Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

Everyone in the core area of Skywolf Fort had mobilized, but now they all stood frozen, looking up dumbfounded at the youth perched high above. No one made a move; they were utterly clueless about the newcomer’s background.

Meanwhile, the youth continued his brazen rant.

"Is anyone there? I’ll give you ten more breaths. If you don’t come out, this young master will burn your Skywolf Fort to the ground!"

As soon as these words were spoken, countless people gasped.

This youth wasn’t just mad, he was maniacal!

"He... he must’ve escaped from some asylum, right?!"

"This is outrageous! Our Skywolf Fort has stood for over a hundred years, and he’s the first one to ever be this audacious?!"

"What if he’s not mad?"

"Then there’s only one possibility: his backing is incredibly strong! So powerful that even our Skywolf Fort wouldn’t dare to cross him!"

"There’s no such power in Tian Shu. We’re not even afraid of the Domain Lord’s Mansion!"

"Holy shit, could he be from the Chi Ming Imperial City?! I heard Tian Shu is holding a Star Domain conference, and people from the Chi Ming Dynasty are supposed to attend!"

At this, the way they looked at Ning Xuan changed. He, meanwhile, had already begun his countdown. Now, no one dared to make a move.

Many turned their gaze to the great doors of the fortress beneath the youth’s feet. Others glanced at the burly man—their second-in-command.

Just then, a blue-robed scholar, Lanyi, suddenly appeared. "Haha, Young Master, what seems to be the trouble?" he asked as he moved toward Ning Xuan, landing just below him and making an inviting gesture. "The Boss has been waiting for you. Second Brother, did you perhaps displease the Young Master?"

Ning Xuan asked, "Your Fort Master is down there?"

Lanyi had just begun to nod when Ning Xuan stomped his foot.

BANG!

A hole instantly appeared in the roof, and he leaped straight down.

The corner of Lanyi’s mouth twitched, and he froze on the spot. After a moment, he glanced at the burly man, and the two sprang into action. They landed on the ground, pushed open the great doors, and entered.

Once the doors closed again, the dazed crowd finally snapped back to reality.

"Holy shit, did I see that right? He... he stomped through the roof of our Skywolf Fort!"

"He didn’t just stomp on our roof; he trampled all over the pride of Skywolf Fort!"

"I’m certain now! He’s definitely from the Chi Ming Imperial City! Otherwise, he wouldn’t dare be so arrogant!"

"Most likely!"

"Say, if he’s here seeking help, do you think our Skywolf Fort could forge a connection with the dynasty?"

At these words, everyone’s eyes lit up. Their gazes fixed on the tightly shut doors, filled with anticipation. Some even began praying in their hearts.

That’s the Chi Ming Dynasty! If Skywolf Fort gets lucky this time, we might even get to move into the imperial city!

Meanwhile, inside the great doors, within the spacious council hall, Ning Xuan left the embarrassed, bearded man standing there and casually reclined on the large, fur-covered seat at the head of the room.

He stroked the flawless white tiger pelt beneath him and complained, "Is this all you have? Your Skywolf Fort is far too shabby."

"Hahaha, we’re just simple men, Young Master. We can’t compare to you," the bearded man said, covering his embarrassment with a hearty laugh. He then cupped his fists and asked, "By the way, may I ask for your honored name?"

"What makes a thing like you worthy of knowing this young master’s name?"

At Ning Xuan’s words, killing intent flared in the bearded man’s heart. Just then, however, Ning Xuan’s tone shifted. "But, seeing as you all have some sense, I suppose I can tell you. This young master’s surname is Tu."

"So, it is Young Master Tu. How may Skywolf Fort assist you during your esteemed visit?"

"I need to return to the Imperial City. I require the use of your Teleportation Array."

The three men exchanged a look. Lanyi asked with confusion, "As far as I know, there is a Teleportation Array in Tian Shu City. Why would Young Master Tu choose to take the long way around?"

"It’s because... wait, why should I tell you?!" Ning Xuan almost blurted out the reason but caught himself just in time.

"To be frank, Young Master," Lanyi began, looking troubled, "we have encountered people claiming to be from the Imperial City before, and the result was..."

"Are you suggesting I’m an imposter?"

"There have been many fakes, so we hope the Young Master understands our caution."

"Fine. What is your cultivation level?" Ning Xuan asked the burly man directly.

"A humble Fourth Layer Heavens of the Holy Realm," the burly man replied, a hint of pride in his voice. In this remote border town, where the emperor’s influence was distant, his cultivation was second only to his boss.

"Barely acceptable," Ning Xuan said flatly. "Attack me with your full strength."

The burly man’s eyes shot wide open, and the other two were equally astonished.

"What? You think that just because I’m only in the Venerable Realm, I’m no match for you? Let me tell you, I come from the Chi Ming Imperial City. The reason I haven’t entered the Holy Realm is because... never mind. You’re all just frogs in a well. You wouldn’t understand even if I explained it."

"A frog in a well, you say! Fine then, I’ll test you! Watch out, Young Master!" the burly man roared, his aura surging violently.

WHOOSH!

A flash of sword light blinked past.

A bloody hole appeared in the center of the burly man’s forehead.

The other two men’s eyes bulged in shock. They looked back at Ning Xuan, who was still standing in the same spot, as if he hadn’t moved an inch. Horror and disbelief washed over them, their hair standing on end.

They had no idea that Ning Xuan had been preparing that strike for a long time. After landing the blow, he had used their momentary shock to return to his original position instantly. This maximized the intimidating effect on the remaining two.

In truth, Ning Xuan’s hand was trembling slightly. He had poured every last bit of his Element Force into his right hand for that single strike. To ensure its success, he had completely drained his body. Right now, he was just an empty shell.

However, the two men were so utterly stunned they didn’t even have the courage to look Ning Xuan in the eye, let alone notice anything unusual.

The hall fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Until...

THUD!

The burly man’s corpse crashed to the floor.

The other two jumped in fright and immediately dropped to their knees. They now believed Ning Xuan’s story completely. Only a supreme prodigy from the Imperial City could possess such power.

"Y-Young Master... p-please... forgive us..." Lanyi was the first to stammer out an apology.

"Do you know why I made an example of him?" Ning Xuan asked.

Lanyi opened his mouth, then closed it, finally shaking his head. "This servant is dull-witted and cannot guess."

"You really aren’t that bright," Ning Xuan said with a playful smirk. "Did you think I did it to get back at him for trying to attack me outside? Wrong. It’s because among the three of you, he was the weakest and the easiest to bully."

Lanyi’s pupils contracted sharply. The bearded man was flabbergasted. He looked from the burly man’s corpse to Lanyi, his expression turning to one of utter shock. Even he didn’t know that their third brother, Lanyi, was actually stronger, yet this youth had seen through it at a glance.

How terrifying!

The most miserable of all was the burly man. He was already dead, yet his corpse was being desecrated. Despite his cultivation at the Fourth Layer Heavens of the Holy Realm, his final judgment in the eyes of martial artists was that he was the ’easiest to bully.’

What a tragic end.