Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 88: Chapter 86: The Silver-haired Girl, Yue Lianxi’s Invitation

Luo Haisheng’s words caused a huge stir. The phrase ”number one on the Famous Family List” stunned everyone.

Cyan Cloud Country had two famous ranking lists: the Innate List and the Famous Family List.

The Famous Family List was comprised entirely of strong individuals below the Innate Limit. Anyone who made it onto this list was a person of great potential and talent.

Xue Wuhen, known as the head of Luoyang City’s Ten Great, was only ranked sixty-third on the Famous Family List.

But now, Luo Haisheng was actually saying that Ning Jiang could rank first on the Famous Family List.

”Based on today’s battle record, not even Sword King Chu Bai or Young Master Soaring Dragon in their youth could compare to the White Head Sword Sect. Both Sword King Chu Bai and Young Master Soaring Dragon once held the top spot on the Famous Family List. The White Head Sword Sect is indeed qualified!”

”That may be true, but don’t forget, when Sword King Chu Bai and Young Master Soaring Dragon became number one, they were both in the Innate Realm. For someone in the Postnatal Realm to ascend to the top spot... that’s never happened on the Famous Family List.”

The surrounding crowd burst into discussion. Number one on the Famous Family List—once he ascended to that position, it meant Ning Jiang’s name would shake the entire Cyan Cloud Country.

Numerous Martial Artists cast their gazes over, their expressions a complex mix of envy, jealousy, scrutiny, and indifference.

Luo Haisheng stated frankly, ”Of course, my opinion that you are number one on the Famous Family List isn’t enough. After I report today’s battle, the Grand Pavilion Master will determine your specific ranking and publish your name in the next issue of the Famous Family List.”

Both the Famous Family List and the Innate List were updated and published every three months.

After all, a Martial Artist’s strength was constantly improving. Only by continuously updating the lists could the rankings on them remain accurate.

”However, I must mention one thing. Once your name appears on the Famous Family List, you will certainly become famous throughout Cyan Cloud, but it will also attract countless troubles. I hope you are mentally prepared for this,” Luo Haisheng said with a serious expression.

The top spot on the Famous Family List, while a great honor, was also a hot potato.

The tallest tree catches the wind; the nail that sticks up gets hammered down.

Once he was ranked first, countless people seeking fame would likely come looking for trouble with Ning Jiang.

”For a Martial Artist walking the world, tribulations are a necessity,” Ning Jiang said faintly.

This was his attitude. Even if tribulations were like blades, he would face them head-on. What was there to fear?

”Hahahaha, well said.” Luo Haisheng let out a long laugh.

He had never been as happy as he was today. He looked forward to seeing what kind of changes a young man like Ning Jiang would bring to Cyan Cloud Country.

Once Ning Jiang fully matured, what heights would he reach?

”The new issue of the Famous Family List will be released this month. I’m really looking forward to it.”

”Our Luoyang City has produced the White Head Sword Sect. It brings us fame.”

”Sigh, after today, the era of the Ten Great is completely over. From now on, the younger generation of Luoyang City will look up to the White Head Sword Sect. With his talent, it won’t be long before he can contend with the Nine Great Young Masters.”

”This is truly an era of rising geniuses. I heard that a while ago, a silver-haired girl appeared and allegedly fought with Young Master Soaring Dragon. She ended up retreating with injuries, but I don’t know if it’s true.”

”What? A silver-haired girl from where? That powerful? With Young Master Soaring Dragon’s strength, even an ordinary Innate Limit Strong Person couldn’t escape.”

In the pavilion, Luo Haisheng overheard this conversation and said with surprise, ”That person is quite well-informed.”

Wenhua City was slightly startled. ”Brother Luo, is this true?”

”To be honest with you, it did indeed happen. However, the silver-haired girl’s origins are mysterious. We know nothing about her.”

Luo Haisheng nodded. As the Pavilion Master of a Tianya Pavilion branch, he was well-informed and knew about all the major events happening throughout Cyan Cloud Country.

”Sigh, the new generation always surpasses the old. It’s hard not to feel old,” Wenhua City sighed.

”The more talented the young people are, the better. How many years has it been since someone in the Spirit Realm appeared in our Cyan Cloud Country?”

Luo Haisheng’s expression grew somber. ”The Spirit Veins are disappearing one by one, and there isn’t a trace of Spiritual Qi in the entire Cyan Cloud Country. Even the Major Sects have started to abandon Cyan Cloud Country. If this continues, Cyan Cloud Country will fall further into decline. This is our homeland; how can we stand by and do nothing?”

”Huu...” Wenhua City took a deep breath. ”You’re absolutely right. Cyan Cloud Country is stagnant right now. If we want to change this situation, our only hope lies with the younger generation. This boy’s talent is immense. We absolutely cannot let someone like him die prematurely. If anyone tries to move against him in the shadows, then they shouldn’t blame me for being ruthless!”

As he spoke, a cold, sharp glint appeared in Wenhua City’s eyes.

”Your righteousness is admirable, Brother Wen!” Luo Haisheng said sincerely, his eyes filled with respect.

”We’re both of the younger generation, but Luoyang City’s strength is so much greater than that of our Baiquan Town. I originally wanted to go up and test my skills, to see if I could make a name for myself and show Luoyang City that Baiquan Town has experts too. Looking at it now, I’m glad I didn’t.”

A man in blue robes sighed amidst the crowd.

He wasn’t a local; he was from Baiquan Town!

His strength had reached the Innate Early Stage, but his aura was slightly faint and unstable, indicating a recent breakthrough.

The battle just now had shaken him to his core. Every single one of the Ten Great was stronger than him. As for this White Head Sword Sect before him, he was so freakishly strong that it had thoroughly scared him.

’But this White Head Sword Sect... why do I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere in Baiquan Town before?’

The blue-clothed man looked at Ning Jiang, secretly puzzled. After a moment, he shook his head helplessly. ’It must be my imagination. How could a top-tier figure like him have any connection to Baiquan Town?’

’Even though I didn’t go on stage, today wasn’t a wasted trip. To have witnessed such a spectacular battle was worth it. When I get back, I’ll tell those guys about today’s fight and let them know just how weak Baiquan Town is. What does my strength, ranked in the top three of Baiquan Town, even count for?’ the blue-clothed man thought to himself.

After witnessing such a battle, he understood deeply that being in the top three of Baiquan Town’s younger generation was an accomplishment not even worth mentioning.

”I am Yue Lianxi. I would like to invite Young Master Ning for a small gathering. I wonder if Young Master Ning would grant me the honor?”

Suddenly, Yue Lianxi’s voice slowly rang out. It was delicate and utterly bewitching.

The entire crowd was in an uproar!

In an instant, countless murderous, jealous gazes converged on Ning Jiang. These gazes came from the many men present.

Yue Lianxi, dressed in red, was incomparably alluring. With every glance, she exuded a thousand charms. She was a peerless beauty, the kind of woman who could topple nations.

Her charm in Luoyang City far surpassed that of the so-called ”Four Great Beauties.” In terms of popularity, she was the number one beauty of Luoyang.

However, her origins were mysterious. No one in Luoyang City knew her true background or identity.

Over the years, it wasn’t that no one had tried to make a move on her, but they had all disappeared in secret, one by one. It was clear she was not as simple as she appeared on the surface.

”I owe you a favor. Fine,” Ning Jiang’s voice was cool as he nodded in agreement.

”Heh, it seems even the White Head Sword Sect can’t resist a beautiful woman.”

”That’s normal. When Yue Lianxi extends an invitation, what man can refuse?”

”Even heroes have a weakness for beautiful women, not to mention the White Head Sword Sect is at an age full of youthful vigor. Maybe he has designs on Yue Lianxi too.”

The surrounding Martial Artists thought to themselves, their tones filled with sourness and jealousy. They all believed Ning Jiang was unable to resist Yue Lianxi’s temptation.

’I really made the right move back then.’ Looking at Ning Jiang’s calm and clear eyes, Yue Lianxi had a completely different opinion.

She was confident that with her charm, few men could refuse her invitation. But Ning Jiang was different. Based on her understanding of him, if it weren’t for that Bone Shaping Pill and the IOU, he probably wouldn’t have even given her the time of day.

”Sister An, you go back to Bamboo Sea Manor with Du Wanqing and the others first. I’ll be back soon,” Ning Jiang said.

”Okay. Come back soon.”

Ning Yu’an cast a wary glance at Yue Lianxi with her beautiful eyes. Although she was reluctant, she also knew that she and Ning Jiang did indeed owe the woman a favor.

But after hearing the surrounding discussions, a trace of unease grew in her heart—an unease called ”jealousy”...

Yue Lianxi’s immense charm was so stunning that even she, a woman herself, was amazed. She was also afraid her ”little brother” wouldn’t be able to resist such a beauty.

”Sister An, what are you letting your mind wander about?” Ning Jiang asked, sensing the fluctuation in Ning Yu’an’s emotions.

”I’m not!” Ning Yu’an’s pretty face flushed slightly.

Then, under the murderous, jealous gazes of countless men in the crowd, Ning Jiang and Yue Lianxi left together.

”I think my heart is broken,” a man wailed on the spot.

...

「A secluded manor.」

The scenery was picturesque, the environment beautiful.

「Inside a quiet room, a man and a woman.」

The male was a white-haired youth in simple clothes. His features were handsome, his gaze clear.

A subtle fragrance wafted through the air.

”This incense is quite interesting. The main ingredient should be the Seven-Colored Night Fragrant Flower. Alluring but not coquettish. It suits your temperament.”

Ning Jiang sat with perfect posture. His gaze didn’t linger on the peerless beauty before him but was fixed on an Incense Burner in the room, watching the faint white mist curl upwards as he offered his opinion.

”Young Master has sharp insight.”

Yue Lianxi smiled lightly, her beautiful eyes studying Ning Jiang’s face. This youth was different from anyone she had ever met.

She felt she couldn’t see through the person before her.

He was clearly just a sixteen-year-old boy, yet within his calm eyes was a kind of indifference that looked down upon the world and all its living beings.

Whether it was after slaying the Ten Great with his sword or right now, his eyes had not changed.

The glory of slaying the Ten Great couldn’t cause even a ripple in his gaze, and her nation-toppling beauty seemed to be nothing but dry bones in his eyes.

”I wonder, how should I address you, Young Master? Should I call you the White Head Sword Sect, or... the Pill King?” Yue Lianxi’s words were shocking.

Pill King. Only the few people present at the Liu Family at that time knew this title.

Yet she was able to find out about it, which was enough to show that her methods were extraordinary.

Ning Jiang’s expression was devoid of any fluctuation, showing neither joy nor anger. ”You are well-informed. Call me whatever is most convenient. It’s up to you.”

”You sought me out. Whatever you want to say, just say it,” Ning Jiang said, getting straight to the point.