Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

「In a teahouse in the Jiang Family's outer city.」

In the most distinguished private room, Ning Xuan and his two companions sat around a table.

"Big Brother Ning, hurry and tell me about Tian Shu!" Jiang Yun said eagerly as he poured them tea.

Ning Xuan asked him, "What do you want to know?"

This boy was his main sponsor, so Ning Xuan naturally didn't mind sharing.

Jiang Yun set down the tea set and spilled everything in a rush, speaking a mile a minute. After he finished, he looked at Ning Xuan with hopeful eyes.

Beside him, Shangguan Qingrou pretended to sip her tea, but in reality, she was listening intently.

Ning Xuan smiled and recounted everything Jiang Yun wanted to know in great detail. His telling was unembellished, as plain as water. Yet, it was this unadorned speech that was more convincing and better conveyed the breathtaking nature of the events.

Of course, the breathtaking part was just their perception. For Ning Xuan, these events were nothing out of the ordinary.

"I really wish I could be like you, Big Brother Ning!" After Ning Xuan finished, Jiang Yun's initial excitement gave way to dejection.

Ning Xuan nearly burst out laughing. This kid is impressive. He gets it without me even having to nudge him.

"The Star Domain is vast; you should certainly go and see it. By the way, your strength isn't weak. Why didn't you go to Tian Shu last time?"

Hearing this, Jiang Yun felt as if he had found a kindred spirit. "Exactly! My strength might not compare to yours, Big Brother Ning, but it's more than enough to handle others! Yet my family always treats me like a child! They even forbid me from going out until my Life-bound Sword has fully fused with me!"

Ning Xuan gave Shangguan Qingrou a meaningful look, sending a silent message.

Immediately, she asked with great surprise, "What does it mean for the Life-bound Sword to fully fuse?"

"It's... sigh, I can't really explain it right now. But I'm starting to understand them. A moment ago, my Life-bound Sword nearly lost its connection to me! It's a good thing you were the one who acted, Big Brother Ning. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable."

"Actually, it's not that difficult to fuse with your Life-bound Sword," Ning Xuan suddenly said.

"Really?!" Jiang Yun shot to his feet.

The fusion of the Life-bound Sword was notoriously difficult; it was a problem his family had struggled with for generations without a solution. But after hearing Ning Xuan's tales, Jiang Yun had come to see him as an almost omnipotent being.

Ning Xuan wasted no words and simply gestured with his hand.

Then, an unbelievable scene unfolded.

The Life-bound Sword, which should have been summonable only by Jiang Yun from within his own body, was now hovering between them, called forth by Ning Xuan.

"What... what?!" Jiang Yun was terrified.

Although his experience was limited to the Gouchen Realm Capital, he knew exactly what this meant. For his Life-bound Sword to be controlled by another meant they could kill him whenever they pleased—silently and without a trace. No one would ever suspect them. It's utterly terrifying!

Thank goodness they appeared when they did, and that Grandpa Fu is here to look after me. Otherwise, I might have... The more he thought about it, the more relieved Jiang Yun felt.

Just then, he heard Ning Xuan say, "It's done."

"Wha—"

Before the word could leave his mouth, Jiang Yun's eyes nearly popped out of his sockets. His Life-bound Sword had returned to his body.

But that wasn't the main point. The point was that he now felt a true bloodline connection! At this moment, the Life-bound Sword was a part of his body.

And that wasn't all. Even if a powerful expert immobilized his Life-bound Sword, just as Ning Xuan had done, he could now simply will it to be replaced by another part of himself. For example... a strand of hair! Because just like the sword, his hair was also part of his body.

"My Life-bound Sword... it's completely fused with me! B-Big Brother, are you an immortal?!" Jiang Yun stared at Ning Xuan, the adoration in his eyes completely undisguised.

"It was just a fortunate coincidence. Are you sure it's completely fused?" Ning Xuan asked him.

"Big Brother, let's go! Let's go to the Inner City! I'll take you to see my grandfather!" Jiang Yun was ecstatic, wanting to introduce Ning Xuan to his grandfather, Jiang Changkong.

Ning Xuan shook his head and declined. "The tea here is quite good. You go on ahead; we'll stay a little longer."

Now that they were on such good terms, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to ask for the Divine Crystals directly. That was a job for Jiang Yun.

"Alright, I'll be right back!"

Jiang Yun was far too thrilled to insist, and he immediately left the teahouse at top speed. He soared away on his sword.

WHOOSH!

The Life-bound Sword turned into a streak of light, carrying Jiang Yun straight into the Inner City. In a mere moment, he landed in the Jiang Family's core territory.

"Grandpa, Grandpa, I've fused with my Life-bound Sword!"

Before he even entered the building, his voice had already echoed throughout the core territory.

「In the council hall.」

Not only were Jiang Changkong and Grandpa Fu present, but so were the core members of the Jiang Family.

Jiang Changkong was one of three brothers, and between them, they had fathered eight sons and one daughter. At this moment, not only were Jiang Changkong and his second brother, Jiang Changhe, present, but so were five core members of the next generation.

The group had been discussing Ning Xuan's ability to control Jiang Yun's Life-bound Sword. When Jiang Yun barged in so recklessly, all eyes turned to him.

"Jiang Yun! What is the meaning of all this shouting? Show some decorum!" a middle-aged man snapped after glancing at Jiang Changkong.

His name was Jiang Xiaowu, and he was Jiang Yun's father.

On any other occasion, faced with such a scene, Jiang Yun would have turned and fled without a word.

But this time, Jiang Yun was still incredibly excited. "Dad, Grandpa, I've completely fused with my Life-bound Sword!"

As he spoke, his Life-bound Sword flashed before everyone's eyes again and again. Its speed was incredible; the blade appeared before not only his father but even his grandfather and second grand-uncle.

One of the middle-aged men suddenly spoke up. "Yun'er, that's not how you use a Life-bound Sword. You said you've completely fused with it, didn't you? Come, try and attack me."

His name was Jiang Xiaoyi, and he was the fifth eldest. Though he appeared frivolous and undisciplined, his strength was in the top three among the eight brothers.

Jiang Yun was about to agree enthusiastically, but then he recalled the incredible feats he had just heard from Ning Xuan and shook his head. "Fifth Uncle, perhaps we shouldn't."

Jiang Xiaoyi roared with laughter. "I knew you were bluffing!"

Jiang Yun smiled, his expression completely harmless. But his next words made Jiang Xiaoyi's smile freeze instantly.

"You misunderstand, Fifth Uncle," he said. "I'm afraid I might hurt you!"

"What did you say?"

Jiang Xiaoyi looked utterly astonished, as did everyone else, their faces filled with disbelief.

Jiang Xiaowu's face turned livid. "Jiang Yun, your impudence grows by the day! Get out!"

Jiang Yun didn't move. "Dad, it's true!"

Before Jiang Xiaowu could respond, he turned to Jiang Xiaoyi. "Fifth Uncle, let's fight!"

With that, Jiang Yun started to head outside.

Jiang Xiaoyi, however, refused. "No need. We can do it right here."

I have a Life-bound Sword too. Besides, this nephew of mine has never even left the Gouchen Realm Capital. His combat experience is pathetic. Here? I can win easily with one hand tied behind my back.