Chapter 177 Ning Xiaochuan Returns

Chapter 177 Ning Xiaochuan Returns

"Ning Xiaochuan is back!"

"It’s been a year. He’s finally returned. Do you think he’s truly the Emperor's Reincarnation?" A young girl in a Heart Nurturer robe stood at a corner of the Emperor's Martial Palace, stealing glances at Ning Xiaochuan as he walked past the palace gates, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity.

"Did he come back because of his one-year duel with Ming Yang? Who will be this year’s Champion?"

"Ning Xiaochuan’s aura is so overwhelming. I feel like I can barely lift my head in his presence."

Ning Xiaochuan strode into the Three Masters Martial Academy with steady steps, his sharp hearing catching every word of the students’ discussions.

Ning Xin'er had been training in the Martial Arena when she heard the news of Ning Xiaochuan’s return. She rushed over immediately, still clad in her form-fitting training attire, a battle sword strapped to her back, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead.

"Brother!"

The girl flung herself into Ning Xiaochuan’s arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, her delicate face nuzzling against his chest. "Brother, I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too."

Over the past year, Ning Xiaochuan had grown tremendously—taller, his frame more solid, his features refined. The once-youthful boy had transformed into a handsome young man in white robes.

Ning Xin'er had also grown half a head taller, her figure beginning to blossom into graceful curves, like a budding beauty.

Before long, Murong Wushuang arrived at Ning Xiaochuan’s residence, bringing six roasted turtledoves as a welcome feast.

"The Emperor's Martial Palace really doesn’t have good ingredients, but the turtledoves here are especially plump—tender and fragrant, even better than swan meat." Murong Wushuang didn’t hold back, digging in first.

Ning Xin'er cradled Little Red in her arms, feeding it pieces of turtledove meat. "Brother, where have you been all this year? Why didn’t you send any word? I was so worried!"

"I was training under a senior master. He taught me many things, and I’ll gradually pass them on to you all," Ning Xiaochuan replied.

"Ning Xiaochuan, I heard you’ve had a great opportunity. How confident are you in defeating Ming Yang this time?"

Yue Mingsong walked in from outside, sniffed the air, and immediately zeroed in on the turtledoves on the table. His eyes lit up as he stroked the thin mustache at the corners of his lips with an air of refinement. "Ah, perfect timing! I skipped lunch, and here we have roasted turtledoves. You shouldn’t have gone to such trouble just because you’re back. How embarrassing… heh heh."

Chomp chomp.

Yue Mingsong sat down without ceremony, grabbed a turtledove, and started gnawing on it, mumbling through mouthfuls, "The meat’s a bit tough… next time, remember to roast it for less time…"

Murong Wushuang rolled her eyes. Who invited you? If you don’t like it, don’t eat it!

Ning Xiaochuan said, "A year ago, Ming Yang entered the Heavenly Palace to train. His cultivation must be even more unfathomable now."

Murong Wushuang’s expression turned serious. "Over this past year, Ming Yang has been the most dazzling figure among the first-year students, practically the undisputed supreme among them. Now that you’re back, there’s finally someone who can stand against him. All the students of the Three Masters Martial Academy are looking forward to your third clash."

The first duel between Ning Xiaochuan and Ming Yang had taken place on Fire Demon Mountain, where Ning Xiaochuan was struck off a cliff by Ming Yang’s sword.

The second confrontation occurred during the Opening Battle, where Ning Xiaochuan and Ming Yang fought to a draw.

Ming Yang and Ning Xiaochuan have now become the iconic figures of the new generation—one a cultivator of the Supreme Sword Dao, the other a practitioner of the Northern Abyss Divine Art.

Their reputations have soared not only within Emperor's Martial Palace but also throughout the Imperial City and the martial world of the Yulan Empire, establishing them as models for the younger generation.

Outside, light footsteps echoed.

Ning Xiaochuan glanced toward the door, his gaze freezing in place.

Yu Qianqian walked in, dressed in a white academy robe, her long hair tied back into a scholar’s knot. Holding a folding fan, she looked every bit the part of a dashing young noble.

Unfortunately, she possessed the Immortal Lotus Heart Palace, which resembled a blooming jade lotus and emitted a fragrant aura. No matter how well she disguised herself as a man, a faint, lingering fragrance betrayed her true identity.

Moreover, having grown up in an exceedingly wealthy family, her skin was far more delicate than that of ordinary noblewomen—like autumn water gracing a lotus or white jade beads adorning a curtain. Every smile and frown carried an air of noble grace.

It was precisely because the tender and gentle Yu Qianqian had suddenly donned male attire that Ning Xiaochuan found her even more striking. A year apart had transformed the once-youthful girl into a woman of undeniable charm.

"Princess, it’s been a while," Ning Xiaochuan said with a smile.

Yu Qianqian’s starry eyes studied him for a long moment, noticing the drastic change in his demeanor. His essence, energy, and spirit were so full they were almost intimidating. In terms of presence, he was no weaker than her, a princess who wielded considerable authority.

"You still have the leisure to eat turtledoves? News just arrived from Emperor's City—Ming Yang has already cleared the Sixth Level of the Heavenly Bridge. He’s earned another day of cultivation in the Heavenly Palace. Once he emerges, he’ll likely challenge you," Yu Qianqian said, lightly tapping the table with her fan, her gaze fixed intently on Ning Xiaochuan.

Ning Xiaochuan chuckled. "Well, there’s nothing to be done about that. Ming Yang’s talent was never lacking. It’s only natural he’d clear the Sixth Level within a year."

Yu Qianqian’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, sensing that he didn’t grasp the gravity of the situation. "Ming Yang has already cultivated in the Heavenly Palace for six days—equivalent to six years in the outside world. Add that to the original year, and he’s had seven years of training. You’ve only had one. If he challenges you now, the odds are heavily against you."

"That’s just how it is. I originally had five days of Heavenly Palace cultivation, but they were taken from me," Ning Xiaochuan said with a helpless shrug.

Yu Qianqian pondered for a moment. "Do you still have the Yin-Yang Furnace? That Mystic Artifact has already submitted to you. If you can summon the Blood Fiend Generals to fight, you might still defeat Ming Yang."

"What a shame—I’ve already refined the Yin-Yang Furnace into the Heart Nurturing True Cauldron," Ning Xiaochuan replied.

"What? You’ve already refined the True Cauldron?" Yu Qianqian was utterly stunned, her beautiful eyes locked onto his chest.

Ning Xiaochuan summoned the Heart Nurturing True Cauldron, letting it hover above his palm. Beams of Yin-Yang light cascaded down its surface, making the medicinal cauldron appear extraordinarily divine.

"Although I lost the Yin-Yang Furnace, I have become a Quasi-Advanced Heart Nurturer. One gains as one loses, I suppose," Ning Xiaochuan sighed.

Earlier, when Ning Xiaochuan mentioned that he had "refined the True Cauldron," Yue Mingsong and Murong Wushuang, being outsiders, didn't understand. But when Ning Xiaochuan declared he had become a Quasi-Advanced Heart Nurturer, Yue Mingsong choked on a piece of pheasant bone, his eyes bulging wide. "B-bullshit... Quasi-Advanced... Advanced Heart Nurturer? Are you trying to... to stand equal with the Deputy Headmaster?"

Murong Wushuang's mouth hung open wide enough to fit an egg. "I only knew the Royal Chief Heart Nurturer and the Deputy Headmaster were Advanced Heart Nurturers."

"He truly has refined the True Cauldron," Yu Qianqian took a deep breath.

Only a Heart Nurturer could comprehend the significance of refining the True Cauldron. It signified that Ning Xiaochuan had mastered the art of heart-nurturing and alchemy, earning the respect of countless martial artists and effortlessly attaining a lofty status.

After finishing the pheasant, Murong Wushuang and Yue Mingsong left, declaring they would accompany Ning Xiaochuan to Emperor's City the next day to challenge Ming Yang.

"The night is deep. Let me walk you back," Ning Xiaochuan said.

"Mm." Yu Qianqian nodded softly.

The two walked along a tree-lined path, the bright moonlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled shadows on the ground.

After a long silence, Ning Xiaochuan spoke. "Since my return, I've heard many rumors about me—Battle Martial Venerable, Emperor's Reincarnation. You were the one who spread these, weren't you?"

Yu Qianqian clasped her hands behind her back, her gaze clear and bright, and nodded. "I want you to become a legend even more illustrious than Yue Wuyang, a new myth of the Emperor's Martial Palace. But Ning Xiaochuan, you must believe me—I have no intention of using you."

Ning Xiaochuan stared into her eyes, then smiled. "This was my promise to you. How could I not trust you?"

Yu Qianqian let out a long sigh of relief and whispered, "What I feared most was your misunderstanding. Though I did this partly for the Golden Roc Prince's Manor, wasn't it also to elevate your reputation? A man must establish his name, Xiaochuan. You've reached that age. Only with sufficient fame can you earn respect, become someone admired, and wield influence."

Ning Xiaochuan remained silent, walking quietly ahead.

Yu Qianqian asked, "How confident are you in facing Ming Yang?"

"One hundred percent," Ning Xiaochuan declared firmly, exuding unwavering confidence. "It's already tomorrow. Will you go to Emperor's City?"

Yu Qianqian stepped into her residence and, just before closing the door, said, "Even if you had zero confidence, I would still accompany you."

With that, she gently shut the door, leaning against it as she bit her lip lightly, a sweet smile in her eyes.

Being escorted home by someone she loved—this feeling was truly wonderful.

She wondered, if she called Ning Xiaochuan into her room now, would he come in?

Her heart pounded wildly, but by the time she mustered the resolve to invite him, Ning Xiaochuan had already left.

Outside, only the lonely moonlight remained.

The next day, Ning Xiaochuan, Yue Mingsong, Murong Wushuang, Ning Xin'er, and Yu Qianqian—a party of five—set off for Emperor's City.

Rather than waiting for Ming Yang to issue a challenge, it would be better to take the initiative and challenge him in Emperor's City.

When the students of the Three Masters Martial Academy saw Ning Xiaochuan and his group heading toward Emperor's City, the entire academy erupted in excitement.

"Looks like Ning Xiaochuan is taking the initiative to challenge Ming Yang. That’s way too bold!"

"A Heart Nurturer actively going to Emperor's City—this is about psychologically overwhelming Ming Yang. The genius martial artists in Emperor's City are probably going to be shocked."

"This is going to be quite a show. I can’t miss this battle—I’m heading to Emperor's City too!"

"This little fellow has such confidence, going to Emperor's City without even notifying me. Tsk tsk." The Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy also received the news, his lips curling slightly as his eyes narrowed into slits.

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