His intent behind that invitation was to crack down on the remaining ten significant forces within the Rootless Black City; at the same time, win over two or three of them to his side, if possible. Contrary to what he expected, there was no bond between the ten significant forces of the Rootless Black City, to the point that he easily divided them all with a single sentence.
The first to arrive were the Heaven City Chamber of Commerce, the Rogue Cultivator Alliance, and the Black City Array Formation Alliance. Showing that they were apparently standing on the side of Ning Cheng.
When Ning Cheng spoke, the more than a dozen cultivators sitting in the Discourse Hall of the City Master’s Mansion did not choose to talk. Some of them even felt a little strange. Just a few moments ago, they were all sitting together to decide on a matter. However, the difference between now and from a few moments ago was not just the change of place, but also the addition of another person, Ning Cheng.
Just as Ning Cheng wanted to continue speaking, Mao Xiuxuan of the Auspicious Star Chamber of Commerce suddenly spoke up, “Dao Friend Ning, the City Master of the Rootless Black City was originally Xu Kai, while this place also belongs to Xu Kai. So why would Dao Friend Ning suddenly appear here? I even heard someone call out ‘City Master Ning’ on the outside; however, we don’t know anything about it at all. It stands to reason that if a new City Master arose within the Rootless Black City, then we also have some qualifications to be made known about it.”
Seeing Ning Cheng stare at Mao Xiuxuan, Gan Anran showed a smile and spoke, “City Master Ning, this is the Auspicious Star Chamber of Commerce’s Deputy Chief Mao Xiuxuan.”
“Oh, I did hear about it. This Chamber of Commerce contained a degenerate called Cecile, who died by my hands.” Ning Cheng responded with a calm tone.
Mao Xiuxuan’s eyebrows pricked up, “Dao Friend Ning, as for the reason why Cecile was killed, the only reason why we haven’t pursued this matter is because the Association Head of our Auspicious Star Chamber of Commerce is still in seclusion, while I did not have the qualifications to investigate it at that time. Since we are in a meeting to discuss matters about the new City Master, I hope that Dao Friend Ning could provide us with a proper answer. This is not just a personal issue for me; it is also an issue that affects the other people of the Rootless Black City.”
Ning Cheng disdainfully stared at Mao Xiuxuan, “Association Head Mao, you can’t represent others, you can only represent the Auspicious Star Chamber of Commerce at most. As for your question about why someone addressed me as City Master Ning, I really had not paid any attention to it. However, since you have kindly reminded me about it, then let’s just say that from now on, I am the City Master of the Rootless Black City. Oh, since you also asked about Xu Kai, well I killed him. If you want to be a City Master, it’s easy really, just come forward and kill me.”
“Humph…..” Mao Xiuxuan suddenly stood up, “Ning Cheng you must have killed City Master Xu with tricks. Did you think that you are the most formidable person within the Rootless Black City? I’m sorry, I don’t agree with you being the City Master. Not only do I disagree, but even the others also would not agree to it. You want me, Mao Xiuxuan, to challenge you, fine. I’m not afraid of a Crucible Transformation 1st Level ant.”
Ning Cheng also calmly stood up; glancing around at the rest of the people, he asked, “Are there still anyone among you who do not agree with me as a City Master? If so, then please do stand-up right now.”
An extremely formidable murderous intent swept out along with Ning Cheng’s sweeping gaze. Even Jian Xuanming felt his heart sink in the face of it. Even if it were he, he would never be able to release a murderous intent this powerful. It also showed that Ning Cheng undoubtedly possessed a strength that could allow him to kill someone at the Late Stages of the Plundering Life Realm, without the use of any tricks.
Ning Cheng’s gaze finally came to a stop on Jian Xuanming. Jian Xuanming also possessed the highest cultivation among the people here.
Jian Xuanming on seeing Ning Cheng’s eyes stopping on him felt a chill run down his back for no reason. He immediately coughed. As the ice-cold killing intent dissipated a little, he finally spoke up, “Association Head Mao is not wrong; moreover, the City Master of the Rootless Black City is always chosen through a vote. Since the representatives of the major factions of the Rootless Black City are here, why don’t we take this opportunity to elect a new City Master?”
Ning Cheng suddenly sat down and spoke up quite amiably, “Captain Jian is right. Since this is a democracy, let’s take in everybody’s vote.”
It felt as if the man who was just overflowing with a strong killing intent from before was not the same person who sat down.
Gan Anran immediately spoke up, “I vote for Ning Cheng on behalf of the Heaven City Chamber of Commerce.”
Chao Jimeng took the next lead, “I also vote for Ning Cheng on behalf of the Rogue Cultivator Alliance.”
Mao Xiuxuan did not hesitate to cast a vote for Jian Xuanming, followed by the Void Sect, Gale Void Alliance, and the other Black City’s forces casting their respective ballots for Jian Xuanming.
Ning Cheng received four votes, respectively, from the Heaven City Chamber of Commerce, the Rogue Cultivator Alliance, the Black City Pill Union, and the Black City Array Formation Alliance. The Void Adventure Squad abstained from voting. Jian Xuanming of the Extinguishing Karma Starry Sky Fleet also received four votes.
“Ning Cheng, it seems you can’t be the City Master now.” Mao Xiuxuan felt angry in his heart that four of the significant forces actually chose to vote for Ning Cheng. At the same time, he was also thinking of ways for sending Ning Cheng out of the city before getting rid of him. He already knew that he had to unite forces with Jian Xuanming before they then moved on to integrating the rest of the powers within the Rootless Black City.
Previously, when Xu Kai was in power, he did not dare to entertain any such thoughts. However, in the face of Ning Cheng, he felt no fear at all. Miao Xiuxuan had already seen the battle images of Ning Cheng and compared it with information about Xu Kai; immediately coming to the conclusion that the difference between them was too huge. Although Ning Cheng might have killed Xu Kai, he must have used some cheap tricks.
Ning Cheng looked at Jian Xuanming with a smile on his face before asking, “Brother Jian. Would you like to vote?”
Jian Xuanming lightly spoke, “Since you and I are competing for the City Master’s position, then the two of us naturally cannot vote.”
“That would be for the best then.” Ning Cheng clapped his hands and spoke up, “Since everybody has elected me as the City Master of the Rootless Black City with such kind intentions, then I will reluctantly take up this position.”
“Who are you to recommend yourself to the position of the City Master of the Rootless Black City? The voting clearly showed that we bilaterally received four votes each. Since you did not receive an extra vote, so why should you be the City Master?” Mao Xiuxuan immediately stood up and shouted.
Ning Cheng coldly gazed at Mao Xiuxuan before speaking up without any hesitation, “Since I am competing for the position of the City Master, then I must come up with a bit of sincerity on my behalf, Shen Zimo…..”
“Subordinate reporting for orders.” Shen Zimo was just like a ghost as he suddenly materialised in the middle of the Discourse Hall.
“Report the results of your investigation.” Ning Cheng calmly spoke up.
“Yes.” Shen Zimo responded with a clear voice, before speaking in a calm tone, “The Auspicious Star Chamber of Commerce, in the past 50 years, has forcefully abducted 78 female cultivators just after they exited Heaven’s Way. At the same time, they killed 191 rookie cultivators who could not afford to pay the demanded Black Coins, along with 231 people for other things. They also robbed the properties appointed to 297 cultivators, killing all the 297 people… All of these claims are substantiated; however, these are only a small part of their crimes.”
&
nbsp; The entire venue turned silent. No one doubted what Shen Zimo said. That was because every significant faction dabbled in such acts and was not a big deal for them.
“How many people has my City Master’s Mansion recruited for the cultivator army?” Ning Cheng asked again.
“A total of 1,341 people, all of them possess Crucible Transformation Cultivation.”
“Very good. The newly formed cultivator army requires baptism by blood. You should immediately take all of them to raze down every single building, Rest Stop, Merchant Shops and any other establishments belonging to the Auspicious Star Chamber of Commerce… For such a garbage dump of a Chamber of Commerce, there is no need to leave behind anything.”
“Yes!”
Chapter 0472 – Setting Up Prestige
Translated By – DemonKiller
Checked and Edited By – Livewidsmile
Proofread By – DemonKiller
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“You dare….” Mao Xiuxuan yelled out in anger.
Ning Cheng raised his hand, and the Nirvana Spear materialised right in front of it as he coldly spoke up, “As the Deputy Association Head of the Auspicious Star Chamber of Commerce, you have greater responsibility for all such acts. Since the Auspicious Star Chamber of Commerce is already gone, you should also stay back.”
Although he was currently the interlocutor, powerful killing intent still blasted out from Ning Cheng. The cultivators at the side of Ning Cheng immediately retreated unconsciously. The terrifying killing intent fused with the Nirvana Spear, causing people all around to feel trepidation in their hearts.
They just could not even muster the courage to voice out any questions. Since Ning Cheng declared his intention to kill Mao Xiuxuan in front of all of them, why wouldn’t he dare do that to others? Not to mention this moment, even if one looked back into the past when the Silver Thunder Chamber of Commerce and City Master Xu Kai still existed. Didn’t Ning Cheng extinguish both of them, despite their fame? For Mao Xiuxuan to actually dare challenge Ning Cheng’s courage, in other’s opinion, was just equivalent to inviting outsiders to see them eat shit.
“Stop.” Jian Xuanming pounded the table in outrage. Ning Cheng unexpectedly turned out extremely arrogant, to the point that he actually dared to start a fight while in a meeting with others to discuss issues.
The Nirvana Spear in Ning Cheng’s hands shot out with a faint ripple, waves of killing intent immediately spread out along with this ripple, causing Mao Xiuxuan’s heart to immediately turn cold.
“Jian Xuanming, if you want to fight then fight, I don’t mind playing along. Not to mention that I could dare to kill Xu Kai with just the cultivation of 7th Level of Sea Opening Realm; now that I possess a Crucible Transformation Cultivation, if I really felt afraid of you, a cultivator at the 7th Level of Plundering Life Realm, then I should really bash my head in soft tofu to commit suicide.”
Ning Cheng coldly stared at Jian Xuanming; at the same time, his killing intent not only locked onto to Mao Xiuxuan, but it also swept towards Jian Xuanming.
This was his domain now, surrounded by all sides with his Entrapment and Killing Formations. If he still felt fear towards a few Plundering Life Realm Cultivators, then he should really go find a piece of tofu to bash his head in it and commit suicide.
“Ning Cheng, whether you are the City Master or not, everyone came here to discuss various issues. For you to start fighting in this place how could there be any talk about morality or justice in this kind of atmosphere?” Jian Xuanming, on feeling the powerful killing intent permeating his surroundings, couldn’t help but feel his heart sinking. He no longer thought that it was a good idea to butt heads with this Ning Cheng.
Ning Cheng spoke out in a calm voice, “I, as the City Master of the Rootless Black City, naturally have to consider the best interests of the countless cultivators living in the Rootless Black City. Moreover, the Auspicious Star Chamber of Commerce frequently indulges in killing the innocent, and even the incoming rookies face widespread bullying by this particular Chamber of Commerce. If I do not exterminate them, then I simply would have no face to compete for the position of the City Master. If you do not want to help out, then please step away and stand aside in a corner; otherwise, I will take it as a sign of opposing this Ning.”
Such strong words caused Jian Xuanming to tremble with anger. He could see that there were Entrapment Array Formations everywhere. Although he could not wait to tear apart and eat up this Ning Cheng, he still did not dare to make any move. Ning Cheng’s words obviously ridiculed him, indirectly saying that he, Jian Xuanming, had no right and no face to compete for the position of the City Master. Unfortunately, the current situation seemed entirely in control of Ning Cheng.
Not to mention the array formations that Ning Cheng had previously arranged around the area, even if he considered the people present here; once he started fighting, he was sure that half of the people here would definitely come forward to help Ning Cheng. Thinking of all of these points, Jian Xuanming had no choice but to take a step back. He was sure that if he did not retreat at this moment, Ning Cheng would definitely activate his Killing Formations, trapping him within. Real men knew when to eat a loss; since he knew that it would not be possible for him to save Mao Xiuxuan, then he could only step aside and wait patiently to extract his revenge. However, if Ning Cheng successfully killed Mao Xiuxuan, would others help him get revenge at that time?
Seeing Jian Xuanming taking a step back, Ning Cheng felt some pity in his heart. If Jian Xuanming and Mao Xiuxuan both chose to fight with him at the same time, he could have then used his Trap and Kill Array Formations to kill both of them. Now that Jian Xuanming chose to take a step back, he would not be able to forcibly kill the opposite party.
If he wanted to take control of the Rootless Black City, then he cannot rely solely on killing. However, he must kill a few chickens to scare the monkey. Therefore, if he murdered Mao Xiuxuan with his most powerful means, it would also inadvertently help in setting up his prestige. As for allowing Mao Xiuxuan to live, Ning Cheng had never thought about it at all. He didn’t wish to turn into a Xiang Yu, only to end up delivering himself on a platter to Liu Bang for his death.
[TL Note: Xiang Yu, also known as Xiang Yu, the Conqueror was a warlord who ended up defeated at the hands of the first Han emperor. While Liu Bang was a bandit leader, who became the first Han Emperor, taking up the title of Han Gaozu. According to the legend, Xiang Yu had once spared Liu Bang’s life only to end up facing defeat and death at his hands later on in the future, allowing Liu Bang to become the first Han Emperor.]
With Jian Xuanming repressed by Ning Cheng to one side, the rest of people immediately turned silent.
Mao Xiuxuan on seeing Jian Xuanming retreat felt his heart completely sinking to the bottom. Without Jian Xuanming’s help, how could he go up against a monster like Ning Cheng? Someone who even killed Xu Kai.
“Even if you are the City Master. For the accusations that you hurled, you must have proper evidence….” Mao Xiuxuan spoke out in anger. However, to anyone who heard those words, it was equivalent to confessing his crimes. It was already enough to show weakness towards Ning Cheng.
In any case, Ning Cheng never paid any attention towards these words; spear shadows erupted one after another from his Nirvana Spear before they curled up and superimposed themselves on each other.
At this moment, the remaining cultivators in the Discourse Hall could only see a bright flash of light covering the entire area. Other than the berserk True Essence Fluctuations, they were not able to get any clear indication of the battle between Ning Cheng and Mao Xiuxuan.
The cultivators present in the hall felt secretly scared and knew what happened. Previously, they all had heard that Ning Cheng had high attainments in the field of array formations; however, they only witnessed it right now. The bright flash of light covering the area was none other than one of the array formations that Nin
g Cheng activated to cut off the battle scene from the prying eyes of others.
The thought of them currently sitting in the middle of Ning Cheng’s Killing Formation, caused an indescribable chill to run down the backs of everyone sitting there. Half a day ago, they were still talking about ways to kill Ning Cheng and to reorganise the various interests of the Rootless Black City. However, half a day later, they could only helplessly stay in the middle of someone else’s array formation, just to bolster the prestige of the other party.
Feeling the dominant True Essence Fluctuations that permeated the area, at this moment, no one felt willing enough to make any kind of movement lest they incur the displeasure of Ning Cheng. Every single one of them chose to quietly stand in a corner while waiting for the outcome.
Mao Xiuxuan, by this point, already knew that Ning Cheng did not want to let him off and no longer showed any weakness like before. With his hands stretched out, one fine thread of silk shot out one after another, quickly forming into a massive silk net in front of Ning Cheng. Wave after wave of foul smells erupted from this net; Ning Cheng on smelling this foul stench felt a wave of nausea wash over him.
Ning Cheng had also never expected that Mao Xiuxuan, who had the appearance of a refined scholar, would turn out to be a Demonic Cultivator. Moreover, even cultivated the Myriad Poison Spider’s silk.
If it were an ordinary cultivator at the 1st Level of Crucible Transformation Realm, Mao Xiuxuan would have already made short work out of them, as they would not be able to escape this Myriad Poison Spider’s silk. Unfortunately, he was facing Ning Cheng. Although Ning Cheng might be a novice within the Rootless Black City; however, Ning Cheng had also killed the foremost person of the Rootless Black City, inadvertently taking the title for himself.
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