Chapter 222: Slaying Three Demons

Chapter 222: Slaying Three Demons

The "Manifestation Wheel" unleashed by Lin Zhirong was a peerless Divine Ability of the Lifeless Dao, a treasure technique recorded in the "Lifeless Art."

The Martial Arts Divine Ability transformed into a massive millstone, spinning in the air, stirring the Heaven and Earth Profound Qi into a devastating force capable of tearing the entire Ling Qi Pavilion to pieces.

The faces of the Demon Sect Martial Artists paled as they hastily retreated from the Ling Qi Pavilion.

This was a battle between Transcendent Realm Martial Artists. A single careless moment, and a wave of Profound Qi could reduce them to ashes.

"Lin Zhirong, have you lost your mind? Even if he killed someone, he should be handed over to my father for punishment. Since when does the Lifeless Dao get to throw its weight around on Nine Death Cliff?" Duanmu Linger angrily rebuked.

Lin Zhirong sneered, "Duanmu Linger, the one who died was your sister, yet you still defend an outsider. It seems you really do have something going on with this wild man!"

In truth, when Ning Xiaochuan and Duanmu Linger went to find Duanmu Jishuang, Lin Zhirong had been nearby, overhearing their conversation clearly. He had even witnessed Duanmu Jishuang dragging Ning Xiaochuan into the room.

Thus, he knew that Ning Xiaochuan and Duanmu Linger shared an unusual relationship—one that had even resulted in an illegitimate child.

It was precisely because Lin Zhirong knew Duanmu Jishuang would seek out Ning Xiaochuan that he had set him up, pinning her death entirely on him.

However, Lin Zhirong had no idea of Ning Xiaochuan's true identity, assuming he was merely a man Duanmu Linger had brought back from outside.

A man with no background—even if killed, it wouldn’t cause any disputes within the Demon Sect.

That was Lin Zhirong’s plan.

Ning Xiaochuan, of course, had no fear of Lin Zhirong. With a cold snort, the Martial Arts Profound Qi within his body surged violently as he charged forward, unleashing hundreds of lightning and thunder strikes from his palm, tearing the "Manifestation Wheel" to shreds.

Ning Xiaochuan's physique was unrivaled in the Yulan Empire. Even the young master of the Demon Path was nothing more than mediocre in his eyes.

A layer of mist enveloped his arm, transforming into a battle sword as he slashed out fourteen sword shadows, cutting toward Lin Zhirong’s body.

Lin Zhirong sensed the sharp Sword Qi approaching, carrying an icy, intimidating aura. He was slightly surprised—despite his youth, Ning Xiaochuan’s cultivation was not weak.

But it was only a fleeting surprise.

As a fourth-level Transcendent Realm Martial Artist, he had long since entered the ranks of top-tier experts. Activating a peerless movement technique, he dodged the fourteen sword shadows, sinking his stance as another "Manifestation Wheel" materialized behind him.

This time, the Manifestation Wheel was even more solid, its size doubled, with the phantom forms of four ancient Mystic Beasts coiling around it—Dragon Elephant, Earth Lizard, Golden-Winged Ghost King Scorpion, and Divine Dragon—all ferocious beasts of formidable combat power.

Boom!

A grand hall was crushed by the wheel, its massive wooden pillars shattered, debris scattering everywhere.

The Manifestation Wheel, indestructible and unstoppable, pressed down toward Ning Xiaochuan’s head.

This was the True Manifestation Wheel, its power terrifying beyond measure—even a Dragon Elephant would be torn apart by it.

The earlier attack Lin Zhirong had used was merely a stream of the Manifestation Wheel’s energy, a test of Ning Xiaochuan’s strength.

This was the real assault.

Ning Xiaochuan activated Rainbow Teleportation, his body moving as swift as the wind, vanishing in an instant.

When he reappeared, he was already standing before Lin Zhirong, his fingertip releasing a Sword Wave that condensed into a blood-red sword shadow, its blade a full meter wide.

Lin Zhirong let out a soft exclamation of surprise as seven-star radiance appeared beneath his feet. With each step he took, a bright footprint was left on the ground, shimmering like a gleaming star.

He took seven steps in succession, his body shifting positions seven times.

This was the "Seven Stars Heavenly Steps," a technique Lin Zhirong had spent three years mastering. Within the same cultivation realm, almost no one could keep up with him.

Thus, he stood in an invincible position.

"Who exactly are you? To reach this level of cultivation, you are definitely no nameless figure." Lin Zhirong also sensed something amiss. He had initially thought he could kill Ning Xiaochuan in one or two moves, but after two exchanges, he realized Ning Xiaochuan's strength was no weaker than his own.

He was well aware of the top talents among the younger generation of the Demon Sect.

He was certain—Ning Xiaochuan was definitely not one of the Demonic Martial Artists.

Ning Xiaochuan drew the Dragon Slaying Blade, swinging it with a roar that echoed like a dragon's cry. Coldly, he said, "Enough talk. If you want to fight, then fight."

"Boom!"

Ning Xiaochuan unleashed his full aura, erupting with the imposing might of a Martial Venerable, pressing down on the weaker Martial Artists until they could barely lift their heads.

Ning Xiaochuan no longer bothered with explanations. He had already realized that tonight was a setup—no amount of words would change that.

Even in the Demon Sect Headquarters, he felt no fear. The moment he decided to come to Nine Death Cliff, he had already prepared himself for death at any time.

"Ning Xiaochuan, don't fight him! You're no match. Wait until my father arrives—he will surely bring you justice." Duanmu Linger held no ill will toward Ning Xiaochuan and believed he wasn't foolish enough to kill Duanmu Jishuang in the Demon Sect Headquarters.

"That's right, Brother Xiaochuan! They outnumber you. Wait for the elders to arrive—you can explain everything then. I believe you would never kill her!" Zi Zhui'er was deeply worried but firmly trusted that Ning Xiaochuan wouldn't lie.

Lin Zhirong had long since made up his mind—he had to kill Ning Xiaochuan before the elders arrived.

Eliminating the witness was the only foolproof plan.

Lin Zhirong found Ning Xiaochuan increasingly unfathomable. The aura radiating from him now was overwhelmingly powerful—almost like that of a "Half-Step Martial Venerable."

"Kill him!" he ordered.

The surrounding Demon Sect Martial Artists, who had been watching like tigers eyeing prey, roared with bloodlust. They unleashed their Martial Arts Divine Abilities—over thirty different techniques—all crashing toward Ning Xiaochuan, blasting apart the walls of Ling Qi Pavilion.

"Crash!" An 8-meter-tall wall collapsed, sending up a thick cloud of dust.

Ning Xiaochuan summoned the Cloud and Sunset Returning Qi, blocking all the Divine Abilities, keeping them at bay five meters from his body.

These Martial Arts Divine Abilities seemed trapped, utterly incapable of breaking through the Cloud and Sunset Returning Qi. It was like throwing pebbles into the ocean—impossible to pierce through, only creating ripples on the surface.

"Star Shifting!"

A swirling vortex formed on the surface of the Cloud and Sunset Returning Qi, twisting and pulling all the Divine Abilities inward before hurling them back at their casters.

Ning Xiaochuan's current "Star Shifting" technique could already rebound three and a half times the force. If someone struck him with 5,000 kg of force, he could retaliate with 17,500 kg. This was the Jian Pavilion Marquis House's foremost martial technique, and its power was naturally extraordinary.

"Boom!"

Over a dozen Demon Sect Martial Artists were crushed by the rebounded Divine Ability, their bodies torn apart by the Martial Arts Divine Abilities, blood spilling everywhere.

"Daring to slaughter openly at the Demon Sect Headquarters? You’ve truly rebelled!"

A Transcendent Realm Elder landed atop a wall, roughly sixty years old, with wild, unkempt hair like a savage. He pointed at Ning Xiaochuan, and a flaming projectile shot forth, forming a fiery serpent over 30 meters long.

From another direction, under the cover of night, two slightly plump elders emerged, both at the Transcendent Realm. Their eyes gleamed with malice as they let out cold laughter, circulating their Profound Qi. Their muscles swelled, bursting through their robes as they charged at Ning Xiaochuan.

These three experts were all trusted subordinates brought by Lin Zhirong—fiends of the Lifeless Dao.

"Even the Hengling Three Demons, whom Lin Zhirong subdued, have come? These three old monsters are notorious for their cruelty—devouring human flesh, slaughtering entire towns, boiling infants alive. They are truly three heinous villains!"

"Even within the Demon Sect, people fear them like tigers."

"That kid’s fate today will likely be gruesome."

Ning Xiaochuan sprang up, landing atop a high wall, and swung his blade at the Demon Fire Elder.

The Demon Fire Elder, the leader of the Hengling Three Demons, was at the third level of the Transcendent Realm and held great renown in the martial world. Naturally, he didn’t take Ning Xiaochuan, a mere youngster, seriously.

"Heh, the Dragon Slaying Blade—a Forbidden Military Artifact. So, you’re from the imperial court." The Demon Fire Elder sneered as a pair of Iron Scale Wings sprouted from his back with a metallic rustle, lifting him into the air.

The Iron Scale Wings were a Five-Star Mystic Artifact, allowing Martial Artists to fly short distances.

"Whoosh!"

Ning Xiaochuan smirked coldly, his body transforming into a Rainbow Bridge as he soared 120 meters high, landing directly on the Demon Fire Elder’s back.

The Demon Fire Elder’s expression changed. What kind of Divine Ability was this, allowing him to catch up to the Iron Scale Wings?

Flames erupted from the Demon Fire Elder’s body as he swung his arm, unleashing a fiery dragon-serpent.

Ning Xiaochuan flicked his wrist.

"Slash!"

The Dragon Slaying Blade could cleave through all Divine Abilities, shattering the Demon Fire Elder’s Martial Arts Divine Ability. The blade swept past his neck, cutting an inch deep as blood gushed from the wound.

The Demon Fire Elder clutched his throat, plummeting to the ground and rolling in the dirt.

Ning Xiaochuan strode forward, blade in hand, ready to finish him off.

To kill, one must eradicate the roots.

"Stop!"

The other two experts of the Hengling Three Demons rushed in, Profound Qi Clouds forming in their palms and condensing into two Great Palm Strikes, attacking Ning Xiaochuan from behind.

Ning Xiaochuan’s gaze sharpened as he halted, vanishing from his original position.

"Swish! Swish!"

Two flashes of blade light streaked through the air like Lightning.

Two heads flew.

All of this happened in an instant—Ning Xiaochuan moved twice, swung twice, and beheaded two Transcendent Realm Demon Sect Fiends.

"Thud!"

Ning Xiaochuan thrust his blade down, piercing through Demon Fire Elder's heart and ending his life completely.

Ning Xiaochuan swung his blade, flicking the blood off onto the ground, and said coldly, "A motley crew."

Above his head, a massive hand descended, instantly pressing down upon him.

This was the Divine Ability Handprint unleashed by Lin Zhirong, condensing all his Martial Arts Profound Qi into a Profound Qi Cloud shaped like a palm, intending to crush Ning Xiaochuan to death.

"Boom!"

A thunderous sound erupted beneath the handprint, shaking the ground slightly.

"Whoosh!"

Ning Xiaochuan, wielding the Dragon Slaying Blade, shattered the handprint and slashed toward Lin Zhirong's neck.