Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

Zhao Guan’s chest heaved violently, his lungs feeling as if they were about to explode.

Gu poison! That damned Ning Xuan must have used Gu poison on Jiang Chan! Otherwise, with her status, why would she ever treat a man she just met like this?

With this thought, Zhao Guan immediately sent a mental transmission to Tu Jingcheng to ask for his help.

But Tu Jingcheng replied unequivocally, "That’s impossible. Think about Jiang Chan’s status. Besides, do you think those two women by her side are just pushovers?"

This threw Zhao Guan into confusion. He simply couldn’t figure it out.

On the high platform, Tu Jingcheng couldn’t help but shake his head. Although he had known from the start that Zhao Guan had no intention of competing for first place, he never expected Zhao Guan to lose his composure so quickly.

"Yu’er, you must be careful around Ning Xuan," Tu Jingcheng thought for a moment before sending a mental message to Tu Yu. "Although we can’t be friends with him, it’s best not to offend him either."

Tu Yu looked at his father, puzzled.

Tu Jingcheng asked, "Do you know what the Jiang Family is best at?"

Tu Yu shook his head. He truly had no idea.

"The art of discerning people! Why do you think the Empress became the Empress? Her fated encounter with the Emperor was meticulously arranged by the Jiang Family’s ancestors!" Tu Jingcheng revealed an absolute secret in his transmission. "Jiang Chan has only met Ning Xuan once, yet she’s already helping him so wholeheartedly. It’s highly unusual! She might be using the excuse of repaying a favor, but her actions have already far exceeded what’s necessary for that. I suspect she has inherited the mantle of her ancestors!"

Tu Yu was utterly dumbfounded. This was the first time he had ever heard of such a miraculous art of discerning people.

"Father, are you saying that Ning... Ning Xuan will become... become the Emperor?"

Tu Jingcheng was exasperated. "How is that possible! I mean he might become a great benefactor to Jiang Chan!"

"Oh, oh, a benefactor," Tu Yu said, finally understanding, though he was inwardly skeptical.

If Ning Xuan were to become the Emperor, I would definitely be groveling at his feet right now. But he’s just going to be Jiang Chan’s benefactor? What does that have to do with me?

Tu Yu failed to grasp the significance. The current gap in status between Ning Xuan and Jiang Chan was an insurmountable chasm. If anyone was going to be a benefactor, it should have been Jiang Chan to Ning Xuan. For Ning Xuan to become *her* benefactor meant that his future achievements would be beyond imagination.

Therefore, despite his indifference, when Wang Teng appeared and informed him via transmission that everything was ready, Tu Yu had no intention of stopping the plan. In fact, after inquiring about the arrangements in detail, he made several more adjustments himself. Once he received his new orders, Wang Teng departed again.

The break, which had lasted for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, was over, and the duels began anew.

Seething with an anger he couldn’t place, Zhao Guan chose not to challenge Jiang Chan again. Instead, he unleashed his fury on the other contestants. In his rage, Zhao Guan was an unstoppable force, tearing through his opponents. Aside from Wang Ao, who managed to hold on for a while, no one he targeted lasted for long.

After the time it took for another incense stick to burn, only ten people remained on the dueling platform: Ning Xuan, Jiang Chan, Luo Ji, Zhao Guan, Zang Peng, Zhang Yuan, Qin Yuan, Kang Qing, Chen Lin, and Duan Qi.

Time flew by, and the third round was about to begin when suddenly, cries of protest erupted from below the stage.

"Why is Miss Jiang Chan still on the platform?!"

"That’s right! She’s a woman; she can’t become the Prince Consort! This farce has gone on long enough!"

"Jiang Chan, don’t think you can do whatever you want just because you’re a member of the imperial family! If I were you, I’d step down immediately!"

"Jiang Chan, get off the stage!"

The calls for her to step down grew louder and louder.

You should go. It’s not worth it to do all this for me! Ning Xuan was celebrating inwardly.

"I haven’t really been much help," Jiang Chan replied, a look of apology on her face.

Ning Xuan’s mouth twitched. My lady, do you have some kind of misunderstanding of what ’help’ is? You’ve practically guaranteed my spot in the top ten, and you call that not being much help?!

Just then, Jiang Chan’s voice sounded in his ear. "Don’t worry. I’ll take care of your biggest threat!"

"Don’t—"

Ning Xuan had barely spoken before Jiang Chan was already shouting to Zhao Guan, "We haven’t settled our match! Do you dare to face me in another battle?!"

"Why wouldn’t I dare!"

As Zhao Guan accepted, the two of them left the dueling platform in a flash.

On the stage, Ning Xuan was completely numb. This Jiang Chan is way too enthusiastic! Zhao Guan’s strength is obvious to everyone. Plus, the man hates my guts. As soon as Jiang Chan is gone, he’ll definitely come for me first! My defeat at his hands would have been perfectly reasonable and justified. But now she’s gone and provoked him into leaving with her!

Forget it! I’ll just have to rely on Zang Peng! Ning Xuan instantly changed his plan.

However, just as he looked toward Zang Peng, Luo Ji’s voice rang out. "Don’t worry about Zang Peng, I’ll handle him! You just focus on the others."

Ning Xuan felt his scalp prickle with frustration. What is with these people! One Jiang Chan leaves, only for another leech I can’t shake off to appear!

Moreover, this guy was incredibly persistent. He had been targeting Zang Peng from the very beginning, and now, even in the third round, he refused to give up.

"Why don’t you just give up? You’re not his match. Let me handle him," Ning Xuan said, no longer caring if he hurt Luo Ji’s pride.

Luo Ji was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head firmly. "No! Once I, Luo Ji, decide on something, I never quit halfway! If you want me to give up, I either have to win, or I have to die!"

With that, he strode toward Zang Peng once more, resolute and unhesitating.

Ning Xuan was utterly despondent. With Luo Ji saying something like that, what could he possibly do? He could only pin his hopes on the others. Zhang Yuan, Qin Yuan, Kang Qing, Chen Lin, and Duan Qi—there were still five people left. No matter what, he was bound to get an opponent.

Initially, Ning Xuan’s first choice was Duan Qi. At only sixteen, his Cultivation was already at the Fifth Layer Heavens of the Holy Realm. He was an absolute prodigy. Losing to him would be the most logical outcome.

Unexpectedly, Duan Qi had already made his move, and his chosen opponent was Zhang Yuan.

Ning Xuan then looked toward Chen Lin, but there was no hope there either. The man had already set his sights on Tian Quan Qin Yuan. With both of them occupied, only one person remained.

Ning Xuan recalled what Wang Ao had told him before: Tianxuan Kang Qing, from the Chi Ming Prince’s Mansion. Seventeen years old, with a Cultivation at the Fourth Layer Heavens of the Holy Realm.

A seventeen-year-old Cultivator at the Fourth Layer Heavens of the Holy Realm... While not on par with Duan Qi and Chen Lin, he’s still decent enough, I guess.

"What’s with that look? You think I’m not worthy of fighting you?!" Kang Qing’s perception was excellent. His brows shot up as he questioned Ning Xuan in a deep voice.

"I never said that; you did. But I’d like to ask, if you don’t mind... you’re already seventeen, so why are you only at the Fourth Layer Heavens of the Holy Realm?"

PFFT!

On the high platform, Tu Jingcheng, who had been sipping his tea, sprayed it all over. This kid... does he have to be so arrogant?!

On the stage, Kang Qing froze for a second before enunciating each word with chilling clarity.

"What. Did. You. Say?!"

A terrifying killing intent erupted from him, poised to devour its prey.