Chapter 133: The Third Level

Chapter 133: The Third Level

The White-robed Figure spread his arms, strands of Profound Qi flowing from his fingertips. Eighteen vines emerged around his body, intertwining like iron chains to form a massive cage, shielding him at its center.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

The leaves that blasted toward him were all blocked by the vines, shattering into wisps of green mist under the tremendous impact.

Standing within the vine cage, the White-robed Figure pointed at Ning Xiaochuan, eighteen beams of Profound Light shooting from his fingers. The eighteen vines twisted together, forming a single entity like a steel dragon.

These vines were condensed from Wood Elemental Power, brimming with vitality and possessing strength sufficient to bind even a Dragon Elephant.

Ning Xiaochuan punched at the tip of the eighteen vines, streaks of lightning surging forth, withering six of them into dust.

"Shhh—"

The remaining twelve vines extended tendrils, coiling around Ning Xiaochuan's arm. The tendrils were razor-sharp, attempting to pierce into his flesh.

"Ten Thousand Swords Transforming into Rain!"

A hundred Sword Qi Shadows materialized around Ning Xiaochuan, slashing wildly at the twelve vines, reducing them to powder.

Clasping his hands together, Ning Xiaochuan merged the hundred Sword Qi Shadows into a single battle sword. His body transformed into a streak of lightning as he thrust the sword toward the White-robed Figure's brow.

"Boom!"

A wooden staff appeared in the White-robed Figure's hand, striking the tip of the battle sword and blocking Ning Xiaochuan's devastating thrust.

Ning Xiaochuan had poured his full strength into this strike, yet the White-robed Figure still managed to block it. No wonder Princess Lanfei, Yu Tiadi, and He Jia had all fallen to this White-robed Figure.

This White-robed Figure's cultivation was truly extraordinary.

"Blazing Sun Scorching the Heavens!"

Ning Xiaochuan channeled his Martial Arts Profound Qi, directing it toward his brow, which grew increasingly radiant, like a blazing meteor.

His body grew scorching hot, the flames nearly igniting his flesh.

"Whoosh!"

A beam of light shot from Ning Xiaochuan's brow, slamming into the White-robed Figure. The beam resembled a streak of fire.

The White-robed Figure raised his staff to block the beam, but the searing heat set the staff ablaze, burning holes through his white robe.

"I understand now. The White-robed Figure on the first level of the Heavenly Bridge used Metal Elemental Power, while the one on the second level uses Wood Elemental Power. The flames of Blazing Sun Scorching the Heavens perfectly counter Wood Elemental Power."

Realizing this, Ning Xiaochuan knew how to conquer the second level of the Heavenly Bridge. He concentrated all his power into his brow, its glow intensifying like the midday sun.

The White-robed Figure could barely keep his eyes open under the blinding light, his strength greatly suppressed.

Ning Xiaochuan dashed forward, engaging the White-robed Figure in close combat with his Physical Strength. As the White-robed Figure struggled to keep up, another golden beam erupted from Ning Xiaochuan's brow, engulfing the White-robed Figure in flames.

Under the power of Blazing Sun Scorching the Heavens, the White-robed Figure's body burned to ashes, dissolving into specks of light that coalesced into a second pillar.

"Congratulations on passing the second level of the Heavenly Bridge!"

Ning Xiaochuan stepped past the pillar and continued forward.

When the second pillar of light rose on the Heavenly Bridge, many people by the bridge revealed expressions of joy.

"Ning Xiaochuan's talent is actually this high—he’s already passed the second layer of the Heavenly Bridge!" Ning Xiaojian stood atop a towering pagoda, his gaze fixed on the direction of the Heavenly Bridge. Dressed in a white disciple robe with a Fifth-grade Mystic Artifact-level War Sword strapped to his back, his handsome face carried a trace of cold arrogance.

Ning Xiaojian was the fourth son of Ning Qianwen, the eldest master of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. At twenty-three years old, he was hailed as the top genius of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. Five years ago, he entered the Emperor's Martial Palace with an outstanding twelfth-place ranking, becoming a source of pride for the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

Ning Qianwen had secretly sent him a message, ordering him to take Ning Xiaochuan’s life in the Emperor's Ruins.

"No wonder Father wants me to kill Ning Xiaochuan. He’s just enrolled and has already cleared the second layer of the Heavenly Bridge. With the Old Marquis doting on him, he’ll undoubtedly become the Young Marquis of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House in the future. Ning Xin'er also has remarkable talent, but as a woman, she’ll eventually marry out, so she poses no threat."

Ning Xiaojian also coveted the position of heir to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. If not for Ning Xiaochuan’s emergence, given his own talent, it would only have been a matter of time before he inherited the title.

"Cousin, we must eliminate Ning Xiaochuan as soon as possible. If he cultivates in the Heavenly Palace and emerges, his strength will surely leap forward, making it even harder to kill him," Situ Mingyu said.

Situ Mingyu was the pride of the Situ family.

The Situ family was a prominent clan of the Demon Ridge Domain. To forge ties with the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, they had married their treasured jewel, Situ Yuehua, to Ning Qianwen.

Situ Mingyu was a member of the Situ family, Ning Xiaojian’s cousin, and had also entered the Emperor's Martial Palace five years ago.

Aside from Situ Mingyu, three other young talents from the Jian Pavilion Marquis House stood behind Ning Xiaojian, all second-term disciples who had entered the Emperor's Martial Palace five years ago and were now capable martial experts in their own right.

Ning Xiaojian said, "The slots for entering the Heavenly Palace in the next three days are already full. Ning Xiaochuan will undoubtedly remain in the Emperor's City during this time. There will be opportunities to deal with him."

On the Heavenly Bridge, Ning Xiaochuan encountered the third White-robed Figure.

The aura emanating from the White-robed Figure grew even more formidable, like a towering mountain. Even before making a move, the oppressive force around him solidified the very air.

"Among this year’s newcomers, you are the second to reach this point. And with your cultivation only at the Fifth Level of the Divine Body Realm, this is already quite remarkable." Though the White-robed Figure was formed from mist, he possessed independent thought.

Ning Xiaochuan stepped forward until he stood opposite the White-robed Figure. A dark cloud loomed overhead, unleashing a Heavy Rain that drenched his robes, raindrops rolling incessantly down his forehead.

Knowing his opponent was immensely powerful, Ning Xiaochuan remained extremely cautious. Lightning enveloped his entire body as he conjured a hundred Sword Qi Shadows to guard his surroundings.

The White-robed Figure’s aura grew increasingly sharp. "Kill me, and you pass the third layer. If you cannot defeat me, surrender immediately. Refuse, and you die."

With a slight lift of his arm, a massive wave surged beneath the Heavenly Bridge, rising like a towering tsunami and crashing toward Ning Xiaochuan with overwhelming force.

"Just as I thought. The first level was 'Metal Elemental Power,' the second was 'Wood Elemental Power,' and now the third is 'Water Elemental Power.'"

Ning Xiaochuan spread a pair of massive wings on his back, propelling himself into the air. He gathered Sword Qi into a dense net of blades and launched it toward the White-robed Figure.

The White-robed Figure snorted coldly and flicked his sleeve, summoning waves of water that condensed into dozens of Ice Swords. Each sword was a meter long, wrapped in Profound Qi, cutting through the wind with long trailing streaks.

Every single Ice Sword was capable of killing a warrior at the Fifth Level of the Divine Body Realm.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Ning Xiaochuan was forced back by the barrage of Ice Swords. He formed a sword seal with both hands and unleashed the "Annihilation Sword Wave."

A massive Sword Wave, a full meter in diameter, condensed between his hands, transforming into a seven-meter-long colossal sword. Like a streak of Sword Qi, it shot toward the White-robed Figure, piercing into his side in an instant.

Ning Xiaochuan had aimed for the heart, but the White-robed Figure's cultivation was far too high. His speed was like a phantom, allowing him to narrowly evade the fatal strike.

Ning Xiaochuan's expression changed as he tried to retreat, but it was too late.

"Boom!"

The White-robed Figure struck Ning Xiaochuan's chest with a palm, shattering his robes and leaving his flesh mangled.

"Pfft!"

Ning Xiaochuan spat out a mouthful of blood, feeling as if his organs had been crushed. A rib snapped, and his body was sent flying like a kite with its string cut.

The White-robed Figure gave him no chance to recover. Spreading his arms, he summoned a 30-meter-long white Ice Sword from the water vapor, unleashing a wave of Cold Qi that swept across the battlefield.

The Ice Sword descended like a divine blade capable of cleaving heaven and earth, aiming straight for Ning Xiaochuan.

This was a killing strike.

As the sword loomed closer, Ning Xiaochuan's mind raced, weighing his options.

Should he keep fighting, or surrender immediately?

"Fight!"

His blood boiled, pushing his body to its limits. The "Wings of Rage" on his back unfurled once more as he twisted his body violently to the side. The Ice Sword narrowly missed him, slicing past his left shoulder and taking a chunk of flesh with it.

"Thud!"

Ning Xiaochuan landed back on the Heavenly Bridge, channeling Profound Qi to suppress the wound on his shoulder and staunch the bleeding.