Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 163: Chapter 160: A Single Battle to World-Shaking Fame, Surging Undercurrents

First on the Innate List: Young Master Wushuang, Ning Jiang.

A list like this completely shook Cyan Cloud, and the description of Ning Jiang upon it horrified countless people.

Unrivaled in the World!

This was the Grand Pavilion Master of Tianya Pavilion’s assessment of Ning Jiang.

”Has that Grand Pavilion Master gone mad? To actually use the four words ’Unrivaled in the World’ to describe him?”

Countless people were stunned by those four words.

Such an evaluation was simply too astonishing. It meant that no equal could be found in the world—that he was unique, the one and only.

This placed Ning Jiang above everyone else.

Those four words were even more shocking than the title of number one on the Innate List.

Even the former Sword King Chu Bai, during his time as number one on the Innate List, had never received such high praise as ”Unrivaled in the World.”

”Sword King Chu Bai’s position as number one on the Innate List hadn’t changed for ten years. Who would have thought that a decade later, the new generation would replace the old? Does this mean a new era is dawning? And the protagonist of this era is undoubtedly Ning Jiang!”

Countless Martial Artists lamented, feeling as though they were witnessing the dawn of a new era.

A new protagonist was about to reign over Cyan Cloud.

”Hmph, I absolutely refuse to accept him being ranked first on the Innate List. Back then, Sword King Chu Bai suppressed two other Kings to claim the top spot. What right does this Ning Jiang have?”

”That’s right, I don’t accept it either. The three Kings in the top three haven’t made a move in ten years. Who knows how much their strength has improved? Tianya Pavilion’s list this time has zero credibility.”

Throughout the entire country, even more people voiced their doubts.

Ning Jiang had defeated the master of the White Eyebrow Sword Sect, a user of Sword Qi Thunder Sound. His strength was truly shocking.

But if the master of the White Eyebrow Sword Sect was able to improve his strength, would the three Kings in the top three have remained stagnant all these years?

It didn’t take a genius to know that their strength must have become even more terrifying.

Under these circumstances, on what basis did Ning Jiang deserve to be at the top of the Innate List?

On what basis was he called ”Unrivaled in the World”?

”Whether or not he’s qualified to be called ’Unrivaled in the World,’ I think we’ll find out soon enough. Those three Kings won’t just sit back and let someone be ranked above them, right?”

All Martial Artists have a competitive spirit.

It is precisely because of this competitive spirit that one can improve.

For a Ning Jiang to suddenly appear and be placed above everyone else was bound to be met with dissent.

”It’s very likely! We can’t be sure about Sword King Chu Bai, but the other two Kings will definitely make a move!”

Amidst the discussions of countless Martial Artists across the land,

the name of Young Master Wushuang, Ning Jiang, truly became famous throughout the world.

...

「The Cheng Family.」

”We must avenge Hanshan!”

In the main hall, the upper echelons of the Cheng Family were gathered. Every one of them radiated astonishing killing intent, their eyes unfriendly.

They had already received the news that Young Master Floating Snow, Cheng Hanshan, had been killed.

”Revenge must be taken, but we need a long-term plan. Four Innate Limit experts from the Huangfu Family fell at his hands. If we want to deal with him, we must be fully prepared.”

A Cheng Family executive said this. They had already sent people to investigate the events in Golden Cauldron City and knew the killer was Ning Jiang.

”It seems it’s time to mobilize the connections we’ve built over the years.”

Sitting in the seat of honor, the old Patriarch of the Cheng Family spoke slowly.

As a Noble Family, the Cheng Family had dealings with many other clans.

With the Cheng Family’s power, if they mobilized all their resources, they could invite at least ten Innate Limit masters. They might even be able to find someone from the top ten of the Innate List.

’With a lineup like that, no matter how strong Ning Jiang is, he’ll die without a burial place, right?’

”Patriarch, this is bad!”

Suddenly, someone burst in.

”What’s with all the panic? This is utterly improper!” The Cheng Family Patriarch frowned, slightly displeased.

”Patriarch, quickly, look at the top of the Innate List!”

”The top of the list? What’s there to see? It’s not like someone surpassed Sword King Chu Bai, right?”

The Cheng Family Patriarch took the Innate List with a nonchalant expression. But when his gaze fell upon the two names at the top, his body froze as if struck by lightning.

SWISH.

He shot up from his seat, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

”Patriarch?”

The other Cheng Family executives were stunned. They had never seen the Patriarch lose his composure like this.

Curious, they all crowded around to look at the Innate List.

In an instant, the entire room fell silent. Everyone looked as if they’d been struck dumb.

”Unrivaled in the World... Unrivaled in the World.”

After a long moment, the Cheng Family Patriarch slowly muttered these words and sighed deeply. ”Let the matter with Hanshan go. From now on, no one is to mention it again. Otherwise, you will be dealt with according to family law. Understand?”

In that moment, the Patriarch seemed to have aged several decades.

The others nodded in silence.

”Prepare a generous gift. I will personally make a trip to Pill King Valley to meet this Young Master Wushuang. I can only hope he won’t hold any enmity towards our Cheng Family because of Hanshan. If he does, it will be the end of us!”

...

「Qingjiang.」

A massive fleet of ships stood upon the river’s surface.

Inside the luxurious main ship at the center of the fleet.

”We have already sent a messenger to order that Ning Jiang to come to the Jiang Family and kowtow in repentance within three days.”

”We’ve also sent someone to notify Protector Xie of Tianya Pavilion.”

”Furthermore, we have activated our network to contact the various Innate Limit Strong Persons who are on good terms with our Jiang Family.”

”The Fu Family has already declared that they will fully support our Jiang Family in our punitive expedition against Ning Jiang.”

At this moment, numerous high-ranking members of the Jiang Family were reporting on their various actions to the Patriarch in the main seat.

The Jiang Family had long held the title of Master of Qingjiang. Among the great Noble Families, their strength was enough to rank them in the top three.

The Jiang Family’s Patriarch was ranked ninth on the Innate List, even higher than Cao Tiangang.

Now, the entire Jiang Family had mobilized to avenge the deceased Young Master Qingjiang.

”This brat killed Yun Fei with a single punch. Even if I were to face him, I would have no chance of victory. However, with the Jiang Family using all its power, we will surely be able to crush him!”

The Jiang Family Patriarch clenched his hand, shattering the teacup he was holding.

”Reporting to the Patriarch, Protector Xie has arrived.”

Suddenly, a voice came from outside.

”Go and welcome him at once.”

The Jiang Family members were startled and hurried out to greet him.

”Protector Xie, I didn’t expect you to arrive so quickly.” The Jiang Family Patriarch went up to greet him warmly.

”Brother Jiang, I’ve already heard the news of Yun Fei’s death. Judging by the looks of it, you’re preparing for revenge, are you not?”

”Protector Xie guesses correctly. The Jiang Family must avenge Yun Fei. If Protector Xie is willing to help us this time, my Jiang Family will reward you handsomely,” said the Jiang Family Patriarch.

”Brother Jiang, you are mistaken. I made this special trip not to help, but to stop you.”

”Hm? What do you mean by that, Protector Xie?”

Xie Qingrong didn’t speak. He took out a copy of the Innate List and handed it to the Jiang Family Patriarch.

At first, the Jiang Family Patriarch didn’t understand. But when his gaze traveled to the top of the list, his entire expression changed in an instant, filled with disbelief.

Behind him, the high-ranking members of the Jiang Family who also saw it were equally dumbfounded, as if they had seen a ghost.

”Brother Jiang, now do you understand why I had to stop you?” Xie Qingrong sighed.

The Jiang Family Patriarch’s body trembled. He took a deep breath, bowed deeply to Xie Qingrong, and said gravely, ”Thank you, Protector Xie, for your life-saving grace! My Jiang Family... we were on the verge of annihilation!”

”Thank you, Protector Xie.”

The other Jiang Family executives also bowed at this time. They felt as if they had just taken a trip to the Ghost Gate. Some of them had their backs soaked with sweat.

If Xie Qingrong hadn’t stopped them, they would have already gone to seek revenge on Ning Jiang. Facing the man who suppressed the entire Pill King Valley, they would have certainly been annihilated.

”Oh no!”

Suddenly, one of them shrieked in alarm.

”What’s wrong?”

”The Jiang Family... we sent a messenger earlier to order... to order... to order Young Master Wushuang... to come and kowtow in repentance within three days.”

”Go and stop them!” the Jiang Family Patriarch roared. The others were already pale with fright.

”I’m afraid it’s already too late.”

The man shook his head, his face deathly pale.

At this, all the other Jiang Family executives panicked, their hearts filled with terror.

”No, there’s still a chance! Go to Pill King Valley and beg for Young Master Wushuang’s forgiveness!”

The Jiang Family Patriarch took a deep breath and spoke decisively.

...

「Golden Cauldron City.」

’My little brother is getting more and more amazing.’

In the Li Family household, when Ning Yu’an saw the name at the top of the Innate List, she was overjoyed, her beautiful eyes curving like crescent moons.

”To become famous throughout the world with a single battle... Changfeng, you really picked up a dragon back then.”

Li Qingyun exclaimed in amazement.

Ning Changfeng also never would have imagined that Ning Jiang’s growth would be so terrifying. Who could have known that the adopted son he picked up by the Qingjiang back then would one day achieve such earth-shattering accomplishments?

”Terrifying! This child is truly terrifying!”

The Li Family Patriarch, Li Huqing, was even more in awe of Ning Jiang.

...

「North of the River.」

Within a grand hall.

Outside, the Vice Commander of the Soaring Dragon Guard stood guard respectfully.

After he passed the news of the Innate List into the room, it had been silent for an hour.

For the past hour, the air had been so oppressive it felt suffocating.

A deathly silence!

He knew that Young Master Soaring Dragon had always been proud and arrogant. As the number one of the younger generation in the Cyan Cloud Country, he would never tolerate someone being placed above him.

”A pity. It is not yet time for me to come out of seclusion.”

Finally, a voice sounded from within the room—grand, vast, and filled with a domineering arrogance that proclaimed itself the one and only.

”When I emerge from my seclusion, I will let the world know that the one who is truly unrivaled is me!”

”The Young Master will surely achieve Innate Invincibility and be unmatched!” The Vice Commander of the Soaring Dragon Guard gave a deep bow and retreated.

’Young Master Wushuang? I’ll let you borrow that title for a few days!’

The voice in the room slowly faded into silence.

And throughout the heavens and the earth, a vast current of Primordial Qi, like a great vortex, was continuously being drawn into the room.

...

「Cyan Cloud Country, the Far North.」

This was a frozen ice field where the temperature was bitterly cold, and no plants could survive.

At this moment, a bald, powerfully built man, bare-chested, sat atop a giant bear.

This was an Innate Limit Demon Beast. Its body was massive, and its Demon Qi was overwhelming. Yet right now, it was letting out a series of fearful whimpers, seeming to be extremely afraid of the bald man on its back!

”Young Master Wushuang? Interesting.”