Chapter 24: The Rumored Strength

As that deadly black dagger plunged deep into Ji Linglong’s back.

Blood instantly stained her luxurious golden palace gown crimson.

“Your Highness!”

Lu Ning’s mind went completely blank.

She instinctively reached out to support Ji Linglong’s faltering body, her eyes filled with disbelief.

She had never imagined that, at this most perilous moment, the proud Princess Royal would unhesitatingly use her own body to block such a fatal blow for her.

“Cough…”

Ji Linglong suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, the warm liquid splattering across Lu Ning’s pale face.

Ji Linglong’s complexion visibly turned ashen at a speed the naked eye could see, the black poison in the dagger frenziedly consuming her life through the wound.

“A’Ning… are you… alright?”

Ji Linglong turned her head with difficulty to look at Lu Ning.

In those golden phoenix eyes, there was not a trace of pain—only deep worry and lingering fear.

Seeing Ji Linglong like this, a nameless fury welled up madly from the depths of Lu Ning’s heart.

“Hehehe…”

A chilling laugh echoed through the hall.

The black-clad Assassin who had succeeded in his sneak attack slowly revealed himself.

He was like a ghost melting into the shadows, his presence exuding a terrifying aura of the Late Mahayana stage.

“How touching.”

The Assassin’s voice was hoarse and grating.

“Who would have thought the illustrious Princess Royal of the Great Wilderness would throw her life away for a mere prisoner?”

His gaze fell upon Ji Linglong, brimming with scorn and ridicule.

“Unfortunately, you’re both doomed to die here today.”

Ji Linglong forced herself upright, fixing him with a cold stare.

“Who sent you?”

“A dying woman has no need to know so much.”

The Assassin wasted no more words.

His figure flickered and once more transformed into a shadowy wraith, preparing to deliver Ji Linglong the killing blow.

He would make certain the Princess Royal died, leaving no chance of survival.

At this moment, Lu Ning’s pupils shrank.

An unprecedented killing intent erupted from deep within her.

【System! Use ‘Mahayana Perfection Realm Power’ Ten-Second Trial Card!】

She roared the order in her mind without hesitation.

【Ding! ‘Mahayana Perfection Realm Power’ Ten-Second Trial Card activated. Remaining time: ten seconds.】

In the next instant, an indescribable force awoke violently within Lu Ning.

It was a might that soared above heaven and earth, enough to darken the sun and moon and make stars fall.

Her once-empty dantian and qi sea were instantly filled with endless gray-white divine essence.

The dormant Heavenly Demon bloodline and Lunar Source were utterly activated, operating in a frenzy like never before.

Lu Ning’s cultivation skyrocketed in an instant, rising from a powerless cripple to the pinnacle of the Immortal Demon Continent—Mahayana Perfection Realm.

“Heavenly Demon Domain…”

“Wom—”

An intangible domain erupted from Lu Ning’s body, expanding in a roar and enveloping the entire Phoenix Palace.

Within this domain, everything seemed to freeze.

The Late Mahayana Assassin charging forward, dagger raised, was fully revealed—his sinister smile frozen on his face.

To his horror, he realized he couldn’t move at all!

The power within his body was utterly suppressed; he couldn’t even twitch a finger.

“How… how is this possible… This is the domain said to be wielded only by Tribulation Crossing Supremes, how can you…”

The Assassin stared at Lu Ning in terror, his eyes filled with dread.

He watched as the “prisoner” he’d considered an ant now stood up.

Her black hair fluttered without wind.

Those once-clear eyes had become an unfathomable crimson, utterly devoid of emotion—only the indifference and majesty of one looking down on all beings.

A terrifying pressure emanated from her, enough to make heaven and earth tremble.

It was the aura of Mahayana Perfection Realm.

How could this be?

Wasn’t the rumored Demon Sect Master supposed to have lost all her cultivation, reduced to a prisoner by grave wounds?

Regret and fear surged endlessly in the Assassin’s heart.

If he’d known she hadn’t lost her power, he never would have taken this job.

He now knew he’d kicked an iron wall.

Meanwhile, Ji Linglong, still held in Lu Ning’s arms, was no less shocked.

She was the closest—she could feel with utter clarity that world-shattering force emanating from Lu Ning.

It was even more terrifying than the imperial ancestors she’d once seen.

Had everything Lu Ning done before been an act, just to amuse her?

The thought left Ji Linglong’s mind utterly blank.

Lu Ning paid no heed to either of their shock.

She gently laid Ji Linglong on the warm jade bed.

【Remaining time: seven seconds.】

Lu Ning raised her right hand, extending a fair and slender finger.

At her fingertip, a wisp of gray-white divine essence gathered.

It looked small and unremarkable.

But the Assassin sensed from it a force capable of utterly annihilating even his soul.

“No… don’t…”

For the first time, a pleading look appeared in the Assassin’s eyes.

But it was far too late.

Lu Ning showed no mercy.

Anyone who dared hurt her must be ready to die.

She flicked her finger.

The wisp of divine essence instantly tore through the air and entered the Assassin’s forehead.

There was no earth-shattering explosion, nor any tragic scream.

The Late Mahayana Assassin’s body simply weathered away in an instant, turning to dust and vanishing completely from the world, not leaving a single trace behind.

A single finger—instant kill!

【Remaining time: five seconds.】

After finishing everything, Lu Ning immediately lowered her head to check on the ashen-faced Ji Linglong lying on the bed.

In the next moment, Lu Ning grabbed Ji Linglong’s hand, flooding her body with powerful gray-white divine essence, instantly eradicating the deadly poison within her.

A cold, sharp smile curled at Lu Ning’s lips.

This smile was unlike any she had ever worn as a “prisoner.”

It was a pride and contempt that came from her very bones.

As if she’d reverted to the Demon Sect Master who once shook the universe and viewed all beings as ants.

She gently pinched Ji Linglong’s chin, mimicking exactly the gesture Ji Linglong had once used on her, only more domineering and irresistible.

“Princess Royal, do you still think you can control me now?”

【Remaining time: two seconds.】

Hearing the system’s notification, Lu Ning turned without hesitation, ready to leave this place of trouble.

She had saved Ji Linglong—her debt was paid.

She had also spent her greatest trump card.

If she didn’t leave now, when would she?

But just then, Ji Linglong reached out and grabbed Lu Ning’s hand.

“A’Ning… where are you going?”

【Ding! Trial time ended. Host will enter a brief period of weakness.】

As the system alert sounded, that world-destroying force instantly faded from Lu Ning’s body.

Overwhelming weakness crashed over her.

Lu Ning’s vision went black, and her body collapsed limply backward.