Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

Damn it, did my reaction look like I was agreeing with Ning Xuan?!

This guy is definitely doing it on purpose! All that talk about believing I’m innocent was complete bullshit! It was all just laying the groundwork to force me into a fight! Because of this, if I don’t accept the challenge, I’m certain Ning Xuan will immediately start questioning me. By then, even if I hadn’t sent anyone to kill him, this guy could still twist the truth. Besides, I was the one who arranged for those five men.

"Ah, Young Master Ning, you overestimate me," Wang Teng said immediately, adopting a very humble posture. "Although I was born in the Domain Lord’s Mansion of Tian Shu, and there are many experts in my household, my own talent is mediocre. My strength is naturally no match for yours, Young Master Ning. However, since you don’t find me unworthy, I am happy to oblige."

He had to speak this way; otherwise, he might die at Ning Xuan’s hands. Now that he had, things were different.

Ning Xuan probably won’t dare to kill me. After all, this is Tian Shu. Never mind Ning Xuan, even the Envoy himself would have to think twice before killing me!

The more he thought about it, the more relaxed Wang Teng became. He landed directly on the dueling platform. Then, with a wave of his sleeve, a fierce gust of wind swept the corpses into the air.

BANG!

They exploded into a mist of blood. Seeing all traces of them erased, Wang Teng finally let out a sigh of relief. But he immediately saw the smile on Ning Xuan’s face, and his heart lurched. Ning Xuan’s smile was unsettling, making his heart palpitate. It was a smile that seemed to see through everything.

"They were an eyesore and a nuisance," Wang Teng said casually, trying to explain himself. He knew all too well that the more one talks, the more likely they are to slip up.

As Ning Xuan nodded, Wang Teng immediately asked, "I wonder how Young Master Ning would like to spar?"

"No rules, no limits. Life and death are decided by fate."

Wang Teng’s heart skipped a beat, and he stammered, "Y-You really know how to joke, Young Master Ning."

He realized his earlier assumptions were completely wrong. From the look of it, Ning Xuan clearly intended to kill him! His status as the Realm Lord’s son was utterly useless. At this point, Wang Teng was overcome with regret.

If I had known this guy was so lawless, I would have never stepped onto this platform.

"I’m just kidding, don’t take it so seriously," Ning Xuan said with a laugh, making a welcoming gesture.

Wang Teng smiled back, but the moment his body moved, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

I am a Holy Realm Cultivator! Ning Xuan is just a Martial Artist. Does he think he’s worthy of taking my life?!

BOOM!

Wang Teng moved, but instead of lunging forward, he shot backward at high speed. As he moved, a terrifying power transformed into countless sharp blades, instantly materializing around Ning Xuan from every direction.

Martial Artists practice combat, but Cultivators practice the Dao! These are Dao Techniques in action! I know you’re fast, Ning Xuan, but can speed ever surpass the Dao? By putting distance between our Physical Bodies, I’ll ensure your close-range attacks have no chance to be used before you’re completely obliterated! This is the power of a Cultivator!

A victor’s smile spread across Wang Teng’s face. At such a distance, Ning Xuan couldn’t possibly dodge his attack. These blades sealed off every escape route, and any single one of them could easily kill a Martial Artist of any realm.

However, two sounds rang out almost simultaneously.

BANG!

SPLAT!

The first was the sound of Ning Xuan lunging forward, shattering the blades Wang Teng had manifested in his path into dust. The second was the sound of Ning Xuan’s Element Force Sword piercing through Wang Teng’s brow.

Wang Teng’s eyes instantly bulged with fear, horror, and despair. He had never imagined that Ning Xuan could be this terrifying.

"W-Why...?" In his final moments, Wang Teng stared fixedly at Ning Xuan, wanting to know why he had lost so completely.

"You shouldn’t have dispersed your Dao Techniques," Ning Xuan explained. "If you had condensed them into a single, focused strike, I would never have dared to test my own body against it."

As Ning Xuan’s words fell, a flash of understanding lit up Wang Teng’s eyes. He then uttered the last word of his life.

"Regret..."

Wang Teng, who died with his eyes wide open in disbelief, would never know that even if he understood the reason, even if he were given another chance, he still would have lost. Ning Xuan had said he wouldn’t test the attack with his body, which implied he had other methods at his disposal.

But that no longer mattered.

At this moment, the entire square was deathly silent. Ning Xuan instantly killing five people earlier had been shocking enough, but it was nothing compared to this. He had dared to kill Wang Teng even after knowing his background! And in a direct confrontation, Wang Teng hadn’t even managed to withstand a single move. It was simply terrifying. Of course, what was even more explosive was Ning Xuan’s audacity.

"Holy crap! Is he insane?! He actually killed the Realm Lord’s son!"

"This... this guy’s guts are truly boundless!"

"His strength is terrifying! And his nerve is just as massive!"

"..."

These exclamations were a rude awakening for those who had been thrown off the platform earlier and had been harboring a grudge against Ning Xuan. Their resentment was instantly replaced by a wave of profound relief. They all found themselves silently thanking Ning Xuan for sparing their lives. After all, this man had both the courage and the strength to back it up. If he had killed them, their deaths would have been utterly meaningless.

"That guy... I’m completely in awe of him," You Ruo murmured. Behind her, Chu Tian, Ye Yi, and Jiang Boya were already speechless.

We originally thought that when we reached the Tian Shu Realm, a place teeming with experts, Ning Xuan would finally blend into the crowd. But instead, he’s just as flashy as ever! He’s become the center of attention without even trying! And what he just did... it’s impossible to replicate. At least, we would never dare!

"I really made the right choice acknowledging him as my big brother! Damn, he’s too fierce!" Wang Ao exclaimed, slapping his thigh in exhilaration.

But if anyone was the happiest, it was definitely Cheng Dabao.

Although Ning Xuan won first place and achieved my goal, the way he did it was a bit unimpressive. I always felt something was missing. But now, his performance was absolutely perfect! I may have never met Ye Piaomiao, but she’s a princess. She’ll eventually hear about all of Ning Xuan’s exploits. If she heard he won by just standing there, she definitely wouldn’t have been pleased. Now it’s different. When Ye Piaomiao hears of these heroic deeds, combined with that silver tongue of his, she’ll surely be won over. Once he wins over Ye Piaomiao, Ning Xuan will have more freedom and a greater say in things. He’ll definitely become a great asset to Ye Qingqing! Hehe, I’m just too clever! Ye Qingqing will definitely thank me for this!

A massive grin bloomed on Cheng Dabao’s face. She wished she could find Ye Qingqing right away and share the good news.

Meanwhile, the Domain Lord’s Mansion soldiers who had been maintaining order finally snapped out of their shock. One after another, the armored soldiers sprang into action, quickly clearing the crowd from the area. Then, they formed a tight ring around the dueling platform, sealing it off completely.