Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

Hu Ming froze, his eyes bulging wide as a bloody hole appeared between his brows. He had fallen.

Just then, an extremely faint sound arose. Ning Xuan sidestepped, but before he could steady himself, the sound came again. Someone was attacking him—an opponent with formidable strength who seemed to anticipate his next move the instant he made it. This was a truly powerful foe.

However, Ning Xuan's reaction also caught the hidden assailant by surprise; he had never expected Ning Xuan to dodge under such circumstances. For a brief moment, the assailant's focus wavered. He was shocked to find another Ning Xuan had suddenly appeared right in front of him!

WHOOSH!

This new Ning Xuan pointed a finger, releasing a terrifying Sword Intent. The man paled, striking out with a palm as he rapidly retreated. Although he suspected this might be one of Ning Xuan's Dao Bodies, he dared not take the risk. The killing intent radiating from that Sword Intent was so immense that he knew he likely couldn't withstand it.

The assailant retreated, and the figure before him retreated as well. Then, to his surprise, the duplicate Ning Xuan vanished without a trace.

It was, as he suspected, a Dao Body. He had missed a golden opportunity.

At that moment, a voice rang out from the side.

"Han Chuang, you've finally shown yourself."

The man who had just appeared had an incredibly conspicuous black mole on his forehead.

"You know me?" Han Chuang asked, somewhat surprised. But then he gave a wry smile. "I forgot you came with that girl from the Shangguan Family. An oversight, an oversight."

As soon as he finished speaking, he made his move. He had chosen to strike earlier because he had been following Ning Xuan the entire way, watching him deal with Hu Ming and his four companions. Ordinarily, someone of his skill would disdain a sneak attack, but Ning Xuan's power had forced his hand. Han Chuang thought he had grasped the extent of Ning Xuan's capabilities, but their brief clash made him realize he had still underestimated the young man. That was why he had launched his sudden assault.

He never expected his attack to fail. Not only did Ning Xuan disappear from his sight, but he was now being taunted.

"You really have no honor! Too bad you're not fast enough."

Hearing this, Han Chuang nearly coughed up blood from anger. He had been in the Gouchen Realm for over twenty years, and never had someone so young called him slow. What was even harder to accept was that the boy was telling the truth. His speed truly couldn't match a mere youth's. How could he bear such a humiliation?

"Ning Xuan, do you really think speed decides everything?! We are cultivators! Cultivators fight with Dao Techniques!"

As Han Chuang's voice fell, a violent Gang Wind began to rage! Throughout the dense forest, countless sharp blades of Sword Qi shot toward Ning Xuan! In a forest, there was no shortage of grass and trees. At this moment, Han Chuang turned all things into swords, each one imbued with a boundless, bloody killing intent. Even a Holy Realm Cultivator, if their cultivation was lower than his, would be instantly annihilated.

Ning Xuan's words had thoroughly enraged him; he was going to tear the young man to shreds!

HUM!

Facing Han Chuang's attack, Ning Xuan created a Shield, just as Hu Ming had done before.

Seeing the Shield, Han Chuang burst into laughter. "Hahaha, Ning Xuan, do you actually believe that shield of yours can withstand my power, which is comparable to the might of a thousand thunderbolts?!"

"How will we know if I don't try?" Ning Xuan replied.

"Good, you have guts! Unfortunately, this isn't something you can block just with bold words!" Han Chuang retorted.

At this moment, he hovered in the air before Ning Xuan. All around him, sharp, deadly projectiles hung suspended in the air. Though they were merely fallen leaves and withered branches, the murderous intent they contained was unparalleled.

"It would be such a pity for a young man like you to die just like that. How about this: kneel and accept me as your master. I will not only spare your life but also teach you everything I know!"

Han Chuang was no longer in a hurry. He was the master of this situation. Killing moves surrounded Ning Xuan from every direction; all it would take was a single thought to obliterate him. Why the rush?

"You want to be my master?" Ning Xuan's gaze was indescribably playful.

"What? You think I'm not qualified?! Let me tell you, forget Gouchen, even in Chi Ming, there are countless people who would beg to be my disciple!" Han Chuang declared with a proud expression.

Ning Xuan feigned a look of understanding. "Oh, I thought you came here to be someone's servant because you couldn't make it in Chi Ming."

Han Chuang's mouth twitched and his expression darkened.

Damn it! This kid's mouth is truly venomous!

He desperately wanted to erase him from existence on the spot. But he also genuinely coveted Ning Xuan's abilities and wanted to nurture him into his own ultimate weapon. Given that, he would spare him if he could.

"Guest Elder! I am the Kong Family's Chief Guest Elder!" he clarified immediately, trying to elevate his status as much as possible. "Even Kong Mingfeng has to be completely respectful when he sees me!"

"Chief Guest Elder? Is that really a title?" Ning Xuan asked with feigned surprise.

Han Chuang was about to nod when he realized something was wrong.

Damn it. This kid couldn't possibly be stalling for time, could he?! That's it! The Jiang Family's territory is just behind Two Realms Mountain; he's trying to wait for them to arrive!

At this thought, Han Chuang immediately issued an ultimatum. "Well? Have you made your decision?"

"Did you give me a choice?" Ning Xuan asked, feigning confusion.

Hearing this, Han Chuang grew even more certain of his guess. "Either submit or die! Which will it be?!"

"I choose the third option!"

As Ning Xuan replied, the Shield that had materialized before him suddenly exploded. Han Chuang's expression changed drastically, for he suddenly felt the threat of death. He let out a sharp cry, his body shooting upward as the attacks he had aimed at Ning Xuan instantly reformed into a protective barrier around his own body!

The next moment, what Han Chuang saw was a massive Palm Seal. Not only did it contain a terrifying Majestic Pressure, but it also pulsed with vigorous life, for it was constructed from countless living branches and twigs.

It all happened in an instant as the Palm Seal crashed down.

BANG!

An earth-shattering explosion ripped through the air. The barrier Han Chuang had constructed shattered, and so did Ning Xuan's Palm Seal. It seemed to be an even match, but Ning Xuan suddenly moved. A dazzling streak of Sword Qi shot straight toward Han Chuang.

The streak of Sword Qi was impossibly fast. Han Chuang sneered, his figure flashing as he dodged the strike. But at that very moment, he also heard Ning Xuan laugh—a sound that sent a hair-raising chill down his spine.

Han Chuang's expression changed drastically. He knew he'd been tricked.

Ning Xuan's Dao Body must have been waiting for me!

Han Chuang's mind reacted quickly enough, but his body couldn't keep up.

PFFT!

A sword pierced through his head. The black mole on Han Chuang's forehead vanished, replaced by a bloody hole.

BANG!

Han Chuang crashed to the ground, an icy chill spreading through his body as his life faded away.