Free Web NovelChapter 136: Chapter 136: You’re Stronger Than I Imagined
"!?"
Shen Daoxing stared in astonishment at the ethereal figures kneeling respectfully before him. He was completely baffled, with no idea what was happening.
"Ancestors, what are you...?"
Beside him, the Ninth Princess’s jaw dropped in disbelief.
’These Divine Souls lost their consciousness long ago. They act purely on the instinct of their bloodline. They sense the power of the Dragon Vein Origin in you, so they naturally treat you as the Gu Family’s founding ancestor. You could say that now, having fused with the Dragon Vein Origin, you possess a natural ability to suppress anyone from the Gu Family.’
’Why don’t you try? You can command them at will now.’
The Blood Dragon’s voice echoed in Shen Daoxing’s mind.
Realization dawned on Shen Daoxing.
...
On a mountainside, Ren Changfeng’s figure leaped swiftly down from the peak. A moment later, he came to an abrupt halt atop a massive boulder.
"Dean, what’s the situation?"
Vice-Dean Chen Guanggu suddenly appeared by his side.
Ren Changfeng didn’t speak, only shaking his head.
"What?"
Chen Guanggu was astonished. "First the Dragon Vein, now the princess. Is Gu Yan really going to hand the entire Martial Kingdom over to Shen Daoxing?"
Ren Changfeng didn’t answer immediately. He gave the mountain peak a cool glance and said, "It doesn’t matter. Shen Daoxing will die today, one way or another!"
"Exactly! Before the inter-academy tournament, this Shen Daoxing must be eliminated. Our Celestial City Academy cannot afford to lose the tournament!"
Chen Guanggu’s expression was grim as he said coldly, "Dean, let me handle it this time!"
"No!"
Ren Changfeng, however, shook his head. "To be safe, I’ll act personally this time!"
"Excellent! With you making a move personally, Dean, Shen Daoxing’s capture is a sure thing," Chen Guanggu said, delighted.
Just then, Ren Changfeng’s figure suddenly grew indistinct. Bit by bit, he vanished, transforming into a faint, barely perceptible streak of red light that drifted toward the mountain behind the Imperial Mausoleum.
Meanwhile, on the mountain behind the Imperial Mausoleum.
The crowd was still buzzing with conversation, marveling at the Ninth Princess’s beauty and waiting for her and Shen Daoxing to emerge.
Unnoticed by them, a streak of red light silently floated over, then flew into the large red gate on the mountainside and disappeared.
...
「Inside the Ancestral Mausoleum.」
Shen Daoxing looked at the group of white-haired elders kneeling respectfully before him. It all felt rather strange.
He thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers and commanded, "All of you, rise. Return to where you belong."
Upon hearing Shen Daoxing’s words, they did indeed stand up one by one, slowly returning to the stone statues and merging into them.
"What was that...?"
The Ninth Princess still looked completely baffled.
"It means your ancestors approve of me!"
Shen Daoxing smiled faintly, offering no further explanation.
Although she didn’t fully understand, seeing that Shen Daoxing was unharmed, the Ninth Princess felt relieved and didn’t press the matter.
"Alright, we should head out. Everyone is still waiting for us."
"Mhm!"
The Ninth Princess nodded and happily linked her arm with Shen Daoxing’s, leaning against him like a docile kitten.
’After receiving the ancestors’ blessing, all that’s left is to pick an auspicious day for our wedding.’ The thought filled the Ninth Princess with delight.
The two of them retraced their steps, passing by the stone statues, and soon reached the entrance of the stone chamber.
The Ninth Princess was just about to step out.
Suddenly, Shen Daoxing frowned, sensing something was wrong. "Watch out!"
He cried out, quickly pulling the Ninth Princess into his arms.
BOOM!
With a massive roar, a gigantic Palm Seal descended outside the chamber entrance with overwhelming force, cracking the ground with a web of fissures.
After dodging the surprise attack, Shen Daoxing scanned his surroundings warily but saw no one.
Then, he chuckled. "Do you people from Celestial City Academy always like to sneak around?"
As his voice fell, a spirited, white-haired old man stepped out. It was none other than the Dean of Celestial City Academy, Ren Changfeng.
"Celestial City Academy certainly is bold. To think the Dean himself would make a move just to kill a humble disciple of the Sword Institute like me!"
Shen Daoxing was slightly surprised to see who it was. He knew Celestial City Academy would come after him sooner or later, but he hadn’t expected the Dean to act personally.
"Boy, kneel and atone to our Celestial City Academy now, and I will grant you a quick death!" Ren Changfeng said flatly, his face devoid of expression as if he were looking at a dead man.
"And if I say no?"
Shen Daoxing looked at Ren Changfeng coldly.
"Then I will personally cut off your head and make your corpse kneel on Celestial City Mountain to atone, as a tribute to the spirits of my fallen disciples from Celestial City Academy."
Ren Changfeng said coolly, then glanced at the Ninth Princess. "She dies too!"
The Ninth Princess seemed to mature in an instant. Facing Ren Changfeng, she took a resolute step forward. "Ren Changfeng, everyone is waiting right outside. If you kill us now, are you planning to make an enemy of the entire Martial Kingdom?"
"The Martial Kingdom?"
Ren Changfeng’s lips curled in disdain.
"I’ve never given it a second thought. If not for the protection of the Profound Celestial Sacred Land, your little Martial Kingdom would have been wiped out long ago. So what if I kill you? You think the emperor of the Martial Kingdom would dare to offend the Celestial Profound Sacred Land?"
With that, Ren Changfeng’s figure vanished. The next instant, he reappeared right in front of Shen Daoxing, thrusting out a palm with a piercing, air-ripping sound, as if to cleave the very air in two.
Shen Daoxing reacted instantly, grabbing the Ninth Princess and tossing her back into the stone chamber. He then took a bold step forward, meeting Ren Changfeng’s palm with one of his own.
BOOM!
A deafening blast erupted. Ren Changfeng retracted his hand and stared intently, only to see that Shen Daoxing had merely stumbled back a few steps under his blow, seemingly unharmed.
He couldn’t help but let out a soft sound of surprise. He was a master at the Spirit Transformation realm, while Shen Daoxing was merely at the Seventh Layer of the Grotto Heaven realm—a full major realm apart. Yet he hadn’t been able to kill the boy in a single strike.
"No wonder Junze was no match for you. You’ve got some skill! Then let’s see you handle this!"
As he spoke, Ren Changfeng abruptly shoved his palm forward, and a massive Palm Seal materialized.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The massive Palm Seal easily crushed the rubble in its path as it pressed forward with surging momentum.
SHING!
A flash of black light.
Shen Daoxing decisively summoned the Great Ming Demon Sparrow and slashed down on the Palm Seal.
BOOM!
Inside the cave, a deafening explosion rang out as the massive Palm Seal detonated.
The force of the impact left Shen Daoxing’s hand, gripping the Great Ming Demon Sparrow, numb.
This wasn’t Shen Daoxing’s first time facing a Spirit Transformation realm master. Compared to his previous powerlessness, he now had enough strength to trade a few blows. Even so, killing Ren Changfeng would be no simple task.
"Shen Daoxing, you’re stronger than I imagined!"
Ren Changfeng’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"You’re stronger than I imagined, too!"
Shen Daoxing replied with a faint smile.
