Compared to the Northern Desert Prince’s Estate, which had destroyed his dantian, Ning Wuque hated the members of Prince Shenwu’s Estate even more. "One day, I will take back everything you have stolen from me!"
He had campaigned far and wide for Prince Shenwu’s Estate, earning immense merit. Yet, when his dantian was shattered and he was at his most desperate, the members of the Estate had not sought vengeance for him or tried to heal his wounds; instead, they had scrambled to carve up his assets.
This enmity. This hatred. It was irreconcilable!
*Hoo!*
Ning Wuque took a deep breath, suppressing the boundless murderous intent in his heart. Immediately, his consciousness returned to his body, and he began to guide the Chaos Divine Sword’s soul to merge with his physical form, following the instructions of the *Chaos Infinite Sword Scripture*.
"Body of Chaos, draw the sword into the frame, merge..."
Ning Wuque’s body shuddered. Within him, the soul of the Chaos Divine Sword jolted violently before finally settling into his heart, merging perfectly with Ning Wuque’s exquisite Sword Heart.
It transformed into a supreme Sword Heart!
*Thump! Thump!*
With every beat of this supreme Sword Heart, a pure, flawless energy surged through his body, reviving his hollow frame. Within his empty eye sockets, two eyeballs formed. His newborn organs also began to support his withered body. A pitch-black sword bone, covered in strange runes, took the place where his original Dao bone had been.
Sword Heart. Sword bone. Sword organs. All were successfully formed.
With every beat of the Sword Heart in his chest, black sword qi surged to every part of his body, flowing like blood, unending and vibrant.
The Chaos Sword Body—achieved!
Ning Wuque could clearly sense that this Chaos Sword Body was countless times stronger than his original, pure Chaos Body.
"The sword soul and the Chaos Body have merged to initially form the Chaos Sword Body. However, because I lost my eyes, organs, and original Dao bone, the Chaos Body is incomplete, which led to the total loss of my cultivation base. Still, for now, this Chaos Sword Body is already far stronger than the complete one was."
A flash of ruthless determination crossed Ning Wuque’s eyes. "But if I want to forge a perfect, flawless Chaos Sword Body, I must find a chance to take back what I’ve lost..."
Had he not been gouged of his eyes, Dao bone, and organs, his Chaos Sword Body would have been even stronger. However, he knew that with his current strength, he could not take back everything. For now, he had to lie low and keep increasing his power. Only when he was strong enough could he claim justice and reclaim what was rightfully his.
"At least I don't have to worry about dying anymore. If Yunshang knew this, she would be so happy!"
The image of Mu Yunshang surfaced in his mind. When everyone else had abandoned him, she was the one who refused to leave his side.
Ning Wuque’s lips curled into a faint smile, and he prepared to open his eyes to tell her the good news. But just then, Mu Yunshang’s angry voice reached his ears, shattering his good mood: "Brother Wuque is already in this state—can you not let him go?"
***
"Princess Yunshang, I suggest you stop meddling in affairs that don't concern you!" A haughty voice rang out. "Even if the gods themselves came today, they wouldn't be able to stop me from taking his Sword Heart!"
The voice made Ning Wuque shudder. He recognized this person. It was Ning Wushuang, the rising sword genius of the fourth branch of Prince Shenwu’s Estate!
The boy was barely ten years old, had reached the Qi Condensation Realm half a month ago, and possessed incredible natural talent for the sword—a born swordsman. Once upon a time, this little guy loved to follow him around, calling him "Brother Wuque" and looking at him with worshiping eyes as his idol. Ning Wuque had often taken the time to coach him in his cultivation.
But now... was he actually intercepting Mu Yunshang to steal his Sword Heart?
"These bastards from Prince Shenwu’s Estate really won't stop until I'm dead..." Rage boiled in Ning Wuque’s chest. Ning Hongchen had told him earlier that the head of the fourth branch had wanted his Sword Heart, only to be sternly refused by Hongchen. That was the only reason Ning Wuque had been able to linger on with the Seven-Star Life-Extending Pill. But now, Ning Wushuang was blocking their path specifically to take his heart. They were determined to put him in his grave!
"Ning Wushuang, I have heard of you. You followed Brother Wuque to study swordsmanship since you were a child. He was essentially your mentor in the way of the sword and treated you well! Now you want to dig out his heart? Don't you have a conscience?" Mu Yunshang’s voice was sharp with rage.
"He taught me the sword because he wanted to; what does that have to do with me? Besides, what is a conscience worth? If I can get his Sword Heart, my talent will reach a new level. Compared to my future, what does the life of a cripple matter?"
Ning Wushuang’s voice, still youthful, sounded incredibly venomous to Ning Wuque. "Mu Yunshang, I suggest you hand him over. I'll take his heart and leave. You'd best stop interfering, or I won't be so polite with you!"
Mu Yunshang shouted, "As long as I am here, you won't touch a hair on Brother Wuque’s head!"
"If you won't accept a toast, you'll be forced to drink a forfeit!" Ning Wushuang sneered. "Get out of the way!"
*Hum!*
A sharp whistle cut through the air. Mu Yunshang screamed in shock. Because of her unique constitution, she could not cultivate and remained stuck in the Body Refining Realm. How could she be a match for Ning Wushuang? Yet, she did not dodge; instead, she turned resolutely and pulled Ning Wuque into a tight embrace.
As Ning Wushuang’s sword was about to descend upon her, a fair hand appeared from thin air at the final second. Two fingers caught the gleaming blade with casual ease, causing the sword in Ning Wushuang’s hand to grind to a halt. Then, those fair fingers released the blade and flicked it casually.
*Clang!*
With a crisp sound, the sword was sent flying. The immense force sent Ning Wushuang stumbling back several steps.
Ning Wushuang steadied himself and shouted furiously, "Who? Who dares to ruin my plans?"
But the next second, a cold voice made him shiver: "Ning Wushuang, you’ve been at the Qi Condensation Realm for over half a year, haven't you? Is this all you’ve got?"
"N-Ning Wuque?" Ning Wushuang’s pupils contracted, and he stared in disbelief at the figure standing before him.
Ning Wuque—a nightmare that existed in the hearts of all the younger generation of the Dayan Dynasty, unreachable and untouchable. His talent had outshone all other geniuses, and his strength had crushed all his peers. The members of Prince Shenwu’s Estate, in particular, had lived under his shadow, unable to breathe.
However, Ning Wushuang quickly regained his composure. Seeing Ning Wuque’s eyes still closed, he let out a sinister sneer: "Ning Wuque, I didn't expect a cripple like you to still be alive. The Seven-Star Life-Extending Pill is truly the treasure of our estate. It's a pity it was wasted on a piece of trash like you!"
Ning Wuque remained expressionless. He still did not open his eyes. After all, everyone in Prince Shenwu’s Estate knew his eyes had been gouged out. If he revealed that they had regrown now, neither he nor Mu Yunshang would make it out of the Northern Territory alive.
Seeing no response, Ning Wushuang grew confident. His youthful face twisted with malice: "Hahaha, I was almost fooled by you. You’re just a dying piece of trash. I suggest you hand over your heart so you can suffer less..."
Ning Wuque pointed to his own chest: "The Sword Heart is right here. If you have the ability, come and take it!"
"Brother Wuque, no..." Mu Yunshang pulled on his sleeve, her face full of anxiety.
Ning Wuque patted the back of her hand and said softly, "Don't worry, I have everything under control."
Mu Yunshang was stunned. Before she could speak, Ning Wushuang had already strode toward Ning Wuque, a sharp dagger appearing in his palm. Within a few steps, he reached Ning Wuque, his eyes fixed on Ning Wuque’s chest with pure greed. "An exquisite Sword Heart... once I have it, my talent will reach a new level. Within five years, I will definitely reach the Xiantian realm and be able to fight for the position of heir..."
As he spoke, Ning Wushuang raised the dagger and stabbed it toward Ning Wuque’s chest without hesitation. The silver light reflecting off the blade illuminated his distorted, savage face.
Mu Yunshang shrieked, subconsciously stepping forward to shield him.
But at that split second, Ning Wuque, eyes still closed, moved with lightning speed. His fingers, shaped like an eagle’s claw, clamped onto Ning Wushuang’s wrist. The terrifying force in his fingers stopped the dagger just an inch from his heart, unable to move a millimeter further.
"Y-you..." Ning Wushuang was shocked and furious, his eyes wide as he stared at Ning Wuque. He hadn't expected that a dying man could react with such speed and power.
"You want my Sword Heart? You aren't worthy!" Ning Wuque’s lips curled into a cold arc.
His right hand shot up, and with a crisp *slap*, he struck Ning Wushuang across the face. He did not hold back at all. The blow caused half of Ning Wushuang’s face to swell instantly, and a mouthful of blood mixed with shattered teeth sprayed out.
"That slap is for your ingratitude!"
Ning Wuque struck him again with his backhand. "That slap is for kicking a man while he's down!"
*Slap!*
Another strike. "That slap is for your selfishness!"
The three consecutive blows left Ning Wushuang dazed. Both sides of his face were swollen high, as if he had two eggs stuffed in his mouth. His teeth were shattered, and he whistled when he tried to speak. With terror and resentment in his eyes, he growled, "You dare hit me? Ning Wuque, you piece of trash, you dare hit me? My grandfather won't let you get away with this..."
"Your grandfather? Isn't that old dog the one who wanted to dig my heart out for you? Today, I’ll dig your heart out first. When I return to Prince Shenwu’s Estate, I’ll settle the score with him..." Ning Wuque sneered.
Under Ning Wushuang’s horrified gaze, he took the dagger from his hand and, with a *thwack*, pierced through his chest. A beating heart was exposed to the air.
*Ugh...*
Ning Wushuang’s voice ceased. He clutched his chest with both hands and slowly sank to his knees.
"You bastards of Prince Shenwu’s Estate, this is only the beginning!" Ning Wuque looked coldly at the corpse, his expression calm, devoid of joy or sorrow. From the moment they had heartlessly carved up his physical treasures, there had been no shred of affection left between them. Only endless, bottomless hatred remained!
*Hoo!*
Ning Wuque let out a long breath. As he turned to face Mu Yunshang, the killing intent and coldness on his face vanished, replaced by a gentle smile. "Yunshang, let's go home."
***
Inside the carriage, Mu Yunshang blinked her large, dark, watery eyes, studying the flawless profile of Ning Wuque beside her. Her beautiful face held a dazed, cute expression.
Ning Wuque seemed to sense her gaze and turned. Their eyes met. Mu Yunshang looked down, feeling guilty as if caught in a secret thought, and heard Ning Wuque’s amused voice: "What? Are there flowers on my face?"
"N-no!" Mu Yunshang’s small head shook like a rattle. She carefully stole a few more glances at him.
Ning Wuque’s lips curled upward. He knew she hadn't quite recovered from the shock of his full recovery, so he gently took her small, anxious hand. When their hands touched, Mu Yunshang’s body stiffened; she sat bolt upright, motionless, her face turning as red as a boiled crab in an instant.
Ning Wuque chuckled. "Yunshang, I know you have many questions. You can ask me; I’ll tell you everything without holding anything back!"
Mu Yunshang nodded, her face still flushed. She did have countless questions. She had seen with her own eyes his eyes being gouged, his Dao bone carved out, his organs removed, and his blood drained! Yet now... his body had recovered perfectly. And just moments ago, he had killed Ning Wushuang right in front of her. This series of events was hard for her to accept.
Mu Yunshang carefully chose her words. "Brother Wuque, h-how did your body recover?" Having said that, she quickly added, as if fearing he would misunderstand, "If it's too difficult, you don't have to say..."
"Silly girl, when I was at my lowest and most desperate, you were the only one who never left my side. How could I have any secrets from you?" Ning Wuque ruffled her hair, looking at her with doting eyes. He spoke in a deep voice, "However, this matter is truly incredible. I will only tell you."
"Mm-hmm!" Mu Yunshang nodded obediently.
Ning Wuque began, "Actually, I don't know exactly what happened myself. When you took me away from Prince Shenwu’s Estate, I suddenly appeared in a vast star sea, where I saw..." Ning Wuque told her everything he had seen and heard, including the news of the Chaos Divine Sword and the Ancestor Sword’s inheritance.
Mu Yunshang listened, completely stunned. The scene Ning Wuque described was simply too inconceivable. A galaxy for a path, a sun for a lamp, gods and demons kneeling, the inheritance of the Sword Ancestor! As he had said, it was impossible to explain.
Watching her dazed expression, Ning Wuque reached out and flicked her high, delicate nose, laughing, "If you can't figure it out, don't think about it. Just assume you brought me this good fortune, isn't that better? Besides, my talent now far exceeds what it was before. As long as I have enough time, I will certainly surpass my past peak. That way, I'll have the strength to protect you!"
"Mm-hmm!" Mu Yunshang nodded obediently, but then, as if realizing something, she lowered her head.
Ning Wuque keenly caught the flicker of worry in her eyes. "Yunshang, is something troubling you? We are husband and wife, we are one. You can tell me anything; you don't have to bear it all alone!"
"Brother Wuque..." Mu Yunshang’s eyes were slightly red. She bit her lip and said, "When the news of your injury reached the Southern Frontier, my father and mother wanted to petition the Emperor to annul our engagement. But I refused. I secretly took my father’s divine carriage to Prince Shenwu’s Estate. Now that we are returning to the Southern Frontier, I’m afraid my father and mother might make things difficult for you..."
Even though Ning Wuque had recovered his body, his cultivation base was gone, and he had lost his status as the heir to Prince Shenwu’s Estate. He was now like duckweed without roots. She feared he would not be able to withstand the pressure and harassment from the Southern Suppression Prince’s Estate.
"Hahaha, I thought it was something serious bothering you. So that’s it..." Ning Wuque laughed heartily. He squeezed her hand, holding it firmly. His voice was gentle but carried an unwavering resolve. "Don't worry. Even if your parents make things difficult—even if there are mountains of blades and seas of fire ahead—I fear nothing. I’ve got it all handled!"
"Mm!" A bright smile bloomed on Mu Yunshang’s face, and she rested her head on Ning Wuque’s shoulder. She had been under immense pressure these past few days. Now, resting beside him, her heart felt much calmer, and before long, she fell into a deep sleep.
Watching the long eyelashes fluttering slightly on Mu Yunshang’s closed eyes, Ning Wuque’s expression turned solemn. *So what if I lost the background of being the heir to Prince Shenwu’s Estate? As long as I am strong enough, I am my own background!*
Having endured this ordeal, he was more convinced than ever of one truth: strength was the fundamental basis for everything.
"As long as I possess sufficient strength, why worry about whether the Southern Suppression Prince’s Estate will accept me? The first step now is to recover my Qi Condensation Realm cultivation before we reach the Southern Frontier..."
Ning Wuque took a deep breath, his desire for strength reaching an unprecedented height. He slowly closed his eyes and began to circulate the cultivation method of the *Chaos Infinite Sword Scripture*. This was a peerless technique created by the Sword Ancestor, a path leading directly to immortality and the foundation of eternity.
As soon as he began to cycle the energy, Ning Wuque felt as if he had become an ancient glutton, opening his jaws wide to devour the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
"It is truly a peerless divine art created by the Sword Ancestor after nine reincarnations. I am only in the Body Refining Realm, yet my speed of absorbing spiritual energy rivals what I had in the Mortal Shedding Realm. At this rate, I will definitely step into the Qi Condensation Realm before arriving at the Southern Frontier!" Ning Wuque was invigorated.
He became completely immersed in his cultivation.
***
The next day, at noon.
Over a day had passed since Ning Wuque and Mu Yunshang left Prince Shenwu’s Estate. Yesterday, Mu Yunshang had taken Ning Wuque away in broad daylight, so naturally, she could not escape the eyes of the experts in the estate. However, her status prevented them from acting rashly, and besides, they saw Ning Wuque as a hollow shell who wouldn't last long, so they didn't bother to stop them.
The seventh branch of the estate lived their lives as they always had. Ning Wuque’s fall had caused no change in their world.
At the residence of the fourth branch, the hall was deathly silent, the atmosphere suffocating. Ning Hongyuan, the master of the fourth branch, had a face so dark it looked like it could drip water. He stared at the cold corpse lying on the stretcher below, his eyes filled with crimson bloodshot veins. "Have you found out? How exactly did Wushuang die?"