Xiao Yunlong's seclusion this time lasted even longer, as he had obtained more spirit-infused items the previous night, especially from Long Jiutian and Feng Wu, who surprisingly carried two stones brimming with potent spiritual energy.
These two stones, a pale green and no larger than a pinky finger, contained more spiritual energy than all the ones Xiao Yunlong had encountered previously combined.
"Could these be the legendary spirit stones? Items from that mysterious extraterrestrial realm?" Xiao Yunlong couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement, his curiosity and anticipation for the enigmatic land growing even stronger.
At this juncture, he could have easily gained entry into the Dragon Guarding Pavilion by being introduced by Elder Hou Shanze, a Pavilion Elder, and passing their assessment. This would have granted him eligibility to enter that mysterious realm.
However, time was of the essence for Xiao Yunlong. He knew that the Feng family would not let this matter rest, and more critically, the master of Long Jiutian and Feng Wu, the Vice Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion, would surely intervene.
Furthermore, even the Ancient Martial Huaxia Alliance might get involved. This meant Xiao Yunlong would likely face opponents at the Divine Core realm or even higher. Therefore, he had to enhance his strength as much as possible, and the assessment for the Dragon Guarding Pavilion would have to be postponed.
Fortunately, he now possessed a substantial amount of spirit-infused items, and refining and absorbing them would undoubtedly boost his cultivation significantly.
For a month, Xiao Yunlong remained in seclusion, diligently cultivating. During this period, he managed to refine and absorb most of the spirit-infused items he possessed, leaving only the two spirit stones brimming with immense spiritual energy.
At this point, Xiao Yunlong's Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms technique had advanced from the previous six hundred and fifty-six to eight hundred and thirty-eight!
"Almost there. Once I refine and absorb these two spirit stones, I will break through the thousand-technique mark. Then, this technique will be considered mastered, and my combat power will experience a leap, potentially allowing me to instantly kill Divine Core realm powerhouses!"
Xiao Yunlong mused inwardly. However, as he continued his secluded cultivation, a subtle sense of unease began to creep into his heart.
Perhaps it was due to the prolonged seclusion, coupled with his concern for the situation outside. After all, Zhuge Wushuang and his companions might not have been able to fully control the entire Celestial Strategy Mansion.
"Enough. I should go out and check. If anyone in the Celestial Strategy Mansion dares to provoke or defy me, I will kill them until they submit!"
Xiao Yunlong let out a cold snort and rose to end his seclusion.
By now, the divine kingdom power within his body was as vast as an ocean, and his strength had reached the peak that this world could withstand. If he were to unleash his power normally, even a single punch could potentially cause space to collapse.
Zhuge Wushuang and Tu Fu were not at the North Cloud Residence; they had likely gone to the Celestial Strategy Mansion to handle affairs. Only Jun Bufan, his adjutant, remained, as someone needed to stay behind.
"How has the capital been during this time?" Xiao Yunlong asked Jun Bufan as he sat down for tea.
The vast North Cloud Residence was suddenly very quiet. Even Liu Ruyan had gone to the Imperial Capital University.
"Reporting to Big Brother, everything in the capital has been normal, with no unusual occurrences!" Jun Bufan replied truthfully.
"What about the Celestial Strategy Mansion and the Wen Tian Pavilion?" Xiao Yunlong continued to inquire.
"There has been no movement either. Initially, there were a few generals in the Celestial Strategy Mansion who opposed and even resisted. However, the Third Grand Master intervened, and the First Grand Master also made an appearance. Subsequently, those generals were either dismissed or transferred, and the Celestial Strategy Mansion became completely quiet!"
"I see. It seems I was worrying unnecessarily!" Xiao Yunlong smiled slightly and then tilted his head back, finishing the tea in his cup.
"Master, now that you have emerged from seclusion, are you preparing to undergo the assessment for the Dragon Guarding Pavilion?" Jun Bufan asked after a moment of thought.
Xiao Yunlong did not answer directly but instead asked, "By the way, have the Third Grand Master and Elder Hou Shanze visited the North Cloud Residence to look for me during this time?"
"No, they have not. The Third Grand Master only went to the Celestial Strategy Mansion and has not appeared since. As for Elder Hou Shanze, there has been no news." Jun Bufan replied.
"Alright, I understand. You may withdraw." Xiao Yunlong waved his hand.
Although Jun Bufan was also curious about the Dragon Guarding Pavilion, he did not ask further questions. He cupped his hands and withdrew.
Xiao Yunlong continued to sit in the pavilion in the courtyard, drinking tea. It was already summer, and the weather was gradually becoming hotter.
Since the Third Grand Master, and especially Elder Hou Shanze, had not visited during this period, it meant they had not yet contacted the Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion.
"Regardless of whether Elder Hou Shanze can contact the Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion, I cannot place my hopes on others. I must continue my secluded cultivation, striving to refine and absorb the two spirit stones in my possession as soon as possible and break through to a thousand Divine Kingdoms. With that, I will fear no one, not even the Pavilion Master!"
With this thought, Xiao Yunlong immediately got up. After sending a message to Liu Ruyan, he planned to resume his secluded cultivation. After all, the Celestial Strategy Mansion was being handled by Zhuge Wushuang and Tang Bowen, so he didn't need to worry too much.
However, just as Xiao Yunlong was about to enter the backyard, Jun Bufan rushed in again from outside.
"Master, someone just delivered a post. It's a challenge letter. Someone wants to duel you!" Jun Bufan said, handing over a challenge letter.
The challenge letter appeared ordinary, without any gilded lettering. However, the words on it were filled with a sharp intent.
"Three months later, on the Mid-Autumn Festival night, at the peak of the Forbidden City, we shall settle our differences. - Bu Qingyun"
Upon seeing the name Bu Qingyun, Xiao Yunlong's eyes narrowed, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
"Who delivered this letter?" Xiao Yunlong asked sharply.
"I don't know. I only know it was a person in a green shirt who came and went like the wind. In an instant, the letter was in my hand, and then they vanished. The opponent's movement technique is extremely powerful!" Jun Bufan exclaimed.
"In that case, it must have been Bu Qingyun himself who delivered it!" Xiao Yunlong sneered faintly.
Jun Bufan also glanced at the challenge letter and asked, "Master, who exactly is this Bu Qingyun that he dares to challenge you!"
Xiao Yunlong chuckled slightly, "This person's identity and origin are very mysterious. Although he is not from the noble families of the capital, he is, like Long Jiutian and Feng Wu, referred to as a prodigy of the younger generation in the Dragon Kingdom. It is even said that the Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion himself intended to take him as a disciple, but for some reason, it did not materialize!"
"Even the Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion wanted to take him as a disciple? Then his martial arts talent and cultivation must be considerable, likely no lower than Long Jiutian's!" Jun Bufan remarked.
"Naturally, it is not low. Otherwise, this Bu Qingyun would not be called the foremost among the younger generation in the capital. He even has a high chance of succeeding the next Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion. It's truly unexpected that this person would want to challenge me!" Xiao Yunlong stated with a faint哼.
Jun Bufan suddenly said, "I understand. Recently, it has been rumored throughout the capital and even the entire Dragon Kingdom that you are the number one of the younger generation in the capital and the Dragon Kingdom. This Bu Qingyun must have heard this and felt unconvinced, hence his challenge!"
"It's not impossible, but I suspect there might be deeper reasons!" Xiao Yunlong said thoughtfully.
"Then, Master, will you accept the challenge?" Jun Bufan asked.
"Of course. I have already accepted the challenge letter, so how could I refuse? Moreover, I cannot back down. At my position, countless eyes are watching. To retreat is to admit defeat, and once defeated, I cannot remain in the capital or even the Dragon Guarding Pavilion!"
Xiao Yunlong said this, then looked at the challenge letter in his hand again, and instructed, "Bufan, publicize this duel. Let the entire capital and even the Dragon Kingdom know that in three months, at the peak of the Forbidden City, two great prodigies will clash!"
"Yes!" Jun Bufan cupped his hands.
"I need to go into seclusion again. During this period, unless it is a matter of life and death, no one is to disturb me!"
After giving his instructions, Xiao Yunlong headed towards the backyard again.
At this very moment, a young man in a green robe landed on a tall pavilion. The First Grand Master, Baili Feng, was seated inside the pavilion, gazing out at the vast cityscape of the capital through the railing.
"The challenge letter has been delivered?" First Grand Master Baili Feng asked indifferently without turning his head.
"Yes, Master. It has been delivered. On the Mid-Autumn Festival three months from now, at the peak of the Forbidden City, I will settle the score with him!" the young man in green said. He was none other than Bu Qingyun.
First Grand Master Baili Feng chuckled, "It's not in vain that I've been building momentum for over a month. First, elevate that brat surnamed Xiao to the position of the foremost of the younger generation in the capital and the Dragon Kingdom. Once you defeat him, you will undoubtedly become the number one of the younger generation in the Dragon Kingdom. The higher that brat surnamed Xiao climbs, the harder he will fall!"
Bu Qingyun did not respond to this. In fact, his duel with Xiao Yunlong was not solely for the sake of contending for this so-called foremost position among the younger generation of the Dragon Kingdom. The primary reason was to vie for the succession of the Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion.
Although Xiao Yunlong had not officially joined the Dragon Guarding Pavilion yet, his current prominence had already echoed throughout the capital, even astonishing the Dragon Guarding Pavilion. In terms of both martial arts talent and cultivation, Xiao Yunlong possessed sufficient qualifications to join.
What further solidified Bu Qingyun's resolve to fight him was his discovery that Elder Hou Shanze of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion had recently contacted the Pavilion Master and reported all the recent events in the capital. Moreover, judging by the Pavilion Master's demeanor, he seemed inclined to take Xiao Yunlong as a disciple.
This truly unsettled Bu Qingyun!
In fact, the Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion had also intended to take Bu Qingyun as a disciple years ago, but the matter was ultimately dropped. Many influential figures in the capital believed it was because Bu Qingyun had already apprenticed himself to First Grand Master Baili Feng, making it inconvenient to take on another master.
However, the truth was not so simple. At that time, the Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion had indeed expressed interest in taking Bu Qingyun as a disciple, but he had also set a test, which only the two of them knew about and was to be conducted in the extraterrestrial realm.
But Bu Qingyun ultimately failed, not passing the test. In other words, Bu Qingyun did not meet the Pavilion Master's requirements. This matter had become Bu Qingyun's deepest pain, a thorn he had never mentioned to anyone over the years.
Now, seeing Xiao Yunlong rise like a new star, threatening his position, how could Bu Qingyun remain indifferent?
"It's truly unexpected. I originally thought this brat surnamed Xiao was an ant, and I never considered him a worthy opponent. But now, this ant has grown so powerful that he is almost on par with me!"
Bu Qingyun stood with his hands behind his back on the pavilion, a faint smile revealing a hint of bitterness.
"I miscalculated this as well. I initially intended to use him as a sword to cut down the decadent and conservative forces like the Wang and Long families. Who would have known this fellow would grow so rapidly? If I had known, I wouldn't have allowed him to mature completely. Now, with my current influence and power, I can no longer control this sword. It seems the old man from the Feng family was right; that brat surnamed Xiao is indeed a double-edged sword!"
First Grand Master Baili Feng chuckled, his tone laced with regret.
Bu Qingyun immediately asked, "Has the Feng family remained silent all this time?"
"No. Old Master Feng Jiuge has been keeping a low profile during this period. Of course, I haven't deployed my true forces to investigate. Perhaps he is no longer at home, but it is certain that the Feng family will not sit idly by. The Vice Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion and the Huaxia Alliance will surely take action against Xiao Yunlong next!"
First Grand Master Baili Feng paused before continuing with a slight smile, "Now that this sword, that brat surnamed Xiao, is no longer of use, and even carries the risk of backfiring, why don't you defeat him before the Feng family makes their move, making him a stepping stone on your path to growth?"
"Master, I understand your intentions!" Bu Qingyun cupped his hands slightly.
Baili Feng sighed again, "This is all I can do for you. The Dragon Guarding Pavilion and that mysterious realm are beyond my capabilities. From now on, I am powerless to assist you further. Everything depends on yourself!"
Bu Qingyun nodded slightly, indicating his understanding. Years ago, he was an abandoned child. If not for the Baili family taking him in, he would have perished on the freezing streets.
Later, Bu Qingyun displayed remarkable martial arts talent and was then noticed by Baili Feng, the old patriarch of the Baili family, which changed his destiny.
"However, speaking of which, that brat surnamed Xiao has now grown powerful. Even the two prodigies of the Long family, Long Jiutian, and the Feng family, Feng Wu, are no match for him. How confident are you in defeating him?" Baili Feng asked after some thought.
Bu Qingyun knitted his brows and said coldly, "My current cultivation is at the half-step Divine Dao realm. I recall that Long Jiutian and Feng Wu were also at this stage. If I were to fight that brat surnamed Xiao now, I would likely not have a great chance of winning!"
He then changed the subject, "However, I will enter the forbidden area of the extraterrestrial realm again for forced training and breakthrough. This time, I am confident in successfully completing the trial in the forbidden area. Once successful, my cultivation will advance by leaps and bounds, and I might even break through to the peak of the Divine Core realm. At that point, I will undoubtedly be able to completely crush that Xiao Yunlong."
"Three months' time. Are you truly confident in successfully completing the forbidden area trial? I hear that place is a place of nine deaths!" Baili Feng said with a face full of worry.
"I know the forbidden area is very dangerous, but I have no other choice. As the saying goes, desperation breeds survival. Of course, I am also confident I can break through it. Furthermore, Master, you may not know, but the flow of time in the extraterrestrial realm is different from this world we are in." Bu Qingyun said.
"The flow of time is different?" Baili Feng asked with great surprise.
"Yes. The extraterrestrial realm and our current location are not in the same world, or rather, not in the same plane of existence. Therefore, the flow of time is different. Someone has calculated that for every day that passes here, it is equivalent to five days in the extraterrestrial realm!"
Bu Qingyun smiled as he said this, "So, three months here is equivalent to about a year and a half in the extraterrestrial realm. That's enough time!"
"I see!" Baili Feng said, enlightened.
"Master, I'm leaving. In three months, I will return again. Then, at the peak of the Forbidden City, I will defeat that Xiao Yunlong in front of the entire world and secure my position as the next Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion!" Bu Qingyun finished speaking and vanished into thin air.
Meanwhile, in the Feng family, the past month had been unusually quiet. Even Old Master Feng Jiuge, who was usually very enthusiastic about handling affairs, had kept to himself and had not set foot in the Wen Tian Pavilion.
Of course, this was merely a facade. In fact, as early as the day after Long Jiutian and Feng Wu died, the Feng family's secret intelligence operatives had been dispatched. Even Feng Jiuge's two sons had taken action in secret.
Suddenly, with two swift whooshing sounds, two figures broke through the air under the cover of night and soon landed in the study in the Feng family's backyard.
Old Master Feng Jiuge was sitting in the study, reading a book. However, although his eyes were fixed on the book, he couldn't absorb a single word. For the past month, despite his efforts to maintain composure and keep everything outwardly normal, his heart had been filled with immense torment and anger.
Two shadowy figures soon appeared in the study. Both were clad in night-blooming clothes, with their faces covered by black cloth, making their appearances indistinguishable. Second Grand Master Feng Jiuge showed no surprise.
"Reporting to the Family Head, there is news from the Dragon Guarding Pavilion!" one of them said, cupping his hands.
"How is it? Has Mr. Lu Da been contacted?" Feng Jiuge asked urgently.
The Mr. Lu Da he referred to was Lu Yuan, one of the two Vice Pavilion Masters of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion and the master of Long Jiutian and Feng Wu.
"We have contacted him, and he has agreed to intervene. However, Mr. Lu Da has some words he wishes for us to relay to the Family Head," the black-clad figure said.
"What words?" Feng Jiuge asked quickly.
The black-clad figure said, "Mr. Lu Da said that because Elder Hou Shanze of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion secretly reported the recent events in the capital to the Pavilion Master, the Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion is now aware of everything concerning Xiao Yunlong and seems inclined to take that Xiao Yunlong as a disciple."
"What did you say? The Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion also knows about this and is even inclined to take that brat surnamed Xiao as a disciple?" Feng Jiuge was shocked, completely unprepared for things to escalate to this point.
If the Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion were to intervene, and even take Xiao Yunlong as a disciple, then his granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Long Jiutian, would have died in vain.
"That is what Mr. Lu Da said. He stated that his two disciples cannot have died in vain and that this revenge must be avenged. However, to counter the Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion, some preparations are needed!" the black-clad figure said.
"What preparations are needed?" Feng Jiuge asked again urgently.
The black-clad figure said, "These preparations, Mr. Lu Da said he will undertake, but it will take two to three months. He said he needs to find an ally to restrain the Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion. Based on Mr. Lu Da's speculation, this ally is likely the leader of the Huaxia Alliance!"
"The leader of the Huaxia Alliance? That's right. That dog-like brat surnamed Xiao has also killed many strong individuals from the Huaxia Alliance. It's likely that the leader of the Huaxia Alliance will not stand idly by. If the leader of the Huaxia Alliance intervenes as a restraint, then there should be no problem!"
Feng Jiuge nodded slightly and then asked, "Does Mr. Lu Da have any other messages to convey?"
"No. Oh, right, Mr. Lu Da said that during this period, we must not act rashly. That brat surnamed Xiao's cultivation is already extraordinary, and we are by no means his match." the black-clad figure said.
"Alright, you may withdraw." Feng Jiuge waved his hand slightly, and the two black-clad figures promptly retreated.
At the same time, in the extraterrestrial realm, atop a tall mountain, an old man with a large pipe dangling from his mouth stood with his hands behind his back on the mountain peak.
A person in a white long gown with graying temples stood respectfully beside the old man with the large pipe. Both gazed out at the vast, desolate land before them.
The land was shrouded in spiritual energy. Following the direction of their gaze, the distant horizon was a dark, empty void, revealing nothing.
"In another ten years or so, the extraterrestrial alien races will likely launch another offensive, won't they?" the old man with the large pipe suddenly asked.
"Yes, Leader. According to past experience, this should be the case. Therefore, we must make thorough preparations for battle!"
The white-robed man with graying temples replied. In fact, he was already quite old, but standing beside the old man with the large pipe, he seemed like a child.
The old man with the large pipe suddenly asked without reason, "By the way, I heard that some events have occurred in the capital of the Dragon Kingdom, concerning a young fellow named Xiao Yunlong?"
"Yes, I didn't expect the Leader to be concerned with matters in the Dragon Kingdom," the white-robed man with graying temples said.
The old man with the large pipe chuckled twice, "I truly cannot concern myself with the affairs of the Dragon Kingdom, but this young fellow named Xiao Yunlong, I cannot help but pay more attention to."
"That's quite normal. This young fellow named Xiao Yunlong possesses astonishing martial arts talent, even a rarity encountered once in a thousand years," the white-robed man with graying temples nodded.
"I heard you are even considering taking him as a disciple?" the old man with the large pipe asked.
The white-robed man with graying temples smiled slightly, "I dare not hide it from the Leader. I do have this intention, but I have not met him in person yet. These are things I heard from Elder Hou Shanze of the pavilion. As for whether to accept him, I will have to decide after I meet him."
It turned out that this white-robed man with graying temples was none other than the renowned Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion of the Dragon Kingdom!
However, despite his status as the Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion, he stood beside the old man with the large pipe like a subordinate, appearing somewhat reserved. This indicated that the old man with the large pipe held an even more formidable identity.
The old man with the large pipe chuckled twice again, took a couple of puffs from his pipe, and then sighed, "That kid's martial arts talent is indeed excellent. It seems you don't know yet, but the reason Xiao Yunlong has achieved his current martial arts cultivation is because I gave him a cultivation technique back then."
"What? So the Leader met him long ago and even passed on a cultivation technique to him? Does that mean he is your disciple?" the Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guarding Pavilion exclaimed in shock.