Chapter 160: Reunion with Ji Hanxing

Chapter 160: Reunion with Ji Hanxing

The Nine-Yang Evil-Warding Pearls fell upon them, and the students of the Emperor's Martial Palace gradually regained consciousness, ceasing their attacks on their companions. However, having exhausted too much of their strength earlier, they collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.

Ning Xiaochuan struck Yu Tiadi’s chest with a palm, channeling a surge of Martial Arts Profound Qi into his Martial Arts Heart Palace, jolting him awake.

"Ning Xiaochuan, you’ve entered the Emperor's Tomb Forest too?" Yu Tiadi, clad in golden armor, sat up and rubbed his temples. "What happened just now? Why do I feel so exhausted?" His mind was hazy, unaware of what he had just endured.

"You were corrupted by Foul Energy," Ning Xiaochuan asked with concern. "How many from the Emperor's Martial Palace have entered the Emperor's Tomb?"

"Many—not just second-year seniors, but also quite a few first-year newcomers came to train in the Emperor's Tomb Forest," Yu Tiadi replied, sitting cross-legged as he circulated his Profound Qi, his body radiating a brilliant golden aura.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "Does that mean the elders of the palace have also come to the Emperor's Tomb Forest?"

Yu Tiadi shook his head. "This time, the Law Enforcement Team captain is leading the expedition. The leader of the Cloud Alliance, the head of the Tianli Society, and several powerful seniors have also entered the Emperor's Tomb Forest. They’re bound to wipe out the Natives’ warriors. But what exactly happened? Why do you two look so grim?"

Ning Xiaochuan and Yue Mingsong exchanged glances, their hearts heavy with unease.

If things went poorly, the Emperor's Martial Palace would suffer devastating losses this time.

Yu Tiadi seemed to grasp something and fixed his gaze on Ning Xiaochuan. "As for you—you really need to be careful. You killed the Cloud Marquis’ fourth, sixth, and eighth disciples, along with dozens from the Cloud Alliance. The entire Cloud Alliance now sees you as their sworn enemy. If they find out you’re in the Emperor's Tomb, they won’t let you go."

Ning Xiaochuan smirked coldly. "Let’s see if they can even survive the Emperor's Tomb first."

Ning Xiaochuan and Yue Mingsong did not travel with them. Once they saw the group recovering their strength, they immediately left, continuing their search for the Emperor's Tomb’s exit.

Of course, Yue Mingsong, having saved these eight people, also managed to extort a hefty sum of Green Gold from them.

"Don’t think I’m some greedy opportunist. Eight Nine-Yang Evil-Warding Pearls are worth as much as eight One-Star Mystic Artifacts—and I saved their lives. It’s only right they pay me."

Yue Mingsong was naturally thrilled, strutting proudly with a large sack in hand, its contents emitting a green glow and clinking with a crisp jingling sound.

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "I was just thinking—if even Yu Tiadi and the others were corrupted by Foul Energy and lost their minds, wouldn’t the other students have suffered the same fate?"

"True. Let’s just hope our Tianli Society doesn’t suffer too many losses. As for the Cloud Alliance, even if they all die, it’s what they deserve," Yue Mingsong said.

Just then, Ning Xiaochuan sensed an oppressive force rapidly approaching.

Boom!

A pillar as thick as a bowl’s mouth crashed down in front of them, cutting off their path.

A crimson figure descended from the sky, landing atop a pillar with perfect posture. Standing straight with hands clasped behind her back, she coldly addressed the two below: "You two, come with me."

It was the blue-haired, green-eyed beautiful woman, clad in crimson armor, exuding an intimidating pressure that made her seem like a war goddess standing before them.

Yue Mingsong was startled, his legs trembling. "There are actually experts like this among the Natives? We're doomed this time."

"Not a Native. She's a Dragon Elephant Divine Warrior," Ning Xiaochuan recognized the woman on the pillar, clearly displeased to see her.

"You know her?"

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "A disciple of the Cloud Marquis—Ji Hanxing."

"So she's your enemy."

Yue Mingsong suddenly understood and bowed deeply toward the woman on the pillar. "Divine Warrior Ji, this matter has nothing to do with me. I’m not close with Ning Xiaochuan—we just happened to cross paths. If you seek vengeance, take it up with him. I’ll be going now."

Ji Hanxing leaped down from the pillar, her blue hair fluttering, her curvaceous figure landing gracefully in front of Yue Mingsong. Her icy gaze pinned him to the ground—literally, as he collapsed onto his backside.

The pressure radiating from her was something no ordinary martial artist could withstand.

"Yu Tiadi said you two can neutralize Foul Energy. Now, you’re coming with me. Anyone who dares to argue will lose their tongue," Ji Hanxing declared, standing tall at 1.8 meters—almost the same height as Ning Xiaochuan.

Yet, she didn’t appear bulky. Instead, her figure was slender and graceful, perfectly proportioned. Her legs, encased in armor, were long and elegant, exuding a sculpted beauty. The exposed skin at her waist was snow-white and smooth, as if polished by jade.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "We have more important matters to attend to. We can’t go with you."

After all, Ji Hanxing was Yue Wuyang’s disciple, and Ning Xiaochuan had killed three of Yue Wuyang’s disciples—her junior brothers. That was a blood feud.

There was no way Ning Xiaochuan would follow her. Too dangerous.

Ji Hanxing grabbed the front of Ning Xiaochuan’s robe, lifting him off the ground. "Ning Xiaochuan, don’t think your status as a member of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House will protect you. This isn’t Haitang Manor—it’s the Emperor's Ruins. If I want you dead, you’ll be dead in seconds."

"Rude," Ning Xiaochuan remarked calmly.

Ji Hanxing gritted her teeth, infuriated by his words.

Yue Mingsong, aware of Ji Hanxing’s formidable strength—she was a Transcendent Realm expert—hurriedly whispered to Ning Xiaochuan, "Xiaochuan, maybe we should just comply?"

Ning Xiaochuan knew full well how powerful she was. The force from just one of her arms was enough to nearly stop his heart—a power only a Transcendent Realm martial artist could wield.

Taking a deep breath, Ning Xiaochuan said, "Put me down."

Ji Hanxing lowered him to the ground, then pressed a hand against the pillar—only to wrench it free, holding it effortlessly.

That "pillar" was actually a Dragon Elephant Halberd Spear—the weapon of a Dragon Elephant Divine Warrior.

Ji Hanxing led the way, while Ning Xiaochuan and Yue Mingsong rode on the back of the Double-headed Stone Beast, closely following her.

"That senior sister is a real tough woman. Compared to her, Jin Quexi is as gentle as a cute girl," Yue Mingsong muttered under his breath.

Ji Hanxing’s hearing was astonishingly sharp. Catching his words, she glanced back, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. Yue Mingsong let out a pained cry and tumbled off the stone beast, clutching his neck and howling in agony.

"If you don’t shut up, I’ll really cut out your tongue," Ji Hanxing warned.

Yue Mingsong immediately covered his mouth, stifling his cries, though he looked on the verge of tears.

Ji Hanxing brought Ning Xiaochuan and Yue Mingsong to a black valley, its entrance shrouded in a thick black mist. With a wave of her arm, she parted the mist, opening a path.

Inside the valley, hundreds of academy students lay scattered in disarray. Some had been invaded by Yin Evil, their faces twisted into grotesque snarls, fangs sprouting from their mouths, nails turning black as they let out beast-like roars. Others were afflicted with Corpse Poison, their bodies darkened. Some had been corrupted by Foul Energy, losing their minds before being knocked unconscious by Ji Hanxing. But this was only a temporary solution—given enough time, their bodies might rot away entirely.

Yu Tiadi and others had also gathered here, but they were too weakened to help anyone else.

Han Fu, leader of the Law Enforcement Team; Xiao Cheng, leader of the Cloud Alliance; Zhuo Yufan, head of the Tianli Society; and two other faction leaders had managed to resist the Foul Energy and Yin Evil through their formidable cultivation, standing guard over the fallen students. If anything happened to these students, they too would face the academy’s punishment.

"Are these the two saviors you brought back? Can they really save these students?" Xiao Cheng, the arrogant leader of the Cloud Alliance, immediately assessed Ning Xiaochuan and Yue Mingsong’s cultivation—only at the Seventh Level of the Divine Body Realm. Too weak.

"If you don’t believe in our abilities, we’ll leave right now," Yue Mingsong retorted, disgusted by Xiao Cheng’s attitude.

"Ning Xiaochuan?" Han Fu, the Law Enforcement Team leader, recognized him, feeling a flicker of surprise before nodding inwardly. Though young, Ning Xiaochuan was already an Intermediate Heart Nurturer—perhaps he could neutralize the Corpse Poison and dispel the Yin Evil.

Xiao Cheng’s gaze locked onto Ning Xiaochuan, his killing intent surging. "So you’re Ning Xiaochuan."

Xiao Cheng, a man in his thirties who had reached the Transcendent Realm, unleashed his Martial Arts Profound Qi. The pressure was overwhelming, like a collapsing mountain or a raging sea, causing the ground beneath Ning Xiaochuan’s feet to crack.

Though they had never met, Xiao Cheng was no stranger to Ning Xiaochuan—dozens of Cloud Alliance experts had died by his hands, making him the faction’s greatest enemy.

Ji Hanxing stood in front of Xiao Cheng and said, "These two are the ones I brought back. It's my responsibility to ensure their safety. Even if there are grudges, they must wait until we all escape the Emperor's Tomb Forest. By then, whether you fight or kill, I won't interfere."

"Ji Hanxing, do you still consider yourself part of the Cloud Marquis House? Do you know Ning Xiaochuan killed three of your junior brothers?" Xiao Cheng did not immediately attack.

Though he was the Cloud Marquis's eldest disciple, he wasn't confident he could defeat Ji Hanxing.

Ji Hanxing replied, "All I know is that saving lives comes first, grudges come second. Eldest Senior Brother, you are a veteran expert and the leader of an alliance. Picking a fight with a teenager barely over ten years old—don’t you think it’s an embarrassment to the Cloud Marquis House?"

Xiao Cheng clenched his fists tightly, took a deep breath, and ultimately refrained from attacking. With a cold snort, he turned and walked away.