The Female Immortal Emperor's Evaluation! Hundredfold Return, Cloud-Treading Black Dragon Colt!

Impossible!

Ning Hongye shook her head again, casting that thought from her mind.

The Thunderclap Saber Technique was a heirloom of the Ning Family, refined by countless experts, a Spirit Grade High Rank technique—rare even in all of Great Xia.

And Xiao Yang was merely a Third-grade Martial Artist—what right did he have to improve it?

But then how had he defeated Commander Huo?

"Ninth Young Master, why did you hold back just now and spare Commander Huo's life?" Azure Luan, standing nearby, couldn't help asking.

She was Ning Hongye's personal guard, and seeing her mistress humiliated had filled her with fury, making her wish she could slaughter every troublemaker on the spot.

Xiao Yang explained, "Though those centurions and Commander Huo went too far, they aren't irredeemable villains. They've been deceived by that Dog Emperor!"

"The reason they stirred up trouble is precisely because of their loyalty to Old General Ning!"

"In the future, once they learn the truth, they'll only be more devoted to us!"

Hearing this, Azure Luan suddenly understood, but inwardly she marveled—this Ninth Young Master was quite clever.

"Xiao Yang!"

At that moment, Ning Hongye finally couldn't suppress her curiosity and spoke up. "Did you learn the Thunderclap Saber Technique long ago? And the moves you just used—it seemed like you'd improved them?"

In her view, there was one possibility!

That King Zhenbei's Mansion had long obtained the manual for the Thunderclap Saber Technique, and even had its own experts refine it before teaching it to the young heir.

Only that could explain everything that had just happened.

"That's right, my saber technique is indeed superior. Do you want to learn it?"

Xiao Yang didn't explain the origin of the technique, instead asking in return.

"You'd teach me?" Ning Hongye was surprised.

She certainly wanted to learn, but since it was a refinement from the King's Mansion, it probably wouldn't be passed on to outsiders.

"Call me 'husband' once, and I'll teach you!" Xiao Yang said with a smile.

Hearing this, Ning Hongye didn't answer. She turned away coldly.

This woman really was tsundere!

Xiao Yang shook his head helplessly. That had just been a test—if she wouldn't agree, so be it.

But he didn't know that Ning Hongye had turned precisely to hide the flush spreading across her face and the shyness in her eyes.

"Even if you won't call me 'husband,' at least take that Night Shining Jade Lion. You don't have a warhorse anymore!" Xiao Yang added.

"Fine."

Ning Hongye nodded.

[Ding! Host gifted the Night Shining Jade Lion, triggering reward!]

[Hundredfold Return: "Emperor Grade High Rank Spirit Beast", Cloud-Treading Black Dragon Colt]

[Also known as "Celestial River Patroller", possesses Ancient Fire Dragon Bloodline, treads the void as if on level ground, can spew Sky-Burning Flame, travels three thousand li in a day]

[Withdraw immediately?]

An Emperor Grade Spirit Beast... I've struck gold!

Xiao Yang's heart surged with excitement.

He had previously obtained the Emperor Grade Divine Weapon "Mysterious Scale Ten Thousand Dragon Armor," but that was a defensive treasure.

Spirit beasts, however, possessed intelligence. If tamed, they could aid in battle, their combat power likely rivaling that of a Seventh-grade Grandmaster!

"Miss Ning, since the trouble here is settled, I'll take my leave!"

Xiao Yang couldn't wait to return and withdraw the spirit beast, so he turned and left directly.

At that moment, within Ning Hongye's Spiritual Sense, a ethereal, immortal female voice suddenly rang out.

"Disciple, this boy is no simpleton!"

Ning Hongye was astonished. "Master, you've awakened?"

Three years ago, she had stumbled into a God-Demon Battlefield and unexpectedly encountered the Remnant Soul of an Ancient Female Immortal Emperor, who took up residence within her body, and she became her disciple.

But a month ago, her father Ning Xiong had fallen into demonic possession and gone on a killing spree. At the critical moment, the Female Immortal Emperor had acted, suppressing and killing Ning Xiong, but had fallen into slumber as a result.

No matter how she called out, there was no response. She never expected her master to awaken today!

"Disciple, this fiancé of yours carries an unfathomable aura—beyond the Three Realms, outside the Five Elements. Even I cannot see through him! But that saber strike of his just now... it was rather interesting!" the Female Immortal Emperor said.

"What do you mean?" Ning Hongye asked curiously.

"His person is like a dragon; his blade is like a prison!"

The Female Immortal Emperor gave her assessment, then added, "I need to go into hibernation for a long time this time, and I was somewhat worried. But since you've found such a husband, this master can rest assured!"

"Master, you..."

Hearing the word "husband," ripples stirred within Ning Hongye's heart.

Meanwhile.

Xiao Yang returned to his own estate, making sure no one was around.

"System, I want to extract the Cloud-Treading Black Dragon Colt!"

A flash of light, and before him appeared a spirited black horse.

Its torso was sturdy, its limbs long and lean, its coat jet-black, standing a head taller than that Night Shining Jade Lion.

"What a handsome horse!"

Xiao Yang marveled inwardly, then the next moment he saw the black horse's head and couldn't help but laugh.

Because this Big Black Horse looked just like that famous artifact from his past life, "Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow"—its face twisted, mouth wide open.

It was absurdly comical, like a goofball!

"What a handsome horse—too bad it's got a head..."

Xiao Yang couldn't help sighing, then grabbed the horse's back, intending to swing himself up for a test ride.

But the Cloud-Treading Black Dragon Colt refused to obey, shaking itself casually and flinging Xiao Yang off, even snorting.

It looked proud, casting a sidelong glance at Xiao Yang as if to say:

Kid, you think you can ride me?

"Damn! This horse has a temper!"

Xiao Yang refused to give up, trying again and again to tame it, flipping himself up only to fail each time.

"Big Black, behave!"

"Brother Black, do me a favor, will you..."

"Lord Black, I'm begging you, just let me ride once!"

By the end of the day, Xiao Yang was drenched in sweat, having tried every trick—bringing the finest feed, coaxing and threatening—but still couldn't mount the horse!

Spirit beasts had minds of their own and submitted only to the strong.

Xiao Yang was merely a Third-grade Martial Artist now, while this Cloud-Treading Black Dragon Colt was a royal-grade spirit beast, fully grown.

Though the system had awarded it to Xiao Yang, it wasn't willing to acknowledge him as master so easily.

In the end, Xiao Yang had to give up and called for the maidservant Huangli.

"Young Master, what a fine horse!" Huangli couldn't help exclaiming.

And the previously lazy Cloud-Treading Black Dragon Colt seemed to perk up a little at the sight of Huangli.

"This is a horse I just bought. Take it to the stable and have it well cared for," Xiao Yang instructed.

"Yes, Young Master!" Huangli nodded.

Late at night, at the Eldest Prince's Estate.

"Eldest Brother, Ninth has gone too far!!!"

The Fourth Prince burst in, fuming as he lodged his complaint with Eldest Prince Xiao Junlin.

"Ninth killed my guard, exiled my concubine, and even slapped me in the face with the Vermilion Bird Army's Tiger Tally Gold Seal!"

"Who does he think he is? Nothing but a bootlicker, offering up his own eyes to curry favor with that Fiend Star Woman Ning Hongye in exchange for those benefits!"

"But I can't swallow this—I have to teach him a harsh lesson and make him pay in blood!!!"

Can't find the book by title? Try searching by the author—maybe it just changed names!