The Strongest Mythical Emperor
Chapter 146: Popular

Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Popular

News of Qin Jun’s refusal to join the Sword Hall’s envoys swept through the four corners like a whirlwind, quickly spreading from Luoyan City to the rest of the Imperial Dynasty’s prefectures.

With forty-eight prefectures under the Nanzhuo Dynasty and not less than eight hundred cities and towns, one could imagine the sheer vastness of the empire.

Those who heard the news all thought Qin Jun had a few screws loose in his head, but the other Six Major Sects cursed the Sword Hall for their shameless move of making the first offer.

For a while, the other sects also began sending envoys to Luoyan City to try recruiting Qin Jun. Even before the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Competition officially started, the sects were already vying for him, eliciting the envy of other cultivators. But this was the terror of a nine-star rating!

"Sorry, I’m not considering joining any sects at the moment!"

Qin Jun declined politely, then continued eating, while a middle-aged man with a forced smile stood beside him. Upon hearing Qin Jun’s words, the man’s face immediately showed disappointment. However, he dared not insist, knowing there were plenty of powers attempting to recruit Qin Jun.

After the middle-aged man left, just as Qin Jun picked up his chopsticks to continue eating, a well-dressed man approached with a smile, making Ye Xuan and others at the next table green with envy.

Jia Xun was equally excited, secretly hoping that Qin Jun would choose any one out of the Seven Major Sects, but unfortunately, Qin Jun was incredibly stubborn and refused to agree.

"I am from..." the man began, but Qin Jun interrupted him before he could finish.

"Sorry, I really don’t want to join any sects!" Qin Jun said, struggling to hide his irritation. It had been four days since summoning Black and White Impermanence, and in those days, over fifty factions had come seeking him, wearing out his patience.

Damn, am I really that charming?

"Okay," the man nodded hurriedly, then turned and asked, "Brother Yuanba, our Clan is a Body Refining Sect, would you consider joining us?"

A twitch appeared at the corner of Qin Jun’s mouth—he was actually here for Li Yuanba.

But who didn’t know that Li Yuanba was utterly loyal to Qin Jun by now?

"Not interested!" Li Yuanba was far less polite as he flatly rejected the man, not allowing him another word.

The man hesitated but, feeling Li Yuanba’s chilling stare, he quickly beat a disgraceful retreat.

Qin Jun rubbed his head in annoyance and asked, "How much longer until the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Competition starts?"

"Three more days," Jia Xun answered. "It’s said that the number of participants who have passed the star rating for the competition has already reached several hundred thousand."

Hearing this, Qin Yun took a sharp breath.

Hmph, I’ve participated in a college entrance examination with nearly ten million people before, a bunch of uncultivated riffraff!

Qin Jun thought to himself, his lips curling in contempt, while also feeling a surge of excitement within. He had been waiting for the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Competition for so long, he was nearly at his wit’s end.

"In three days, Your Highness will have the chance to shine. If you pass the city trials, you’ll be teleported to the Imperial Capital," the Evening Star said with a stroke of his beard and a smile. He paused for a moment, adding, "The Imperial Capital is immensely far from here, and those not from the capital are not allowed to enter on their own accord. In other words, we won’t be able to follow, and at that time, Your Highness can only rely on Yuanba’s protection. It would be best to keep a low profile in your actions."

There’s such a rule?

Qin Jun frowned. The Sword Hall had been publicly rejected by him, and he might have already offended them. There was also the Star Lodge; Sect Lord Li Mengjia’s favored demon king was hammered to death by Li Yuanba, a grudge already formed. In effect, he had offended two of the Seven Major Sects, making his future prospects worrisome.

However, thinking of Li Yuanba and Black and White Impermanence, his frown eased away.

"By the way, can I take battle pets with me?" Qin Jun suddenly thought of something, a sly smile crossing his face.

Jia Xun was taken aback, then answered, "Of course, battle pets are part of one’s own strength. However, you can’t bring in demon kings or such super presences. Also, during the finals, pets are not allowed unless one is a beast-taming cultivator."

Indeed, if you brought the super battle pets of family elders, it would simply be a massacre, what’s the point of a competition then! Beast-taming cultivators were those who survived by rearing and domesticating monsters, already forming a professional faction within the cultivation world.

Qin Jun nodded, looking at the Roaring Sky Dog with an ominous expression.

Jia Xun and the others immediately understood his intention, thankful that Ye Xuan and the others were sitting at another table and had not seen his expression.

"This might not be a good idea..." Jia Xun started, sweat breaking out on his forehead, his heart racing.

"Keep eating," Qin Jun raised an eyebrow with a smile, and Li Bai and the others laughed knowingly.

All was said without words.

...

Night fell, and Qin Jun sat in meditation in his guest room, while the Roaring Sky Dog also entered sleep.

At that moment, a small wooden pipe pushed through a crack in the window, followed by a strange smoke that began to fill the room. Qin Jun’s nose twitched, and then he opened his eyes, instantly spotting the small wooden pipe.

He was at a loss for words; this scene seemed lifted straight out of a martial arts TV series. Was it a sleeping incense?

But he now had a body impervious to all poisons and certainly wouldn’t be knocked out by it.

He promptly grabbed his Desert Eagle, aimed where the wooden pipe was, and a loud bang followed by a shot scared the Roaring Sky Dog awake and panicked many of the inn’s guests.

"What was that noise just now?"

"What’s happening? Is someone fighting?"

"That sound was so peculiar..."

"It’s coming from upstairs!"

Qin Jun ignored the chatter outside, his gaze piercing as he watched the window. Suddenly, with a loud bang, the window shattered from a powerful impact and a figure clad in black, wearing a mask and revealing only a pair of sinister eyes, leapt in.

Sheesh, I didn’t expect to be attacked at night as well.

Qin Jun marveled sarcastically, but his actions were swift. He immediately took out the Silver Dragon Soul-Chasing Spear and struck with it.

The five-thousand-pound Silver Dragon Soul-Chasing Spear burst into a brilliant cold light, illuminating the entire room.

Surprisingly, the black-clad figure dodged with incredible speed, ducking under the spear while his dagger, like a venomous snake, stabbed toward Qun Jun’s throat, aiming for a lethal blow.

In the flash of a moment, the Roaring Sky Dog suddenly rammed into the man’s abdomen with such force that the intruder’s bones shattered, and he was sent flying through the wall into the street.

Fuming, Qin Jun hastily rushed to the edge of the breach, looking down just in time to see the black-clad figure running away into the darkness.

"Not so fast!"

Qin Jun bellowed and jumped down. To ensure his safety, the Roaring Sky Dog followed suit.

The drop was ten meters, but it was nothing for Qin Jun; clouds gathered beneath his feet as he glided down, employing the Riding Clouds technique to chase after the figure.

However, as soon as the figure disappeared into the dark, he vanished without a trace.

Qin Jun reached the last known location of the figure, only to discover a tall wall ahead, behind which was the bustling night market. The Roaring Sky Dog sniffed persistently but then said, "He must have used some kind of secret technique. He’s escaped over ten miles away by now; chasing him would be futile."

Qin Jun’s anger was palpable. If not for the Roaring Sky Dog’s help just then, he might well have been dead already.

With that thought, he suddenly produced the Soul-Calling Bell, making the Roaring Sky Dog’s pupils shrink.