Nine Nether Dragon Emperor-Chapter 260 I’m not human, but you’re a real dog!

「Half an hour later.」

Ning Xuan walked out from the depths of Cloud Summit Heavenly Palace, looking thoroughly displeased. He kept muttering under his breath, "Unbelievable! A Palace Master, and she doesn't even have the guts to renege on a debt!"

Previously, Ning Xuan had thought You Ruo would default on her debt, which would have played right into his hands. He would have been able to demand even more. But when he brought it up, not only did You Ruo gather the Heavenly Crystals at top speed, she even proactively added extra. Ning Xuan's mood completely soured.

Ning Xuan returned to the mobile villa, his face dark. The moment Wu Pianpian saw him, her concern flared and she immediately shouldered her longspear. "What's wrong? Why the long face? Did that old geezer bully you?! Where is he?!"

Ning Xuan shook his head and sighed. "You Ruo owed us Heavenly Crystals, right? Well, she actually paid up!"

"She paid, and you're still…?" Wu Pianpian started to ask instinctively, but she caught herself mid-sentence, understanding immediately.

Yun Wangshu and Qian Yourong, standing nearby, were speechless. This was especially true for Qian Yourong. In the hearts of this realm's Martial Artists, the Heavenly Palace is a divine existence! Most aren't even qualified to meet the Palace Master, and even if they got lucky, they would never dare to look her directly in the eye. But Ning Xuan? He not only extorted the Palace Master but also treated her like a fat sheep, constantly scheming to fleece her for more. He's completely lawless!

"By the way, what happened with the Sky-Ascension Ladder? Why are you the only one back?" Wu Pianpian asked. In truth, she couldn't care less about the Heavenly Palace or Heavenly Crystals.

"Mo Wu is dead. The other three passed," Ning Xuan stated calmly.

"Are… are you here to say goodbye?" Qian Yourong asked, her voice trembling. As someone from Cloud Summit Heavenly Palace, she understood the significance of the Sky-Ascension Ladder. Three of the four prodigies had passed. With Ning Xuan's strength, it was impossible for him to fail. Reaching the top of the ladder and opening the Heavenly Gate meant being taken to Yao Guang by a Venerable One. So that's why Ning Xuan came back with such a dark expression! That must be the real reason!

"How did you know?" Ning Xuan asked, slightly surprised.

Qian Yourong's face was pale, but she forced a smile. "They all passed, so for a prodigy as brilliant as you, it was surely no challenge! But once you get to Yao Guang, it's best to keep a low profile. After all…"

"Wait, who said I'm going to Yao Guang?" Ning Xuan cut her off, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"Huh? If you're not going to Yao Guang, then where are you going?" Qian Yourong asked, dumbfounded.

Because of what she'd just said, the three children who had all run out were now staring at him, stunned. This was especially true for San Wu. She bit her lip tightly, her eyes misting over. Upon hearing Ning Xuan's clarification, her little mouth fell open wide enough to fit an egg. The tears she'd been holding back finally slid down her cheeks, creating a sight that was both pitiably endearing and oddly amusing.

"We've been out for a while. I'm planning to head back to the Yuan Ling Continent to check on things," Ning Xuan said. His gaze swept past Qian Yourong and San Wu before finally resting on Yun Wangshu.

Yun Wangshu froze for a moment, then beamed with joy. But when she caught his eye, she instinctively looked away, her mood instantly becoming a tangled mess. Her heart was thrown into utter chaos.

Beside them, Qian Yourong's face bloomed into a radiant smile. "Ning Yang is from the Yuan Ling Continent too, right? A place that produces not only prodigies like you but also world-class beauties… can you take me with you to see it?" She couldn't follow him to Yao Guang, but the Yuan Ling Continent was a different story.

"I want to go too!" San Wu chimed in immediately. She had no intention of being left behind.

Ning Xuan shook his head. "No, we still have a lot of unfinished business down there."

Wu Pianpian quickly agreed. "Right, right! Since Doll's Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart was exposed, the moment we show our faces, countless factions will be all over us."

"Uh, it was exposed here too, wasn't it? And nothing happened," Qian Yourong immediately objected.

"That's because of the Ten Clans Grand Competition. They probably figured we weren't going anywhere. Now that the competition is over, if we don't make a run for it, that's when we'll be in real danger!" Wu Pianpian continued.

Qian Yourong nodded instinctively. Ning Xuan shot Wu Pianpian a glance. Wow, Senior Sister is getting smarter!

San Wu played her trump card. "You… you still haven't done what you promised. The Yuan Ling Continent is filled with extraordinary people. Surely there's someone powerful enough to help fix it, right?"

"I really don't think so," Wu Pianpian said, her beautiful eyes swiveling. "How about this? We'll leave Xiaobai here to keep you company."

"WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!" In her panic, Xiaobai—who was already used to her human form and could speak fluently—let out a series of barks. She shot Wu Pianpian a resentful glare. I may not be human, but you're a real bitch! Damn it! Can't you act like a decent person for once?!

"See? Xiaobai agrees! It's happily decided then!" Wu Pianpian shot Xiaobai a look and gave a playful wink.

Xiaobai shrank back, turning pleading eyes to Doll.

"Be good, Xiaobai. We should be back very soon," Doll's comforting voice said.

Xiaobai lowered her head and whimpered, defeated.

San Wu and Qian Yourong said no more. They were leaving behind one of their own—well, their own dog. Now the two had no excuse to follow.

Qian Yourong quickly adjusted her mood and asked Ning Xuan with a smile, "When are you leaving?"

"Now."

"Do you know how to leave?"

Ning Xuan nodded. He hadn't known before, but building the Sky-Ascension Ladder had given him an idea.

"Is there anything else you need to do?" Ning Xuan asked Yun Wangshu and Doll.

Both girls shook their heads.

"What about me!" Wu Pianpian protested indignantly from the side.

"Xiaobai and San Wu are simple-minded, and the Qian Family is newly established with a mountain of things to handle. We'll have to count on you to look after them, Senior Sister."

Ning Xuan had even used the formal address 'Senior Sister', so Wu Pianpian knew she was done for. Still, she couldn't help but protest, "What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying I'm scheming?"

It'd be better if you were, Ning Xuan retorted silently.

"Of course not. I meant that you're powerful, Senior Sister. You can protect them."

"That's more like it! Go on, go on, leave this all to me!" Wu Pianpian's eyes lit up, and she suddenly became eager to shoo them away. Ning Xuan's words had reminded her. Ning Xuan has been fleecing this place for so long. Once he's gone, won't this whole world be my playground?! Hehe, you great families better watch out! It won't be long before this lady bleeds every last one of you dry!

Ning Xuan shot her a surprised glance, instantly guessing her intentions. He didn't expose her, saying instead, "Thank you for your hard work, Senior Sister. This mobile villa won't be much use on the Yuan Ling Continent, so you can use it for now." If I didn't leave this thing with her, I'm afraid she'd get beaten to death by the experts from the major families!

"Hahaha, perfect, perfect! You're the best, Junior Brother! Senior Sister loves you to death!" Wu Pianpian's face was wreathed in smiles. With my abilities plus this mobile villa, I can steamroll this entire place!

"It's getting late! You all should get on your way!" she urged, now practically shoving Ning Xuan and the others out the door.