Chapter 198: Chapter 195: Winning Favor, Can’t Touch My Hem?

"Who is the Ninth Elder?"

Everyone froze when they heard those words.

Then, they saw Meng Nanfeng, the Grand Elder of the Yanyue Sect, walk over to Ning Jiang’s side with a friendly expression. "Ninth Elder, your aura is much stronger than before. It seems you’ve had a breakthrough. Congratulations."

After speaking, Meng Nanfeng cleared his throat and announced loudly, "Allow me to introduce everyone. This is our new Ninth Elder."

"What?"

With Meng Nanfeng’s words, Ning Jiang instantly became the center of attention.

The Ninth Elder.

For everyone present, that title represented a hot topic within the Yanyue Sect.

It was just that this hot topic wasn’t exactly a good one.

A month ago, Yuan Tao, the fourth-ranked Core Disciple, had challenged the Ninth Elder. The Ninth Elder had refused to see him, using the excuse of being in seclusion. To many, it seemed clear that this so-called Ninth Elder simply didn’t dare to accept the challenge.

Therefore, most of the Yanyue Sect disciples had a poor impression of this mysterious Ninth Elder.

’Just like the rumors said, he really is under twenty. But what can he do, even if he’s here now?’

A disciple muttered to himself, ’Can Ning Jiang’s arrival really change the current situation?’

"Hahaha, this is an Elder of your Yanyue Sect?"

An exaggerated laugh rang out. On the fighting stage, Ma Yan looked at Ning Jiang with a mocking expression and sneered, "The Yanyue Sect really has fallen completely. Just picking anyone off the street to be an Elder. How laughable."

"Insolence! Who the Yanyue Sect chooses as an Elder is none of an outsider’s business! If he can be an Elder, he naturally has his own merits!"

Yuan Tao roared angrily. Although he also had his doubts about Ning Jiang’s status as an Elder, this was an internal matter for the Yanyue Sect.

In other words, it was a family affair. What right did an outsider like Ma Yan have to point fingers?

"Senior Brother Yuan Tao is right. You have no right to meddle in the Yanyue Sect’s affairs."

The other Yanyue Sect disciples also shared a common hatred for the enemy, presenting a united front.

Although the Yanyue Sect had declined, it had always been united.

"Hmph, you’re just a loser. So what if I say a few words? Can you even beat me?" Ma Yan’s gaze swept across the area. "A bunch of trash. Not a single one of you can fight."

"Bastard."

"Arrogant!"

The disciples were furious. Ma Yan’s previous words had just been taunts and jeers, but calling them "trash" was a complete insult, demeaning them as worthless.

"Elder Hong, is this a disciple of your Cyan Splendor Sect?"

Grand Elder Meng Nanfeng was also displeased, his expression souring.

"Ma Yan speaks recklessly. I will naturally punish him when we return. However, if your esteemed sect is unhappy with his words, you can go up there and teach him a lesson. In this world, strength reigns supreme, after all!"

Hong Lie sneered and spoke bluntly.

"Fine, fine." Meng Nanfeng was so angry he laughed instead. The other party’s words made it clear they intended to protect Ma Yan.

"Ma Yan, you dare to insult my Yanyue Sect! I challenge you to a life-and-death battle! Do you dare accept?" Yuan Tao was seething with rage. He was a disciple of the Yanyue Sect, and he shared its honor and disgrace.

"You’re a loser. You don’t have the right," Ma Yan said arrogantly.

"Yuan Tao, step down. I’ll go up and play with him." At this moment, Ning Jiang spoke up.

"The Ninth Elder is going up?"

The Yanyue Sect disciples were all astonished. In their minds, Ning Jiang didn’t even dare to face Yuan Tao, yet he was actually going to fight Ma Yan?

"But..." Yuan Tao was a little worried.

But Meng Nanfeng said, "Yuan Tao, the Ninth Elder is going to make a move. Watch closely and try to learn a thing or two."

"Yes."

As the Grand Elder, Meng Nanfeng’s authority in the Sect was immense. Yuan Tao didn’t dare to object to his words.

’Maybe he really does have some skill,’ Yuan Tao thought to himself. After all, even the Grand Elder held Ning Jiang in such high regard.

SWOOSH.

Ning Jiang flew onto the stage and said coolly, "I am an Elder of the Yanyue Sect. To avoid people saying I’m bullying a junior, I’ll give you a three-move handicap."

"Are you looking down on me?"

Ma Yan’s eyebrow twitched. Ning Jiang was under twenty, even younger than him, yet he was offering a three-move handicap. If that wasn’t looking down on him, what was?

"I am, in fact, looking down on you," Ning Jiang admitted freely.

"You’re courting death!" Ma Yan’s eyes glared, a ferocious aura washing over Ning Jiang. "I want a life-and-death battle with you. Do you dare?"

"If you want to die, I’ll grant your wish."

With just a few words, a life-and-death battle was decided.

"Grand Elder, will the Ninth Elder be alright?"

One disciple asked worriedly. Ning Jiang was simply too young. Although he held the title of Elder, who knew what his actual strength was?

"Just enjoy the show," the Grand Elder said meaningfully.

"Fist of Fury!"

Ma Yan roared, his body lunging forward like a thunderclap. His fist was swift and incomparably vicious.

Fist of Fury, a Spirit Level Martial Technique. The angrier the user, the greater the power it unleashed.

Ning Jiang swayed slightly, dodging the blow.

"First move," he said coolly, his hands behind his back.

Ma Yan’s eyes grew even more furious. With a long howl, the veins on his face bulged as he attacked with all his might.

His next two moves were even more ferocious, causing many of the surrounding Yanyue Sect disciples’ expressions to turn grave.

But to their relief, Ning Jiang easily dodged both attacks.

"The Ninth Elder’s Body Technique is impressive," someone commented.

"It’s not his Body Technique, it’s his Eye Power."

Grand Elder Meng Nanfeng shook his head. Only a few people present could understand that the reason Ning Jiang could so easily avoid Ma Yan’s attacks was that he had seen through their trajectory.

He knew where Ma Yan was going to strike, so he moved out of the way in advance.

Such keen Eye Power was terrifying!

"Three moves are up."

Ning Jiang, who had kept both hands behind his back, slowly brought out his right hand. "I won’t bully you. I’ll fight you with just my right hand."

"I’ll kill you!"

Ma Yan stomped his foot hard on the ground. In an instant, his entire body was engulfed in roaring flames, causing the temperature of the whole area to skyrocket, becoming scorching hot.

Spirit Realm Powerhouses cultivated Attribute Attacks, and he cultivated Flame.

"Die."

With a furious roar, Ma Yan lunged forward to kill. "Great Flame Fist."

Billowing flames coiled around his fist, circle after circle, compressing and condensing until his entire arm transformed into a giant, crimson fist of fire.

BOOM!

This fist burned through the air as it blasted toward Ning Jiang.

The terrifying heatwave forced many Yanyue Sect disciples to retreat again and again, unable to withstand it.

"You can take a punch from me, too."

Ning Jiang clenched his five fingers and threw a seemingly light punch.

RUMBLE.

A thunderous sound echoed—the sound of the blood surging through Ning Jiang’s body.

"What is that thing?"

The crowd witnessed a shocking scene. A golden, three-headed, six-armed Dharma Body appeared around Ning Jiang as he threw his punch.

The fist of flame and the golden fist collided. With a BANG, the scorching flames were instantly shattered.

SPLAT.

Ma Yan’s fist and half of his body instantly turned into a mist of blood, as dead as could be.

HISS.

Looking at Ma Yan’s remaining half, the entire audience was stunned into silence.

Everyone was collectively speechless, their faces filled with shock.

Ma Yan’s strength was such that even Yuan Tao, the fourth-ranked Core Disciple, was no match for him. Yet he was killed by Ning Jiang in a single punch?

"This person is a Body Refiner! And his Cultivation hasn’t broken through to the Spirit Realm!"

Over on the Cyan Splendor Sect’s side, Grand Elder Hong Lie spoke with a grief-stricken expression.

The moment he spoke, countless people were left dumbfounded.

Ever since Ning Jiang had broken through to the Innate Limit, almost no one present could discern his Cultivation level. Therefore, they didn’t know he was only in the Innate Realm.

To kill Ma Yan in one punch with only an Innate Realm Cultivation... just how monstrous was he?

"Now I understand why he could become an Elder," the many disciples of the Yanyue Sect said, overjoyed.

They had originally thought this Ninth Elder, Ning Jiang, might be a fraud, but who would have thought he was the real deal?

"You dare kill someone from my Cyan Splendor Sect!"

The grim youth, Liang Xiao, stared at Ning Jiang, his gaze as sharp as a sword.

Ning Jiang flicked his fingernails, his tone icy. "Couldn’t be helped. You can only blame your Cyan Splendor Sect people for being too weak. I wasn’t even trying, and he died."

"Pfft." A female disciple couldn’t help but chuckle, her mood greatly improved. "The Ninth Elder is so witty."

"Actually, the Ninth Elder is really handsome. Not only is he strong, but he’s also gorgeous."

"If anyone dares to speak ill of the Ninth Elder in the future, I’ll be the first to fight them."

In an instant, Ning Jiang had won the goodwill of the many Yanyue Sect disciples present.

They immediately accepted Ning Jiang as their Ninth Elder.

"Hehe, it seems we have the Cyan Splendor Sect to thank for this." The Grand Elder smiled faintly.

The Cyan Splendor Sect had been overbearing, infuriating everyone from the Yanyue Sect. Ning Jiang’s actions had allowed them to feel vindicated and proud.

In this way, Ning Jiang naturally earned everyone’s approval.

"To think the Yanyue Sect was hiding a dark horse. Truly surprising. But the Cyan Splendor Sect has more than just Ma Yan. Liang Xiao, you’re up," Hong Lie said.

"Yes."

The grim-faced Liang Xiao nodded and flew onto the stage.

As soon as he appeared, the expressions of many Yanyue Sect disciples turned grave.

As the final contender for the Cyan Splendor Sect, Liang Xiao’s strength could only be greater than Ma Yan’s.

"Ma Yan was careless. He didn’t expect you to be a Body Refiner. But now that I know, as long as I keep my distance from you, your defeat is certain."

Liang Xiao spoke slowly, and as he did, he drew a sword.

This was no ordinary sword. Its blade was very narrow, only as thick as a little finger.

He was a Swordsman, one who specialized in agility and speed.

"Ma Yan, rest in peace. I will avenge you." As Liang Xiao spoke, he slashed out with his sword.

SHING!

The Sword Aura was like a gust of wind, silent and traceless, reaching Ning Jiang in the blink of an eye.

Ning Jiang waved his wide sleeve, and a majestic surge of Gang Qi burst forth, shattering the Sword Aura.

But in the next moment, a fierce gale swept across the entire stage. To be precise, it was a storm of swords.

"A Wind Attribute Cultivator. This is going to be trouble."

The Grand Elder frowned. For those who cultivated the Wind Attribute, their attacks were secondary; the most difficult thing to deal with was their speed.

Ning Jiang deployed his Great Sun Dharma Body, pushing through the storm of swords. Radiant with golden light, he charged out.

But Liang Xiao’s body flickered, vanishing from his spot and reappearing on the other side of the stage.

"So fast," the members of the Yanyue Sect said, realizing the danger of the situation.

"The Ninth Elder won’t lose, will he?" The crowd couldn’t help but worry.

Liang Xiao’s speed was simply too fast. ’If you can’t even hit him, how can you possibly win?’

"Do you realize the gap between us now? Your Body Technique is decent, but it’s nothing compared to mine. You can’t even touch the corner of my clothes," Liang Xiao said proudly.

"Is that so?"

Ning Jiang was noncommittal. Behind him, a black light slowly began to emerge.