196: When Pei Nanwei was unmarried! Wu Liuding challenged! (

Chapter 195: Pei Nanwei Before Her Marriage! Wu Liuding's Challenge! (23)

Li Chang'an and Qing Niao walked along Spring God Lake, talking about the stories of Xiangfan, the capital city of Qing Province.

"Qing Niao, do you know why Xiangfan is called the Ghost City of Li Yang?"

Qing Niao replied obediently, "Your Highness, I've heard some things."

"During the Spring and Autumn War, Western Chu general Wang Mingyang defended Xiangfan for three years."

"The city ran out of food, and eventually people resorted to cannibalism. Out of 200,000 residents, only 10,000 remained."

"Most of the current residents of Xiangfan have migrated from other places."

"It is said that 100,000 people were cooked and eaten by their relatives, and their grievances soared to the sky, turning them into malevolent ghosts."

Li Chang'an nodded and said, "Mount Longhu set up a 36,500-day Zhou Tian Great Ritual, hoping to dispel the vengeful ghosts."

"Besides the Dao Sect, there are often eminent monks from Esoteric Buddhism here as well."

"The Buddhist and Daoist families made an unwritten bet: whoever converts the evil spirits wins."

"The losing side is not allowed to preach in Xiangfan for a hundred years."

Qing Niao asked in confusion, "The talk of vengeful spirits is too ethereal. How would one know if they have been transcended?"

Li Chang'an said, "The Celestial Master of Mount Longhu left a heavenly talisman after arranging the Great Ritual."

"One day, when the lingering spirits in Xiangfan City are completely dispersed, the heavenly talisman will burn out."

"However, the heavenly talisman has existed for more than ten years and has never dissipated."

"So that heavenly talisman has become an enduring shadow in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of people in Xiangfan City."

Those who are not Buddhists generally cannot Cultivate Buddhist Cultivation Techniques.

Because of the System, Li Chang'an Cultivated advanced Esoteric Buddhism Cultivation Techniques.

He mastered many great Buddhist Divine Abilities that many eminent monks in this world could not master.

Therefore, Li Chang'an also wanted to try if he could make that heavenly talisman burn!

By then, it was already dark.

Li Chang'an looked at a small grove not far away and nudged Qing Niao.

"Qing Niao, that spot will do."

Qing Niao blushed and tidied the strands of hair in front of her eyes.

Her two hands were nervously clasped together, looking very flustered.

"Qing Niao will listen to Your Highness."

Li Chang'an released five Talisman General Red Armors to firmly guard the surroundings.

The unaware Puppet Red Armors were the best guards for keeping watch during secret rendezvous.

He pulled the shy Qing Niao and entered the small grove.

Subsequently, suppressed sounds of joyful gasps faintly emanated from within.

Along the way, Li Chang'an and Qing Niao had entered many small groves.

However, Qing Niao was still very nervous and shy every time.

Qing Niao wanted to keep it a secret from Hong Shu, so Li Chang'an could only accompany her and enjoy it.

Qing Niao and Hong Shu brought different kinds of joy!

The next day.

Xiangfan City.

On the Fishing Terrace at the top of the city gate, a bright yellow Daoist Talisman was affixed.

The heavenly talisman read, "The Heavenly Gang has returned to the Heavenly Gang, and the Earthly Fiends should return to the earth"!

The heavenly talisman was impervious to fire and water, unafraid of wind and rain.

This heavenly talisman was left by the Celestial Master of Mount Longhu after setting up the Great Ritual.

In the most prosperous Yellow Crane Tower in the city.

Several young scholars were discussing an earth-shattering event.

"What! Prince Jing'an wants to forcibly marry Miss Pei!"

"Miss Pei... isn't she His Highness the Crown Prince's beloved!"

"That's right, Miss Pei was introduced to the Crown Prince by the richest man, Wang Linquan."

"This is akin to an early 'pre-marriage' scandal!"

This news was truly explosive for the people of Xiangfan.

Prince Jing'an had been enfeoffed in Qing Province for more than ten years and was once a strong contender for the throne.

"After His Highness failed in the succession struggle, he became addicted to wine and women, and in the past two years, he has indeed pursued countless beauties!"

"However, he can't steal his son's beloved."

"That's right, for Miss Pei, the Crown Prince can't eat or sleep! He's almost gone mad!"

"Miss Pei is the most beautiful woman in Qing Province, an absolute stunner! If I were Prince Jing'an, I would also try to snatch her!"

In Prince Jing'an's Mansion.

Prince Jing'an, Zhao Heng, was also one of the main characters in the struggle for the throne among the eight princes a few years ago.

To reassure his imperial brother Zhao Chun, Zhao Heng had been pretending to be addicted to wine and women for the past two years.

Although his reputation outside was dissolute, he was absolutely authoritative within the Royal Mansion.

Especially towards his son Zhao Xun, Zhao Heng held deep authority and was extremely strict in his discipline.

"Xun'er, Miss Pei has agreed to be my second wife."

"You must focus your attention on managing Qing Province!"

"My life is already set, I hope you can amount to something!"

Zhao Heng's expression was stern, and his words left no room for doubt.

Zhao Xun's heart was naturally in turmoil, churning with emotions!

But he had no ability, and even less courage, to resist his father!

"...Yes... Father!"

Zhao Xun had been infatuated with Pei Nanwei for more than two years, but Pei Nanwei was unwilling to marry him.

This caused him to be disoriented, delaying many important matters.

Zhao Heng, seeing his son's lack of ambition, reprimanded him severely multiple times, but it still had no effect.

Therefore, he decided to marry Pei Nanwei himself.

Zhao Heng's seemingly absurd behavior was actually to completely cut off Zhao Xun's lingering thoughts.

By using his power as a Prince to seize Pei Nanwei, he could also stimulate Zhao Xun's desire for power.

At the same time, Zhao Heng also wanted to create a false weakness for his imperial brother and for the people of the world to see.

Everyone has a weakness, and the cunning Zhao Heng created a false one.

Zhao Heng, defying public opinion, snatched the most beautiful woman in Qing Province. Everyone would think Zhao Heng loved this Princess deeply.

In reality, he could discard her at any time.

In addition, Zhao Heng had another hidden concern.

He suspected that Pei Nanwei's approach to the imperial family had ulterior motives.

Zhao Heng continued, "In the past two years, Li Chang'an has been quite active."

"This time, he is passing through Qing Province, and I do not wish for him to enter Xiangfan."

The Li Yang Dynasty has always had a rule that two Princes should not meet, and the court is most wary of Princes becoming too close.

Zhao Xun asked, "What if Li Chang'an insists on entering the city?"

Zhao Heng frowned, pondering Li Chang'an's bold and reckless style.

"Then give him a lesson, just make him retreat in the face of difficulty."

"You can go and invite Mr. Wang, the eleventh greatest expert in the world."

Zhao Xun gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "Yes, Father!"

The reason he gritted his teeth had nothing to do with Li Chang'an.

He hated that his beloved was taken, and he was powerless to do anything about it.

By Spring God Lake.

Li Chang'an, who was just about to find a boat to cross the lake, was blocked by a man and a woman.

"Wu Liuding of the Wu Family Sword Mausoleum requests an audience with His Highness the King of Tang!"

The Wu Family Sword Mausoleum, the foremost Sword Sect in Jianghu!

It, along with the Northern Liang Royal Mansion and Martial Emperor City in the East Sea, is known as the three great Forbidden Grounds of the Martial Forest!

The man was the Sword Crown Wu Liuding, dressed in a green cloth shirt, unarmed.

The woman was the Sword Attendant Cui Hua, carrying several cabbages in her hand, her eyes always closed.

Cui Hua carried an ancient sword on her back, which was the famous sword Su Wang.

Li Chang'an had intended to travel incognito on this trip.

Therefore, he only brought Gu Dazu and Qing Niao.

Li Chang'an said, "Your Excellency, blocking my path like this is a bit too abrupt a way to request an audience."

Wu Liuding cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness killed the previous generation's traitorous Sword Attendant, Liuding thanks you first."

Wu Su and Zhao Yutai were the previous generation's Sword Crown and Sword Attendant.

Wu Su's defection from the Sword Tomb to follow Xu Xiao was considered a betrayal to the Sword Tomb.

Their gratitude should be genuine, as could be seen from their affection values.

Name: Wu Liuding

Age: 25

Realm: First-rank Martial Artist · Zhi Xuan Realm Middle Stage

Talent: Martial Dao (Second Rank), Carpentry (Fourth Rank)

Ability: Sword Dao (Second Rank), Carpentry (Third Rank)

Affection: 40

As stated in the original work, Cui Hua's Aptitude was better than Wu Liuding's.

This Cui Hua later had the opportunity to advance to a Land Sword Immortal.

Name: Cui Hua

Age: 18

Realm: First-rank Martial Artist · Zhi Xuan Realm Middle Stage

Talent: Martial Dao (First Rank), Cooking (Second Rank)

Ability: Sword Dao (First Rank), Cooking (Third Rank)

Affection: 50

Li Chang'an said, "This King did not intend to help; you might as well state your purpose directly."

Wu Liuding said, "Presumably, Your Highness has already obtained the Dragon Sparrow Sword. I wish to retrieve this sword according to Jianghu rules."

The Sword Crown and Sword Attendant in the Sword Tomb are all the most talented individuals of the same generation.

Therefore, Wu Liuding believed that Li Chang'an could never defeat him, a Zhi Xuan Realm Middle Stage expert.

He continued, "I will spar with Your Highness. If I am fortunate enough to win, I will take back the Dragon Sparrow Sword."

Li Chang'an was also straightforward, "If you lose, you two, master and servant, will be at this King's disposal!"

He was going to Sha Province, and it was a time when he needed manpower.

Wu Liuding and Cui Hua had good character and excellent Aptitude.

When Li Chang'an spoke, neither Gu Dazu nor Qing Niao interrupted.

Although they were both worried about whether Li Chang'an could defeat this contemporary Sword Crown.

However, Li Chang'an's prestige was well-established, and they were accustomed to obeying him.

Wu Liuding pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness's actions in Yong Province are truly those of a young hero."

"We are accustomed to a leisurely life in Jianghu; if we lose, we can't possibly be slaves for life, can we?"

Li Chang'an said, "You will serve this King for three years, or kill three Zhi Xuan Realm experts, and then you may be free!"

Wu Liuding smiled and said, "I can accept this condition!"

The Sword Attendant Cui Hua suddenly opened her eyes and glanced at Li Chang'an.

She immediately showed a look of reproach and said to Wu Liuding.

"Are you mistaken? This Prince is too young!"

"Are we being a bit too bullying by doing this?"

Wu Liuding looked troubled and said, "Cui Hua, I know this isn't good."

"However, for the Dragon Sparrow Sword, we can only win by less than honorable means."

Qing Niao couldn't stand Cui Hua's arrogance and couldn't help but retort.

"Your Highness is young and promising! Far beyond your imagination!"

A moment later, Li Chang'an and Wu Liuding confronted each other by the lake.

"Sword Crown, where is your sword?"

A gentle breeze blew, ruffling a few strands of Wu Liuding's hair.

Wu Liuding's expression was calm, possessing a certain demeanor of a Sword Immortal.

"When Sword Intent is Cultivated to a profound level, sand, stones, grass, and trees can all become swords!"

Cui Hua, watching from a distance, nodded in deep agreement.

"Wu Liuding's Sword Intent has few rivals in the current era."

Qing Niao, usually cold and taciturn, couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Wu Liuding's reputation in Jianghu was indeed considerable, but these two were a bit too pretentious.

Wu Liuding said, "King of Tang, I do not bully the weak, you make your move."

Almost instantly, the sound of a dragon's roar and an elephant's trumpeting erupted from Li Chang'an's body!

Waves of majestic Qi rapidly spread out!

Wu Liuding's expression showed a trace of astonishment!

Li Chang'an's physique and True Qi were not to be underestimated!

"Roar!"

Li Chang'an pushed out a palm, Arrogant Dragon Repents!

The True Qi golden dragon, carrying immense pressure, flew towards Wu Liuding like lightning!

"Hiss!"

With a soft sound, a powerful Sword Qi shot out from Wu Liuding's fingertips!

The Sword Qi and palm force collided violently!

Immediately, sand and stones flew by the lake, and the lake water churned!

Gu Dazu stroked his beard and said, a great weight having been lifted from his heart.

"His Highness's Arrogant Dragon Repents once killed Yang Chunting, who was in the Zhi Xuan Realm Early Stage."

"At that time, that palm still had residual power!"

"Now it seems, dealing with Wu Liuding should at least result in no defeat!"

Cui Hua eagerly interjected, "Boasting!"

"Clearly, Wu Liuding's Sword Qi has the upper hand!"

No sooner had she spoken than Wu Liuding's Sword Qi indeed steadily suppressed Li Chang'an!

Qing Niao pouted and said, "I told you, Arrogant Dragon Repents is strong in its residual power, what's the rush!"

Suddenly, Li Chang'an's weakening palm force erupted again!

Arrogant Dragon Repents, tough yet gentle. The rebound of this palm's residual power was continuous!

The situation took a sharp turn for the worse!

Wu Liuding's Sword Qi was suppressed, and he immediately turned pale with fright!

Under the powerful and continuous palm wind, his hair was disheveled, and he couldn't even open his eyes!

"Cui Hua, the sword!"

His words were so hurried, completely lacking the detachment he had at the beginning!

"Cui Hua, hurry up, I can't hold on!"

A smile played on Qing Niao's lips, *Let you two show off, now you're embarrassed.*

Cui Hua released the Su Wang Sword, which flew into Wu Liuding's hand, and another Sword Qi pierced out!

The Cultivation of a Sword Crown has a drawback: the stronger they become, the more they need Divine Weapons and Sharp Weapons.

With the Su Wang Sword, Wu Liuding's True Qi was more than twice as powerful.

"Boom!"

The True Qi golden dragon and the sword light collided again, stirring up waves in the lake.

The True Qi dissipated, and Wu Liuding stood with his sword.

But his heart was filled with dread, because Li Chang'an was gone.

In front of him, Li Chang'an seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Cui Hua, who had initially been so confident of victory, also panicked.

Even Gu Dazu, who had just entered the Heavenly Elephant Realm, showed a look of shock!

In just one or two months, His Highness's Realm had broken through again!

This speed was at least that of the Zhi Xuan Realm!

Around Wu Liuding, faint lightning flickered subtly!

Although these lightning bolts were weak, they were enough to make everyone drop their jaws!

Drawing lightning, this was the Celestial Phenomenon Realm!

Although the lightning wasn't strong, it was just like entering the Celestial Phenomenon Realm!

So, what Realm was Li Chang'an in after all!

Wu Liuding's hand, gripping the Su Wang Sword, began to sweat.

Cui Hua's habitually narrowed eyes widened like copper bells!

Could the young Prince, not even twenty years old, be in the Celestial Phenomenon Realm!

Even a powerful Sword God like Li Chungang only entered the Celestial Phenomenon Realm at twenty-four!

Qing Niao whispered, "Elder Gu, what Realm is His Highness in, exactly?"

Gu Dazu, being well-traveled and knowledgeable after all, voiced a conjecture he himself could barely believe.

"Vajra Realm Peak, Early Stage Zhi Xuan Realm, and Celestial Phenomenon Realm!"

"His Highness has actually broken the Cultivation sequence of a First-rank Martial Artist!"

"This is simply too incredible!"

Li Chang'an's Thunder God Swiftness move completely stunned everyone present!

Thunder God Swiftness!

As fast as a thunderbolt, as swift as flying lightning!

If in the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, it could also summon lightning!

The powerful Six Gods Art, this was just the tip of the iceberg.

Suddenly, Li Chang'an's voice came from the air.

"Sword Crown, are you looking for me?"

Cui Hua shouted loudly, "Quickly use your strongest Ding Tian Sword Intent!"

Ding Tian Sword Intent was Wu Liuding's Zhi Xuan Realm secret technique, and also a killer move that had defeated countless experts!

After clearly seeing Li Chang'an's figure, Wu Liuding immediately swung his sword with full force!

"Buzz!"

Li Chang'an in the air did not dodge or evade, allowing the Sword Intent to strike him.

But the Sword Intent, upon reaching his side, was like a clay ox entering the sea!

Waves of Qi dispersed the powerful Sword Intent!

Arhat Disassembly!

Strong and supple force, completely deflecting enemy attacks!

Gu Dazu, as an ally, was already numb with shock!

"His Highness's defensive power actually shows tendencies of the Great Vajra Realm!"

No sooner had he spoken than Li Chang'an suddenly waved both hands.

Arhat Disassembly Force!

Wu Liuding's Ding Tian Sword Intent instantly vanished into thin air!