Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

The broad platform was still crowded, though it was a vast improvement from before. Ning Xuan was thankful. Fortunately, he had used a little trick to eliminate a large number of strong competitors. Otherwise, he would have been knocked out right away. After all, everyone knew to pick on the weakest one.

Now, it seemed that very situation was about to unfold, as many people were looking at him. To make matters worse, someone in the crowd below shouted, "That guy is just a Martial Artist! He doesn’t deserve to be up there! What are you all standing around for? Throw him off!"

"That’s right! Get that piece of trash off the stage! I could crush him with a single finger. He’s an eyesore!"

The ones shouting were the very people who knew Ning Xuan was the instigator, yet they didn’t dare say it outright. After all, they couldn’t be certain if it was the kid’s ploy or an order from the Judge. By being vague, they could pin all the blame on Ning Xuan. If they spoke plainly and it turned out the Judge had authorized it, they would be doomed.

On the high platform, the other Cultivators were initially stirred to action, but gradually, their expressions grew cold. The furious Cultivators below noticed something was wrong, and their shouting tapered off.

"Are you finished?" one of the contestants on the stage sneered. "Trash that can be crushed with a finger? Heh, I suppose that’s what you think of us, too, isn’t it? Thank goodness the Judge is wise and gave us this chance, otherwise..."

"Exactly! You can’t stand him and want us to throw him off, is that it? Well, we refuse to give you the satisfaction!"

"Yeah! You’ve always looked down on us just because you’re strong! We don’t want to become like you!"

One after another, they spoke out. Not only were the powerful cultivators below stunned, but Zhou Nian was also utterly dumbfounded. He had never expected this outcome.

Ning Xuan had done nothing, and yet he was about to advance to the final showdown. No Cultivator would ever consider a Martial Artist a worthy opponent. They posed no threat whatsoever. And so, Zhou Nian could already see it. While the others fought tooth and nail, Ning Xuan would just have to stand in a corner and watch the show. It was simply absurd.

"Boo hoo... Thank you all, my brothers!"

Seeing Ning Xuan’s hypocritical display on the platform, Zhou Nian’s lip twitched. He couldn’t resist sending him a sound transmission. "Did you plan this from the start?!"

Ning Xuan naturally denied it vehemently. "Not at all. They’re just too kind. I’m just so emotional right now... give me a moment to collect myself."

Damn it! You’re emotional, alright, but is it because they’re kind? No, it’s because they’re stupid! Zhou Nian fumed.

But he didn’t know that even Ning Xuan’s excitement was an act. In truth, Ning Xuan’s heart was as calm as still water, for he had predicted this exact outcome. He had already decided to provoke the crowd himself if they hadn’t spoken up. As it turned out, the cultivators below played right into his hands, never giving him the chance. With just a few words, they had caused the other contestants to empathize with him.

They thought they were just yelling at me, but to the other contestants, it sounded like they were being insulted, too! Heh. Another layer of security.

However, Ning Xuan knew that pride comes before a fall, so he acted with great humility. While still thanking everyone, he proactively retreated to a corner.

"Don’t worry, we definitely won’t touch you," one of the cultivators said, trying to console him. "We’re not like them!"

Nearby, Zhou Nian turned his back completely. These idiots... they’re being played for fools by this kid! I can barely stand to watch.

He soon spat out one word through gritted teeth, "Begin!"

As it was a selection, the method was simple and brutal: a free-for-all battle royale. The last one standing would be the victor.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

As contestant after contestant was thrown from the platform and disqualified, some of the powerful spectators below could no longer sit still. Immediately, some of them found contestants who looked likely to survive until the end. They sent them sound transmissions, promising great rewards if they took out Ning Xuan.

To their surprise, although several contestants were tempted, they all ultimately refused. They had all agreed not to attack Ning Xuan. Openly breaking that promise would ruin their reputations.

The powerful cultivators sending the messages were furious. Suddenly, one of them had a bright idea. "I don’t need you to actually attack him. You just need to ’accidentally’ knock him off the platform!"

After sending this message, the cultivator promised a reward several times greater than the last. Finally, a contestant was tempted and agreed. The one who made the offer was overjoyed.

But then, he was left dumbfounded. His "foolproof" plan had failed. The kid had somehow managed to dodge what should have been an impossible-to-avoid strike. The cultivator who’d gone after the reward had shot himself in the foot. He’d overextended, and when Ning Xuan dodged, he himself fell from the platform.

After landing, his first instinct was to look up at Ning Xuan. He saw a trembling body and a panicked face. After a moment of stunned silence, the fallen cultivator slapped himself and began desperately searching the crowd. He was going to get his reward. If they didn’t pay up, he’d drag them down with him. And in the end, he actually got paid.

The incredibly strong cultivator who had offered the reward glared at Ning Xuan on the platform, his hatred growing even more intense. Seeing this, the other powerful spectators no longer dared to recruit anyone. Whether it was a fluke or not, the risk was too great. It wasn’t worth it. Some even tried to console themselves.

Calm down, calm down. Even if it comes down to just him and one other person, there’s no way he’ll be the final winner.

The chasm between a Martial Artist and a Cultivator was insurmountable. The selection would end soon, and once it did, they’d have plenty of ways to deal with that little bastard. Clinging to this thought, they watched as the number of contestants on the platform dwindled... until finally, only one other person remained besides that little bastard.

At that moment, Ning Xuan took a step. Instantly, all eyes were on him. Everyone watched with anticipation, eager to see what he would do. Would he know his place and step down? Or would he overestimate himself and try to fight?

Soon, they had their answer. He chose the latter, for he was beginning to speak.

"Um... although I’m only a Martial Artist who has survived this long thanks to everyone’s kindness, I’m now wearing the uniform of a candidate. I cannot bring shame upon the Judge. Therefore, I must be bold enough to challenge you. I hope you will show me mercy."

As Ning Xuan spoke, the cultivators who had stood with him couldn’t help but nod in approval.

Zhou Nian, however, was cursing in his head. Fucking hell, you’re a real piece of work! Even now, you still find a way to drag me into this!

He was already floored, but what came next was even more dumbfounding.