Nine Nether Dragon Emperor-Chapter 22 If Sword Qi Fails, Then I’ll Comprehend Sword Intent!

Chapter 22: Chapter 22 If Sword Qi Fails, Then I’ll Comprehend Sword Intent!

In truth, Ning Xuan’s strength at the Sixth Layer Heavens of the Spiritual Realm was not enough to contend with Zhou Yucheng alone. However, the twelve Divine Veins possessed heaven-defying power!

The defensive ability of the Xuan Wu Divine Vein had increased Ning Xuan’s resistance to attacks by several times over!

BOOM!

Another powerful confrontation ensued.

"Haha, the Profound Realm is nothing special!" After Ning Xuan once again suppressed his surging qi and blood, his voice shook the skies.

The Eighteen Death Warriors were fired up with enthusiasm, greatly inspired. The Zhou Family experts intended to divide them to prevent the formation of their grand array. However, the Death Warriors’ strength had increased so significantly that even in smaller groups of two or three, they fought their opponents to a standstill!

"The barrier between the Spiritual Realm and the Profound Realm... not even Young Master Ning Yang could break it like this! I will capture you and analyze your secrets!" Zhou Yucheng’s eyes flashed with a vicious light, his greed on full display.

HUM!

A long spear shot across the sky. This time, it was not condensed from Element Force but was a genuine, physical weapon gleaming with a cold light. Condensing weapons consumed Element Force; Zhou Yucheng was treating Ning Xuan as a true nemesis!

SWISH!

Ning Xuan held a Soft Sword in his hand. Activating the Xuan Wu Divine Vein twice had been a substantial drain on him as well. Although the Divine Veins were powerful, each activation drew a vast amount of Element Force. With Ning Xuan’s current cultivation, he could not sustain their use for long.

Given the circumstances, Ning Xuan abandoned the idea of using the White Tiger Divine Vein’s abilities. The White Tiger, one of the Four Divine Beasts, was of the Metal attribute and reigned over battle and slaughter! Activating the White Tiger Divine Vein would definitely increase his combat power. But Zhou Yucheng was too cautious. If a single strike missed, the consequences would be unimaginable. After all, by Ning Xuan’s calculations, the Zhao Family was probably close by.

As Ning Xuan drew his sword, Zhou Yucheng tightened his grip on his spear. Yesterday, he and Zhao Qitian had specifically analyzed Ning Xuan’s Swordsmanship. Their final conclusion was that Ning Xuan’s sword style was both fast and bizarre. It was completely without form, leaving no trace to follow.

Even more terrifying, Ning Xuan had comprehended Sword Qi!

The sword legend, Sword God Xie Daoyi, once said that the way of the sword had six major realms: Sword Qi, Sword Intent, Sword Self, Sword Heart, Sword Domain, and Swordless! He himself had begun learning the sword at twelve and comprehended Sword Qi at fifteen, and he was hailed as a peerless genius for it. Although Ning Xuan was already eighteen, if their guess was correct, he had only been studying the way of the sword for two days!

To grasp Sword Qi in two days was an unprecedented myth in the history of swordsmanship. Combined with his unpredictable and untraceable sword techniques, even Zhou Yucheng, with his Profound Mystery cultivation and spear in hand, wore an expression of utmost gravity.

HUM!

The spear quivered, streaking forth like a rainbow piercing the sun! Its tip then exploded in front of Ning Xuan, splintering into countless phantoms. This strike was Zhou Yucheng’s full-powered attack, swift and domineering!

Ning Xuan was forced to retreat. Zhou Yuccheng pressed his advantage relentlessly, his attacks surging like a tide. For a time, Ning Xuan was purely on the defensive, with no power to counter.

At some point, Zhao Qitian and his men appeared at the end of the long street. They did not advance, instead choosing to watch from a distance.

"Family Head, Ning Xuan is nothing special. We all overestimated him," a middle-aged man said after observing for a moment.

"He advanced from the Dark Realm to the Spiritual Realm in such a short time. His talent is absolutely terrifying! It’s a pity he was too impatient."

"Haha, today, we will slay a prodigy! When we send his corpse to Young Master Ning Yang, we should receive plenty of rewards!"

The men who had come with Zhao Qitian all relaxed, their expressions eager and filled with anticipation.

"Something’s not right... something is off!" Only Zhao Qitian’s brow was deeply furrowed. Although Zhou Yucheng clearly had the absolute upper hand, he could not shake the feeling that something was amiss.

"Family Head, you’re overthinking things. Ning Xuan is being pushed back step by step. There’s no way he can be Zhou Yucheng’s opponent!"

"That’s right! Zhou Yucheng’s strength is enough to crush Ning Xuan! Now that he’s using a weapon, Ning Xuan doesn’t stand a chance!" another man said with a laugh.

Feigning weakness to lure the enemy in deep!

A flash of insight struck Zhao Qitian, and his expression changed drastically. "Damn it! Brother Zhou, quickly—"

But before he could finish shouting the word "retreat," Ning Xuan, who had been constantly falling back, suddenly swung his sword in a wide, horizontal arc. A peerless wave of Sword Qi sliced the long spear in two!

SPURT!

A line of blood sprayed through the air.

CLANG!

Half of the spear fell to the ground.

Zhou Yucheng looked down to see blood gushing from his right arm. Staggering back two steps, his entire upper body, severed at the chest, separated from his torso and crashed heavily to the ground!

While flipping and dodging at his absolute limit, Ning Xuan had been gathering power all along. It all culminated in a single, decisive strike—a perfect fusion of the White Tiger Divine Vein and the Impermanence Swordsmanship!

The head of the Zhou Family, Zhou Yucheng, was dead!

"Zhou Yucheng has fallen!"

As Ning Xuan’s voice rang out, the remaining Zhou Family experts were all reaped by the Eighteen Death Warriors!

Everything had happened too suddenly, too quickly. Some of the Zhao Family experts, who had been watching the show from the sidelines, still had smiles frozen on their faces.

Ahead, Zhao Qitian, who had started to charge forward, stopped dead in his tracks. His expression was utterly ghastly. To have an expert of the same realm as him slain right before his eyes was a powerful deterrent. To make matters worse, Ning Xuan was looking right at him, the corner of his mouth hooked into a devious arc.

This was a blatant provocation! But the image of Zhou Yucheng’s annihilation was so shocking that for a moment, Zhao Qitian did not dare make a rash move.

Ning Xuan let out a quiet sigh of relief. In truth, he was a spent force. To execute Zhou Yucheng and intimidate the Zhao Family experts, he had just used the White Tiger Divine Vein with all his might. The power had been tremendous, but his stamina and Element Force had been drained in an instant, leaving not a single trace behind. At this moment, never mind a Profound Realm expert, even a Dark Realm Martial Artist could kill him.

But Zhao Qitian was scared.

While provoking his opponent, Ning Xuan secretly absorbed energy from the Jade Marrow. The Eighteen Death Warriors moved swiftly, shielding Ning Xuan behind them as they each consumed an Instant Element Pill. Ning Xuan also took some—three at once.

Only then did Zhao Qitian abruptly realize his mistake, his heart filled with regret.

"Kill them! Quickly!" With a wave of his hand, he personally charged forward. His target was Ning Xuan! Although eighteen men stood in his way, the impact Ning Xuan had left on him was unparalleled.

Number One and the others let out low growls and charged at Zhao Qitian in unison.

SPURT!

With a single blow, several of them were sent flying back, spitting blood. Even attacking together, they were no match for Zhao Qitian in a single exchange!

"Don’t worry about me!" Ning Xuan said calmly, even as Zhao Qitian closed in.

HUM!

His soft sword slashed horizontally through the air before him. A chill ran down Zhao Qitian’s spine, and he retreated instinctively. The shadow of Zhou Yucheng’s death still lingered.

Ning Xuan laughed. "Heh, is this all the courage the head of the Zhao Family has?"

Zhao Qitian did not answer, his expression dark and sullen. As he devoured the energy from the Jade Marrow, Ning Xuan continued to stall for time. "Why didn’t you attack just now?"

Zhao Qitian remained silent.

Ning Xuan rubbed salt in the wound. "It was such a perfect opportunity, and you just let it slip away."

The corner of Zhao Qitian’s mouth twitched.

"You’ve lost your chance," Ning Xuan said, his tone serious. "Although you’re stronger than Zhou Yucheng, I believe I can kill you with a single strike."

This time, Zhao Qitian finally spoke. "Just because you’ve comprehended Sword Qi?"

Ning Xuan sighed. "To kill you, merely comprehending Sword Qi won’t be enough. So, I’m preparing to comprehend Sword Intent."

After a moment of stunned silence, Zhao Qitian burst into laughter.