Chapter 201: A Birthday Gift

Chapter 201: A Birthday Gift

After parting ways with Ji Hanxing, Ning Xiaochuan did not go far. Instead, he sat cross-legged outside, spreading his hands before him. His breathing was steady, inhaling and exhaling rhythmically, causing the air within a hundred meters to contract and expand in sync with his breaths.

"Demonic Sword."

From the region of his heart, five crimson streams of energy surged forth, converging into a blood-red sword. The blade was wreathed in demonic aura, with Blood Qi swirling along its edge as it hovered before Ning Xiaochuan.

Beams of demonic light cascaded downward, forming a ghastly diagram centered around Ning Xiaochuan—a scene of mountains of corpses and seas of blood. At the center of this diagram stood a divine stele bound in chains, upon which Ning Xiaochuan sat.

Wrapped around the Demonic Sword were two strands of Annihilation Qi, each as vast and mighty as a great river, brimming with terrifying power. A single strike could sever mountain ranges and split the earth apart.

This was Ning Xiaochuan’s first attempt at refining the Demonic Sword.

Now that he had stepped into the Transcendent Realm, he intended to fully subdue the sword and make it his own weapon.

To tame the Demonic Sword, Annihilation Qi was essential.

These two strands of Annihilation Qi had been born from within Ning Xiaochuan’s body, serving as reins to control the sword. However, two strands alone were far from enough to fully subdue it—they could only restrain it to a certain extent.

"It seems that even at my current level, I still can’t completely master the Demonic Sword. Unless I cultivate at least nine strands of Annihilation Qi, it’s impossible."

Ning Xiaochuan felt murderous thoughts rising in his mind once more, his pupils veiled in Blood Qi. He quickly retracted the Demonic Sword and began circulating Heaven and Earth Profound Qi. It took him a full hour to suppress those violent urges.

"I shouldn’t wield the Demonic Sword lightly unless it’s truly a life-or-death situation," he thought to himself.

Creak.

The door opened, and Ji Hanxing stepped out, dressed in a white academy robe, her gaze sharp as she fixed it on Ning Xiaochuan. "While refining Elixir Qi earlier, I sensed an intense demonic killing aura. Are you hiding something else from me?"

She had detected the presence of the Demonic Sword.

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "Everyone has their secrets. Isn’t that perfectly normal?"

Ji Hanxing had always worn crimson armor before, but Ku Gu’s strike had shattered it, forcing her to change into the academy robe she once wore during her training at the Emperor’s Martial Palace.

The change in attire altered her demeanor significantly. She no longer seemed as icy as before, and the robe accentuated her striking figure.

Tall and slender, with long, delicate legs, she had sapphire-blue hair that contrasted vividly with her fair skin. Her eyebrows were a pale green, her eyes the color of jade, and her lips a vivid red.

If not for her cold demeanor, she would have been an exceptionally beautiful woman, surely pursued by many men.

Ning Xiaochuan studied her from head to toe as if seeing her for the first time, teasing, "Hmm, much better. If you were to change into a proper dress, you might even outshine the Imperial City’s most beautiful woman."

Though his words brought her a flicker of delight, Ji Hanxing maintained her frosty expression. "Aren’t you afraid Yu Ningsheng might hear that and turn against you?"

Ning Xiaochuan didn't dwell on the matter further. Instead, he scrutinized Ji Hanxing carefully, his expression one of astonishment. "Your cultivation has improved again?"

Ji Hanxing nodded lightly. "Surviving a great calamity brings unforeseen blessings. I’ve already reached the seventh level of the Transcendent Realm. If I were to face Ku Gu again now, I might not lose to him."

Breaking through to the seventh level of the Transcendent Realm meant she was one step closer to the Earthly Venerable Realm.

For someone her age to cultivate to such a level, she truly lived up to her reputation as a prodigy of heaven. With this level of strength, she could already rival veterans of the older generation.

Ning Xiaochuan fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Since your injuries have healed and your cultivation has advanced, we can part ways now. But don’t forget—you still owe me 960,000 taels of Green Gold."

"Always thinking about money."

Ji Hanxing shot him a glare. "You’re not planning to leave White Dragon City? Do you know how many people are after you right now?"

Ning Xiaochuan smirked coldly. "After being hunted for so long, it’s time to make the hunter pay a price too. Tomorrow night is the 80th birthday celebration of Mu Honglai, the Chief Altar Master of the Heavenly Annihilation Dao. I plan to attend his banquet before leaving White Dragon City."

"Then be careful. I’ve been away for two days and must return to the military camp, or things will surely fall into chaos." Though reluctant, Ji Hanxing had no choice but to leave.

Along the way, her mind was restless, Ning Xiaochuan’s figure surfacing in her thoughts repeatedly. No matter how hard she tried to push it away, his image kept reappearing.

Upon entering the camp, a Dragon Elephant Divine Warrior immediately approached her. "Captain, where have you been these past two days? We were almost about to mobilize the entire army to search the city for you."

Ji Hanxing seemed distracted, continuing toward the camp as if she hadn’t heard him.

"Captain? Captain, what’s wrong?" Noticing her odd behavior, the warrior chased after her and called out again.

Only then did Ji Hanxing snap back to reality, looking somewhat dazed. "Ye Jinfeng, what did you call me for?"

Ye Jinfeng gave an awkward smile. "Well… now that you’re back, nothing else matters. There’s someone waiting for you in the tent—a visitor from the Emperor’s City."

Ji Hanxing composed herself and entered the tent.

Seated by the table was a man in his thirties, with a neatly trimmed mustache and an iron crown atop his head, secured by a steel pin that held his hair in place.

"Senior Brother, why have you come to White Dragon City?" Ji Hanxing stood tall, her hands clasped behind her back.

Her senior brother was none other than Xiao Cheng, the eldest disciple of Yue Wuyang, the Cloud Marquis, and also the alliance leader of the Cloud Alliance.

Xiao Cheng raised his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips as he looked at her. "Junior Sister, where have you been these past two days?"

"That’s none of your concern," Ji Hanxing replied coldly. "Shouldn’t you be managing the Cloud Alliance in the Emperor’s City? What brings you here?"

Xiao Cheng’s smile faded, his expression turning serious. "I’ve come to take Ning Xiaochuan’s life."

Ji Hanxing’s heart skipped a beat, though her face remained calm. "Ning Xiaochuan? He’s just a newcomer. Why would someone of your stature personally intervene? Isn’t that overkill?"

"The Northern Abyss Divine Art he possesses has already stirred up turmoil across the world. While taking his life, we must also bring back the Northern Abyss Divine Art. This is our mentor’s will."

Xiao Cheng stood up, his gaze fixed on Ji Hanxing, his eyes softening as he said, "Once this matter is concluded, I will ask our mentor for permission to marry you."

"Senior Brother, please restrain yourself," Ji Hanxing replied coldly.

Xiao Cheng’s fingers stiffened before he withdrew his hand. "Hanxing, believe me, marrying me is undoubtedly the best choice. Once our mentor deciphers the Northern Abyss Divine Art, he will surely become the strongest in the world. By then, we might even have the chance to cultivate this technique ourselves, and the entire Yulan Empire will be under the rule of Cloud Marquis House."

After saying this, Xiao Cheng turned and walked toward the tent’s exit.

"Senior Brother!" Ji Hanxing’s heart was in turmoil. If Xiao Cheng found Ning Xiaochuan, he would undoubtedly die.

Xiao Cheng paused, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips.

Ji Hanxing said, "Leave the task of retrieving the Northern Abyss Divine Art and killing Ning Xiaochuan to me. I’ve been tracking his whereabouts these past few days and already have leads. I should find him soon."

"If anyone else tried to take this credit from me, I would never let them off. But since it’s you, Junior Sister, I’ll yield this opportunity to you," Xiao Cheng said with a laugh.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Ji Hanxing stepped out of the tent, leaving behind a proud and solitary figure.

Xiao Cheng stared at her retreating back, his eyes narrowing slightly as if sensing something unusual.

---

The headquarters of the Heavenly Annihilation Dao lay within the Soul Domain.

Naturally, the Heavenly Annihilation Dao held the greatest influence in the Soul Domain. Its members infiltrated every major family, sect, martial academy, and even the Domain Lord’s and City Lord’s residences.

It could be said that the Heavenly Annihilation Dao dominated the Soul Domain with absolute authority.

As the Chief Altar Master of the Heavenly Annihilation Dao, Mu Honglai oversaw 4,600 branch altars, making him the second most powerful figure in the organization.

After the death of the Heavenly Annihilation Dao’s leader, Shang Pojun, Mu Honglai immediately became its foremost figure and the most likely candidate to succeed as the new leader.

Today was Mu Honglai’s 80th birthday, and he had invited martial artists from all walks of life—whether Demon Sect experts or sect elders—to celebrate. The number of guests was beyond count.

Yet, on such a joyous occasion, Mu Honglai received two special gifts.

Two severed heads.

The heads were placed in wooden boxes on a table laden with food and drink, accompanied by a note: "Chief Altar Master Mu, on your 80th birthday, I present these humble gifts. I hope you find them amusing. —Ning Xiaochuan."

The crowd gathered around the table, murmuring in shock.

"I recognize those heads. One belongs to Ku Gu, one of the Song Gu Two Elders and the Chief Altar Master’s right-hand man. The other is the Chief Altar Master’s beloved eighth son, Mu Qingcong."

"How old is this Ning Xiaochuan kid? To think he has the ability to kill even Ku Gu!"

"Receiving two heads on his 80th birthday? This brat dares to provoke the entire Heavenly Annihilation Dao. Does he not fear being torn limb from limb?"

"If Ning Xiaochuan dares to challenge imperial authority, why wouldn’t he dare to provoke the Demon Sect?"

"He's still too young and impulsive. Just wait and see—the Chief Altar Master will never tolerate this insult. He’ll surely tear Ning Xiaochuan to pieces."

Mu Honglai stared at the two severed heads on the table, his five fingers clenching so tightly that sparks erupted from the air. With a cold laugh, he said, "Good. Truly good. In this day and age, there aren’t many young men with such audacity. Truly rare."

Everyone knew this was the precursor to Mu Honglai’s furious wrath.