Dominating Martial King
Chapter 98 - 98 95 A Tree Like This

98: Chapter 95: A Tree Like This 98: Chapter 95: A Tree Like This PS: Asking for monthly tickets from everyone!

This book will launch on the 9th, urgently needing monthly tickets and subscription support.

Also, for some reason these past few days, chapters and comments are not being displayed.

Although I can see many comments in the author’s backend, the APP just doesn’t show them.

I wonder if it’s the same for you all?

※※※※

Qiu Feng was both angry and embarrassed.

He hadn’t expected to be caught by an old friend witnessing such a disgraceful scene within the Zhengyang Martial Arts Hall.

At the same time, Qiu Feng also had some guesses about the disturbance at this morning’s practice session.

The two disciples from the North Courtyard dared to defy the sect’s rules within the Gathering Essence Array and attack Chu Xisheng; it was mostly likely related to Shangguan Longjian.

His face turned iron blue as he swept an unkind glance over the group of people under the locust tree, “Shangguan Longjian, you have quite the audacity.

Do my Martial Arts Academy’s rules even exist in your eyes?”

The Shangguan Family were wealthy and influential in Xiushui County, but Qiu Feng was just a Martial Cultivator with Sixth Grade Cultivation, nothing to speak of.

However, Qiu Feng was not a local, being an Outer Disciple of the Formless Divine Sect; he had no fear of the Shangguan Family.

A trace of embarrassment flashed through Shangguan Longjian’s eyes, but a smile remained on his face as he courteously replied with a gesture, “Instructor Qiu takes things too seriously.

We were merely joking with Junior Brother Chu, how could we disregard the rules?”

As he spoke, the Inner Sect disciples under his command from the three-leaf sect all loosened their grip on their sword handles.

“That’s for the best!”

Qiu Feng thought that he couldn’t let his old friend witness any more jokes at this moment, and since these people hadn’t actually drawn their swords to start a fight, it wasn’t appropriate to punish them on the spot according to the sect regulations.

After Zhou Xiangshan had left, he would deal with these people at his leisure.

He suspected that the two disciples he trained had acted against sect rules today due to the intimidation and temptation from these people.

This Shangguan Longjian was truly presumptuous to the extreme, totally lacking manners.

In recent years, due to the struggles for the position of the prime inheritor in the Zhengyang Martial Arts Hall, several talents who rose from the commoners died tragically, causing thunderous rage from the Divine Sect’s main mountain.

After Lei Yuan took over, many people were dismissed and dealt with, and even more than a dozen sons from Inner City noble families were executed.

Was Shangguan Longjian not afraid at all?

Did he think that his Shangguan Family was any different from the other powerful families in the Inner City?

He snorted deeply and turned to Chu Xisheng, “Little Chu, my good friend here is from Linhai County.

He’s an Outer Hall Steward of the Coastal Zhou Family, and he has come especially to meet you under the orders of the Zhou Family Master.

I wonder if Little Chu is free now?

This place is quite inconvenient; let’s go to the tavern outside for a detailed discussion.”

Qiu Feng didn’t really understand why the grand Coastal Zhou Family was treating Chu Xisheng with such solemnity?

Zhou Xiangshan, a Martial Cultivator of Fourth Grade Upper Tier in Linhai County—a figure in his own right—actually came in person to see Chu Xisheng.

Zhou Xiangshan smiled and gestured towards Chu Xisheng, “Before coming, the Family Head asked me to bring some modest gifts.

Please accept them with a smile, young hero.”

With a wave of his sleeve, two sturdy men brought over a chest and placed it in front of Chu Xisheng, and someone handed him a list of gifts.

Chu Xisheng glanced over the list and his eyelids twitched involuntarily.

It clearly listed ‘ten Silver Ingots, ten Gold Ingots, one top-grade Rune Blood Refining Blade, one Rune Gold Silk Armor.’

In ancient times, a Silver Ingot usually weighed fifty taels, and a Gold Ingot weighed five taels.

The top-grade Rune Blood Refining Blade was an enhanced version of the Blood Refining Light Steel Blade.

Inscribed with runes, its power was close to Seventh Rank.

Chu Xisheng felt incredibly honored.

He thought to himself, good heavens, this Coastal Zhou Family presents a meeting gift of two thousand demon silver.

What could they possibly want?

With a skeptical look, he returned the gesture, “I happen to be free, but I dare not accept these gifts.

As the saying goes, ‘one should not receive a reward without merit’, such heavy gifts make me uneasy.”

Chu Xisheng was worried about Chu Yunyun and Lu Luanli, afraid that the fire in the backyard was burning fiercer.

However, at this moment, he could only put it aside temporarily.

Being a well-known Martial Arts Family throughout East State, and with Zhou Xiangshan coming to him with good intentions and such generous gifts, Chu Xisheng had to reciprocate with due courtesy.

Zhou Xiangshan laughed heartily upon hearing this, “Then, I invite Young Master Chu to move to the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion by the south gate where I’ve already arranged a banquet.”

He immediately thought that with such exceptional Martial Arts, being able to defeat Zhou Liangchen with a single strike at Ninth Rank, Chu Xisheng’s talent and future prospects were immense.

From the Family Head’s intention, it was also to befriend him as much as possible for future reliance.

Then he might as well do a favor and solidify the relationship between the two sides.

So, with a cold look in his eyes, he turned his head towards Shangguan Longjian, “Are you from the Shangguan Family?”

Given this man’s attire and grandeur, he seemed to be a core member of the Shangguan Family.

Shangguan Longjian’s expression shifted slightly as he tried to respond, but Zhou Xiangshan had already spoken dismissively with a cold voice, “Listen carefully, Chu Shaohua is a friend of our Coastal Zhou Family.

Whatever you’re thinking of doing to him, you’d better put those thoughts away.

If I hear that a friend of the Zhou Family has met with any misfortune in Xiushui County, then your fate will be like this tree.”

With a casual wave of his hand, a gentle palm force shot out from a distance.

In the next instant, the acacia tree, standing about fifteen feet tall, suddenly disintegrated, turning into fine powder and wood shavings that scattered in the air.

Shangguan Longjian stood amidst the cloud of wood dust, his face drained of color, turning slightly pale.

He stood still, watching the retreating figures of Zhou Xiangshan and Chu Xisheng, his fists clenched tightly, eyes as sharp as daggers.

“Master.” Shangguan Yuan approached Shangguan Longjian, his face equally troubling, “I didn’t expect him to be involved with the Coastal Zhou Family.

This matter has become somewhat tricky.”

Linhai County is the largest county in the East State, surpassing the rest of Daning in wealth and population.

And the Coastal Zhou Family is ranked among the top three Martial Arts Families in Linhai County.

It is said that a thousand years ago, the Zhou Family had two Second-Grade experts who were renowned throughout the world as wealthy and powerful magnates.

The current Family Head, ‘Three Finger Divine’ Zhou Xiongba, has reached the Upper Tier of the Fourth Grade in cultivation, commanding awe far and wide.

Moreover, his younger brother serves as an elder in one of the Six Great Immortal Sects, the ‘Star Constellation Immortal Sect,’ with even higher skills in martial arts and significant influence and authority.

“What’s so difficult about it?” Shangguan Longjian chuckled softly, his complexion back to normal, “The Coastal Zhou Family is a dragon among men, but their reach does not extend here.

I am determined to obtain that Zhang Yangyuan Skill War Map, and there’s no way I would simply yield due to a word from that man.

At most, I will spare his life to save face for the Zhou Family.”

However, Shangguan Longjian felt extremely stifled inside, with burning anger and nowhere to vent it.

In the end, he exhaled a breath of foul air and forcibly quelled his emotions.

“Let’s go!”

The commotion here would most certainly alert the Academy Head Lei Yuan.

If they continued to stay, they would only attract trouble.

What he didn’t know was that Chu Xisheng, who was heading towards the Martial Arts Academy’s main gate, was also watching him with a cold eye.

Chu Xisheng was deep in thought.

This Shangguan Longjian, so long as he does not give up on the True Inheritance, their conflict cannot be resolved.

This man would inevitably become a massive trouble for him.

Once the spotlight shifted away from the Long Family’s warehouse, he would have to find a way to eliminate this man and nip the disaster in the bud.

※※※※

In the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion outside the south gate of the Martial Arts Academy, Chu Xisheng and the others had already made a round of toasts.

Chu Xisheng held his wine cup, concentrating as he listened to Zhou Xiangshan’s words.

“—The Divine Turtle Wanderer may have come from an Independent Cultivator background and possessed Half-demon Bloodline, but he was extraordinary in both magic and martial arts, reaching the Extreme Tier and living for a thousand years.

This individual once opened up a Secret Realm on Gold and Silver Island with his unparalleled cultivation and built the Cloud Sea Immortal Palace.

The Ninth Grade Secret Realm that has appeared in our county this time is related to the Cloud Sea Immortal Palace; it’s the precursor to unlocking it.”

As Zhou Xiangshan served dishes to Chu Xisheng, he explained the details: “It’s said that the Divine Turtle Wanderer’s Primordial Skill was extremely special, requiring a very particular talent to cultivate.

He searched the entire world, but found no one could inherit his mantle.

With no other choice and at the end of his life, he expended a great price to utilize ‘Ziwei Astrology.'”

He deduced that in about three thousand seven hundred years, someone would be able to inherit his legacy, so he established thirty-six Ninth Grade Secret Realms in the Thirty-Six States of the world as a form of selection for the destined ones—to inherit his entire learning, his lifetime of wealth, and the Secret Immortal Palace.

This time, I have been sent by our Family Head to meet Junior Brother Chu and request your help in acquiring one of the Immortal Palace Secret Keys.”

“Immortal Palace Secret Key?” Qiu Feng’s eyes lifted with interest, “If we get this thing, can we inherit the Cloud Sea Immortal Palace?”

Zhou Xiangshan laughed, “How could that be?

There are thirty-six Ninth Grade Secret Realms, with one Secret Key in each.

Years from now, when the Cloud Sea Immortal Palace opens, everyone who has obtained a Secret Key can bring five people with cultivation not exceeding the Sixth Grade into the Cloud Sea Immortal Palace to partake in the final Cloud Sea Decisive Battle, which will determine the ultimate inheritor of the palace.”

Seeing Zhou Xiangshan enthusiastically placing a large rabbit leg on his plate, Chu Xisheng felt overwhelmed, “I don’t understand, the Zhou Family is a powerful family in the East State, with an abundance of skilled experts.

Why seek out a nobody like me?”

“Since it’s a Ninth Grade Secret Realm, naturally the cultivation of those who can enter is limited to Ninth Grade,” said Zhou Xiangshan with a smile.

“Junior Brother Chu, you should not underestimate yourself.

You slashed down Zhuang Hongfei on the Life and Death Arena, and also repelled Zhou Liangchen.

In Xiushui County, there aren’t many Ninth Grade cultivators who can match you.”

“Indeed, our Zhou Family has quite a few Ninth Graders, but only a mere handful stand out in terms of strength at that tier.

For this occasion, our Zhou Family has been allocated ten spots to enter the Secret Realm.

The more able fighters we have, the better our chances.”

In truth, he wanted to say that since Chu Xisheng could defeat Zhou Liangchen, the leading young talent of their family, with a single blade, then probably not many of the young prodigies in the entire East State could withstand three blades from Chu Xisheng.

But in consideration of his family’s eldest son’s pride, he restrained himself from saying so.