Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

Ning Xuan disguised himself and found a place to hide. This city was extremely strange. Most importantly, the residents were certain to be highly vigilant. If he wandered around and was discovered, he would surely be reported immediately.

As for leaving, Ning Xuan didn’t dare to gamble. Who knew if there were Prohibitions laid out in the void?

After confirming there was no danger, Ning Xuan’s first act was to throw away the clothes he was wearing before quickly hiding himself again. After all, it would be a huge problem if his pursuers used something that could track his scent.

Soon, with a WHOOSH and a flash of red light, a crimson dog appeared right where he had thrown his clothes. Hidden in the shadows, Ning Xuan couldn’t help but feel relieved. Thank goodness I was cautious enough. Otherwise, I would have fallen for their trap again.

Not rushing to act, Ning Xuan decided to lie in wait. A moment later, he saw one of the four men who had been standing before the Judge appear in the area.

"Where is he?" Seeing only the clothes, the man immediately demanded of the dog.

The dog lifted its paw and pointed at the garments.

BANG!

Without another word, the man crushed the bundle of cloth in his grip!

He was furious. According to the laws of the Dali Realm, whoever captured the Judge’s murderer first would become the next Judge! Just as he was about to achieve his ambition, his quarry had escaped.

Wait! No... that guy must still be here!

A glint flashed in his eyes. His hands formed a Seal Formation, casting beams of light into the void in different directions. Only then did he speak. "Come out. It’s only me! I’ve sent the others away."

He didn’t hold out much hope, but to his surprise, his target actually emerged.

"Not bad, quite brave. Let me introduce myself. My name is Zhou Nian."

Ning Xuan nodded and, just as honestly, stated his real name.

Zhou Nian was taken aback for a moment before he chuckled. "You want to kill me?" he asked, his expression mocking.

Secretly, however, he raised his guard to the absolute maximum. He had already used Dao Techniques to seal this area and lay an inescapable trap, but Ning Xuan was extremely fast. The key was that Ning Xuan’s method for killing the previous Judge had been completely unexpected. Although their carelessness was largely to blame, Zhou Nian no longer held any contempt for Ning Xuan’s abilities, even if he was just a Martial Artist.

Zhou Nian’s interest in Ning Xuan suddenly surged. He changed his mind and immediately said, "You know, the crime you’ve committed isn’t that serious. As long as you’re willing to submit to me, I guarantee you’ll live a life of luxury. What’s more, you can go to a certain street by the Trial Platform and enjoy yourself however you wish."

"You have that authority?" Ning Xuan asked doubtfully.

He was a newcomer, completely unfamiliar with this place and ignorant of its bizarre laws. Since this man was the only one around for now, Ning Xuan didn’t mind learning more about this place from him.

"Of course. The Dali Realm is different from other places. Each of our cities corresponds to a specific instrument of torture, and the most powerful person in each city is its Judge. As soon as I bring you back to the Trial Platform, I’ll be recognized as the next Judge!" Zhou Nian explained without any concealment.

Ning Xuan’s eyes lit up, but he immediately became wary. "Why should I believe you?"

"While we’ve been talking, I haven’t just sealed off this area; I’ve also gained the ability to borrow the collective power of all Cultivators in this city," Zhou Nian explained, briefly demonstrating his newfound ability.

Ning Xuan’s expression changed. He could truly feel a power that was impossible for him to resist.

"Alright, I agree!" Ning Xuan capitulated without a second thought.

"A wise man knows when to yield. Congratulations, you’ve made the right choice." Zhou Nian wasn’t afraid of Ning Xuan playing tricks, because he certainly wasn’t bluffing.

"Let’s go!"

As Zhou Nian spoke, the two of them vanished.

「The next moment.」

They appeared directly on the Trial Platform.

Zhou Nian walked straight to the high dais and sat down. In an instant, his clothes turned completely black, and the aura erupting from him was far more terrifying than before.

It was only then that he said, "Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you something earlier. Whenever a new Judge appears, he automatically inherits all the Element Force of his predecessor!"

"So? Are you planning to go back on your word?" Ning Xuan asked, his expression unchanged.

Zhou Nian laughed heartily. "Of course not. I am now the Judge of a city. How could I go back on my word?"

As his voice fell, he pointed a finger at Ning Xuan. Instantly, Ning Xuan found himself dressed in the dark uniform of a bailiff.

"There. Now you are one of my men. Everything I promised before still stands."

Ning Xuan could clearly feel an invisible shackle binding him. If he harbored any killing intent toward these so-called colleagues, he would be instantly obliterated! This invisible shackle was essentially the same kind that had bound the two men who fell into the Blood Pond earlier.

Now, Ning Xuan finally understood why this man had dared to keep him by his side after witnessing him kill the previous Judge. He had been completely outplayed.

Ning Xuan gave a bitter smile, but in his heart, a plan was already forming.

I can’t make a move myself, but someone else can! It’s time to find a way to let Zang Peng know I’m here.

Just as he was thinking, the other three men, who had been Zhou Nian’s equals, returned one after another. One look at Zhou Nian and Ning Xuan was all it took for them to understand what had happened. They immediately bowed to Zhou Nian in submission.

Ning Xuan spoke up. "My Lord, you originally had four great experts under your command. Now that one is missing, it feels unbalanced. How about I volunteer for the position?"

The other three men looked at him with strange expressions, all of them staring at Ning Xuan as if to say, "Don’t you know your own place?"

"The position goes to the most capable. If your strength is sufficient, it’s not out of the question," Zhou Nian said. "Let’s do this: send out an order for a talent selection to be held in the city square in one hour."

Once Zhou Nian had spoken, the other three immediately accepted the command and departed.

Zhou Nian got up and reminded Ning Xuan, "I know you’re fast, but our city has many powerful Martial Artists. Most importantly, this isn’t a fight to the death. If you cause a fatality, your crime will be even greater."

He then patted Ning Xuan’s shoulder and left.

Ning Xuan said nothing. He didn’t want to fight, either, but if he didn’t demonstrate sufficient value, his movements would be restricted. How long would it take Zang Peng to find him then? Therefore, he not only had to participate in this selection, but he had to win!

As for how to win... he would have to play it by ear.

That’s right! I should go and learn the rules first. Only by thoroughly understanding the rules can I create more room to maneuver.

Now that his status was different, Ning Xuan quickly found out the location of the square and also learned the so-called rules.