Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

If ancient mythical creatures or other beings existed that could see the truth of his body, they would likely take the risk. After all, everything within him held a fatal temptation.

Have I become the prey of other creatures? Ning Xuan muttered to himself. He noticed that although the mist seemed to be everywhere, it also moved along with him.

Ning Xuan put on his Destiny Battle Armor but did not rashly activate his Cultivation Technique.

If my guess is correct, activating my Cultivation Technique will get me struck by lightning instantly!

The other party hadn't made a move yet, likely because they still weren't certain.

How did I end up here?! No, I have to go back!

Since the other party made no move, Ning Xuan decided to risk it. However, the hidden creature made no move even as he left the area. Anyone else might have dismissed it as an illusion, but Ning Xuan became even more certain that a terrifying being lurked there.

As he moved further away, the covetous feeling in his heart didn't disappear; on the contrary, it grew even stronger.

I'm so screwed. I can't cultivate anymore! Ning Xuan's mood soured. He had entered this place to improve his strength, but now he didn't dare activate his Cultivation Technique. How the hell was he supposed to improve?

Fine, I'll just leave. Ning Xuan had no choice but to return the way he came.

As soon as he left the Trial Mountain Range, Ning Xuan sensed a great commotion coming from the direction of the Lin Family.

What's going on? Don't tell me Zang Peng ran into that Fang Hao fellow? Ning Xuan muttered, a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes.

And indeed, that was the case.

After waiting for Ning Xuan to no avail, Zang Peng sensed something was amiss and rushed to the Lin Family. He had just arrived when he encountered Fang Hao and his party.

"He has Ning Xuan's aura on him! He was with Ning Xuan not long ago!"

Before Zang Peng could even speak, he heard a hunchbacked old man staring straight at him and making the declaration. Then, without another word, an elder lunged at him. His opponent was so strong that Zang Peng not only had no chance to fight back, but he couldn't even escape. After being toyed with repeatedly, Zang Peng flew into a rage.

A fierce battle immediately erupted.

To the shock of many hidden cultivators, Zang Peng held his own against Lin Changsheng, not at the slightest disadvantage. Even Fang Hao and his servant were somewhat surprised.

"Young Master, he isn't human. His true form is very strange; I can't see through it," the hunchbacked old man transmitted to Fang Hao.

"What do you mean his true form is strange?"

"I don't know how to describe it. It's as if he doesn't belong to any known race!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Hao's eyes lit up, his interest in Zang Peng piqued.

"He might be useful to us. Capture him."

"Understood!"

With that brief exchange, Zang Peng became the prey of the master and servant. They made no effort to disguise their predatory gazes.

Zang Peng noticed the shift immediately. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to flay Ning Xuan and rip his tendons out.

That damned mutt Ning Xuan is just too despicable! He's plotted against me again! This was supposed to be my role, not his! But in the end, I'm the one who gets screwed again!

"Ning Xuan, get out here!" The stares from the master and servant made Zang Peng increasingly uneasy. Growing more irritable, he blasted Lin Changsheng back with a palm strike and roared like thunder.

He was just venting his frustration; he didn't actually expect Ning Xuan to respond. After all, that damned mutt was probably hiding somewhere, laughing his head off.

But unexpectedly, Ning Xuan actually responded this time. "Little Peng Peng, I'm right here!"

Lin Changsheng was startled, then headed straight toward the source of the sound. Fang Hao and his servant did the same. And just like that, Zang Peng was spectacularly ignored.

Normally, this would be a cause for celebration, but to Zang Peng, this was a goddamn insult!

"Damn that bastard!" Zang Peng cursed and disappeared on the spot. Even though he knew this might be another one of Ning Xuan's tricks, he still had to go.

「At the Realm Capital's entrance to the Trial Mountain Range.」

"You're Ning Xuan?" Fang Hao asked, somewhat surprised as he looked at the man before him, who appeared even younger than himself.

"No, he is," Ning Xuan denied without hesitation, pointing behind them. The three turned their heads and saw Zang Peng catching up.

"The hell I am! Stop using me as a damn shield!" Zang Peng snapped. He had just arrived, and Ning Xuan was already trying to frame him to his face. What is wrong with this guy?!

"Alright, alright. But don't you run off; I need your help," Ning Xuan said before turning to leave, his body flickering as he prepared to vanish.

"Interesting. So he plans to use this place to fight back," Fang Hao mused, his voice lingering as he vanished.

The hunchbacked elder reacted the fastest. "Young Master!" he called out, disappearing in a flash.

Without a second thought, Lin Changsheng and Zang Peng chased after them as well. They all knew that the Trial Mountain Range connected to various parts of the Dali Realm. If they let Ning Xuan escape, he might vanish from the realm for good.

Damn, this guy is strong! Ning Xuan thought, glancing back as he headed for the mist-shrouded land.

Although he wasn't using his Divine Vein Power, the exotic beasts along the path still recognized him and naturally left him alone. Fang Hao, however, was a different story. One exotic beast after another roared furiously, unleashing their strongest attacks against him.

And the result? They could only hold Fang Hao back for a few dozen breaths—sometimes as few as ten. With terrifying power, Fang Hao moved relentlessly, harvesting the lives of the exotic beasts.

Lin Changsheng, who followed behind, went from initial shock to gradual numbness.

"As expected of someone from Chi Ming. His strength is terrifying!" Zang Peng remarked in awe. At the same time, a sense of dread washed over him. Ahead of them, one of the pair—the master and servant—had yet to even make a move. If they both attacked, it would be impossible for him to get Ning Xuan away.

I just hope the trap Ning Xuan set this time can hold them! Having been tricked by Ning Xuan several times, Zang Peng felt a surge of anxiety.

Ning Xuan himself was quite confident. He even kept smiling when he saw the hunchbacked elder suddenly grab Fang Hao. Immediately afterward, Ning Xuan shook his head at Fang Hao and plunged headfirst into the thick fog.

Fang Hao's brow twitched. "Tuo Bo, let go," he said coolly.

"Young Master, something is wrong up ahead! You need not risk yourself. I will go!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Fang Hao had already pulled free. His voice followed, "If he is not afraid, what do I, Fang Hao, have to fear?!"

"Young Master!" The hunchbacked elder's expression changed drastically as he plunged in after him.

Lin Changsheng frowned and looked at Zang Peng, only to see him hastily retreating. Without thinking, he did the same.