Chapter Ninety-five: Ning Teng’s Might

Ning Teng, overwhelmed with excitement, immediately urged Yang Ze to recount everything he knew. Yang Ze did not hold anything back and told him all he knew—the drought in the territory of Yuyang City and the strange creature in the City Lord’s mansion.

“That strange thing you mentioned must be a spirit beast, and a very young one at that. I really can’t say whether you were lucky or unfortunate to encounter a beastling. As for the drought you spoke of, it’s likely the result of that spirit beast’s birth. I’ve heard tales from sixty years ago, when a spirit beast appeared in the Taishan Prefecture of Qingzhou, causing torrential rains for three days and nights over a hundred miles, forcing countless commoners to abandon their homes.

But the spirit beast in your case is rather peculiar, for it brought drought to hundreds of miles around and it lasted such a long time—something unheard of. To be cautious, I’ll bring you back to Yuyang City myself.”

Ning Teng was a careful man. This trip to Yangzhou was undertaken with a mission, and he dared not be careless. Should anything go wrong, even someone of his stature could not bear the consequences. With a wave of his hand, Ning Teng put away everything he was holding, then placed his left hand on Yang Ze’s shoulder.

Yang Ze still didn’t understand what Ning Teng intended, but Ning Teng spoke first: “Do you know why I accepted you as a disciple of the Ethereal Martial Academy?”

Yang Ze replied, “Elder, didn’t you say it was fate between us that led you to admit me? Wasn’t that the reason?”

Ning Teng laughed and said, “That’s one reason. I traveled thousands of miles to Quanyang Prefecture precisely to seek those fated. But fate alone wouldn’t qualify you for that spirit core you received. Do you know where you are right now?”

Yang Ze shook his head; he truly did not know.

“This is the prefectural city of Quanyang, in Zhouquan territory. You were swept from Yuyang City, knocked into the Chuiyu River, and drifted nearly four thousand miles before arriving here. You’re an insignificant martial artist at the Qi Induction level, yet you survived drifting for thousands of miles. That speaks volumes about both your luck and your constitution. Perhaps you possess other fortuitous encounters, but all that you have gained is due to your own fortune. Thus, you are qualified to become a disciple of the Ethereal Martial Academy, and to receive the spirit core of a fourth-rank spirit beast.”

Yang Ze’s heart clenched tightly. So he had unknowingly drifted all the way to Zhouquan City, but he had no idea how many days he’d spent adrift. To have survived, he owed his life to the black stone.

Before he could gather his thoughts, Ning Teng suddenly said, “Stand firm. Our Ethereal Martial Academy conducts itself with restraint and avoids unnecessary trouble, but at times, we must let others know of our strength!”

No sooner had these words left his mouth than Yang Ze’s expression changed dramatically, not knowing what was happening.

He saw Ning Teng standing upright, a vast and powerful aura erupting from him as its center, surging forth like an overwhelming tide, stirring the winds and clouds for miles. The waters of the Chuiyu River reversed, and the clouds in the sky scattered as if blown away.

This aura was by far the most formidable Yang Ze had ever witnessed; even Elder Ma and the others could not be compared to it.

Boom!

Ning Teng’s mighty aura spread in all directions, causing the waters of the Chuiyu River to part in layers and the earth itself to tremble violently.

In the blink of an eye, the influence of this aura swept across several hundred miles.

Yang Ze was utterly stunned. So this was the might of a fifth-rank Qi Sea cultivator! Though he could sense the aura, he was unaffected by it—Ning Teng’s hand on his shoulder shielded him from its force.

Ning Teng’s aura continued to expand, and as it did, three more auras burst forth in succession from within Zhouquan territory, responding from afar.

These three new auras belonged to fifth-rank Qi Sea experts as well, though they were still a cut below Ning Teng.

“The Wuyang Martial Academy, Thunderblade Sword Sect, and the Zhouquan City authorities—there are some remarkable figures here after all. But this is nowhere near enough to make the Nine Provinces’ Qi Sea Ranking.”

Ning Teng smiled faintly, his overwhelming aura sweeping out once more to clash with the other three auras.

Four fifth-rank martial artists exchanged blows from afar, their auras colliding and causing unrest throughout Zhouquan City. Countless citizens panicked, thinking some natural disaster had struck.

Suddenly, a solid blade aura appeared in the sky, slashing down in a flash of light. The four surging auras enveloping Zhouquan territory shattered at once.

In that instant, heaven and earth returned to normal, and the blade aura dissipated.

“The Embroidered Spring Blade!”

Ning Teng’s expression grew grave as he withdrew his aura. “So the Six-Fan Gate has sent someone, after all.”

“Six-Fan Gate?” Yang Ze was baffled; all these terms left him completely confused.

Seeing his confusion, Ning Teng explained, “The imperial court established the Six-Fan Gate to monitor the various martial factions. The Gate gathers many powerful experts, and with the court’s support behind them, their strength is not to be underestimated. Especially the Embroidered Spring Blade, one of their signature skills, taught only to the Thirty-Six Divine Constables. Anyone who masters it is a top-tier fifth-rank martial artist and eligible for the Nine Provinces’ Qi Sea Ranking!”

“Embroidered Spring Blade? Thirty-Six Divine Constables? Nine Provinces’ Qi Sea Ranking?” Yang Ze felt his head ache. Only after meeting Ning Teng did he realize how little he knew of this world.

“The Nine Provinces’ Qi Sea Ranking lists the strongest fifth-rank martial artists across the land, with only a thousand spots. Only the thousand most powerful fifth-rank experts in the Nine Provinces may appear on it. The Six-Fan Gate has many strong members; the Thirty-Six Divine Constables are its core, all fifth-rank Qi Sea experts, each trained in the Embroidered Spring Blade and all listed on the Ranking. I wonder which Constable has come to Quanyang this time.”

Hearing this, Yang Ze finally understood, never imagining such a ranking existed across the Nine Provinces.

“Elder, what is your rank on the Qi Sea Ranking?” Yang Ze recalled Ning Teng’s earlier words and realized he must be one of the ranked experts.

“I am thirty-second on the Nine Provinces’ Qi Sea Ranking.”

Ning Teng said this lightly, but Yang Ze was astounded. Among all fifth-rank martial artists in the land, Ning Teng was one of the strongest.

Ning Teng, however, was unconcerned by Yang Ze’s surprise and simply said, “Let’s go. Now that these people have revealed themselves, they won’t show up for the time being.”

Ning Teng had acted only because the commotion from killing the Blackwater Mamba had drawn attention from some in Zhouquan territory. Since no one knew it was him, he chose to reveal his strength, deterring any would-be troublemakers.

“Let’s go. How are we to travel?” Yang Ze looked around, uncertain how to return to Yuyang City from here.

“Just follow me.”

With that, Ning Teng gripped Yang Ze’s shoulder firmly, picked him up, and soared into the air.

Yang Ze felt himself rising higher and higher, suspended in mid-air. He was so startled he clung tightly to Ning Teng’s arm, never imagining this would be their mode of travel.

“A fourth-rank Unity Realm martial artist can walk on air for short periods, but only fifth-rank Qi Sea experts can do so for extended times. Even so, even a Qi Sea expert cannot fly for days on end. Still, crossing a single prefecture by air is no problem—I’ll take you directly. It’s much faster than traveling by land.”

As Ning Teng spoke, he sped up, true energy surging within him.

Yang Ze watched the land rushing by beneath him, but the fierce wind soon forced him to close his eyes.

Only after five hours did Yang Ze feel the winds abate. Daring to open his eyes, he saw Ning Teng landing them safely on the ground.

As soon as they landed, Ning Teng released his grip. Yang Ze looked at him and noticed his breathing was heavier, evidence that the long-distance journey had taken its toll.

Looking around, Yang Ze realized they were at Humpback Ridge, within Yuyang City’s territory—a place he knew well. It was here that he had killed Madam Hua.

“I checked Yuyang City territory just now. The item the Headmaster gave me shows no reaction anywhere here. It seems those legacy fragments are fake after all.”

In Ning Teng’s hand rested a milky-white pearl, flawless but utterly inert.

His expression unchanged, Ning Teng put the pearl away. After traveling thousands of miles, night had already fallen.

“We’ll continue at dawn. Tonight, let’s make do here.”

After Ning Teng spoke, Yang Ze took it upon himself to start a fire.

The next morning, two figures rose into the air from Humpback Ridge. By nightfall, they landed in Wen City, in the north of Quanyang Prefecture.

Before Ning Teng, the city walls of Wen City might as well have not existed—he crossed them with ease.

Inside the city, Ning Teng did not take Yang Ze to look for an inn, but led him to a trading guild.

“The Ethereal Trading Guild!”

A plaque hung above the guild entrance, the words “Ethereal Trading Guild” written in bold, powerful script against a background of clouds.