Chapter 180: The Summit of Emperor's City

Chapter 180: The Summit of Emperor's City

During the two days Ning Xiaochuan spent in the Heavenly Palace, the entire Emperor's Ruins were thrown into an uproar.

The tolling of the Heavenly Bell awakened many reclusive elders who had been in seclusion for decades, all of them inquiring about the situation.

Among them, two academy masters of the highest rank expressed their desire to take Ning Xiaochuan as their disciple. However, upon learning that Ning Xiaochuan had once studied under the mysterious woman, both of them dropped the matter entirely.

"At the peak of Emperor's City, beneath the full moon tonight. Ming Yang, do you dare face me?"

As soon as Ning Xiaochuan stepped out of the Heavenly Palace, standing amidst the autumn wind and fallen leaves, he boldly declared these words.

The moment they were spoken, they spread like wildfire—throughout Emperor's City, reaching the Three Masters Martial Academy, the Dragon Elephant Divine Martial Battalion, and even the Imperial City of the Yulan Empire.

Ning Xiaochuan’s overwhelming dominance had captured the attention of countless.

This would be the third duel between Ning Xiaochuan and Ming Yang—a clash between two peerless geniuses, a direct confrontation between the "Northern Abyss Divine Art" and the "Supreme Sword Dao."

Imperial City, Jade Viewing Tower.

The place was packed with gallant drinkers, martial artists from noble families across the land, all engaged in fervent discussions.

Wang Yunchong of the Heavenly Elephant Marquis House raised a cup of wine and vividly recounted, "I heard Ning Xiaochuan was taken as a disciple by a mysterious master in the Emperor's Martial Palace. His martial arts have reached the pinnacle, and he even rang the Heavenly Bell! This incident has shocked the Marquises of every major noble house."

"I heard he rang the bell to request an audience with the Master of the Martial Palace, asking him to redeem Yu Ningsheng."

"The Master of the Martial Palace is the teacher of the Great Golden Roc King and the Jade Emperor. Would someone of his stature really intervene in such a matter?"

"He must! Don’t you know? The Master of the Martial Palace once personally vowed that whoever could ring the Heavenly Bell would have one request granted by him."

Yu Youyan, the madam of the Jade Viewing Tower, hurried excitedly to Yu Ningsheng’s quarters. Her voluptuous figure swayed as she pushed open the door in her seductive attire. "Oh my, Ningsheng! Your Xiaochuan is incredible! He actually rang the Heavenly Bell and asked the Master of the Martial Palace to redeem you. You’re about to live the good life! I bet once Ning Xiaochuan leaves the Emperor's Martial Palace, he’ll come to marry you. When you become the Marquis’s wife in the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, don’t forget your sisters here at the Jade Viewing Tower!"

Yu Ningsheng gently plucked the strings of her zither, her slender fingers moving gracefully, her skin as pure as snow. Every note she played carried an ethereal beauty.

Dressed in a flowing white chiffon gown, her face veiled, her gaze serene, wisps of white Misty Profound Qi swirled around her, shrouding her figure in an enchanting haze.

"Sister Youyan, I’ve already made it clear to Ning Xiaochuan. He owes me nothing, and I owe him nothing. We are now merely strangers." Her voice was as melodious as a nightingale’s song, hauntingly beautiful.

"Nonsense! Ning Xiaochuan is undoubtedly the young master of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, destined to become its Marquis. Do you know what that means? That’s a position of immense power! If you don’t marry him, do you plan to stay in this Jade Viewing Tower forever?"

"A woman is always young at some point, beautiful at some point, and admired by many at some point, but she will also grow old someday. Listen to your elder sister’s advice—while you’re still young and beautiful, marry into a good family. Ning Xiaochuan is absolutely the best choice. Once you become the wife of a Marquis, perhaps our Jade Viewing Tower will even rely on your care in the future."

Yu Ningsheng sighed softly, revealing her snow-white lips and teeth. "I’m just a courtesan, lowly in status. Do you really think I could marry into a Marquis’s household?"

"You must—you absolutely must!" Yu Youyan insisted.

Yu Ningsheng began plucking the zither again, saying nothing more.

The notes of the zither tinkled like flowing water, accompanied by the clear singing of the jade-like beauty. What she played was resignation; what she sang was loneliness.

Outside the Jade Viewing Tower, another wave of commotion arose. News of Ning Xiaochuan challenging Ming Yang had reached the Imperial City, drawing the attention of many once again.

For the disciples of the Emperor's Martial Palace, tonight was bound to be a sleepless one. Even many who had already graduated from the palace returned to the Emperor's Ruins, filled with anticipation for this clash between the most elite geniuses of the younger generation.

"Is Ning Xiaochuan’s Northern Abyss Divine Art really as formidable as they say?" asked one of the graduates.

"This is a divine ability that can absorb others’ Blood Qi and Profound Qi. Many claim it rivals the world’s top divine arts, comparable even to the Demon Sect’s Blood Devouring Demon Art."

"The Supreme Sword Dao is hailed as the most offensive sword path. I wonder if it can break through the Northern Abyss Divine Art?"

"Ning Xiaochuan is here!"

"Ning Xiaochuan is here!"

With Profound Qi wings unfurled on his back, Ning Xiaochuan soared above the gates of Emperor's City, his gaze fixed on the ancient walls. Activating the divine ability Heavenly Thunder Bell, he declared, "Ming Yang, come out and fight!"

The full moon hung high in the sky, its light cascading like water.

Ming Yang, carrying a heavy sword on his back, walked steadily from the end of the ancient street until he reached the city gates. Suddenly, he leaped into the air, landing firmly opposite Ning Xiaochuan.

Both stood ramrod straight, their eyes locked, sharp as blades.

Ming Yang spoke, "A year ago, you fought me to a draw using your mystic beast battle pet. This time, do you not intend to use it?"

"The Supreme Sword Dao relies on the sword in hand; a warrior relies on his own two hands. A mystic beast battle pet is merely a companion in battle. Today, I will face your sword with my bare hands," Ning Xiaochuan replied.

The sword on Ming Yang’s back trembled slightly, emitting a sharp, resonant hum.

Whoosh!

The heavy sword flew from its sheath like a sword-rainbow, erupting with a blinding dark radiance.

Having trained in the Heavenly Palace for six days—equivalent to six years in the outside world—and bolstered by his innate prodigious talent, Ming Yang’s combat prowess was now far more terrifying than before.

Ning Xiaochuan knew Ming Yang’s first strike would be extraordinary—a sword strike condensed with his full momentum.

Swoosh!

Ming Yang’s body seemed to merge with the heavy sword as he shot into the air, swift as a meteor. His Sword Qi pierced nine circles into the air, as if tearing nine holes through space itself.

Ning Xiaochuan summoned Cloud and Sunset Returning Qi, forming a sphere of radiant light nine meters in diameter to shield himself.

Boom!

Ming Yang's sword thrust caused the Cloud and Sunset Returning Qi to cave inward, the tip of the blade already reaching Ning Xiaochuan's glabella, poised to pierce through the final layer of light and split his skull in two.

A bright point of light condensed between Ning Xiaochuan's brows, radiating a dazzling glow.

Ming Yang's eyes narrowed slightly as he abruptly withdrew his sword, the Sword Qi receding like a tide.

"Blazing Sun Scorching the Heavens!"

The entire air grew scorching hot, and clusters of suspended purple flames appeared in the sky above Emperor's City. A beam of light shot through the flames, trailing a long tail.

The beam passed beneath Ming Yang's arm, flying straight out and striking an ancient building, setting it ablaze with roaring flames.

A multicolored beam flashed before Ming Yang's eyes, followed by a palm strike descending toward his head.

Unfazed, Ming Yang raised his heavy sword, nine sword shadows erupting from its surface to shield his entire body.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Ning Xiaochuan unleashed nine consecutive palm strikes, shattering the nine sword shadows. As he launched the tenth strike, Ming Yang swung his sword at him.

To clash with the Supreme Sword Dao's blade using nothing but a mortal hand was nothing short of suicide.

Below, the watching students held their breaths, sweating for Ning Xiaochuan, eager to see how he would counter Ming Yang's lethal strike.

A pair of wings unfurled from Ning Xiaochuan's back as he flew backward. From his ribs, thousands of Sword Qi surged forth like a rain of blades.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Ming Yang, barely able to defend himself, had no strength left to pursue Ning Xiaochuan.

Someone gasped in shock, exclaiming, "Ning Xiaochuan has refined divine abilities into his ribs, fusing them with his body. Divine abilities can be cultivated like this?"

"Only realizing it now? Can't you see that every one of Ning Xiaochuan's divine abilities has been refined into his body, becoming part of him? This is the pinnacle of martial cultivation—though not just anyone can reach such heights."

"Know why the Supreme Sword Dao is hailed as the strongest in attack power within the same cultivation realm? It's because it also refines divine abilities, but while Ning Xiaochuan melds them into his bones, the Supreme Sword Dao integrates them into the Sword Body. In terms of divine ability potency, Ning Xiaochuan still holds the upper hand."

"However, Ming Yang's cultivation has already reached the Ninth Level of the Divine Body Realm, possibly even its peak. Defeating him won't be easy for Ning Xiaochuan. Unless..."

"Unless Ning Xiaochuan uses the legendary Northern Abyss Divine Art."

"I returned to Emperor's City just to witness this battle and see his unfathomable Northern Abyss Divine Art. Once unleashed, it reigns supreme!"

The Emperor's Martial Palace gathered the most outstanding talents from across the land, each one brilliant and discerning, capable of analyzing strengths and weaknesses with precision.

Many had rushed back to the Emperor's Martial Palace just to witness the Northern Abyss Divine Art.

This divine art had been shrouded in myth within the Yulan Empire's martial world, with some even claiming it surpassed the Demon Sect's Blood Devouring Demon Art.

Not long ago, prodigies and peerless demonesses from the Demon Sect had openly challenged Ning Xiaochuan's Northern Abyss Divine Art, vowing to seek him out once he left the Emperor's Ruins.

"Ten Thousand Swords Transforming into Rain!"

"Lightning Thunder Beast"

"Blazing Sun Scorching the Heavens"

Ning Xiaochuan unleashed dozens of divine abilities in rapid succession, his power seemingly inexhaustible, overwhelming Ming Yang with relentless attacks.

Ming Yang merely wielded his sword, shattering every divine ability Ning Xiaochuan unleashed, but he was no longer as composed as before. He felt the strain, his Profound Qi depleting at an alarming rate.

Ning Xiaochuan cultivated Misty Profound Qi, where a single wisp of it rivaled a hundred strands of Martial Arts Profound Qi in potency. Thus, he had no fear of exhaustion.

"Ultimate World Sword!"

Ming Yang formed a sword seal with his fingers, his body merging perfectly with his heavy sword. A Sword Wave surged into the sky.

As the sword thrust forward, a barrier appeared in the void, like a mirror surface rippling with countless undulations, as if Space itself had been shattered.

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