Chapter 166: Chapter 163: Challenge at Qingjiang, Saber and Staff
In the valley.
Cao Tiangang and the others had already left.
"Young Master Wushuang, peerless under the heavens... a title like that is wonderful, of course, but won’t it attract a lot of trouble?" Wei Yanran asked, a little worried.
Peerless under the heavens.
Although these four words represented supreme glory, many would surely refuse to accept it.
She could already imagine the fierce disputes breaking out across the Cyan Cloud Country over the title "Peerless Under the Heavens."
After all, those four words placed Ning Jiang above everyone else, instantly thrusting him into the eye of the storm.
"Indeed. Others might not dare to challenge you, but I doubt the three Kings will simply stand by and do nothing," Li Shiyu added with a nod.
The names of the three Kings had stood firm on the Innate List for a decade.
Now that a young man was stepping on their heads, would the three Kings really just watch and ignore it?
"It doesn’t matter. I know what you’re worried about."
Ning Jiang looked up at the sky and said nonchalantly, "The path of Martial Arts is inherently filled with trials and challenges. Pressure is a good thing. Only by turning pressure into motivation can one grow faster. As for the title ’Peerless Under the Heavens’... I’ll take it!"
It was just like in the past when Ning Jiang revealed his Heart-Sword Control, unafraid of letting people know he was the Young Sword Sect.
A Martial Artist must never just seek fortune and avoid disaster.
Even if there are calamities and challenges, one must face them head-on, fearing nothing.
The strong are fearless!
"I understand."
Wei Yanran nodded. She understood Ning Jiang’s intentions. He actually wanted people to challenge him; that’s what made things interesting.
"Take this Ninth Transformation Refining Pill Technique and cultivate it well."
Just then, Ning Jiang took out a Pill Formula and handed it to Wei Yanran.
"What is this?" Wei Yanran was taken aback.
"The Third Transformation Refining Pill Technique I taught you before was just the preface. This is the true, complete version."
Ning Jiang said calmly. When Wei Yanran had been brutally tortured, she had been willing to die rather than reveal the Pill Formula. That had earned her his approval.
’This Iceberg Beauty is actually quite loyal and righteous. She’s worth cultivating properly,’ he thought.
Of course, in the context of his vast repository of memories, the Ninth Transformation Refining Pill Technique still wasn’t considered top-tier.
But for Wei Yanran, it was more than enough. Even if he taught her something better, it would be too profound for her to comprehend.
Something like Alchemy required steady, step-by-step accumulation of knowledge and experience.
After taking the Ninth Transformation Refining Pill Technique from Ning Jiang’s hands, Wei Yanran glanced at it, and profound shock immediately filled her eyes.
’If I master this Pill Formula, I’ll be able to refine nine Supreme Grade Elixirs at once...’
Wei Yanran was utterly shocked. A Pill Formula like this was priceless, enough to drive the entire Cyan Cloud Country into a frenzy.
Yet, Ning Jiang had given it to her directly, without any hesitation.
"You don’t have to thank me. I have my own selfish reasons for training you. Whether it’s the Alchemy Alliance or the Pill King Valley, I need someone to manage them for me. You’re the candidate I’ve chosen."
To put it bluntly, Ning Jiang simply didn’t have that much time to manage the Pill King Valley and the Alchemy Alliance.
What he valued most was still his own Cultivation.
Therefore, he needed a representative to take charge of everything for him.
He would stay behind the scenes, a hands-off manager who didn’t need to worry about a thing.
"Huh?"
Wei Yanran gasped, covering her mouth in disbelief.
She never imagined that Ning Jiang would entrust her with so much power.
The Pill King Valley and the Alchemy Alliance... If she could control powers like these, a single stomp of her foot could shake the entire Cyan Cloud Country. A single order could mobilize countless experts, wielding the force of an avalanche.
And Ning Jiang was offering her a position like that?
"Of course, if you’re not willing, it’s fine. I won’t force you."
Ning Jiang said calmly. If Wei Yanran refused, he could find someone else. It was just that Wei Yanran was more trustworthy, and he wouldn’t have to worry about betrayal.
The light in Wei Yanran’s beautiful eyes flickered uncertainly. Finally, she took a deep breath and smiled. "Alright. I’ll manage everything for you."
According to her original personality, Wei Yanran would never have agreed to this. She knew her own limits; she was just a bit prettier than most.
Beyond that, her Martial Arts skills weren’t top-tier, and while her Alchemy had reached the Grandmaster level, her experience was too shallow. To take charge of forces like the Pill King Valley and the Alchemy Alliance, she would have a hard time winning people over.
’You’re too dazzling. If I don’t strive to climb higher, one day I’ll be completely forgotten by you...’
Wei Yanran murmured to herself as she watched Ning Jiang’s retreating figure.
"Lu Changsheng, did you hear that? From now on, you will assist Wei Yanran. Everyone in the Pill King Valley will obey her commands. If you do well, I can pass the Ninth Transformation Refining Pill Technique to you as well," Ning Jiang said.
He was using both a carrot and a stick. He first dangled the Ninth Transformation Refining Pill Technique to entice Lu Changsheng. For an Alchemist like him, a top-level Pill Formula was a fatal temptation.
"Yes, I will obey the Pill King’s every command."
As expected, Lu Changsheng responded respectfully, without any defiance.
"Alright. I’m going into seclusion for a few days. No matter what happens, do not disturb me."
"Understood."
...
In the quiet mountain valley.
A Pill Cauldron, and a young man.
This time, Ning Jiang was going to refine an Elixir to raise his Cultivation to the Innate Peak in one go.
And this Elixir was different from the ones he had made before.
According to Ning Jiang’s estimates, this Elixir would take at least ten days to refine.
In this world, for some Elixirs, the most troublesome aspect wasn’t the difficulty of refinement, but the immense amount of time required.
For example, some Elixirs took seven times seven, forty-nine days.
Some even required nine times nine, eighty-one days.
And those were the short ones. One hundred thousand years ago, Ning Jiang had seen Alchemists refine some earth-shattering Elixirs that took a thousand years.
On the third day of Ning Jiang’s focused Alchemy session.
News spread throughout the outside world, shaking everyone to their core!
Vajra King Meng Bubai, and Sword King Duan Wuya.
These two great Kings had actually emerged one after another!
Everyone who heard the news was dumbfounded. These two were Kings who had dominated Cyan Cloud for years. Before Ning Jiang appeared, they had been ranked second and third on the Innate List, respectively, for a decade without change.
"I can’t believe the two Kings have emerged. Haven’t they been in seclusion for ten years?"
"Yeah, ten years ago, after they were defeated by Sword King Chu Bai at Qingjiang, they vanished without a trace. But who could ever forget their names?"
"Vajra King Meng Bubai—his body is said to be Vajra Indestructible. His physique is even more terrifying than a Demon Beast’s."
"And Sword King Duan Wuya—before Chu Bai appeared, he was number one on the Innate List. Chu Bai was the latecomer who surpassed this senior expert in one fell swoop."
The crowd was abuzz with discussion.
When the news of the two Kings’ emergence spread, every corner of the Cyan Cloud Country erupted.
They were top-level figures known as Kings, who for ten years had remained in the top three of the Innate List, their positions unshakeable.
Now, ten years later, how much stronger had they become?
"The two Kings appearing at this time... they must be after that Young Master Wushuang, right?"
"Every expert strives to reach the summit. How could they be content to stand behind someone else?"
On this day, countless Martial Artists throughout the Cyan Cloud Country found it impossible to remain calm.
For many, these two Kings were figures they revered, respected by countless people.
"Heh heh, Young Master Wushuang... I think we’ll soon find out if he’s truly peerless under the heavens."
"Peerless under the heavens? Ptooey."
Many people gloated, taking pleasure in his misfortune.
Ning Jiang was simply too strong. He had appeared out of nowhere and immediately suppressed everyone else. The younger generation in particular, even figures like the Nine Great Young Masters, found their own brilliance dimmed by his presence.
His excellence had naturally attracted a great deal of jealousy.
Those who held grudges against Ning Jiang were especially eager to see him fall from his high pedestal and lose everything.
Amidst the fervent discussions boiling among countless Martial Artists across the country.
「July 20th.」
「Late at night.」
Sword King Duan Wuya and Vajra King Meng Bubai appeared at Qingjiang.
They sent out a message, challenging Ning Jiang to a battle at Qingjiang!
Instantly, the news hit like a bombshell, setting off a massive uproar in the Cyan Cloud Country. As expected, both Kings were targeting Ning Jiang.
The moment the news broke, countless Martial Artists went wild, all rushing toward Qingjiang.
"This might be the most spectacular battle in a century, even more world-shaking than the fight between Meng Bubai, Duan Wuya, and Chu Bai ten years ago."
"Exactly. One is a rising star who appeared out of nowhere, and the other two are Kings who have been gone for ten years. This is a clash between the new and the old. Will the new generation replace the old, or will the two Kings prove their skills are as sharp as ever?"
No one could sit still at this moment.
Even those lofty Innate Limit Strong Persons, and even the old Patriarchs of the Noble Families, were heading to Qingjiang.
Everyone knew this would be a world-shaking battle. To miss it would be a lifetime of regret.
「July 21st.」
Countless Martial Artists who had rushed to Qingjiang suggested that Sword King Duan Wuya should attempt the same feat Sword King Chu Bai had accomplished: splitting the river with a single strike.
Finally, under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Sword King Duan Wuya unsheathed his blade and, with a single slash, split the Qingjiang!
Everyone who witnessed the scene was completely stunned.
Ten years after Sword King Chu Bai had split the river with a single strike, Sword King Duan Wuya had become the second person to do so!
And after Duan Wuya split the river with his blade, Vajra King Meng Bubai, not to be outdone, made his move. Wielding a long staff, he struck down, and also severed the entire Qingjiang!
"They’re too powerful! The Qingjiang is over three hundred zhang wide! Even a mountain thrown into it would be completely submerged."
"Ten years ago, when Sword King Chu Bai split the river, he supposedly used a Martial Technique. But these two Kings just used a regular strike. Their strength now is a cut above what Chu Bai’s was ten years ago!"
"Phew... Ten years have passed, and the two Kings have become even more terrifying. I just wonder what kind of presence the former Sword King Chu Bai has now?"
Countless people sighed in amazement, their hearts filled with admiration for that Sword King.
「July 23rd.」
Three days had passed.
During these three days, more and more Martial Artists arrived at Qingjiang, including many prominent figures.
But what countless people found strange was that Ning Jiang still hadn’t appeared.
"He’s not scared, is he?" Doubts began to arise.
