Nine Nether Dragon Emperor-Chapter 181: You Bring About Your Own Destruction!
High above the heavens.
Ning Xuan sat cross-legged on the Flying Boat, cultivating with the help of the world’s Element Qi and Heavenly Crystals. The clouds above roiled and churned, gathering over his head.
BOOM!
Suddenly, a thick beam of light blasted through the clouds, enveloping the Flying Boat. In the pitch-black night sky, a divine radiance bloomed. This phenomenon was caused by Ning Xuan activating the *Chaos Ancestral Dragon Scripture*. The violent Element Qi hidden above the clouds was instantly absorbed, swarming toward him and dispersing the cloud layer in the process. It vanished in the blink of an eye, making many people on the ground think they had imagined it.
However, high above, within the clouds, a behemoth five times the size of Ning Xuan’s Flying Boat hovered to a stop. A young man with an imposing air stared at the edge of the sky where the clouds seemed to pour down like a funnel. "Go see who that is," he ordered, "and invite them over for a chat."
"Yes, Young Master!" a middle-aged man replied. He flew out immediately, striding across the clouds. In just a few flashes, he was already several hundred yards away.
On the Flying Boat, Ning Xuan, who had been cultivating, suddenly opened his eyes.
San Wu, who had been watching him with her chin propped in her hand, was startled for a moment before saying joyfully, "You big meanie, did your Realm advance again? When are you going to teach—"
She abruptly stopped, realizing Ning Xuan was looking past her. San Wu stiffened as she sensed someone behind her. This person is incredibly strong! To get this close without me noticing at all!
"My Young Master invites you for a chat. Let’s go," the middle-aged man said, ignoring San Wu and looking at Ning Xuan with a blank expression. His condescending look suggested he was bestowing a great honor.
"Not interested," Ning Xuan refused flatly and closed his eyes again. The message for him to leave couldn’t have been clearer.
The middle-aged man looked astonished. "You dare refuse? My Young Master is—"
San Wu stood up and cut him off. "Who your Young Master is has nothing to do with us. Please leave!" Although one should be courteous to guests, if the other party showed no manners, she saw no reason to be polite.
"Are you sure you want to refuse?!" the middle-aged man said, his gaze bypassing San Wu to fix on Ning Xuan, the threat in his eyes undisguised.
"She speaks for me. Please go," Ning Xuan said, still not opening his eyes.
"Very well!" With a final, deep look at Ning Xuan, the middle-aged man pushed off with his toes and soared into the sky, vanishing into the clouds.
"He came from up there! You big meanie, we’re in real trouble this time! The only ones with Flying Boats that can travel above the clouds are the four great families: the Jiang, Chu, Lin, and Ye!" San Wu said, looking up at the sky with a worried expression.
"Oh," Ning Xuan replied, his tone still indifferent.
"The Ten Clans’ competition is about to start, so all the top prodigies of the great families are in seclusion. For someone to appear so openly at a time like this, they’re either supremely confident or utterly reckless. Judging by that man, it’s definitely the former!"
Ning Xuan just grunted in response.
"You... You’re infuriating! If I weren’t worried I wouldn’t be able to find anyone to take my revenge on, I wouldn’t bother reminding you!" San Wu stomped her foot, pouting in frustration.
Just then, she heard Ning Xuan’s voice transmission. "I know. But we’re being watched from the shadows. If I don’t act calm, we really might get killed." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
San Wu reacted quickly, showing no outward sign of surprise. While pretending to vent her anger by kicking the side of the Flying Boat, she transmitted back, "Then what do we do?"
"We’ll meet every change by remaining unchanged."
"Alright."
The two ceased their exchange, quietly waiting for the other party to make their move.
Before long, a colossal Flying Ship descended from the clouds, stopping level with Ning Xuan’s Flying Boat. A young man on the ship clasped his fist from afar and called out, "May I ask if you are Brother Ning Xuan?"
Before Ning Xuan could answer, the middle-aged man who had just been on their Flying Boat was brought forward and forced to kneel.
"My servant was ignorant and has made a fool of himself before you, Brother Ning. I am Jiang Boya. It’s an honor to meet you." The young man clasped his fist toward Ning Xuan, his demeanor exceedingly courteous.
"You’re Jiang Boya? The Jiang Family’s First Prodigy, the one who’s as elusive as a phantom dragon?!" San Wu exclaimed before Ning Xuan could even speak.
"It’s merely an undeserved reputation. When I was cultivating in the Sixth Layer Heavens of the Heavenly Realm, I certainly didn’t cause such a grand spectacle as you have, Brother Ning." Jiang Boya had seen at a glance that Ning Xuan had just advanced a Cultivation Realm.
As the saying goes, one doesn’t strike a smiling face. Ning Xuan rose and returned the salute. "Is there something you need? If not, we’ll be on our way."
The people behind Jiang Boya bristled with indignation. A youth stepped up beside him and cupped his hands toward Ning Xuan. "I’ve heard you’re unmatched within the Heavenly Realm. I happen to be at the Sixth Layer Heavens as well. How about a friendly spar?"
Ning Xuan shook his head and refused. "I am not your match. I concede."
"Brother Ning, we truly mean no harm. But frankly, I’m quite curious about your strength," Jiang Boya explained in a timely manner.
Ning Xuan replied immediately, "Then you should have made a move yourself."
Jiang Boya was taken aback for a moment, then clasped his fist in apology. "I was presumptuous. My apologies for the disturbance."
With that, the Flying Ship actually turned and departed.
Ning Xuan and San Wu exchanged a bewildered look. What was that all about?
Aboard the Flying Ship, the young man beside Jiang Boya fumed, "That’s outrageous! Brother Bo Ya is always so kind, yet that guy..."
"Jiang Tao, that’s enough," Jiang Boya said. His sharp words were enough to silence the youth.
A moment later, Jiang Tao couldn’t hold back. "Brother Bo Ya, you were clearly because—"
This time, a single glance from Jiang Boya made Jiang Tao clamp his mouth shut.
"Jiang Tao, Bo Ya was actually saving you. You are no match for that Ning Xuan. COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..." a slurred voice suddenly said from behind them. A disheveled, staggering young man appeared, holding a wine gourd.
"Brother Bochang, just stick to your wine. You don’t have any Cultivation, so what would you know!" Jiang Tao didn’t dare defy Jiang Boya, but he showed no such courtesy to Jiang Bochang.
Jiang Bochang simply took another large swig of wine without retorting.
Jiang Boya, however, shot Jiang Tao a look of profound disappointment. He then turned to Jiang Bochang with concern. "Brother, you should drink less. It’s bad for your health."
"It’s fine. It won’t kill me," Jiang Bochang said, taking another heavy gulp.
Jiang Boya’s eyes narrowed, his hands tightening into fists within his sleeves as he looked up at the sky. Soon. I will get justice for the humiliation my brother suffered. I swear I will make you all pay!
He made a vow in his heart.
Suddenly, Jiang Tao fumbled at his clothes and cried out in alarm. "Oh no, Brother Bo Ya! The Jade Pendant my mother left me is gone! It must have fallen back at that Trial Ground!"
"Are you sure?" Jiang Boya asked.
"I’m sure, Brother Bo Ya, I wouldn’t dare lie to you. I’ll take a Flying Boat and go look for it. You all go on ahead, don’t wait for me."
After speaking, Jiang Tao steered a Flying Boat away and disappeared.
Aboard the Flying Ship, Jiang Boya shook his head and sighed. "He is the author of his own misfortune."
