From the fake emperor to the concubine

"Space-Time Domain - Limit!"

Zheng Yi's aura suddenly surged, unleashing his mid-stage Integration Realm cultivation without reservation. A powerful spatial force swept out, forming a unique domain that countered Ning Zhiyuan's Wind Domain.

In this field, Zheng Yi controls both time and space.

The moment that incredibly powerful sword energy entered the spacetime domain, its speed suddenly slowed down, as if it had sunk into a quagmire.

"What?!" Ning Zhiyuan's eyes widened, unable to believe what he was seeing.

Zheng Yi raised his hand and pointed, and the sword energy actually stopped in mid-air, then slowly changed direction and slashed back towards Ning Zhiyuan.

"How...how is this possible?!" Ning Zhiyuan was utterly horrified. He tried to dodge, but found that his body had slowed down, and it was too late.

Seeing that his strongest attack was about to backfire on him, Ning Zhiyuan gritted his teeth and took out a jade pendant from his pocket.

"break!"

The jade pendant shattered, and a powerful force erupted, forming a barrier that blocked the sword energy.

boom--

The sword energy collided with the barrier, unleashing a deafening roar. A powerful shockwave swept outwards, and several Ning family cultivators, unable to dodge in time, were blasted away, spitting out blood.

When the dust settled, Ning Zhiyuan stood there, his face ashen. Although he had blocked the attack, he had paid a price. The jade pendant was a protective magic treasure given to him by his father, containing the power of an attack from a Mahayana stage expert. Now that he had used it, he had lost a trump card to save his life.

More importantly, he now realized that the cultivator from the outer realm in front of him was not a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator at all, but a Body Integration cultivator!
"Mid-stage Integration Realm," Ning Zhiyuan murmured, his eyes filled with shock and fear. "You're actually a mid-stage Integration Realm expert?"

Zheng Yi didn't answer, he just stared at him coldly.

The Ning family cultivators were also stunned. A Nascent Soul Realm cultivator—that was a rare powerhouse in the entire Xuan Tian Domain. Even the heads of the four great families were only at the early Nascent Soul Realm. And this person before them was actually at the mid-Nascent Soul Realm!
“Young Master, we…” a Ning family cultivator said in a trembling voice.

Ning Zhiyuan gritted his teeth. He knew he had met his match. If Zheng Yi were a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, he might have a fighting chance. But against a mid-stage Integration Realm expert, even if they all attacked together, they would only be throwing their lives away.

"Retreat!" Ning Zhiyuan gave the order decisively.

Although he was unwilling to accept defeat, he knew the importance of assessing the situation. As long as he was alive, there would be plenty of opportunities for revenge in the future.

But how could Zheng Yi let him leave so easily?

"Trying to leave? Too late."

Zheng Yi flashed and instantly appeared in Ning Zhiyuan's retreat path, slashing out with his sword.

Ning Zhiyuan was shocked and hurriedly raised his sword to block. However, his strength was far inferior to Zheng Yi's, and he couldn't block it at all. His sword was knocked away, and he was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground.

"puff--"

Ning Zhiyuan coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face turning even paler. He tried to stand up, but found his legs trembling and he couldn't muster any strength.

Zheng Yi walked towards him step by step, his long sword pointed at his throat.

"Ning Zhiyuan, you schemed and plotted, you disregarded human life, today is your death day."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Ning Zhiyuan cried out in terror, "You can't kill me! I'm the young master of the Ning family. If you kill me, my father will never let you get away with it!"

"Is that so?" Zheng Yi sneered. "Then why did you try to kill me before?"

"I...I..." Ning Zhiyuan was speechless for a moment.

Just then, an aged voice rang out: "Young man, have mercy."

Everyone turned to look and saw an old man in a gray robe standing not far away. The old man had an air of otherworldly wisdom, with white hair and beard, but his eyes were bright and piercing. His aura was unfathomable, clearly indicating that he was also a powerful figure.

"It's Elder Bai from the Bai family!" Xiao Tianxing exclaimed in surprise.

Zheng Yi frowned. Who was this Old Bai? Why was he pleading for Ning Zhiyuan?

"I am Bai Changkong of the Bai family. I have met this fellow Daoist," the old man said, clasping his hands in greeting. "I know that Ning Zhiyuan has offended you, but I beg you to spare his life for my sake."

“Bai Changkong?” Zheng Yi remembered that Bai Yunshan had mentioned that the ancestor of the Bai family was named Bai Changkong, a powerful expert in the early stage of the Integration Realm.

“If you kill Ning Zhiyuan, the Ning family will certainly not let it go,” Bai Changkong continued. “The head of the Ning family, Ning Xiaotian, is also at the mid-stage of the Integration Realm, and has a deep foundation in the Xuan Tian Domain. Although you are powerful, one person is ultimately no match for a large family. Why not stop here and turn hostility into friendship?”

Zheng Yi remained silent for a moment, but finally sheathed his sword.

It wasn't that he was afraid of the Ning family, but rather that his injuries hadn't healed and he shouldn't fight again. Besides, he needed to protect Xiaoyue and the others. If he truly offended the Ning family, the consequences would be dire.

“I’ll spare your life this time,” Zheng Yi said coldly, looking at Ning Zhiyuan. “But if there’s a next time, even if Ning Xiaotian comes in person, I’ll still kill you without hesitation.”

Ning Zhiyuan felt as if he had been granted a pardon and scrambled to Bai Changkong's side. His eyes were filled with resentment and venom, clearly showing that he hated Zheng Yi to the core.

"Thank you for your mercy, fellow Daoist," Bai Changkong nodded. "I owe you a favor. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything in the future."

After saying that, he left with Ning Zhiyuan and the Ning family.

Watching them leave, Zheng Bowen said worriedly, "Patriarch, are we just going to let them go like this? I'm afraid there will be endless trouble later."

“I know,” Zheng Yi said, “but now is not the time to kill them all. Let’s enter the palace first and obtain the inheritance.”

Liu Ruyan walked over, her eyes filled with shock: "Fellow Daoist Zheng, you're actually a mid-stage Integration Realm expert?"

Zheng Yi did not deny it, but simply said, "Some things don't need to be said outright."

Xiaoyue ran to Zheng Yi's side, tugging at his clothes, her eyes filled with worry: "Big brother, your injury..."

Zheng Yi patted her head: "It's alright. Let's go inside."

The group walked towards the palace gates. Zheng Yi placed his hand on the door, and a surge of spatial and temporal power flowed in. Sensing this power, the gates slowly opened.

As Zheng Yi stepped into the palace, he glanced back. He knew this wouldn't end there. Ning Zhiyuan was a narrow-minded and vindictive man. He would never let it go.

But so what?

He'll meet force with force and water with earth. As long as he's strong enough, any schemes or tricks will be futile.

The palace gates slowly closed behind them, shutting them out of the outside world. In the shadows not far away, Ning Zhiyuan, his face grim, muttered, "Zheng Yi, you just wait. I'll settle this score with you."

Bai Changkong glanced at him and sighed, "Young Master Ning, let me give you a piece of advice: some people are not to be trifled with."

"Hmph!" Ning Zhiyuan sneered. "Old Bai, you don't need to persuade me. I, Ning Zhiyuan, am never one to admit defeat. I will repay today's humiliation a hundredfold!"

His eyes gleamed with a crazed light; he was clearly blinded by hatred.

The palace's interior was a vast space, with walls inlaid with countless luminous gems that illuminated the entire hall as if it were daytime. The floor was made of smooth white jade, as polished as a mirror, reflecting images clearly.

In the center of the hall stood a colossal stone statue. It depicted a middle-aged man in a Taoist robe, with a dignified face, piercing eyes, and a long sword in his hand, its tip pointing diagonally towards the sky. Even as a mere stone statue, it exuded an aura of dominance over the world.

“This must be the Immortal Kongming.” Zheng Hongzhi looked up at the stone statue, his eyes filled with awe.

Several lines of text are engraved on the base of the stone statue:
"I, the True Man Kongming, have cultivated the Dao for three thousand years, comprehending the mysteries of time and space, and attaining the Great Vehicle Way. Now I leave this legacy to those with the right destiny. But remember, those who receive my legacy must uphold righteousness, protect all living beings, and refrain from evil. Those who break this vow will surely be punished by Heaven."

Zheng Yi carefully read these lines and felt a deep sense of awe. This Master Kongming was clearly a great being with the world in his heart.

“Master, there are three passages ahead,” Zheng Bowen said, pointing behind the stone statue.

Sure enough, behind the statue, there were three passages leading in different directions. Each passage entrance was engraved with different runes and emitted a different aura.

"The left passage has the strongest aura; it should lead to the place of inheritance," Zheng Yi said after sensing the surroundings. "The middle passage has a more peaceful aura; it might be a treasure trove. The right passage has the weakest aura; we don't know where it leads."

"Shall we go to the left?" Zheng Bowen asked.

Zheng Yi was about to nod when his expression suddenly changed: "Oh no!"

He whirled around to look at the door he had come from. Although the door was closed, he could sense someone outside trying to open it.

Moreover, he recognized that aura—it was Ning Zhiyuan!
"Damn it, how did he catch up so quickly?" Zheng Bowen exclaimed.

“It must have been Bai Changkong who opened the door for him,” Liu Ruyan said gravely. “Bai Changkong is a powerful expert at the early stage of the Integration Realm and is also proficient in formations. Opening this door wouldn’t be difficult for him.”

boom--

The gate was forcibly broken open, and Ning Zhiyuan led more than a dozen cultivators in. His face was full of ferocious smiles, and his eyes flashed with a mad light.

"Zheng Yi, do you think you're safe once you're inside the palace?" Ning Zhiyuan sneered. "Let me tell you, you're not escaping today!"

Zheng Yi looked at him coldly: "I've already let you go once, and you still dare to come and die?"

"Going to your death?" Ning Zhiyuan laughed loudly. "Zheng Yi, although you are at the mid-stage of the Integration Realm, you are seriously injured. On the other hand, we have Elder Bai's help and so many people. Do you think you can win?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Changkong walked in from outside. Seeing this scene, he frowned deeply: "Young Master Ning, I came to open the door for you, not to help you deal with Fellow Daoist Zheng."

“Elder Bai, there’s no need for you to intervene,” Ning Zhiyuan said. “I have my own ways of dealing with him.”

His gaze fell on Xiaoyue, a glint of malice flashing in his eyes: "Zheng Yi, I can tell you care a lot about this little girl. If I'm not mistaken, you were injured to protect her, weren't you?"

Zheng Yi's expression changed. He knew what Ning Zhiyuan was planning.

"Xiaoyue, come behind me," Zheng Yi said in a low voice.

Xiaoyue obediently hid behind Zheng Yi, her little hands tightly gripping the hem of his clothes. She could sense that the bad uncle harbored great malice towards her.

"It's too late." Ning Zhiyuan sneered, waving his hand. "Move! Grab that little girl!"

Several cultivators behind him immediately rushed out and headed straight for Xiaoyue.

"You're asking for it!" Zheng Bowen and Zheng Hongzhi rushed forward to stop them.

However, the Ning family cultivators were prepared. They split into two groups: one group held off Zheng Bowen and the others, while the other group rushed towards Xiaoyue.

Zheng Yi wanted to make a move, but Ning Zhiyuan had already blocked his way.

“Zheng Yi, your opponent is me,” Ning Zhiyuan sneered. “Don’t worry, I won’t kill that little girl; I just need her to control you.”

"You dare!" Zheng Yi's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

But Ning Zhiyuan didn't care at all. He knew he was no match for Zheng Yi, so he didn't seek victory at all, only to stall Zheng Yi. He kept using various supernatural powers, and although he couldn't hurt Zheng Yi, he successfully prevented Zheng Yi from rescuing Xiaoyue.

On the other side, three Ning family cultivators at the late Nascent Soul stage had broken through Zheng Bowen and Zheng Hongzhi's defenses and rushed to Xiaoyue's side.

Liu Ruyan stood in front of Xiaoyue, her Xuanbing Sword flashing, radiating a chilling aura: "If you want to harm Xiaoyue, you'll have to get past me first!"

"Miss Liu, please forgive us." The leading cultivator sneered, "There are many of us; you can't stop us."

The three attacked simultaneously, unleashing a barrage of spells and supernatural powers upon Liu Ruyan. Liu Ruyan gritted her teeth and fought back, but ultimately she was outnumbered and gradually fell into a disadvantageous position.

"Xiaoyue, run!" Liu Ruyan shouted.

Xiaoyue shook her head. Instead of running away, she clung tightly to Liu Ruyan's leg and whispered, "Sister, Xiaoyue won't run away. Xiaoyue wants to stay with you."

"Silly child!" Liu Ruyan was both anxious and touched, her eyes reddening.

Just then, taking advantage of Liu Ruyan's momentary distraction, a cultivator suddenly launched a sneak attack. A large hand formed from spiritual energy grabbed at Xiaoyue from the side.

"Watch out!" Liu Ruyan tried to stop her, but it was too late.

Xiaoyue was grabbed by the large hand of spiritual energy and lifted into the air. Terrified, she burst into tears, crying, "Big brother, help me!"

"Xiaoyue!" Zheng Yi's eyes reddened when he saw this scene.

He desperately tried to rush forward, but Ning Zhiyuan held him back tightly. Not only that, several other Ning family cultivators also surrounded him, forming a human wall to prevent Zheng Yi from advancing.

"Hahaha, we succeeded!" the cultivator who had captured Xiaoyue laughed loudly. "Young Master, we've caught her!"

"Good!" Ning Zhiyuan smiled smugly. "Zheng Yi, this little girl is in our hands now. If you don't want her to die, you'd better surrender obediently!"

Zheng Yi stared intently at Ning Zhiyuan, his anger almost bursting forth: "Ning Zhiyuan, I'm warning you, if Xiaoyue loses even a single hair, I'll make your entire Ning family pay with their lives!"

"Is that so? Then I'll have to think about it carefully," Ning Zhiyuan said with a sinister smile. "But before that, you'd better kneel down first. I want you to kneel on the ground, kowtow three times to me, and swear that you will never have anything to do with Liu Ruyan again. If you do that, I'll release this little girl." (End of Chapter)