Chapter 171: Chapter 168: Lin Family Master
The sword aura fell, peerlessly sharp.
Like a thunderbolt crashing down, it was so dazzling that it parted the heavy rain in the sky.
This slash tore through the night sky as it flew toward Ning Jiang.
The sword aura was pure white and a thousand feet long, like a white rainbow piercing the sun or a comet striking the moon. Its momentum was unstoppable.
Even from hundreds of yards away, the countless Martial Artists on both banks of the Qingjiang felt the Sword Qi wash over them, a cutting sensation that made their skin sting.
The expressions of the many Innate List Powerhouses changed drastically, their gazes turning extremely grave.
"I’m afraid the power of this strike is a notch above even the Vajra King’s."
The master from the Gale Sword Sect said gravely after some deliberation.
Duan Wuya was originally ranked second on the Innate List, already a notch stronger than Meng Bubai.
This latest slash had completely condensed his Essence, Qi, and Spirit, elevating it to a terrifying new level.
In the eyes of many, this slash was powerful enough to rival Celestial Thunder, possessing an unstoppable might that could slay anything.
"Not bad."
Ning Jiang exclaimed in admiration. He saw that after Duan Wuya had unleashed this slash, the skin all over his body had gone slack, as if he were utterly drained of strength.
Clearly, a slash this powerful had required Duan Wuya to use every last bit of his strength.
"Duan Wuya is so much stronger than he was ten years ago."
Someone exclaimed in amazement. Many had witnessed the battle ten years ago when Duan Wuya and Meng Bubai joined forces to fight Chu Bai.
This scene felt surreal to many of the onlookers.
’Isn’t Ning Jiang now just like the Sword King Chu Bai back then?’
"Slaying Heaven and Earth."
Ning Jiang’s white robes fluttered in the wind as he swung his sword down.
The second form of the Great Sun Sword Technique: Slaying Heaven and Earth.
He had only used this sword strike once before, at Pill King Valley. Back then, he had used it to easily shatter the Fire Dragon Array, forcing the entire valley to submit.
And now, he used this strike again!
A golden light soared into the air, illuminating the night sky until it was the only thing visible.
RUUUMBLE!
Before everyone’s eyes, the white sword aura violently collided with the golden Sword Aura, producing a terrifying sound comparable to a volcanic eruption.
The entire sky was filled with blinding light, and the sound nearly deafened the onlookers.
A vast, surging shockwave instantly radiated in all directions from the point of impact.
Like a passing hurricane, the attack stirred the Qingjiang into monstrous waves over a hundred feet high. The surface of the river directly beneath them was pushed down so far that the riverbed became visible.
The many Martial Artists on the banks retreated again and again. Only the Innate Limit Strong People could stand their ground and watch the terrifying scene unfold.
"Who won?"
The crowd stared with wide eyes.
To many, Sword King Duan Wuya had trained bitterly for ten years, and this slash had reached the absolute peak of power. No matter how strong Ning Jiang was, he ought to be severely injured.
Even the Vajra King sighed inwardly. ’Ten years have passed, and Duan Wuya is still a notch stronger than me.’
The many Innate List Powerhouses present all asked themselves the same question. ’Even if all of us on the list joined forces, I doubt we could block such a terrifying strike.’
"Sigh... In the end, I still lost."
Suddenly, a sighing voice emerged.
As the light faded, Duan Wuya could be seen with a bitter smile on his face.
His Thunderbolt Slash was ultimately no match for Ning Jiang’s Slaying Heaven and Earth.
"Under all of heaven, I’m afraid only Chu Bai is still your match."
Duan Wuya’s gaze sharpened, and he said slowly, "You are truly worthy of those four words: Unrivaled in the World!"
’As for who is stronger between Ning Jiang and Chu Bai, that’s difficult for me to judge.’
But he was certain that Ning Jiang would one day surpass Sword King Chu Bai.
Ning Jiang was so young, it was frightening.
’Ning Jiang is already this terrifying now. In a few more years, what heights will he reach?’
’Beyond the Spirit Realm?’
How many years had it been since a Spirit Realm master had appeared in Cyan Cloud Country?
Silence fell all around.
Unrivaled in the World.
Duan Wuya, a Sword King of his generation, had acknowledged those four words. Who would dare question Ning Jiang now?
"The strongest of this era."
The master from the Gale Sword Sect’s voice trembled. After this battle, Ning Jiang was now definitively the strongest powerhouse in Cyan Cloud Country.
"I wonder if even Sword King Chu Bai could defeat him?"
Many thought of Sword King Chu Bai. Of the three great Kings, two had already fallen at Ning Jiang’s hands. Now, only Sword King Chu Bai remained.
"Perhaps if Young Master Soaring Dragon achieves Innate Invincibility, he’ll have the right to challenge him."
Several of the other young masters gathered together, stunned by Ning Jiang’s Power. After this battle, proud and arrogant as they were, they had no choice but to admit that Ning Jiang was now far beyond their reach.
"His era is about to begin."
Countless other Martial Artists gasped in awe.
"To think that two of the great Kings have been defeated."
The members of the Jiang and Cheng Families stood aboard a large ship, their expressions grim. They had captured Ning Jiang’s people, choosing to make an enemy of him.
They couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread at the power Ning Jiang had just displayed.
"What’s done is done. Everyone, there’s no need to fear him. If he comes looking for trouble, the Lin Family will protect us."
The old Patriarch of the Jiang Family’s expression was dark.
The others nodded. Although they were wary of Ning Jiang, their fear subsided considerably when they remembered they had the Lin Family backing them.
BOOM!
Just as they were speaking, an overwhelming pressure suddenly descended upon them.
Everyone started. They saw the white-haired youth in the air, walking toward them step by step like a Divine King descending to the mortal realm. With each step he took, the immense pressure on them grew stronger.
By the time Ning Jiang landed before them, some with weaker Cultivation could no longer withstand it and collapsed to their knees on the spot.
Even the old Patriarchs of the two families felt a suffocating pressure, as if a great mountain were pressing down on them.
One could never know how truly terrifying Ning Jiang was without facing him directly!
"The Cheng and Jiang Families... you captured my people?"
Ning Jiang’s simple question struck their ears like a clap of thunder or the blast of a cannon.
Faced with such might, the members of the two families felt like small boats in a raging storm, in danger of capsizing at any moment.
"Brother Ning, please calm your anger. Your people are all fine. No one has been harmed."
Just then, a voice rang out as a young man emerged from the ship’s cabin.
The young man wore a Jade Crown and had a dignified air about him.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My surname is Lin, and my name is Lin Baixuan." The young man spoke with casual confidence, unfazed by Ning Jiang’s oppressive aura.
’Lin? Which family is that?’
At first, many people were confused, unsure of Lin Baixuan’s identity. But when they saw the members of the two families showing him a hint of reverence, some of the more prominent figures in the crowd had a flash of realization, their eyes widening in shock as they guessed his identity.
"Could he be from *the* Lin Family?!"
"The Lin Family?"
Many who were unaware of them were confused, having never heard of this Lin Family.
"The Lin Family is Cyan Cloud’s First Family. They’ve always kept a low profile, acting like a reclusive clan, so most people don’t know of them."
As a few people explained, the surrounding crowd gradually came to understand the Lin Family’s background.
Cyan Cloud’s First Family, a family that might even be overseen by a Spirit Realm master!
As this information spread, the faces of the many Martial Artists filled with utter shock.
For many of them, this was the first time they had ever heard such a thing.
’No wonder the Jiang and Cheng Families dared to do something like this. So they had the Lin Family backing them all along. But what is the Lin Family’s goal? They’ve always kept a low profile. Are they planning to make their move on the world now?’
The leaders of many prominent Noble Families exchanged uncertain glances.
The Lin Family had always remained in seclusion, so most people in Cyan Cloud Country were completely unaware of their existence.
’But for Lin Baixuan to reveal himself on such a grand occasion, what could his purpose be?’
"Was it you who told them to capture my people?"
Ning Jiang’s voice was icy. He heard the murmurs from the crowd, but he paid them no mind.
He had never known fear, not since the day he first made his name.
’So what if they’re Cyan Cloud’s First Family? Anyone who dares to touch my people is my enemy.’
"Heh, Brother Ning, don’t be angry. Why not hear me out first?"
Lin Baixuan said lightly, "I only did this because I wanted to invite Brother Ning to be a guest at my Lin Family’s estate."
"A guest? Is this the Lin Family’s idea of hospitality? Kidnapping my people?"
Ning Jiang’s gaze was as sharp as a sword, causing Lin Baixuan to frown as he, too, felt the pressure.
After defeating two of the great Kings, the young man now possessed an invincible aura. Anyone who faced him would feel immense pressure.
The surrounding Martial Artists muttered among themselves. It was clear to everyone that the Lin Family’s intentions were anything but friendly.
’Otherwise, if they just wanted to invite Ning Jiang over as a guest, why would they need to kidnap his people?’
"You exaggerate, Brother Ning. I’ll say it again: my Lin Family merely wishes to invite you as a guest."
Lin Baixuan huffed, clearly displeased. His Lin Family was Cyan Cloud’s First Family; even the other great Noble Families had to bow their heads to him.
He had never encountered anyone with an attitude like Ning Jiang’s.
"And if I refuse?" Ning Jiang retorted.
Hearing this, Lin Baixuan’s eyes turned cold. "Brother Ning, your power is indeed astonishing, having defeated two of the great Kings. There are very few people left in Cyan Cloud Country who can restrain you. But let me remind you, this invitation to the Lin Family comes from the Lin Family Master himself. Do you truly believe, Brother Ning, that your power is enough to defy a Master?"
The Lin Family Master!
The moment those four words were spoken, the crowd erupted. The expressions of the Patriarchs of the major Noble Families all changed drastically.
The realm above the Innate Realm is the Spirit Realm.
And a Spirit Realm Powerhouse is also known as a Master.
Although everyone had suspected that the Lin Family might have a Spirit Realm Powerhouse in its ranks, they were still shocked to hear it confirmed by Lin Baixuan himself.
This was a Spirit Realm Powerhouse they were talking about!
If the three great Kings were merely the kings of Cyan Cloud Country, then a Spirit Realm Powerhouse was akin to an Emperor.
"Faced with a Spirit Realm Master, even Young Master Wushuang would have to bow his head, wouldn’t he?"
The people murmured amongst themselves.
However, Ning Jiang’s reply shocked everyone to their core. "Are you threatening me? A mere Lin Family Master? He’s nothing!"
The moment he spoke, absolute silence fell.
