Chapter 115: Tianli Society

Chapter 115: Tianli Society

Ning Xiaochuan was about to go watch Ning Xin'er and Murong Wushuang's matches when three martial artists approached him—two men and one woman.

They wore the uniforms of Emperor's Martial Palace disciples, and each had a mystic beast following behind them—all of them Fourth-grade Mystic Beasts. The aura emanating from those three beasts alone was enough to send chills down one's spine.

The mystic beasts' fists-sized eyes fixed on Ning Xiaochuan, their gazes brimming with a bloodthirsty intensity. Yet, in front of their masters, they were as docile as harmless pets.

A Fourth-grade Mystic Beast's combat prowess was comparable to—if not stronger than—a martial artist at the Seventh Level of the Divine Body Realm.

For these three disciples to have tamed Fourth-grade Mystic Beasts as both Battle Pets and mounts, their own cultivation levels must be extraordinary.

Ning Xiaochuan cautiously remained on guard. Competition within Emperor's Ruins was brutal, and it was always wise to be careful.

Yue Mingsong adjusted his white disciple robe, stroked his mustache, and strode forward with a cupped-fist salute. "Brother Ning, what a coincidence! I am Yue Mingsong, the Greatest Forging Master in the World."

Though only twenty-one years old, Yue Mingsong had wrinkles on his forehead and deep nasolabial folds. His skin was sallow, making him appear much older—like a man in his forties.

For martial cultivators, high enough cultivation could indeed slow aging. Some in their eighties or nineties might look no older than thirty or forty.

Could this man before him be such a master? Otherwise, how could he claim to be the Greatest Forging Master in the World?

Ning Xiaochuan eyed him skeptically. "You're really the Greatest Forging Master in the World?"

"Well... actually, I'm the disciple of the Greatest Forging Master in the World," Yue Mingsong admitted awkwardly.

Even being the disciple of the Greatest Forging Master in the World was an impressive feat, enough to earn him a place as an honored guest among major factions.

Ning Xiaochuan pressed, "Are you really his disciple?"

Yue Mingsong chuckled awkwardly again. "Brother Ning, you're sharp—you saw right through me. Actually, my status is even more esteemed than that of the Greatest Forging Master in the World's disciple."

Ning Xiaochuan frowned. "Then who exactly are you?"

Yue Mingsong smiled proudly. "I live next door to the Greatest Forging Master in the World's disciple. When I was little, he even carried me in his arms. Sigh... I really shouldn’t reveal my identity. I’m not one to boast."

Lowering his voice solemnly, he added, "Brother Ning, you mustn’t tell anyone about this. I don’t want to become the center of attention. You know how it is—anyone connected to the 'Greatest in the World' title is extraordinary. I prefer to keep a low profile."

Ning Xiaochuan took a deep breath and nodded gravely. "Impressive... truly impressive."

Jin Quexi rolled her eyes, thoroughly disgusted by Yue Mingsong's shameless antics.

She reached out, grabbed the back of his robe, and hurled him away. He landed headfirst in the sand, legs flailing in the air.

"Jin Quexi, a second-year disciple of Emperor's Martial Palace. We’ve met before," Ning Xiaochuan said before she could even speak, calling out her name first.

"You actually know my name?" Jin Quexi was taken aback.

Ning Xiaochuan smiled and said, "It was Senior Sister Jin Quexi who guided me to the Fire Demon Mountain Range a month ago."

Jin Quexi wore a look of realization, but before she could speak, Yue Mingsong crawled over, his face covered in yellow sand. "Brother Ning, this is fate! Let me tell you an ancient rule—junior sisters belong to senior brothers, and junior brothers belong to senior sisters. Your Senior Sister Jin is still single, so you might consider taking her as your—ahhh!"

Before he could finish, Jin Quexi hurled him away again, sending him headfirst into the sand, buried so deep that only the tip of his foot remained visible.

Jin Quexi turned to Ning Xiaochuan. "Ning Xiaochuan, do you know why we sought you out?"

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head.

Jin Quexi gazed at the distant sands and said, "You should know that in the Emperor's Ruins, we have no sect or family to rely on—everything depends on ourselves. But do you know how many students die unjustly every year? How many are bullied by others, living like slaves?"

Ning Xiaochuan seemed to understand. "Doesn’t the academy’s instructors intervene?"

"They do, but this world has its dark side. If you’re killed in the desolate Madaro Desert, your bones devoured by mystic beasts, do you think the instructors could ever find the culprit?" Jin Quexi replied.

She continued, "I know you’re among the strongest in this year’s examinees, but can you defeat second-year students? Third-year students? If you want to live better than others in the Emperor's Ruins, you need friends, allies—like us, the Tianli Society."

Ning Xiaochuan asked, "Tianli Society?"

Shi Hailiang, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Many alliances exist among students in the Emperor's Ruins, and our Tianli Society is one of the strongest. Unlike others, we offer more freedom. If a member is bullied, our experts will step in. Members also collaborate on missions, supporting and uplifting each other. It’s one of the most humane alliances."

Ning Xiaochuan nodded with a faint smile. "Sorry, but I’ll need to think about it. Right now, I have a formidable enemy to face. If I can’t overcome him, this place might become my grave—joining the Tianli Society would be the least of my concerns."

With that, Ning Xiaochuan left.

Shi Hailiang watched his retreating figure and remarked, "A man of firm resolve. He didn’t immediately agree to join just because of our words. At his age, with such a mindset—he’s destined for greatness."

Jin Quexi also nodded, acknowledging Ning Xiaochuan’s potential.

Her gaze flickered briefly to Yue Mingsong, still buried upside-down in the sand, worried he might suffocate.

She lightly tapped the sand with her foot.

A surge of Profound Qi shot underground, flinging Yue Mingsong out of the sand. He landed on the ground, spitting out mouthfuls of grit.

Ning Xiaochuan wasn’t familiar with Jin Quexi and the others, so he wouldn’t join the Tianli Society based solely on their words—otherwise, he might end up being tricked without even realizing it.

He arrived at the First Martial Arena and came to a stop.

In the First Martial Arena, Ming Yang stood imposingly at the very center, gripping his heavy sword and planting it upside-down in the yellow sand, his cold gaze fixed on his opponent.

Opposite him stood a rather beautiful young woman, sixteen years of age, with white pupils in her eyes. White Profound Qi emanated from her palms, enveloping a silver needle as fine as an ox’s hair.

Even though the man before her was Ming Yang, there was not a trace of fear in her eyes.

During the preliminary rounds, she had been the top-ranked fighter in the First Martial Arena, possessing cultivation at the peak of the Fourth Level of the Divine Body Realm.

In the Fire Demon Mountain Range assessment, she had failed to rank in the top ten due to lacking the support of a powerful family, despite her formidable martial prowess. Otherwise, she would have undoubtedly secured a place among the top ten.

"Swish!"

The woman’s fingers were incredibly flexible and graceful as she controlled the Soul-Stealing Needle, a Mystic Artifact of the third rank.

With a flick of her wrist, the needle shot out like a speck of light, its speed so fast it was nearly imperceptible to the naked eye.

Ning Xiaochuan nodded slightly. This strike of hers was powerful enough to severely injure even a warrior at the Fifth Level of the Divine Body Realm. Now, it was up to Ming Yang to see how he would counter it.

Ming Yang had only one move—he swung his heavy sword forward.

Then, he sheathed his blade and walked out of the arena.

"Thud!"

The Soul-Stealing Needle fell to the ground.

Meanwhile, the woman’s body was split in half by Sword Qi, leaving only a pool of blood and scattered organs in the yellow sand.

With just a single strike, he had slain a peak Fourth Level Divine Body Realm expert. This immediately caused an uproar, and the entire Training Ground buzzed with discussion, further mythologizing Ming Yang as an almost invincible legend.

"Ming Yang’s martial prowess has far surpassed that of his peers. It’s likely no one in this cohort can withstand even a single strike from him," remarked one of the instructors from the Emperor's Martial Palace.

Ning Xiaochuan stared at Ming Yang’s retreating figure. His strength had grown even stronger.

Ning Xin'er was also in the First Martial Arena, now standing in the arena herself, facing off against a bearded man.

Both were at the Third Level of the Divine Body Realm. After over eighty exchanges, Ning Xin'er defeated the bearded man, advancing to the top four of the First Martial Arena.

Seeing Ning Xin'er step out of the Training Ground, Ning Xiaochuan approached her.

"Well done, Xin'er," Ning Xiaochuan praised. "Among the female students of this cohort, your strength is easily within the top ten."

Ning Xin'er blinked in surprise. "Brother, why are you wrapping the small red dragon around your waist? Doesn’t it feel uncomfortable?"

Ning Xiaochuan had been using the small red dragon as a makeshift belt. Aside from Ning Xin'er, no one else had found it strange—after all, warriors from all corners of the land had gathered here, many dressed in eccentric attire. Naturally, no one batted an eye at what appeared to be a dragon-shaped belt.

Besides, no one truly believed such a tiny dragon could exist.

The small red dragon gave Ning Xin'er a pitiful look before resignedly lowering its head and continuing to sleep like a fool.

Ning Xiaochuan’s expression turned serious as he looked at Ning Xin'er. "If your next opponent is Ming Yang, forfeit immediately. Do not fight him."

Ning Xin'er was quite obedient to Ning Xiaochuan’s words. "I’ll listen to you, brother. If I face Ming Yang next, I’ll surrender right away."

Ning Xiaochuan smiled and nodded, then returned to the No. 7 Martial Field to prepare for his next battle. The top four of the group had been determined in the No. 7 Martial Field, and the next matches would be the group semifinals and finals. Ning Xiaochuan won both battles with ease, smoothly securing first place in his group. All three of his battles were concluded in one swift motion. Though not as domineering or eye-catching as Ming Yang, he still displayed formidable combat prowess, leaving his opponents powerless to fight back. He defeated them almost effortlessly, knocking them out of the martial field within three moves. Ning Xiaochuan officially ranked among the top ten students of the current cohort, and the true final showdown awaited him next.