Chapter 1569: Chapter 40: Entering Chaosheng Pavilion, Black Flood Dragon King Chen Canghai!

"He’s here!"

"Who is here?" Chen Wang was taken aback, then instantly realized, "Uncle, has that Dongling Marquis arrived?"

"It’s him!" Chen Canghai nodded.

"I’ll go down and inform our sect members immediately, instruct them not to have any conflict with Dongling Marquis, nor obstruct his path." Chen Wang quickly said.

"No need!" Chen Canghai said indifferently, "If he doesn’t wish it, your sect members wouldn’t dare obstruct his path."

...

Chaosheng Pavilion.

Jiang Ning walked ahead, ascending the steps casually.

Jing Wuming followed behind, nerves tense, staying close.

The two arrived at the middle of the cliff.

"Who’s there?" Eight Chaosheng Pavilion disciples guarding the mountain gate saw the two arriving and immediately approached with their swords.

The next moment.

An invisible aura spread.

The eight immediately halted, sweating profusely, pupils contracting as they watched Jiang Ning pass by.

They then watched Jiang Ning and Jing Wuming step through the mountain gate until they disappeared around the corner, out of sight.

Only when Jiang Ning’s figure vanished.

Huff—

Huff—

Did the eight begin to gasp for breath.

Only now did they realize they hadn’t been breathing, holding their breath the whole time.

The eight exchanged glances, clearly seeing the lingering fear in each other’s eyes.

"Who is that...?" Someone swallowed and hoarsely asked. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Don’t know!" Another shook his head, speaking without thinking.

"Could it be him..." Someone suggested.

"Him who?" Another asked.

"Dongling Marquis, Jiang Ning! The Zeshan State Patrol Envoy! Great Xia’s youngest Martial Champion in eight hundred years!" One answered.

"It’s probably him!" Another still carried lingering fear in his eyes.

Then several exchanged glances.

"Did he come to Chaosheng Pavilion to pay respects to our grandmaster?" One suggested, speaking with pride.

Ever since learning the once-renowned grandmaster Black Flood Dragon King was still alive, they felt a sense of honored pride.

Back then, he was a true Peak of First Grade Martial Arts expert, at the Unity Realm.

Though they didn’t fully understand the Unity Realm, they knew much about First Grade.

It’s a rank that stands atop the pyramid in the Thirty-six Prefectures of the Nine States.

Such a figure is the stabilizing force of any sect.

His mere presence could cast influence over several prefectures.

They also knew their grandmaster faced a calamity thirty years ago, fell from his First Grade prestige to become a Second-Grade Grandmaster.

But such a figure, even as a Second-Grade Grandmaster, isn’t to be measured simply by the term ’Grandmaster’.

Originally, they heard Cross Immortal Gate had suffered a great disaster, its gate broken, its courtyard destroyed, leaving them in endless panic.

Yet with the emergence of their grandmaster, they felt no more fear, but rather great peace and confidence.

In their view, Dongling Marquis might be like a sun in the sky, his talents peerless.

But ultimately young, not yet in First Grade, and due to his excessive fame, he is cursed and weakened.

In their eyes, Jiang Ning is completely unmatched compared to their grandmaster.

Meanwhile.

Jiang Ning and Jing Wuming walked among the Chaosheng Pavilion’s scattered buildings.

Eyes fell on him, curious, confused, or probing.

"Who is this man? Such a commanding presence!"

"People say this is the world-renowned Dongling Marquis!"

"Dongling Marquis? This is Dongling Marquis?"

"No doubt, so young, so dignified, so striking, apart from him, who else could it be!"

"Yes, it’s indeed Dongling Marquis, I saw him at the Royal Capital’s drill grounds, becoming last year’s Martial Champion."

"Such a striking man, no wonder he captivated the Seventeenth Princess of the Imperial Family."

"I heard he came from a remote county, within a few short years, he reached worldwide fame."

"Such a person, such grace, wandering leisurely in our sect, it’s a pity the heavens are jealous, he’s faced curse killing from mysterious forces."

"The tallest tree catches the wind, his path led him to this calamity, destiny’s decree!"

"..."

Walking in the Chaosheng Pavilion, spiritual pressure extending outward, no one dared stop Jiang Ning.

Countless discussions erupted from all sides, Jiang Ning remained indifferent, only setting his sights higher.

He could sense, even through the stones, a deep sea-like gaze descending from the cliff’s summit, locking onto him solidly.

That was Black Flood Dragon King Chen Canghai’s gaze.

Soon after.

The scattered buildings left behind, Jing Wuming closely following his pace.

Turning a corner, ascending a platform.

At the end of the stone steps, it opened wide.

The platform seemed like a giant boulder cut in half, shaping flat through wind and rain erosion.

At the front’s edge, the roar of Nutao River echoed.

Mist stirred, the crash of waves distant and muffled at this elevation far above.

On the cliff stood an old man with gray-white hair, clad in a black robe.

The old man’s face was withered, eyes sunken, his pupils bright and menacing like a lurking dragon’s eyes.

In a glance, Jiang Ning discerned the man’s identity.

Black Flood Dragon King, Chen Canghai.

For besides Chen Canghai, no one in Chaosheng Pavilion could evoke such a feeling.

Now, Chen Canghai stood with hands behind his back, bright eyes gazing at Jiang Ning, with no movement of his black robe amidst the sea breeze and the rustle of leaves beneath.

"Chen Canghai." The gray-robed elder spoke first, breaking the silence.

"Jiang Ning." Jiang Ning replied coolly, also introducing himself.

"The fame of Dongling Marquis, long have I heard of, never thought today I’d witness firsthand, truly a legend well-deserved!" Chen Canghai looked at Jiang Ning, speaking calmly.

"The renown of Black Flood Dragon King, I’ve also heard. The world thought Black Flood Dragon King perished in the East Sea thirty years ago, yet still alive today!" Jiang Ning said.

"I’ve roamed the world for years, though I lost by a move to Xiao Lie, yet that child couldn’t claim my life!" Chen Canghai said.

With his words, Chen Canghai gazed at Jiang Ning.

"What brings Dongling Marquis here today?"

Jiang Ning said, "You wanted to see me, so I’ve come!"

"Now that Marquis has seen the old me, does he have a wise choice?" Chen Canghai asked, hands behind.

Jiang Ning shook his head, "I have two options for you."

"Please speak, Marquis!" Chen Canghai said, a composed face.

"First option, resist stubbornly, bury your sect’s centuries of foundation by your own hand!" Jiang Ning said, continuing, "Second option, leave everything behind, lead your followers out of Guangning Prefecture."

Upon hearing this, Chen Canghai’s face showed a hint of cold smile.

"I’m curious, where does Marquis get the confidence to present these two options?"

As his words fell.

He slowly stepped forward.

Boom—

The earth shook, an aura like a tsunamic sea swept forward.

In an instant.

The figure behind Jiang Ning immediately stepped back two steps, looking at Chen Canghai with eyes full of amazement.

At this moment, Chen Canghai appeared in his eyes like an earth-devouring black dragon.

Before such an existence, he felt like a fish ready to be swallowed, powerless to resist.

His gaze was immediately drawn back to Jiang Ning.

He sensed Jiang Ning’s figure towering, standing against the surging waves, steadfast like a mountain, unmoving.

"Marquis shows quite an attitude, no wonder he could break Cross Immortal Gate’s yard!" Chen Canghai looked at Jiang Ning, steady as abyss, with a flicker of fear in his eyes.

Even with an initial probe, he understood.

Jiang Ning’s strength matches the external fame, even exceeds it.

Now, he understood why the Immortal Cave Heaven expended such costs to curse Jiang Ning.

Such a prodigy, if left to mature.

No one can guarantee if he’d reach that realm, nor let him attempt.

For one success would bring forth another Martial Saint towering in the world for over eight hundred years.

Maybe even beyond eight hundred years, as Jiang Ning’s growth is swift.

According to that Martial Saint’s past, reaching that realm grants nearly a thousand years of longevity.