Chapter 116: The Top Ten

Chapter 116: The Top Ten

Jin Quexi stood outside the martial arena, watching Ning Xiaochuan’s three battles. She nodded approvingly and said, "These three battles demonstrate Ning Xiaochuan’s steady and balanced approach to the Sword Dao. He is cautious against every opponent—never underestimating them, never impatient, never reckless. His performance is flawless, leaving almost no room for error."

Shi Hailiang returned from the First Martial Arena and remarked, "I just witnessed Ming Yang’s battle. His Sword Dao is domineering, ruthless, and absolute. He moves like a sword itself—unstoppable with a single strike. If they were in the same cultivation realm, Ning Xiaochuan and Ming Yang might be the perfect rivals. But Ning Xiaochuan is two years younger and two levels weaker in martial cultivation. It’s hard to say if he could even withstand a single strike from Ming Yang."

"The Supreme Sword Dao… is it truly that powerful?" Jin Quexi found it hard to believe.

Shi Hailiang replied, "Ming Yang has fought three battles so far. Every opponent he faced was killed with a single strike—no one has ever forced him to use a second. Forget this year’s competition; even many senior disciples from previous years wouldn’t survive a single blow from him."

Ning Xiaochuan stepped out of the arena and glanced in Jin Quexi’s direction, just in time to hear Shi Hailiang’s words. His expression darkened. "All three opponents who faced Ming Yang… were killed?"

Assuming Ning Xiaochuan was intimidated, Shi Hailiang said, "Ming Yang’s sword is indeed terrifyingly powerful. The Supreme Sword Dao is arguably the most ruthless Sword Dao in existence. If you end up facing him, it’s best to forfeit."

He wasn’t mocking Ning Xiaochuan—he genuinely didn’t want him to fight Ming Yang. Otherwise, a promising young talent might meet an untimely end, which would be a true tragedy.

But Ning Xiaochuan’s heart turned cold with dread—for Ning Xin’er. He immediately rushed toward the First Martial Arena.

Ning Xin’er had advanced in the First Martial Arena.

If she were to die by Ming Yang’s hand, Ning Xiaochuan would not hesitate to wield the Demonic Sword to cut him down.

The power of the Demonic Sword could not be revealed openly. If it were, countless people would covet such a treasure—even Martial Venerables would be tempted. It could plunge the entire Yulan Empire into chaos, and the Jian Pavilion Marquis House might be destroyed overnight.

At his current cultivation level, exposing the Demonic Sword would mean certain death for Ning Xiaochuan.

But if Ning Xin’er truly died, he wouldn’t care about the consequences. He would unleash the Demonic Sword’s power without hesitation to take Ming Yang’s life.

"Xin’er… you must be safe!" Ning Xiaochuan’s eyes burned red as the Demonic Sword within his Demon Ventricle hummed eagerly, as if yearning to break free.

The small red dragon also grew furious, letting out angry roars.

Ning Xiaochuan could now roughly understand its words and grasped its meaning. "You think you can avenge Xin’er? You’re too weak. Wait until you grow up."

The small red dragon was incensed by Ning Xiaochuan’s dismissive attitude. It wanted to display its innate power to shock him.

Just as it was about to unleash its strength, Ning Xiaochuan suddenly stopped. Standing on the yellow sand, he fixed his gaze on Ning Xin’er in the distance.

Ning Xiaochuan let out a long sigh of relief and pulled Ning Xin'er into a tight embrace. "Xin'er, I heard Ming Yang killed all three of his opponents. I thought... you might have died by his hand."

Ning Xin'er pressed her small face against Ning Xiaochuan's chest and whispered, "I lost in the semifinals, so I didn't make it to the finals and never faced Ming Yang. But because Ming Yang killed the top three experts in the First Martial Arena, I ended up as the second-place finisher there."

"Losing doesn’t matter. You’re only fourteen, younger than many others. There’s still plenty of room for improvement in the future."

"Mhm."

Ning Xiaochuan and Ning Xin'er returned to the stone house.

Before long, Murong Wushuang trudged in, his head hanging low.

He had fought in the No. 3 Martial Field and was defeated in his first match, ultimately ranking fifth there.

"Those people are just too monstrous. What on earth did they eat growing up? Brother Chuan, if you end up facing that guy named He Jia tomorrow, you have to teach him a lesson for me." Murong Wushuang's first opponent had been He Jia, who defeated him in just two moves and even stomped a shoe print on his backside.

The humiliation still burned in Murong Wushuang's heart. Lying face-down in the dirt, he had felt utterly disgraced, and even now, he couldn’t shake the memory of how pathetic he had been.

Ning Xiaochuan frowned slightly. "He Jia? The one from the Yiyuan Sect?"

"That’s him! So he’s a disciple of the Yiyuan Sect? No wonder he’s so strong. The Yiyuan Sect is the leader of all sects."

Murong Wushuang suddenly felt his loss wasn’t so unjustified, but he still couldn’t stand He Jia’s arrogant demeanor. He swore to himself that once his cultivation improved, he would settle this score.

"The top ten list for this year has been announced," Yu Qianqian said as she walked in, carrying a parchment scroll. She spread it open on the stone table.

First Martial Arena: Ming Yang.

No. 2 Martial Field: Yu Tiadi.

No. 3 Martial Field: He Jia.

No. 4 Martial Field: Nan Shuiyi.

No. 5 Martial Field: Yu Lanfei.

No. 6 Martial Field: Hu Han Yeli.

No. 7 Martial Field: Ning Xiaochuan.

No. 8 Martial Field: Xie Mengyao.

No. 9 Martial Field: Yin Sanyue.

No. 10 Martial Field: Lu Qing.

These ten would compete in the ranking battles tomorrow, the highlight of the Opening Battle, with even academy masters in attendance.

As for who would face whom, that would only be revealed tomorrow.

Ning Xiaochuan looked at Yu Qianqian curiously. "You didn’t make the top ten?"

Yu Qianqian met his gaze calmly. "This year’s participants are exceptionally strong. Breaking into the top ten isn’t easy."

Ning Xiaochuan knew Yu Qianqian possessed a Special Heart Palace, had solid cultivation, and surely carried hidden trump cards. Yet she hadn’t made the top ten, which puzzled him.

Yu Qianqian took out a silver pellet from her Heaven and Earth Bag and handed it to Ning Xiaochuan.

He studied it. "What is this?"

"Just take it. If you face Ming Yang tomorrow, this might save your life at a critical moment," Yu Qianqian said.

Ning Xiaochuan said solemnly, "If you don’t explain clearly, I won’t accept this."

"Brother Chuan, if you don’t want it, give it to me!" Murong Wushuang rubbed his palms together, his eyes fixed on the silver pellet, convinced it was a treasure.

Thud!

Ning Xin'er smacked the back of Murong Wushuang’s head, slamming his face onto the table before dragging him out of the stone house by force.

Inside the stone house, only Ning Xiaochuan and Yu Qianqian remained.

Yu Qianqian still held the silver pellet in her hand. Seeing Ning Xiaochuan’s reluctance, she said, "This is a Sword Pellet, sealed with a Martial Venerable’s Sword Qi. Once released, it will surely kill Ming Yang."

Ning Xiaochuan stared intently into her eyes. "This is your lifeline, given to you by the Great Golden Roc King, isn’t it? The Emperor’s Ruins are dangerous, and this Sword Pellet is your safeguard, a deterrent against any foe. I can’t take this treasure from you."

Yu Qianqian replied, "I have another one."

Ning Xiaochuan’s lips curled slightly. "If you truly had another Sword Pellet, you would have already used its power to secure a spot in the top ten. Princess, your kindness toward me is deeply appreciated, but I absolutely cannot accept this Sword Pellet. Xin’er, see our guest out."

Yu Qianqian bit her lip lightly, no longer insisting. She turned and walked out of the stone house.

He already owed Yu Qianqian too much. That Sword Pellet was her lifeline—with it in hand, no one would dare challenge her.

Ning Xiaochuan could not accept it. Though he might not be Ming Yang’s match, killing him wouldn’t be easy for Ming Yang either.

Gradually, Ning Xiaochuan’s mind settled into calm. He resumed absorbing Heaven and Earth Profound Qi, cultivating his Fifth Divine Ability.

Once he mastered the Fifth Divine Ability to Great Perfection and awakened the Sixth Divine Ability, the seal in his Martial Arts Heart Palace would break. He would directly gain the Physical Strength of a Ninth Level Divine Body Realm warrior, fully equipping him to contend with Ming Yang.

The Opening Battle reached its ninth day.

This day marked the clashes among the top ten, a showdown between the most elite young talents.

Many instructors from the Emperor’s Martial Palace arrived at Camp Nine, including numerous second-year students.

This year, there was an unusual occurrence—the Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy had personally arrived.

In previous years, though instructors from the Three Masters Martial Academy attended, their numbers were never this large, let alone the presence of a figure of the Headmaster’s rank.

"Heh, I heard our Three Masters Martial Academy has a genius in the top ten this year! Truly remarkable—what excellent news!" the Deputy Headmaster laughed.

"Rumor has it this genius is not only formidable in martial arts but has also become an Intermediate Heart Nurturer at a young age, with the potential to become a Great Heart Nurturer in the future."

Upon hearing this, the Deputy Headmaster slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "This disciple is mine!"

Another voice chimed in, "But the top genius of this year, Ming Yang, has already vowed to take his life. Given Ming Yang’s strength, that Heart Nurturer genius may not survive."

Upon hearing this, the Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy grew visibly agitated and said, "I’ve long insisted that the Emperor's Martial Palace must reform its system. When our Three Masters Martial Academy recruits students, we shouldn’t rely on martial contests. A Heart Nurturer only needs talent in alchemy—why must they engage in such violent clashes? It’s utterly uncivilized! If such a promising seedling were to be killed, I’d have to raise the issue of reforming the system again."

"Deputy Headmaster, dignity, dignity… the image of our Three Masters Martial Academy!" someone nearby whispered in reminder.

The Deputy Headmaster hastily straightened his attire and assumed a humble smile. "The matter of reforming the system must be discussed carefully. By the way, what was the name of that genius you mentioned earlier?"

"Ning Xiaochuan," replied one of the academy’s instructors.