Nine Nether Dragon Emperor-Chapter 217 I’m Not Ready Yet!

Ning Xuan nodded without speaking, quickly becoming immersed in the ancient tome. He discovered a very detailed account of injuries to the Primordial Source within its pages.

By the time he finished, a joyful expression spreading across his face, the girl’s voice sounded again. "How is it?"

Ning Xuan blurted out, "Why are you still here?"

The girl’s joyful expression stiffened. She then asked Ning Xuan, "Am I not pretty enough?"

Ning Xuan glanced at her and said seriously, "I’m sorry. I have face blindness, so I honestly can’t tell if you’re pretty or not."

The girl’s eyes widened instantly. You have face blindness? You’re kidding me! All those women around you—isn’t every single one of them as beautiful as a celestial fairy?

"Thank you, miss," Ning Xuan said, preparing to leave. This girl has a strange background; she could be the daughter of the Heavenly Palace Master or something. I don’t want to get involved with someone so mysterious.

"Stop right there! Is this how you thank me?!" the girl demanded, puffing her cheeks in anger. Unfortunately, her expression wasn’t very intimidating.

"So what do you propose?"

"Give your moving villa to this... young lady!"

Ning Xuan shook his head without a second thought. Such a fine Magical Treasure? I’d have to be out of my mind to agree!

The girl had an ’I knew it’ expression. With a sly twinkle in her eye, she said, "Then you have no choice but to offer yourself in marriage."

"I was wondering why the Heavenly Palace tolerated my presumptuous behavior. It turns out the Palace Master’s daughter has taken a fancy to me!" Ning Xuan couldn’t help but laugh.

The girl gave him a strange look. "What makes you think I’m the Palace Master’s daughter?"

"That ancient tome wasn’t on the shelf before; you clearly brought it. And much of what’s recorded inside is extremely profound. I’m guessing very few people ever get a chance to see it, right?" Ning Xuan said, lifting the tome in his hand.

The girl smiled and asked, "Then why can’t I be the Palace Master?"

After a moment of astonishment, Ning Xuan laughed. "Do you think you’re some kind of eternally youthful sorceress from a fairytale?"

"A what? Who’s that?" the girl asked, her face full of curiosity.

"An old witch who ages in reverse."

The girl’s expression stiffened. She quickly changed the subject, asking, "What are you looking for?"

Where is Ning Yang? Is that old geezer trying to trick me? Ning Xuan thought, recalling Ning Yang’s Dao Body. Although his Heavenly Realm Dao Body might have an aura completely different from his true self—one could even say there’s no relation at all—it shouldn’t be impossible for me to sense his presence. Unless he isn’t here! Or perhaps there’s some kind of extraordinary barrier that can shield auras.

"He’s upstairs," the girl offered, her voice light and playful, though her words were deeply enchanting. "There’s a barrier on the next level that can isolate all disturbances from the outside world, ensuring absolute silence. The books up there are the true treasures of the Heavenly Palace. Oh, and the ancient tome in your hand came from there."

Little did she know, Ning Xuan wasn’t interested at all.

"If that’s the case, then I won’t disturb him. Farewell." With that, Ning Xuan strode away.

By the time the girl realized what had happened, he was nowhere to be seen. She was dumbfounded. Why doesn’t this guy play by the rules?

"Hey, didn’t you want to see him? Why are you backing out now!" her voice rang out. Being incredibly familiar with the place, she knew Ning Xuan could definitely hear her.

However, the taunt had no effect.

"If you pass the three challenges, you can go in, and there are rewards too! You..." the girl continued to shout.

This time, before she could finish, Ning Xuan appeared beside her, asking urgently, "What rewards?"

The girl was stunned. So in this guy’s heart, a vague, uncertain reward is more appealing than a living, breathing person like me!

"You’re not trying to trick me, are you?" Ning Xuan asked, seeing her expression and making a show of leaving again.

"Come back! There really is a reward! I can’t guarantee anything else, but Heavenly Crystals are a certainty."

Ning Xuan, who never actually intended to leave, immediately asked, "How do I participate?"

The girl pointed to the nearby staircase. "All you have to do is reach the top floor."

Without another word, Ning Xuan started up the stairs. The moment his foot touched the next floor, the surroundings dramatically changed. He found himself in a space where, aside from himself, there was only one other person.

"What’s the test?" Ning Xuan asked, unfazed.

Standing opposite him, a young man smiled and said, "It’s simple, just defeat me—"

BAM!

Before the young man could finish speaking, he was sent flying by a punch.

"It is pretty simple," Ning Xuan nodded.

"You don’t fight fair... Hey, I wasn’t even ready!" the young man yelled, both angry and exasperated.

Ning Xuan said indifferently, "You should be thankful we aren’t mortal enemies."

The young man immediately fell silent. He’s right! If Ning Xuan had intended to kill me, I’d be a corpse right now! Besides, a real life-or-death battle never gives you time to prepare!

"I admit defeat," the young man said, tossing a Storage Ring to Ning Xuan. His figure grew translucent and soon vanished completely.

The scenery reverted to normal. The Martial Artists present on this level were all stunned to see Ning Xuan reappear so quickly. In fact, anyone wishing to set foot on this floor had to duel with a guardian of the Book Collection Pavilion. These guardians hailed from Heavens Beyond and, for various reasons, stood watch here. It was common knowledge that Martial Artists from Heavens Beyond were born into the King Realm. Even if stripped of their subsequent Cultivation Realms, they still possessed King Realm Cultivation!

Yet, only a few breaths had passed, and this guy had already emerged victorious. His strength was terrifying!

In a corner of the Book Collection Pavilion, the girl who had guided Ning Xuan stood with an enforcer. The enforcer, apparently aware of the result, stared blankly for a moment before turning to her. "Palace Master, why didn’t you just kill him directly, instead of letting him..."

Before he could finish, the girl who had been so playful with Ning Xuan—the Palace Master—merely glanced at the enforcer. The look terrified him into a pale silence, and he didn’t dare speak another word.

"I made special inquiries about his history with Ning Yang. It would be very interesting to have them meet," the Palace Master said with a smile.

The enforcer lowered his head, not daring to speak, though his mind was full of questions. The Ning Yang upstairs is merely a Dao Body. How could their meeting possibly be interesting? But he dared not voice these thoughts.

"Are you thinking that since Ning Yang is just a Dao Body, their meeting..."

Before the Palace Master could finish, the enforcer hastily knelt. "This subordinate wouldn’t dare!" Cold sweat trickled down his back.

"Just wait. There will be a good show to watch. Ning Xuan’s strength is as terrifying as the legends say, which makes things even more interesting." The Palace Master looked up, her eyes reflecting the image of Ning Xuan ascending to the next level.

Just as Ning Xuan was ascending to the next level, his footsteps faltered for a moment before he stepped into a new space.

BOOM!

He hadn’t even gotten a clear look at his opponent when the attack arrived. With a sonic boom, a fist thundered toward him, using the very same technique Ning Xuan had used to score his one-hit victory below!

Ning Xuan seemed to meet the attack hastily, but he showed no signs of panic, throwing a punch in response.

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP!

He took several steps back before steadying himself. His opponent didn’t press the attack.

"Heh, the test started the moment you set foot here," a young man standing before Ning Xuan said with a smirk. "You’re not going to accuse me of a sneak attack, are you?"