Impossible!
Ning Hongye shook her head again, forcing that thought out of her mind.
The Thunderclap Saber Technique was a family inheritance of the Ning Family, refined by countless experts. It was a top-tier Spirit-grade cultivation technique and was considered rare even within the Grand Xia Empire.
And Xiao Yang was only a 3rd stage martial artist—what qualifications did he have to improve it?
But how then had he defeated Commander Huo?
“Ninth Prince, why did you hold back earlier and spare Commander Huo’s life?” Qingluan asked, unable to restrain her curiosity.
As Ning Hongye’s personal guard, she had been especially furious seeing Ning Hongye humiliated, and had wished nothing more than to cut down those troublemakers on the spot.
Xiao Yang explained, “Though those centurions and Commander Huo acted out of line, their crimes weren’t unforgivable. They were merely deceived by that damn Emperor!”
“The reason they caused such a stir was because of their loyalty to Old General Ning.”
“In the future, once they learn the truth, they’ll be even more loyal to us.”
Upon hearing this, Qingluan suddenly understood. Deep down, she couldn’t help but admit that this Ninth Prince was quite clever.
“Xiao Yang!”
At that moment, Ning Hongye finally gave in to the curiosity in her heart and asked, “Did you study the Thunderclap Saber Technique in the past? And the technique you used just now… it seemed like an improved version?”
In her view, there was one possibility.
That the Northern War King’s residence had obtained the manual for the Thunderclap Saber Technique long ago and had even had it improved by one of their experts before handing it to the prince to cultivate.
Only then could everything that had happened be explained.
“That’s right, my saber technique is indeed more powerful. Do you want to learn it?”
Xiao Yang didn’t explain the origin of the technique but instead countered with a question.
“You’d be willing to teach me?” Ning Hongye was surprised.
Of course she wanted to learn, but since it had likely been improved within the royal residence, it probably wasn’t meant to be shared.
“Call me ‘husband’ and I’ll teach you,” Xiao Yang said with a grin.
Ning Hongye didn’t respond. She just turned away coldly.
What a prideful woman.
Xiao Yang shook his head helplessly. He had only been testing her with that remark, and since she didn’t agree, he’d leave it at that.
But he didn’t know that Ning Hongye had turned away because she was afraid he’d see the blush on her face and the shame in her eyes.
“Even if you won’t call me husband, at least take the Nightglow Imperial Steed. After all, you don’t have a battle horse anymore,” Xiao Yang added.
“Alright.”
Ning Hongye nodded.
[Hundredfold Return: ‘Top-grade Imperial-rank Spirit Beast’ – Cloud-Stepping Black Dragon Colt.]
[Also known as the ‘Celestial River Patrol Beast,’ it possesses the bloodline of an ancient Fire Dragon. It can walk through the air as if treading on flat ground and breathe flames hot enough to incinerate the heavens. It can travel 1,500 kilometers per day.]
[Would you like to extract it now?]
An Imperial-rank Spirit Beast… what a treasure!
Xiao Yang was incredibly excited.
Previously, he had obtained the Imperial-grade divine armor, the Blackscale Myriad Dragon Armor, but that was a defensive treasure.
A spirit beast, however, had sentience. If it could be subdued, it could join battles, and its combat power might even rival that of a 7th stage Martial Grandmaster!
“Miss Ning, since the problem here is resolved, I’ll take my leave first!”
Xiao Yang couldn’t wait to extract the spirit beast, so he turned and left immediately.
Just then, within Ning Hongye’s spiritual consciousness, a faintly ethereal female voice echoed.
“My disciple, that boy is not simple.”
Ning Hongye was stunned. “Master, you’re awake?”
Three years ago, she had accidentally stumbled into a Divine-Demon Battlefield, where she encountered the residual soul of an ancient Female Immortal Empress, who then took up residence within her. Since then, she had taken the empress as her master.
But a month ago, her father Ning Xiong succumbed to demonic corruption and went on a killing spree. At the critical moment, the Female Immortal Empress took action and suppressed Ning Xiong—but the effort caused her to fall into deep sleep.
No matter how Ning Hongye called out, there had been no response. She never expected her to awaken today.
“My disciple, your fiancé carries an aura that’s impossible to grasp. He stands outside the Three Realms and beyond the Five Elements. Even I cannot see through him. But that saber strike of his… was quite interesting,” the Female Immortal Empress said.
“What do you mean?” Ning Hongye asked curiously.
“He is like a dragon, and his saber like a prison!”
The Female Immortal Empress gave her evaluation, then added, “I will need to slumber for a long time after this. I was a bit worried before, but since you’ve found such a husband, I can rest easy.”
“Master, you…”
Hearing the word ‘husband,’ Ning Hongye’s heart rippled with emotion.
…
Elsewhere.
Xiao Yang returned to his residence and made sure no one was around.
“System, I want to extract the Cloud-Stepping Black Dragon Colt!”
Whoosh!
A flash of light appeared, and in front of him stood a majestic black horse.
Its body was strong, its limbs long and lean, and its jet-black coat gleamed. Compared to the Nightglow Imperial Steed, it was even taller.
Xiao Yang admired it, but the moment he saw the horse’s head, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
This black horse looked just like the famous cultural relic from his previous life, the ‘Flying Horse Treading on a Swallow.’ Its expression was twisted, mouth wide open.
It looked downright comical, like a goofy guy putting on an act.
“What a handsome horse… shame about the head.”
Xiao Yang sighed, then placed his hand on the saddle, trying to mount and take it for a ride.
But the Cloud-Stepping Black Dragon Colt wasn’t obedient at all. With just one shake, it threw Xiao Yang off, even snorting loudly afterward.
With an arrogant look, it glanced at him as if saying:
You really think you’re worthy of riding me?
“Damn! This horse’s got some attitude!”
Xiao Yang wasn’t convinced and kept trying to tame it, attempting to mount it again and again—only to fail each time.
“Big Black, be good!”
“Brother Hei, come on, give me some face…”
“Master Hei, I’m begging you, just let me ride once!”
By the end of the day, Xiao Yang was drenched in sweat. He had tried every method possible, brought the best feed, offered threats and bribes alike—but still failed to ride the beast.
Spirit beasts had sentience and only submitted to the strong!
Xiao Yang was currently only a 3rd stage martial artist, while the Cloud-Stepping Black Dragon Colt was an Imperial-rank spirit beast in its prime.
Even if the system had rewarded it to Xiao Yang, it wasn’t going to recognize him as its master so easily.
In the end, Xiao Yang had no choice but to give up and called over his maid, Huang Li.
“Young Master, what a magnificent horse!” Huang Li couldn’t help but exclaim.
The previously lazy Cloud-Stepping Black Dragon Colt suddenly perked up upon seeing Huang Li.
“This is a new horse I bought. Take it to the stables and have someone care for it properly,” Xiao Yang instructed.
“Yes, Young Master!” Huang Li nodded.
…
Late at night, at the First Prince’s residence.
“Big Brother, that bastard Ninth is going too far!!!”
The Fourth Prince stormed in, angrily lodging a complaint with Xiao Junlin.
“That punk killed my guard, exiled my concubine, and even slapped me with the Tiger Tally and Vermilion Bird Army’s golden seal!”
“Who the hell does he think he is? Just a pathetic simp who gouged out his own eye to curry favor with that devil woman Ning Hongye—and got a few benefits in return!”
“But I’m not going to swallow this humiliation. I’ll make him pay in blood!”