Overdraw the future and become a peerless martial god

Chapter 74 Killing Game
Chu Ning took it, his gaze indifferent, but his eyes darkened as he saw the pages of blood-red challenge titles.

The pages turned, the challenge letters fell like snowflakes, the handwriting sometimes arrogant, sometimes indifferent, sometimes sharp, each stroke like a sword piercing his name.

Chu Ning continued flipping through the pages, her gaze sweeping over one name after another.

Zhao Xiao of the Zhao family of Nanlu, wielding the Ice Soul Cold Spear, once slaughtered a thousand enemy cavalry in one night and was dubbed the "Blood River Spear God".

Qinglin Sect's He Hong, with his Spirit Butterfly Sword Intent, is extremely light and agile, capable of transforming a single sword into a thousand blades, shattering the person before the sword even arrives.

Luo Han of Beiyou Manor, a demon incarnate, whose blood and qi flow in reverse, specialize in destroying the mind and spirit; wherever he goes, a chilling aura of nightmares lingers.

These names were like frost on one's face; each one was hostile, and they were all fierce and ruthless prodigies among the younger generation of Kyushu.

Behind every name lies a power, a legacy, and a history of bloodshed and ruthless battles.

One hundred and sixteen challenge letters, all sealed and stamped, all pointed to one person: Chu Ning.

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes slightly, and a cold light like thunder burst from his pupils, as if splitting the sky in an instant.

"What do these people take me for?"

The voice was deep, yet it seemed to emanate from the deepest hell, sending chills straight to the bone.

The black-armored guard lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze, and said with a bitter smile in a low voice, "Use it as... a stepping stone."

Chu Ning chuckled softly, flipped his hand to close the stack of challenge invitations, and looked up at the horizon of Qingzhou.

The wind comes from afar.

In an instant, he seemed to see again the shivering figure of the woman who had collapsed from hunger in the snowy mountains, curled up in her sister's arms.

His voice was calm, yet it surged like a great river:

"When I was starving to death, no one gave me a single drop of soup."

"Now that my blade is sharpened, they are eager to test its edge."

He turned around, a smirk playing on his lips, his eyes sharp as cold stars:

"In that case, let them taste what it's like to be 'chopped into powder'."

Meanwhile, in front of Qingyun Arena Square, hundreds of arenas stood tall, thousands of flags fluttered in the wind, and dragon-patterned banners rustled in the mountain breeze like the sound of war drums, terrifying and awe-inspiring.

The arena was surrounded by tiered stands, with seats arranged strictly according to social status. The outer ring housed guests from various prefectures and kingdoms, the inner ring held the heads of sects and families and important military officials, and the highest platform at the very center was the seat of supreme honor for the nobles of the nine provinces.

Above the highest stone steps in the center, beneath the temple-like main arena, sat a golden-purple figure on the throne, flanked by a golden crane wine furnace on his left and a crimson sable fur on his right—this was none other than Prince Duan of the Great Qian Dynasty.

He picked up the jade cup, took a sip of sake, and smiled enigmatically. Surrounded by mountains and swept by a golden autumn wind, he seemed more like someone standing before a hunt, his prey the masses.

Wang Chongshan, sitting beside him, had a gaunt face, clasped his hands in a humble manner, and spoke in a low voice, like an old snake that had severed its own scales and was seeking revenge: "This Chu Ning, though young and sharp, has no respect for the powerful and knows no taboos. Now he has completely taken over all of my Wang family's properties and influence in Qingyang County. This move not only severs the foundation of my Wang family, but also shows contempt for Your Highness's imperial authority."

He raised his eyes to look at the Prince of Duan on the high throne, his voice turning cold, like a nail slowly being driven into wood: "I have something else to tell you. Chu Ning uses the Thunderclap Blade Technique."

"The Thunderclap Blade Technique?"

Prince Duan's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he did not stop drinking from his wine cup. It was as if he had only heard the name of an old object, but a deep and unfathomable light appeared in his eyes.

“Yes,” Wang Chongshan said in a low voice, “it is indeed something passed down by Lei Ming.”

"Then he is... Lei Wanjun's disciple?"

"Exactly. Although the Thunder Blade Sect was destroyed, the Thunderclap Blade Technique was not destroyed in the war. Chu Ning's rise this time, his thunderous intent and his slashing method are extremely similar to the legendary slash that Lei Ming used to cut off the border troops of eight countries."

Upon hearing this, Prince Duan did not immediately respond. Instead, he slowly raised his hand and stroked the blood-jade thumb ring on his finger. It was a jade ornament nurtured with the essence of living people, dripping with a bewitching red color, exuding a sinister aura. In his palm, it resembled a drop of solidified, angry blood.

He put it on gently, as if admiring some exquisite toy, and smiled:

"Your Wang family... failed to provide me with the Thunderclap Blade Technique when you destroyed the Thunder Blade Sect, and now you're still getting nothing from chasing Lei Wanjun."

“I’m not particularly interested in the Wang family’s dowry. But if you can actually get the complete Thunderclap Blade Manual… that would be a great achievement for you.”

"but……"

He tapped the rim of the wine cup, and the sound lingered in the air.

"The Thunderclap Blade Technique alone is far from enough."

Wang Chongshan raised an eyebrow slightly, as if he had been prepared, and said slowly:
"I have heard that Your Highness has ingeniously chosen a fragment of the 'Nine Heavens Thunder Canon' as the prize for the Qingyun Tournament. That Thunder Canon was originally the ancestral treasure of the Nine Heavens Sect, later falling into the hands of the Marquis of Wu's mansion, and now, I do not know why, it has appeared in Your Highness's possession..."

"Your Highness may be guessing that your actions might be in search of someone with a certain 'Thunderous Resonance'?"

Upon hearing this, Prince Duan finally turned his head slowly to look at Wang Chongshan, a chilling smile playing on his lips.
"You're smarter than I thought."

"Do you think I really care about how a bunch of kids fight?"

"Why did I set up the arena, unleash the Thunder Codex, lure out Thunder Cultivators, and create this deadly trap...?"

"It's to find the key to the 'unification of the three classics'."

"The Nine Heavens Thunder Codex, Lei Wanjun's Thunderclap Blade Technique, and the Heavenly Thunder Sect's Yin Thunder Heaven Codex, when combined, can summon the Purple Heaven Immortal-Slaying Thunder, invoke heavenly tribulation, sever divine souls, and annihilate true immortals."

By the end, his tone had shifted from a whisper to a chilling, almost obsessive excitement.

"As long as I find that person... as long as I can combine the three classics into one, even the current emperor will not be worthy to sit above me."

Wang Chongshan's face tightened, and he lowered his head and said in a low voice, "Your Highness is wise."

Prince Duan didn't even glance at him, but simply smiled and rubbed the blood-jade thumb ring on his finger.

Prince Duan downed his wine in one gulp, set down his cup, and suddenly changed his tone, which carried a hint of sarcasm and languor: "Those who plan for the big picture never talk about hatred."

“But you, Wang Chongshan, come to me today with a ring in your hand, begging for my help, like a castrated dog driven out of the garden, yet trying to borrow my knife to bite people… If Chu Ning is the key to the fusion of the three classics, please put aside your hatred for now.”

Wang Chongshan's expression changed slightly, and cold sweat quietly dripped down his forehead, but he still forced a smile and said, "Your subject... obeys."

Prince Duan raised his cup in a toast to Wang Chongshan beside him, a half-smile playing on his lips.

"If Wang Chen is defeated by Chu Ning this time, do you know the consequences?"

Wang Chongshan lowered his head, his voice hoarse: "Your subject understands."

"I am old and if I do not take one last gamble, the legacy of my Wang family, built over generations, will be taken away by the Marquis of Wu's mansion."

He looked up, his gaze deep and unfathomable, like that of an old well.

“If my grandson Wang Chen cannot defeat Chu Ning, I will personally cut off his arm and hand him the position of family head.”

"I would rather sacrifice my flesh for the dynasty than pass on the incense of the Marquis of Wu's mansion."

Upon hearing this, Prince Duan's smile deepened: "What a fine saying, 'A father doesn't raise a rebellious grandson, but he takes in a loyal dog.'"

Wang Chongshan lowered his head, remaining silent, his knuckles turning white as he gripped his wine glass tightly.

(End of this chapter)