Chapter 163

Chapter 163: Appropriate Restraint

"Ao Lie, Yan Duxing!"

When the names were called out, Ao Lie’s gaze momentarily froze, and he stepped onto the battle platform.

"I’ve long heard of the Ninth Prince’s reputation, and today I finally have the chance to seek your instruction," Yan Duxing said, knowing Ao Lie’s background all too clearly.

"Senior Brother Yan, please enlighten me," Ao Lie replied.

He bowed with his hands clasped.

"Let’s fight with restraint and stop before it goes too far, how about that?" Yan Duxing remarked with a faint laugh; both were from the Yuan Realm, with no deep hatred or grudges between them, so neither wanted to aim for a deadly outcome.

Ao Lie nodded in agreement.

Boom!

One possessed the Divine Suppression Body, and the other had the bloodline of the ancestral dragon; both their physiques were extremely powerful, and as they clashed, it was purely a physical battle without any use of magic power, utterly exhilarating.

However, since Ao Lie had only just entered the saint realm, he was ultimately a bit weaker, and after half a stick of incense’s time, he lost the fight.

"Senior Brother Yan’s Divine Suppression is truly formidable—I concede my defeat with complete sincerity," Ao Lie sighed.

The outcome held no surprise, and Ao Lie was entirely calm with no trace of resentment.

For him, entering the top twenty and withdrawing uninjured was already the best result he could achieve.

Yan Duxing smiled and said, "Your cultivation isn’t as advanced as mine, so I took an unfair advantage."

The two then walked off the battle platform in succession.

This battle proved to be the most peaceful one since the Hidden Dragon Gathering had begun.

"Meng Feixian, Xuan Ruyi!"

"Sister Meng, it’s your turn to enter the arena now," someone called out.

The group from Godfall Ridge perked up, shifting their gazes toward Meng Feixian’s opponent.

She was the Seventh Princess of the Holy Ancestor Dynasty.

The Seventh Princess, Xuan Ruyi, wore a simple dark robe, her incomparable beauty unadorned by makeup, and as she stood alongside Meng Feixian atop the platform, they astonished the crowd.

Both were stunning beauties, each with their own unique strengths.

"I’ve long known of Godfall Ridge but never had the chance to visit; today, I’m truly honored to exchange Techniques with you," Xuan Ruyi said.

Xuan Ruyi smiled radiantly with full warmth.

"We’ll fight with restraint," Meng Feixian responded with a smile.

On her journey here, all the opponents she encountered had never attempted lethal moves against her.

Still, nobody risked underestimating her.

After all, Meng Feixian ranked second on the Hidden Dragon List, and Qi Wuhen was third; both possessed the Xuanhuang Dao Body and had subdued Beitang Jue with his Black Heavenly Demon Body, so Meng Feixian could only be stronger.

By now, no one doubted the Hidden Dragon List’s credibility.

Rumble!

Meng Feixian channeled her magic power, and suddenly across the sky, countless replicas of Meng Feixian materialized, sleeves billowing in layers, completely enveloping the entire battle platform.

The next second, countless palm seals exploded from all directions like a raging torrent, thundering toward Xuan Ruyi.

Xuan Yu’s gaze turned slightly cold. "This woman’s divine ability is truly unusual."

Royal Prince Bao remarked, "The Da Meng Clan boasts profound heritage, its history outdated the history of the Holy Ancestor Dynasty several times over. Barring any surprises, Little Seven is going to lose."

"I share the Royal Uncle’s view," Xuan Yu solemnly agreed. "Little Seven likely won’t last half an hour."

Although Xuan Ruyi had reached saint level perfection, a minor realm higher than Meng Feixian, judging by Meng Feixian’s earlier display, Xuan Ruyi held less than one percent chance of victory.

"Nangong, do you think she possesses the ability to challenge you?" Lan Youruo stared at the arena, her eyes also revealing a trace of astonishment. Meng Feixian’s strength was undoubtedly top-tier.

Were it not for Nangong Zhandao, she would be the unreservedly first on the Hidden Dragon List.

"No."

Nangong Zhandao shook his head.

The talented individuals at the Hidden Dragon Gathering were merely ordinary people compared to him.

No one was his match.

Lan Youruo wasn’t surprised.

She did not even know the limits of Nangong Zhandao’s strength.

After all, he progressed every single moment.

Especially since the revival of spiritual energy, Nangong Zhandao’s improvement had become even more pronounced. His cultivation speed had rocketed, nearing saint level perfection.

It was foreseeable that before the great change arrived, Nangong Zhandao would undoubtedly ascend to the Saint King realm.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The two women possessed exceptional beauty, but their strength was starkly uneven.

From beginning to end, Xuan Ruyi was thoroughly suppressed by Meng Feixian’s bizarre divine ability, leaving her with absolutely no hope to turn the tide, only capable of defending blindly.

Just as Xuan Yu had anticipated, half an hour later, Xuan Ruyi was defeated.

"Mercy."

Meng Feixian withdrew her magic power, her beautiful eyes shining like stars.

A trace of pallor appeared on Xuan Ruyi’s face, etched with despondency.

She had anticipated defeat, but she hadn’t imagined Meng Feixian would win so effortlessly.

"Xuan Yu…"

The moment the battle concluded, Yang Xuanzhan’s voice abruptly cut through the air.

Today, the top ten places were to be decided.

Ye Xu glanced at Ye Xian’er. The little girl was utterly absorbed, watching with rapt attention. During the thrilling moments, she clenched her pink fists tightly, almost as if she couldn’t bear to take over the fight herself.

It was rather amusing.

Xuan Yu’s opponent was a talented female disciple from the Empress Nuwa Palace, possessing formidable strength.

However, Xuan Yu’s strength was evidently superior.

Within the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, Xuan Yu, with absolute dominance, subdued the young woman, igniting cheers from a group of young talents of the Holy Ancestor Dynasty.

"This man possesses the strength to rank in the top five."

Nangong Zhandao’s gaze flickered slightly; Xuan Yu’s power had genuinely piqued his interest.

"Bu Linglong…"

The battles raged on.

One prodigy after another took the stage, only to make their exit amidst fleeting brilliance.

Those defeated were merely stepping stones.

"Nangong Zhandao versus Wei Du."

It was Nangong Zhandao again.

The moment the name was announced, every genius cultivator’s heart skipped a beat.

The sinister man from Godfall Ridge, Wei Du himself, stiffened, his complexion paling.

"Wei Du, weren’t you clamoring the whole way here for a decisive duel with Nangong Zhandao? Now’s your time to shine," Qi Wuhen taunted, pausing his breathing exercises to cast a provoking glance.

"Fuck off."

Wei Du snapped back, his mood sour.

After witnessing Nangong Zhandao’s prowess firsthand, he had lost all that confidence.

Wei Du leaped onto the battle platform, his heart filled with anxious apprehension.

"Nangong Zhandao, shall we… keep it to a friendly test of skill?" Wei Du ventured cautiously.

"Agreed."

Nangong Zhandao gave a slight nod, then added, "However, you likely won’t withstand a single strike from my sword."

"Bring it on."

Wei Du took a deep breath to steady himself, but the sheer arrogance of Nangong Zhandao’s next words ignited a blaze of fury within him.

He ranked fourth on the Hidden Dragon List! How could he possibly fail to block one measly strike?

Nangong Zhandao was looking down on him far too much.

A clang!

The sound of a sword echoed sharply.

Instantly, the tension in every onlooker’s heart pulled taut like a bowstring.

"He’s already lost."

Meng Feixian gently shook her head, a touch of pity in her eyes.

"How so?"

A fellow prodigy from Godfall Ridge asked, perplexed.

"As the sword rang out, Nangong Zhandao had already struck, yet Wei Du remains completely oblivious, utterly unaware he’s already been cut by Nangong Zhandao’s blade."

"His mastery of the sword has reached an almost unthinkable level."

"Wei Du truly cannot withstand even a single strike."

"Draw your blade."

Wei Du stood ready and alert.

Nangong Zhandao ignored him, turned around, and stepped off the battle platform.

"…".

Wei Du was completely bewildered and didn’t understand what had happened at all.

Before they could even fight, why did you leave?

Clang!

The next instant, a ray of blade light slashed out from Wei Du’s Purple Palace, splitting it in half, just a fraction away from his primordial spirit.

A wave of fear struck Wei Du’s heart, overwhelming him.

"He has already drawn his blade…"

"I didn’t realize when he drew his blade…"

Wei Du felt ashamed and angry. Despite being ranked fourth on the Hidden Dragon List, he had lost so badly?

"It truly ended with restraint."

Ye Xu smiled.

However, among those present, only Ye Xu could smile.

Each talented cultivator was stunned by Nangong Zhandao’s blade strike.

Who knew if anyone could grasp the deep meaning of Nangong Zhandao’s blade strike?

"Elder Brother Nangong, I admit defeat."

Wei Du bowed deeply, fully convinced. "Thank you for sparing me, Elder Brother. Please accept Wei Du’s bow."

"Everyone, which of you still has the confidence to defeat Nangong Zhandao?"

Xuan Yu watched everything with a bitter smile.

"Are you scared?"

Li Xieyun gazed coldly. "His blade strike was just refined blade intent, targeting the primordial spirit. With defenses ready, he couldn’t succeed."

"Just this one blade strike isn’t enough to scare me off."

"That makes sense."

Qi Zijun of Empress Nuwa Palace spoke solemnly: "Which of us isn’t a genius of our time? How could we let one Nangong Zhandao crush us?"

Bu Linglong nodded.

"There is no perfect person. He must have a weakness; we just haven’t found it yet."

Fear rose in everyone’s hearts.

But more people felt murderous intentions.

Including the Great Emperors from various sects.

Nangong Zhandao’s potential was too terrifying. Once he matured, it could be horrific.

No one could tolerate such a monstrous genius continuing to grow stronger.

Lan Youruo furrowed her brows.

"This day was bound to come," she said.

Nangong Zhandao placed his hand over hers and smiled. "But I believe the person capable of killing me hasn’t been born yet,"

he said. "At the very least, it shouldn’t be any of them."