Chapter 553: Dominating the Field! Fleeing Without a Fight

“Or are you saying the Celestial Dragon Temple ignores the laws of the Government Office? That it can assassinate a court official at will? If that’s the case, then I cannot simply stand by and watch.”

“Nie Xiangjun.”

Monk Huineng’s expression shifted slightly. A trace of hesitation flashed in his eyes before it was immediately replaced by determination.

“No, Donor, you misunderstand. Yikong has lost this battle. I concede on his behalf…”

Then his gaze turned to Chen Sheng.

“I hope Donor Chen will be merciful and spare Yikong.”

Chen Sheng narrowed his eyes and sent a voice transmission to Nie Xiangjun.

“Can I kill him?”

Honestly, Chen Sheng had no intention of holding back. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have immediately mobilized the Nine Nether Demon Fire, a Divine Technique he had just finished cultivating, to suppress his opponent.

At this point, he didn’t even need to do much more. In just a few more breaths, the Demon Fire would burn Yikong to ash.

“Yikong is a True Inheritor of the Celestial Dragon Temple and one of the core disciples of the next generation. It’s best not to kill him. Otherwise, all pretenses will be dropped,” Nie Xiangjun advised.

Although not explicitly stated, there was an unwritten rule among the top powers of Yunzhou.

Barring any accidents, one could not kill the core True Inheritors of another power.

Because once you broke the rule, others would follow your example.

That would mean tearing down all facades completely.

This applied to Chen Sheng as well. As the publicly acknowledged son-in-law of the Nie Family’s Direct Lineage, the other top powers would never openly try to kill him.

Even if Yikong had defeated Chen Sheng this time, he would not have been able to land a killing blow.

At most, he would have inflicted heavy injuries, stopping just short of a fatal outcome.

Chen Sheng understood Nie Xiangjun’s underlying meaning and sighed internally.

‘Just as I thought.’

‘Having a powerful background is essential.’

‘Until you have the background and strength to completely crush your opponents, you have to know where to draw the line.’

Chen Sheng smiled, not feeling particularly wronged.

This was simply reality.

People with powerful backgrounds had to be spared.

Only those with no background, or one that wasn’t deep enough, could be dealt with at will.

With a thought from Chen Sheng,

the Blood Bell beneath his feet suddenly dissipated.

Seeing this, Monk Huineng quickly made his move. With a raise of his hand, he pulled a figure covered in bloody flames out of the crimson sea of fire. His brow furrowed as he swiftly used a Divine Technique to extinguish the Demon Fire.

Although the Nine Nether Demon Fire could suppress Profound Mastery Cultivators, it posed little threat to a Golden Core Grandmaster. Wisps of bloody flame were continuously extinguished.

As the flames were put out, Monk Yikong’s true form was revealed.

But at this moment, he looked utterly wretched.

His robes had been completely burned away, and his skin was charred black. Cracks marred his arms, back, and chest, making him look like a fire-scorched monkey.

The aura around him had diminished to almost nothing.

His once-abundant Blood Qi was now so depleted he looked withered and barely human.

He bore no resemblance to the divine monk with a face as fair as jade he had been before.

Yes, even though Chen Sheng had stopped in time, and even though the Demon Fire had only burned him for less than ten breaths, Monk Yikong was still left severely wounded. Even his foundation had been greatly affected.

A flash of pity crossed Huineng’s eyes. He raised his hand and tapped his fingers on Yikong’s brow.

“Wake up!”

Under Monk Huineng’s protection, Monk Yikong’s once-sunken, withered eye sockets finally showed a flicker of movement. He dazedly opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was his Martial Uncle Huineng.

A hint of shame flashed in his eyes.

“Martial Uncle, I have brought shame upon the Celestial Dragon Temple.”

Huineng pondered for a moment.

“It’s good that you’re alright.”

Although his investigation revealed that Yikong had suffered heavy injuries and even damage to his foundation, thankfully, Chen Sheng hadn’t been too ruthless and completely crippled him.

After returning to the Celestial Dragon Temple, he could hopefully recover after a period of nourishment with heavenly materials and earthly treasures.

Yikong’s lips pulled into a very ugly smile. He forced his body upright and looked at the figure in the black official robe in the void. A sense of defeat and awe filled his eyes as he pressed his palms together.

“I… thank you, Donor… for showing mercy.”

Just moments ago, when the Demon Fire had completely annihilated his Protective Gang Qi and even his Talisman Treasure could no longer defend him, Yikong truly thought he was going to die.

Therefore, no matter how reluctant he was, he could not lose his composure now.

As for Chen Sheng, Yikong now felt a genuine sense of awe.

He truly hadn’t expected Chen Sheng to be so powerful.

The might of that Demon Fire Divine Technique had filled him with extreme trepidation and had even wounded his Dao heart.

And the reason for this was Chen Sheng’s Cultivation Realm.

Chen Sheng was only at the mid-stage of Profound Mastery, while he was a bona fide late-stage Profound Mastery Cultivator.

He had always been the one to fight and win against those in higher realms by relying on his profound foundation. He never imagined that one day, he would be defeated by someone in a lower realm.

This sense of defeat was almost impossible to describe in words.

Chen Sheng smiled indifferently and didn’t respond.

But this silence was, in itself, a response.

To be precise, it was contempt.

Yikong felt a surge of humiliation, but he quickly suppressed it, lowered his head, and walked to his Martial Uncle.

At a time like this, anything he said would be wrong.

The loser has no right to be arrogant.

He knew that if it weren’t for the Celestial Dragon Temple, he would be dead for sure.

Monk Huineng gave Chen Sheng a deep look, then turned to Nie Xiangjun.

“Yikong has been defeated today. I will take my leave.”

“Please.”

Nie Xiangjun nodded slightly.

After the two had left, Chen Sheng’s gaze suddenly shifted. He looked in a certain direction and announced in a clear voice:

“Li Chengyin, Wei Jing, since you’ve come to Ning’an, you must be here for me. I’ll give you two a chance. Come at me together. Let me see what the Divine Techniques of Dragon Tiger Mountain and the Vast Sea Sect are made of!”

This voice, infused with True Essence, rolled like thunder across the sky.

On the third-floor windowsill, meeting Chen Sheng’s gaze, Wei Jing’s heart suddenly tensed. He subconsciously wanted to retreat, but if he were to withdraw without a fight at a time like this, the Vast Sea Sect would truly lose all face.

He immediately looked at Li Chengyin.

“Li, should we make a move?”

Li Chengyin glanced at Wei Jing, ignoring him. He took a step forward, standing in the void. A faint blue-green lightning flickered around him as he spoke in a solemn voice:

“I have long heard that Inspector Chen of Ning’an possesses extraordinary strength, unmatched by his peers. Having seen it today, I can confirm your reputation is well-deserved. However, as a True Inheritor of a Major Sect, I have never been one to take advantage of others. Lord Chen, you have expended a great deal of energy in today’s battle. If I were to win now, it would be a dishonorable victory. Let’s postpone it. I’ve heard the court will be holding a Martial Examination soon. At that time, I will come and compete with you, Lord Chen. Farewell!!!”

After saying his piece, Li Chengyin turned and left without a second’s hesitation.

‘What a joke!’

‘Looking at Chen Sheng’s condition, it’s obvious he hasn’t been affected at all. If we fought, my fate would be no better than Monk Yikong’s.’

Although this excuse was not a good look, and almost no one would believe it,

it was still better than being defeated outright.

At least, he had no desire to be burned by that blood-fire.

Until he found a way to counter that Divine Technique, he was determined not to fight Chen Sheng.

Call it cowardice.

Call it running away.

It was still better than being beaten half to death and suffering severe injuries.

Li Chengyin’s “wise” choice immediately put Wei Jing in an awkward position. When he heard Li Chengyin’s opening words, he thought the man was actually going to fight and had even prepared himself for a battle to the death.

But he never expected that Li Chengyin, after speaking such high-minded words, would commit such a cowardly act.

He… had avoided the fight!

Watching Li Chengyin’s retreating back, Chen Sheng chuckled. He didn’t give chase, simply letting his gaze fall slowly back onto Wei Jing, his eyes filled with indifference and contempt.

“Your turn. Will you concede, or will you fight?”

“I….”

Wei Jing’s mouth hung open. He hadn’t expected Chen Sheng to give him only two choices this time. He could feel the stares of the surrounding crowd, and his face burned with shame.

But feeling Chen Sheng’s terrifying might, after a few moments of silence, Wei Jing chose to follow his gut.

“Lord Chen’s Divine Techniques are extraordinary. I….. concede!”

After speaking, Wei Jing turned and fled, even burning a portion of his Qi and Blood Power in his haste to escape.

All the bold and ambitious declarations he’d made before coming to Ning’an,

now felt like a series of harsh slaps across his face.