One night passed uneventfully. The next morning, after breakfast, representatives from Southern Shaolin, Longhu Mountain, and Wudang Sect arrived as arranged to deliver their respective sect's ultimate martial arts secret manuals.
Xiao Yunlong naturally accepted them without hesitation, waving for Xuanwu General Zhuge Wushuang to receive them.
The representatives from the three major sects dared not linger and quickly departed from Ziyun Villa. Judging by their hurried and disheveled appearance, they seemed afraid that Xiao Yunlong, this god of death, might get displeased and strike them down with a single palm.
"Wushuang, send a secret envoy later to deliver these three martial arts secret manuals to Li Jiuxiao. However, before that, you four can examine and practice them yourselves!"
Xiao Yunlong turned to Xuanwu General Zhuge Wushuang, also gesturing to Tu Futang Bowen and Jun Bufan beside him.
In fact, among the four great generals of the Dragon Blood Guard, Xuanwu General Zhuge Wushuang was the most steady, though also somewhat conservative. Li Jiuxiao, on the other hand, was intelligent and agile, while Baihu General Tu Fu was a straightforward and fiery personality.
"Master, such important secret manuals, and original copies at that, why don't you keep them by your side? I can make copies and send them back to the Northern Territory. This would be the most secure approach, as it wouldn't matter even if the copies were lost!"
The steady Zhuge Wushuang suggested.
Xiao Yunlong waved his hand and chuckled, "There's no need for such trouble. These three martial arts secret manuals are valuable to you, but I don't find them worthy or necessary."
"That's true!" Zhuge Wushuang smiled slightly and said no more.
Xiao Yunlong pondered for a moment, then said, "I originally planned to head to the Eastern Region today, but let's postpone it by three days. During these three days, you can all comprehend and practice on your own. How much you learn will depend on your悟性 (wùxìng - comprehension/aptitude). We will depart after three days!"
"Yes!" Zhuge Wushuang cupped his fists immediately.
After breakfast, Zhuge Wushuang, Tu Fu, Tang Bowen, and Jun Bufan immediately went into the underground training room to cultivate.
Xiao Yunlong smiled at this, got up, and headed to the garage. He then drove away from the villa to visit his maternal grandfather at the Tang family's old mansion.
As expected, just like last time, Xiao Yunlong received a very warm and attentive reception at the Tang family's residence. His two aunts, in particular, were excessively enthusiastic, and it was only when his maternal grandfather, Tang Zengshou, spoke that they relented.
Xiao Yunlong stayed until the afternoon before leaving and heading to the Jiangdong Martial Alliance headquarters.
Since both underground training rooms at Ziyun Villa were occupied by Zhuge Wushuang and the others, Xiao Yunlong naturally wouldn't compete with them for space. Therefore, if he wanted to go into seclusion to cultivate the Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms technique, he needed to find a quiet and reliable place.
The Jiangdong Martial Alliance headquarters had many secluded training rooms. Currently, the head of the Jiangdong Martial Alliance, Lin Zhechong, was almost a confidant of Xiao Yunlong. After all, it was Xiao Yunlong who promoted Lin Zhechong to the position of alliance head, not to mention that Xiao Yunlong had also guided and helped him improve his martial arts afterward.
Knowing that Xiao Yunlong was coming, Lin Zhechong, along with a group of high-ranking officials from the Martial Alliance, went directly to the main gate to welcome him, demonstrating their utmost sincerity and respect.
"We are truly sorry for not welcoming Mr. Xiao with greater fanfare. Please forgive our oversight!" Lin Zhechong stepped forward and cupped his fists.
"There's no need to be so polite. I've come today to find a quiet secluded room to cultivate. Is that possible, Alliance Head Lin?" Xiao Yunlong got straight to the point.
"Of course, of course, it's possible!" Lin Zhechong was slightly taken aback before nodding repeatedly. "Please, Mr. Xiao. I will personally escort you there!"
The secluded room was located in the back courtyard of the Martial Alliance. It was indeed very quiet, and the room itself was very clean.
Xiao Yunlong took a brief look and nodded slightly. "I need to go into seclusion for two days. Please instruct your subordinates, Alliance Head Lin, not to disturb me."
"Mr. Xiao, please rest assured. I will personally guard outside for these two days, and no one will disturb you!" Lin Zhechong said with a smile.
"Then I will trouble you!" Xiao Yunlong nodded, turned, and entered the secluded room, then closed the heavy door.
Initially, the Martial Alliance officials were very curious. They all observed from a pavilion not far from the secluded room, wanting to see if there would be any unusual phenomena emanating from the room during Xiao Yunlong's seclusion.
"By the way, Alliance Head Lin, what martial art is Mr. Xiao cultivating?" a high-ranking official asked.
"You ask me, who do I ask? Do you think Mr. Xiao would reveal such a thing?" Lin Zhechong whispered.
"That's true. However, although Mr. Xiao's martial skills are formidable, his identity is currently very sensitive, especially in the Imperial Capital. I heard that it seems..."
Before the other could finish, Lin Zhechong sternly rebuked, "You should just shut your mouth. How dare you discuss such matters? Aren't you afraid Mr. Xiao will hear?"
"Alright, all of you, hurry up and leave. If you disturb Mr. Xiao, none of you will be able to bear the consequences!"
Under Lin Zhechong's waving dismissal, the Martial Alliance experts reluctantly departed.
Two days passed in a flash. During these two days, Xiao Yunlong remained indoors, cultivating in the secluded room.
Hard work pays off. After two days of cultivation, his Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms technique advanced further, and his strength was further enhanced. The number of divine kingdoms he had opened reached the milestone of fifty!
However, Xiao Yunlong clearly felt that his cultivation speed had slowed down, meaning the speed at which he opened divine kingdoms within his body had slowed. He had originally estimated that it would take about another month to cultivate and break through to one hundred divine kingdoms.
But now, judging by the current speed, it would likely take two months, or even longer.
"Although the speed has slowed and the rate of strength increase has slowed, there's no need to rush. With my current martial cultivation, I am sufficient to crush experts at the Innate Aperture Opening realm, and I can even contend with those at the higher Innate True Essence realm!"
Xiao Yunlong calculated inwardly.
If he could cultivate to one hundred divine kingdoms, he believed he would then be able to return to the Northern Territory triumphantly, and even fight his way back to the Imperial Capital for revenge!
After consolidating his current cultivation realm and familiarizing himself with his strengthened body, Xiao Yunlong finally emerged from the training room.
Lin Zhechong had not spoken empty words. He had indeed been guarding outside for the past two days. When Xiao Yunlong came out from inside, he was dozing in the pavilion, looking as if he was about to collapse after staying up for two days.
Perhaps hearing the sound of the door opening, Lin Zhechong finally came to his senses and quickly stood up. "Ah, Mr. Xiao is out of seclusion? I am truly sorry, I actually fell asleep midway!"
"Thank you for your trouble these past two days!" Xiao Yunlong smiled slightly. Regardless of whether the other's intentions were genuine or merely to curry favor, he had indeed guarded here silently for two days.
"You are too kind, Mr. Xiao. I should be doing this, and it is also my honor. Did Mr. Xiao make any progress during these two days of seclusion?" Lin Zhechong asked.
Xiao Yunlong naturally wouldn't say much about his martial arts. He glanced at Lin Zhechong from head to toe, then changed the subject. "Looking at your current cultivation, you haven't fully consolidated your current realm yet. Next, I will lend you a hand as a reward for guarding me these past two days!"
"Really? If that's the case, then thank you, Mr. Xiao!" Lin Zhechong quickly cupped his fists.
"Follow me. Let's go into the secluded room. I'll help you unblock some of your old blocked meridians and joints!"
Xiao Yunlong said, beckoning, and turned to walk back towards the training room. Lin Zhechong quickly followed.
When Xiao Yunlong emerged from the secluded room again, it was already dusk. This time, he did not delay further and returned directly to Ziyun Villa.
Tang Bowen, Jun Bufan, and the other four had also emerged from their seclusion. After four days of comprehension and mutual exchange and discussion, they had gained a considerable understanding and insight into the martial arts of the three major sects.
"Everyone, get ready. Tomorrow morning, we will depart for the Eastern Region. Also, Xuanwu, remember to have the secret envoy deliver those three secret manuals to Qinglong and instruct him to properly train the Dragon Blood Guard during this period!" Xiao Yunlong commanded.
"Yes!" The four cupped their fists immediately.
One night passed uneventfully. The next morning, two cars slowly drove out of Ziyun Villa, exited the city, and then headed east on the highway.
Meanwhile, in the presidential suite of a five-star luxury hotel in Jiangdong City, a young man stood by the window, gazing at the magnificent and spectacular cityscape before him. He slowly took out his phone and dialed a number.
The call was answered quickly by an aged voice.
"Young Master, you've finally called me. You don't know how worried everyone at home has been since you rashly went to Jiangdong!" the old man on the phone said.
The tall and handsome young man standing by the window gazed eastward, a slight smile curving his lips. "Don't worry. I heard that fellow named Xiao was in Jiangdong, and I was just curious, so I came to take a look."
"Then, Young Master, you didn't act rashly, did you? That fellow is not someone to be trifled with!" the old man on the phone immediately said.
"He is indeed not to be trifled with. Even the three ancient martial sects couldn't take him down, and he is much stronger than I imagined!"
The young man, handsome to the point of being almost effeminate, smiled slightly, picked up the red wine beside him, and took a sip before continuing, "Don't worry, I'm just here to observe this time. I haven't brought any experts with me, so I naturally won't act recklessly. I'm not that foolish!"
Saying this, the young man shrugged. Then, he continued, "Oh, and remember to tell my father that the fellow named Xiao has gone to the Eastern Region. It seems he's heading to the Eastern Region Army Camp. Perhaps we can use the strategy of borrowing a knife to kill!"
"He's gone to the Eastern Region?" the old man on the phone asked.
"Yes. My father has some personal connections with the Grand Commander of the Eastern Region. Pass on the itinerary of that fellow named Xiao to him, and he will know what to do. I'm hanging up!"
The young man said, about to hang up the phone, but then suddenly remembered something and quickly added, "Oh, and remember to tell my father that the fellow named Xiao seems to be completely different now. We absolutely cannot let him reach the Imperial Capital alive. Otherwise, the entire Imperial Capital will likely be thrown into chaos by him!"
"Alright, Young Master, I understand. I will definitely convey your words to the Family Head!" the old man replied, only hanging up after hearing the busy signal from the other end.
The effeminate young man in the presidential suite then crossed his arms and gazed eastward, saying leisurely, "Xiao Yunlong, Xiao Yunlong, although your name carries the character 'dragon,' you will ultimately not become a dragon. You are destined to be nothing more than a crawling insect in this life. I will never let you reach the Imperial Capital alive!"