Mad Dragon of Evil Slaying

"That's right. It's to exterminate demons, but also to revive the Imperial Court and return the empire to the peaceful, prosperous age of the Martial Immortal Great Emperor. Then the world will be at peace, everyone will live and work in contentment, and life will be serene and happy, with flowers blooming everywhere!"

Nangong Ru, usually as cold as ice, now wore a look of longing, even fervor. But in the next moment, she said bitterly, "Unfortunately, those sects and Lineages have been undermining us in secret. By now, they've seized control of a large part of the Demon Extermination Alliance."

"What?"

Zhang Yunhao was stunned. He hadn't known any of this. It seemed the Demon Extermination Alliance's situation was complicated. Still, he had a vague idea why Nangong Ru had brought it up.

Nangong Ru's expression turned cold again. She continued, "The Demon Extermination Alliance is now divided into three factions. One hopes to revive the Imperial Court and thereby save the world. Another represents the interests of the major sects. The last is the neutral faction."

"You're in the faction that hopes to save the world. Oh, right, so am I."

Zhang Yunhao said with a smile. Then, as something occurred to him, he shook his head. Nangong Ru had brought him in, and he had fallen out with the Zhang Clan, so there was no need to ask which side he belonged to.

Nangong Ru nodded and fixed Zhang Yunhao with an eagle-sharp gaze. "Of course you are. So, are you willing to join me in saving the world?"

"I don't like a world this chaotic. If I could, I'd want the world to be at peace, too."

Zhang Yunhao answered without hesitation, his expression earnest. Nangong Ru could tell he wasn't lying. Her gaze softened as she said, "You really are a kindred spirit. From now on, we're on the same side. Let's fight together for the peace of all living beings!"

Zhang Yunhao smiled faintly but said nothing. In truth, his last words had been half sincere and half not. He did hope for peace, but fighting for it was another matter.

Besides, Zhang Yunhao didn't have the slightest faith in the Imperial Court as it stood. The Martial Immortal World was different from the world he had come from. Here, power belonged to the individual, and everything was decided by force!

There were no Martial Immortals in the Martial Immortal World anymore, only Martial Saints. Any force with a Martial Saint was known as a Holy Land, and these were the most powerful forces of all!

There were twenty-six Holy Lands within the Martial Immortal Empire, and the imperial family was one of them. That was how they had managed to hold on until now. The problem was that there were many other Holy Lands, and they certainly wouldn't want to be governed as they had been in the past!

"The only way to save the world is for someone to break through and become a Martial Immortal, then bring the whole world to heel. But there hasn't been a Martial Immortal in over a thousand years, and the Immortal Martial Arts aren't even complete now. Wait, if that's how it is, then I seem to be the most likely person to save the world?"

A thought suddenly struck Zhang Yunhao. He had Immortal Martial Arts and a system, so he clearly had a much better chance of becoming a Martial Immortal than anyone else. And once he did, saving the world would be easy.

If he really became a Martial Immortal, Zhang Yunhao would be willing to save the world. It wouldn't be difficult, after all. But he wouldn't become a Martial Immortal for the sake of saving it. Those were two different things.

Zhang Yunhao had never wanted to be a hero. He was willing to help people when he had the ability, but he would never sacrifice himself for them!

Nangong Ru had no idea how many thoughts had raced through Zhang Yunhao's mind in that instant. She said briskly, "I'll explain the Demon Extermination Alliance's rules and benefits, as well as the situation with our faction, in more detail later. For now, something else. Have you heard of Mad Dragon of Evil Slaying?"

"Of course. He's a Great Grandmaster, famous throughout the world. Once, he charged alone into the Mad Lion Gang, which numbered tens of thousands, to save someone. With a single saber, he killed Shi Fan, the Nine-Headed Mad Lion. What a true hero!"

Zhang Yunhao nodded. Though he had always been in the Zhang Clan, he'd made a point of gathering information and was no ignorant shut-in. He knew all the more famous happenings in the Jianghu.

Then, as something occurred to him, Zhang Yunhao asked in surprise, "I remember Mad Dragon of Evil Slaying is surnamed Nangong, too. Is he from your Aristocratic Clan? Does he practice the Evil Slaying Saber Technique as well?"

"That's right. He's my third uncle."

Nangong Ru nodded proudly. Then, without wasting a word, she got straight to the point. "Besides the Evil Slaying Saber Technique, my third uncle also practices the Great Strength Dragon Elephant Art. He's been looking for a successor. I was entrusted with finding one when I came to Luoyun Prefecture, and I think you're suitable."

"Huh? Are you sure you're not joking?"

Zhang Yunhao was utterly astonished. This was more than a pie falling from the sky—it was a diamond!

That was a Great Grandmaster! Even the leader of the Heavenly Fist Sect was only a Great Grandmaster. For most Martial Artists, the chance to become a Great Grandmaster's disciple was something they wouldn't even dare dream of!

Of course, Zhang Yunhao had Immortal Martial Arts and a system. Though he found it hard to believe, he didn't tremble with excitement. Nangong Ru thought more highly of him for that. This kid had a fine temperament.

Nangong Ru said, "You must have put a lot of effort into body training. I can tell. Your fighting style relies on your body, and your use of true qi is still crude. You haven't reached the point where your intent and qi move as one."

"Did it just jump again?"

Zhang Yunhao's mouth twitched. "I know. It takes a lot of practice, and I haven't had time."

"My third uncle's Great Strength Dragon Elephant Skill is a martial art that focuses on training the body. It uses true qi to open the spiritual apertures throughout the body, continually strengthening it."

Nangong Ru brought the conversation back on track. "So, the disciple he's looking for must be skilled at body training. But most people are in a hurry to break through and start cultivating true qi. It's rare to find someone with your level of skill in body training."

Nangong Ru continued, "Your intelligence and courage also meet my third uncle's requirements, and you're one of our own. So I've decided to accept you as his nominal disciple and pass on the Great Strength Dragon Elephant Skill. You've already made progress in body training, so don't waste that advantage!"

"Really? Thank you, Captain Nangong!"

Zhang Yunhao's eyes widened. He bowed in delight. Having a Great Grandmaster for a master—even as a nominal disciple—was the dream of countless people. If word got out, who knew how many people would be green with envy!

"Don't get excited too soon!"

Nangong Ru waved a hand. "I've only decided that you're suitable. My third uncle hasn't agreed yet, so you can't tell anyone about this. Besides, you must meet two goals before you can become his official nominal disciple. If you fail, everything will be taken back."

Zhang Yunhao wasn't disappointed. Instead, he felt relieved. If it had been that easy, he would have worried that she had some ulterior motive. "What are the two goals?"

Nangong Ru said, "My third uncle only gave me the first three levels of the Great Strength Dragon Elephant Skill, the portion meant for before the innate stage. I need to check your progress and confirm whether this martial art suits you. My third uncle is looking for a successor!"

Zhang Yunhao replied with complete confidence, "No problem. I'm a genius!"

Nangong Ru was taken aback. She'd never met anyone who called himself a genius so openly. Shouldn't he be a little more modest at a time like this?

But Nangong Ru didn't care. Soon enough, she'd know whether he was worth his salt. She continued, "You've heard about the Luoyun Prefecture Rookie Competition, right?"

There it was—another sudden jump. Zhang Yunhao nodded. "I have. Does the other goal have something to do with the Rookie Competition?"