Chapter 228: Hurry and Go, I'll Deal with Jiang Ning

"I told you, I'm not on the level of a successor. Even Kudhi, who ranks eighth in the Southern Region, is stronger than me."

Li Wei Yi shouted this, and his Yellow Dragon Sword thrust out like lightning from his right hand. Though it was a simple thrust, it formed three sword circles composed of countless sword shadows. The sharp, ear-piercing hum of the sword forced Kudhi, who had just landed, back and nearly sent him plunging into the river.

Kudhi, who looked only seventeen or eighteen, furrowed his brow, unsure what Li Wei Yi's sudden shout meant. He was a Seventh Sea cultivator, so being stronger than a Fifth Realm cultivator like Li Wei Yi was perfectly normal; if anything, he should have been surprised that Li Wei Yi could withstand his staff attack without injury and even counterattack.

"What a cunning mind! He deliberately claimed to be weaker than me to lull me into a false sense of security," Kudhi thought, becoming more vigilant.

After forcing Kudhi back, Li Wei Yi instantly transformed into a wisp of smoke, employing his fastest movement technique, leaving no trace as he rushed towards Qi Xiao and Shi Shishi, who were engaged in battle with Daodhi on the left side of the river. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Jidhi was also heading in that direction.

"What a strange fellow, even faster than me," Kudhi mused. "It seems the Li Wei Yi whom Master encountered in Jiuli City a year ago, whose karma couldn't be seen through, is this very Li Wei Yi."

Li Wei Yi arrived near the battlefield of Daodhi, Qi Xiao, and Shi Shishi a step ahead of Kudhi and Jidhi. His vital energy flowed into his arm and then into the Yellow Dragon Sword. His gaze and battle intent locked onto Daodhi. From his sword, a prolonged hum and a resounding dragon roar simultaneously emanated as he unleashed a horizontal slash with a force that seemed to sweep across heaven and earth. The sword energy, over ten meters long, traversed the void and struck Daodhi. Only by eliminating one of the Dhi first would there be a proper fight afterward.

"Screech!"

The sword energy was devastating. Daodhi's protective vital energy and battle intent were shattered by a single sword strike. Terror gripped his heart; he felt death approaching, and his entire body turned cold. A powerful will to survive erupted within him. Daodhi chose to endure Qi Xiao's blade with his monk's robe artifact, then, disregarding his internal injuries, he used his movement technique to escape to the opposite bank of the river.

Li Wei Yi's sword followed like a shadow, moving with the fleeing energy. His speed was considerably faster than Daodhi's.

"Clang!"

As he fled, Daodhi heard the sword's hum close behind him. He immediately turned and unleashed a palm strike. Before the palm's power could erupt... The Yellow Dragon Sword had already pierced his glabella.

"Puff!"

With the next strike, he decapitated Daodhi and placed the head into a bag. Blood dripped from the sword tip! Li Wei Yi's gaze was sharp and cold as he stared at the three Dhi who had caught up. "Daodhi is dead. Are you sure you still want to fight?"

It was too sudden! No one had expected that Daodhi, who had survived countless battles, would be killed by Li Wei Yi in just two sword strikes.

Ten paces away, golden flames erupted from Jidhi's eyes. He clenched his fists, rage boiling within him. "It was a strategic error on my part. We shouldn't have divided our forces into four groups to encircle them. I didn't anticipate that there would be three enemies, and one of them a successor!"

"I am not a successor! Daodhi died under the combined assault of the three of us. Before that, he had already been severely wounded resisting Qi Xiao's blade," Li Wei Yi said, feeling that everyone was exaggerating his abilities.

Miedhi, clad in a tiger-skin cassock artifact, revealed his sharp teeth. "We must avenge Daodhi. We'll at least kill one of them... Let it be Shi Shishi; he's the weakest."

"...Uh," Shi Shishi mumbled.

Li Wei Yi didn't want to fight, believing that continuing would surely attract other powerful experts. He said, "Let's call a truce here! If you want revenge, while we might be difficult to defeat, at least one more of you Dhi will die."

Miedhi looked at Kudhi and Jidhi. "The East City is ours now. He's scared, afraid of being tied down here and attracting even more formidable experts."

Kudhi and Jidhi nodded slightly, finding his analysis reasonable.

"No good!"

Qi Xiao looked at the map inside the invitation in his hand, his face instantly turning extremely grim, his voice trembling. "Someone with a Longevity Pill Voucher has already arrived nearby... This is big trouble..."

"What?"

Li Wei Yi and Shi Shishi felt their scalps tingle, growing tense as they scanned their surroundings. Those who held Longevity Pill Vouchers were among the top ten experts. Hua Yuzi, among the top ten, ranked lower and had only received one Longevity Pill Voucher from the Du'e Temple.

Of the twenty Longevity Pill Vouchers: The top three each received three. The fourth to seventh-ranked, four individuals, each received two. The eighth to tenth-ranked, three individuals, each received one. The number of Longevity Pill Vouchers divided the top ten experts into three tiers.

Tonight, the wind was fierce, rustling the trees and grass along the riverbank incessantly. Miedhi sneered, "Are you only feeling fear now? Isn't it too late?"

"Clip-clop!"

A carriage artifact inscribed with a hundred characters, pulled by three azure flame spirit horses, slowly approached the river from the long street behind Li Wei Yi and his two companions, blocking their escape route. Miedhi's smile gradually faded. He realized that the one approaching was not from the Far West Ashlands. Indeed, the Imperial Court, the Far West Ashlands, and the Snow Sword Tang Court had allied to attack the East Region tonight, but it would be a grave mistake to naively consider the other two factions as their own.

From the carriage, Jiang Ning's voice, as melodious as a heavenly song, resonated: "Which of you killed Daodhi?"

Upon hearing this voice, Miedhi's face, far from smiling, was almost on the verge of tears. It was well known that back in the Realm of the Deceased, when Jiang Ning pursued Longting, it was Yuwen Tuozhen, Miedhi, and Daodhi who ambushed her. She was wounded then and poisoned by the Night Emperor Toad, and later pursued from the Realm of the Deceased all the way to Qiuzhou. This was no small grudge!

Shi Shishi and Qi Xiao exchanged glances, barely daring to breathe. Li Wei Yi, looking thoughtful, raised his voice and said, "It could be said he barely died by my sword."

"And Yuwen Tuozhen?" Jiang Ning asked again.

Li Wei Yi looked at Qi Xiao. Qi Xiao wore a long face, regretting that his previous strike had been too quick. He completely lacked Li Wei Yi's courage to admit anything. He hadn't met Jiang Ning and didn't know who was in the carriage. However, anyone holding a Longevity Pill Voucher was certainly not someone he could afford to offend; they could probably take his life in a few moves. Shi Shishi recognized Jiang Ning's voice. Knowing he had ambushed Jiang Ning in Buried Immortal Town and pursued Zhuang Yue, he was naturally terrified.

The carriage stopped ten zhang away. The voice from within the carriage spoke again: "Yuwen Tuozhen, Daodhi, and Miedhi are all enemies I must personally kill. You've killed two of them, so whom should I kill?"

"Miedhi is still here!" Li Wei Yi pointed forward.

"You..."

Miedhi glared furiously at Li Wei Yi, then soared onto the back of a fifty-foot-long golden tiger apparition and fled backward in a hurry.

"Roar! Roar..."

The carriage curtain was lifted. Five misty dragon souls flew out, winding through the air, converging into a massive dragon with solid head, claws, and scales. The giant dragon swallowed the golden tiger apparition and Miedhi along with it. Miedhi screamed continuously, his cries utterly bloodcurdling.

Kudhi charged towards the giant dragon, about to make his move. However, with a dull thud, Miedhi fell from mid-air, a bloody mass of flesh, utterly lifeless.

"Roar!"

The giant dragon transformed back into five misty dragon souls, which then rushed into the Governor's official robe worn by Jiang Ning. At some point, Jiang Ning was already standing beside the carriage, dressed as a man. Her Governor's robe perfectly accentuated her figure, with a slender waist and full bosom. Despite her valiant and handsome appearance, she exuded an alluring, ethereal aura, like an enchanting immortal. Her mere presence transformed the surroundings into a pure, ethereal wonderland, inviting one to approach and explore her mysteries. However, when Miedhi's bloody corpse dropped, those present felt their legs go weak, wishing only to flee.

"A Seventh Sea cultivator killed in a single exchange? Can we escape?" Shi Shishi wiped cold sweat from his forehead, mentally preparing to use his last resort.

Qi Xiao said, "Her comprehension is too high. She must have mastered the Awakened Dragon Art, and with the power of the dragon souls in the Governor's robe, she can certainly rival a Dao Seed realm cultivator. She's the Imperial Court's second-in-command; we'll be next to be killed. Brother Wei Yi, quickly think of an escape route; it'll be too late if we don't flee now!"

Kudhi's serene Buddhist heart ignited. "Jiang Ning, we are allies tonight! You are too reckless!"

"To let him live until today was already a great act of mercy on my part. Kudhi, you are no match for me. If you don't leave now, I'll take care of you too," Jiang Ning said coldly.

Li Wei Yi realized that beneath Jiang Ning's captivating beauty lay an unyielding personality that tolerated no compromise. Whether killing Sheng Qingyan or Miedhi, she would not yield to circumstances. Allies or comrades, if one was her enemy, she would directly kill them upon sight.

"Brother Wei Yi, are you stunned? I'm talking to you. How do we break out?... It's over, she's looking this way..." Shi Shishi's face changed, and he wanted to immediately escape by burrowing into the ground.

As Kudhi and Jidhi retreated, Jiang Ning's gaze fell upon the three of them. Her eyes were cold. "King Shi Shishi, I haven't forgotten the grievances from Buried Immortal Town. Qi Xiao, your Zuoqiu Sect is attacking the Governor's Mansion, aren't they? Li Wei Yi, what a 'young emperor' you are, daring to steal my enemies. You'll pay with your life."

Li Wei Yi felt that Jiang Ning was being unreasonable, clearly unwilling to acknowledge their acquaintance openly. So, he sneered, "If you want to get rid of me, just say so. Why bother with such ridiculous excuses? You two go first, I'll hold her off."

"We leave together, or we die together."

Qi Xiao gripped his saber with both hands, crouching, ready to fight to the death.

"I still have one last resort!" Shi Shishi said. "With the three of us working together, no matter how strong she is, we can definitely fight her."

"Nonsense, leave quickly!" Li Wei Yi snapped. "Your staying here will only distract me."

Qi Xiao saw that Li Wei Yi was serious, and tears welled up in his eyes. "Brother Wei Yi, true friendship is revealed in adversity. Today, I, Qi Xiao, truly understand what it means to be righteous and devoted..."

"Brother Wei Yi, you saved her maid, maybe you can talk to her... If you can't win, you must escape..." Shi Shishi said.

"Let's go quickly! He's a powerful expert on the successor level; without us dragging him down, he'll have a better chance to escape. Let's go find help..."

Qi Xiao pulled Shi Shishi, and they vanished.

The patrolling immortal envoy from Du'e Temple appeared by the river, ready to record the upcoming battle. She believed that Li Wei Yi should have the ability to escape from Jiang Ning. However, after waiting for a long time, seeing no engagement between the two, she simply closed her book.

Jiang Ning walked towards him. When she was within ten feet, her eyes sharpened, and she transmitted her voice with vital energy: "At this moment, senior experts must be watching this place. They won't hear transmissions within ten feet. I am here on behalf of the Second Palace Lord to recruit you. Control your expression yourself."

Li Wei Yi sneered, "You want me to join the Imperial Court? Do you think you've got me tonight, that I can't escape?"

Jiang Ning transmitted, "The Second Palace Lord asked Yang Qingxi about you, and Yang Qingxi praised you highly. Perhaps she truly admires you, but it could also be a case of 'killing with a borrowed knife.' I don't want to be a petty villain, but you must be wary of her. I know you're rebellious and strong-willed. I've tried to recruit you several times without success, and this time will surely be futile, so I won't press you! But as a friend, I have no choice but to tell you this. The Second Palace Lord has made two preparations. Your chance to join the Imperial Court is only tonight. At dawn tomorrow, Immortal Ge will personally come to kill you."

Li Wei Yi tried his best to control the shock in his heart, not letting it show on his face. He was stunned by the Second Palace Lord's ruthlessness and equally by Jiang Ning risking so much to inform him of this, naturally feeling moved.

"You are absolutely no match for Immortal Ge!" Jiang Ning said. "I've thought all afternoon and found only one way for you to survive."

"What way?" Li Wei Yi asked.

"I will personally kill you!"

Jiang Ning continued, "Later, find a way to anger me, and I'll pursue you. You can then escape directly to the east, beyond the outer city walls, and leave the battlefield of the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival."

"You're trying to make me retreat again! Do you know, an exquisite beauty like you, every time you try to make me back down, it only fuels my fighting spirit a little more," Li Wei Yi said, speaking his true thoughts.

"Don't be glib. Listen to me; this is no laughing matter."

Jiang Ning added, "If you're unwilling to part with the dragon bones and dragon seeds, I promise you that after the Lantern Festival, I will do everything I can to get you a share of each."

"Dragon seeds and dragon bones are finite. How can you covertly share them?"

Li Wei Yi controlled his gaze and said, "As a friend, you've done more than enough, and I'm very grateful. My master once said that in martial arts cultivation, anything can be lacking—even a poor environment or starting point doesn't matter—but fighting spirit must always remain. Once a person loses their fighting spirit and sharpness, they will never be able to reach the peak of martial arts. Today, if I hear the name Immortal Ge and flee without a fight, then from now on, anyone can scare me off in any way. Immortal Ge wouldn't be willing to spend too much energy or time on me, nor would he pay too great a price. Jiang Ning, any enemy one can escape from isn't truly terrifying; there's always a counter-strategy. Don't I still have a whole night?"

Jiang Ning said, "You want to hide, or you want to flee back to the Southern City and use Zuoqiu Hongting's influence to resist Immortal Ge."

"Who is Zuoqiu Hongting?" Li Wei Yi asked, confused.

Jiang Ning was even more confused. "You don't know who Zuoqiu Hongting is, do you? Aren't you on excellent terms with her?"

Li Wei Yi looked even more bewildered.

Jiang Ning understood that he was genuinely unaware, so she sneered, "Zuoqiu Ting is Zuoqiu Hongting, also known as Zuoqiu Hong. She didn't even tell you her true identity. Do you still expect her to protect you?"

When Jiang Ning mentioned Immortal Ge, Li Wei Yi was only briefly shocked before his fighting spirit and battle intent took over. But learning that Zuoqiu Ting was actually Zuoqiu Hong... no, Zuoqiu Hongting, he was truly so shocked that he almost lost control of his expression. He had been deceived all the way from Buried Immortal Town to Qiuzhou State City.

Jiang Ning said, "When we were children, there was no Junior Grand Minister, and the world was not yet engulfed in war. Fuzhou and Qiuzhou were neighbors, and the Jiang family and the Zuoqiu Sect had excellent relations. She and I were childhood playmates, and I was one of the few who knew her true gender! Later, she must have entered the Zuoqiu Hidden Sect."

"Oh, impressive, very impressive!"

Li Wei Yi had already begun thinking about how to get his revenge. He needed to have a good, long chat with Brother Zuoqiu.

Jiang Ning was secretly worried for him. "You, Li Wei Yi, a true challenge is when there's a chance. When there's no chance, it's just suicide. Do you truly believe you have a chance to survive against Immortal Ge?"