Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 502: Chapter 498: Three-headed Snake Clan

Seven days had passed since Ye Chenyu left.

Over these seven days, Ning Jiang hadn’t been idle. He cultivated day and night, further solidifying his Cultivation.

His power had become so immense that he was essentially unrivaled by anyone in the Earth Martial Realm Middle Stage. After all, even Tang Lin—a King’s Body at the Middle Stage of the Earth Martial Realm—had been defeated by him. What chance did an ordinary person have?

He could even hold his own against an expert in the Earth Martial Realm Late Stage. Only someone at the peak of the Earth Martial Realm might be more than he could handle.

While Ning Jiang was cultivating in silence, a figure hurried in. It was none other than Bai Yuyun.

”You look troubled. What happened?” Ning Jiang asked.

Bai Yuyun’s expression was grim. ”Not long ago, my people from the White Dragon Hall discovered a Purple Profound Crystal Vein on Scorpion King Island. It should have been a joyous discovery, but the Three-headed Snake Clan came and stirred up trouble...”

Bai Yuyun explained that the Three-headed Snake Clan was one of the Demon Races from the Chaotic Sea Region. Their power was such that they were a force to be reckoned with even in the entire East Sea.

Three Kings ruled their clan, the strongest of whom was a Six-Stars King.

Now, this very Three-headed Snake Clan was vying with the Dragon God Celestial Palace for the Purple Profound Crystal Vein.

’Purple Profound Crystal... that’s certainly a valuable find. It possesses a crystallizing power; most objects will crystallize on contact. Even materials of the same grade will be damaged when struck by it—an exceptionally domineering property. Weapons and Magical Treasures forged from it are far stronger than others of the same rank.’

Ning Jiang knew of the wondrous properties of Purple Profound Crystal; it was the perfect material for forging Upper Grade Spiritual Artifacts.

”Although my Dragon God Celestial Palace reigns supreme, there are still many other powerful factions in the East Sea. These factions often compete with us for various resources. However, the Undying Celestial King long ago established a rule: all resource disputes are to be decided by a contest between the younger generations.”

This rule was intended to foster the growth of the younger generation.

In addition, it prevents the widespread death and injury that would result from a larger conflict.

After all, if Heaven-Reaching Realm experts or Celestial Martial Realm Kings were to get involved, it would cause massive casualties.

Besides, a single Purple Profound Crystal Vein wasn’t important enough to warrant a King’s intervention.

”So this time, you want me to go?” Ning Jiang asked.

”Correct. Half a month ago, the young experts of my White Dragon Hall went there. It was supposed to be a sure thing, but something unexpected happened. That’s why I want you to go to Scorpion King Island yourself and win back the Purple Profound Crystal Vein,” Bai Yuyun said.

”Fine. I’m not busy anyway. It’s about time I got out for a bit.”

Ning Jiang didn’t refuse. He was currently in a cooperative relationship with the Dragon God Celestial Palace, which gave him access to their many resources. Naturally, he had to provide something in return.

Soon, Bai Yuyun made the arrangements, and Ning Jiang boarded a Flying Cloud Ship, heading for Scorpion King Island.

Scorpion King Island was several thousand miles from White Dragon Island, a remote, deserted isle that typically went unnoticed.

Only the accidental discovery of the Purple Profound Crystal Vein had drawn the two factions into a dispute.

’This Flying Cloud Ship is quite an impressive vessel. At this speed, I should arrive in about three hours.’

The Flying Cloud Ship was a Celestial Spirit Artifact, a truly precious treasure. Bai Yuyun had lent it to Ning Jiang with his safety in mind. She feared a King from the Other Shore might target him, and with the Flying Cloud Ship, he would have a chance to escape.

「Roughly three hours later.」

A massive island appeared before Ning Jiang, its shape resembling a scorpion or perhaps a fork.

’This must be the place.’

Ning Jiang descended.

...

「On the island.」

A group of youths stood on the shore, all clad in the uniform of the White Dragon Hall.

”Damn that Three-headed Snake Clan! They’ve got some nerve, daring to fight our Dragon God Celestial Palace over this vein.”

”There’s nothing we can do. Our Dragon God Celestial Palace is powerful, but we can’t go to war with the Three-headed Snake Clan over a single Purple Profound Crystal Vein. Besides, the rule about the younger generation settling resource disputes was set by the Undying Celestial King himself. If word gets out that we can’t defeat the Three-headed Snake Clan, we’ll be the ones bringing shame upon the Dragon God Celestial Palace.”

The youths sighed in frustration. Every one of them was injured; even those in better shape were pale.

”Hmph! If the Little Dragon Girl were here, would the Three-headed Snake Clan dare to be so insolent?”

”With the Little Dragon Girl’s strength, she could easily put them in their place. But she left to gain experience... it’s been over three months, hasn’t it? She’s still not back, and no one knows where she is.”

”Alright, enough of that.”

Just then, a more mature-looking youth waved his hand and announced, ”The Hall Master has sent me a message via Sound Transmission Conch. She said she’s sending another young expert to help. Let’s just wait.”

The Sound Transmission Conch was a Magical Treasure designed for communication, capable of transmitting voices over a range of five thousand miles.

”Feng Ying, did the Hall Master say where this young expert is from?” someone asked doubtfully. ”In our White Dragon Hall, the strongest is the Little Dragon Girl, and after her, it’s you. Could they be from one of the other halls?”

”I don’t know the details,” Feng Ying said. ”But the Hall Master said this person’s strength is more than enough to resolve the situation here.”

”Hey, look! It’s the Hall Master’s Flying Cloud Ship! Someone’s here!” someone suddenly exclaimed, looking up at the sky.

The Flying Cloud Ship slowly descended, landing before the crowd.

”Who’s he?”

The group stared, stunned; none of them had ever seen Ning Jiang before.

”You’re the one the Hall Master sent?”

Feng Ying’s brow furrowed in disbelief. Ning Jiang’s aura was merely that of the Earth Martial Realm Early Stage—weaker than his own.

”That’s right, it’s me,” Ning Jiang nodded.

”Er... If I’m not mistaken, your Cultivation seems to be at the Early Stage of the Earth Martial Realm? Are you perhaps using some Secret Technique to conceal your true level?” one of them asked, confused.

Feng Ying’s Cultivation was at the Middle Stage of the Earth Martial Realm, and even he couldn’t handle the situation. With Ning Jiang only at the Early Stage, it was natural for them to be concerned.

”I’m not hiding it. My Cultivation is at the Earth Martial Realm Early Stage,” Ning Jiang stated calmly.

”Did the Hall Master make a mistake?” Feng Ying asked. ”Did she not tell you? The young expert from the Three-headed Snake Clan is as strong as a warrior in the Earth Martial Realm Late Stage!”

”I know what you’re worried about, but a Cultivation level doesn’t always equal combat strength,” Ning Jiang said, shaking his head. ”Lead the way.”

”This...” Feng Ying hesitated. ”How about this: let me test your strength first. If we just rush in and you lose, it will be the Dragon God Celestial Palace’s reputation on the line.”

”Fine by me. Go ahead,” Ning Jiang said, unconcerned.

”Watch yourself! Infinite Sea!”

Feng Ying stomped his foot, launching his attack with overwhelming momentum. Behind him, an infinite torrent of water surged forth.

Ning Jiang shook his head and simply thrust a single hand forward.

BAM.

A figure was slammed directly to the ground.