Dragon Tamer

He put away the Sword Spirit Dragon.

Stepping out of the secluded temple, Zhu Minglang’s gaze drifted towards the distant city walls.

At the city walls, despite people’s intense curiosity about what had transpired within the temple, they couldn’t see clearly through the overgrowth of grass inside.

They only saw Zhu Minglang emerge unscathed from within.

However, there was no sign of Hao Shaocong who had hidden inside the temple earlier.

Before long, Zhao Xi, Xu Mao, and others arrived on the scene.

They had received some unknown news.

When they entered the temple, their expressions changed drastically.

For the Banyan demon bees had stung Hao Shaocong beyond recognition!

Zhao Xi felt a chill all over his body.

He hadn’t expected Hao Shaocong to die so quickly, especially since they hadn’t been separated for long while fleeing from the Banyan bees.

And there was Xu Mao of Purple Sect Clan, his gaze fixed on the Sheep Demon Purple Dragon whose head had been severed.

“This Zhu Minglang, he’s audacious beyond belief, committing such acts in broad daylight!” Zhao Xi shouted with intense anger.

“Hmph, a mere rat, daring only to strike at my junior brother when I’m not around. Should I encounter him, I’ll certainly make him pay with his life!” Xu Mao said coldly.

“Brother Xu Mao, this Zhu Minglang is like a malignant tumor. He doesn’t even regard the Princely Heir of Zhao Yin Ge, so why would he care about Purple Sect Clan? He knew full well that Hao Shaocong was Purple Sect Clan’s Chief Big Disciple, yet he still acted so ruthlessly!” Zhao Xi added.

“Zhu Gate, heh, since when have they, just like any other force, been so overbearing towards the small factions, yet kneeling before our Purple Sect Clan? Do they really think that with their slight changes over the years, their insignificant clan can show off in front of us?” Xu Mao said with disdain.

“Hao Shaocong is dead, let’s go see if we can get our hands on the deed to Young Dragon Valley,” Zhao Xi sighed.

“Yes, my master specifically entrusted me with this task,” Xu Mao affirmed.

Once the Banyan bees calmed down, they slowly approached the banyan tree, with an additional person among them.

This person seemed to know the art of stealth, as he climbed up the banyan tree with ease, unnoticed by the Banyan demon bees.

After a long while.

The stealthy Divine and Mortal man leapt down from the tree, clutching a brocade box.

Upon opening the brocade box, it was found to be empty.

“Where’s the deed, the Young Dragon Valley deed!” Xu Mao exclaimed loudly.

His voice nearly roused the Banyan bees once again.

“Someone must have taken it,” said the stealthy Divine and Mortal man.

“Damn it, it must have been that person who startled the Banyan bees earlier. Using us as bait for the bees, they not only scattered us but also took the opportunity to snatch the Young Dragon Valley deed. That deed is worth a fortune; my master repeatedly emphasized that we must secure it!” Xu Mao said, face reddening with rage.

“It must be Zhu Minglang, and he had others with him,” Zhao Xi stated with certainty.

“Have you even looked into Zhu Minglang’s background? If we are to confront him, how can we be so ignorant of him!” Xu Mao said, annoyed.

“We have checked, but Zhu Minglang hasn’t been in the Imperial City for years All we know now is that there’s usually a woman who accompanies him, and she has also participated in the great faction competition,” Zhao Xi replied, looking up at the tree trunk.

On the trunk, there was a streak of black ink. Zhao Xi focused intently for a moment, then had a revelation, “I understand now, it’s her, the God Mortal Painter!”

“What painter?” Xu Mao furrowed his brows.

“The woman who entered the competition with Zhu Minglang. She’s a God Mortal Painter. Although her displayed strength was hard to judge, when we were attacked by the Banyan bees, there was an ink-painted dragon that rammed into the banyan tree!” Zhao Xi said with certainty.

“Find them, find them for me!” Xu Mao bellowed in anger.

At the city walls.

A referee riding a Pterosaur landed in a spacious area on the city wall, carrying a large object wrapped in a big, black cloth under its claws.

Hao Yong ran out disconsolately, almost wailing.

After unwrapping the black cloth, the person lying inside was Hao Shaocong, his face swollen like a freshly slaughtered pig.

“Your son was killed by the Banyan demon bee. Please accept my condolences,” the referee said in an indifferent tone.

“Why couldn’t you arrive sooner, why didn’t you save him, I told you, I clearly told you!” Hao Yong shouted, losing control of his emotions.

“Lord Hao, life and death are predestined, and the great faction competition has turned into a race for survival. If you weren’t mentally prepared for this, why allow your child to leave home to play in the mud instead of having him stay crying here?” the referee said, not sparing any face for Hao Yong and brushing off his hysterics.

“You you” Hao Yong pointed at the caustic referee, struggling to find a retort for quite some time.

“Hao Yong, my brother, these disciples from Zhu Gate are utterly reckless. I fear that in a few years, Zhu Gate’s people will even dare to ride on the heads of our Purple Sect Clan. This vendetta, I shall help you with it. I will now inform the disciples of Purple Sect Clan that upon seeing Zhu Minglang, they are to cripple him!” Protector Nie Chong said, likewise filled with fury.

After all, Hao Shaocong was a disciple of their Purple Sect Clan.

He was also the junior of Nie Chong the protector.

Zhu Gate didn’t give him the slightest face.

Let them not blame him for being discourteous!

As if their Purple Sect Clan would be afraid of a tiny Zhu Gate.

In terms of heritage and strength, a family door like Zhu Gate, which has had its ups and downs, can’t even hold a candle to the leadership of the Purple Sect Clan.

“Protector Nie, Protector Nie, you must seek justice for my son!” Hao Yong sobbed as he spoke.

“Rest assured, even if this grand competition ends and Zhu Minglang remains unscathed, our Purple Sect Clan won’t let this go!” Protector Nie Chong said fiercely.

“Hao Shaocong died at the hands of the Banyan demon bee; why vent your anger on a disciple from Zhu Gate?” the middle-aged referee countered.

Neither Hao Yong nor Nie Chong replied.

It was clear to any discerning eye that Zhu Minglang was behind this—why bother quibbling over the exact manner of death?

Besides, Hao Shaocong must have suffered terribly before his death!

“The referee makes a good point. Even in a competition, blows can land unpredictably, let alone in a race involving the interests of major powers. Bro Hao Yong, please accept my condolences Protector Nie, you should also calm down. I remember when I took my little fellow disciple Zhu Minglang to visit your Purple Sect Clan’s mountain gate, I didn’t even know who this Xu Mao character was,” a swordsman from the Yaoshan Sword Sect said.

“I admit, he used to be very strong, but that was just a fleeting moment. Over the years, your Yaoshan Sword Sect likely can’t even compare to Miao Mountain Sword Sect anymore. I’ve heard that the Miao Mountain Sword Sect’s female disciple is exceptional in swordsmanship and her Sword Territory is extraordinary. I wonder if your Yun Zhonghe Chief Big Disciple is capable of matching up to Wen Mengru?” Protector Nie Chong ridiculed with a mixture of disdain and mockery.

The Yaoshan Sword Sect swordsman just smiled and said, “Please accept my condolences.”

Nie Chong was so angry that he was grinding his teeth.

And Hao Yong, his face was turning green with rage!

Having left Wasteland Grass City,

Zhu Minglang, Nan Lingsha, and Qin Yang headed towards the direction of the Nine Army Cemetery.

“Milord, do not hurry; the Nine Army Cemetery is unlikely to reveal itself so soon. After all, that is the main event of this grand competition and contest,” Qin Yang said confidently.

“Qin Yang, do you also know that the governing Decree of the Li Chuan Continent is in this Mechanism City?” Zhu Minglang asked.

Qin Yang hesitated for a moment but finally nodded and said, “The master had instructed; the waters of the Imperial City run deep. Milord, you haven’t been back for long and I haven’t had a chance to explain in detail. But considering how crucial the Li Chuan Continent is for you, the master sent me to guide you.”

“That’s good, since he already knows and is prepared, I’m reassured,” Zhu Minglang said with a nod.

I thought Zhu Heavenly Officer was being kept in the dark.

It seems that Zhu Heavenly Officer also has his own channels and has learned who is deliberately targeting Zhu Gate.

“Indeed, you know the master’s temperament. If we truly face an insurmountable peril, he will notify everyone in advance so that they can evacuate the Imperial City. Since the master hasn’t informed you, it means he has his own plans,” Qin Yang breathed a sigh of relief.

She had been worried that Zhu Minglang might harbor resentment due to the concealment of this matter.

In fact, the governing Decree of the Li Chuan Continent was placed in Mechanism City by some people with ulterior motives not long ago.

The moment he was informed, Zhu Heavenly Officer sent Qin Yang to participate in this contest, precisely to guide Zhu Minglang to retrieve the governing Decree of the Li Chuan Continent.

At the same time, Zhu Heavenly Officer must make preparations for the aftermath. If someone disrespects Zhu Gate to such a degree and provokes them with such despicable and disgusting methods, it indicates a major move is coming. Zhu Heavenly Officer must prepare for the response while also considering how to retaliate

As for Zhu Minglang,

It would be a good thing if he can obtain the governing Decree of the Li Chuan Continent.

If Zhu Minglang fails to obtain it, Zhu Heavenly Officer will use every means to snatch it from the hands of the major powers.

“The master allowed me to choose the timing to inform you. I was worried that it might affect your and the miss’s judgment if you were told too soon, so I temporarily kept it hidden,” Qin Yang said, bowing her head and maintaining a respectful posture.

The Nine Army Cemetery won’t appear so soon.

Qin Yang was clear on this point and thus directed Zhu Minglang to take care of Hao Shaocong first; it wouldn’t be too late to head to the Nine Army Cemetery afterward.

However, Qin Yang didn’t expect that Zhu Minglang had already received this news from Hao Shaocong.

“No harm done. Compared to what we must deal with at the moment, the struggle between Zhu Gate and the major powers is a hundred times more complex and difficult to handle properly. It must have been very taxing for the poor old man to manage the affairs of the Li Chuan Continent,” Zhu Minglang understood.

Zhu Gate is in a period of change. The easier things appear to be, the more resistance they are likely to face from the major powers.

Having the governing Decree of the Li Chuan Continent hidden in Mechanism City is actually a good thing for Zhu Minglang—

At least he can win it by his own abilities!

“Whoosh!!”

Suddenly, a sound of something tearing through the air rang out from a chaotic stone hill not far away.

The three of them raised their heads to look, only to see thick smoke accompanied by flames rising from amidst the stone hill

Beacon Bamboo Tube!

Someone had lit a Beacon Bamboo Tube!

This meant that the other party may have found some treasure and was eagerly waiting to “certify” it!

“Ahem, since the Nine Army Cemetery has yet to appear, shall we take a stroll around?” Zhu Minglang raised an eyebrow, seeking the girls’ opinions.

“It’s for milord to decide,” Qin Yang said, unlikely to have any objections.

Nan Lingsha glanced at the smoke rising higher and higher, lightly pulled out her ink brush from the air, a faint smile gracing her face as she said, “Hopefully for a Divine and Mortal powerhouse.”

Zhu Minglang rarely saw a smile on the face of the ever composed painter sister-in-law, but unfortunately, her facial veil concealed much, and he could only infer from the corners of her eyes.

Zhu Minglang also noticed.

The painter sister-in-law seemed to be particularly interested in only two things.

Painting.

Fighting!