Chapter 50: Chapter 50: White-haired Ghost Ning Jiang

A gentle mountain breeze swept across the silent field.

The candidates for the Ten Greats were all the cream of the crop of the younger generation, yet now, every single one of them was injured.

Yet Ning Jiang, the cause of it all, stood with his clothes unstained by blood and a tranquil expression, as if he had nothing to do with any of it.

"Thank you for showing mercy."

After an unknowable period of silence, someone sighed and spoke slowly.

These words served as a reminder to the others.

Indeed, if Ning Jiang hadn’t held back, they would all be corpses by now.

Though all of them were injured, their wounds would heal in ten to fifteen days and wouldn’t prevent them from attending the annual gathering.

Because of this, they found it impossible to hate Ning Jiang; instead, they felt a sense of gratitude.

"What was that Body Technique just now? It was so uncanny! I’m afraid only Xu Tengfei of the Shadowless Step could compare with you!" one of them asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

The strong are always respected.

Though Ning Jiang had injured them, the effortless way he handled ten opponents at once had earned their admiration.

There was no shame in losing to someone like him.

"Ten Steps of Impermanence," Ning Jiang said.

"Ten Steps of Impermanence... a fitting name. When you used that Body Technique, within ten steps you were like a life-stealing Wuchang Ghost—uncanny and terrifying. I am utterly convinced of my defeat in this battle."

The speaker, a young man in green robes named Gu Zheng, said, "I wish to bestow a title upon you!"

"Oh? What title?" Ning Jiang asked.

"The White-haired Ghost!"

Gu Zheng slowly uttered the three words.

"’White-haired’ refers to Ning Jiang’s full head of white hair," Gu Zheng explained. "And ’Ghost’ refers to his movements—like a Wuchang Ghost—and his swordsmanship. Every move is a killing blow, like a ghost reaping souls."

"With his strength, he’s certainly earned a title. After today’s battle, the name ’White-haired Ghost’ will surely shake Luoyang," another person sighed in agreement.

In Luoyang City, the only members of the younger generation who currently held titles were the Ten Greats.

For example, there was "Cloud-Piercing Eye" Bai Qi, "Shadowless Step" Xu Tengfei, "Iron Vajra" Hong Tai, and "Cloud-Shocking Sword" Liu Xianyu, among others.

Across the entire Cyan Cloud Country, there were even more experts with titles, such as the Ghost Swordsman, the Long-armed Blade Master, the Iron Lady, and the Iron Fan.

Without exception, people who earned such titles did so through outstanding combat achievements. They became famous in a single battle, receiving a title that spread by word of mouth until their fame reached every corner of the Cyan Cloud Country.

Every title was an acknowledgment of a Martial Artist’s strength—it was an honor.

If someone with no combat achievements gave themselves a title, no one would ever acknowledge it.

And in the entire Cyan Cloud Country, the most glorious titles for the younger generation were those of the Nine Great Young Masters.

The Nine Great Young Masters had earned their titles at the Grand Tournament of Geniuses, held once every four years. They had relied on their sheer power to sweep aside their peers and defeat countless other prodigies, carving out their reputations through sheer force.

Such titles were renowned throughout the entire Cyan Cloud Country.

And today, Ning Jiang, with a single sword, had fought one against ten and effortlessly crushed numerous candidates for the Ten Greats.

On the strength of this battle alone, he was more than qualified to receive a title.

"’White-haired Ghost... a little interesting,’" Ning Jiang remarked with indifference.

He didn’t particularly care for titles.

But when others decided to give you one, there was no stopping them.

Even if he rejected "White-haired Ghost" today, someone would just give him another title next time.

"White-haired Ghost? Good. Very good. I’ll remember this. I will have my revenge for what happened today. I’ll be waiting for you at the annual gathering!"

Gao Jin’s voice was ice-cold.

He admitted to himself that he was currently no match for Ning Jiang.

But being outmatched for a moment didn’t mean he would be outmatched forever. He was on the verge of breaking through to the Innate Realm. Once he did and mastered Innate Gang Qi, his combat prowess would be on a completely different level.

At that time, he would find Ning Jiang and settle this score.

"If you want revenge, I’ll be waiting. But it’s a pity... you’ll never catch up to me in this lifetime," Ning Jiang said lightly.

One hundred thousand years ago, countless people he had defeated had sworn revenge. In the end, he left every single one of them in the dust as the gap between them only grew wider.

His strength changed with every passing day.

Why would he ever take someone like Gao Jin seriously?

Gao Jin snorted coldly and turned to leave.

"I will remember the mercy you showed us today. Farewell."

The other candidates for the Ten Greats didn’t linger either, leaving one after another.

Huang Qing’s injuries were the most severe. He had trouble even walking and had to be helped away by others.

Before he left, Huang Qing glanced at Ning Jiang, his spirit trembling.

Unlike Gao Jin, who believed he could get his revenge after breaking through to the Innate Realm, Huang Qing felt differently.

He felt that all hope was lost.

Ning Jiang’s punch hadn’t just shattered his arm; it had shattered his confidence.

The sight of Ning Jiang single-handedly sweeping through them all with his sword had filled him with a profound sense of despair.

"Congratulations, Young Master Ning," Yan Shuangying said, her eyes shimmering. "After today, your name and title will surely resound through Luoyang, on par with any of the Ten Greats."

The White-haired Ghost, Ning Jiang.

Before long, those five words would send massive waves through the younger generation of Luoyang.

With a sword in his hand, who could possibly be his rival?

"My business here is done. It’s time for me to leave."

Ning Jiang looked up at the sky. "To you two, we’ll meet again if fate allows."

As his voice faded, he departed with an air of nonchalance and vanished from sight.

"This year’s annual gathering is bound to be fascinating," Yan Shuangying said slowly.

The fifteenth of the first month. The annual gathering.

What kind of spectacular display would Ning Jiang put on then?

How would the arrival of a man like Ning Jiang change the rankings of the Ten Greats?

Without a doubt, this year’s battle for the Ten Greats’ rankings would be anything but peaceful!

"Shuangying, I’m leaving too," Zhang Yao said, bidding her farewell before departing as well. "I’m going straight into seclusion when I get back to attempt a breakthrough into the Innate Realm."

...

「In a basin, about a li from the Demon Fog.」

A group of people was busy at work. About a dozen of them, carrying baskets on their backs, were scattered about gathering Treasure Medicines, while another dozen patrolled the area, guarding against Demon Beasts.

"Everyone, pick up the pace! This is the territory of the Iron Claw Demon Wolf, so be careful!" Zhou Lingwei commanded.

The Zhou Family Medicine Collection Team had already been in the Demon Mist Mountain Range for over half a month.

During that time, they had moved from one place to another, constantly searching for Treasure Medicines.

This basin was their latest find, and it was the territory of an Innate Realm Demon Beast.

They shouldn’t have come, but the large number of Purple Sun Grass plants growing here made them decide to take the risk. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

A single stalk of Purple Sun Grass was worth several hundred Primordial Stones. Gathering all the grass here would net them at least a hundred thousand Primordial Stones.

For a small, third-rate clan, one hundred thousand Primordial Stones was a massive fortune.

"There’s movement!"

Suddenly, one of the patrollers cried out in alarm.

Everyone was startled and immediately went on guard.

A moment later, a series of young, injured figures appeared. They glanced at the Zhou Family team before walking past without a word.

"Phew."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. In a place like the Demon Mist Mountain Range, other Martial Artists could be just as dangerous as Demon Beasts.

"What happened? Those people looked like the candidates for the Ten Greats. Why were they all injured?"

The members of the Zhou Family recognized them. Every one of the candidates for the Ten Greats was a luminary of Luoyang.

Yet this entire group was injured, and Gao Jin was among them.

"Huh? Sister Hu!" Zhou Lingwei’s eyes lit up as she called out.

"Lingwei, it’s you." A woman walked over to Zhou Lingwei’s side.

This was Hu Jia, one of the candidates for the Ten Greats, with whom she was acquainted.

"Sister Hu, what happened to you? How did all of you get hurt? Did you run into an Innate Realm Demon Beast?"

Zhou Lingwei couldn’t contain her curiosity and had to ask.

"It wasn’t a Demon Beast. We ran into a real monster."

Hu Jia let out a long sigh. She had already applied medicine to stop the bleeding, but the blood that stained her clothes was still a conspicuous sight.

"A monster? You mean some senior ignored their status and attacked you? But if that were the case, surely your families wouldn’t let them get away with it."

Zhou Lingwei was taken aback, assuming an elder had decided to bully the younger generation.

"You’re wrong. It wasn’t a senior. On the contrary, he’s very young—just a sixteen-year-old boy!"

Hu Jia continued in an awed tone, "With a single punch, he beat Huang Qing half to death. With a single sword strike, he defeated Gao Jin, severed the tendons in his hand, and took his Treasure Sword. In the end, the ten of us ganged up on him, and he just swept us all aside with that one sword. Not a single one of us could even withstand one of his attacks. Now you tell me, isn’t he a monster?"

"That strong?"

Zhou Lingwei was utterly shocked. Compared to someone like that, Zhao Feng, the man her family wanted her to marry, wasn’t fit to hold a candle to him.

"Sister Hu, who on earth is he? Since when did Luoyang City have such a young genius?"

"His name is Ning Jiang."

Hu Jia stated the name.

BOOM.

It was like a clap of thunder on a clear day. Zhou Lingwei’s eyes flew wide open, her delicate frame trembling as utter shock washed over her face.

"It’s Brother Ning!"

Beside Zhou Lingwei, the young girl, Zhou Chuchu, cried out in surprise.

"Oh? You know him?" Hu Jia asked, a curious look on her face.

Zhou Lingwei composed herself and said in disbelief, "I do know someone named Ning Jiang, but he was just an arrogant fool. He spoke like a madman, looking down on all the heroes of the world. We ended up driving him away."

Her voice trembled as she finished speaking. ’Could it really be the same Ning Jiang?’

"An arrogant fool?" Hu Jia didn’t give it much thought. "It’s probably just someone with the same name. That happens all the time."

"AWOOOO!"

Suddenly, a wolf’s howl echoed, the sound waves so powerful they nearly ruptured their eardrums.

"Not good! It’s the Iron Claw Demon Wolf!" The expressions of the Zhou Family Guard Team changed drastically.

Within three breaths, a Demon Wolf the size of a water buffalo appeared before them.

The Innate Realm Demon Beast, the Iron Claw Demon Wolf!

"What rotten luck," Hu Jia’s face turned grim. An Innate Realm Demon Beast was far beyond her ability to handle.

The faces of the Zhou Family Guard Team were also grim, and a wave of terror washed over them.

Before an Innate Realm Demon Beast, they faced the very real danger of being completely annihilated.

SCHRING!

At this critical moment, the sharp ring of a sword suddenly echoed. A woman appeared as if from nowhere, moving like lightning as she charged straight toward the Iron Claw Demon Wolf.

"It’s the Cloud-Shocking Sword, Liu Xianyu," someone from the Zhou Family called out in recognition.

An expression of deep envy appeared in Zhou Lingwei’s eyes.

Liu Xianyu—one of the Ten Greats, the Pearl of the Liu Family, a genius of the Sword Dao. Compared to someone like her, Zhou Lingwei’s status as a young miss of the Zhou Family was like the difference between heaven and earth.

At that moment, she thought of Ning Jiang again and couldn’t help but shake her head with a wry smile.

’Someone like this, a genius noble lady, would learn Sword Technique from you? It’s a shame you’re not here. Otherwise, I’d love to ask if you’d dare to boast like that in front of Liu Xianyu.’