Nine Nether Dragon Emperor-Chapter 42 Ning Yang, We Meet Again!

From thirty to twenty, and from twenty, he advanced into the top ten! What was terrifying was that no matter who Ning Xuan faced, he ended the battle in an instant. There were no exceptions!

The young prodigies in the square were all stunned. Only Si Lanyi’s lips curved into a smile.

"Don’t tell me he used just one sword strike, like he did against Dong Xinchuan yesterday!" someone exclaimed, their expression horrified.

Everyone’s eyes narrowed. The possibility was far too great. Otherwise, his rank wouldn’t have climbed so quickly!

Bai Yu’s expression was incredibly dark. He was originally ranked tenth, and by all rights, a bountiful reward was about to be his. But now, Ning Xuan had pushed him out of the top ten. The reward he had yet to claim was now completely out of his reach.

On the Heavenly Stele Battlefield, Ning Xuan’s rank continued to soar. Ninth, eighth, seventh... Even after breaking into the top ten, his ascent didn’t slow in the slightest!

Ultimately, Ning Xuan’s rank reached third. Now, only two people remained ahead of him: Si Lanyi and Ning Yang!

"He should stop here!"

"That’s right! I just experienced Lady Si’s power for myself. There’s no way Ning Xuan can get past her!" Zhang Yuan, who had already challenged Si Lanyi, declared with conviction.

Ling Tian, Yang Mu, and the others all nodded in solemn agreement.

At this moment, within the Heavenly Stele Battlefield, Si Lanyi stood before the distant Heavenly Stele, which exuded a profound aura. When Ning Xuan appeared before her, her expression was impassive.

Ning Xuan moved, fast as lightning. The space before him churned like a vast ocean, the pressure as immense as the sea.

However...

WHOOSH!

Ning Xuan’s sword swept out, annihilating everything before him—the vast ocean, Si Lanyi, and even the Heavenly Stele itself!

One sword! With just one more sword strike, Ning Xuan’s rank appeared at second place!

"What?!"

"How is this possible?!"

Everyone was shocked. Those who had personally experienced Si Lanyi’s strength simply couldn’t believe their eyes. Si Lanyi, however, smiled like a blossoming flower, as if she wasn’t the one Ning Xuan had just defeated.

Inside the Heavenly Stele Battlefield, stamina and energy were fully restored after each duel. This allowed everyone to fight at their full potential. Si Lanyi knew Ning Xuan’s power wasn’t as simple as his Divine Body Regeneration; although he hadn’t said it, she was aware he’d had other fortuitous encounters. With him fighting at full strength, it was perfectly normal that her projection couldn’t stop him.

"Wait, the Heavenly Stele Battlefield has a fatal flaw! If this were a real duel, he absolutely could not have defeated Lady Si!"

"That’s it! The person in the Heavenly Stele Battlefield is just a projection! It has no consciousness and can’t possibly unleash its full strength!"

As this realization dawned on them, many people breathed a sigh of relief. The advantage a real person had over a projection was simply too great.

Ning Xuan, still inside the Heavenly Stele Battlefield, was also keenly aware of this. Therefore, when the scene changed again, he raised his vigilance to its absolute peak.

A mere unconscious projection has dominated its generation for six whole years! How powerful must the real Ning Yang have been when he was at the First Layer of the Profound Realm?!

He would never underestimate an opponent, let alone an opponent like Ning Yang!

On the final battleground of the Heavenly Stele, Ning Xuan stood proudly. Across from him stood a young man dressed in purple. He looked to be merely fifteen or sixteen years old, yet he emanated a boundlessly terrifying aura. He just stood there quietly, yet he gave off the illusion that he was the master of this world!

"Ning Yang, we meet again." Looking at him, Ning Xuan’s expression was surprisingly calm. It’s just a projection, after all. My mindset now that I’m facing it is completely different from before.

Just then, the young man across from him suddenly spoke. "It’s you."

Ning Xuan was stunned.

Ning Yang’s lips curved upward. "Don’t be nervous. I am but a mere projection. I have defeated so many opponents that I have absorbed their lingering vitality, granting me consciousness."

"I truly didn’t expect you to make it this far. In that case, you must have restored your Divine Body. Come, let me see what this regenerated Divine Body is really like." After a pause, Ning Yang’s face filled with derision. "If it’s strong enough, I wouldn’t mind taking another portion of your True Blood."

Ning Xuan laughed in response. "Originally, I was quite disappointed. It was just a projection, and killing it with a single sword strike would be far too boring. But now, things have become much more interesting."

Ning Yang raised an eyebrow. "Words are useless. Make your move. Let your big brother see if you’ve made any progress."

"Shut your mouth! You are not worthy of calling yourself that!"

As Ning Xuan’s voice fell, his Qi Sword shot out, swift as lightning. The sword struck true!

However, Ning Yang’s voice unexpectedly sounded out from the side. "Too slow. Show me what you can really do."

CLANG!

Ning Xuan, already anticipating this, struck again. This time, Ning Yang didn’t even try to dodge!

The sword struck his throat. Yet, he was smiling.

Ning Xuan’s pupils contracted sharply. Mysterious runes had lit up at Ning Yang’s throat, as if a layer of impregnable Divine Armor had appeared! The Qi Sword, condensed from Element Qi, shattered upon impact!

"If this is the best you can do, I’m going to be very disappointed." Ning Yang showed no intention of attacking, his words laced with a mixture of disappointment and arrogance. He had been invincible in this place for far too long.

"You really did have a fortuitous encounter!" Ning Xuan was not surprised. His suspicions were confirmed, and his eyes blazed with fighting spirit.

"If those are all the tricks you have, then this is over!"

As his voice fell, a flash of sword light pierced the air. The runes at Ning Yang’s throat lit up, but this time they were useless. The Qi Sword sealed his throat!

「Outside, in the square.」

"What’s happening? Ning Yang’s light is dimming!"

"Could it be that even he is no match for Ning Xuan?!"

"The Divine Son is just a projection. It’s normal for Ning Xuan to win." Several people nodded in agreement.

A mocking look flashed in Si Lanyi’s eyes as she suddenly spoke. "That projection has gained consciousness."

"What?!" Everyone was greatly startled.

"Otherwise, how could I possibly have lost?" Si Lanyi stated, her face expressionless.

"Look! Quick! Ning Yang’s light is shining brightly again! He’s still the invincible Divine Son!" someone suddenly shouted.

The crowd looked over and saw that it was true.

"Sigh, Ning Yang’s projection has dominated its generation for six whole years. Now that it has gained awareness, who could possibly be its match!"

"Indeed! To live in the same era as him is both a blessing and a curse."

"They share the surname Ning, yet the disparity between them is vast."

Once they learned that Ning Yang’s projection had developed consciousness, no one held out any hope for Ning Xuan. Except for Si Lanyi.

"I stepped aside for you," she murmured softly. "You won’t let me down!"

As it turned out, Si Lanyi had lost intentionally. Obviously, a projection would have no awareness of such a thing. Unfortunately, of everyone present, perhaps only the mysterious ferryman knew this fact.

Back inside the Heavenly Stele Battlefield, Ning Xuan immediately retreated after his sword landed its mark. A gash had appeared on Ning Yang’s throat. Ning Xuan could even see a corner of the Heavenly Stele behind him through the wound.

But then, the mysterious runes lit up again, and the wound actually healed!

Ning Xuan’s eyes narrowed as he said in a low voice, "Heavenly Stele Runes!"

"Correct! Heavenly Stele Runes!" Ning Yang boasted. "The Heavenly Stele is an artifact from beyond the heavens, possessing unfathomably profound powers! Once I comprehend all of its mysteries, I shall enter the world! By then, both you and my original self will become my nourishment!"