Chapter 177: Chapter 174: Full Moon in the Sky, a Battle of Life and Death

The fifteenth of August.

Night.

A full moon hung high among the branches.

The moonlight was pristine under a vast, clear sky. It was a perfect night for moon-gazing.

The lanterns were few and far between.

However, Ning Jiang was in no mood for moon-gazing. Today was his big day: the decisive battle against Young Master Soaring Dragon.

The location: Cyan Cloud Peak.

The most majestic and imposing peak in Cyan Cloud.

The grand gathering of geniuses, held once every four years, also took place here.

The mountain was nine thousand feet tall, piercing straight into the clouds.

The surrounding peaks were already crowded with figures.

"The feast of geniuses, held once every four years, is supposed to be a stage for countless talents to clash. Every time, new geniuses emerge out of nowhere. But this year, Young Master Wushuang, Ning Jiang, has been so dazzling that he’s completely overshadowed every other talent."

"Young Master Soaring Dragon versus Young Master Wushuang. This will be the most spectacular battle in a thousand years."

Many great figures had all arrived.

Experts from the Innate List and the Famous Family List, along with numerous Innate Limit masters, were nearly all present.

"Elder Ji, I heard you were gravely injured and only have a few days left to live. What are you doing here?"

"If I can witness this battle before I die, I’ll have no regrets."

"Grandmaster Chen, you’re here too. What a coincidence."

"I would regret it for the rest of my life if I missed this battle. How could I not come?"

The chatter was incessant.

Countless gazes frequently turned toward the man in the golden robe atop the peak.

He was tall, dressed in a long golden robe, with intimidating eyes and a naturally commanding presence.

The former number one of the Nine Great Young Masters, Young Master Soaring Dragon!

"Li Liushui, are you sure you don’t want to try challenging Young Master Soaring Dragon?"

Li Liushui was second among the Nine Great Young Masters, only one rank apart from Young Master Soaring Dragon.

"Alas, I thought the gap between us would have closed after four years, but it seems it’s only grown wider," Li Liushui said, shaking his head with a wry smile.

He had never been one to admit defeat. Even when he’d lost to Young Master Soaring Dragon in the past, he never lost heart, only becoming more determined with each setback.

But now, he felt no will to fight Young Master Soaring Dragon at all.

"At past feasts of geniuses, we Nine Great Young Masters were the main characters. But today, there are only two protagonists, and we’ve been reduced to mere background decoration," one of the young masters said, his expression complex.

"This must be the most magnificent gathering of geniuses in history, wouldn’t you say?" another young master mused.

SHIIING.

A flash of blade light streaked across the sky.

High in the sky, an old man appeared, a long saber on his back, his aura sharp and fierce.

"The Sword King, Duan Wuya, is here."

The people were startled.

Although Duan Wuya had been defeated by Ning Jiang on the first of August, he was still the Sword King of his generation, with few rivals in the entire Cyan Cloud Country.

"The younger generation is to be feared."

Duan Wuya’s eyes showed his amazement after carefully observing Young Master Soaring Dragon.

"Duan Wuya, you got here quickly."

Another figure tore through the night sky. It was a bald man, his muscular body exuding the pressure of a primeval beast.

"The Vajra King is here too."

A commotion went through the crowd. Two of the Kings had arrived.

"Just as I thought."

After looking at Young Master Soaring Dragon, Meng Bubai spoke four words and then said no more.

"I wonder if we’ll be fortunate enough to see Sword King Chu Bai."

"It’s strange. Two of the Kings have been defeated by Ning Jiang, so why hasn’t Sword King Chu Bai made an appearance yet?"

"Could it be that Sword King Chu Bai knows he’s no match for Young Master Wushuang and is reluctant to show himself?"

The crowd was buzzing with talk about Sword King Chu Bai.

The three Kings had long been famous figures in Cyan Cloud Country; many had grown up hearing their names.

With two of the Kings defeated by Ning Jiang, only Sword King Chu Bai remained.

Many people wondered: if Sword King Chu Bai were to fight Ning Jiang, who would win?

They were both Sword Cultivators. Whose sword was superior?

"The Yang Family has arrived."

The arrival of a group of people drew everyone’s attention.

The Yang Family was the family connected to Sword King Chu Bai.

Back then, Chu Bai’s talent was mediocre. He was neglected by the Chu Family and eventually cast out. Later, the Yang Family, with their keen eye for talent, formed a good relationship with Chu Bai.

Because of this, the Yang Family leaped from a minor, second-tier family to a renowned and powerful one.

As for the original Chu Family, they became a laughingstock in Cyan Cloud Country, ridiculed for being blind and driving away a True Dragon for nothing.

’Sigh, isn’t our Ning Family’s situation so similar to the Chu Family’s back then?’

Among the crowd, some members of the Ning Family had also arrived.

Ning Shoujing wore a wry smile, and the other Ning Family members looked just as pained and uncomfortable.

’If Ning Jiang were still part of the Ning Family, our family would be basking in endless glory.’

’Young Master Wushuang—peerless in the world. What incredible prestige that is!’

"He’s flying higher and higher."

In the Song Family’s group, Song Mu’Er’s expression was complicated. Ning Jiang was like a great Roc spreading its wings, flying farther and farther away, straight into the Nine Heavens.

She was happy for Ning Jiang, but she also realized with sorrow that they were slowly becoming people of two different worlds.

She couldn’t even touch the world Ning Jiang now inhabited.

"Sometimes, falling for someone too exceptional is its own kind of misfortune," Song Ziwen sighed beside her.

"Clan Leader Yang, if I may be so bold, will Sword King Chu Bai be making an appearance at this grand event tonight?"

Someone asked in a loud voice.

All eyes turned to the members of the Yang Family.

Clan Leader Yang shook his head. "I’m afraid I must disappoint you all. To be honest, Sword King Chu Bai hasn’t contacted my Yang Family in ten years."

"What? Ten years?"

"Could something have happened to him?"

The crowd broke into a flurry of discussion.

"Rest assured, Chu Bai must be in seclusion to break through in his Sword Dao. Nothing could have happened to him."

Duan Wuya spoke up. Sword King Chu Bai was the first person he had ever truly admired—a powerful rival.

"Move, move! Out of the way!"

A sudden disturbance rippled through the crowd.

"Who’s being so arrogant? Get to the back of the line!"

A stout Martial Artist grumbled in dissatisfaction, but the person next to him immediately pulled him back and said urgently,

"Be quiet! That’s the Lin Family!"

"The Lin Family? Cyan Cloud’s First Family?"

Hearing this title, the stout Martial Artist’s expression changed drastically, and all the color drained from his face.

"You told us to get to the back?"

"I..."

"Die."

Giving him no chance to explain, a member of the Lin Family attacked on the spot, his blade slashing through the stout Martial Artist’s neck and killing him instantly.

HISS... ’The Lin Family is so domineering.’

’They call themselves a secluded family, but with that tyrannical way of doing things, they truly live up to the name of Cyan Cloud’s First Family.’

Seeing the Lin Family member kill someone so ruthlessly on the spot, many in the crowd fell as silent as winter cicadas.

A few people shrank back, quickly clearing a path to let them through.

"It seems the Lin Family’s old ancestor isn’t here."

"A figure of his stature is probably watching from somewhere else."

Spirit Realm Masters can fly.

Lin Tiantian might be looking down on this place from somewhere high in the sky right now.

The climax of the arrivals came when the people from Pill King Valley and Kunlun made their entrance.

"Is Ning Jiang here?"

All eyes looked over.

At the very front of the group from Pill King Valley and Kunlun was a young man. He was dressed simply, with a head of white hair and deep, profound eyes.

Young Master Wushuang, Ning Jiang.

"How many years has it been since Cyan Cloud Country produced such a monster of a talent?"

Ning Jiang was so young, inspiring sighs of admiration from countless Martial Artists.

"Young Master Soaring Dragon!"

Liu Xianyu’s gaze was ice-cold as she stared at Young Master Soaring Dragon with deep-seated hatred. He was the one who had killed her father all those years ago.

Young Master Soaring Dragon had also injured Liu Yuanlong, leaving him unable to use his arms.

However, today was Ning Jiang’s battle, and it had nothing to do with her.

Besides, she wasn’t strong enough to interfere.

"You’ve come."

Young Master Soaring Dragon stood on the summit, his body radiating a faint aura, like that of an emperor looking down upon his realm.

The people from Pill King Valley and Kunlun felt a suffocating pressure wash over them.

’He’s even more terrifying than he was back then!’

Liu Yuanlong trembled internally. When he had faced Young Master Soaring Dragon in the past, he at least dared to strike. Now, he felt nothing but fear.

Young Master Soaring Dragon stood there like an invincible, primeval beast.

But that feeling vanished in the next instant.

Because Ning Jiang took a single step forward.

The terrifying might emanating from Young Master Soaring Dragon was instantly and utterly shattered. The atmosphere of the entire area relaxed.

It was as if they had been transported from a raging storm that could topple a great dynasty to a gentle, peaceful night among the flowers under the moon.

Young Master Soaring Dragon’s pupils contracted!

He had been standing at the center of the summit, using his aura to create an atmosphere of absolute supremacy. Anyone who came here would have been affected by it.

Yet Ning Jiang, with one simple, silent step, had destroyed it all.

"You’ve broken through. Congratulations."

Ning Jiang looked up at the night sky, at the bright moon and the myriad stars.

He was perfectly serene, showing none of the tension one would expect before a great battle.

"I should thank you. Without the pressure you put on me, I never would have broken through."

A flush, like one from drinking too much, appeared on Young Master Soaring Dragon’s face. His blood and qi surged, and a vaporous cloud coiled above his head, forming a three-colored light.

One red, one silver, and one gold.

Three flowers.

Three Flowers Gathering at the Top—Innate Invincibility!

All around, countless people wore looks of absolute shock.

How many years had it been since an Innate Invincibility expert with Three Flowers Gathering at the Top had appeared in Cyan Cloud Country?

A look of longing appeared in the eyes of Duan Wuya and Meng Bubai.

"Come, Ning Jiang! Before the moon sets, let us decide victory and defeat. Whoever dies shall be buried in this moonlight!" Young Master Soaring Dragon’s robes whipped in the wind, his will to fight soaring to the heavens.

"You want a battle to the death," Ning Jiang stated.

"That’s right. You are a great enemy. If I can slay you, I will surely transform again. I am the Soaring Dragon, and I will use you as my stepping stone to truly ascend and become a dragon!"

At this moment, Young Master Soaring Dragon’s will was as firm as a rock.

It was precisely because he possessed the determination for a life-and-death battle that he was able to break through to Innate Invincibility.

"A worthy opponent is hard to find. I hope you can give me a satisfying fight."

Ning Jiang’s tone was measured.

’Having broken through to Innate Invincibility, Young Master Soaring Dragon is now qualified to be my opponent. Before this, not even Duan Wuya and Meng Bubai were truly worthy.’

’In this vast sea of people, a worthy opponent is hard to find.’

’Without an opponent, life is too lonely.’

He recalled his previous life. It was precisely because he had faced countless powerful rivals—Sacred Bodies, Dao Bodies, the Divine Sons of Great Sects, and those born as Venerables—that he was able to grow continuously.

’Only a good opponent can stimulate one’s potential.’

He was looking forward to this battle.

SWOOSH!

Young Master Soaring Dragon was the first to attack.

With a ripple of his spine, he channeled power through his entire frame. His body moved like a soaring dragon, and in the blink of an eye, he was in front of Ning Jiang.

A hissing sound tore through the air.

His hands, like blades, enveloped Ning Jiang, targeting every vital acupoint on his body!