“A sudden change in temperament, soaring to fame in an instant… is this one of those protagonists possessed by powerful souls?”
As an experienced reader of webnovels, Xu Ning was all too familiar with this kind of plot.
“Troublesome. Typically, these kinds of protagonists progress insanely fast in cultivation and have endless trump cards,” Xu Ning thought to himself.
…
Next on his list was dealing with the remaining members of the Yuwen clan.
Xu Ning first ordered them to cooperate unconditionally with the military handover, using this as an opportunity to win over the public sentiment in Zhenbei City.
As for their final fate, Xu Ning asked for Yuwen Rou’s opinion. Her answer was simple: let His Highness decide as he sees fit!
The Yuwen clan had never truly let go of their rebellious thoughts. They repaid kindness with betrayal. Such crimes were enough to wipe out an entire clan!
Besides, her father had sold her out to Xu Ning earlier. That kind of betrayal had long made Yuwen Rou give up on him. To her, she no longer had a father.
Xu Ning handled it in his usual direct way: bury them all alive!
After his subordinates had fully taken over northern affairs, the Yuwen clan’s members quickly vanished from public view.
Xu Ning explained that they had been sent to the frontlines of the northern army to guard the border.
But Yuwen Rou knew very well—in truth, aside from herself and her younger sister, the rest of the clan had probably been executed.
All she could do was sigh helplessly at the outcome.
In her view, Xu Ning hadn’t done anything wrong. It was the Yuwen clan who was at fault. The fact that Xu Ning didn’t wipe them all out to the ninth degree was already showing mercy out of love for her.
After some time together, her affection for Xu Ning had only grown stronger. She trusted him more and felt closer to him. However, the relationship hit a plateau and never made it to the next step.
Xu Ning had considered planting a slave imprint on her.
But while such an imprint could force her into submission, it wouldn’t win her heart—it would only deepen her resentment.
Though he hadn’t managed to win over Yuwen Rou completely, Xu Ning wasn’t in a rush. He already had a plan to make her his completely.
…
Early the next day, as the morning sun broke over the horizon, a radiant golden sun slowly rose.
From inside his storage ring came a strange sound, and a voice-transmitting jade slip flew out.
“Master, Long Lingtian is about to break the seal on the Demon Lord’s Heavenly Tomb.”
It was Yuwen Shuang’s voice from the jade slip.
Her tone was strange—clearly filled with unwillingness, but still incredibly respectful.
That was the terrifying power of the Great Dao Slave Seal. Even though the bearer retained their consciousness, their master’s will always took priority.
“Mm,” Xu Ning gave a soft hum before cutting off the communication.
He squinted slightly at the blazing sun.
“Looks like the leek is finally ripe for harvest.”
…
Northern Region of the Xuansheng Empire — Taixu Holy Land This chapter is updated first at novelping.com.
In a fog-shrouded cave, sounds of passion echoed.
A man and a woman entangled together, drenched in sweat, like two writhing snakes lost in lust. Their cries rang out again and again.
With the woman’s final moan, the sounds gradually faded.
“Fengyao~ you made my whole body feel strange,” the woman said coquettishly, casting a sideways glance at the young man.
The young man had phoenix eyes, a hooked nose, high cheekbones, and a rebellious aura between his brows. He ignored the woman and closed his eyes, quietly feeling the surge in his cultivation.
In his previous life, he had been a mighty Great Saint, titled “Slayer of Immortals.”
As the name implied—he was powerful enough to slay immortals!
In that world, the Great Saint Realm was the peak. One could ascend and break through realms from there.
But just as he was about to ascend, he was struck by a mysterious heavenly lightning. His body shattered, and his soul drifted through the vast currents of time and space, finally arriving in this world—where he possessed the body of a youth named Ji Fengyao.
At first, the original soul resisted fiercely due to strong attachments.
As a result, he had to swear on his Dao Heart to help the original owner exact revenge and destroy the Xuansheng Empress. Only then did he fully take over the body.
Three years had passed. Now, he had the power to take revenge.
“Not bad. My Yin-Yang Heaven-Shaping Technique has reached the 3rd level. My revenge is just around the corner!”
A greedy light flashed in his eyes.
“I wonder how Rou’er is doing now. She’s the reincarnation of the Mystic Maiden. Now that the path to Immortality is about to open, the people from the Nine Heavens Mystic Pool should be coming to find her soon!”
“As long as I become her Dao companion, the Mystic Pool will surely accept me. Then entering the Saint Law Realm will be within reach!”
As he spoke, the aura of the 5th stage Heaven Venerable Realm surged out from his body, creating a terrifying pressure.
“Once I reach the Saint Law Realm, I’ll trigger the great Dark Turmoil. By then, even that Xuansheng Empress will be nothing more than my plaything. As long as I absorb the Empress’s divine essence, I’ll have a firm place in the battle for supremacy!”
“It’s time to return to the Yuwen clan!”
…
Great Zhou Empire — Imperial Capital — A bustling tavern
“Hey, have you heard? The Northern Prince of the Xuansheng Empire, Yuwen Wushuang, tried to rebel and destroy the Xu family, but was wiped out by Young Master Xu Ning, who saw through the plot in advance!”
A wine guest spoke excitedly.
“Exactly! I heard that Young Master Xu Ning used to act like a spoiled rich kid, but it was all an act. His depth and cunning are terrifying! If it hadn’t been for Yuwen Wushuang’s betrayal, he would have kept hiding!”
“They say Young Master Xu Ning has been recognized by the Empress and has taken over the title of Northern Prince. Truly a role model for our generation!”
The speaker was a young master in embroidered robes, already at the 5th stage Origin Return Realm. Even in the vast capital, he was considered a top prodigy.
“There are rumors that all of this started because of some nobody named Long Lingtian. That fool had his eyes on Young Master Xu Ning’s concubine and dared to crash the wedding. That’s what triggered the whole event!”
“Long Lingtian? He’s nothing but a clown who ruined everything for himself!”
Just as the group was in heated discussion—
“Enough!”
A furious roar shook the entire tavern, startling everyone.
The voice came from a young man in black robes, bloodshot eyes, and a terrifyingly twisted face.
It was Long Lingtian!
Two stunning beauties sat beside him.
Some of the young men around stood up in anger. But when they sensed the powerful aura of someone at the peak of the 9th stage Creation Realm, they froze in fear, gritting their teeth in silence before sitting back down.
“Lingtian Brother, don’t be angry. Xu Ning is just a stepping stone on your path to immortality. Once you inherit the Demon Lord’s legacy, you can crush him easily.”
A melodious and beautiful voice spoke softly.
Long Lingtian’s expression softened slightly.
He took a deep breath and looked at the girl in front of him.
She was dressed in luxurious robes, wore a golden crown, and had jade ornaments that shimmered as she moved. Her refined brows and graceful elegance radiated noble charm.
She was Zhou Shuxian—his mysterious cousin from youth, whom he’d recently reunited with.
It turned out her identity was extraordinary. She was the first-born daughter of the Great Zhou royal family. Back then, to escape internal palace strife, she had taken refuge with the Long family for a time.
More importantly, she had deep feelings for him. After they met again, she secretly opened the royal treasury for him.
With the resources from the treasury, his cultivation skyrocketed, and he gradually regained his confidence after being suppressed by Xu Ning.
One opportunity led to another. He recently encountered Yuwen Shuang, who had escaped from the Yuwen clan. From her, he learned the entire clan had been taken over by Xu Ning. The hatred made him grit his teeth in fury!
“Shuxian, you’re right. Xu Ning is nothing to me!”
“Once I inherit the Demon Lord’s legacy, I’ll wipe out the Xu family! Leave none alive!”
His face twisted with hatred as he clenched his fists.
Yuwen Shuang sat quietly beside him. Seeing his determined expression, her beautiful eyes dimmed with sorrow.
Xu Ning had already broken through to the Heaven Venerable Realm, and still had hidden trump cards. Long Lingtian… could never be his match.
She wanted to tell Long Lingtian everything.
But the Great Dao Slave Seal wouldn’t allow her to betray her master—not even to hint at the truth.
Seeing her silent grief, Long Lingtian thought she was still mourning the destruction of the Yuwen clan, so he comforted her.
“Shuang’er, don’t worry. I’ll protect you. If I ever run into Xu Ning again, I’ll tear him to pieces!”
As if responding directly to his words, a shout came from outside the tavern.
“Young Master Xu Ning has arrived!”