Nine Nether Dragon Emperor-Chapter 228: After such a long buildup to the grand competition, that’s it? How lackluster!
Ning Xuan realized he had gone too far. He quickly said, "San Wu, I forgot to tell you something. The technology at Bi Luo Palace isn’t up to par, so your dagger can’t be fixed for the time being. It will probably have to be taken to Heavens Beyond."
San Wu, who had been clenching her fists, suddenly let go and burst into tears with a loud "WAAH!"
"Sob, sob... that was left to me by my mother..."
She squatted down, burying her head in her knees. She was afraid this fiendish master of hers would see the smile on her face!
"What’s going on? What’s the matter?" Qian Yourong’s voice came from a distance, approaching quickly. Soon after, she and Yun Wangshu appeared.
"How could you bully little San Wu!" Qian Yourong said reproachfully, pulling San Wu up and comforting her in her arms.
Yun Wangshu looked at the child.
"Big Sister, I’m fine," the child said with a sweet smile, before asking with genuine concern, "Where is Sister Pianpian? Is San Wu’s dagger really beyond repair?"
Now, both Qian Yourong and Yun Wangshu understood the situation.
In Qian Yourong’s arms, San Wu’s body went rigid.
Qian Yourong looked toward Ning Xuan, her beautiful eyes full of apology.
Ning Xuan glanced at Qian Yourong and shook his head. "No worries, I’m magnanimous."
Qian Yourong felt a jolt as a tingling sensation ran through her body. This scamp... how did he come back a bit different from his trip to the Severing Dragon Abyss?
"The material of her dagger is quite special, so repairing it is indeed troublesome," Yun Wangshu explained to the child, having noted everyone’s reactions without a change in her own expression. If not explained clearly, this little girl loved getting to the bottom of things.
As a result, the child took an unprecedented interest in her companion’s business. "Where’s Sister Pianpian? I’ll go ask her!" she declared.
San Wu was speechless. My dear sister, I *really* appreciate that!
Yun Wangshu also felt somewhat helpless and said, "She’s outside fighting with someone."
"What? Someone dares to fight Sister Pianpian?! AHHH, I need to go help!" As soon as she finished speaking, the child had vanished from the room.
"Not bad. It seems like she’s truly recovered," Ning Xuan said with a smile, completely relaxed. As for the clash between the well-endowed Senior Sister and You Ruo, he wasn’t worried at all. After all, the well-endowed Senior Sister couldn’t possibly lose.
Qian Yourong looked over and exchanged a knowing smile with Ning Xuan; everything was understood without words.
Yun Wangshu was stunned for a moment but then caught on. Even if You Ruo were stronger than Wu Pianpian, she definitely wouldn’t win. After all, You Ruo had been compromising from the very beginning. Moreover, Wu Pianpian was no pushover; her combat prowess was truly terrifying.
"Shall we go have a look?" San Wu suddenly spoke up weakly from Qian Yourong’s arms. She was worried that if she stayed here any longer, she might give herself away.
Ning Xuan didn’t call her out and simply nodded.
The group went downstairs and out of the villa, where they found the child standing in the front yard, looking very unhappy. She had wanted to help but had been rejected.
Outside the mobile villa, the two women were still locked in a fierce battle. The commotion was terrifying—mountains and rivers seemed to crumble, and the sky filled with wind and rolling thunder.
"Let’s watch the show and see what kind of tricks she has up her sleeve," Ning Xuan whispered to the child after reaching her side.
"Okay!" The child’s eyes shone brightly, and she immediately grew excited.
But before she could learn anything, a voice suddenly called out from afar, "Miss... there’s trouble!" A moment later, the Heavenly Palace Law Enforcer appeared.
"What is it?" You Ruo asked, slapping aside the long spear in Wu Pianpian’s hand. Her voice carried clearly.
The Law Enforcer hastily reported, "Just now, there was a disturbance in this realm! A Venerable from the Upper Realm has descended ahead of schedule, saying that the Ten Clans Grand Competition is to begin immediately!"
You Ruo’s delicate body twisted, and she vanished on the spot. Her voice carried back, "Stop! No more fighting, I concede!"
"Let’s go!"
You Ruo wanted to leave, but she realized the Law Enforcer was still standing in place, unmoving.
The Law Enforcer glanced at the nearby mobile villa and said, "Well, the Venerable specifically named Mr. Ning to participate."
You Ruo was stunned, but then her face broke into a smile. "Mr. Ning, you..."
"I’ve said it before, the whole ’grand competition’ routine is so uninteresting. You’ve just changed your approach, that’s all. I’m not going!" Ning Xuan interrupted, refusing firmly.
The Law Enforcer’s eyes widened, and he couldn’t help but remind him, "Mr. Ning, that is a Venerable from the Upper Realm, and his strength has not been suppressed!"
Ning Xuan countered, "And?"
"A so-called Venerable surpasses the King Realm and the Emperor Realm! They are terrifying powerhouses of the Venerable Realm! In a fit of anger, one of them could annihilate the entire Cloud Summit Heavenly Palace with a wave of his hand!"
A gleam appeared in Ning Xuan’s eyes as he laughed. "That would be great! After all, several of the great families among the Ten Clans hold a grudge against me."
"Don’t forget the Qian Family," You Ruo reminded him after glancing at Qian Yourong.
Ning Xuan still smiled. "Oh, them? My mobile villa can just about fit them all."
The Law Enforcer said, "The Venerable mentioned that the Flying Treasures produced by Bi Luo Palace can only ward off attacks from Emperor Realm Martial Artists at most."
Ning Xuan’s expression turned cold. "Is he threatening me?"
For some reason, the Law Enforcer had the horrifying illusion of being targeted by an ancient, ferocious beast, and the hair on his body stood on end. He quickly stammered, "It wasn’t me who said it, it was the Venerable from the Upper Realm!"
You Ruo, however, remained calm. She smiled and asked, "What will it take for you to participate in the Ten Clans Grand Competition, Mr. Ning?"
Ning Xuan shook his head. "I can’t. I heard there was some kind of assessment or preliminary trial, and I didn’t participate. I’m not qualified."
You Ruo said, "Actually, the moment you appeared in the Cloud Summit Heavenly Palace, the assessment had already begun. You are the most outstanding among all the contestants, so naturally, you’re qualified."
"The most outstanding contestant is only ’qualified’? You’ve built up this Ten Clans Grand Competition for so long, only for it to be this shabby? In that case, I have even less reason to participate."
The smile didn’t leave You Ruo’s face. "Of course, there’s more. If you win the Ten Clans Grand Competition, the rewards will be given out all at once."
Good heavens, Ning Xuan exclaimed inwardly. This woman actually wanted him to work for free! Even he wasn’t that despicable. This kind of thing definitely required payment.
Ning Xuan immediately shook his head and sighed. "The operating costs for this mobile villa are massive. I’m afraid it won’t last until the end of the Grand Competition."
A test of wills, is it? He’d play along. He wasn’t in any hurry, anyway. Let’s see who could outlast whom.
Beside You Ruo, the Law Enforcer whispered, "Miss... we should hurry. Otherwise, the Venerable..."
You Ruo wished she could smack this idiot to death. Dammit! What a useless teammate! To say something like that at a time like this... Forget it. It wasn’t worth getting angry!
Glancing at Ning Xuan, who was still as unperturbed as ever, You Ruo decided to compromise. "Mr. Ning, name your price."
"This mobile villa’s daily consumption of Heavenly Crystals is..."
Before Ning Xuan could finish, You Ruo cut in, "Ten million Heavenly Crystals!"
Ning Xuan continued, "But considering its massive size, the Heavenly Crystals it consumes..."
"Fifty million! Any more and the deal’s off. Take it or leave it." You Ruo’s hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched into tight fists.
Ning Xuan nodded. "That should just about cover the villa’s operating expenses."
Just as You Ruo thought Ning Xuan had agreed, his next words almost made her topple over.
