Watch out!" Wang Ao cried out. At the same time, he suddenly accelerated, trying to get away from Zang Peng.

Ahead of him, the defensive line they had formed was gone. They had all met the same fate as the man before them.

A chill ran down Wang Ao’s spine. This guy’s methods are horrifying. If I don’t give him the scroll, I’ll die here!

As he hesitated, a cold voice suddenly cut in. "The two of you may not need rest, but that doesn’t mean you can keep others from getting theirs."

Immediately, another person appeared.

Seeing the newcomer, Wang Ao was overjoyed. Without a second thought, he tossed the scroll toward the man. "Luo Ji, catch!"

Zang Peng had only glanced at Luo Ji before lunging for Wang Ao, but the throw forced him to immediately change targets.

Wang Ao stumbled back a step, staring at his now-shorter sleeve as he broke out in a cold sweat. This guy’s strength is terrifying! If I hadn’t been quick-witted, I’d be dead right now! I wonder how Luo Ji is faring?

With this thought, he looked toward Luo Ji and saw an impenetrable barrier, seemingly woven from a sword dance.

Damn, his sword dance is completely silent! Wang Ao was stunned by the sight. This unassuming guy has absolutely terrifying strength! Even Zang Peng’s attacks can’t break through for now.

Wang Ao breathed a sigh of relief. Ning Xuan would definitely have enough time to get out now.

But just then, his body trembled. As he was about to react, a voice said, "It’s me."

Then he saw Cheng Dabao. A smile started to form on his face but froze before it could fully appear. The newcomer had immobilized him.

"You’re not Sister Bao!" Wang Ao shouted.

The imposter pressed their fingers to his lips and giggled coquettishly. "Of course I am!"

"Who the hell are you?!" Wang Ao’s expression changed dramatically, his body tensing. This person who had appeared out of nowhere was definitely a woman in disguise. But that wasn’t the main point. The main point was that she knew his vulnerable spot! He wasn’t even using his family’s Cultivation Technique! In other words, not even those closest to him knew his weak point, yet this woman had struck it directly. That was terrifying.

"Hee hee... I can be whoever you want me to be," she replied.

"I don’t care who you are, as long as you’re not with him and from the Tianyang Realm," Wang Ao said, calming himself and trying to probe her allegiance.

Unfortunately for him, she didn’t fall for the trick. In fact, because he had spoken, the woman stopped paying him any attention and moved to help Zang Peng.

"Back off! I’m about to break through his Sword Array!" Zang Peng snapped, not appreciating the offer.

A look of joy spread across Wang Ao’s face.