Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

Originally, although Ning Xuan was a Martial Artist, he was able to borrow the power of heaven and earth. Previously, he had even used the gravity training at Bi Luo Palace to strengthen himself. His body’s resistance to pressure was dozens of times greater than that of other Martial Artists at the same realm!

But now, facing an enraged Holy Realm Cultivator, he could no longer borrow that power. The opponent’s Dao marks instantly permeated the entire void.

Ning Xuan tore through the air at extreme speed, fully unleashing his Divine Vein Power to forcibly shatter the Dao’s constraints.

In fact, Lu Jing, who was pursuing him, grew more and more shocked as the chase went on. Initially, the boy was far away, yet his every action seemed to perfectly align with the Dao. This was why Lu Jing had been mistaken. It was also why he had maintained a pleasant demeanor even after discovering the boy was merely a Martial Artist. Such a phenomenon simply shouldn’t occur in a Martial Artist!

Upon learning this little guy was from Tianji, he initially thought capturing him would be effortless. He had even sneered to himself when the boy suddenly fled.

But now, this lad was actually using his martial prowess to forcefully break the Dao! At last, Lu Jing was certain that his grandson could never be a match for this little beast.

"You can’t escape!"

With another explosive shout, Lu Jing reached out to grab him.

The young man, however, unleashed a roar even louder than Lu Jing’s. A terrifying Element Force Fist immediately blasted toward his outstretched hand.

"A mantis trying to stop a chariot. You overestimate yourself!" Lu Jing huffed coldly.

BANG!

Ning Xuan was sent flying backward like a cannonball.

SPURT!

Blood streaked across the sky.

"I said, you can’t run—"

Lu Jing’s words were cut off as he froze. The boy was actually accelerating again!

"Hahaha, old fool, you’re not qualified to catch me, Ning Xuan!"

Ning Xuan’s wildly arrogant laughter echoed throughout the heavens.

「At that same moment.」

In Tian Shu City, countless people looked up toward the sky outside the city walls. Meanwhile, at the Domain Lord’s Mansion, one Cultivator after another soared into the air, rushing straight toward the source of the sound.

Outside the Domain Lord’s Mansion, Lu Yi looked up at the vanishing specks in the distance.

"Big Brother, Sir Ning actually managed to escape!"

"It hasn’t been long, how did he do it?!"

"Could it be that the Envoy secretly sent someone?"

The man who had just gone to contact Tu Jingcheng immediately shook his head. "Impossible. I didn’t even see the Envoy, and his men clearly said they wouldn’t help!"

"Then how did Sir Ning...?"

Lu Yi murmured, utterly puzzled. Something’s off! He clearly escaped, so why come back to the city? And why be so high-profile about it?

「Domain Lord’s Mansion.」

Wang Dingchen was still with the Tu father and son; he was afraid Tu Jingcheng would intervene. When he heard Ning Xuan’s voice just now, his first reaction was that it had to be an illusion. After all, he had personally sealed Ning Xuan. In all of Tian Shu, only one person could undo his seal, and that person had been here with him the entire time. The thought left him dumbfounded. It was only when Tu Jingcheng reminded him that Wang Dingchen finally reacted and dispatched his experts.

「In the inner courtyard of a mansion elsewhere in the city.」

The moment Cheng Dabao heard Ning Xuan’s voice, her mouth full of greasy food, she mumbled unclearly, "See? I told you Ning Xuan could definitely escape!"

After all, Ning Xuan had managed to elude her grasp and escape before. The people here weren’t impressive at all; they couldn’t possibly detain him. Her confidence had soared after taking action the previous day.

"From the sound of it, the voice came from outside the city. Didn’t he escape? Why would he come back?" This was You Ruo’s voice.

"He promised my master he’d take care of me! He doesn’t seem very reliable, but he’s good at keeping his promises," Cheng Dabao said without even lifting her head.

You Ruo glanced at Jiang Chan, who also appeared lost in thought.

Suddenly, Jiang Chan asked Cheng Dabao, "Sister, would you be willing to come stay in Gouchen with me for a while?"

"No!" Cheng Dabao refused without a second thought.

"Gouchen has a much higher status in the Star Domain than Tian Shu! That’s the Empress’s home star!" You Ruo immediately reminded her. That was Gouchen, a place countless people racked their brains trying to enter. Yet Cheng Dabao had just refused.

"I know, but my master is in Chi Ming right now. I have to go help her!" Cheng Dabao still refused.

Jiang Chan exchanged a look with her two female attendants.

"Actually, you’re mistaken," she then said. "Your master isn’t in the imperial city at all right now. She’s in Gouchen!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Dabao stared straight at her. Then, she mumbled, "Liar!"

Jiang Chan sent a voice transmission. "Your master has a connection with my aunt, correct?"

Cheng Dabao didn’t answer, just staring at her blankly.

"You should know the situation in the imperial city. She has little support on her own, so where do you think she would go under these circumstances?"

"So... my master is really in Gouchen!"

"Exactly!" Jiang Chan said immediately. "There’s no time to lose. Let’s set off right away!"

"Okay! Wait, no! What about Ning Xuan?!" Cheng Dabao suddenly remembered Ning Xuan.

"Don’t worry, I’ll leave him a message!" Jiang Chan said, then glanced at the very uneasy You Ruo. "If you don’t mind, you can come with us as well."

You Ruo knew she had no choice. It was because she had accidentally heard something she shouldn’t have.

Still, going to Gouchen deviates from the plan a bit, but it’s not a big deal. Fine, I’ll go!

So, she nodded as well.

「Meanwhile...」

Leaving the three women to their preparations to depart Tian Shu for Gouchen, let us return to Ning Xuan. After shouting his challenge, he immediately plummeted downwards. Before he even hit the ground, he forced himself to muster more energy, speeding toward the Tian Shu Domain Lord’s Mansion. This is my only chance to escape.

BANG!

Another True Yuan Giant Hand reached out to grab him.

This time, Lu Jing succeeded. To his surprise, however, the boy he’d caught exploded before he had even exerted much force.

"A Dao Body!"

Lu Jing, understanding instantly, became utterly enraged.

At that moment, several Cultivators appeared in his line of sight. He assumed they were Ning Xuan’s reinforcements and attacked without a second thought.

What he didn’t know was that the arrivals were from the Domain Lord’s Mansion. From a distance, they had seen him grab Ning Xuan and blast him into nothing! Ning Xuan was someone the Realm Lord wanted! Even the Envoy had instructed that he be kept alive. This man had just killed Ning Xuan right in front of them! If they didn’t personally slay this villain, they would all die.

Like Lu Jing before them, they attacked without a second thought. A great battle immediately erupted.

Below, Ning Xuan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, concealing himself as best he could. He waited until the two sides had fought their way far into the distance. "Lu Jing, huh? Don’t let me find out where your lair is! Sooner or later, I will settle this score with you!" Ning Xuan murmured to himself. Once his injuries had recovered somewhat and he was certain neither party would return, he disguised himself and headed for Tian Shu City.