In that instant, Long Lingtian’s cultivation at the peak of the 9th stage Creation Realm erupted without restraint! Spiritual energy roiled, violent winds howled, and a terrifying pressure surged toward Xu Ning.
The tavern guests watching the scene were all wide-eyed in shock. Someone actually dared to strike at Young Master Xu Ning?
Young Master Xu Ning was the King of the North personally appointed by the Xuansheng Empress. With the Xu family behind him, his influence was at its peak. If anything happened to him in the Great Zhou Empire, the consequences would be unimaginable!
“Tsk tsk, truly a Child of Destiny. In just half a month, not only did he recover from the brink of death, but he also advanced two stages in a row!” someone exclaimed.
Xu Ning said calmly, “Unfortunately, I’m just a tiny bit stronger than you.”
With both hands clasped behind his back, Xu Ning’s aura surged like an endless abyss and exploded in full force. In that moment, the sky changed color, the wind and clouds twisted, and the laws of heaven and earth interwove and surged, unleashing terrifying power!
At that moment, the power Xu Ning displayed far surpassed Long Lingtian. It was no longer bound by spiritual energy—it resonated with the Power of Heaven and Earth!
“He… Heaven Venerable Realm! You’re actually in the Heaven Venerable Realm!” someone gasped.
Aside from Yuwen Shuang, who already knew this, everyone else was stunned and speechless. Especially the two women, who suddenly realized why Xu Ning didn’t bring any guards.
“His Highness has actually broken through to the Heaven Venerable Realm!” one cried.
“At such a level, who among the younger generation can stand against him?”
“Wasn’t he only at the 5th stage Creation Realm during the wedding raid? I can’t believe he’s already reached the Heaven Venerable Realm!”
“His Highness hid his strength too well!”
“Long Lingtian overestimated himself. He’s doomed this time!”
The onlookers whispered among themselves, looking at Long Lingtian like he was a clown jumping around.
Long Lingtian, who was bearing the brunt of this terrifying pressure, instantly turned pale.
That day, he finally remembered the fear of being utterly crushed by Xu Ning.
Xu Ning waved his hand lightly, as if swatting a mosquito.
In the next second—
Pfft!
It was like Long Lingtian had been hit by a mountain. His internal energy and blood surged chaotically, and he was sent flying backward.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Everything in his path—tables, chairs—was destroyed, splintered into wooden shards. He flew back more than 30 meters before crashing to the ground.
“Xu… Xu Ning, you were hiding your cultivation all along!” Long Lingtian groaned, struggling to stand as he looked at Xu Ning with fear and resentment in his eyes. Find the original chapter at g.com.
[Child of Destiny humiliated in public, reputation lowered, one strand of Primordial Purple Qi plundered, automatically converted into 200 Fate Points.]
[Child of Destiny fears the host, Dao heart shaken, two strands of Primordial Purple Qi plundered, automatically converted into 400 Fate Points.]
As the Fate Points continued to roll in, Xu Ning’s mood was excellent.
The feeling of harvesting like this… truly wonderful!
Staring at Long Lingtian, now reduced to just five strands of Primordial Purple Qi, Xu Ning clicked his tongue and debated whether to continue the harvest.
After a moment’s hesitation, he gave up on the idea.
Harvesting had to be done in waves—killing him outright would be a waste of Fate Points.
Besides, he was still counting on this “treasure-hunting rat” to help him open the Demon Lord’s Heavenly Tomb and clear the traps ahead.
Just then, Zhou Shuxian stepped forward, taking two steps to stand in front of him.
“I am Zhou Shuxian, the Eldest Princess of the Great Zhou Imperial Family. I greet the King of the North.”
The moment her name was spoken, the surrounding drinkers erupted in murmurs.
The Eldest Princess? That mysterious and cunning woman from the rumors?
She had been with Long Lingtian all this time?
The women around the Child of Destiny really were endless.
Xu Ning narrowed his eyes slightly, looking down at her from above. “What do you want?”
Forgive me, Brother Lingtian… Zhou Shuxian took a deep breath. Though mist welled in her beautiful eyes, she forced herself to remain composed.
“I have long confirmed Long Lingtian’s presence within Great Zhou territory. In order to capture him and present him to Your Highness, I deliberately stayed at his side in disguise.”
Her tone was firm, not at all like she was lying.
A clever woman… Xu Ning had already seen through her little act. His piercing gaze made her feel deeply uncomfortable.
“But I didn’t expect Your Highness to suddenly arrive, leading to this unfortunate situation.”
“Long Lingtian is arrogant and defiant, constantly provoking Your Highness. If he were to be killed directly, it would be letting him off too easily!”
“I suggest locking him in the imperial city’s dungeon, torturing him severely—make it so he can neither live nor die!”
She bowed her head after speaking. Though she appeared calm, her trembling figure and increasingly pale complexion revealed her inner panic.
Facing ordinary people, she had the confidence to deceive them.
But this man in front of her—was the cunning and near-demonic Young Master of the Xu family!
Long Lingtian, behind her, understood her intentions. In order to survive, he had to swallow his shame and resentment, pretending to look terrified of the dungeon. This story is hosted at novelping . com.
Of course, Long Lingtian knew that even if he were thrown into the dungeon, he would come out unharmed!
Such a despicable scheme… Xu Ning let out a soft chuckle. As if remembering something, he nodded slightly.
“Alright.”
Zhou Shuxian and Long Lingtian both let out sighs of relief.
Looks like this Young Master of the Xu family isn’t as clever as the rumors claim. The only reason he can suppress Brother Lingtian is because of his strong backing… Zhou Shuxian thought with disdain.
Neither of them noticed that not far away, Yuwen Shuang was watching them with sorrowful eyes.
She knew better than anyone how terrifying Xu Ning’s methods were!
If even she could sense something was off, how could Xu Ning possibly not?
She glanced sideways at his expression. Xu Ning’s face was calm, his eyes deep as the abyss. Her heart sank even further.
She had a terrible feeling… this time, Lingtian might fall into an endless abyss!
The farce finally came to an end. Soon, officers arrived and took Long Lingtian away.
Xu Ning sipped a few drinks with the two women, and not long after, members of the Great Zhou Imperial Family arrived.
Outside the tavern, all passersby and vendors had been driven away. The street was completely empty.
Twenty gilded carriages drawn by flood dragons descended slowly from the sky, lined up in order according to rank. The final carriage, a majestic dragon carriage, stopped right outside the tavern.
From the dragon carriage stepped a man and a woman. The middle-aged man wore a golden dragon robe, exuding imperial authority. The noblewoman beside him was clad in an elegant phoenix gown and an ornate phoenix crown, regal and dignified.
Upon seeing them, the surrounding tavern guests immediately knelt and respectfully cried out, “Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!”
The two ignored the crowd and went straight to Xu Ning, bowing before him.
“I am Zhou Yan, Emperor of the Great Zhou. This is the Empress, Xiao Yi.”
“We greet the King of the North.”
The King of the North was a powerful regional ruler of the Xuansheng Immortal Empire. Even in the court, few could match his status.
The Great Zhou Empire was merely a vassal state of the Xuansheng Immortal Empire. As such, the Emperor wouldn’t dare refer to himself as ‘Zhen’ before the King of the North.
Xu Ning gave a slight nod in response.
Zhou Yan showed no offense. On the contrary, he respectfully gestured toward the dragon carriage and said, “Please, Your Highness, allow us to escort you to our Great Zhou palace for some rest.”
The group entered the dragon carriage and departed for the imperial palace.