Chapter 250: The Crown Prince’s Martial Soul

Chapter 250: The Crown Prince’s Martial Soul

Ning Xiaochuan stood on the second floor, clad in snow-white robes, exuding an ethereal and detached aura. Yet his gaze was icy, his presence overwhelming, his essence, energy, and spirit intimidating.

Even Martial Artists of the Transcendent Realm felt immense pressure, their blood seemingly frozen, unable to flow.

The Black-robed Woman and six other evil members of Ghost Manor knelt on the ground, paying their respects with utmost reverence.

"Ghost Manor, Young Master Chuan!"

An elder of the Situ Family, a cultivator of the Transcendent Realm, stared fixedly at Ning Xiaochuan, his expression drastically changing as cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

The other Martial Artists of the Situ Family were equally terrified, their hearts unsettled. Recently, they had frequently clashed with the evil members of Ghost Manor and were well aware of its ruthless and fearsome nature.

Had the great demon of Ghost Manor arrived?

"Young Master Chuan" was a newly risen overlord of the unorthodox path, having established Ghost Manor. In just two years, he had stirred countless storms of blood, subjugating thirty-six Border Markets and suppressing numerous families and sects. Those who dared resist were mercilessly crushed.

Many sought to uncover Young Master Chuan’s identity and eliminate this great demon. Yet, his true appearance remained shrouded in mystery—even within Ghost Manor, few had seen his face.

Young Master Chuan was synonymous with enigma.

"Young Master Chuan has come to Yunhu Gathering. It seems a new wave of slaughter and conflict is inevitable!" exclaimed an elderly man who had stayed behind in the restaurant, his heart filled with regret. Had he known this demon had arrived, he wouldn’t have lingered for the spectacle. Now, escape was impossible.

"They say Young Master Chuan is remarkably young. Seeing him today, the rumors hold true."

"This must be the first time Young Master Chuan’s true form has appeared before the public. It seems the Situ Family is in grave danger."

Situ Fengwu was also stunned, her delicate brows furrowed, her elegant and beautiful face turning grim. She whispered, "Lin Shu, what do we do now?"

Lin Shu, a guest elder of the Situ Family, had entered the Transcendent Realm in his youth. Now in his sixties or seventies, his cultivation was profound. Standing beside her, he radiated powerful waves of Profound Qi, shielding the members of the Situ Family.

Clearly, Young Master Chuan’s arrival made the Situ Family feel as though they had stepped into a trap—today’s events seemed like a scheme long prepared by Ghost Manor.

Though veiled, the Black-robed Woman still exuded an alluring charm, her slender jade legs beneath her robes particularly mesmerizing. She let out a bell-like laugh. "Situ Fengwu, weren’t you so proud just now? Where has that arrogance gone? Why not become our Manor Lord’s maid, serve him in bed? Perhaps he’ll spare your life. Hehe."

Situ Fengwu’s eyes were bright, her brows delicate, her raven-black hair gleaming as if bathed in rouge and cream, radiating unyielding pride. "A mere Ghost Manor dares to stir trouble? If the Situ Family recalls all its experts, they could raze Ghost Manor to the ground."

"Miss Situ, the Manor Lord of Ghost Manor is right here. If you act too arrogantly, misfortune may befall you," a well-meaning Martial Artist warned.

Another warrior laughed, "You don’t understand. Miss Situ shares an extraordinary relationship with the Crown Prince and may very well become his consort in the future. Even if Ghost Manor has the audacity, they likely wouldn’t dare lay a hand on the Crown Prince’s woman."

The black-robed woman sneered, "Ghost Manor dares to kill nobles and plunder tributes. If we take a fancy to the Crown Prince’s woman, why wouldn’t we dare act?"

Situ Fengwu’s expression shifted slightly as she recalled numerous rumors about Ghost Manor.

Lin Zhanglao declared, "The Situ Family fears no one. Even if Young Master Chuan himself were to arrive, we would ensure he never leaves alive."

"What bold words!"

Murong Hua slammed his wine cup onto the table. The table remained unscathed, but a powerful Profound Qi Wave erupted from the cup, shaking the entire restaurant to the point of near collapse.

Lin Zhanglao’s face paled in shock. "And who might you be?"

"Right Guardian King of Ghost Manor."

Murong Hua gritted his teeth, each word forming a fist-shaped force that struck Lin Zhanglao’s body. By the time the eight words were spoken, Lin Zhanglao had been blasted back eight steps, spitting blood, his ribs shattered from the devastating blow.

"Rumor has it that Ghost Manor’s Left Guardian King recently fought to a draw with a Martial Venerable hired by the Situ Family. Now, with the Right Guardian King and the Manor Lord personally present, three top experts have gathered. It seems Ghost Manor is determined to crush the Situ Family."

"With Ghost Manor’s elite forces mobilized, one wonders if the Situ Family can withstand them."

Murong Hua leaped down from the second floor, his index finger glowing as he unleashed a Sword Wave, sending Lin Zhanglao flying. Unable to retaliate, Lin Zhanglao crashed through the wall and tumbled onto the street, bloodied and disgraced.

Standing at the center of the restaurant, Murong Hua released hundreds of radiant Profound Qi beams from his pores, pressing down on the Situ Family’s warriors and immobilizing them.

Thud! Thud!

Dozens of warriors were forced to their knees, their heads bloodied, their weight cracking the ground beneath them.

"Those Ghost Manor decides to suppress will inevitably be suppressed. Men, seize Situ Fengwu," Ning Xiaochuan said calmly.

Two black-robed warriors from Ghost Manor advanced with iron chains, moving toward Situ Fengwu.

"Ghost Manor is nothing but a den of heretics, yet you dare speak so arrogantly. Let’s see who can take her away today!" A golden light, bright as the sun, shot into the restaurant from outside.

Boom!

The two black-robed warriors were struck by the golden light and sent flying, dead before they hit the ground.

Within the radiance stood a majestic man with a distinguished mustache, wearing a Violet-Gold Crown and a golden robe, exuding an imperious and domineering aura. The power radiating from him severed Murong Hua’s Profound Qi, instantly relieving the pressure on the Situ Family’s warriors.

Every warrior in the restaurant dropped to their knees, shouting in unison, "Hail the Crown Prince!"

The Situ Family’s warriors rejoiced—their savior had arrived. They too knelt once more, bowing reverently. "Hail the Crown Prince!"

Proud as a white swan, Situ Fengwu bowed respectfully to the man, her beautiful eyes filled with awe and admiration.

The Crown Prince, the heir apparent and future Jade Emperor, bore the mark of imperial authority. Who would dare not bow to him?

For such a figure to descend in person was an immense honor bestowed upon the Situ Family.

"You of the Ghost Manor have quite the audacity! How dare you refuse to kneel before the Martial Soul Avatar of His Highness the Crown Prince?" Situ Fengwu's gaze was icy as she reprimanded Ning Xiaochuan, her stunning face adorned with a smug sneer.

No matter how lawless the Ghost Manor might be, would they truly dare to defy the Crown Prince himself?

Yet, under Ning Xiaochuan's leadership, not a single member of the Ghost Manor knelt.

"Not even if it were the Crown Prince's true form descending—we would never kneel."

Murong Hua let out a cold laugh, raising a palm from which a brilliant flame surged, coalescing into a 16-meter-long fire dragon that roared toward the Crown Prince's Martial Soul Avatar.

Having once been a member of the Dragon Warriors Battalion, Murong Hua was exempt from kneeling even before the Jade Emperor. Naturally, he held no reverence for a mere Crown Prince.

The crowd was stunned—was the Ghost Manor truly rebelling, showing such blatant disregard for the Crown Prince?

The current Crown Prince was a figure of extraordinary talent, having risen above all other princes twenty years ago to be crowned heir apparent. With inexhaustible imperial resources at his disposal, his martial prowess was now unfathomable.

Though only a Martial Soul Avatar had descended, it still carried overwhelming majesty. The Crown Prince unleashed the royal secret technique, the "Great Heaven and Earth Art," condensing Heaven and Earth Profound Qi into a Martial Arts Divine Seal to suppress Murong Hua's fire dragon.

"As expected of the Crown Prince—his cultivation is truly formidable," Ning Xiaochuan thought to himself.

While the two powerhouses clashed, Ning Xiaochuan swiftly made his move, appearing behind Situ Fengwu and pressing a hand against her delicate shoulder, his fingers locking onto her bones.

With Ning Xiaochuan's current cultivation, he had long since left the Imperial City's Ten Outstanding Youths far behind.

Situ Fengwu channeled the Profound Qi within her body, a fiery treasure wheel manifesting between her brows, ready to emerge.

This was a Martial Arts Divine Ability condensed from Profound Qi.

Ning Xiaochuan's voice, magnetic and laced with amusement, rang out, "Miss Situ, it would be best if you remained docile. If you insist on resisting, I may have no choice but to be ruthless."

His fingers, like iron hooks, clamped onto Situ Fengwu's alluring collarbone. A wisp of Annihilation Qi surged from his fingertips, invading her body and suppressing her Martial Arts Heart Palace.

Thud!

A muffled groan escaped her lips as the Martial Arts Divine Ability she had condensed instantly dissipated into smoke. Her exquisite face twisted in pain, yet she was powerless to resist Ning Xiaochuan.

The Crown Prince's Martial Soul Avatar let out a cold snort, like a thunderclap, its fury directed squarely at Ning Xiaochuan.

Unfazed, Ning Xiaochuan met the Martial Soul Avatar's gaze with blazing eyes and a smirk. "Your Highness is truly chivalrous, but alas, I am not one to spare the fairer sex."

"Miss Situ, I’ll be taking her with me for now. If the Situ Family can hand over three high-level Forging Masters, ten intermediate-level Forging Masters, and one hundred low-level Forging Masters by noon tomorrow at Huantian Cliff in Yunhu Gathering, we will return Miss Situ unharmed, ensuring not a single hair on her head is harmed. But... if the Situ Family lacks sincerity, then after tomorrow noon, whether Miss Situ remains intact is hard to say."

The conflict with the Situ Family was essentially a struggle over "mines" and "Forging Masters"—their most vital resources.

With one hand gripping Situ Fengwu, Ning Xiaochuan strode out of the restaurant.

"Boom!"

Ning Xiaochuan swung his palm, sending dozens of blocking Martial Artists flying, sprawling haphazardly across the ground. Then, he swaggered out of the restaurant without a care.

"How dare you! Stay right there, for this Crown Prince!"

The Crown Prince’s Martial Soul Avatar seethed with rage, condensing a powerful Martial Arts Divine Ability—a golden battle dragon—that demolished the entire restaurant in an attempt to suppress Ning Xiaochuan.

Murong Hua let out a cold chuckle, conjuring a Profound Qi Spear in his hand. With a single thrust, he shattered the golden dragon and pierced straight through the Crown Prince’s Martial Soul Avatar.

"Pfft!"

The Profound Qi Spear impaled the Martial Soul Avatar clean through.

!