Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

Jiang Xiaoyi was very confident. The other men also knew Jiang Yun inside and out and harbored the same thought.

Jiang Xiaowu was just about to speak when Jiang Changkong cut in.

"Let him try. It's time he learned his place."

"Yes." Jiang Xiaowu immediately stood to one side.

Seeing Jiang Xiaoyi still appearing indifferent, Jiang Yun reminded him, "Fifth Uncle, my Life-bound Sword might be more than you expect. Be careful."

"Enough with the nagging! I'm ready, so bring it on!"

Hearing this, Jiang Yun's aura suddenly shifted.

WHOOSH!

The Life-bound Sword instantly appeared before Jiang Xiaoyi's chest.

However, Jiang Xiaoyi remained unhurried. He casually reached out and caught the Life-bound Sword between two fingers.

"Little Yun, this integration of yours is sloppy…"

Jiang Xiaoyi's words were cut off as his expression suddenly changed.

CLANG!

His left hand shot out, catching a second sword between his fingers. His nonchalant demeanor instantly vanished, replaced by an expression of utmost gravity. The Life-bound Sword had split into two hair-thin blades between his fingers!

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Jiang Yun's strikes came one after another, each faster than the last. In his excitement, he completely forgot his opponent was his Fifth Uncle and aimed his strikes all over Jiang Xiaoyi's body. With just a thought, the Life-bound Sword could attack again. Its speed was blinding, and its varied angles made it impossible to defend against.

Jiang Xiaoyi, who had been slouching carelessly just moments before, was now forced to retreat until his back was pressed against the rock wall.

"Stop!"

With a low shout, a barrier materialized around his body.

PFFT!

Jiang Yun's Life-bound Sword pierced the barrier instantly, the sharp tip coming to a halt only inches from Jiang Xiaoyi's neck.

"Good lad, you really integrated it!" Jiang Xiaoyi said, looking down at the cold sword tip and pressing it down slightly with a finger.

The others, who had been dumbfounded, finally snapped back to their senses.

"Damn, Yun'er, how did you do it?!"

"This isn't just complete integration! This is a sublimation to the Extremity Realm!"

"Good lad, you really have something!"

All of Jiang Yun's uncles began talking at once.

"Yun'er, come here… come here quickly!" Jiang Changkong called out, his voice trembling slightly.

As someone who had completely integrated his own Life-bound Sword long ago, he understood better than anyone how terrifying the techniques Jiang Yun had just displayed were. They were definitely beyond the capabilities of a cultivator who had yet to fully integrate their Life-bound Sword. Normally, going from complete integration to using it with such proficiency would take at least ten years!

"Quick, tell Grandpa, how did you do it?"

Before Jiang Yun could even greet him, Jiang Changkong grabbed his hand and questioned him eagerly.

"Brother Ning helped me!" Jiang Yun said with delight.

His relationship with his Fifth Uncle was actually quite good, and he had often sought him out for sparring matches. Jiang Yun had a clear understanding of his uncle's strength. To think he could force his Fifth Uncle onto the defensive the moment he integrated his Life-bound Sword was something he had never dared to imagine. His gratitude toward Ning Xuan was immense.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Changkong glanced at Wang Fu, who stood beside him. Wang Fu understood and gave a slight nod.

"How did he help you?" Jiang Changkong immediately asked Jiang Yun.

The others also leaned in, all ears. Even they were intensely curious about the method that allowed Jiang Yun to gain such mastery over his Life-bound Sword in such a short time.

Jiang Yun opened his mouth, then looked dumbfounded.

"Is it inconvenient to say?" Jiang Changkong asked. "No worries, it must be his unique Secret Technique."

Although everyone was disappointed, Jiang Changkong was understanding.

Just then, Jiang Yun scratched his head and said sheepishly, "No, that's not it. I don't know how he did it, either."

"The Life-bound Sword is yours! How could you possibly not know!" Jiang Xiaoyi's voice rang out at once.

"It's true. Brother Ning told me to summon my Life-bound Sword, and I did. The next thing I knew, I'd zoned out for a moment, and then he told me it was done," Jiang Yun recalled, explaining the situation in detail.

Everyone, including Jiang Changkong, sucked in a sharp breath, their faces etched with disbelief.

"Are… are you sure?!" Jiang Changkong couldn't help but ask again.

Jiang Yun nodded without a moment's hesitation.

The cave fell silent. Such a technique was beyond their comprehension.

"Where is your Brother Ning now? Go and invite him—no, I'll go myself!" Jiang Changkong declared, standing up immediately.

Jiang Changhe, who was beside him, also rose quickly. "Big Brother, let's go together!"

The five brothers seated below all spoke in unison, "We'll go, too!"

"Ahem, Family Head, please be patient," Wang Fu suddenly interjected, stopping them.

Everyone looked at him, puzzled.

"We can't go just like this. We must bring a gift to show our sincerity."

Realization dawned on Jiang Changkong. "Right, right! You're always so thoughtful, old friend! Xiaowu, go prepare at once!"

"Dad, what should I prepare?" Jiang Xiaowu asked, looking troubled. It was a difficult task, as the gift had to be impressive but also prepared quickly.

"Divine Crystals. Just prepare Divine Crystals!" Wang Fu said at once, relaying what had happened earlier on the Inner City walls.

"Ten billion Divine Crystals… If what Jiang Yun said is true, the value of that Secret Technique alone is worth more than ten billion. But we aren't the Sun Family. We don't have that many Divine Crystals!" Jiang Changkong said, troubled.

He looked toward Jiang Changhe, seeking his opinion.

***

While the Jiang Family's upper echelon was discussing how large a gift of Divine Crystals to prepare for Ning Xuan, Ning Xuan and Shangguan Qingrou had been cornered in a private room on the top floor of the teahouse.

A man sat imperiously in the doorway, his broadsword held in both hands with its tip resting on the floor. Behind him stood several menacing Holy Realm Cultivators.

"Your brother was killed by the old man Jiang Yun calls Grandpa Fu. Are you sure you've come to bother the right person?" Ning Xuan said, looking at the man.

The man had already stated his name and purpose. He was Jiang Rong, Jiang Hua's older brother.

Hearing this, Jiang Rong sneered. "Without you, you little punk, would Wang Fu have killed my brother?!"

"That does seem to have a certain logic to it," Ning Xuan nodded, not bothering to beat around the bush. It was obvious this guy was here to deliberately stir up trouble. "So, what do you want?"

"My brother was in the prime of his life. He hadn't even married or had children, and now he's dead because of you.

"But since the dead can't be revived, I won't take your life. Instead, let her come with me. So long as she bears a child—a son or daughter—to carry on my brother's line, I'll consider our grudge settled."

Jiang Rong glanced at Shangguan Qingrou, his true intentions laid bare. Jiang Hua was dead, so he obviously couldn't father a child. The heavy responsibility of procreation would clearly have to fall to Jiang Rong himself.

At his words, a wave of boisterous laughter erupted from the men behind him.

Shangguan Qingrou's beautiful eyes blazed with fury, and she shot to her feet.

However, before she could speak, Ning Xuan pulled her back down. Seeing Ning Xuan shake his head, Shangguan Qingrou sat back down without a second thought.

Witnessing this, everyone's eyes filled with scorn as they stared at Ning Xuan. They had never seen such a coward.

But on second thought, it made sense.