CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 71: THE SECRET OF HUA NIANSHEN_1

「Unique Domain, Gun City!」

This was a city spanning a thousand miles. In terms of sheer architectural scale, it was twice the size of the Imperial Capital. Every building within the city was designed in the image of a spear, like innumerable lances embedded upright in the earth, exuding a heaven-shattering spear intent. This place was a sanctuary for spear practitioners; nearly all who practiced the spear arts would come here to learn.

"The spear is the king of all weapons. A martial artist who wields the spear must possess an indomitable will, an intent to advance relentlessly and obliterate all in their path!"

In a courtyard at the city’s center, Nie Jinglong stood ramrod straight, his right hand gripping a long spear. His eyes were slightly closed as he replayed the scene of his battle with Zhao Yun in his mind. The aura emanating from him grew increasingly sharp.

When this aura reached its zenith, he suddenly snapped his eyes open! Two beams of spear light erupted forth. He brandished the long spear in his hand, spiritual energy converging at its tip, blossoming into a dazzling radiance as he thrust it towards the heavens.

BOOM!

The spear qi pierced the sky, and the void shattered everywhere it passed.

A massive rift appeared in the clear sky. The potent, residual intent permeated downwards, causing the hundreds of millions of war spears throughout the city to tremble violently, emitting faint hums.

The city’s martial artists were astonished and hastily began to investigate.

"ARGH!"

Many martial artists of lower cultivation looked up at the sky and instantly felt a searing pain in their eyes. They quickly lowered their heads, only to find their eyes bloodshot, as if pricked by needles.

"Such a potent aura! This... could it be spear intent?"

"There’s the Spear King’s aura within it! Has the Spear King comprehended spear intent?"

The more powerful martial artists endured the piercing force of the spear intent, observing the phenomenon with rapt attention and immense excitement. Many among the older generation were even moved to tears. They were simply too ecstatic! Apart from the founder of Gun City, this was the second martial artist in Gun City’s history to comprehend spear intent. Though they themselves had not achieved this, they still felt an immense sense of honor.

Spear intent... I’ve finally comprehended it! In the courtyard, Nie Jinglong gazed at the war spear in his hand, his own hands trembling. He was so overcome with emotion that words failed him. A thousand years of honing his spear arts—he had finally reached this day.

"Jinglong, congratulations!" Suddenly, a thunderous voice boomed from above the courtyard. A burly, majestic-looking man with a "tiger’s physique and dragon’s waist" approached, his face beaming with joy. Following him was a handsome youth, his posture as straight as a spear, gazing at Nie Jinglong with admiration.

"Big Brother!" Nie Jinglong retracted his war spear, a warm smile appearing on his face.

The newcomer was Nie Zhenhu, the Unique City Master. He was a Semi-Saint proficient in wielding heavy spears. Relying on his sheer brute strength, he had defeated numerous martial artists of the same realm.

"I sensed your breakthrough and came right away," Nie Zhenhu said with a smile. "I also brought Shaofeng along so he can properly learn the spear dao from you!"

"Greetings, Second Uncle!" Nie Shaofeng stepped forward and cupped his fists in salute.

"Very well. Shaofeng possesses a special constitution suited for the spear dao. With my guidance, he should be able to comprehend spear intent relatively quickly." Nie Jinglong did not refuse. He was obsessed with the spear dao and had never married, already viewing Nie Shaofeng as his own descendant. Moreover, in the current Clash of the Great Era, Gun City also needed a powerful prodigy to lead the younger generation in battle.

"Thank you, Second Uncle! I will dedicate myself to learning and strive to comprehend spear intent as soon as possible!" Nie Shaofeng bowed again.

"In that case, go and practice one hundred thousand spear swings first!" Nie Jinglong quickly assumed the role of a teacher, ordering gravely. Nie Shaofeng didn’t hesitate. A war spear materialized in his hand, and he went to a nearby open space in the courtyard to begin his swings.

"Big Brother, how fares the Great Qin Empire?" Nie Jinglong asked.

It was thanks to his battle with Zhao Yun that he was able to comprehend spear intent—a true fortuitous encounter. After learning that Emperor Qin had killed Hua Wanxian, he had secretly decided to stand with the Great Qin Empire. This was his way of repaying that debt of gratitude, regardless of the rights or wrongs of the matter.

"Rest assured, they’re doing well," Nie Zhenhu said, patting Nie Jinglong’s shoulder. He walked to a nearby stone bench and sat down, his expression turning grave. "Recently, experts from the Changeable Mansion have been sighted near the Ghost Tomb. I suspect the ruins within are about to open!"

Ruins, representing opportunities, were generally divided into two types: natural and man-made.

Natural ruins were formed by unique energies in specific environments, often nurturing heavenly treasures or even pocket dimensions.

Man-made ruins were simpler, typically the former abodes or grotto-heavens of powerful cultivators. The treasures within were legacies left behind by these experts, including inheritances, cultivation techniques, martial skills, weapons, and medicinal pills.

"If those ruins truly open, the Nine Great Dao Domains will be plunged into chaos once more. It might even attract experts from the Great Radiance Domain!" Nie Jinglong said gravely, sitting on an adjacent stone bench.

"The Changeable Mansion is driven by profit. Their presence confirms there are treasures in the Ghost Tomb. Regardless of what they are, we must contend for them. For now, focus on teaching Shaofeng well." Nie Zhenhu’s eyes narrowed, a faint killing intent glinting within them. Anything the Changeable Mansion was involved in, he had to interfere. This time would be no exception.

"Understood," Nie Jinglong nodded gravely.

Typically, it was the younger prodigies who participated when ruins opened. Without sufficient strength, going there was tantamount to suicide.

Inside the Ten Thousand Flowers Sect, within a grand hall enveloped by a sea of flowers, the upper echelons had gathered. The atmosphere was heavy, and everyone wore incredibly grim expressions, seething with indignation. Sect Master Hua Yourong stood in the main hall, her face etched with grief, her eyes burning with venomous killing intent.

"Of course, we must!" Hua Nianshen declared calmly from her seat of honor, her voice light. Yet, the hand gripping her cane was so tight that veins bulged, betraying her inner turmoil.

"But Ancestor, the Lin Family and Gun City are siding with the Great Qin Empire. We..." Hua Yourong’s voice was laced with humiliation.

"Pay them no mind. I have my own methods," Hua Nianshen was saying, when she suddenly glanced towards a particular point in the void. Her expression flickered for an instant but quickly returned to normal. She then ordered with authority, "All of you, withdraw. I’ve had an insight and need to enter seclusion for a while."

The assembled elders were startled. They rose in unison, bowed respectfully, and then departed from the grand hall, their hearts filled with questions. An insight? They didn’t quite believe that explanation, but they had no choice but to obey their Ancestor’s command.

Once everyone had departed, Hua Nianshen fell silent, apparently wrestling with a difficult decision. At times, her face showed indecision; at others, a hint of murderous intent flickered across it. Finally, she gritted her teeth and said, "I agree. Inform your Mansion Master not to forget his promise to the Ten Thousand Flowers Sect!"

"HEH HEH HEH... Ancestor Hua is indeed forthright..." A hoarse voice rasped from the empty void. It started strong but gradually faded until it vanished completely.

"Lin Family, Gun City, Great Qin Empire... since you were unkind, do not blame me for being unrighteous!" After the presence departed, Hua Nianshen’s venomous voice echoed through the grand hall. Her white hair drifted though there was no wind, and her face was a mask of insanity. She was setting a desperate plan into motion! Success or failure, it would irrevocably alter the future of the Ten Thousand Flowers Sect. But she no longer cared! Hua Wanxian’s death had utterly destroyed the Sect’s future. If she was not to live well, then no one else deserved to either!