Chapter 456: WaterMoon Sword Palace, Xiao Emei!

Chapter 456: WaterMoon Sword Palace, Xiao Emei!

March 27, 2025, Author: Jiang Shangjing

At the third hour of noon, a radiant glow descended from the horizon.

Jiang Ning's vision before him distorted, and scorching heat waves spread in all directions, withering the surrounding vegetation.

Watching this scene, seeing Jiang Ning inhaling and exhaling the radiant glow, Ye Zhengqi's eyes slightly froze.

At this moment, Jiang Ning reminded him of the records in ancient books.

A Qi cultivator steps onto the immortal path, inhaling and exhaling the essence of the sun and moon, absorbing the radiant glow of heaven and earth.

"The Inner Inner Alchemy Life-Nurturing Skill above the Great Accomplishment, perhaps only a step away from perfection!"

"No wonder he just asked me how to enter the Third Grade and achieve the Divine Human Master!"

Ye Zhengqi's thoughts raced.

Another thought flashed through his mind.

As a lower-level Nine-Prefecture Inspector, he himself possessed an Immortal Root and had extensive knowledge about them.

The more outstanding the Immortal Root, the faster the progress, advancing by leaps and bounds.

It could be said that on the path of immortality, the difference in talent was enough to make one despair.

Without an exceptionally outstanding Immortal Root, it was almost impossible to achieve great success.

Defying fate was rare throughout history.

In comparison, the martial arts path was less influenced by innate conditions, not to the point of despair.

Watching Jiang Ning absorbing the essence of the Great Sun at this moment, Ye Zhengqi's mind raced, standing silently by his side, waiting for Jiang Ning to finish.

After a long while, at the final hour of noon, Jiang Ning exhaled a mouthful of turbid Qi from his belly.

The heat waves rolled like a tide, and the withered grass within a few feet in front of him instantly curled up and turned to ash.

【Technique】: Inner Great Accomplishment 8033/10000

He swept his eyes across the technique and then closed it.

With less than two thousand experience points to go, he would achieve perfection.

At that time, he would also gain the qualification to enter the Third Grade and become a Divine Human Master.

Afterward, he slowly stood up.

"Thank you, Inspector Ye, for waiting for me!" Jiang Ning bowed respectfully.

"It's no trouble, just a mere hour!" Ye Zhengqi's expression was calm.

"Let's go!" He immediately started moving again.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning followed him.

In the blink of an eye, half a day later, the two of them rested in Qiushan County halfway through their journey.

After Jiang Ning finished his cultivation, they set off, and now, as the setting sun cast its rays on the ground, they arrived at a lake with rippling waves.

"Is that the WaterMoon Sword Palace?" Jiang Ning asked.

In front of them, the lake rippled with the setting sun, shimmering like sparkling armor in the waves.

In the distance, at the center of the lake, a palace with a roof of deep blue glazed tiles shone in the golden sunset, as if enveloped in divine light, connecting the continuous palaces.

Faintly, they could see transparent Jiao silk fluttering in the palace complex.

"That's the WaterMoon Sword Palace!" Ye Zhengqi nodded slightly and continued, "Before this, the WaterMoon Sword Palace in Guangning Prefecture was only considered a second-rate power, without a Master to preside, they couldn't rank among the top-tier forces."

"Now, with Xiao Qiushui entering the Divine Human Master, the WaterMoon Sword Palace has become one of the top four first-rate forces in Guangning Prefecture!"

Hearing this, Jiang Ning asked, "Inspector Ye, are there any forces in Guangning Prefecture that surpass the top-tier?"

"Yes!" Ye Zhengqi nodded slightly.

"A first-rate force needs to be presided over by a Divine Human Master or more than two Masters."

"And a super first-rate force requires a Second Grade Great Master to preside."

"In Guangning Prefecture, there's a sect with a Second Grade Great Master, called the Duxian Gate."

"Duxian Gate?"

Jiang Ning's face showed surprise.

"The Duxian Gate is not an easy force to provoke," Ye Zhengqi explained, "because this sect possesses a millennium of cultural heritage."

"Do you understand what a millennium of cultural heritage represents?" Ye Zhengqi turned to Jiang Ning.

"The Great Xia Dynasty has existed for over eight hundred years. A millennium of cultural heritage, does this mean they possess heritage from ancient times?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Not bad!" Ye Zhengqi nodded, "It's said that during ancient times, before the era's disconnection, the Duxian Gate had produced existences above Immortals."

"So, the heritage of the Duxian Gate is not only about that Second Grade Great Master, but also the heritage from their ancient times that has been passed down to this day."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded.

"Thank you, Inspector Ye, for clearing my doubts."

Just then, a clear shout from a woman came from the distant lake.

"You two, are you the esteemed guests coming to participate in the Palace Master's Banquet at our WaterMoon Sword Palace?"

"Yes!" Ye Zhengqi's lips moved slightly, his voice barely audible.

But the two women rowing on the distant lake clearly heard Ye Zhengqi's voice and continued shouting, "Esteemed guests, you may enter our WaterMoon Sword Palace via the Floating Bridge, and disciples will receive you on the island!"

"Let's go!" Ye Zhengqi didn't turn back, heading forward.

Then, he took a step and instantly appeared ten zhang away on the lake's surface.

The next step, he appeared another ten steps away on the lake.

The rippling lake surface was like flat ground to Ye Zhengqi.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning followed him.

With a swift motion, he soared like a soaring goose, his feet skimming the surface of the lake, keeping pace with Ye Zhengqi's stride.

After a few breaths, Ye Zhengqi stepped onto a light boat that glided towards the lake's edge. Jiang Ning followed suit, landing gracefully.

On the boat, two women dressed in light blue formal dresses, their eyes widened at the sight of Ye Zhengqi and Jiang Ning striding across the water.

"Lead the way!" Ye Zhengqi commanded.

The two women snapped out of their reverie and exchanged a glance.

"Yes, Senior!" one of them, seemingly the older one, respectfully spoke up.

Simultaneously, she shook her head at the other woman who was holding a sword hilt.

Ye Zhengqi's domineering nature was evident. Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile inwardly at this.

A moment later, the boat started moving, swiftly heading towards the island at the lake's center.

Ye Zhengqi and Jiang Ning stood at the boat's prow, their hands clasped behind their backs.

Behind them, two women paddled the boat. The younger-looking one gritted her teeth, her gaze fixed on the backs of the two figures.

The other woman couldn't help but smile helplessly at this. She knew her junior sister's dissatisfaction.

It wasn't just her junior sister; she too felt a silent resentment in her heart.

But she also knew that these two figures were not to be trifled with, not even by disciples of the WaterMoon Sword Palace.

They strode across the water as if strolling in their own backyard, devoid of any human aura.

Such skills were not even witnessed on elders.

After a cup of tea, the boat slowly came to a halt at the island's dock.

The WaterMoon Sword Palace, built against the mountain on the island's center, exuded opulence.

White jade corridors were everywhere.

The palace's roof was adorned with azure-blue glazed tiles.

Jiao silk curtains fluttered in the wind.

"Senior, we've arrived at the WaterMoon Sword Palace!" the slightly older sister respectfully announced.

Just then, a group of people approached from the shore.

"We've met the two seniors. May we ask if you are here for the Palace Master's banquet?" the leader of the group asked.

"Jiang Ning, the inspector, and Ye Zhengqi!"

As he spoke, Ye Zhengqi took out a token and tossed it towards the leader.

The man caught the token, his body trembling slightly, but he didn't inspect it. Instead, he bowed respectfully.

"We've met the envoy of Ye!"

He was at the WaterMoon Sword Palace, but he had never heard of Ye Zhengqi's fame.

However, he had heard of the inspector of Jiang Ning's fame.

As an inspector with authority over an entire prefecture, his martial arts prowess was no weaker than the three-grade divine human master, the palace master.

Such a figure stood at the pinnacle of Jiang Ning's power pyramid.

How dare he be negligent or disrespectful?

It was well-known that since ancient times, a saying had been passed down.

"A master cannot be disgraced!"

"Disgracing a master is worse than death!"

Even as a true disciple of the WaterMoon Sword Palace, he was no exception to this saying.

He didn't believe that in Jiang Ning, in Dongling County, anyone dared to claim the title of the inspector of Jiang Ning and deceive others.

Subsequently, he took a few steps forward, holding out the token.

"Inspector, your token!" Ye Zhengqi snatched the token and took it back.

"Rain Lin, please escort these two guests to two of the best guest rooms!"

"Yes, Senior Brother!" A girl holding a silver longsword bowed respectfully.

She then approached Jiang Ning and Ye Zhengqi.

"Honored guests, please follow me!"

"Lead the way!" Ye Zhengqi said indifferently.

At the same time, Ye Zhengqi slightly raised his head, gazing at a corner of the mountain-built palace.

"Do you know that woman?" he asked, turning to Jiang Ning.

In his line of sight, it was evident that the woman from the mountain-built complex was looking at Jiang Ning beside him.

Upon hearing this, turned to look at Xiao Emei's gaze.

"I know her!" he nodded slightly.

Ye Zhengqi remained silent for a moment.

The girl pushed open the room door, and a gust of wind blew through the hallway.

The lake breeze was refreshing, lifting the hems of their garments.

The girl's long hair, which fell to her chest, was also blown by the wind.

"Honored guests, are you satisfied with this room?"

"The location is high, and there's a double room with a large terrace offering a view of the lake," Ye Zhengqi said indifferently.

"I understand!" The girl's eyes showed a hint of pity as she looked at Jiang Ning. "Honored guest, are you satisfied with this room?"

Seeing the girl's sparkling eyes, Jiang Ning nodded.

"Then this room will do!"

"Honored guest, here's your room key. Please keep it safe!" The girl immediately felt relieved and handed over the key, already clutched in her sweaty palm.

Jiang Ning took the key, stepped over the threshold, and entered the room.

"Inspector Jiang, please rest well here!" Ye Zhengqi said, then headed towards the room beside him.

The girl hurriedly followed.

Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile.

Ye Zhengqi's unconcerned and carefree attitude, disregarding others' feelings, was something Jiang Ning had long stopped finding strange.

He slowly closed the door, and through the crack, he could faintly hear Ye Zhengqi and the WaterMoon Sword Palace female disciple's conversation outside.

"Open the door and let me see this room!"

"But... but I don't have the key to this room!" The female disciple of the WaterMoon Sword Palace said.

"Wait, get the lock later!" Ye Zhengqi spoke up.

A metallic clatter followed, as a heavy object landed with a dull thud.

Jiang Ning closed the door, sealing off the room from the outside world.

He sighed helplessly, his carefree personality allowing him to remain unbothered by the immense power of his own era.

Had it been resentment, he would have smiled at this thought.

He then scanned the spacious room he found himself in.

The room was large, with a living area on each side, and a spacious balcony directly ahead.

From the balcony, one could see the lake shimmering with golden scales, and the islands dotting the waters below.

"Indeed, a great room!" Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction.

On the other side.

"Reporting to Master Sister, Jiang Ning has arrived!" A woman appeared before Xiao Emei, kneeling on one knee and bowing respectfully.

"Is it you, Jiang Ning from Luoshui?" Xiao Emei asked, feigning ignorance.

"Yes, Master Sister, it's me!" The woman affirmed.

"Have you informed the Palace Master?" Xiao Emei inquired.

"Not yet!" The woman replied.

"Go and inform the Palace Master," Xiao Emei instructed.

"Yes, Master Sister! I'll do it!" The woman bowed and then stood up.

Xiao Emei watched as the woman hurried away.

She shook her head slightly.

In her mind, various thoughts flashed, and she reached out to grab the long sword on the table, which instantly flew into her hand.

Holding the sword, she strode out of the room.

A moment later.

Knock, knock—

The sound of knocking echoed in Jiang Ning's room.

"Who's there?" Jiang Ning asked, having already removed his robe and donned a loose inner garment.

"It's me!" Xiao Emei announced.

Hearing this, a strange color flashed in Jiang Ning's eyes.

With a wave of his hand, the door opened, and the room responded with a creak.

Xiao Emei stood outside, wearing a long dress with alternating blue and white stripes.

Looking at Jiang Ning, a complex expression flashed in her eyes.

Deep down, she knew she had betrayed Xiao Emei.

She had revealed Xiao Emei's whereabouts to Jiang Ning.

But seeing Jiang Ning unharmed, she felt a sense of satisfaction.

It seemed like it was all worth it!

"Are you still standing outside the door, unafraid of being seen by your fellow disciples?" Jiang Ning asked.

Xiao Emei lifted herself over the door.

Then she turned to help Jiang Ning close the room door.

"Inspector Jiang, what brings you here?" Xiao Emei inquired.

"I'm here to resolve the grudge for Ye Mansion!" Jiang Ning smiled and continued, "But I'm also here to understand the grudge!"

"To understand the grudge?" Xiao Emei murmured, a hint of surprise in her voice.

She turned to look at Jiang Ning, his calm expression causing her heart to race.

A crazy thought emerged in her mind, one she couldn't believe.

"You're thinking,"

"If Xiao Qiu Shui doesn't play along, then there's no need for such a threatening existence to remain in this world!" Jiang Ning stated calmly.

Xiao Emei didn't doubt Jiang Ning's bold words.

She had personally witnessed Jiang Ning's mystery.

That was a power that held life and death in its grasp.

Once, she had even suspected Jiang Ning to be a reincarnated ancient deity.

Up to this day, this suspicion hadn't been dispelled; instead, it made her even more certain of this guess.

So she didn't doubt Jiang Ning's audacious claim.

She pursed her lips, her thoughts in disarray.

Then she spoke, "I'll try to persuade the Palace Master to let go of her grudge."

Jiang Ning smiled but didn't elaborate further.

Informing Xiao Emei of his thoughts was merely a test for her.

On another side.

At the WaterMoon Sword Palace.

In the main hall.

"Jiang Ning, what audacity!" Xiao Qiu Shui slowly rose, her eyes flashing with intense killing intent.

The disciple kneeling below shivered, feeling the killing intent permeate the entire hall, as if she was about to be drowned in the boiling killing intent.

Xiao Qiu Shui looked down at the kneeling disciple.

"You're saying the Guangning Prefecture Inspector Ye Zhengqi is here too?"

"Yes, Master, he is!" The woman forced out the words, trembling.

Hearing this, Xiao Qiu Shui remained silent for a moment.

"Understood! You may leave now!"

"Yes, Master!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end