Ning Wuque stretched his limbs, which immediately produced a series of crisp, cracking sounds. He then stood up, checked the time, and exclaimed, "Hah! I never expected this seclusion to last a full half-month. Fortunately, I haven't missed the apprenticeship banquet!"
***
The back garden.
Mu Yunshang sat composedly by the pavilion next to the lotus pond. Having slipped off her shoes, her jade-white feet dangled in the air, attracting a multitude of koi swimming toward the surface.
At moments like this, Mu Yunshang would give the water a gentle kick with her foot.
Startled, the school of koi scattered in all directions.
The splashing water directly overturned a golden turtle that had been floating lazily on the surface.
Watching the golden turtle with its belly facing the sky, frantically thrashing its limbs, Mu Yunshang let out a giggling laugh. "This little thing is really too silly!"
After playing for just a little while, Mu Yunshang couldn't help but glance toward the direction of the secret chamber. Her delicate brows knitted slightly, carrying a hint of aggrieved helplessness. "Why hasn't Brother Wuque come out yet? It's almost time for the apprenticeship banquet! If we delay any longer, we might miss it! Besides, I've been wanting to share that matter with Brother Wuque. Sigh..."
"What good news are you planning to share with me?" Ning Wuque's voice suddenly sounded right beside her ear.
"Ah? Brother Wuque, you're out of seclusion?"
Startled, Mu Yunshang quickly turned around to look at Ning Wuque standing behind her. Her exquisite little face instantly lit up with joy. "Brother Wuque, you're finally out! I thought you'd forgotten that today is the apprenticeship banquet!"
"Hahaha, how could I forget? Didn't I come straight out of seclusion the moment I made a breakthrough?"
Ning Wuque rubbed her sleek, smooth hair and watched as Mu Yunshang hopped to the ground and busied herself putting on her shoes. He asked with curiosity, "Yunshang, what was that thing you said you wanted to share with me just now?"
With her shoes properly on, Mu Yunshang put her hands behind her back, tilted her head to size up Ning Wuque, and said with an air of mystery, "Brother Wuque, guess!"
"Guess?"
Ning Wuque looked Mu Yunshang up and down, his pupils contracting slightly. "Have you broken through to the Qi Condensation Realm?"
"Eh... You can tell?"
Taken aback, Mu Yunshang pouted. "No fun, you saw right through it instantly."
Ning Wuque asked, "Yunshang, what on earth is going on here?"
He clearly remembered that Mu Yunshang possessed an extremely special physique. Ever since she reached the peak of the Body Refining Realm at the age of ten, she had never been able to break through her realm.
She had been stuck at the peak of the Body Refining Realm for several years!
The Prince of Southern Suppression had also tried numerous methods, but none could help her break through.
As time went on, even Mu Yunshang herself had given up on cultivation.
Yet now...
She had actually broken through?
And not just an initial breakthrough to the Qi Condensation Realm—she had already reached the seventh stage of the Qi Condensation Realm.
Mu Yunshang answered, "I don't know either. That day when I parted ways with you at Qizhen Pavilion, I went back and slept, and the next day I found myself breaking through to the Qi Condensation Realm. What's more, I found that my cultivation speed had become extremely fast. In just half a month, I broke through all the way to the seventh stage of the Qi Condensation Realm."
Ning Wuque's sword-like brows furrowed slightly. "You broke through just by sleeping? Are you sure you haven't taken anything during this time, or obtained some kind of treasure?"
"No, I haven't!"
Mu Yunshang shook her head, then raised the jade bracelet on her wrist and said, "The only treasure I've obtained during this time is this jade bracelet, but it couldn't possibly possess such miraculous effects!"
Ning Wuque had a vague feeling that Mu Yunshang's sudden entry into the Qi Condensation Realm might have some connection to himself.
Yet, upon second thought, he tossed the notion to the back of his mind.
In martial arts cultivation, dual cultivation methods did indeed exist.
However, he and Mu Yunshang had not even held hands; how could her breakthrough possibly be related to him?
"Forget it, if I can't figure it out, I won't dwell on it. This is a good thing after all!"
Shaking his head and smiling, Ning Wuque looked at Mu Yunshang and said, "Yunshang, since you can cultivate now, that's wonderful. After the apprenticeship banquet is over, I'll tailor a cultivation technique specifically for you!"
He had obtained the ninefold inheritance of the Sword Ancestor.
His memory held countless top-tier cultivation techniques.
He would surely be able to pick one suitable for Mu Yunshang.
"Mm-hm!"
Mu Yunshang nodded happily. Then, recalling that the apprenticeship banquet was about to begin, she said, "Brother Wuque, let's hurry over to the Luan residence! You're the guest of honor at the apprenticeship banquet. If you don't show up soon, Grandmaster Luan might start worrying!"
"Alright, let's set off right now!"
Ning Wuque nodded with a smile.
With that, the two left the estate, boarded a carriage, and hurried toward Luan Hongyi's residence...
***
Chapter 23: Conflict
The Luan residence.
Decked out in red lanterns and festive decorations, it presented a scene of jubilation and cheer.
Luxurious carriages could be seen arriving one after another, carrying prominent and influential figures from Nanjiang City.
The top alchemist of the Southern Frontier was holding an open and grand apprenticeship banquet.
After a month of fermenting, this news had already spread throughout the entire Nanjiang City, and even people from several surrounding cities had rushed over upon hearing the wind.
Their purpose was to seize this opportunity to present congratulatory gifts in order to curry favor with Luan Hongyi.
At the same time...
They also wanted to satisfy their curiosity and see what manner of divine figure this mysterious alchemist was, someone who could make Luan Hongyi willingly take him as his master.
As a result, far more guests arrived at the Luan residence today than anticipated.
Sha Wei was already flustered and overwhelmed.
A beaming smile on his face, he welcomed every guest, yet amidst his busy schedule, he kept glancing into the distance, trying to catch sight of Ning Wuque. "The banquet is about to start; why hasn't Master's Master arrived yet?"
"Little Wei, the master wants you to go inside right away!" A gentle voice rang out.
It was a white-haired old man.
He was the steward of Luan Hongyi's estate, named Lin Bo, whom everyone addressed as Uncle Lin.
Sha Wei nodded and said, "Uncle Lin, please keep an eye on things for me. I'll go see what instructions Master has!"
"Go on, go on!"
Uncle Lin waved his hand with a smile.
Sha Wei immediately departed.
Shortly after Sha Wei left, a carriage slowly pulled to a stop before the gates of the Luan residence.
This carriage was extremely ordinary, looking completely out of place compared to the opulent carriages surrounding it.
It instantly drew the gazes of the crowd: "Everyone attending the banquet today is a person of standing and influence. Why would anyone come in such a low-grade carriage?"
"No doubt some nobody from a minor household trying to climb high and latch onto connections!"
"These lowly people just love harboring wishful thinking. This is Grandmaster Luan's apprenticeship banquet; how could anyone get in without an invitation card?"
Amidst the murmurs of whispered discussion, a man and a woman stepped down from the carriage.
The man was strikingly handsome, his figure as upright as a green pine, his eyes as brilliant as a starry galaxy.
The woman was stunning and vibrant, dressed in a well-tailored purple long dress, paired with a waterfall of sleek, smooth black hair—resembling a fairy lost in the mortal realm.
The two were none other than Ning Wuque and Mu Yunshang.
Mu Yunshang glanced toward the main entrance of the Luan residence, her delicate brows furrowed slightly. "Didn't Sha Wei say he would wait for us here? Why don't I see him..."
Today's apprenticeship banquet was of a very high standard, and the number of guests exceeded expectations.
Coupled with Ning Wuque's delayed seclusion, Sha Wei had no choice but to return to the Luan residence early to take charge of hosting the guests.
Before leaving, he had told Mu Yunshang that he would wait for the two of them at the main entrance.
Ning Wuque smiled and said, "Didn't you see how many guests there are? He was probably delayed by something. Let's just go straight in!"
"Alright then!"
Mu Yunshang nodded.
Walking side by side, the two headed toward the Luan residence.
At the main entrance, however, they were stopped by Uncle Lin, who still wore a gentle smile on his face. "Please stay your steps, esteemed guests. Today our Luan residence is hosting a banquet, and entry requires an invitation card. Could the two of you please present yours?"
The man was polite enough.
Ning Wuque glanced at Mu Yunshang.
Mu Yunshang said, "Sha Wei said he'd wait for us at the entrance, so I didn't ask about any invitation card..."
"..."
Ning Wuque gave a wry smile and said to Uncle Lin, "Old sir, you heard her as well. Could you please pass along a word and have Sha Wei come out to receive us..."
"This..."
Uncle Lin's face showed difficulty.
Luan Hongyi attached immense importance to this apprenticeship banquet, and invitation cards had been sent to every single guest.
There was absolutely no way one could be omitted.
Yet Ning Wuque and his companion spoke with absolute certainty, making it hard for him to judge whether their words were true or false.
Just as Uncle Lin was hesitating, a chilly voice suddenly came from behind the two: "This banquet is Grandmaster Luan's apprenticeship banquet, and all invited are figures of status and standing. Having no invitation card means you were never invited. Yet here you are, brawling and making a nuisance of yourselves—aren't you ashamed?"
Ning Wuque's sword-like brows knitted slightly as he turned around to look.
He saw a youth dressed in embroidered long robes, quite handsome in appearance, though venomous, snake-like coldness flickered in his eyes from time to time. The youth was watching them with a sneer.
Mu Yunshang also spotted the youth. Her pretty face turned cold instantly, and she said sharply, "Mu Yunhu, who are you saying is making a nuisance?"
"..."
Mu Yunhu's face stiffened.
Just as he stepped down from his carriage, he saw someone attempting to enter the Luan residence without an invitation card, so he deliberately spoke out to reprimand them in an attempt to leave a good impression on the Luan family.
He never expected the other party to be Mu Yunshang.
However, the awkwardness on his face vanished in a flash. Coughing lightly, Mu Yunhu narrowed his eyes and said, "So it's Eldest Sister. My apologies, I didn't recognize you."
Pausing for a moment, he glanced at Ning Wuque with a playful, mocking gaze. "Eldest Sister, you are, after all, a princess of my Southern Suppression Prince's Estate and Prince Father's beloved pearl. Wandering everywhere with some stray man of unknown origin—aren't you afraid of gossip and losing the dignity of our Southern Suppression Prince's Estate?"
He had long since learned about Ning Wuque from Ouyang Jingcheng.
Now he was simply feigning ignorance!
"Brother Wuque is my fiancé. What is so disgraceful to the Prince's Estate about me accompanying him to attend a banquet at the Luan residence?" Mu Yunshang stepped in front of Ning Wuque like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on, and said fiercely.
"Fiancé? Oh..."
Mu Yunhu deliberately drew out his tone, looking at Ning Wuque with a mocking smile. "So you're that number one genius of the Dayan Dynasty, Ning Wuque? No, no, I almost forgot, that's already a thing of the past. Right now, you're nothing more than a stray dog whose cultivation was crippled by the Prince of Mobei, and who was cast out of Prince Shenwu's Estate. What? Can't survive in the Northern Frontier anymore, so you ran to my Southern Frontier to freeload?"
In an instant, the passing guests cast peculiar looks at Ning Wuque. "So he's Ning Wuque? Tsk tsk, who would have thought that the former number one genius would sink to such a state!"
"How can a dignified man stoop to freeloading? It's utterly disgraceful!"
"If I were him, I would have slit my throat and died long ago!"
The string of mocking remarks caused Mu Yunshang's expression to grow gradually gloomy.
"Shut your mouths, all of you!"
Mu Yunshang glared at the crowd. "Whoever dares to speak insolently again, this Princess will show no mercy!"
"Aigoo, Eldest Sister, what mighty prestige! Tongues belong to everyone, you won't even let people speak? Besides, did anyone say anything wrong? Wasn't Ning Wuque cast out of Prince Shenwu's Estate? Or could it be that he came to my Southern Frontier not to freeload, but to stage a comeback?" Mu Yunhu said with sarcastic insinuation.
"You..."
Mu Yunshang's pretty face turned cold as she stared fixedly at Mu Yunhu.
Just as she was about to speak,
Ning Wuque at her side reached out and stopped her.
"Brother Wuque..."
Mu Yunshang looked at Ning Wuque.
"Leave it to me!"
Ning Wuque smiled, took two steps forward, and locked his gaze on Mu Yunhu. "You said I was freeloading?"
"That's right, am I wrong? You, this stray dog, traveled thousands of miles to the Southern Frontier to pester my Eldest Sister—if that's not freeloading, what is..."
Mu Yunhu lifted his chin slightly, wearing an arrogant, condescending posture.
Before he could finish his words, however,
a dark shadow flashed before his eyes, followed immediately by a crisp slap. Mu Yunhu felt a burning sting across his face.
Then his entire body spun in place like a top three times,
before crashing heavily onto the ground with a thud.
Mu Yunhu felt dizzy and disoriented. Before the sharp pain on his face allowed him to recover, a massive force struck his chest, pinning him flat to the ground.
"You—weren't you crippled by the Prince of Mobei? How do you still possess this kind of strength?"
Supporting his body with one hand, Mu Yunhu looked at Ning Wuque in shock and suspicion.
Although he wasn't well-versed in martial arts, he still possessed the cultivation of the ninth stage of the Spirit Refining Realm.
Yet he hadn't even seen how Ning Wuque made his move before receiving a vicious slap across the face.
Just what kind of strength did this Ning Wuque possess?
Ning Wuque ignored Mu Yunhu's interrogation. With a sudden step forward, he planted his sole firmly on Mu Yunhu's chest, pinning him hard beneath his foot. Lowering his torso slightly to stare down at him, he spoke coldly, "Daring to spew garbage again, and I'll butcher you!"
A bone-chilling coldness sent shivers down Mu Yunhu's spine.
Right at that moment, however,
a deep voice shattered the silence before the Luan residence: "To utter threats about killing the Prince of Southern Suppression's son on my Southern Frontier's turf—you've got a lot of nerve, Your Excellency!"
***
Chapter 24: A Good Dog Doesn't Block the Path!
The crowd automatically parted.
Clad in white garments with a cold expression, Ouyang Jingcheng walked over slowly.
His eyes emitted a sharp, hawk-like cold radiance, and an oppressive coercion emanated from his entire body, leaving the surrounding onlookers somewhat short of breath.
"C-Cousin, butcher this bastard for me..."
Mu Yunhu spoke with a ferocious expression.
He was the one destined to inherit the title of the Prince of Southern Suppression; accustomed to being high and mighty, who dared defy him?
Yet today...
He had been publicly slapped across the face by Ning Wuque and even pinned beneath a foot.
His dignity was utterly destroyed.
He wished he could tear Ning Wuque to shreds.
Ouyang Jingcheng looked at Ning Wuque expressionlessly. "Let him go!"
Ning Wuque glanced at him with a playful look, yet increased the force under his foot, grinding his heel viciously into Mu Yunhu's chest.
Crack, crack, crack!
The grinding of the shoe sole pulled at the skin and flesh of Mu Yunhu's chest, producing a harsh grating sound.
The pain distorted Mu Yunhu's entire face. Both hands grabbed Ning Wuque's ankle and pushed upward in an attempt to ease the piercing agony in his chest as he shrieked hysterically, "Cousin, kill him quickly..."
"Daring to openly assault the son of the Prince of Southern Suppression in broad daylight, I see you truly have a death wish!"
Ouyang Jingcheng rebuked coldly with a gloomy, water-like expression.
The Ouyang Family had long since received a secret letter from Ning Hongyuan, and both sides had reached a cooperative relationship. As long as Ning Wuque was eliminated, they would secure the full support of Ning Hongyuan and the fourth branch of Prince Shenwu's Estate.
Yet Ning Wuque ultimately bore the surname Ning.
His paternal aunt still controlled one of the seven branches of Prince Shenwu's Estate.
Therefore,
Ouyang Jingcheng had originally intended to make a covert move and eliminate Ning Wuque quietly.
But now...
The opportunity was laid out right before him.
A flash of sinister coldness crossed Ouyang Jingcheng's eyes, and he thought: Since you're seeking death on your own, don't blame me!
Ning Wuque raised an eyebrow, locking eyes with Ouyang Jingcheng tit-for-tat as he spoke unyieldingly, "If you have the ability, kill me. Otherwise, shut your mouth!"
"Audacious! Since you insist on seeking death, I shall grant it to you!"
Ouyang Jingcheng let out a savage laugh.
True Qi surged within his palm, resembling lightning snakes darting about, and a chilling aura made one's scalp tingle.
Ning Wuque's eyes narrowed.
He had already sensed the crisis.
Sure enough,
Ouyang Jingcheng suddenly struck out with a palm, his hand enveloped in surging True Qi heading straight for Ning Wuque's heart.
Ning Wuque crossed his arms to block in front of his chest.
Boom!
Accompanied by a muffled sound akin to the collision of two savage bulls, Ning Wuque was forced back a full six steps, leaving behind six footprints one foot deep along the ground.
Hiss!
Stabilizing his stance, Ning Wuque drew a sharp breath, enduring the intense pain in his arms as he looked up at Ouyang Jingcheng with a gaze tinged with vigilance and solemnity. "What an Ouyang Jingcheng, truly worthy of your reputation as the number one genius of the Southern Frontier. If not for my Chaotic Sword Body and having attained the dual peaks of Body Refining and Qi Condensation, this single palm strike would have been enough to take my life!"
Seeing that Ning Wuque had not died from his palm strike, Ouyang Jingcheng wore a look of astonishment. "He didn't die? Although I didn't use my full strength just now, I did put in thirty percent of my power—enough to blast a Mortal Shedding Realm expert to death. Wasn't it said that his dantian was crippled and he's just a waste with zero cultivation? How does he still possess this kind of strength? This fellow cannot be allowed to live, or he will surely become a major hazard in the future!"
With that thought,
murderous intent surged in Ouyang Jingcheng's eyes, and he prepared to strike again.
Right at this moment...
A robust, resonant voice caused Ouyang Jingcheng's figure to halt abruptly: "Ouyang Jingcheng, as a dignified expert at the peak of the Spirit Gathering Realm, making a murderous move against a Houtian Martial Artist—isn't that a bit too shameless?"
The crowd turned their gazes in unison toward the source of the voice.
A burly youth standing two meters tall with knotted, powerful muscles was seen crossing his arms, looking at everyone with a playful expression.
"Yunlong? You're finally here!" Mu Yunshang spoke up.
The newcomer was none other than the second young master of the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate, Mu Yunshang's biological younger brother, Mu Yunlong.
"Sister!"
Mu Yunlong nodded toward Mu Yunshang, then glanced at Ning Wuque and asked with curiosity, "You must be Ning Wuque? Weren't you said to have your dantian crippled by the Prince of Mobei? How..."
"He's Ning Wuque? The former number one genius of the Dayan Dynasty?"
"Wasn't it said that Ning Wuque was already crippled? Yet just now he withstood a blow from Ouyang Jingcheng without injury—what on earth is going on?"
Ning Wuque had long anticipated this scenario. Chuckling lightly, he spouted the excuse he had prepared beforehand: "I once obtained a ten-thousand-year immortal ganoderma; after consuming it, my dantian regenerated long ago, allowing me to resume cultivation!"
"So that's how it is!"
Mu Yunlong nodded, not dwelling excessively on the matter. He cast a sideways glance at the gloomy-faced Ouyang Jingcheng beside them and asked, "Even if you can cultivate again, I observe your cultivation is merely at the initial stage of the Spirit Refining Realm. Although this Ouyang Jingcheng's character leaves much to be desired, he is a genuine peak Spirit Gathering Realm expert. Weren't you afraid of dying when you crossed hands with him?"
Ning Wuque smiled and said, "Martial cultivation is by nature an act defying the heavens. I don't even fear the heavens, so what is there to fear about a mere peak Spirit Gathering expert?"
"Well said, defying the heavens!"
Mu Yunlong burst into loud laughter, heavy slaps landing on Ning Wuque's shoulder. "I like your spine. I acknowledge you as my brother-in-law."