Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

As soon as these words were spoken, several people chimed in. Elder Gu exchanged a glance with another elder and was just about to speak when a voice suddenly rang out, "I disagree."

Everyone turned toward the sound, their hearts trembling. Ning Xuan had appeared without anyone noticing!

"You... how are you here?" Zhang Boyuan stammered, clearly embarrassed.

"My hearing is quite sharp. I heard you calling me, so I came over," Ning Xuan said, descending from a roof beam. He sat directly in the seat Lu Feng had occupied moments before, crossing his legs and propping them comfortably on the table with a slight shake.

"Ning Xuan, do you know where this is?!" Zhang Boyuan scolded.

Ning Xuan retorted, "Do you want to go keep Lin Zhongqi and He Zhi company?"

Zhang Boyuan immediately fell silent. He was filled with so much hatred that he could have ground his teeth to dust, yet he didn't dare make a sound. Although he didn't believe Ning Xuan had the power to eliminate the two men, their deaths were a fact. No matter who was responsible, Ning Xuan was undeniably involved. He didn't dare to take that chance.

"That's more like it," Ning Xuan said, looking satisfied as he questioned the group again. "By the way, what were you all talking about just now?"

Zhang Boyuan and Yan Qiang felt the urge to curse. Damn it, didn't he just say his hearing was sharp?

That was all they could do, however—think it. In fact, they were quite relieved, as this meant Ning Xuan had not actually heard what they were saying.

Zhang Boyuan immediately took the lead, saying, "Ah, we were just discussing who the True Saint is."

"Speaking of which, I'm very curious. Why are you all so sure that someone is about to become a True Saint?" Ning Xuan asked earnestly.

He was feeling the pressure. Fang Hao and his old servant were both incredibly powerful. The hunchbacked elder, in particular, likely had a Cultivation Realm of at least the Tenth Heavens of the Holy Realm. If there really is a True Saint here, perhaps I can make use of their power!

The first to respond to Ning Xuan's question was, once again, Zhang Boyuan. Then, the others began speaking one after another, and soon Ning Xuan understood the whole situation.

His expression inevitably turned strange.

If I'm not mistaken, the phenomena they witnessed were caused by my own cultivation in the Trial Mountain! Good grief. This misunderstanding has gotten way out of hand! Because of the phenomena from my cultivation, these guys thought a True Saint was emerging. So, they immediately formed the True Servant Society and even sent out orders overnight to summon the Judges from every city! Then they organized a selection competition to choose servants for the True Saint. And I, completely oblivious, participated in the selection competition they held for me! I even made it into the top ten and was successfully chosen. This is just… how can things be this ridiculous?

Ning Xuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Just then, Elder Gu suddenly spoke to him. "Ah, Ning Xuan, this Zhang Boyuan fellow has ill intentions. He just proposed to have you expelled from the Dali Realm!"

Zhang Boyuan's face turned green.

"Is that so? I'm afraid your True Saint wouldn't be happy about that," Ning Xuan said with a mocking, peculiar expression.

Zhang Boyuan, who had been about to argue, was startled for a moment before his face turned deathly pale.

Yan Qiang also exclaimed in shock, "You've met the True Saint?!"

"I have!" Ning Xuan stated firmly.

THUD!

Without a second thought, Zhang Boyuan dropped to his knees before Ning Xuan.

He was terrified. Ning Xuan has been recognized by the True Saint, and I just tried to expel him. I'm screwed!

"What's the matter with you?" Ning Xuan asked curiously, having no intention of letting him off the hook.

Before Zhang Boyuan could answer, an angry voice erupted from the entrance.

"NING XUAN?!"

Lu Feng had returned. Already seething, he nearly burst a lung when he saw Ning Xuan sprawled disrespectfully in his seat.

Ning Xuan ignored him, instead giving Zhang Boyuan a wink. Zhang Boyuan understood immediately.

BANG!

He slammed a palm into Lu Feng.

SPURT! Blood flew from Lu Feng's mouth as his body was sent flying backward. His outraged cry thundered through the heavens, "Zhang Boyuan, have you gone mad?!"

His answer was an even more ferocious onslaught from Zhang Boyuan. A battle between two Holy Realm experts erupted.

"I heard you two were on good terms," Ning Xuan said, turning his gaze to Yan Qiang.

Yan Qiang trembled and hastily replied, "No... That's not true! I'll go take his head right now!" As his words fell, he vanished.

Outside, Lu Feng's furious roars grew louder, but not for long. Soon, there was only silence.

Yan Qiang and Zhang Boyuan returned, covered in blood. In his hand, Yan Qiang held Lu Feng's severed head!

"Very good! Oh, right, a decree from the True Saint has just arrived."

At Ning Xuan's words, the remaining men involuntarily straightened up.

"Don't be nervous. It's a small matter," Ning Xuan said with a smile. For some reason, seeing his calm composure, they all instantly relaxed. Those who had been watching with suspicion now suppressed their doubts.

"A fellow named Fang Hao came from the Chi Yang Imperial City not long ago. Do you know what he was trying to do?"

They all shook their heads.

"I've already investigated. He went to the Lin Family to find a recipe for a potent poison!" After a pause, Ning Xuan lowered his voice. "The Fang Family intends to poison the Emperor!"

Everyone gasped, the sound sharp in the sudden silence. This news was earth-shattering. Zhang Boyuan and Yan Qiang were so frightened they collapsed right where they stood.

At that moment, they were all secretly rejoicing. Thank goodness we saw the light and switched sides at the critical moment! Otherwise, even ten heads wouldn't be enough to roll!

"But rest assured, everyone. I already entered the Lin Family's Secret Vault and destroyed all the secret tomes."

Hearing this, the men let out a collective sigh of relief, then began showering him with praise.

Ning Xuan calmly gestured for them to quiet down. "Mist Devouring Demon Ants. Have you heard of them?"

"I have," Elder Gu immediately responded. "They are colonial creatures. An encounter with them can mean instant death, even for the strongest experts of the Holy Realm!"

Ning Xuan nodded. "Deep within the Trial Mountain, there is a place where they are active. I used a Holy Seal left to me by the True Saint to transport those two into the swarm. Unexpectedly, however, those two fellows possess incredibly powerful Magical Treasures!"

Hearing this, the men all wore strange expressions.

"The True Saint has also granted each of you an opportunity. Whoever can kill either of those two will become his True Disciple! You can also keep their Magical Treasures for your own use."

At these words, everyone grew excited. Despite their high Cultivation Realms, breaking through the shackles of the Holy Realm to become a True Saint was a near-impossible dream. But with a True Saint's guidance, their chances would increase infinitely. None of them wanted to pass up this opportunity.

Immediately, they all declared they would give it their all.

"They dared to attempt to poison the Emperor, so I don't need to elaborate on their strength. You can use any means necessary! Now go, and may you return victorious!"

After speaking, Ning Xuan began to usher them out. No one felt put out. They all left as quickly as possible, entering the Trial Mountain one after another.