Painting of the Nine Immortals
chapter-452

The emperor sent down an order: every completion levelled cultivator in the Zhou Dynasty can challenge Ling Xian and fight him to death.

After this order circulated around, everyone in the dynasty fell into awe. Especially people like the Third Prince, who wanted to kill Ling Xian himself.

Why?

Because this order was advantageous to Ling Xian. First, this meant only those of the completion level got to fight Ling Xian, which indicated to the original levelled cultivators to not step in. Additionally, he used the word "challenge". This meant they could only openly fight rather than assassinate.

Thus, of course this was advantageous to Ling Xian. After all, with his cultivation level, if he was up against those of the original level, he would be dead.

Thus, everyone in the Zhou Dynasty was confused and wasn't sure why even after Ling Xian killed Deputy Xiao Yao, the emperor would order such an order. But of course, many people remembered the incident with Dao Wu Ji and understood the intention.

After all, he was the leader of one of the nine Houses. Even the emperor had to show respect.

When Ling Xian heard this however, he was shocked at the turn of events. However, since the emperor limited the challengers to be of the completion level, he had hopes of surviving. He simply did not enjoy this situation.

Think about it… how many completion powerhouses lived in the Zhou Dynasty? A few hundred at least!

Ling Xian was fearless against those weaker than the advanced stage of the completion level. But what about those who peaked? No matter how powerful he was, he cannot make the claim that he had the ability to challenge those at the peak!

Thus, the situation was not ideal. Therefore, Ling Xian decided to quickly deal with the Third Prince and acquire the Wood of the Warming Soul. Then, he will immediately leave this dynasty.

As he planned out his journey, he sent Lin Qing Yi on her way. Then, he went into isolation to heal the wounds he sustained when he pursued Ling Tian Xiang.

After three days, his conditions reached its peak and he broke his isolation and began to look for the Third Prince to resolve the hatred accumulated over seven years.

After he walked out of the pond, he ran into the Seventh Princess who was in a hurry.

She had a serious expression on her face. When she saw Ling Xian, she said something that made him frown.

"Ling Xian, it seems like you won't be able to leave."

"Hmmph?"

Ling Xian frowned, "Why do you say that?"

"Aye, someone let the words out that you are here. Since a few days ago, the challengers have piled up before my door." The Princess sighed, "Because you were in isolation, I stopped them from intruding."

"Challengers…"

Ling Xian frowned, unwilling to get meddled with these people, "How about this. I leave immediately."

Then, a pair of white wings emerged behind him and he flung into the air.

However, as his wings fluttered, the Seventh Princess stopped him, "Ling Xian, if you leave now, I will be in trouble."

"I…" Ling Xian's expression was a confused one.

"Think about it, everyone knows you are here. You think my father doesn't?" The Princess chuckled nervously, "The reason why he has been forgiving is because one, I am his daughter, and two, someone's supporting you behind your back."

"If you leave now then what will I do? My father will be enraged." Pausing, the Seventh Princess continued, "When that happens, horrible things will happen to me. I will be stripped of my princess status and I will be jailed."

"That means I have to go out and face them." Ling Xian exhaled deeply. Only two paths presented themselves before him.

One was to escape. This would ensure he lived but the Princess would be brought down. Two was to stay. This meant he had to face countless number of enemies and he may die if he is not careful.

Without a doubt, this was a difficult choice.

"That's right. If you don't want to burden me, then you have to go on." The Seventh Princess had a serious expression as she stared deadly at Ling Xian. She secretly manipulated her Golden Dan.

She had made up her mind. If he chose to escape, she will stop him.

After all, she had no links with Ling Xian. She simply let him stay because of Lin Qing Yi. She was not going to risk herself for him.

"Alright, then I will accept the battles."

Against the Seventh Princess' highly expectant expression, Ling Xian's lips curled into a confident smile.

Even though the Seventh Princess let him stay because of Lin Qing Yi, the other half of the reason was because she wanted to kill the Third Prince. No matter what, she didn't report Ling Xian to the emperor. Thus, Ling Xian wasn't about to hurt her.

"No wonder Lin Qing Yi acts like you stole her soul. You are a responsible man." The Seventh Princess' eyes flashed with strangeness. Her fist loosened and her Dan calmed down.

"No matter what, I cannot cause you trouble."

Ling Xian sighed and a look of complexity flashed across his eyes, "No matter what, this order of the emperor is already nice of him. If I escape now, then the emperor will not be so kind and will kill me personally."

"I'm not sure. But one thing's for sure. My father never changes his mind. If he said only completion levelled cultivators can challenge you, then he will not allow those of the original level to hurt you." The Seventh Princess responded with confidence.

"I hope so."

Smiling, Ling Xian paid his respect, "Thank you for earning me two days. Take me there now."

"Okay. But be careful. There are many completion levelled cultivators of the advanced stage." The Seventh Princess warned and began to move forward.

Many advance staged?

Ling Xian frowned and followed.

Just like that, they walked one in front and one in the back. After about half an hour, they arrived at a battle arena.

This place was very spacious. In the middle of it was a giant battle ring made out of exotic spiritual rocks that were durable against techniques of all elements.

Around the ring were many arrays that were already set up. Each array was dense and vibrated with dominating vigor.

It was noon and there were 10 people inside the ring. Each one of them appeared muscled and heavy.

There were men and women, elderly and the young, but without exception, they were all of the completion level. Or else they wouldn't dare to challenge Ling Xian.

After all, Ling Xian's record was there – he fought off four deputies. This was not something normal cultivators got to do.

Therefore, none of the people here were weak. They were all confident in their abilities and the moment they saw the silhouette in black, they began their chatters.

"This person is that arrogant young man. He really is as young as the lengds."

"That's right. Based on a neutral position, this person has both the abilities and the looks, this is rare."

"Yeah, his temperament alone is hard to compare to."

"Sadly he is our enemy. I cannot wait to kill a genius."

Everyone chimed in. Some complimented Ling Xian for his demeanor, others expressed their desire to kill.

"There are no weak men…" Ling Xian checked out everyone's Qi and scanned around to see their cultivation level. He couldn't help it but to freeze a little.

This was because half of these people here were in the intermediate stage while the other half were in the advanced stage of the completion level!

"You are the Ling Xian who suppressed the four deputies?"

An extraordinarily looking middle aged man stood up. His terrifying Qi rolled out of him and dispersed the clouds.

"Yes, I am the one you are waiting for." Ling Xian nodded and scanned around, "You are all here to challenge me?"

"Why else? Our intention is clear. We are here to kill you." The middle aged man had a calm expression but couldn't hide his arrogance, "You are strong, I admit that. But before me, Ta Ba Feng, only death awaits."

After he spoke, everyone frowned. His voice and name were familiar. After they remembered his past, they shouted in shock.

"You are the Ta Ba Feng from 17 years ago?"

"What? He is the man who has profound knowledge about poison? Back then, he killed 8 completion levelled powerhouse and 200 foundational cultivators using poison!"

"I cannot believe the emperor's order got him out of his house. Ling Xian is dead for sure now."

"Yes, Ta Ba Feng is not that capable in abilities but his knowledge with poison is top tier. Even those at the peak of the completion level can get killed if he isn't careful."

Everyone shouted with compliments and spoke of how much they disliked Ling Xian. They thought he was dead for sure.

"Are you hearing this, young man?"

Ta Ba Feng was arrogant as he said in disdain, "If you give up now, I will make sure your corpse goes home in one piece. If you force me to use poison, nobody will recognize you when you're dead."

"A master of poison."

Ling Xian frowned. In the Taoism community, masters of poison are rare. He didn't expect to run into one here. Also, based on everyone's reaction, he was good at what he did.

In the next second however, his brows relaxed and he laughed while shaking his head.

If there was one thing Ling Xian was unafraid of, it would be poison.

"Hehe, young man, you are scared now aren't you?" Ta Ba Feng laughed, "Give up and handicap yourself. Or else I will have to attack and hurt you."

He then extended his right hand. A green fog appeared.

Immediately, everyone's expression changed and stumbled back in fear of being infected by the fog.

Seeing this, Ta Ba Feng was getting more arrogant and bellowed, "Haha, fella, running into me is your misfortune!"

"Really…"

Faced against the strange green poison, Ling Xian did not fear and chuckled sarcastically.

"Arrogant over a mere ball of poison. You sure do not fear death."