Chapter 298: The Wrath of a Martial Venerable

Chapter 298: The Wrath of a Martial Venerable

Ning Xiaochiao possessed the essence, energy, and spirit of a Martial Venerable. He silently channeled Annihilation Qi, coalescing it into a towering Demonic Shadow behind him to counter Mu Honglai's Martial Venerable aura.

The Demonic Shadow resembled a Martial Soul, exuding a chilling, sinister aura that soared into the heavens, striking fear into the hearts of onlookers. Despite the shadow looming over him, Ning Xiaochiao remained calm, speaking with an air of indifference, "I can tell you with absolute certainty that your son did not die by my hand. There is no enmity between us, senior."

"Because of you, I lost an arm, my position as the leader of the Heavenly Annihilation Dao, and everything I had. And you dare claim there’s no enmity between us?" Mu Honglai seethed with frustration, convinced that Ning Xiaochiao was his personal calamity. Only by eliminating him could his hatred be quelled.

Ning Xiaochiao shook his head. "Victors become kings, losers become outlaws—such is the natural order. Senior Mu, you are an Earthly Venerable Realm expert, commanding countless subordinates. Back then, I was merely a Divine Body Realm Martial Artist. How could I possibly have harmed you? Your failure to secure the leadership of the Heavenly Annihilation Dao cannot be blamed on me. It was simply a matter of fate. The whims of destiny are not the fault of the soldier."

"My fate was lacking?"

Mu Honglai burned with the urge to crush Ning Xiaochiao to death. How dare this brat shift the blame to fate when it was clearly his doing?

Mu Honglai's hair stood on end, defying gravity as his Martial Path Origin Qi surged violently, igniting the entire Jade Mist River and unleashing a terrifying display of power.

The Jade Mist River spanned 300 meters in width, its Water Waves towering tens of meters high. Enormous aquatic creatures were flung into the air, roaring in terror. The might of a Martial Venerable sent even the Mystic Beasts in the water into panic.

Madam Silver Pool sat in a small boat, swaying amidst the turbulent waves, her robes drenched. Her bright eyes were fixed intently on the man before her, clad in a Golden Mask, her gaze filled with an indescribable melancholy.

His true identity… was actually the Minor Marquis from the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. Ning Xiaochiao.

Ning Xiaochiao's reputation as a genius was renowned throughout the Imperial City, known to all—including her.

She had even crossed paths with him once before.

But back then, she could never have imagined that one day, so much would transpire between them.

She had often speculated about Young Master Chuan's age and identity, yet she had never connected him to Ning Xiaochiao. After all, Ning Xiaochiao was far too young. Even as a prodigy, how could he possibly be the Manor Lord of the Ghost Manor?

She had always assumed Young Master Chuan must be a man in his thirties. If only his appearance had been uglier, perhaps she might have stood a chance with him.

But the truth was, Young Master Chuan's identity was one of such nobility, his talent so peerless, that he was hailed as the foremost genius of the Yulan Empire. By his side were exceptional women like Yu Ningsheng, the Imperial City's top beauty, and Princess Qianxi of the Golden Roc Prince's Manor.

She was merely a woman of tarnished reputation, one who had failed to cherish herself. How could she ever be worthy of him?

For the first time, Madam Silver Pool felt the vast chasm between herself and Young Master Chuan—as distant as the heavens from the earth.

Had it been ten years ago, when she was at her most beautiful, purest, and most radiant, encountering Ning Xiaochiao might have sparked something between them, leading to a promising future. But now, it was too late for such thoughts.

Mu Honglai was a dominant Martial Venerable of the older generation, a figure whose combat prowess was truly terrifying. For a Martial Artist who had not yet reached the Martial Venerable realm to challenge him would be nothing short of suicide—utterly hopeless, with no chance of escape.

If possible, Ning Xiaochiao wished to resolve this matter peacefully.

However, it was clear that this was merely wishful thinking on his part. Mu Honglai had long desired to tear him limb from limb—how could a few words possibly deceive him?

"Brat, I won’t be satisfied until I grind your bones to dust and scatter your ashes!"

Mu Honglai raised his arm, condensing Martial Path Origin Qi into a blade-like palm strike, poised to slash down at Ning Xiaochiao.

"Wait!"

Madam Silver Pool gracefully rose to her feet, her jade-like body exuding soft elegance, her flawless face adorned with a faint smile. "If you let him go, I will become your woman. Does this trade satisfy you?"

Mu Honglai turned his gaze toward Madam Silver Pool, beholding the enchanting figure within the boat—her slender form draped in silken ribbons, wreathed in wisps of pale mist, as if she were a celestial maiden treading upon waves.

Never in his life had he seen such a breathtakingly beautiful woman. Even describing her as "outshining the moon and shaming the flowers" would not be an exaggeration.

"Could such a peerless beauty truly exist in this world?" Mu Honglai swallowed hard, feeling as though his entire life before this moment had been wasted.

Truly, faced with a temptress like Madam Silver Pool, no man could resist her allure—so long as she willed it. Of course, Ning Xiaochiao was the exception.

Dispersing the Martial Path Origin Qi from his arm, Mu Honglai burst into laughter. "You must be the Imperial City's top beauty, Miss Yu Ningsheng. A fairy descended from the heavens—are you truly willing to sacrifice yourself for Ning Xiaochiao?"

Having heard of the connection between Ning Xiaochiao and Yu Ningsheng, Mu Honglai mistakenly believed Madam Silver Pool to be the famed beauty.

If she did not deserve the title of the Imperial City's top beauty, then who did?

A shadow of sorrow flickered in Madam Silver Pool's eyes as she glanced at Ning Xiaochiao, murmuring softly, "For him, I would give anything."

All she saw was a golden mask, obscuring whatever expression lay beneath. She wondered—would he care even a little for a woman like her, who lacked self-respect?

Though Mu Honglai possessed the cultivation of the Earthly Venerable Realm, he was still a man at heart, utterly powerless against Madam Silver Pool's seduction. "Since Miss Yu is willing to offer herself for her lover, I shall spare his wretched life for now. Miss Yu, come with me to the Water Palace and become my palace mistress. Tonight, we shall consummate our union—ha ha!"

In Mu Honglai's eyes, defiling Ning Xiaochiao's woman would be far more satisfying than simply killing him.

"Who gave you permission to take her?" Ning Xiaochiao's voice was icy.

He removed the golden mask from his face and cast it into the water, his cold gaze fixed unwaveringly on Mu Honglai.

Beneath the golden mask was a strikingly handsome face—delicate brows and eyes, a clean-shaven complexion, and long hair tied back, resembling an exiled immortal standing upon the river's surface.

Madam Silver Pool stared at Ning Xiaochiao, momentarily entranced.

Mu Honglai sneered coldly, "Brat, I was planning to spare your wretched life, but now it seems I’ll capture you and make you watch as I—ah—!"

A sharp pain erupted in Mu Honglai’s chest as he locked eyes with Madam Silver Pool’s breathtakingly beautiful jade-like face, now mere inches away. His expression twisted with shock and agony.

In that instant, Madam Silver Pool had activated Cloud-Treading Steps, her palm piercing through Mu Honglai’s chest, shattering his ribs. Martial Venerable’s blood gushed from the wound.

What was once the most exquisite jade hand in the world had now become a terrifying weapon, half-buried in Mu Honglai’s chest.

Under Mu Honglai’s horrified gaze, Madam Silver Pool’s hand spread wider, as if intent on tearing open his torso.

Rip!

Her hand, now dyed crimson, tore out a bloody piece of his lung and tossed it into the river, where it was swiftly devoured by lurking Mystic Beasts.

An ordinary person would have died instantly from such a grievous wound.

"You bitch—DIE!"

Mu Honglai, however, was a peerless Martial Venerable, his body transcending mortal limits. Losing a lung wouldn’t kill him so easily.

A scarlet radiance erupted from his body, coalescing into a ring of Martial Path mist that formed a massive flaming claw, hurling toward Madam Silver Pool.

Still recovering from her injuries, Madam Silver Pool had only regained thirty percent of her strength. Unable to withstand Mu Honglai’s furious strike, she activated Cloud-Treading Steps and retreated swiftly, as if gliding on clouds.

Ning Xiaochiao summoned the Demonic Sword, channeling the Annihilation Path Founder’s power. With a single slash, he shattered the scarlet mist, blocking Mu Honglai’s killing intent.

"Today, both of you will die!" Mu Honglai spat a mouthful of crimson blood, immediately circulating his Martial Path Origin Qi to heal his wounds.

Once his condition stabilized slightly, he struck out with both palms, unleashing two phantom Origin Qi War Beasts that surged toward Ning Xiaochiao and Madam Silver Pool.

Madam Silver Pool activated a Martial Arts Divine Ability, freezing the river into a massive Frost God Shield spanning 100 meters in diameter.

Meanwhile, Ning Xiaochiao harnessed the Demonic Sword’s power, unleashing a surge of demonic energy as he slashed down, releasing a blood-red Sword Qi.

BOOM!

The two were blasted backward by the Martial Venerable’s Origin Qi.

Ning Xiaochiao slapped the water’s surface, flipping midair before delivering another slash at Mu Honglai.

Madam Silver Pool extended a slender jade finger, tracing a line across the river. Instantly, monstrous waves surged over 100 meters high, transforming into tens of thousands of icy blue divine swords.

After all, she was a genuine Earthly Venerable Realm Martial Artist. Though weakened by her injuries, her Martial Arts Divine Ability remained overwhelmingly powerful, capable of sweeping across all opposition.

BOOM!

Mu Honglai’s Martial Soul Avatar ignited, boiling the river as he unleashed a beast-shaped Blazing Flame palm, sending both Madam Silver Pool and Ning Xiaochiao flying once more.

Ning Xiaochiao flipped up and stood firmly on the water's surface, the demonic energy within him surging, his ferocity growing even more intense.

"Although Mu Honglai was injured by me, his core remains unharmed. Even if we join forces, we are absolutely no match for him. Continuing this battle would be highly unfavorable for us," Madam Silver Pool said.

Ning Xiaochiao glanced in the direction of the Imperial City, faintly sensing a powerful presence approaching from that direction.

A battle at the Martial Venerable level could never escape the notice of experts like the Cloud Marquis and the Crown Prince. It was likely them heading this way.

"Let's go!"

After exchanging two more blows with Mu Honglai, Ning Xiaochiao and Madam Silver Pool fled in separate directions.