Chapter 11 He Chooses to Take a Bold Gamble!

"Boy, someone wants your life."

A dry, hoarse voice rang out, and a surge of murderous intent erupted with it.

"Master Ghost, please hold your hand."

The Patriarch of the Bai family was about to step forward to explain, but as soon as he moved, a tremendous force struck him back from a distance.

"This is not up for discussion," Ghost Elder declared, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"Master Ghost, the young masters of our three families are still in that boy's hands, please..." an elder began.

"What is that to me? The one I intend to kill is that brat, not your young masters."

Ghost Elder cared nothing for the reputation of the three great families, showing them no courtesy at all.

"This is..."

Just when things seemed to be turning for the better, the involvement of this old ghost complicated matters again.

At that moment, Xia Jiuxuan also frowned slightly. This old man’s aura was cold and sinister, his killing intent heavier than anyone else present—a formidable foe, not easily dealt with. His cultivation was the highest among those present, at the peak of the Third Palace Entry Realm, making him an even more troublesome adversary.

"If you wish to take the life of our young master, you must at least give a reason!"

A voice, ethereal and commanding, echoed through the air.

"Hmm?"

Xia Jiuxuan’s heart tightened. At such a critical moment, that man dared to step out? It was beyond his expectation.

Just from the voice alone, Xia Jiuxuan recognized who it was—the guardian of the Martial Pavilion.

As expected, Xia Kongming seemed to walk forward at a measured pace, but in reality, he left behind only an afterimage, coming to a halt before Xia Jiuxuan.

"You’re so afraid of death, yet you dare to come forward for me?" Xia Jiuxuan said coolly.

"Sometimes, danger and opportunity walk hand in hand." Xia Kongming glanced at Xia Jiuxuan, a strange light in his eyes.

In truth, Xia Kongming had not come by accident. He had been hiding in the shadows, observing since Xia Jiuxuan first clashed with the Four Young Lords.

Having witnessed the entire process, Xia Kongming struggled intensely within himself.

Dragon Spear Will—this boy had mastered it.

The Eight Desolations Spirit Lock Array—this boy had also mastered it.

It was far beyond his understanding, especially after seeing that bizarre and terrifying scene in Xia Jiuxuan’s eyes the other day.

All taken together, he realized how utterly mistaken he had been. Only he truly understood how terrifying the young master’s transformation was.

So, after much inner turmoil, he decided to gamble everything at this critical moment. His subconscious told him that this life-risking bet was well worth it.

"Old fox, you’re quite shrewd," Xia Jiuxuan laughed. He actually found himself admiring the old man now. For profit, the elder was willing to stake his life; but to restrain him with notions of virtue or kinship was futile.

Of course, the Xia family’s inheritance was not based on bloodlines, but on talent and strength.

In Xia Jiuxuan’s branch, the previous generation was single-line, so the family elders and his kin were separated by who knows how many generations, sharing only the surname, not blood. Thus, the family always placed interests above sentiment, and sacrificing everything for kinship was simply unheard of.

"Let’s gamble, then," Xia Kongming replied with a confident smile.

"You’re not bad at all—you suit my taste," Xia Jiuxuan thought it best this way. If the old man moved for profit, he would repay him in profit, and nothing would be owed either way.

"Hmph, Xia Kongming, I know your strength well. Do you think you can protect him from me?" Ghost Elder’s voice was full of scorn. In Dragon Lair City, he was well aware of the strength of every major expert.

Xia Kongming was not even the strongest among the top elders of the three families—how could he possibly stand against him?

"Is that so? I may be unremarkable, but I’m willing to stake my life against yours," Xia Kongming replied.

As his words fell, a powerful aura burst from him; three dragon-patterned divine spears hovered around him. The sound of their names echoed like the roars of fierce beasts, enveloping the entire street in his spear will.

"He’s broken through!"

"Xia Kongming was stuck at the Second Palace Entry for more than a decade—how did he break through?"

"His family’s unique art, the Dragon Spear Will, is many times stronger than ten years ago. Unbelievable!"

The people of the four great families were all shocked by Xia Kongming’s aura. In single combat, none of them dared to claim victory over him now—no wonder he dared to step forward.

Even Ghost Elder was secretly startled by the overwhelming Dragon Spear Will. This old man’s aura was almost his equal! A miscalculation indeed.

"Your insight is impressive," said only Xia Jiuxuan, remaining calm and composed.

"Thank you, young master," Xia Kongming replied, cupping his hands. This gesture only deepened the others’ confusion.

In truth, Xia Kongming’s bottleneck had been due to his mastery of the Dragon Spear Will reaching a certain limit. Just now, hiding in the shadows, he had witnessed Xia Jiuxuan display a higher level of the art.

In that instant, the darkness in his heart was pierced by a sudden sun. Abruptly enlightened, the barrier that had trapped him for over a decade was finally broken.

"Don’t thank me yet. Reverse the spear will, charge the Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Mingyang meridians. Sever, yet remain undying; connect by will..."

Xia Jiuxuan detected a flaw in Xia Kongming’s spear will and promptly offered guidance.

To outsiders, the words made no sense, a jumble of gibberish. But to Xia Kongming, they struck like thunder.

Such a bold and subtle method was beyond his wildest imagination, much less something he could have discovered alone.

His earlier enlightenment had already tasted sweet; now, Xia Jiuxuan’s guidance instinctively drew him into immediate practice.

He mobilized the Dragon Spear Will, charged through the three meridians—severed yet undying, united by will...

With decades of martial cultivation, he achieved it in one seamless flow.

A metallic humming echoed from Xia Kongming’s body.

"Man and spear as one... the highest realm of Dragon Spear Will..."

Xia Kongming felt as if he were dreaming.

To be precise, he had indeed dreamt of this moment—becoming one with his spear—countless times.

But dreams are only dreams; today, he achieved it for real.

"Elder Xia Kongming thanks the young master. From this day forth, I will follow you through fire and water, without hesitation unto death."

Tears streamed down the old man’s face. His lifelong dream had been fulfilled—what more could he ask for? He had already won his gamble.

At this moment, Xia Jiuxuan had become a figure of legend in his heart, without question.

"Old Kongming, spare me your tricks. Do you think this is enough to save the boy’s life? How absurd," Ghost Elder scoffed.

No one else knew what transformation Xia Kongming had undergone, least of all Ghost Elder, who saw only deception between the two.

"Oh? Then let’s fight to the death!"

Xia Kongming lifted his head, eyes ablaze with killing intent.

"Then let me grant your wish—die, all of you!"

Ghost Elder was unflinching, confident in his own hidden cards, certain that he could slay this old man.

"Young master, take the young lady and go—I’ll handle this," Xia Kongming said, turning.

"Much appreciated," Xia Jiuxuan replied calmly, then walked toward the corner where Xia Ran was crouching.

He had only taken a few steps when a spear shadow swept by, and the kneeling young lords of the three families were all beheaded.

The young masters of all four great families—dead!

"Young master, you—"

Xia Kongming turned, aghast at the ruthlessness of the act.

"Just giving you a bit more trouble. Otherwise, how will your strength truly be shown?"

Xia Jiuxuan was unconcerned, scooping up the terrified Xia Ran and heading off on his own.

"There, there, don’t be afraid. If anyone bullies you again, your second father will kill them, just like today."

"Wah, wah, wah..."

Finally catching her breath, Xia Ran burst into tears. Xia Jiuxuan gently patted her back. "Don’t cry, don’t cry. Next time, I’ll buy you treats and teach you supreme martial arts, all right?"

...