In Jiang Ming's hand was an inconspicuous piece of wood. If it weren't for the fact that the person in front of him was the old Master of Lion Roar Martial Arts Hall, Jiang Ming would have thought the other person was joking with him.
After Jiang Ming expressed his thanks, he took his leave.
He headed directly towards the White Lotus Martial Arts Hall in the east of the city.
There wasn't any cliche of being looked down upon. After Jiang Ming demonstrated his Qi-Blood, the disciples of the Martial Arts Hall courteously led him inside.
Jiang Ming showed his identity. As an instructor of the Lion Roar Martial Arts Hall, he was qualified to meet with other Martial Arts Hall Masters.
"Brother Jiang, please wait here."
A Martial Arts Instructor from the White Lotus Martial Arts Hall led Jiang Ming to the reception hall of the White Lotus Martial Arts Hall, courteously made him some tea, then clasped his fists together in courtesy to Jiang Ming, before taking the so-called token that Jiang Ming had given— just that inconspicuous piece of wood— and went inside.
Not long after, this person came out.
"Brother Jiang, Master wishes to see you."
"Thank you, junior brother."
Jiang Ming walked through the complex of buildings and eventually met with this so-called friend of Elder Qian, the Master of the White Lotus Martial Arts Hall, Luoo Xiu, by a riverside.
Luoo Xiu was fishing on the lake like an ordinary fisherman at the time.
"Lion Roar Martial Arts Hall, Jiang Ming, greets Elder Luoo."
"No need for formalities, your Hall Master and I have been friends for many years." There was a rather bold tone in Luoo Xiu's voice.
He put down the fishing rod, lightly lifted his body, and then walked on water, finally standing beside Jiang Ming with his hands behind his back.
"Old Qian finally remembers me, Old Luoo. What does he want?" Luoo Xiu said warmly and amiably, not putting on any air of a highly skilled person.
Jiang Ming replied, "Actually, it's not something concerning Elder Qian. It's my own matter. I heard from Elder Qian that you hold a place for the Chaofeng Pavilion... I'm here for that place."
"Oh?" Luoo Xiu frowned.
"I owe Qian Feng a favor. If it were as usual, I would just give it away. But coincidentally, the Li Family approached me a few days ago, wanting to trade something for this spot..."
"This is..." Jiang Ming felt things had become a bit complicated. The Li Family was an even bigger family than the Chang Family.
As if remembering something, Luoo Xiu continued: "But the Li Family hasn't said which young man is coming; not just anyone can obtain the spot from me. Out of respect for Old Qian's favor, I'll give you a chance."
"I happen to have some things that need handling. Whoever does it well between you two, I'll give the spot to."
"Alright, young lad, leave the rest to me. I'll come for you when the time comes."
Luoo Xiu waved his hand and laughed heartily.
"But you must also be prepared, not all of the noble youngsters are just paper tigers."
"Thank you, Elder!"
Jiang Ming thanked Luoo Xiu and then left the White Lotus Martial Arts Hall.
It seemed things were going relatively smoothly. As for the upcoming competition, if Jiang Ming wasn't confident, he'd be letting down all the time he'd spent cultivating in the Cultivation Space.
Jiang Ming then returned to the Lion Roar Martial Arts Hall.
Meanwhile, Luoo Xiu continued fishing in the vast artificial lake.
A few disciples approached, and with a slight movement of his mouth, Luoo Xiu transmitted sound with a string, prompting those disciples to retreat immediately.
Until the night.
"Elder Luoo, didn't we have an agreement...? What's this, even the 'one word is as good as gold' Luoo Xiu has moments of regret?"
A middle-aged man in black stood at the lake's edge, his tone carrying a hint of anger.
Luoo Xiu merely laughed heartily and said, "We agreed that you'd send someone over three days ago so I could see if he was qualified, but three days have passed, and I haven't seen a shadow of anyone. What, should I wait my whole life for you?"
"Oh? Does Elder Luoo think that some instructor from Lion Roar Martial Arts Hall has better qualifications than this young master?"
A jade-crowned young man stepped out from behind the middle-aged man. He had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, exuding an aura both noble and intense. The most eye-catching thing was the Qi-Blood flashing across his body.
So young, and he had already reached the peak of a Martial Arts Instructor.
Even though the gap between a Martial Arts Instructor and a Martial Arts Hall Master was more significant than that between an Instructor and a regular person, his youth alone indicated he would almost certainly reach a hall master's cultivation level in the future.
Luoo Xiu's eyes narrowed slightly, observing the jade-crowned young man up and down.
He nodded gently, saying, "You're pretty good."
The young man neither angered nor showed discouragement at his words; instead, there was a surging fighting spirit in his eyes.
"Is it possible such a hero resides in Evergreen City?"
The black-clad middle-aged man held back the jade-crowned young man with one hand, saying with a frown, "Elder Luoo, it's true our side was at fault first this time, but there was no other option."
"Young Master Li Tan had pressing matters before."
"I know of Elder Luoo's relationship with Qian Feng, but why not take a look at this."
A shadow flickered away.
Luoo Xiu caught it; it was a small box. He narrowed his eyes to glance at the black-clad middle-aged man, then slowly opened the box.
The next second, Luoo Xiu's pupils shrank, and he instantly closed the box again.
His heartbeat quickened slightly, but he gritted his teeth and said, "The Li Family has guts, but unfortunately for you, you've met me."
"Oh? Elder Luoo, aren't you concerned about reputation? Some underhand tactics during competition aren't out of place." The black-clad middle-aged man slightly opened his mouth, his voice turning into subtle threads that didn't reach Li Tan's ears.
"Do you think I..."
Before the words could leave his mouth, Luoo Xiu's speech abruptly halted, as if stuck in his throat.
"Elder Luoo, Qingfeng Ridge, Hongchan, Ningshan, and... White Cloud Martial Arts Hall, didn't Elder Luoo do the same back then? Adding this one won't make much difference. Besides, Elder Luoo will gain our Li Family's friendship..."
The black-clad middle-aged man remained expressionless but voiced secrets that, if exposed, would be enough to shake Evergreen City thrice over.
Luoo Xiu fell silent.
"Alright, I agree with you." Luoo Xiu eventually spoke up.
"Elder Luoo, I assure you, these secrets... will never be revealed."
"Young Master, let's go."
The black-clad middle-aged man smiled slightly, then left with Li Tan.
Luoo Xiu remained silent in place.
The next moment, he suddenly moved rapidly, like a bat darting away in the night.
"Master..."
A few disciples on night duty were about to salute.
The next second, Luoo Xiu clasped them by their throats. Their bodies stiffened before they lost all vitality.
"Li Family..."
Luoo Xiu's face darkened as he shook off the corpses.
He looked around and, after confirming no one else was nearby, slowly composed his expression.
He continued to fish in the artificial lake at night.