Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

Ning Xuan waited until the other duel ended and the rest period was over.

In the previous battle, Duan Qi had ultimately been a step ahead, securing the victory.

Seeing both Luo Ji and Duan Qi rise, Ning Xuan immediately said to the former, "Let’s go! I can’t wait!"

To his surprise, after glancing at him, Luo Ji actually waved Duan Qi over.

"No! I’m your opponent!"

Ning Xuan wouldn’t let Luo Ji get his way. After all, if this kept up, he’d end up in the finals!

As Ning Xuan advanced, Luo Ji retreated. "Brother Duan," Luo Ji said, "since he wants to fight, you go ahead and fight him first!"

Luo Ji had actually chosen to withdraw voluntarily, leaving the stage for Ning Xuan and Duan Qi.

"Fine!" After taking a deep breath, Duan Qi agreed immediately. Luo Ji’s strength was exceptional, far beyond his expectations. The strongest opponent should naturally be saved for last!

"Ning Xuan, I will fight you!" Duan Qi immediately locked onto Ning Xuan.

"Don’t you dare suppress your Cultivation Realm! I’m very strong!" To prevent this guy from pulling the same stunt as Kang Qing, Ning Xuan immediately sent a telepathic message.

"Don’t worry. I’m determined to secure the top spot, and I won’t allow the slightest mishap!"

Hearing Duan Qi’s response, Ning Xuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. He immediately gathered his energy, preparing to strike first.

Sure enough, just as Duan Qi had said he would, his eyes sharpened like a hawk’s, and his aura surged dramatically.

Ning Xuan smiled. Finally, things were going according to plan! Even though the process had a few deviations, he was satisfied with this outcome. After all, this meant he was in the top three. No matter how you looked at it, it wasn’t shameful anymore.

But just then, Ning Xuan’s eyes widened.

"Watch out—!"

Before the last word could leave his mouth, Duan Qi was sent flying, crashing onto the high platform!

The one who struck was, of course, Luo Ji.

Ning Xuan was dumbfounded.

"Luo Ji, how could you launch a sneak attack?!" Ning Xuan immediately confronted him.

"The Envoy said we should rely on our own abilities," Luo Ji retorted. "There are only three of us left on the stage. He should have been on guard against me, but he wasn’t. How can this be blamed on me?"

Ning Xuan was speechless.

Duan Qi, who had been sent flying, was about to erupt in fury, but upon hearing this, he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue. Luo Ji had a point. Although his methods were despicable, a win was a win, and a loss was a loss.

"Fine, you won. Let’s have our final showdown!" Ning Xuan was livid.

Luo Ji, however, shook his head. "I used up all my Element Force to win just now. I’m completely exhausted."

"Then what are you waiting for? Hurry up and recuperate! Here, I have top-notch elixirs to replenish your Element Force!" Ning Xuan immediately compromised.

He wanted to lose, not win. He had to let Luo Ji recover to his peak condition. Of course, Luo Ji was definitely faking it. This guy was usually quiet, but he was far too devious. He was already laying the groundwork for his own defeat! I absolutely will not let him get his way!

"Thank you, Brother Ning," Luo Ji said, stepping toward Ning Xuan.

Then, his legs suddenly gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.

Ning Xuan was stupefied. What the hell! How can this guy be even more shameless than me?!

"I’ll help you!" Without a second thought, Ning Xuan rushed over to support him.

However, the moment Ning Xuan touched him—

PFFT!

Luo Ji was sent flying backward, spewing blood.

This time, all Ning Xuan could do was jerk his head aside to dodge the spray of blood. He was completely numb.

Son of a bitch! This guy’s staged-accident skills would be considered top-tier even on Earth!

Ning Xuan had never expected Luo Ji to pull a move like this at this moment. By the time he turned back, Luo Ji had already crumpled to the ground.

Instantly, on the vast dueling platform, only Ning Xuan remained standing!

This was just too dramatic. Remember, he was the first to enter the stage. Originally, Ning Xuan’s plan had been perfect: be the bird that sticks its neck out and get eliminated first. But now? By a strange twist of fate, he had become the final victor!

This was completely absurd!

"What the hell! How could this be?!"

"Exactly! How could he possibly get first place?!"

"That other guy was shameless enough, but for him to immediately copy the trick... Damn, that’s just too brazen!"

"..."

Many of the spectators were voicing their complaints.

"I declare..." On the high platform, Tu Jingcheng stood up, about to speak.

He was actually quite satisfied with this result. After all, this Ning Xuan didn’t belong to any faction. He was all alone, save for that reasonably strong little girl who followed him. This made him far too easy to control. Crucially, his looks were also exceptionally outstanding. He was confident that whether he brought him back for the Emperor or Princess Piaomiao, they would be very pleased.

Down below, Jiang Chan and Cheng Dabao were also delighted. Their goal had been achieved!

The only unhappy ones were You Ruo and the crowd of lovestruck female spectators.

"Wait!" Ning Xuan shouted from the stage, cutting Tu Jingcheng off. "I disagree! Luo Ji lost on purpose! I didn’t even lay a hand on him! Lord Envoy, you took my pulse earlier. You can’t show favoritism this time!"

After a moment of shock, Tu Jingcheng vanished from his spot.

Ning Xuan looked at Luo Ji and smiled. This guy actually copied me. As if Tu Jingcheng is that easy to fool!

But just then, Ning Xuan saw Luo Ji wink at him.

His heart sank.

Sure enough, Tu Jingcheng reappeared and announced, "Ning Xuan, he isn’t faking it. Your strike shattered his meridians! He is now a cripple."

"What?!"

Ning Xuan was floored. To let me win, Luo Ji actually gambled his own future?! No, that can’t be right! Remembering Luo Ji’s wink, he immediately said, "Lord Envoy, he’s definitely faking it! Look at him! Do you see an ounce of sadness or anger on his face?"

Tu Jingcheng glanced at Luo Ji. Then, before Luo Ji could even speak, the Envoy spoke up on his behalf.

"The greatest sorrow is a dead heart. I understand his feelings perfectly."

Ning Xuan was numb.

At this, many in the crowd became furious.

"Damn it, are you even human?! You crippled the man and now you’re claiming he’s faking it!"

"Exactly! I’ve seen plenty of shameless people, but you take the cake! This is a first!"

"Ning Xuan, you’re a real piece of work! You may have won, but I still despise you!"

"..."

The curses rose and fell in waves as the crowd seethed with rage. It was only under Tu Jingcheng’s sweeping gaze that they finally calmed down.

"Ning Xuan, although your victory was disgraceful, you didn’t break any rules," Tu Jingcheng announced. "As reluctant as I am to say it, I must declare you the champion of this Star Domain Conference!"

As Tu Jingcheng’s words fell, only Jiang Chan and Cheng Dabao were smiling.

Everyone else wore gloomy expressions.

Ning Xuan, for his part, looked as if he had lost the will to live.

What the hell is this mess? I don’t want to be number one! Somebody, please, save me!