Originally, Xiao Yunlong thought the horizontal flute contained spiritual energy. Only when he picked up the flute did he realize it was the jade pendant hanging on it as decoration.
"Seeing that the jade pendant contains quite a bit of spiritual energy, it should be able to help me increase several more Divine Kingdoms!"
Xiao Yunlong rejoiced and immediately took off the jade pendant. The flute itself had nothing special, so he put it back in its place.
It was only then that Liu Ruyan said, "I'm sorry, Yunlong. I didn't know Wei Qianqian had a problem before and always treated her as my good friend. I almost harmed you. Fortunately, you were alert, or the consequences would have been unimaginable."
Xiao Yunlong held her hand and smiled, "We don't need to say sorry to each other. The Myriad Sound Sect's plan this time was too insidious. It's normal that you didn't notice. It's not your fault!"
As they spoke, the two descended the pavilion and came to the square. Half an hour later, the rest of the group had also searched the entire stronghold but found nothing special.
After destroying the entire stronghold, they returned to the camp that night.
It was already late at night when they returned to the Southern Border Great Camp. Liu Ruyan had rushed back, intending to settle accounts with Wei Qianqian, but upon her return, she discovered that the cunning woman had already left the camp.
"She escaped quite quickly. I hope I don't see her again next time!" Liu Ruyan said angrily.
Xiao Yunlong shook his head and chuckled, "There's no need to be angry with someone like that. If I'm not mistaken, Wei Qianqian should have fled back to the capital overnight, or rather, to the Wang family in the capital!"
Liu Ruyan then asked, "Yunlong, the matters in the Southern Border have been resolved, and the Southern King is gradually taking control of the entire Southern Border. Are you planning to go to the capital next?"
Xiao Yunlong shook his head and sighed, "I won't go to the capital for now. The situation in the Northern Territory is critical, so we have to go back to the Northern Territory first."
Liu Ruyan nodded, her lips parting as if to speak, but she ultimately remained silent.
She actually wanted to ask if she could visit her grandfather in Sucheng before returning to the Northern Territory, but considering the tense situation in the Northern Territory, Liu Ruyan didn't mention it.
Xiao Yunlong saw through her thoughts and smiled, "Are you thinking of going back to Sucheng first to visit your grandfather?"
"Yes!" Liu Ruyan nodded.
Xiao Yunlong pondered for a moment and then said, "How about this? I need to go into seclusion for three days. Tomorrow morning, I'll have three Black Armored Guards escort you back to Sucheng. Oh, and let Jun Bufan go back too. He's also from Sucheng, and it's time for him to visit home after being away for so long."
"What about you?" Liu Ruyan asked.
"I need to go into seclusion for three days. After three days, you can return to the Southern Border Great Camp, and then we'll return to the Northern Territory together. Of course, if you want to stay in Sucheng then, that's fine too. I can leave the three Black Armored Guards behind..."
"No, three days is enough. I'll go to the Northern Territory with you then!" Liu Ruyan interrupted before Xiao Yunlong could finish.
Liu Ruyan knew very well that upon their return to the Northern Territory, her fiancé would face many obstacles and difficulties, and it would be a time when he needed people the most. She naturally couldn't let the three Black Armored Guards stay behind to protect her.
Furthermore, if she stayed in Sucheng, it would surely make Xiao Yunlong worry.
Most importantly, Liu Ruyan genuinely wanted to see the Northern Territory and contribute her part, as it was her man's territory!
After washing up, they went to bed. After a night of passion, at dawn the next day, Liu Ruyan, escorted by Jun Bufan and three Black Armored Guards, boarded a private jet and returned to Sucheng.
Xiao Yunlong, on the other hand, announced his seclusion.
In fact, Xiao Yunlong had considered returning to Sucheng with Liu Ruyan, but doing so would waste a lot of time on the journey. Moreover, there were many old acquaintances in Sucheng, and if they knew he had returned, they would surely come to curry favor.
In that case, how could Xiao Yunlong calmly cultivate in seclusion?
With the situation in the Northern Territory becoming increasingly tense, he had little time left. Therefore, after careful consideration, he decided to stay in the camp and cultivate in seclusion, absorbing the spiritual energy from the jade pendant to enhance his strength to the maximum.
It was foreseeable that this return to the Northern Territory would not be smooth sailing; it would be fraught with obstacles!
This was because too many forces throughout the Dragon Country did not want him to return.
"This time, when I return, let's see who can block my path. If Buddha comes, I will kill Buddha; if demons block me, I will destroy demons!"
Xiao Yunlong snorted coldly and sat cross-legged on the ground, holding the jade pendant to calm his mind. Then, he circulated the Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms technique and began to cultivate.
Three days passed in a flash. In the early morning, Xiao Yunlong finally slowly opened his eyes, ending his cultivation.
At this moment, the jade pendant in his hand, which was originally crystal clear, had become dull and extremely rough. After absorbing the spiritual energy, it had lost its luster.
After three days of cultivation, the number of Divine Kingdoms in Xiao Yunlong's body finally increased from the original one hundred and eight to one hundred and twenty-two!
"My cultivation and strength are now fully capable of crushing the Innate True Origin Realm, and I can even contend with the so-called Yin-Yang Creation Realm!"
Xiao Yunlong clenched his fist, feeling the vast power surging within him like an ocean, and was filled with excitement.
After all, it had only been about a year since the ambush outside the capital. In over a year, Xiao Yunlong had undergone a tremendous transformation.
Originally, according to Xiao Yunlong's plan, he needed to lie low for about two more years before returning to the Northern Territory and heading to the capital.
However, due to a chance encounter, he learned that the jade pendant containing spiritual energy could rapidly cultivate the Divine Kingdoms technique, greatly accelerating his cultivation speed.
"Today, I return to the Northern Territory!"
Xiao Yunlong stood up abruptly, his gaze suddenly becoming unprecedentedly firm.
Stepping out of the room, it was a bright sunny day. Although the winter wind was biting, the weather was clear and the sky was azure blue.
By this time, Liu Ruyan had also returned by private jet. Xiao Yunlong wasted no more time. After bidding farewell to the Southern King Lu Zhengting, the group boarded the private jet and immediately took off northward.
The moment Xiao Yunlong boarded the plane and took off, most forces throughout the Dragon Country received the news, and even many foreign powers were secretly paying attention.
It could be said that Xiao Yunlong had become the focus of the entire Dragon Country and even the world.
Especially Zhang Qingyun, the Northeast Tiger in the Northern Territory, and the three allied nations in the northern desert, led by the Snow Wolf Country, were paying close attention.
"Tiger King, news just came from the Southern Border that the fellow named Xiao has boarded a plane and is heading north. What should we do next?"
In the Northern Territory Great Camp, a burly man with a broad back and a powerful physique spoke like thunder.
Sitting in front of him was a middle-aged man with a square face, sharp eyebrows, and bright eyes. He was tall and slender, with a heroic and majestic demeanor. He was none other than Zhang Qingyun, known as the Northeast Tiger of the Dragon Country!
Zhang Qingyun commanded great respect in the northeastern region and had achieved fame at a young age. Naturally, he possessed some skills and capabilities, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to control the situation in the Northern Territory in such a short period.
Zhang Qingyun's expression remained calm and unperturbed. He said lightly, "I knew he would return, but I didn't expect him to be so soon. Issue an order to seal off the entire Northern Territory Great Camp. Generals above the rank of Colonel are not allowed to leave without permission. Violators will be executed!"
"Furthermore, temporarily impose martial law and control the airspace within a three-hundred-mile radius of the Northern Territory Great Camp. No flying objects are allowed to enter without permission. Violators will be shot down!"
"Yes!" The burly general cupped his hands and was about to retreat when he suddenly said, "Tiger King, are these your only two orders? Nothing else?"
The Northeast Tiger raised his sword-like eyebrows and asked, "Do you have any objections?"
The burly general thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness Tiger King, Xiao Yunlong's return to the Northern Territory this time clearly indicates his intention to reclaim power in the Northern Territory. This Northern Territory is where you, Tiger King, have invested considerable effort to stabilize and initially control. You can't let him return so easily, can you?"
Zhang Qingyun did not speak, but quietly watched the other person, waiting for him to continue.
The burly general continued, "In my opinion, we should send experts to intercept and ambush him halfway. Even if we can't kill him, we absolutely cannot let him enter the great camp so brazenly!"
"You can shut up now!"
Zhang Qingyun suddenly spoke, his voice deep and resonant. "You've followed me for a long time, and you should know my temperament very well. I am a soldier. I will not engage in the scheming and manipulative tactics of the court, nor do I deign to do so!"
"So what if he, King Xiao of the North, returns? How can I, the Northeast Tiger, fear him? The fact that I dared to station myself here and take over his Northern Territory Great Camp means I have the confidence to defeat him. Moreover, I want to defeat him honorably!"
"But..." the burly general still wanted to persuade him.
"There are no 'buts.' I cannot control whether those fellows in the capital send strong individuals to intercept and ambush him, but I, the Northeast Tiger, will never do such a thing. Listen to me carefully: restrain your subordinates. Anyone who dares to act rashly without authorization will be dealt with according to military law!"
Zhang Qingyun said sternly, his expression resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.
Seeing this, the subordinate general had no choice but to remain silent, though he couldn't help but lament that this Northeast Tiger was still too young and impulsive, adhering to so-called principles in such matters.
Meanwhile, in the capital, heavy snow had draped the ancient city in a silver cloak. On a pavilion with a sense of historical vicissitude, two old men were enjoying tea by the fire and playing chess, appearing quite leisurely and content.
The old man on the left suddenly asked, "How is it? Have the experts from the Western Regions Sects been contacted?"
"Yes, Mr. Wang has been contacted, and they are already on their way north!" the slightly younger old man on the right replied.
This old man, surnamed Wang, nodded and said softly, "That's good. This time, there shouldn't be any more accidents, right?"
This man, surnamed Wang, had an imposing and majestic demeanor, suggesting he likely hailed from one of the four great families in the capital.
"Please rest assured, Mr. Wang. This time, there will be no more accidents. As long as he dares to set foot in the Northern Territory, he is guaranteed to die!" the other man said solemnly.
"Then I shall await your good news!"
The old man from the Wang family finished speaking and slowly stood up, leaning against the railing. He gazed at the vast, snow-covered ancient capital and said leisurely, "This snow is falling beautifully. It's said to be a good omen for a bountiful year. However, I prefer killing on a snowy night. With the white snow as a backdrop, killing must be more convenient and more enjoyable and romantic!"
"That is only natural!" the other old man replied with a fawning smile.