Since the Immortal Continent and the Magic Continent merged, Eastern martial arts and Taoist techniques have clashed fiercely with Western battle qi and magic. True qi clashed with battle qi, Taoist techniques clashed with magic, sword qi and battle qi surged and turbulent, and Taoist techniques and magic were dazzling and powerful.
In the early days of the great conflict between Eastern and Western cultivators, the power of Taoist arts and magic was undeniable. Every Taoist cultivator with even a little achievement and every mid-level or higher magician possessed terrifying strength. They could directly manipulate the primordial energy of heaven and earth; a single Taoist cultivator could take on dozens of Western warriors, and a mid-level or higher magician could similarly take on dozens of Eastern martial artists.
However, Taoist practitioners and magicians are few in number, and the physical requirements for cultivating Taoist arts or studying magic are extremely demanding, so these arts cannot be widely popularized. Furthermore, Taoist practitioners mostly live far from the world and rarely appear before ordinary people, making them the most mysterious figures in people's eyes. Magicians, on the other hand, require a large amount of expensive magical materials during their cultivation, so becoming a magician is impossible without money.
While cultivating Eastern martial arts or Western martial arts requires a certain physical constitution, it is not demanding and most people can practice them. However, due to differences in physique, the level of achievement will naturally vary significantly. Comparatively speaking, martial artists who practice physical techniques are somewhat inferior to Taoist cultivators and magicians. Unless in close combat, these martial artists are no match for those cultivators who directly manipulate the primordial energy of heaven and earth.
Of course, nothing is absolute. Some Eastern martial artists can cultivate their skills to an extremely high level, and any cultivator who encounters such a powerful Eastern martial artist will have a headache.
Moreover, among Eastern martial artists, there are occasionally those who cultivate unparalleled skills, whose terrifying strength is almost invincible, making them the nightmare of all cultivators. However, as is well known, the progress of martial arts is slow, and those unparalleled martial artists who can cultivate martial arts to the ultimate level are rarely seen, even once every few centuries, so martial arts have gradually declined.
Like Eastern martial artists, Western martial artists who practice physical techniques are numerous, but their average strength is far inferior to that of Taoist priests and mages. However, among these martial artists are a group of special practitioners whose extraordinary strength is by no means weaker than that of Taoist priests and mages; these people are the dragon knights in the eyes of the world.
To become a dragon knight, you must first tame your own dragon.
Of course, dragons also have different strengths. In the West, dragons can be divided into five ranks based on their strength: earth dragons, flying dragons, sub-dragons, giant dragons, and holy dragons. These ranks correspond to the five ranks of cultivators on the mainland, resulting in five ranks of dragon knights: earth dragon knights, flying dragon knights, sub-dragon knights, giant dragon knights, and holy dragon knights.
It is clear that to become a dragon knight, one must reach a certain level and tame a dragon that matches their level. Therefore, dragon knights are all powerful individuals. In a sense, the reason why dragon knights use dragons as mounts is to prove their immense strength.
In the Western Continent, dragon knights are few in number, and holy dragon knights are even rarer. However, dragon knights who reach this level all possess extraordinary and terrifying strength, and even accomplished mages and cultivators dare not easily confront them.
After returning to Qishi Mansion from the Royal Ancient Library, Chen Nan still felt a bit scared when he thought about his trip to the underground tomb.
"This old man is truly unpredictable; he didn't kill me to silence me. I'd better leave this dangerous place as soon as possible..."
Through this incident, he finally understood the old saying: "There are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens." The old man looked frail and old, but he was a peerless master with terrifying cultivation. This was the second fifth-level cultivator he had seen after Zhuge Chengfeng, and he might even have surpassed the fifth level.
"The kid's being infatuated again, what a loser!" The old poison monster gripped the courtyard wall with both hands, peering in his direction.
"Don't just think about it, take action! Let's go see your cool water together."
"You..." Chen Nan hesitated when he thought of Nalan Ruoshui. If he left like this, he might never see this woman he had just begun to like again.
"Oh, I forgot, it's Ruoshui, hehe..." The old poison monster said with a smirk.
If Chen Nan hadn't been worried about the old man's poison, he would have really wanted to beat him up.
Old Poison Monster chuckled, "A dragon knight came to Qishi Mansion today, and many people went to see his dragon. Your Ruoshui originally wanted to go with you, but you weren't there, so she went first. Let's go, let's join in the fun."
Dragon knights are synonymous with the strong, and dragons are powerful and mysterious creatures. Chen Nan became interested upon hearing this and followed the old poison monster outside.
Unlike its usual tranquility, the manor of the Wizarding Arts was packed with people today. Even the old witch, who was rarely seen on ordinary days, had abandoned her "great magical research" and come here.
This was the first time Chen Nan had ever seen so many extraordinary individuals gathered together. The vast majority of them were powerful cultivators, though there were also researchers like the Old Poison Monster who possessed exceptional talent in a particular field. Most of these people were over thirty years old, and there were only three to five young people like himself, around twenty years old. Therefore, he quickly spotted Nalan Ruoshui.
Nalan Ruoshui, dressed in a light blue robe, resembled a secluded orchid in a valley, ethereal and otherworldly. A faint smile appeared on her serene face as she watched Chen Nan and the Old Poison Monster enter the arena.
Chen Nan waved to her: "Ruoshui."
The old poison monster cried out from the side, "Ruoshui, I'm here. Half a day has passed, but it feels like half an autumn has gone by..."
Chen Nan stomped hard on the old man's foot, and the old man let out a pig-like scream, which attracted everyone's attention.
Nalan Ruoshui smiled and said, "Chen Nan, how can you be so careless when you walk!"
Old Poison exclaimed, "He didn't do it accidentally, he did it on purpose!"
Nalan Ruoshui ignored him and continued to say to Chen Nan, "Next time, if the ground is uneven, use more force to avoid tripping."
Old Poison Monster: "..." Watching Chen Nan and Nalan Ruoshui walk into the arena together, Old Poison Monster angrily shouted, "Crossing the river and then burning the bridge."
In the very center of the arena lay a gigantic and ferocious creature, its dark green scales gleaming, its appearance terrifying. Without a doubt, this was the dragon of the Dragon Knight. The dragon was about seven zhang long, with two horns on its head and a pair of enormous fleshy wings on its belly, making it look quite ferocious.
Beside the dragon stood a tall young man. He was handsome, with a robust physique that exuded explosive power and a masculine beauty.
A strange look appeared on Nalan Ruoshui's face as she said, "Do you see him? This is the Dragon Knight. He is the son of General Sima Changfeng, named Sima Lingkong. He has been cultivating with masters in the Western Continent for ten years and has now returned after completing his studies. He has been appointed as a Extraordinary Warrior by the Emperor and is officially moving into the Extraordinary Warrior's Mansion today."
Chen Nan nodded and said, "Oh, such a distinguished figure. Hmm, do extraordinary individuals need to be officially appointed?"
"Of course, every extraordinary person enjoys the treatment of a national hero, so how could we not bestow such a title?" As she spoke, Nalan Ruoshui glanced at him and said, "Of course, you are an exception. You are a hidden extraordinary person, but... sigh, if only you could fully recover your power! Even without the enviable honor of being a national hero, at least you would have formidable strength..." She became somewhat saddened as she finished speaking.
Chen Nan didn't notice Nalan Ruoshui's unusual behavior, but he felt a little disappointed. He was about to leave this place and might never see this beautiful and famous doctor again. But at this moment, he couldn't say anything.
Nalan Ruoshui said, "Look, this dragon is really mighty. I have never seen such a huge and powerful creature before."
"Is it fierce? To me, it looks like a winged, big-bellied lizard."
Nalan Ruoshui chuckled.
"My God, what kind of taste do you have? That's a dragon!"
Chen Nan said, "Last time I saw a green dragon in the western border mountains that was thirty zhang long. Compared to that green dragon, this dragon is just a grandson or baby dragon."
"Really? Is it really that big?" Nalan Ruoshui asked with a puzzled look.
"Hehe, this kid is right. What he saw was a dragon, and dragons are all over thirty zhang long. This is just an ordinary flying dragon, slightly more advanced than a flightless earth dragon." The old witch appeared behind Chen Nan and his companion at some point.
Chen Nan turned around and greeted the terrifying neighbor.
The old witch nodded and continued, "In the West, dragons are divided into five ranks: earth dragons, flying dragons, sub-dragons, giant dragons, and holy dragons. Except for earth dragons, which cannot fly, the other four ranks can. Earth dragons are about five zhang long, flying dragons are about seven zhang long, sub-dragons are between fifteen and twenty zhang long, and giant dragons are at least thirty zhang long. As for holy dragons, I have never seen one, but I have heard that holy dragons are rare and special dragons, and their great power is not necessarily proportional to their size."
Nalan Ruoshui smiled and said, "Grandma Magic is indeed very knowledgeable."
"Hehe, I've spent some time in the Western Continent, so if I didn't even know this, wouldn't I be laughed at? But you're a really sweet talker, you're so likable, much better than that little girl Chu Yu. That little girl wants to run away whenever she sees me."
In the arena, the dragon knight Sima Lingkong was explaining something to the onlookers, who were listening with great interest. Suddenly, Princess Chu Yu appeared, looking rather sneaky, constantly glancing towards the center of the arena as if searching for someone.
Chen Nan and Nalan Ruoshui exchanged a glance and couldn't help but smile.
The old witch huffed, "That brat! Am I really that scary? She always sneaks around when she comes to Qishi's mansion. Humph, she's driving me crazy!"
After scouting the "enemy situation," the little princess breathed a sigh of relief and, like a lively elf, ran to the center of the field.
"Sima Lingkong, how dare you not report to this princess after returning!"
Upon seeing this stunningly beautiful little devil, everyone smiled, but Sima Lingkong, who had been full of energy, deflated like a punctured balloon.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
The little princess's willful nature was on full display as she said, "The people who went to the Western Continent to cultivate all came back to report to me, but you were the only one who didn't. Tell me, did you not prepare a gift for me?" As she spoke, she circled the flying dragon and said, "This dragon is nice. Is it a gift for me? But it's a bit too ugly. Oh well, I'll reluctantly accept it."
Upon hearing this, Sima Lingkong's face turned green. He forced a smile and said, "Princess Yu, this is my mount. The gift I prepared for you is still at home and will be delivered in a little while."
Chen Nan finally understood the meaning of "the little devil is notorious" in the capital. Everyone who saw her looked like they had a headache. One could imagine how those noble children in the capital had spent their miserable childhoods.
"So, you don't want to give me this dragon?"
"That's not it..."
The little princess snorted and said, "You stingy little thing, don't worry, I don't want such a small and ugly monster. The dragons I saw in the Western Mountains were much bigger than this."
Sima Lingkong wiped the cold sweat from his brow and said, "This is just a flying dragon, of course it's not as big as those giant dragons."
The little princess asked, "Is this dragon obedient? Can I ride it and fly into the sky?"
"That's great!" The little princess's face immediately lit up with excitement.
Sima Lingkong patted the flying dragon and said, "Be careful when you take off later, understand?"
Surprisingly, Feilong nodded, showing a remarkable understanding of human nature.
The crowd was amazed.
The little princess was also a little surprised and said, "It can understand human speech."
"Of course, dragons are intelligent creatures. Although it is only a second-tier flying dragon, it can understand some simple human language."
The little princess excitedly climbed onto the dragon's back. At this moment, the old witch called out from behind the crowd, "Yu'er, if you want to fly, you can learn magic from me. Look how easy it is. Why ride someone else's dragon?" After saying that, the old witch floated up and came to the center of the arena.
The little princess's expression changed drastically the moment she saw the old witch, but she quickly put on a sweet smile again.
"Hello, Grandma, I have something to attend to and I need to return to the palace." With that, she quickly slid off the dragon's back and slipped out of the crowd like an eel.
The onlookers exchanged bewildered glances, and then burst into laughter.
The old witch shouted, "Little girl, you want to run away when you see me? Come back!" She chanted a spell and used the Wind Flight spell in the wind element to quickly chase after her.
From afar came the little princess's cry: "No! I really want to go back to the palace..."
...
The little princess was eventually brought back, pouting, but dared not retaliate.
Seeing her embarrassed expression, Chen Nan couldn't help but burst into laughter. Nalan Ruoshui tugged at his sleeve and said, "Stop laughing. Didn't you see everyone else is holding it in? You'll be in big trouble if that little girl sees you."
Chen Nan was well aware of the little princess's devilish nature, and he immediately stopped laughing when she looked at him.
The old witch chuckled, "Hehe, don't be upset. Many people want me to teach them, but I don't teach them. You want to fly in the sky, right? I can teach you!"
The old witch chanted a spell, and a light blue curtain enveloped the little princess, causing her to float into the air.
"Is it fun? If you learn from me, you can do it too."
Although the little princess showed excitement on her face, she still shook her head firmly after hearing the old witch's words.
The old witch, enraged, immediately stopped channeling her magic. The little princess screamed and fell from the sky, only to be caught by a soft light just before hitting the ground. Her face was deathly pale with fright. Chen Nan finally understood why the little princess was so afraid of the old witch, and also why she refused to become her apprentice.
At this moment, Sima Lingkong stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Granny Magic."
"Hmm, no need for formalities. Not bad, young man, you already have your own dragon at such a young age."
Sima Lingkong said, "Senior, you flatter me. I am far inferior to you. When you were cultivating in the Western Continent, your reputation spread far and wide, and people still mention you to this day."
The old witch chuckled and said, "You've already done very well. I estimate that among the younger generation, you're already considered a formidable figure. As long as you're willing to work hard, you'll definitely become a fourth-tier dragon knight in the future."
The old poisoner had somehow appeared behind Chen Nan and Nalan Ruoshui again. He muttered under his breath, "That old hag is shameless. Look at her smug face. I really don't know what kind of luck she had to get that Grand Mage certificate. But this muscular kid is really strong. To become a dragon knight at his age is already quite remarkable."
Chen Nan nodded in agreement. He had already sensed the powerful force emanating from Sima Lingkong. The second-tier dragon knight was indeed worthy of his reputation.
While the old witch was talking, the little princess stood up and secretly slipped out of the crowd. After a while, the old witch suddenly realized that the little princess was gone, and in a fit of anger, she went back to her "great magical research."
At this moment, Sima Lingkong suddenly spotted Nalan Ruoshui, his eyes lit up, and he walked over through the crowd watching the flying dragon.
"Ruoshui is here too. If you want to see Feilong, I can just bring it to your house."
At this moment, Chen Nan suddenly felt his right hand tighten as it was grasped by Nalan Ruoshui's soft little hand.
"No need, I'm just accompanying Chen Nan to take a look."
Sima Lingyun's eyes flashed with cold light as he looked at the two clasped hands, then at Chen Nan, and asked, "Who is he?"
Nalan Ruoshui calmly said, "He is the person I can entrust my life to."
Chen Nan was stunned for a moment, then felt a little uncomfortable. Nalan Ruoshui clearly knew this muscular man and was obviously using him as a shield; he felt like he was being used.
Sima Lingkong's eyes were practically spitting fire. He glared fiercely at Chen Nan and said, "Kid, get out of my way. This is between Ruoshui and me. I hope you won't get involved."
The old poison master standing behind Chen Nan said, "Young man, don't speak so impulsively. Talk things out."
At this moment, the extraordinary individuals who had been watching the flying dragon noticed the unusual situation and turned to look in this direction.
Nalan Ruoshui said, "Let's go." She took Chen Nan's hand and walked out of the arena.
Sima Lingkong was furious and rushed in front of the two of them, shouting, "Ruoshui, I hope you will pay attention. You are my fiancée now. Don't be so entangled with other people. This not only disgraces my family, but also yours."
Nalan Ruoshui angrily retorted, "Nonsense! Who is your fiancée? Please have some self-respect and stop spouting nonsense! Get out of my way!"
She pushed Sima Lingkong away with one hand and pulled Chen Nan away with the other. Chen Nan was very unhappy. He wanted to shake off Nalan Ruoshui's hand, but hesitated for a moment and ultimately did not do so.
The gladiators in the arena were buzzing with discussion.
Sima Lingkong stood there for a while, a cold smile appearing on his lips, and then chased after him.
After running out of the arena, Nalan Ruoshui and the other person headed straight for Chen Nan's courtyard.
At the gate of Chen Nan's courtyard, Sima Lingkong caught up and said, "Ruoshui, why is this? You know I like you. My father will be coming to your house to propose marriage soon. How can you be with someone you have no connection with?"
Nalan Ruoshui said, "Give up on that idea. I will not marry you."
"You..." A sharp glint flashed in Sima Lingkong's eyes as he said, "Fine, you're really something. Hmph, when your father agrees, let's see if you'll still marry him or not."
His eyes flashed with a fierce light as he said to Chen Nan, "Kid, did you ignore what I just said? I told you to stay away, didn't you hear me? Get out of my way!"
Chen Nan was already very unhappy, and upon hearing this, he was furious. The family secret technique that he had been forcibly suppressing surged uncontrollably, and a powerful aura burst forth from his body.
Fearing that Sima Lingkong would attack Chen Nan, Nalan Ruoshui stood in front of him. At the same time, the warriors sent by the eldest princess to guard Houyi's bow sensed a powerful energy fluctuation, and seven figures appeared in front of the three of them in an instant.
Chen Nan felt ashamed and blamed himself for being too impulsive. He quickly restrained his power, and the powerful aura disappeared in a flash.
The people in the arena were filled with suspicion. Nalan Ruoshui and several warriors ultimately concluded that the overwhelming killing intent came from Sima Lingkong. However, Sima Lingkong believed that the powerful aura came from the warriors in front of him, because Chen Nan showed no signs of power fluctuations at the moment. No matter how he probed, he could not sense any cultivator's aura within him.
Sima Lingkong sneered, "Boy, are you even a man? Hiding behind a woman, what kind of skill is that?"
Chen Nan gave him a cold look and said, "What are you barking about? She doesn't like you at all, yet you keep pestering her. You have no shame."
Sima Lingkong, enraged, laughed coldly, "Heh heh, you gigolo, if I don't tear you to pieces, I'll..."
"Enough! Sima Lingkong, are you done yet? If you continue to cause trouble here, I'm going to report you to His Majesty." Nalan Ruoshui's face was ashen, and she had lost her usual composure.
"What's so great about this kid? What skills does he have? He's not even a pretty boy. Ruoshui, you..."
"You shameless!" Nalan Ruoshui gritted her teeth in anger, then turned and pulled Chen Nan into the courtyard.
Just as Sima Lingkong was about to follow him inside, several warriors beside him reached out to stop him. One of them said, "Young Master Sima, please wait. The Grand Princess has ordered that no one may enter this courtyard without her permission."
At this moment, Sima Lingkong was furious, his heart surging with rage. He roared, "Why? How did that pair of adulterers get in?"
"Because this was originally Young Master Chen's courtyard, and Miss Nalan was ordered to treat his health."
"What? That good-for-nothing is also a prodigy?"
The warriors fell silent.
Sima Lingkong gradually calmed down. He glanced fiercely at the courtyard, then turned and left.
Once inside the courtyard, Nalan Ruoshui quickly released Chen Nan's hand, turned her face away, and said, "I'm sorry."
Chen Nan's displeasure had gradually subsided, and he said, "It's nothing."
Aren't you going to ask me why I did this?
"I'm waiting for you to say it."
Nalan Ruoshui turned around and said, "My father is Nalan Wencheng, the Left Chancellor of the court, and Sima Lingkong's father is Sima Changfeng, the Tiger General of the court. Both of them are important officials of the Chu Kingdom, but they have always been at odds. In recent years, some ministers in the court have mediated between them, and their relationship has eased. Later, someone suggested that the two families become in-laws to improve the relationship between the generals and the ministers."
"When generals and ministers are at odds, it is detrimental to the country. My father agreed to the request of those who would mediate between them, and the Tiger Might Army generals also readily agreed. Others may not know Sima Lingkong's character, but I know him well. In recent years, he has returned to the capital several times, and each time he has caused some scandalous incidents. He is simply a dissolute young master."
"I understand my father's difficulties; I know he is devoted to the country. I despise a frivolous young master like Sima Lingkong, but I am powerless to change this fact. In a few days, Sima Changfeng will send someone to propose marriage. I have no choice but to provoke Sima Lingkong, make him hate me, and thus ruin this marriage. So..."
"So you dragged me along and deliberately showed up in front of Sima Lingkong to provoke him?"
"Yes... I'm sorry."
"Sigh, you really don't understand men's hearts. Doing this will only backfire." Chen Nan truly felt sorry for Nalan Ruoshui. This usually incredibly quiet woman was so helpless. As a noblewoman, she couldn't control her own happiness and could only be used as a political pawn. He sighed deeply and said, "How can I help you?"
Nalan Ruoshui's eyes welled up with tears, and her voice trembled as she said, "I don't know... I don't even know what to do anymore..."
"Or else..." Chen Nan wanted to say, "Or else I'll take you with me." But he swallowed the words back. Although he had a slight liking for Nalan Ruoshui, liking was not the same as loving her. However, he had already decided to lend a helping hand if necessary.
"What else can we do?" Nalan Ruoshui asked with a hopeful look on her face.
"You can run away from the wedding and come back after things have calmed down."
Nalan Ruoshui was somewhat disappointed and said, "Where can a woman like me go? I've never traveled far before, and I have no experience in the martial world. I'm all alone... sob sob..."
Finally, she couldn't hold back any longer and burst into tears. Chen Nan awkwardly scratched his head; he didn't have a handkerchief, so he simply held up his wide sleeves in front of Nalan Ruoshui.
Nalan Ruoshui tugged at his sleeve, gently wiping away her tears, and then suddenly threw herself into his arms, bursting into tears.
"What should I do? What should I do... Waaah..."
Chen Nan was at a loss.
Nalan Ruoshui cried for a while, her voice gradually fading, and finally she said softly, "If you have a distinguished background, if you possess unparalleled martial arts skills... I... I'm leaving."