Chapter 12: Battle at the Imperial Palace

Many seasoned practitioners within the Qishi Mansion whispered amongst themselves. Someone sighed, “Dragon Knights truly are immensely powerful. Riding a dragon multiplies their might tenfold. The sheer force of their charge and their flying ability grants them far greater combat power than cultivators of the same rank.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, the battle in the sky had entered a fever pitch. Dragons roared, and a fighting aura lit up the sky. Brilliant flashes crisscrossed above the training grounds, beams of energy streaking in all directions.

Sima Lingkong’s dark green fighting aura clashed violently with the Tianyang Dragon Knight’s blue aura, the air hissing and crackling with the collisions.

Emperor Chu Han of Chu praised, “What a magnificent battle! It’s been a long time since I’ve witnessed a duel between ranked masters, let alone one between Dragon Knights. Truly spectacular! Dragon Knights live up to their name.”

The Empress nodded in agreement. “Indeed. Dragon Knights are truly powerful, better suited for combat than other cultivators.”

The princes and princesses present were equally captivated, especially the little princess, who was nearly bouncing with excitement. If not for Chu Yue holding her back, she would have run right off the viewing platform.

Under the fierce onslaught of fighting aura, the clothing on the upper bodies of both Dragon Knights finally gave way, shredded to reveal their formidable physiques. The bursts of aura erupting from their greatswords grew even more intense, accompanied by faint rumbles of thunder, as if bolts of lightning were dancing wildly in the air.

Sima Lingkong suddenly let out a furious roar. Man and dragon merged into a green arrow, hurtling toward the Tianyang Dragon Knight. The Tianyang knight, unwilling to be outdone, threw his head back with a long cry and urged his dragon forward to meet the charge.

Every spectator felt their blood boil. They rose to their feet, knowing the final clash was upon them.

Both Dragon Knights erupted with blinding brilliance, like two fiercely burning flames. Their greatswords unleashed two dazzling beams of fighting aura, their deadly edges colliding in mid-air.

BOOM!

A deafening thunderclap erupted, followed by a sun-like burst of light. The powerful energy ripples made every onlooker’s heart tremble.

The two dragons let out sorrowful cries, their bodies now covered in large and small wounds, blood dripping ceaselessly from the sky. They wobbled and plummeted earthward.

The two Dragon Knights on their backs were already soaked in blood, looking more like bloody specters. Their greatswords were long broken, only shattered hilts remaining in their grips. Both were grievously wounded, powerless to continue. They exchanged one look before both slumped unconscious onto their dragons, falling with them.

THUMP!

THUMP!

The two dragons crashed to the ground.

The battle had been brutally fierce. Both Dragon Knights and their mounts were so grievously wounded they could not rise, resulting in a draw.

With one loss and one draw, the situation looked grim for Chu.

Tianyang still had two Dragon Knights, while Chu now had only Chen Nan.

Chen Nan slung the Houyi Bow across his back and walked toward the arena. In the crowd, he spotted Nalan Ruoshui, her face etched with concern. A warmth spread in his heart.

The old poison master called from behind him, “Be careful!”

The old witch added, “Use your decisive move early, young man!”

The other talents of the Qishi Mansion voiced their encouragement.

Dressed as an eastern martial artist, Chen Nan looked utterly ordinary, neither possessing a powerful physique nor a tall stature. This greatly disappointed the civil and military officials. They believed that if Chen Nan were a powerful Dragon Knight or a mysterious Daoist practitioner, there might be hope for victory. Having lost faith, the Chu courtiers held little hope for the impending battle.

Chen Nan strode to the center of the grounds.

The Dragon Knight, who hadn’t yet fought, upon seeing him, narrowed his eyes, two chilling glints flashing in their depths. He was puzzled, for he could not gauge Chen Nan’s true depths.

The Dragon Knight who had fought first said, “Eldest Senior Brother, let me handle this. This person isn’t worth your effort.”

The one addressed as Eldest Senior Brother scrutinized Chen Nan once more, then finally nodded.

The Dragon Knight urged his dragon skyward, soaring until he hovered above Chen Nan.

“Hahaha… Has Chu run out of people? Do they actually send you? Do you think you can defeat me, a Dragon Knight, with your eastern martial arts? Hahaha…” The Dragon Knight laughed arrogantly.

Chen Nan replied calmly, “It’s true. Eastern martial arts have declined in recent years. But that does not grant you the right to blaspheme the treasure left by our ancestors. Eastern martial arts are vast and profound. Their decline is because later generations failed to grasp their essence. If one could cultivate and master the many divine abilities within this treasure, fighting aura and magic would be no match. Today, I will show you the true meaning of eastern martial arts and, on behalf of the Martial Ancestors, teach a lesson to an unworthy descendant who has forgotten his roots.”

The Dragon Knight in the sky flushed crimson with rage. “Boy, it’s not your place to lecture me! If I don’t have you dead under my Dragon-Slaying Spear within ten moves, I’ll concede this match!”

Chen Nan said, “Fine. Then I’ll also use a spear to accompany you.”

He walked to the nearby weapon rack, selecting a long spear forged of fine steel. He gave it a gentle tremor, conjuring a dozen spear blossoms in the air.

On the viewing platform, Emperor Chu Han asked Chu Yue beside him, “What is he doing? Why has he slung the Houyi Bow on his back? Does he intend to duel the Dragon Knight with a spear?”

Chu Yue furrowed her delicate brows. “I can’t fathom his intentions either.”

The little princess added, “That guy’s martial arts are atrocious. He’s not planning to throw his life away, is he?”

Just then, the Dragon Knight shouted, “Are you ready, boy?”

Gripping the long spear, Chen Nan strode toward the center. In that instant, the immense power within him surged forth. A faint golden light emanated from his body. With each step he took, the training grounds trembled ever so slightly.

The Dragon Knight paled in shock. Finally, he sensed the tremendous power coursing within Chen Nan.

The spectators also noticed the profound change in Chen Nan.

The little princess was the first to cry out, “Heavens! This scoundrel… It’s like he’s a different person. When did he become so powerful? Aiya, it’ll be harder to deal with him now.”

A glint flashed in Chu Yue’s eyes, and she smiled. “It seems a pleasant surprise awaits us today.”

Like a moving mountain, with each of Chen Nan’s steps, the earth trembled faintly. His overwhelming aura made even the high-flying dragon restless, causing it to whimper incessantly. Upon reaching the center, Chen Nan pointed his spear at the Dragon Knight high above. “Come. I’ll show you the true essence of Eastern martial arts!”

Enraged, the Dragon Knight brandished his Dragon-Slaying Spear and urged his mount into a dive. A fierce gale whipped up dust from the ground. Chen Nan held his spear with one hand, pointing it diagonally at the sky, standing unmoving amidst the violent wind.

“Die, brat!” The Dragon Knight thrust his spear a dozen times in rapid succession. Dazzling, blade-like beams of light shot straight at Chen Nan.

Chen Nan showed not a hint of panic. The long spear in his hand trembled slightly, its shaft erupting in a blinding golden radiance, like a fiercely blazing flame. From its tip, a tangible, substantial beam of light shot forth—brilliant, shimmering, and chilling to the bone.