novelraw Chapter 686: Tianjiang as the Bride Price
Chapter 686: Tianjiang as the Bride Price
"Scram!"
With just one word, spoken in an unbelievably cold tone, heaven and earth trembled.
Mountains cowered, clouds shirked, and the wind and snow fell silent like cicadas in winter!
That voice carried an unimaginable power of collapse, with just a single strike, it severely wounded the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Temple who had erupted into action!
The Grand Elder coughed up blood and flew off the stage, collapsing to the ground, unable to get up for a long time.
He looked at Ning Fan in disbelief, his eyes filled with deep fear!
He had entered the Heavenly Court, and was even saved by Ning Fan from the white-haired Fate Immortal’s hands.
He knew how terrifying Ning Fan was; he recognized Ning Fan’s appearance!
On the stage, that young man in white, who had shielded Dugu behind him, the one who severely injured him with just one word and held Tianyi Yunshui like a dog, was indeed Ning Fan, the Calamitous Emperor of the Rain Realm!
He recognized Ning Fan, but most old monsters of the Sword World did not recognize Ning Fan’s appearance.
The Heavenly Emperor saw his grandson’s neck being grabbed by Ning Fan, furious beyond words!
His Grand Elder was of the Void Fragmentation Third Heavenly Layer, yet was severely injured by Ning Fan with one word.
Though he did not know who Ning Fan was, he knew Ning Fan’s cultivation was at least of the Fifth Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm!
"Who... who are you!"
"Dare to harm my Grand Elder of the Heavenly Temple, you have quite the audacity, release my grandson immediately!"
The Heavenly Emperor stood abruptly, his eyes flashing red, a pressure from the Sixth Heavenly Layer bearing down on Ning Fan, attempting to intimidate him.
Ning Fan didn’t even glance at the pressure weighing down; he gazed at Tianyi Yunshui in his hand, his eyes always cold, with the intent to kill.
"Don’t kill him... I don’t want to see you kill," Little Dugu suddenly spoke softly behind him.
She didn’t like seeing Ning Fan kill; she would rather he always remain that young Vein Opening cultivator who first entered Seven Apricot City, with hands free of blood.
Ning Fan was momentarily startled, turned to see Dugu’s clear gaze, and sighed.
With a casual toss, he threw Tianyi Yunshui down from the stage, no longer paying attention to this young Void Glimpse cultivator.
He stood there, and the Heavenly Emperor’s pressure simply could not descend.
He turned around, looked at Dugu, smiled, and said, "I have arrived."
"Hmph, little demon Ning, it’s good that you know your place. If you break your promise to me, I will never forgive you."
Dugu snorted lightly, yet there was a hint of a smile on her serene face.
The Heavenly Emperor felt slightly relieved seeing Ning Fan spare Tianyi Yunshui.
Seeing that his pressure couldn’t affect Ning Fan at all, he secretly thought perhaps Ning Fan was a Fracture Tier Six Cultivator, unafraid of his pressure.
With a leap from the high platform, he placed the fallen Grand Elder and Tianyi Yunshui behind him, and coldly looked at Ning Fan.
So what if you’re a Fracture Tier Six! If someone harms my Temple’s people, they must give me an explanation!
"Who exactly are you! You dare harm my Temple’s people; today you must give me an explanation, or else... hmph!"
The Heavenly Emperor’s eyes were full of menace.
All the cultivators around were guessing Ning Fan’s identity.
The Miao Emperor pondered silently; he always felt Ning Fan’s demeanor was somewhat akin to the indifferent Old Han.
The Ling Emperor’s gaze softened slightly, and he seemed to have formed a liking for this unfamiliar young man in white.
If it weren’t for that young man in white’s rescue, Dugu would have likely been taught a lesson by the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Temple.
But just now, Dugu actually called this young man little demon Ning... Could this young man be Old Han’s disciple, the one Little Dugu was always thinking about!
Thinking of this, any nascent fondness the Ling Emperor had for Ning Fan vanished completely, his eyes filled with hostility.
Upon further thought, he was shocked once again.
It was said that when Ning Fan and Little Dugu planted the Dugu sword seal back then, he only had Nascent Soul power, and wasn’t even a true Nascent Soul cultivator...
Now, has he achieved Void Fragmentation realm, and in just a few years, his cultivation has advanced so rapidly!
Moreover, this Void Fragmentation realm was at least of the Sixth Heavenly Layer, for although Ling Emperor couldn’t see through Ning Fan’s level, he felt that his own cultivation was inferior to Ning Fan’s.
Upon further reflection, Ning Fan was from the Rain Immortal World, surname Ning, with cultivation above the Sixth Layer...
In an instant, Ling Emperor seemed to have guessed Ning Fan’s identity, his gaze shivered, yet he said nothing more.
In response to the Heavenly Emperor’s questioning, Ning Fan’s gaze turned cold, and he took a step towards the Heavenly Emperor.
With just one step, 2720 strands of black and white Qi swirled around him, life and death intertwined!
With just one step, the aura of the Sixth Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm spread out, forming a silent storm!
This step was taken on the path of life and death, with indescribable mystery!
No one present had reached the Seventh Heavenly Layer, so naturally, no one could see the mystery in this step.
The Heavenly Emperor could only vaguely perceive that Ning Fan’s step was extraordinary, and in the next moment, an overwhelming pressure struck his chest, causing his breathing to become erratic. He hurriedly retreated several steps before barely stabilizing himself, his forehead already drenched in cold sweat!
Sixth Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm!
How could the Heavenly Emperor not see that Ning Fan was a Fracture Tier Six Cultivator, and that Ning Fan’s strength far surpassed his own!
"I, Ning Fan! It was I who injured them, how do you expect me to answer!"
This was Ning Fan’s response!
His voice wasn’t loud, yet it echoed throughout the Ling Wilderness Great Marsh, rendering the multitude of cultivators silent!
Everyone’s gaze was filled with deep awe, looking at Ning Fan in disbelief!
Tianyi Yunshui was also utterly shocked; he prided himself as the first young talent in the Sword World, daring to act arrogantly there, yet he knew who could be provoked and who couldn’t!
The Rain World’s Ning Fan is now the person least to be offended in the nine worlds!
The hand The Heavenly Emperor had hidden in his sleeve was completely drenched in cold sweat!
He looked at Ning Fan, and the arrogance in his eyes from before was gone,
Explanation... How dare he ask Ning Fan for an explanation!
He is the Heavenly Emperor, with aspirations of uniting the Sword World, but those ambitions were only confined to the internal affairs of the Sword World.
He dared to act against the Ling Palace, yet no matter what, he could not afford to offend the Rain World, much less Ning Fan, the Rain Emperor!
Ning Fan is someone whom rogue immortals of the Upper Three Worlds sought to win over with all their might, and it’s said that Ning Fan himself possesses the power to slay immortal rogues!
Such a person, one alone is enough to level the Heavenly Temple, how could he dare to offend him!
"The Rain Emperor jests, how could this old man dare to ask the Rain Emperor for any explanation..."
The Heavenly Emperor forced a few smiles on his rigid face, yet it met with Ning Fan’s consistently cold gaze.
"Were you not asking for an explanation? Fine, I, Ning, am always a reasonable person. I’ll give you an explanation and tell you why I hurt someone. She is mine, anyone who harms her, I shall kill! Does this explanation satisfy you?"
Ning Fan squinted his eyes, pointing at Dugu next to him. A very dangerous feeling immediately rose in the Heavenly Emperor’s heart.
The Heavenly Emperor’s expression changed, not expecting that Dugu was Ning Fan’s woman! He did not expect Ling Palace to have such a strong backing!
At the same time, Tianyi Yunshui was also breaking out in a cold sweat!
He never knew that the person who made a One Heart Sword Seal with Dugu was none other than Ning Fan, the illustrious Rain Emperor!
If he had known, how would he have dared to compete with the illustrious Rain Emperor for a woman!
Dugu was utterly speechless, she never remembered agreeing to be Ning Fan’s woman!
She also didn’t remember, when Ning Fan had ever reasoned things out!
The Grand Elder of the Heavenly Temple sighed deeply, struggling to stand, looking at Ning Fan with shame.
In the ancient Heavenly Court, Ning Fan saved his life, yet now he bullies the weak, striking at Dugu... Dugu is Ning Fan’s woman.
"If I, Ning, have not mistaken, in the ancient Heavenly Court, I seem to have saved your life, didn’t I? Today, have you come to repay kindness with enmity?!"
Ning Fan glanced coldly at the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Temple; the shame on the Grand Elder’s face deepened, he said nothing more, raised a hand, and struck at Tian Ling.
Upon striking, his injuries worsened immediately, and he coughed up blood incessantly.
His cultivation at the Third Heavenly Layer of Void Fragmentation descended to the Second Heavenly Layer.
"It is this old man who has wronged the Rain Emperor, there is nothing more to say. If the Rain Emperor feels the punishment is too light, you may as well take this old man’s life, this old man will have no objections!"
This man spoke steadfastly. Indeed, his actions have been despicable, but he could also be considered someone who dares to take responsibility for his actions.
The Heavenly Emperor’s eyes revealed a look of pain.
The Grand Elder is his right arm, and now his cultivation has fallen, undoubtedly causing a great loss to the power of the Heavenly Temple.
"Which hand harmed her?" Ning Fan looked at the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Temple, coldly asking.
The Grand Elder of the Heavenly Temple didn’t speak much, gritting his teeth and raising his right arm.
Swish!
A sword gleam formed by Life and Death Qi flashed, and the Grand Elder’s right arm was immediately severed by a single stroke.
If a cultivator’s arm is severed by Life and Death Qi, unless they also excel in Life and Death Qi, they cannot restore the arm.
The Grand Elder of the Heavenly Temple groaned, his face paled a bit further, yet there was a hint of relief in his eyes.
He understood that by Ning Fan severing his arm, it meant he would not kill him.
All surrounding cultivators were terrified, each and every one of them frozen in fear.
Legend had it that Rain Emperor Ning Fan was an extremely ruthless person, and now upon witnessing it, the legend was indeed true.
"So ruthless..." The Heavenly Emperor clenched his fist, yet he dared not say more.
However, the Ling Emperor couldn’t stand by any longer, he stood up, looking at Ning Fan with a dark face.
"You, as the Divine Emperor of the Rain World, coming here to my Sword World to behave arrogantly, is it that you don’t regard the Three Emperors of our Sword World at all?"
The Ling Emperor was the only one present who did not fear Ning Fan.
What nonsense, he wasn’t even afraid of the old monster, let alone Ning Fan!
Not only did he not fear Ning Fan, he was extremely displeased with Ning Fan’s despicable act of whisking away Little Dugu!
That master was like this, and now the disciple is too, truly hateful!
"Ning Fan! He, he is my father!" Little Dugu suddenly grasped Ning Fan’s sleeve nervously, afraid that Ning Fan might offend her father.
Ning Fan smiled and shook his head; is he someone who is so ungrateful? How could he possibly act rudely towards his future father-in-law?
Without the coldness he showed towards the Heavenly Temple cultivators, Ning Fan made a smiling gesture and clasped his hands towards the Ling Emperor.
"Junior Ning Fan, greets the Ling Emperor."
"Uh..."
The Ling Emperor was taken aback, his previously stern face loosened a bit.
He completely did not expect that the arrogant and domineering Ning Fan would have such a courteous side and would treat him so respectfully, even acting as a junior.
Compared to the shameless and indecent old monster, this young man seemed much more pleasing to the eye.
Besides, he was protective of Dugu in every way, unlike the old monster, who harmed Mei’er so...
The cultivators from all directions were all stunned, none expected that the devil lord Ning also had such a well-mannered and rational side.
"Cough... Ning Daoist is the Divine Emperor of the Rain World, for saving my little daughter, this emperor is deeply grateful. However, the punishment for the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Temple should be executed by this emperor, there’s no need for Ning Daoist to overstep your bounds. Also, regarding what you said earlier... Even though my little daughter formed a One Heart Sword Seal with you, it seems you haven’t married yet, correct? Such words, please refrain from speaking in front of outsiders."
Ning Fan’s eyes flickered subtly, he could see that the Ling Emperor’s attitude towards him had already shifted.
This was good, as the Ling Emperor is Dugu’s father, Ning Fan did not wish to harbor ill feelings with the Ling Emperor, making things difficult for Dugu.
Moreover, the implied meaning behind the Ling Emperor’s words seemed to indicate he had already tacitly agreed to his affair with Dugu. Ning Fan could hear this, and so could others.
Dugu too sensed this, her charming face tinted with a slight blush, yet she didn’t say much more and merely looked at Ning Fan with gratitude.
Grateful that Ning Fan hadn’t strained relations with her father.
"What Senior says is quite true, matters of the Sword World are indeed affairs that this junior shouldn’t interfere with, but today’s situation seems somewhat special, if this junior does not act, it seems the Snow Frontier will encounter a great calamity..."
Ning Fan’s tone was extremely calm. As soon as he spoke, the Ling Emperor’s expression suddenly changed, "Catastrophe?! What catastrophe! What do you mean, young friend!"
"Senior, you shouldn’t ask me, you should ask the Heavenly Emperor. Get out here!"
Ning Fan’s spirit sense frantically spread, carrying an overwhelming evil aura, dyeing the entire sky over Ling Wilderness Great Marsh in blood-red.
The spirit sense shook violently, and immediately thousands of hidden experts appeared one by one in the sky!
Most of these people were Heavenly Temple experts, with a few being external helpers invited by the Heavenly Emperor!
Three Fifth Heavenly Layer, two Sixth Heavenly Layer, one Seventh Heavenly Layer!
These people were hidden here, escaping everyone’s detection, naturally with bad intentions!
All the surrounding cultivators had a drastic change in their expressions.
What is the Heavenly Emperor plotting, gathering so many powerful people!
Ling Emperor’s gaze was furious, the foreboding in his heart finally verified!
"Tianyi Xiong, bringing so many experts, do you intend to destroy my Ling Palace!"
"Uh... this..." The Heavenly Emperor was sweating profusely. Without Ning Fan’s intervention, he would indeed have dared to destroy Ling Palace.
But now that Ning Fan has arrived, and has such a close relationship with Ling Palace, he wouldn’t dare destroy Ling Palace even with ten times the courage.
He wanted to deny, but the facts were plainly obvious, how could he deny?
Among the hidden thousands of experts, except for those few old monsters above Fifth Heavenly Layer, all the others were from the Heavenly Temple.
Any further explanation was pointless. Anyone with clear eyes could see the Heavenly Temple’s malicious intent towards Ling Palace, just unlucky.
Everything proceeded according to plan, flawlessly, yet Ning Fan appeared unexpectedly.
In front of such a level of expert as Ning Fan, any conspiracy was useless.
"Daoist Ning, how should we handle this matter!" Ling Emperor gritted his teeth.
He had previously maintained the Heavenly Temple in consideration of being fellow Sword Kings, but now in retrospect, it was truly foolish!
Others were prepared to destroy him, yet he was helping count money, foolish, foolish!
Little Dugu was shaking with anger, if Ning Fan hadn’t appeared, would the Heavenly Temple have long destroyed Ling Palace!
Why! Why must forces as Sword Kings kill each other!
"It’s nothing but insatiability. Don’t be afraid, I’m here."
As if seeing through Little Dugu’s thoughts, Ning Fan reached out, stroked her hair, indicating she could relax.
Such intimate action made Little Dugu somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, yet she did not push Ning Fan’s hand away.
Ning Fan looked up at the three Fifth, two Sixth, and one Seventh Heavenly Layer experts above the sky, his gaze turned cold.
What a coincidence, these people were ones he had saved in the ancient Heavenly Court.
"We did not know the relationship between the Rain Emperor and Ling Palace, if we knew, we would never dare to obey the Heavenly Emperor to strike Ling Palace. Please, Rain Emperor, punish us!"
All six old monsters gritted their teeth, looking shamefully at Ning Fan, and resentfully at the Heavenly Emperor.
Ning Fan had saved their lives, and they actually wanted to destroy Ning Fan’s father-in-law, really, really...
They originally didn’t dare offend Ning Fan, yet in this manner, they had completely offended him.
All because of the Heavenly Emperor!
"Tianyi Xiong! If I don’t die, I will tear you limb from limb!" The Seventh Heavenly Layer cultivator looked at the Heavenly Emperor with hatred, making the latter’s spine chill.
"Abolish one level of your cultivation and leave an arm!" Ning Fan’s tone was calm, yet carried an unyielding power.
He didn’t kill, only because Little Dugu didn’t like it.
She didn’t like it, so he didn’t want to show that bloodthirsty aspect in front of her.
All six old monsters looked relieved.
They had entered the ancient Heavenly Court, knew how ruthless Ning Fan was, having single-handedly exterminated the entire Burial Immortal Clan.
He is a ruthless demon, merely abolishing one level of their cultivation and taking an arm, was already merciful.
All six old monsters slightly gritted their teeth, then each struck at their Tian Ling, self-abolishing one level of their cultivation.
Subsequently, all six extended an arm, and Ning Fan flicked out six black and white blades, severing one arm from each of the six.
This was punishment!
"You may leave now!"
Ning Fan casually spoke, yet the six felt like they were given a huge reprieve, without a second thought, they used the key to the Rain Realm, each returning home.
It wasn’t until they truly returned to their respective domains that the six believed they had truly preserved their lives.
"This... this is the might of the Rain Emperor! Merely by reputation can he make old monsters of the Seventh Heavenly Layer self-abolish cultivation, sacrificing an arm!"
The Heavenly Emperor swallowed nervously, looked at Ning Fan with great fear.
Ning Fan’s reputation surpassed that of ordinary Loose Immortal Ancestors!
He only needed to reveal his name, not even needing to act, others were already intimidated!
The Heavenly Emperor was full of regret, how did he offend someone like this!
"Little Dugu didn’t let me kill, so I won’t kill. Tianyi Xiong, Tianyi Yunshui, I will give you a chance to live. Serve as my slaves, and you can stay alive!"
"What! Be your slaves! Impossible! I am one of the Three Kings of the Sword World..."
Tianyi Xiong just started to refute, and at the next moment, cold sweat broke out.
Ning Fan had somehow already appeared directly behind him, gazing coldly at him.
"Three breaths." Ning Fan coldly uttered two words.
The meaning couldn’t be clearer, within three breaths, if Tianyi Xiong wasn’t submissive, he would die!
One breath passed, and Tianyi Xiong’s heart felt as if it was being cut by a knife.
Two breaths passed, and Tianyi Xiong’s mind was in turmoil.
The third breath...
Tianyi Xiong gritted his teeth, knelt before Ning Fan, his face ashen, and said, "I... am willing to serve as a slave."
"Very good."
Ning Fan released his spirit sense, planted a Restrictive Spell in Tianyi Xiong’s divine sense, and casually reduced Tianyi Xiong’s cultivation to the First Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm.
Tianyi Xiong sighed in despair but did not dare to resist.
Ning Fan glanced at Tianyi Yunshui.
With just a cold look, Tianyi Yunshui, the proud first talent of Sword World, was so frightened that he wet his pants.
"I am willing to serve as a slave, I am willing to serve as a slave!"
Ning Fan furrowed his brow, glanced at Dugu, and saw Dugu shaking his head slightly, his eyes filled with reluctance. Ning Fan sighed.
Although he despised this person, he was unwilling to kill in front of Little Dugu, fearing it would displease him.
He released his spirit sense, planted a Restrictive Spell in Tianyi Yunshui’s divine sense, and casually reduced his cultivation to the Harmonious Spirit level.
Forget it, if he can’t kill him, at least make him a Harmonious Spirit cripple...
"I’ve kept my life! I’ve kept my life!" Tianyi Yunshui was overjoyed and repeatedly kowtowed to Ning Fan in thanks, no longer maintaining his previous gentle demeanor.
"From today, you shall be the Heavenly Emperor of the Encompassing Heaven Hall."
Ning Fan looked at the Grand Elder of the Ling Palace and said indifferently.
The Grand Elder of the Ling Palace also went to the ancient Heavenly Court and was saved by Ning Fan. He is a cultivator at the Third Heavenly Layer of the Void Fragmentation Realm.
Ning Fan did this to hand over the power of the Encompassing Heaven Hall to the Ling Palace.
This is a betrothal gift!
"I, Ning Fan, am willing to offer Tianjiang as a betrothal gift, seeking to marry Dugu. Please, Ling Emperor, consent!"
Ning Fan bowed deeply in the direction of the Ling Emperor, and his words shocked all the cultivators present in the Sword World!
Offering Tianjiang as a betrothal gift, offering Tianjiang as a betrothal gift!
The Rain Emperor’s grand gesture, conquering the entire Tianjiang force with a wave of his hand, and using one-third of the Sword World’s force as a betrothal gift, to marry a woman!
The Ling Emperor’s gaze was one of shock upon shock. Though he had heard of Ning Fan’s prowess, seeing is believing. Now, witnessing Ning Fan overturn the Encompassing Heaven Hall with a wave, he was naturally astonished.
Having heard Ning Fan offered the entire Tianjiang as a betrothal gift to marry Dugu, the offer was indeed too significant!
For a moment, he did not know how to respond to Ning Fan.
Countless female cultivators looked at Dugu with boundless envy.
If they could meet a man who would offer an entire realm as a betrothal gift to marry them, how fortunate would that be...
Little Dugu blushed under the gaze of the crowd, snorted lightly, and glared at Ning Fan in embarrassment and annoyance.
"I didn’t kill anyone today; are you happy?" Ning Fan smiled.
"Happy my foot!"
Little Dugu turned her head away, but in the instant her eyes shifted, there was a hint of happiness in them.
That damned little demon Ning... hmph...
Ning Fan, seeing Little Dugu’s embarrassed state, couldn’t help but recall their first meeting, her initial aloofness and indifference, leading him to smile.
Suddenly, Ning Fan coldly raised his head.
In the sky, an elder riding a crane slowly appeared, with white hair fluttering and a look of regret in his eyes.
"I am Xudaozi of the Immortal Realm, with old ties to Tianjiang. Don’t know if the Rain Emperor might spare the current Heavenly Emperor for my sake and return Tianjiang?"
As the crane-riding elder spoke, countless Sword World cultivators’ expressions changed.
Xudaozi of the Immortal Realm, one of the three great Loose Immortals of the Immortal Realm!
During the last trip to the ancient Heavenly Court, the Immortal Realm sent only one Loose Immortal, Xudaozi didn’t go.
It is said he didn’t go because he was in seclusion, contemplating life and death.
It’s further said that after this seclusion, Xudaozi’s comprehension of the Dao of Life and Death is no weaker than the old Yuan Emperor of the Demon World!
His strength is amongst the top in the nine worlds!
He intended to stand up for the Encompassing Heaven Hall?
The empty eyes of the Heavenly Emperor suddenly showed a hint of joy, and he shouted, "Senior, save me!"
He had no idea of Xudaozi’s connection with Tianjiang.
However, with someone standing up for Tianjiang, he was naturally delighted!
"No!" Ning Fan’s tone was cold and left no room for negotiation.
"Is that so? Then this old man shall test your formidable skills, Daoist Ning, and see if you are truly as invincible in the nine worlds as rumored!"
Xudaozi leaped from the crane, and with a single step, a half-black, half-white lotus appeared beneath his feet.
With another step, yet another lotus appeared!
His figure flickered, and in an instant, he had taken thousands of steps, growing a thousand lotus flowers.
"Immortal Technique, walking on lotuses!"
Among the thousand lotuses, the old man’s figure flashed out, looking down upon Ning Fan with an arrogant gaze.
He did not believe Ning Fan possessed the terrifying power of the rumors!
The thousand lotus flowers all ignited with lotus fire, slowly emanating a terrifying oppressive aura from the old man’s body.
Cultivators of the surrounding Sword World were overwhelmed by the pressure, and those with inferior cultivation all fainted!
"Words are useless, let’s fight! If you can defeat me with just a trick or two, Tianjiang will be yours!" Xudaozi said coldly. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)