In two months, at Star Moon Lake, a battle to the death!
Everyone could see that Ning Jiang wasn't joking.
But that was exactly what made it so unbelievable.
A Qi Cultivation Realm practitioner challenging an Innate Realm expert to a deathmatch? No one would believe it if word got out.
"Hilarious. Who do you think you are? A mere Qi Cultivation Realm cultivator, what right do you have to challenge Young Master Zhou?" Wu Wen's brows shot up, her eyes filled with scorn. "If Young Master Zhou had to accept a challenge from every insignificant clown who came along, he'd be busy day and night."
"You don't know your own limits. How pitifully absurd," Zhao Feng said coldly.
"There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance. But this isn't even arrogance—it's sheer delusion. A joke," Sun Yan said, his face full of disdain.
If someone of equal strength had challenged Zhou Wenhao, he would have been quite interested. But in his eyes, Ning Jiang was no different from a weak ant.
How could an ant contend with an elephant?
He had no interest in this battle whatsoever.
Zhou Wenhao was so furious he laughed, his razor-sharp eyes fixed on Ning Jiang's face. "A battle to the death? You've got guts. But you alone are not worthy of fighting me. Not even if you wager your life. Your life is worthless!"
"Ning Yu'an, don't be ungrateful. It's your good fortune that Young Master Zhou has taken an interest in you. This is your one and only chance for a common sparrow to become a Phoenix. As for this brother of yours, he's a dead man walking anyway. With Young Master Zhou's magnanimity, he won't bother stooping to the level of someone who doesn't know his place."
Wu Wen spoke again, her tone just as cold. She stood behind Zhou Wenhao with a cruel expression, and since Zhou Wenhao didn't stop her, he was clearly giving his tacit approval.
"Wu Wen, shut your mouth."
Ning Yu'an's beautiful eyes turned icy. She reached out a hand—as soft as silk, whiter than snow—and grasped Ning Jiang's, as if to give him courage. Together, they met the four pairs of mocking eyes.
"Zhou Wenhao, you say my brother isn't worthy of challenging you, that even his life isn't a high enough stake. It's true my brother's Cultivation Realm isn't as high as yours right now, and you're one of the Luoyang Ten Heroes. But since he dares to challenge you, I believe in him. If you think the wager isn't enough, then add me to it!"
Ning Yu'an knew the vast difference in strength between Ning Jiang and Zhou Wenhao, yet she still stood forward, her tone firm and resolute.
Everyone looked down on Ning Jiang. Everyone thought he was overestimating himself.
So what?
Even so, she still chose to believe in Ning Jiang!
She couldn't stand the contempt the four of them showed toward Ning Jiang!
'Even if the whole world doesn't believe in you, I'll stand by your side.'
'I wouldn't hesitate even if it meant making an enemy of the world.'
This was Ning Yu'an!
'Sister An, thank you...'
Ning Jiang gave Ning Yu'an a deep look. How could he not understand the heart of this woman?
"Zhou Wenhao, do you dare?!"
Ning Jiang spoke each word deliberately, his tone so cold it was as if Zhou Wenhao didn't even exist in his eyes.
Fury appeared in Zhou Wenhao's eyes. "Good. Very good. Since you're looking for death, I'll grant your wish. When the time comes, I'll make sure there isn't even a complete corpse left of you!"
A frigid killing intent washed over them.
"Zhao Feng, Wu Wen, you two should join in as well." Ning Jiang glanced one last time at Zhou Wenhao, his tone sharp as a knife. "On the fifteenth of the first month, I will take your head."
With that, he took Ning Yu'an's hand and turned to leave.
"Brother Zhou, are you really going to fight him?" Sun Yan frowned after the two had left.
He really didn't think Ning Jiang was worthy.
"Hmph, I'll just consider it a bit of fun. Two months isn't long, anyway. I'm rather curious to see what trump card he has that makes him so confident."
Zhou Wenhao's expression was icy. In his eyes, the fact that Ning Jiang dared to challenge him was an insult in itself.
At the same time, a sliver of doubt crept into his mind.
'This kid is so confident. Could that woman really be backing him?'
Zhou Wenhao's gaze flickered uncertainly. He was well aware that the IOU Zhao Feng held had been bought back by that woman's subordinate.
Yue Lianxi. Even he wasn't very clear on the specific origins of that mysterious woman.
But one thing was certain: the major powers of Luoyang City were all wary of her.
'Even if that woman is behind him, so what? Unless he can reach the Innate Realm in two months, how can he possibly fight me? The Innate Realm... it took me twenty years of cultivation to set foot in it. Two months is completely impossible.'
'This boy is no threat. I'm just worried that when the time comes for the deathmatch, Yue Lianxi might step in to protect him...'
'Hmph, he provoked me like this; I absolutely must kill him. As long as I spread the word and make it a public battle that draws a crowd, a duel to the death witnessed by all, then not even Yue Lianxi can easily interfere!'
A continuous stream of thoughts ran through Zhou Wenhao's mind. He had already mistaken Ning Jiang for one of Yue Lianxi's people. Otherwise, where would Ning Jiang get the nerve to challenge him?
"Zhao Feng, Wu Wen, spread the word about what happened today. Also, Luoyang City's annual gathering for the younger generation will be held soon. The location isn't set yet. I'll go talk to the other members of the Ten Great. Star Moon Lake is actually a pretty good spot! The timing is right, too!"
"Yes." Zhao Feng and Wu Wen exchanged a look, deep shock flashing in their eyes.
Even someone as proud as Sun Yan showed a fiery excitement in his eyes upon hearing Zhou Wenhao mention the younger generation's gathering.
Compared to this gathering, Ning Jiang was a joke.
The annual gathering, a ranking of the Ten Great!
This year, who would reign supreme, look down on all rivals, and dominate the younger generation of Luoyang City?
...
"Sister An, were you scared?" Ning Jiang asked after they left the private room.
"To be honest, when you said you were going to fight Zhou Wenhao to the death, I was scared. Scared something might happen to you."
"But I know you were standing up for me, and that's why you did it. Little brother, I don't know what gives you such confidence, but I believe in you. I believe you will definitely win. I'll support you, no matter what!" Ning Yu'an squeezed Ning Jiang's hand.
Ning Jiang gently squeezed Ning Yu'an's small hand. It was soft and boneless, smooth as jade, making one reluctant to let go.
This gesture made Ning Yu'an's pretty face blush.
"Don't worry, Sister An. My word is my bond. What's said is done. How dare a mere Zhou Wenhao have designs on you? I'll see to it his head rolls. Zhao Feng and Wu Wen won't escape death, either."
Ning Jiang's tone was like that of Yama, the master of life and death, as if anyone's fate rested on his whim.
When Yama decrees your death at the third watch, who dares let you live until the fifth?
One hundred thousand years ago, when Venerable Ning Jiang wanted someone dead, they could not escape their doom, even if they fled to the Nine Heavens or hid in the Yellow Springs.
On the fifteenth of the first month, the first battle of his new life: to cut down Zhou Wenhao with his sword!
...
When news of this battle spread, it sent waves through the younger generation of Luoyang City, which had been quiet for a long time.
"Ning Jiang? Since when did Luoyang City produce an expert with the surname Ning? I don't think I've heard of any major powers in Luoyang City with that name, have I?"
"Interesting. A battle to the death, no less, and against one of the Ten Great. This must be the first time something like this has happened in recent years, right?"
"To dare challenge Zhou Wenhao, and for Zhou Wenhao to accept... I imagine his opponent can't be weak. In two months, at Star Moon Lake, I'll go watch."
This battle became a popular topic of conversation among the younger generation.
However, no specific information about Ning Jiang was released. Zhou Wenhao wasn't about to announce that his opponent was a mere Qi Cultivation Realm expert, was he?
If that got out, he'd be laughed to death.
The talk about this matter didn't last long before another bombshell dropped, detonating among the younger generation. It caused an uproar not just among them, but throughout all of Luoyang City.
The annual gathering for the younger generation of Luoyang City was about to be held!
The gathering, hosted by the Ten Great, would be at Star Moon Lake on the fifteenth of the first month!
"I heard it was Zhou Wenhao who contacted everyone and finalized the time and place with the Ten Great."
"The annual gathering is almost here. I imagine the younger generation is all desperately trying to improve their strength right now, aren't they?"
"Even the Ten Great are probably going into seclusion. Otherwise, who knows if some newcomer will emerge and knock them from their positions."
The younger generation was completely shaken. As soon as the news broke, countless people went into seclusion.
"Ning Jiang? Hmph, in my eyes, you don't even count as an appetizer. For the remaining time, I too must enter seclusion. The annual gathering is always one battle after another."
Zhou Wenhao quickly forgot about Ning Jiang and officially entered secluded cultivation.
「Luoyang City, in a quiet manor.」
"I can't believe it's only been a few days, and he's already caused such a stir. A deathmatch with Zhou Wenhao... his courage is commendable."
Deep within her boudoir, a woman with an enchanting figure moved with extreme grace. Every frown and smile was bewitching, her beautiful eyes shimmering with a natural, alluring charm.
SPLASH! Water sprayed everywhere.
She was bathing in a large pool filled with fresh flowers.
Her skin was like jade, flawless.
Her maidservant, Qiu Yue, attended to her from the side. Her gaze passed through the clear water to the unparalleled curves of that body, a hint of envy in her eyes.
This woman, named Yue Lianxi, was a true stunner who had captured the hearts of countless men.
Who could possibly conquer such a woman?
"My lady, I've met him before. With his meager Qi Cultivation Realm cultivation, isn't fighting Zhou Wenhao just suicide?" Qiu Yue said. She truly couldn't understand why her lady thought so highly of Ning Jiang. With her limited experience and perspective, it was difficult for her to see anything extraordinary about him.
"You're still young. When you've met more people, you'll understand. There isn't the slightest ripple in that man's eyes, as if nothing in this world can move him. Eyes can't lie. Although he's a nobody right now, I don't believe a person with eyes like that will remain ordinary forever."
"This challenge to Zhou Wenhao is the perfect opportunity. I also want to know if my judgment of him is correct, or if I've misread him."
"On the fifteenth of the first month... I think I'd like to go see this battle."
A smile played on Yue Lianxi's lips. Her voice was charming and captivating, tinged with a faint laziness. To anyone listening, it was like a kitten scratching at their heart, leaving them with an incessant itch.
Qiu Yue's mouth fell open, her eyes wide with astonishment.
The fifteenth of the first month was the date of the younger generation's gathering—a highly anticipated event that would draw the attention of all the major powers in Luoyang City. And yet, Yue Lianxi was more interested in Ning Jiang's battle!
Ning Jiang, that young man, was more important than the annual gathering!