'A single strike to defeat a cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer... while he's only at the Sixth Layer!'
Liu Mi's eyes were filled with profound shock. She knew exactly how enormous the gap of three layers was.
Even Liu Xianyu, the foremost talent of the Liu Family's younger generation, had only been able to fight on equal footing with an expert at the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer when she herself was at the Sixth Layer.
In all of Luoyang City, she had never heard of anyone capable of defeating a Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer expert in a single move while at the Sixth Layer.
Ning Jiang was the first.
'Heart-Sword Control... to command the sword with a mere thought. It's definitely that realm!'
At that moment, Liu Xianyu looked at Ning Jiang as if she were gazing upon a priceless treasure.
Generally, there are three realms for a Sword Cultivator. The first is Arm Sword Control, where one simply uses their arm to swing the sword. Though long-term practice can make one's Sword Technique as fluid as moving clouds and flowing water, it is ultimately the most rudimentary level.
True masters, however, enter the second realm: Body Sword Control. At this stage, they achieve Man and Sword as One. The person and the sword become a single entity; the sword is an extension of their body, with no distinction between the two.
A Sword Cultivator at this level possesses far greater lethality than one in the first realm and can be called a "Sword Master."
Among all the Sword Cultivators in the world, perhaps only one in a thousand ever reaches the realm of Body Sword Control.
Liu Xianyu had been immersed in the Sword Dao since she was a child. With singular focus and utter devotion to the sword, she finally stepped into the realm of Body Sword Control at the age of eighteen and was hailed as a genius of the Sword Dao.
As for the third realm, Heart-Sword Control, it is even more profound. Upon entering this realm, one communicates with their Treasure Sword through their heart, wielding it at will, reaching the apex of skill. Where the heart directs, the sword follows. At that point, even a blade of grass or a piece of wood can be used as a sword.
Such a Sword Cultivator is also known as a "Sword Dao Grandmaster."
In all of Luoyang City, only a dozen people had achieved Body Sword Control, and eighty percent of them were from the older generation.
As for Heart-Sword Control, there was only one person in all of Luoyang City!
That person was an expert at the Innate Limit, whose name struck awe throughout Luoyang.
And Ning Jiang was the second person Liu Xianyu had ever seen achieve it.
'The senior from Wenhua City painstakingly cultivated the Sword Dao for seventy years, accompanied by his sword day and night. His heart held nothing but the sword, and only through this absolute sincerity did he reach the level of Heart-Sword Control. But him... how old is he?'
'And I thought I was a genius of the Sword Dao for reaching Body Sword Control at eighteen. How laughable. I was just a frog in a well, ignorant of the vast heavens beyond. Compared to him, what is my meager accomplishment even worth?'
'Just what kind of monster is this person? Was he born to wield the sword?'
Liu Xianyu murmured to herself, her heart in utter turmoil.
At this moment, Ning Jiang's value in her eyes had risen by more than ten times.
Compared to Ning Jiang, a hundred Ma Hongs weren't worth a single one of his fingers.
"I can't believe he's this strong." Zhao Peng swallowed hard. Of course, he didn't possess the kind of Eye Power needed to discern Ning Jiang's Sword Dao Realm.
In fact, among everyone present, only Liu Xianyu had truly understood the brilliance of that single strike—that it was the realm of Heart-Sword Control!
Only she knew how immense Ning Jiang's value was.
"Ma Hong, we had no prior grievances," Ning Jiang said. "But over a Martial Technique, you threatened to cripple my limbs. Now, we have fought a fair duel to settle this. I've severed the tendons in your arms and legs. Do you accept this outcome?"
Ma Hong's will to fight had vanished completely. What could he possibly say after being defeated in a single strike by someone three entire realms beneath him?
"I accept," Ma Hong said, closing his eyes, a bleak feeling welling up in his heart.
"Thank you for your mercy, Young Master."
Ma Yuan hurried forward and clasped his fist. "Given the circumstances, you could have easily killed Ma Hong. Merely severing his tendons is the best possible outcome."
For a Martial Artist, even if the tendons in their arms and legs are severed, with the help of some medicine, they can recover completely in one or two months.
"Hmph. No matter what, Ma Hong is still a subordinate of my Liu Family. To sever a man's tendons in a mere sparring match, don't you think that's excessive?"
A sudden frown creased Liu Mi's brow. She hadn't forgotten how Ning Jiang had defied her earlier.
Besides, she and Liu Xianyu never got along within the Liu Family, so her words were also a veiled jab at her rival.
"When he threatened to cripple my limbs just now, I don't recall you calling it excessive," Ning Jiang said, turning his gaze on her.
"What happened?"
Liu Xianyu sensed that there seemed to be a conflict between the two. Zhao Peng hesitated for a moment, then quickly explained the matter.
"Liu Mi, oh Liu Mi, you truly disappoint me."
After hearing the story, Liu Xianyu shook her head. "I know you've always resented me within the Liu Family, wanting to surpass me. You actually had your chance this time. If you had befriended this Young Master Ning, you might have been able to leave me in the dust in just a few months. A pity you have eyes yet couldn't recognize a Heaven-Reaching tree right in front of you."
From Zhao Peng's explanation, Liu Xianyu had learned Ning Jiang's name. Her face was etched with disappointment. "For offending Young Master Ning, you will be punished. For the next year, the Liu Family will withhold your cultivation allotment of Primordial Stones. Furthermore, you will be placed in solitary confinement for one month upon your return."
"Liu Xianyu, by what right!" Liu Mi's expression changed drastically, her eyes flashing with anger.
"By the right that I now command the Silver Guard Team!"
After saying this, Liu Xianyu ignored the shocked Liu Mi and looked at Ma Yuan, saying lightly, "Ma Yuan, go back and prepare. I will have someone come and take over your position."
"Yes."
Ma Yuan sighed in his heart, not daring to disobey. He also hadn't expected that Liu Xianyu had actually taken control of the Silver Guard Team.
With Liu Xianyu's current authority, she was practically half a Clan Leader.
Her words could almost represent the will of the Liu Family.
Around them, everyone was silent.
Liu Xianyu had punished both Liu Mi and Ma Yuan, all for Ning Jiang. It was clear just how important he was in her eyes.
"That won't be necessary," Ning Jiang said, his tone as calm as still water. "I'm someone who clearly distinguishes between friend and foe. My conflict was with Ma Hong; it has nothing to do with his brother. There's no need to involve him."
"What are you waiting for? Thank Young Master Ning," Liu Xianyu said coolly.
"Thank you for your magnanimity, Young Master Ning."
Ma Yuan took a deep breath and bowed with clasped fists toward Ning Jiang, his voice now laced with genuine respect. If his earlier reverence had stemmed from Liu Xianyu's authority, he was now truly won over by Ning Jiang's magnanimity.
He knew that if he were in Ning Jiang's shoes, he could never be so generous.
Liu Xianyu found herself admiring him even more. From start to finish, Ning Jiang had remained composed—neither arrogant nor rash, neither servile nor overbearing. 'It's hard to believe a sixteen-year-old boy could have such a temperament,' she thought.
"Young Master Ning, please allow the Liu Family to show you our hospitality," Liu Xianyu invited.
Ning Jiang nodded. Liu Xianyu was treating him with sincerity, and it would seem churlish to refuse.
"Zhao Peng, if you ever need anything in the future, remember to find me at the Drunken Moon Pavilion. I will help you."
Ning Jiang patted Zhao Peng's shoulder. He hadn't forgotten that when Ma Hong was targeting him, it was Zhao Peng who stood up and spoke for him. Even under Ma Hong's threat, Zhao Peng insisted that Ning Jiang was his friend.
This stout young man might be unremarkable in appearance, but he was infinitely better than the so-called friends Ning Jiang had made in the past.
Ever since Ning Jiang had been afflicted by the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse, his so-called friends had abandoned him one by one, treating him like a pariah. How pathetic.
Zhao Peng hadn't expected Ning Jiang to still speak to him. He froze for a moment before nodding. "Okay."
"I will help you." Perhaps Zhao Peng didn't understand the immense weight behind those four words, but a hundred thousand years ago, countless people would have done anything to hear them from Ning Jiang's lips.
In that era, everyone knew that Ning Jiang was a man of great loyalty and honor. His word was his bond.
For the sake of a single person, he had dared to point his sword at a Great Emperor.
A single promise from him was heavier than a mountain!
Soon, with Liu Xianyu leading the way, Ning Jiang departed.
'If I had befriended him, I could have surpassed you in a few months?' Liu Mi clenched her fists. The shock of that statement hit her even harder than the punishment she had received.
'I don't believe it. I refuse to believe it! He might have some skill, but I refuse to believe he has such heaven-reaching abilities. Don't tell me he's the second coming of that Grandmaster from Wenhua City?'
'Liu Xianyu, you won't destabilize my resolve.'
A moment later, a determined look appeared in Liu Mi's eyes.
That's just how people are. When told they've missed out on a golden opportunity, most refuse to admit it.
Liu Mi also departed, completely ignoring Chen Yang and Qian Chuan at her side.
"Phew, they've finally left."
Ma Yuan let out a long sigh of relief and helped Ma Hong up from the ground. "Brother, I'll have someone treat your injuries. Oh, right, he mentioned the Drunken Moon Pavilion, didn't he? I'll go there tonight to offer him a proper apology."
"Brother, what do you mean? Isn't this over? Why do you still have to go and grovel with apologies?" Ma Hong asked, unable to understand.
"You idiot, do you know that he just saved our lives?"
Ma Yuan's voice became stern. "If Miss Liu Xianyu had dismissed me from my position just now, the two of us would have been in grave danger in Luoyang City. I've made quite a few enemies over the years working for the Liu Family. Once I lose their protection, those who hold grudges against me won't let me go. And this cushy post on Yang Liu Road, I've earned a lot of Primordial Stones from it. Do you know how many people are green with envy?"
"Many people know that I am wealthier than even Innate Realm experts. Think about it, how many people would take desperate measures?"
By the time Ma Yuan finished speaking, Ma Hong was already covered in a cold sweat.
"Besides, apologizing to Young Master Ning is secondary. What's more important," Ma Yuan said earnestly, "is that I want to see if I can foster a good relationship with him."
"Brother, I understand," Ma Hong said with a deep breath. "From now on, I'll give him a wide berth whenever I see him."
"It's good that you can think this way. It shows you've matured," Ma Yuan said, gratified.
...
「Liu Mansion.」
The Liu Mansion was located in the northern part of Cyan Yang City. The entire estate was opulent and magnificent, filled with lavish furnishings. Exquisite and delicate pavilions were a common sight, as were serene, picturesque ponds and waterside corridors. There were even towering mountains rising from the grounds.
The Liu Mansion was built around a mountain, with the estate itself enclosing a small mountain range. It was vast and imposing, with clear springs, flowing streams, and buildings adorned with carved beams and painted rafters. It was dozens of times more magnificent than the Ning Family's estate in Baiquan Town.
Throughout the entire Liu Mansion, the number of guards and maids alone exceeded a thousand.
Such was a former First-Class Noble House. Its profound heritage far surpassed that of any second-tier family in Luoyang City.
By the lakeside, in an elegant pavilion.
A young man in white robes sat leisurely on a chair, his gaze tranquil and distant. Beside him, a beautiful woman in green robes held a teapot with a porcelain-white wrist, her focus entirely on brewing the tea.