Chapter 618 - 613: I’m Back

Chapter 618: Chapter 613: I’m Back

"Elder Zhou, Elder Zhou, please wake up."

In the courtyard, Chu Xiu’Er called out twice, but Zhou Rong didn’t react at all. He just stood there, dazed, as if his soul had departed, leaving behind an empty shell.

’Oh, right. When Brother Ning left, he told me that to wake Elder Zhou, I could stimulate him with the power of my Divine Sense.’

At this thought, Chu Xiu’er quickly channeled the power of her Divine Sense.

A powerful surge of Divine Sense flooded into Zhou Rong’s sea of consciousness. His body shuddered violently, and he finally regained his senses.

"Elder Zhou, you’re awake?"

Chu Xiu’Er looked at Zhou Rong with some concern.

Zhou Rong was dazed at first, but then he remembered what had just happened, and his expression changed drastically. "Xiu’Er, who was that person? He’s too terrifying! With nothing more than a glance, he suppressed me with his Sword Intent and made me lose consciousness!"

As he spoke, Zhou Rong’s entire body trembled. He would never forget those eyes for as long as he lived.

The feeling was like someone chopping the back of your neck, knocking you unconscious in an instant.

’But who am I?’

’I’m an expert of the Earth Martial Realm Middle Stage, a Sword Cultivator ranked among the top ten in the Meteor Sea Region! Knocking me unconscious should be nearly impossible, let alone with just a single glance!’

’Doesn’t that mean Ning Jiang could kill me with a single thought?’

’When did such a terrifying talent of the younger generation appear in the Meteor Sea Region?’

"Elder Zhou, you must have heard his name before!" Chu Xiu’Er said slowly. "He is Ning Jiang!"

The name struck him like lightning.

Instantly, Zhou Rong’s eyes widened, and he was left completely dumbstruck. "What did you say? Ning Jiang? The one who fought Xuanyuan Bi’an a month ago? The man to whom even the White-robed Swordsman admitted his own inferiority?"

"Besides Brother Ning, who else is as young as he is and can make you lose consciousness with a single glance, Elder Zhou?"

Chu Xiu’Er said proudly.

"You’re right. Among the younger generation in the East Sea today, only he could possess such terrifying strength!"

Zhou Rong took a deep breath. The way he looked at Chu Xiu’Er changed completely.

Before, he had treated Chu Xiu’Er as an ordinary junior. But now, seeing that she was acquainted with a top figure like Ning Jiang, her status was on a completely different level.

It was no exaggeration to say that with a connection like that, Chu Xiu’Er could do as she pleased anywhere in the East Sea.

"Has Ning Jiang already left?"

Zhou Rong asked, a hint of regret in his voice.

"Brother Ning gave me guidance for three hours, then he left," Chu Xiu’Er replied. A trace of sadness appeared in her eyes; she had naturally hoped Ning Jiang could have stayed with her a little longer.

"Whew... I offended him just now, but he didn’t kill me. I barely escaped with my life."

Zhou Rong let out a long sigh of relief, his back covered in a layer of cold sweat.

A figure like Ning Jiang could kill him with a single thought. Offending him just now was a suicidal act. The fact that he was still alive made him feel as if he had just taken a stroll through the Ghost Gate.

"Brother Ning said that although you were rude to him, Elder Zhou, you are ultimately the teacher who taught me my Sword Technique. He said that even if your teaching wasn’t the best, you deserve credit for your effort, if not for the results. So he decided not to hold it against you."

Hearing this, Zhou Rong felt not only relief but also a newfound layer of admiration.

’If I were in Ning Jiang’s position,’ he thought, ’I certainly wouldn’t have been so merciful. After all, how can a figure comparable to a dragon be offended by a common mortal without consequence?’

"Ahem, Xiu’Er, what did Ning Jiang teach you? Could you let me see?"

Zhou Rong coughed lightly and asked tentatively.

Seeing right through his intentions, Chu Xiu’er couldn’t help but chuckle.

At this, Zhou Rong’s old face flushed red. However, he was desperate to improve. His own aptitude was limited, and his Sword Technique hadn’t improved in decades. Ning Jiang, on the other hand, was different—he was a man to whom even the White-robed Swordsman admitted inferiority. If he could learn even a little something from Ning Jiang’s teachings, his Sword Technique would surely reach a new height.

Age is irrelevant in the pursuit of knowledge; the accomplished one leads the way.

"Brother Ning once told me that he would teach anyone who has a sincere desire to learn, no matter who they are," Chu Xiu’Er said with a smile.

"He’ll teach anyone? Such magnanimity... He is truly worthy of his title as the number one of the East Sea’s younger generation," Zhou Rong said in admiration.

Generally, Martial Artists treat such insights and experiences as their most guarded secrets, passing them on only to their own disciples. Even then, they would often hold something back. Who else could be as selfless as Ning Jiang?

...

After leaving Cyan Spirit Island, he flew eastward for about five hours.

Finally, through the boundless night, a vast continent appeared before Ning Jiang’s eyes.

Just like in the East Sea, heavy snow was falling over the Six Eastern Provinces. The entire land was draped in silver, a boundless expanse of white.

’It’s been a year. I’m back.’

A sharp glint appeared in Ning Jiang’s eyes as he looked upon this familiar land.

A year ago, he had been hunted by the Seven Great Kings. There was no place for him in the entire Six Eastern Provinces, and he had been forced to flee to the East Sea. He had been gone for a full year.

Now, he had returned!

’It’s time to settle the old debts, one by one!’

Taking a deep breath, Ning Jiang stepped forward, transforming into a streak of sword light that vanished into the swirling snow.

The falling snow bore witness to his return!

’I’ve reached Liang Province. First, I’ll pay a visit to the Mountain and Sea Sect.’

The Liang Province Mountain and Sea Sect had a considerable connection with Ning Jiang.

Back then, Lan Nongyu of the Mountain and Sea Sect had formed a bond of goodwill with him.

’Hm?’

However, when Ning Jiang found the Mountain and Sea Sect, he was met with a scene of utter ruin. There were broken walls and rubble everywhere, the ground was sundered, and mountains had collapsed. Amid the wreckage, numerous skeletal remains were visible.

’I’m too late.’

Ning Jiang murmured. The signs of battle were fresh. Judging from the bloodstains, the fighting had occurred within the last three days.

’The Mountain and Sea Sect didn’t have any real enemies. If there was one, it could only be because they grew too close to me back then, which displeased the Extreme Heaven Sect...’

At this thought, Ning Jiang’s figure flickered.

He landed in a nearby city, found a few Martial Artists, and inquired about the Mountain and Sea Sect.

Soon, he had the information he wanted.

Three days ago, the Mountain and Sea Sect had been annihilated by the Extreme Heaven Sect!

’What a fine Extreme Heaven Sect. What a fine Extreme Heaven Monarch! No, I suppose I should call him the Extreme Heaven King now!’

Ning Jiang’s gaze was like ice, and every word he thought dripped with vicious killing intent.

In the past, he had stormed the Extreme Heaven Sect, slain the Thunder Spirit Body, and suppressed the Extreme Heaven Monarch with his sword. But in that battle, the Extreme Heaven Monarch had only been injured, not killed.

Now, a year later, Ning Jiang learned that the Extreme Heaven Monarch had actually broken through to the King Realm.

The power structure of the Six Eastern Provinces was no longer dominated by the Seven Great Super Sects, but by the Eight Great Super Sects.

"You’re saying Lan Nongyu is still alive?" Ning Jiang asked, startled.

"Yes. After all, Lan Nongyu is one of the greatest beauties in Liang Province. One of the Extreme Heaven Monarch’s disciples took a fancy to her and brought her back to the Extreme Heaven Sect."

"Good. Good. My first slaughter upon returning to the Six Eastern Provinces will begin with the Extreme Heaven Sect. I will let everyone in the Six Eastern Provinces know that I have returned!"

As his voice faded, Ning Jiang shot into the sky.