Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

He already knew, of course. But hearing Ning Xuan say "10 billion" again still made him want to curse. Does this son of a bitch think Divine Crystals grow on trees?! Demanding 10 billion Divine Crystals just like that!

"Thank you, Young Master, for saving his life, but 10 billion Divine Crystals is just too much. I truly cannot afford it," Kong Mingfeng said, clasping his fists in thanks, a troubled expression on his face.

Ning Xuan asked him, "Then how much do you think his life is worth?"

"His life is worthless, not worth a single coin," Kong Mingfeng answered without a second thought. This guy is trying to set a trap for me, but I'm not that stupid!

Ning Xuan nodded. "In that case, forget it."

Kong Mingfeng wanted to laugh inwardly.

But just then, his vision blurred. The next instant, Ning Xuan's voice sounded from behind him. "Your father says your life is worthless. I don't think I should have saved you."

Kong Mingfeng turned his head and was stunned. He saw Kong Yu clutching his chest, kneeling on the ground in agony as blood continuously flowed from between his fingers.

Behind Kong Yu, a group of Guest Elders stood frozen in place, having no idea what had just happened.

"You… you…" Kong Mingfeng trembled with rage. I never expected this guy to be so audacious!

"I saved his life. Since you don't want to pay the price in Divine Crystals, I simply returned him to his injured state. It's only fair," Ning Xuan said, already back on his seat atop the exotic beast.

The pupils of the Guest Elders standing behind Kong Yu constricted in alarm. This guy is incredibly fast!

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

They were fast, too, and quickly surrounded Ning Xuan.

Ning Xuan glanced around but didn't see the person Shangguan Qingrou had mentioned, so he promptly lost interest.

"You're courting death!"

"How audacious!"

Amidst the roars, one of them prepared to make a move.

"You had all better go check on him. If he dies, I'm afraid you won't live much longer either."

At his words, the Guest Elders who had been about to attack all turned their heads in unison.

Just as they turned, Ning Xuan moved.

PFFT! PFFT! PFFT!

Amidst a flurry of afterimages, the crisp sound of flesh being pierced echoed out. In the blink of an eye, all the Guest Elders who had surrounded him were slain.

Shangguan Qingrou was stunned. Ever since she had seen Ning Xuan's Dao Body, she knew he was very powerful, but she had never imagined he would be this formidable. As for what happened outside the city when Ning Xuan had killed Kong Yu's subordinates, she hadn't given it much thought at the time.

"Yu'er, hold on!" Kong Mingfeng began to panic as he sensed Kong Yu's life force fading rapidly. Two Guest Elders were already by Kong Yu's side, trying to save him, but despite using every method at their disposal, their efforts were useless.

"Patriarch Kong, his life is worthless. You needn't be so grieved," Ning Xuan advised.

"You…" Just as Kong Mingfeng was about to curse, he had a sudden realization and immediately said to Ning Xuan, "I agree to the 10 billion! Please save Yu'er's life!"

"Saving someone is quite draining. I still haven't fully recovered from saving him the last time. Asking me to act a second time… that's asking a bit much." Ning Xuan deliberately stressed the words "a second time."

Kong Mingfeng instantly understood what Ning Xuan wanted.

"Fifteen billion! I'll give you 15 billion! Please, Young Master, have mercy… Qingrou, please, say a word for your Uncle Kong."

Seeing that Kong Yu was on his last breath, Kong Mingfeng grew even more frantic, while Shangguan Qingrou was still staring dumbfounded at Ning Xuan.

"Alright, for her sake, I'll save him. But you had better gather those Divine Crystals quickly. If you're too late and I can't save him, the consequences are your own to bear."

"Deal!"

The moment Kong Mingfeng agreed, he vanished to gather the Divine Crystals. After all, tens of billions of Divine Crystals was no small sum.

Ning Xuan remained seated atop the exotic beast, unmoving. However, the Guest Elders beside Kong Yu were shocked to discover that Kong Yu's life force was no longer ebbing away. Both of them turned to look at Ning Xuan, their eyes filled with utter disbelief. What sorcery is this?! That guy is still far away, and he hasn't even moved! How did he do it?!

Before the two could recover from their shock, Kong Mingfeng had already returned.

Ning Xuan raised an eyebrow. It seems I've underestimated the Kong Family's wealth after all.

"Young Master, the family truly doesn't have that many Divine Crystals. But rest assured, I have mobilized everyone to collect them. Here are eight billion. I implore you to act first," Kong Mingfeng said, holding out a Storage Ring with both hands.

With a wave of his hand, the Storage Ring flew into his grasp. After a quick glance, Ning Xuan said, "I've changed my mind. The price is going up. I want 20 billion."

"You!" Kong Mingfeng exploded with rage. He immediately directed his anger at Shangguan Qingrou. "Qingrou, your judgment is truly terrible! To think you'd find someone who goes back on his word!"

"I go back on my word? Patriarch Kong, you've got some nerve. You can keep these Divine Crystals for yourself." As Ning Xuan spoke, a pile of Divine Crystals suddenly appeared before Kong Mingfeng. His expression changed dramatically as he quickly covered his mouth and nose with his sleeve and retreated several steps.

Shangguan Qingrou, realizing what had happened, felt the color drain from her face. "Uncle Kong, I respected you and called you Uncle, but you tried to use me! From this day…"

"A misunderstanding! This is all a misunderstanding! It wasn't my idea! I agree to the 20 billion, please, Young Master…"

"I want to see the Divine Crystals first!" Ning Xuan interrupted, making the final decision.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Kong Mingfeng immediately nodded and departed once more.

"You know where the Jiang Family is, right?" Ning Xuan asked Shangguan Qingrou via sound transmission.

"I do."

"Then go to the Jiang Family and find Jiang Chan. If you can't find her, look for Aunt Qin and Aunt Jin."

"Alright!"

Shangguan Qingrou agreed and promptly departed. Ning Xuan is far stronger than I imagined. If I stay, I'll only hold him back!

No one stopped Shangguan Qingrou as she left, as Ning Xuan's combat prowess was plain for all to see. To step out now would be suicide!

Ning Xuan closed his eyes to meditate. Unbeknownst to everyone else, however, he was absorbing the energy from the two giant lions crafted from raw Divine Crystals. The once-majestic lions were losing their luster, but pitifully, no one noticed.

At the same time, Ning Xuan used his Azure Dragon Divine Meridian to quietly channel a life-giving aura into Kong Yu's wounds through the Lock Yuan Ascension Dragon Art. However, the vitality was sealed, not yet displaying its full power.

By the time Ning Xuan had absorbed all the energy from the lions, Kong Mingfeng had reappeared. Without a word, he presented two Storage Rings. "There weren't enough Divine Crystals, but we used other items as a substitute. Their combined value is definitely far greater than 20 billion Divine Crystals."

Ning Xuan glanced at their contents and nodded. This time, Kong Mingfeng didn't dare to gamble.

"Very well. Let's leave it at that. We shall not meet again." After speaking, Ning Xuan turned to leave.

"But you haven't—"

Just as Kong Mingfeng began to speak, Ning Xuan snapped his fingers.

BOOM!

A deafening roar resounded, heard by Kong Mingfeng and even a Guest Elder who had arrived in secret.