''Master, are you talking about that Xiao Shitou and the girl from that Lin family?''
Since Shun Long had already told little Black about how he had nearly died outside the Blue Forest of the 'Sky Fortune Kingdom', little Black immediately understood what Shun Long meant when he said that it's time to settle some old accounts.
After all the timing between his assassination attempt and the Lin family coming to ask to break the engagement, was far too close to be simply a coincidence.
Shun Fang as well, as a peak rank 3 bronze grade formation master didn't have any enemies, and instead people always rushed to please him and tend to his every need. The status of a rank 3 bronze grade formation master was too illustrious in the mortal world after all, for people to plan an assassination against Shun Long for no good reason.
Shun Long nodded his head at little Black as he always had these thoughts in mind, and now that his strength had advanced enough, it was finally time to unravel the mystery and 'settle this old account'.
After removing his robes and taking a shower to get rid of the blood all over his face and body, Shun Long also removed the blood from his robes before he heard little Black saying
''Master, I think that we should celebrate your advancement in body refinement! After all, body refinement is harder than qi cultivation and master has been cultivating for such a short time...''
Shun Long smiled as he heard little Black's words and laughed before saying
''Haha, fine! I was planning to let it ferment for a bit longer but we can try one now.''
Then, under little Black's expectant eyes, Shun Long sent his spiritual strength inside the 'Stone of Time', as he removed one of the buried wooden barrels from his herb field.
After he removed the barrel's top, a fragrant smell filled the entire room, while Shun Long's face had turned red after smelling this intoxicating scent.
Shun Long took out a big bowl, and after he filling it with the red liquid from the barrel, he handed the entire barrel to little Black inside the 'Stone of Time'.
Then, both at the same time, they drank the red liquid, one man from a bowl and one dragon from a wooden barrel.
Little Black took a deep gulp before he exclaimed in bliss
''This! This is definitely among the 3 best wines I have ever drunk.''
Shun Long also nodded his head, as the taste of this wine that he had made using the rank 3 'purple fragrant grass' and a dozen more rank 2 medicinal herbs was truly exceptional. But what was also important was that he had fermented the wine for more than 100 years of time inside the 'Stone of Time'.
That was the reason why the barrel was buried in the herb field. Since everything inside the wine was medicinal essence from spiritual herbs, they were affected when Shun Long used his qi to speed up time inside his herb field.
The black dragon greedily emptied the barrel before asking Shun Long
''Hehe, master we still have 2 more barrels.''
Surprisingly, Shun Long nodded his head as he took out one more barrel from the herb field.
After removing the barrel top and filling his bowl to the brim, he handed the barrel to little Black.
Little Black didn't expect his suggestion to work, as the black dragon then blissfully gulped down the wine in the second barrel.
Shun Long who had just emptied his bowl however, closed his eyes as he circulated the 'Monarch's Hourglass'.
''Right! Although the effect the wine has on me is almost negligible, it is after all created by master after mixing a rank 3 medicinal herb with a dozen rank 2 ones, so it can definitely help with master's cultivation.''
Shun Long's qi had reached its peak, as he attempted to breakthrough to the early rank 4 in earth grade. After every 3 minor ranks there was a bottleneck in cultivation, and to advance from the peak of rank 3 to the early rank 4 was precisely one such bottleneck.
Shun Long who had just created his 28th ball of qi in the earth grade, tried to push it upwards inside the 'Monarch's Hourglass' above his head, next to the previously created balls. However, his 27 balls of qi already existing inside, were like an immovable wall that simply refused to budge.
After purifying his 28th ball with so much of his qi that he was practically exhausted, Shun Long had finally managed to push it inside, finally entering the early rank 4 in earth grade.
This wasn't just the difference from a single ball of qi but a qualitative one that greatly enhanced the strength of his qi balls.
''Congratulations on your breakthrough master. Are we going to find that Xiao Shitou and his brother now?''
Shun Long nodded his head as he said
''I will challenge Xiao Juyan in the arena today, but first, I have to make a trip to the 'Treasure Pavilion'.''
Leaving the 'Mystifying Fragrance pavilion', Shun Long walked for half an hour until he arrived at the 'Treasure Pavilion's' entrance.
After finding an alley to put on his black robes, he then entered inside.
After taking a look at the first floor, Shun Long didn't find anything of interest before he went up to the second floor.
Surprisingly, among the girls that greeted the guests on the second floor, Shun Long spotted Mei Yi, the young girl that had greeted him the first time that he had arrived on this floor.
Shun Long approached her and after taking out the VIP card that Yin Xing had given him he asked in a deep voice
''Little girl, is Yin Xing here?''
After seeing Yin Xing's VIP card, Mei Yi immediately recognized Shun Long as she stuttered and said in excitement
''Se-Senior! Alchemist Yin is here, I will call him now. Please senior, come with me first.''
After leading Shun Long to a spacious private room, with a table full of delicacies inside, Mei Yi immediately left to call Yin Xing.
Not even 5 minutes had passed since Shun Long had entered the room, when an excited Yin Xing could be seen rushing through the second floor.
The customers in the pavilion were shocked to see a dignified rank 3 bronze grade alchemist run like that, but Yin Xing didn't pay them any attention as he soon arrived at the private room that Shun Long was sitting in.
After entering inside, Yin Xing bowed his head as he greeted excitedly
''Senior!!''
100
''Senior!!''
Shun Long nodded his head at Yin Xing, gesturing for him to sit, but Yin Xing remained standing as he said
''Senior! I'm happy that I can meet you again. Are you here to sell something or do you wish to purchase something this time? Please tell me if I can be of any assistance to you.''
Yin Xing was very excited to meet Shun Long again. Since Shun Long had gifted him the recipe for the improved rank 1 'Qi barrier-breaking pill', Yin Xing's understanding about alchemy had completely changed. He wasn't that far off from reaching the standards of a rank 1 silver grade alchemist as well and even his status in the 'Treasure Pavilion' had increased. Of course, his cultivation also had to catch up if he wanted to become a silver grade alchemist.
Shun Long nodded his head as he said in a deep voice
''Indeed, I am here today because I wish to auction something through the 'Treasure Pavilion'.''
As he finished his words, Shun Long took out the last wooden barrel from the 'Stone of Time' and as he opened the barrel top he said
''This is a wine that I have specially fermented for more than 100 years using many precious herbs. Not only is its taste exceptional, but it can even improve the cultivation of the person who consumes it.''
Yin Xing could barely understand Shun Long's words at this point, as his mind had already been swept by the intoxicating scent of the wine.
However, as he heard Shun Long's last sentence, he couldn't hide his shock as he asked
''Se-Se-Senior! Are you serious? The wine can help improve someone's cultivation?''
Shun Long smiled as he nodded his head and said
''Of course, the rise in cultivation will be different depending on the cultivation of the person who drinks it. The effects after all, will be much bigger to an earth grade cultivator, while a Spirit realm expert will barely feel any increment in his cultivation base.''
Yin Xing looked at Shun Long in disbelief before he turned his head to look at the barrel of wine.
Shun Long then took a small cup from the table in front of him, and after scooping up some wine from the barrel, he placed the cup in front of the table as he smiled beneath his robes and said
''Try it and you will understand.''
Yin Xing carefully took the small cup from the table before he proceeded to drink the wine inside it. After tasting the wine, his expression alternated from joy, and excitement to incredulity and disbelief.
Shun Long then sealed the barrel again with its top as he asked
''What do you think?''
Yin Xing came back to his senses as he heard Shun Long's words and said in disbelief
''Senior, this is the best wine I have ever tasted in my life! I don't think that I can ever forget this taste. If you really plan on auctioning it, then in 4 days that the monthly auction will take place, the wine will definitely be the most valuable item.''
''I indeed plan to auction it, however I don't need sect points. I only want spirit stones.''
Yin Xing was stunned, but after thinking about it for a bit, he thought that these words made sense. Not only was this wine's taste heavenly, but it was made from rare medicinal herbs that could improve one's cultivation. Yin Xing himself had never heard of a wine that could improve someone's cultivation but he had personally experienced it today.
Nodding his head he then said
''Don't worry senior! I will take care of this. I will also make sure that our pavilion will let the word spread of senior's wine so that even more people will bid for it. I estimate that the Elders from the powerful families of the sect will definitely fight to get their hands on it.''
Shun Long accepted Yin Xing's offer as he said
''In that case, I will return in 4 days to participate in the auction.''
Yin Xing bowed as he accompanied Shun Long until the pavilion's entrance, before he hurried to inform the higher-ups about this.
Shun Long then found an alley to change back to his normal robes, before heading directly to the arena.
After walking for the time it takes to eat a meal (30-45 minutes), he had already arrived in front of the arena.
Surprisingly, there were some disciples outside, who recognized Shun Long's face after having seen his fights last time, and word quickly started spreading that Shun Long had returned to the arena.
Walking in front of the registration counter, Shun Long found the same woman waiting there. The woman was much more polite and respectful to Shun Long after hearing that this person had defeated Lei Pong, but her jaw almost dropped when she heard the reason that he had arrived today
''I'm here to challenge Xiao Juyan.''
The crowd that had gathered around Shun Long and was waiting to find out who he was going to challenge, instantly exploded in fervor.
The woman couldn't help but ask again as if she wanted to verify it
''D-Do you mean, the one ranked 93rd in the arena rankings? That Xiao Juyan?''
Shun Long nodded his head as he took out his 'sect identifying jade'.
The woman accepted it with disbelief before issuing the challenge.
Inside a private room near the 'inner city', Xiao Juyan's jade lit up, shocking him as he read the words on it.
'Arena challenge 101'.
He had already heard about the Shun Long who had defeated Lei Pong, as well as about him not accepting Fu Peizhi's challenge. And now this person was challenging him?
Xiao Juyan then stopped cultivating, as he left his room and walked towards the arena.
Word quickly spread through the 'outer city' that Shun Long had challenged the person ranked 93rd in the top 100 rankings, and even Fu Peizhi and Ren Gui had soon heard of it.
Fu Peizhi was silently heading towards the arena as soon as he was informed about it, but Ren Gui had a frosty smile on his face as he said
''So you are finally willing to appear? I will make sure to teach you a good lesson then!''
Less than an hour later, Xiao Juyan arrived in front of the arena entrance, with a huge crowd trailing behind him.
101
Xiao Juyan quickly arrived in front of the registration counter and was shocked to recognize Shun Long.
Both Xiao Shitou and Lin Wu that were standing behind him, were also staring at Shun Long in disbelief. Xiao Shitou couldn't help but ask
''Are YOU the Shun Long who defeated Lei Pong?''
Shun Long's eyes swept through Xiao Shitou and Lin Wu, but he didn't pay attention to them as his eyes then stared at Xiao Juyan.
Although Xiao Juyan was surprised to see that the person who defeated Lei Pong was the same person that had come in the sect with his brother from the 'Sky Fortune Kingdom' half a year ago, he still didn't take Shun Long seriously as he also turned to look at him and said
''Although you do have the right to challenge me, you do not stand a chance against me. I heard about your fight with Lei Pong a few days ago. You only won because you managed to tire him out. However, I am much stronger than both you and him. Being in the top 100 of the arena rankings is a different league altogether!''
Shun Long watched as Xiao Juyan walked at the registration counter and after handing over his 'sect jade' he had officially accepted the challenge.
''Senior brother Xiao accepted his challenge!''
''Of course he accepted! Did you think that senior brother Xiao is afraid of this Shun Long?''
Xiao Shitou gave a meaningful look to Xiao Juyan as he said
''Elder brother...''
Xiao Juyan however patted his shoulder as he said
''I know''
Then, after throwing a deep look at Lin Wu that made her ashamed as she lowered her head, Xiao Juyan walked in the arena.
Standing in front of Shun Long he then said
''Since you challenged me, how about a bet? You must have 200 spirit stones on you right?''
Xiao Juyan then took 200 spirit stones from his spatial ring as he looked at Shun Long.
Shun Long nodded his head as if he had expected Xiao Juyan to say this and said in return
''Indeed but how about a bigger bet?''
''What do you mean?''
''How about..... we bet everything that we have in our spatial rings?''
Not just Xiao Juyan, but everyone in the crowd had fallen silent as they looked at Shun Long as if they were looking at a madman.
''Are you crazy?''
Xiao Juyan blurted out as he saw Shun Long removing his spatial ring from his hand, while the crowd exploded in discussions
''Is Shun Long serious?''
''Is he confident that he can beat senior brother Xiao or is he just bluffing trying to scare him away?''
''I think that he is bluffing. I saw his fight with Lei Pong and all he did was run around!''
Xiao Juyan looked at Shun Long in skepticism as he asked
''How do I know that you haven't removed your items from your spatial ring?''
Shun Long smiled as he took out a few rank 2 herbs in front of Xiao Juyan and everyone else in the crowd. These herbs were the ones he had picked from the lush forest in the Demonic Mountain region. He also took out the silver grade dagger, as well as a handful of his spirit stones, before placing them back in his spatial ring.
Xiao Juyan looked at Shun Long with apprehension, unknown if he was thinking of him as confident or simply stupid.
''Is this guy trying to scare me away? However, the items in his spatial ring were definitely real.
No matter what, he fought with Lei Pong just 5 days ago, so his strength can't really have grown since then.''
After coming to this conclusion Xiao Juyan smiled as he removed an iron hammer from his spatial ring and said
''Then let's do this.''
Shun Long then handed his spatial ring to the arena representative, before Xiao Juyan did the same.
The crowd couldn't believe that Xiao Juyan had accepted this crazy challenge. No matter how much confidence these 2 had in themselves, this was truly a crazy bet where you could lose everything you had.
Finally, Shun Long smiled as he then asked something unexpected
''You must definitely know about the assassination attempt outside the 'Blue Forest' right?''
A glimmer flashed through Xiao Juyan's eyes before Shun Long saw him shaking his head and saying
''I don't have any idea what you mean.''
Little Black's voice however, sounded inside Shun Long's head at the same time as he said
''Master, I could definitely feel his heartbeat speeding up with my soul sense, when you asked him about the assassination. He definitely knows something about it.''
Shun Long nodded his head after getting confirmation from little Black as he circulated his 'Monarch's Hourglass' while his eyes immediately turned golden.
Xiao Juyan felt the change in Shun Long as he too unleashed his cultivation, that had already reached the middle of rank 6 earth grade, while his body then started changing into a rock-like substance.
Xiao Juyan now resembled a golem as every part of his body aside from his eyes were covered by rocks.
''This is senior brother Xiao's 'rock body'! Let's see how Shun Long wants to break his defenses when senior brother is among the strongest experts of his level when he takes on this form.''
Shun Long clenched his fists tightly as he looked at Xiao Juyan's eyes
''You still have a chance to tell me about the assassination attempt in the Blue Forest.''
Xiao Juyan however, was much more resolute this time as he answered
''Then how about you come and find out?''
Shun Long narrowed his eyes as he walked towards him with firm footsteps.
At the same time, Ren Gui and Fu Peizhi had just arrived in the arena together, when they turned their heads to watch the fight. Since everyone's attention was at the center of the arena, almost no one had noticed their arrival.
Xiao Juyan smirked as he saw Shun Long coming closer. Holding the iron hammer in his right hand tightly, he was ready to take him out in one hit, with the first chance he got.
Finally, as Shun Long took another step forward and entered Xiao Juyan's attack range, Xiao Juyan immediately dashed forward, swinging the hammer in his hand at full force towards Shun Long's head.
Shun Long's golden eyes lit up as he unleashed his 'Monarch's Domain', before his right leg suddenly kicked the ground, instantly arriving in front of Xiao Juyan instead of retreating.
Clenching his left fist, he punched in full force at Xiao Juyan's chest.
Xiao Juyan's hammer had drastically slowed as Shun Long's fist hit him with a loud bang, instantly crushing the rock armor on his chest.
Xiao Juyan stumbled 2 steps backwards before vomiting a mouthful of blood.
102
Everyone in the arena was staring in astonishment, as Shun Long's punch had broken through Xiao Juyan's armor.
''D-Did he just punch through senior brother Xiao's 'rock body'?''
''Impossible! Senior brother Xiao is unbeatable within the same level of cultivation!''
''Unbeatable? How do you explain this then? Shun Long's punch definitely broke through Xiao Juyan's 'rock armor'!''
It wasn't just the crowd that was shocked, even Ren Gui and Fu Peizhi who saw this were flabbergasted.
Xiao Juyan was someone who was famed for his defense and yet, just one punch from Shun Long had made him stumble and vomit blood.
Fu Peizhi turned his head to look at Ren Gui as he asked with a voice that didn't hide his shock at all
''Ren Gui, did you notice yet? This person is the same as senior brother Kang!''
Ren Gui however didn't even look at Fu Peizhi, as his eyes were staring at Shun Long at the center of the arena like a hungry beast looking at its prey.
Xiao Juyan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth before he used his qi to recreate the rocks around his chest.
Soon, the crumbled rocks near his chest were quickly restored, as Xiao Juyan turned to look at Shun Long and said in a regretful tone
''I didn't expect you to cultivate both in qi and body refinement. Your punch really took me by surprise, but unfortunately for you, my 'rock armor' is the perfect counter against 'body refinement' cultivators.''
As these words left Xiao Juyan's mouth, the rocks covering his body changed their shape as they slowly turned into sharp spikes.
Xiao Shitou who saw this laughed, as if he had expected this move from the start, while Lin Wu seemed to have just heaved a sigh of relief as she said smilingly
''I knew that elder brother Juyan was still hiding his true strength. How could he ever lose to someone like Shun Long?''
''Hahaha, of course! If Shun Long wants to punch elder brother again, he will definitely destroy his own hands this time!'' Xiao Shitou also exclaimed in glee.
Shun Long hadn't expected that Xiao Juyan would decide to protect himself this way.
If this was 4 days ago when he was fighting Lei Pong and was still at the peak of the first stage in the 'Monach's Eternal body', Shun Long wouldn't have a way to deal with these spikes.
But now, after having already advanced to the middle of the second stage, Shun Long was confident that he could easily smash through Xiao Juyan's defenses with his full strength.
However, after taking half a step forward, Shun Long's golden eyes lit up before he suddenly tilted his head to the left.
Swish
Just as Shun Long tilted his head, a spike-shaped stone flew at incredible speed, as it swept past him and barely missing his face.
This sneak attack that was aimed at Shun Long's face, could have easily crippled him if not outright killed him.
Xiao Juyan was genuinely shocked that his attack had missed. This was a trump card that he had never revealed before, and yet Shun Long still managed to avoid it, almost as if he knew that it was coming.
The crowd didn't even have any time to react as they saw Xiao Juyan constantly bombarding Shun Long with numerous flying spikes.
One after another, the rock spikes flew at Shun Long, who activated his 'Monarch's Domain' for the second time, and avoiding all of them he arrived in front of Xiao Juyan.
Xiao Juyan tried to open the distance between them but Shun Long was even faster than him.
Gathering the strength of his 'Monarch's Eternal body' in his right fist, Shun Long sent a full-powered punch at Xiao Juyan's abdomen.
His fist passed through the sharp shaped rocks, like a hot knife cutting through butter, as it directly hit Xiao Juyan right in the stomach.
Xiao Juyan was sent flying as he spurted a mouthful of fresh blood. Inside the blood, the crowd shivered as they could even spot pieces of his internal organs, before his body fell back down as it violently crashed on the ground, creating a small human-shaped hole.
The entire arena had started cheering in excitement but Shun Long didn't seem to be done yet.
Everyone watched him curiously as he slowly walked towards Xiao Juyan, whose body was still buried on the ground.
After dragging him out of the hole, Shun Long suddenly heard someone shouting from the audience seats.
''Shun Long, what are you trying to do? The fight is already over!'' Xiao Shitou asked nervously after seeing his brother get dragged around like a dog.
Shun Long, for the first time, flashed a devilish smile as he said
''Then why hasn't Xiao Juyan surrendered yet? My sect jade hasn't lit up, so your brother hasn't lost his consciousness or surrendered yet.''
Fu Peizhi who also wanted to intervene decided to stay silent. What Shun Long had just said was the truth after all, and in case he decided to interfere in an 'ongoing arena fight', the Elder responsible for the arena rules might even strip him from his rank.
Ren Gui also curiously watched Shun Long, who smiled at Xiao Juyan all of a sudden.
Then, he turned his head to look towards Xiao Shitou and Lin Wu in the crowd as he asked
''What do you know about the assassination attempt at the Blue Forest?''
''Shun Long is breaking the arena rules! Quickly, someone call the sect Elders!'' Lin Wu screamed in panic.
Everyone in the crowd around her sneered as they looked at Lin Wu with mocking looks in their eyes, wondering if this girl was some kind of special idiot.
Shun Long didn't even turn his head to look at Lin Wu. His golden eyes were staring at Xiao Juyan as he waited for his answer.
''I su-''
SLAP
Shun Long's hand slapped Xiao Juyan's face startling everyone before he said in a cold tone
''Don't even think that you can surrender in front of me. Did you think that it's going to be that easy? You will either tell me what I want to know, or I will make sure that you won't be able to walk out of here by yourself!''
Xiao Juyan started laughing loudly as he heard Shun Long's threatening words and asked
''I won't walk here by myself? I'm curious as to how you are going to accomplish that? Don't tell me that you have the guts to cripple me, let alone kill me!''
Shun Long smiled after hearing Xiao Juyan's words, as he then said
''Little Black, do it.''
103
''Little Black, do it.''
Suddenly, Xiao Juyan could feel a terrifying pressure bearing down on him, one that brought him unimaginable pain.
This was a kind of pain that he had never felt before, a pain that had almost instantly brought him to the brink of collapse. Xiao Juyan was feeling as if someone was trying to tear his soul apart.
Everyone in the crowd was horrified as they watched him, an expert that was ranked 93rd in the arena rankings, scream and roll on the ground while clutching his head all of a sudden.
Even Ren Gui and Fu Peizhi felt a chill at this sight as they backed a few steps back.
Aside from Xiao Juyan, no one else could sense anything wrong. After all, this pressure wasn't aura or some kind of qi that people could sense, but little Black's soul power.
Unless someone's soul was at least at the same level as little Black's, and that person could also use their soul sense to scan the arena, it was impossible for anyone to sense little Black's soul sense.
What Xiao Juyan was going through right now, was a kind of torture where his soul was constantly being brought to the breaking point, and just before his mind would collapse, Little Black would then give him a few seconds to rest, only to then start again from the beginning.
Not even a minute had passed until Xiao Juyan had started shouting
''No, please STOP! I will tell you everything. PLEASE!''
''Elder brother!'' Xiao Shitou's panicked voice also sounded from the audience seats at the same time, but Xiao Juyan couldn't pay any attention to him as he begged for the torture to stop.
Everyone in the arena understood that Shun Long must have done something to Xiao Juyan, but there was no way to prove anything.
''Master, I feel that he is ready to tell us everything''
Shun Long nodded his head as Little Black stopped his torture and Xiao Juyan could finally started to relax, until he heard Shun Long's serious voice
''Don't try to lie to me, or if I start to feel that you aren't telling me everything about the assassination...''
Xiao Juyan shivered as he heard this and repeatedly nodded his head as he said
''Don't worry, I will definitely tell you everything. It all started with the Lin family-''
''Elder brother!!''
Xiao Shitou shouted when he saw that his brother was ready to recount everything.
Xiao Juyan however, didn't pay any attention to Xiao Shitou as he continued
''A few months ago, Shitou met Lin Wu in the imperial city. That same day he returned home and said to our father that it was love at first glance and that he intends to marry her. Father however, investigated things and found that Lin Wu who was the daughter of the Lin family's patriarch, was betrothed to the son of Shun Fang, the rank 3 bronze grade formation master of the 'Blue Forest city'.
The Lin family patriarch came to our Marquess estate a few days later, 'to discuss' matters with our father.''
At this point, Lin Wu's face had already turned white as she heard Xiao Juyan explaining everything, and understood that there was no way to keep things hidden any longer. Xiao Shitou however held her hand as he said
''Wu'er don't worry. Even if he knows the truth, he can't do anything to you as long as we are inside the 'floating cloud sect'.''
Lin Wu shook her head as she said
''But, what about my family?''
''Don't worry. Shun Long will need at least a few years to return back to the 'Sky Fortune Kingdom'. By then I will have definitely reached the earth grade as well and will have settled everything!'' Xiao Shitou said as a cold light flashed through his eyes.
Lin Wu finally felt reassured after hearing Xiao Shitou's words, and nodded her head as she hugged him.
Xiao Juyan then continued with the rest of the story, afraid that if he stopped, Shun Long would restart that inhumane torture again.
''The Lin family patriarch said that it would be cruel to marry his precious daughter to a cripple like you, instead of marrying her to the Xiao marquess' son. However, father wasn't stupid and he easily saw through Lin Shang's intentions.
Father denied, as he told him that our family wouldn't stain our hands with blood to help the Lin family escape the engagement that they had promised Shun Fang.
However, after Shitou's pleas to help, father finally agreed to send someone to 'Blue Forest city', and spread rumors that a treasure that could potentially help you unblock your meridians, had appeared in the vicinity of the Blue Forest.
The timing was perfect as Shun Fang was in the imperial capital at that time and in your desperation, you would definitely choose to go alone.
As for the assassination? That was all done by the Lin family's Elders and my Xiao family had nothing to do with it.''
After Xiao Juyan finished narrating the secrets behind Shun Long's assassination attempt, he looked at Shun Long with relief. Although he had revealed something shameful, schemes in the 'cultivation world' were all too common, while his family hadn't done all that much in this matter.
Everyone in the audience turned their heads to look at Lin Wu and Xiao Shitou in disgust.
Lin Wu lowered her head while Xiao Shitou pulled her hand as they both quickly left the arena.
Shun Long watched the 2 of them as they hurriedly left the arena and laughed coldly inside, before turning his head to look at Xiao Juyan.
''Master, based on the fluctuations of his soul, everything he said was true.''
After hearing little Black's words, Shun Long nodded his head as he hit Xiao Juyan's neck with a chop, instantly rendering him unconscious.
At that moment, Shun Long's 'sect identifying jade' lit up, and a number appeared on it.
93.
At the same time, Xiao Juyan's name had magically disappeared from the wall of the top 100 ranks, leaving behind only an empty slot for Shun Long to fill his own name there.
Without feeling the slightest sense of pity for Xiao Juyan, Shun Long walked up to the arena representative as he collected the 2 spatial rings before turning to leave.
Of course, Shun Long wasn't planning to have any good opinion of Xiao Juyan just because he had confessed the truth. Let alone that the reason he had confessed was actually thanks to little Black's excruciating soul torture, Shun Long also wasn't going to forget that the Xiao family had assisted the Lin's in their assassination plan.
However, before Shun Long could really leave the arena, a voice was suddenly heard from the crowd as it said
''Shun Long!''
Turning his head, Shun Long saw a burly young man seemingly around 20 years old. This man had long black hair and a burly build and was staring right at him. AlthoughShun Long didn't know who this man was, he recognized the person standing next to him, Fu Peizhi.
''Hey, who is that?''
''Don't speak and don't even breathe! If this monster turns his attention to you, you are doomed!''
The rowdy arena instantly fell silent as people recognized this long-haired man.
This was the person with the worst reputation in the entire 'outer city', the person ranked 7th in the arena rankings, Ren Gui.
Ren Gui jumped all the way from the audience seats as he landed inside the arena with a bang.
He then grabbed the unconscious Xiao Juyan, before throwing him towards the crowd like he was just a sack of meat, before turning his head to look at Shun Long, looking like he was staring at some sort of delicious prey, as he pointed at him and said commandingly
''Come here!''
104
Shun Long didn't know who this man was but judging from the crowd's reactions, he was definitely not a pushover.
Walking back inside the arena, he stared at Ren Gui waiting to hear what he wanted to say.
Ren Gui looked at Shun Long as he asked in an arrogant and overbearing tone
''Do you know what your crime is brat? There are very few people in the 'outer city' that have dared to not give me, Ren Gui any face.
I don't give a fuck if you want to fight with small fries like Xiao Juyan and Lei Pong, but since you dared to slap my woman, you better be prepared to pay the price.''
The moment that Ren Gui finished speaking, he instantly kicked the ground as he rushed at Shun Long.
Shun Long had just now understood, that this was the person ranked 7th in the arena rankings, when he saw Ren Gui practically flying at him.
Ren Gui roared as he sent a powerful punch at Shun Long's chest, who in return crossed his arms in an X-shape to block.
Ren Gui's punch sent Shun Long off the ground, as he then slid for more than 10 meters backwards, until he managed to stabilized himself.
Shun Long was shocked. How powerful did this man have to be, to send him sliding for 10m until he could stop?
Since Shun Long had advanced to the middle of the second stage in the 'Monarch's Eternal body' he was certain that he could easily defeat anyone below even the 8th rank in earth grade.
''It looks like this person is also a body refiner, and one that has already reached the peak of the second stage!'' Shun Long thought as he felt his arms slightly aching after taking Ren Gui's punch
''This kid managed to take my punch when he is just at the middle of the second stage in body refinement? How is this possible?''
Both Ren Gui and Fu Peizhi however, were even more shocked than Shun Long.
Everyone in the top 100 rankings knew, that Ren Gui wasn't just someone at the peak of the second stage in body refinement. He had already reached the peak of this level for the past 2 years, and was just a step away from entering the third stage.
A third stage body refiner was just as strong if not stronger than a Heaven grade cultivator.
After his astonishment, Ren Gui actually laughed as he said
''Then let's see which of us is stronger brat!'' before he once again sent another punch at Shun Long.
Shun Long activated his golden eyes as well as his 'Monarch's Domain', and after avoiding Ren Gui's punch that had just brushed past his shoulder, he sent his own punch right at Ren Gui's abdomen.
Ren Gui flinched, as he took 2 steps backwards, pain coloring his face.
''I actually felt pain from the punch of a middle-second stage brat?''
Both Shun Long and Ren Gui didn't accept this outcome as they both stared at each other.
However, before they could move again, their 'sect identifying jades' as well as Fu Peizhi's, all lit up at the same time.
All 3 of them took out their sect jades, and received the same message.
Ren Gui snorted as he then said in an annoyed tone
''Your luck may have saved you today but this isn't over just yet.''
Then, without even waiting for a reply, he left the arena as he headed towards the 'inner city' gates.
The crowd was astonished as they watched Ren Gui turn to leave so suddenly since the fight had barely begun, when Fu Peizhi's voice sounded from the audience seats as he looked at Shun Long and said
''You seem to be very lucky. Not only did you manage to avoid fighting Ren Gui, but we also don't have the time to fight ourselves.''
The crowd saw that Fu Peizhi seemed to be provoking Shun Long and got excited once again
''It's senior brother Fu!''
''Does Fu Peizhi want to fight with Shun Long?''
''I think so. I heard that senior brother Fu came here 3 days ago to take revenge for Lei Pong, but Shun Long didn't seem to accept his challenge.''
Shun Long turned his head and stared at Fu Peizhi as he said
''Lucky? Then let's see who the lucky one really is. I also have a few things that I have to settle with you.''
Fu Peizhi seemed to have been caught off-guard before he then asked angrily
''Do you think that I am Xiao Juyan? Understand that you and I are not on the same level! You won't even be able to last 5 moves against me! I told you before, didn't I? In front of me, you and everyone else below the top 20 are all ants.''
Little Black's mocking voice then sounded inside Shun Long's head as he said
''How laughable. Merely at the middle of rank 9 earth grade and he views everyone below him as ants.''
The crowd also seemed to have been angered by Fu Peizhi's words, but as he swept his eyes over everyone, all the disciples in the audience just lowered their heads.
Shun Long however, smirked as he looked at him and said
''Then, a week from now Fu Peizhi, watch how I squash your worldview.''
''HAHAHAHA!''
Fu Peizhi laughed as he left the arena, as he headed towards the 'inner city' gates.
Shun Long didn't pay any more attention to Fu Peizhi as he asked little Black
''Did you find their location?''
''I did, master. They are inside a large inn about 20 miles on our east. Are we going to do it now?''
Shaking his head Shun Long said
''I would love to take care of them now, but the sect master ordered for all the disciples within the top 1000 ranks to gather in front of the 'inner city' immediately.''
After taking a deep breath, Shun Long's eyes turned golden as he continued ''However, I will not give them a chance to live for even one more day.''
Shun Long then left the arena, under the respectful gazes of all the disciples in the crowd, as he headed towards the 'inner city' gates where the sect master had ordered for everyone to gather.
105
Not even 30 minutes later, Shun Long had arrived in front of the 'inner city' gates.
More than 500 people were already gathered in front of the gates, including Ren Gui, Fu Peizhi, and even that blue-haired young man that Shun Long had met in the arena when he fought with Lei Pong.
Since Shun Long's face was unknown to most people here, no one paid him any attention as he waited for the sect master to arrive.
More and more people gradually gathered, and 20 minutes later, the 'inner city' gates opened as an azure-robed middle aged man in his forties, followed by 2 black-robed Elders appeared before the disciples.
The disciples that were chatting between themselves immediately quietened down, as they saw the sect master, Liu Jian arriving.
Liu Jian's aura was completely retracted, and he looked like a normal 40-year-old man. He took a look at the disciples gathered in front of him and nodded his head as he said
''Good! It seems that most of you have already arrived. Let me explain the reason I called for you here today.
I'm sure that some of you have already heard about a secret realm that will open in a few months time.''
Liu Jian saw that most of the disciples wore confused looks on their faces, and only some people like Ren Gui, Fu Peizhi, and the blue-haired man, as well as Shun Long and a few others, didn't show any confusion as they had already heard about it.
Liu Jian saw that most disciples didn't seem to know anything and explained in a loud voice
''In 3 months from now, a secret realm known as the 'Vermilion realm' will open in our Desolate East. This is a realm that opens only once every 100 years, and the opportunities inside are endless.
Our 'floating cloud sect' has been sending disciples and Elders there for the past 2000 years, and many of them have found heaven-defying fortune inside.
However, due to the restrictions of the realm, only cultivators up to the peak of rank 3 in Heaven grade can enter inside. Of course, our 'floating cloud sect' isn't the only sect that will be entering the 'Vermilion realm'. There will be many other sects alongside us and all of them will send their own disciples and Elders, which is the reason why every sect has a specific quota of people that it can send inside.
The 'inner city' will send in a total of 200 Elders and disciples, while from the 'outer city', only the top 100 people in the arena rankings will be eligible to join.
You have 75 days to see whether you can enter the top 100 rankings in the arena, or secure your rank if you are already there. After the 75 days are over, we will be leaving the sect to enter the 'Vermilion realm'. That is all!''
After explaining everything, Liu Jian didn't wait for any questions as he turned around and walked back to the 'inner city'.
The moment that the 'inner city' gates closed, the disciples gathered in front of the 'inner city' gates, immediately rushed towards the arena, almost as if they were competing on who would arrive there first.
Only Shun Long and a few others seemed to have no intention to go to the arena, when Fu Peizhi's mocking voice sounded all of a sudden
''HA! These idiots think that if they arrive in the arena faster, then they will be able to enter the secret realm?''
Fu Peizhi laughed as he watched the huge group of outer disciples, all running as they hoped to get a rank in the top 100, before he turned to leave the area.
Shun Long also didn't stay around any longer, but seemed to have headed back towards the arena.
Around 20 miles away from the arena, was a very large inn, with many private rooms.
This was the largest inn in the 'outer city', the 'Redstone inn'.
Shun Long saw a huge number of disciples entering and leaving the inn's entrance, showing how popular this place was.
''Little Black, can you still sense them?''
Little Black sent his spiritual strength to scan over the inn as he said
''Master, they are still in a room on the second floor.''
''Great!''
Shun Long nodded his head, as he waited patiently for night to fall.
A few hours later, the sun had already set and most of the disciples had already returned back to their rooms, however, due to the sheer number of disciples in the 'floating cloud sect', the streets were never really empty.
Shun Long swapped back to his black robes, as he too walked on the street along with the other disciples. Although his attire was suspicious deep in the night, there were many people who used to wear black robes and cloaks inside the sect if they wanted to hide their identity for various reasons. (Author's note: remember that these robes are completely different from the sect robes that sect Elders wear.)
Shun Long walked parallel to the inn, and after checking that there were no other disciples around him, he slashed the void open creating a space tear, and entering inside it, he arrived at the room's location that little Black had pinpointed.
''AHHH YES!! MORE!! BROTHER SHITOU DON'T STOP!!''
Lin Wu's voice was the first thing that Shun Long heard as he entered the room. Turning his eyes towards the origin of the voice, Shun Long saw Xiao Shitou's back and forth movements as he connected his body with Lin Wu's completely naked body.
Shun Long was disgusted after having to see Xiao Shitou's bare ass, and immediately activated the 'Monarch's Domain' freezing everything inside the room.
Sadly for Xiao Shitou, he wouldn't be able to finish his night, as Shun Long sent a kick to his body, sending him flying as he crashed to the wall of the room.
After tying both the naked Lin Wu, as well as Xiao Shitou with a rope and gagging their mouths with 2 pieces of cloth, Shun Long deactivated the 'Monarch's Domain'.
Xiao Shitou and Lin Wu were utterly confused to see a man in black robes, appear all of a sudden in front of them. Removing his black robes, this man then allowed them to see his true appearance.
The naked couple was terrified to see Shun Long appear out of nowhere inside their room, when they were enjoying themselves just a moment ago.
Lin Wu tried to cover her naked body with her hands, but the rope didn't really allow her much movement.
''Mmff''
''Mffm''
Muffled sounds came from both of their mouths, but Shun Long just looked at them apathetically as he asked
''Do you have any last words?''