The Xiao marquess' estate, was situated in the southwest of the imperial city.

It was a huge estate that had more than 1000 servants and 5000 guards.

The Xiao marquess, Xiao Zhengsheng, was completely different from Lin Shang. He was a real noble of the 'Sky Fortune Kingdom' who had good relations even with the King himself. Like most other nobles of the 'Sky Fortune Kingdom', the Xiao marquess also had a small personal army, which actually wasn't inferior to even Zhen Wang's own army.

The moment that the guards of the estate saw the black dragon flying above their heads, they shouted

''Quickly! Activate the formations!''

''Activate the defensive formations!''

The moment that the commands were sounded, layer after layer of white barriers immediately covered the marquess estate.

The Lin family mansion only had one layer of protection, while the marquess estate had more than 5.

This was the difference between the Xiao and the Lin families.

ROAR

Little Black opened his mouth and roared after seeing the barriers of light that covered the marquess estate.

Pop

Pop

Pop

Pop

Pop

5 small popping sounds were heard, as the barriers that had been created by rank 3 bronze grade formation masters, were instantly destroyed.

The guards looked at the dragon in the air terrified, unable to find even the slightest bit of courage to oppose him.

Shun Long looked at the guards that were already trembling from fear and asked

''Where is Xiao Zhengsheng?''

The head guard didn't seem to have any loyalty towards his lord as he was the first one to respond to Shun Long's question saying

''The marquess is inside the imperial palace! He was summoned by his majesty the King earlier.''

Little Black used his soul sense to scan the marquess estate and confirmed that the strongest person was this head guard who was at the early rank 8 in earth grade.

Without a moment's hesitation, the young man and his dragon immediately flew towards the imperial palace.

Inside the palace, in a huge hall, Xiao Zhengsheng was drinking wine and chatting with the king as if they were old friends.

The king, Dong Weifeng seemed to be a man in his early 60s, and although his hair had turned white, his eyes still hadn't lost their luster, as he looked at Xiao Zhengsheng in front of him and said

''Zhengsheng, I heard that your son will be entering inside a secret realm with the 'floating cloud sect'. Now that both of your sons have entered the sect, it's only a matter of time before your family rises to prominence.

I am actually planning to confer you the title of Duke, what do you think?''

Xiao Zhengsheng was nearly 190cm(6.2ft) tall, and his face was almost identical to his son Xiao Juyan's. Although he was an expert at the peak of rank 9 in earth grade, Xiao Zhengsheng was actually still in his early 40s.

Hearing the king's, Dong Weifeng's words, Xiao Zhengsheng smiled as he said

''That won't be necessary your Majesty. After all, once Juyan reaches the Heaven grade, a single 'Sky Fortune Kingdom' will be very small to keep us here.''

Dong Weifeng's eyes twitched when he heard this, but he soon nodded his head and said

''Of course! Since your eldest son is such an exceptional genius, then it's only a matter of time before he reaches the Heaven grade. Actually, my second d-''

''YOUR MAJESTY!''

''YOUR MAJESTY!''

The doors of the hall immediately swung open, when 2 guards barged inside, only to see a furious look in Dong Weifeng's face.

The 2 guards immediately knelt down as they heard Dong Weifeng's angry voice

''You better have a good explanation for barging in here!''

The guards both nodded their heads repeatedly, and looking at Xiao Zhengsheng they said

''Your majesty! We have received word that the Xiao marquess' estate was attacked just now and the attacker is now heading towards the palace!''

''WHAT?!''

Both Dong Weifeng as well as Xiao Zhengsheng had incredulous looks on their faces as they heard this.

To attack the Xiao marquess estate... even an expert at the peak of rank 9 earth grade wouldn't be able to break through the layers of defensive formations inside.

Xiao Zhengsheng looked at the guards as he asked

''Just who-''

BANG

Xiao Zhengsheng didn't even have time to complete his words before the roof of the hall was suddenly destroyed.

''Activate the defensive formations!''

''Protect the King!''

The voices of the guards sounded as layers after layers of white light covered the entire palace, while an army of soldiers rushed inside the hall to protect Dong Weifeng.

Behind Dong Weifeng, 2 black-clothed men had also appeared from the shadows, and surprisingly, their auras were just as strong as Xiao Zhengsheng's... at the peak of rank 9 in earth grade.

Looking at the black dragon in the sky, everyone in the hall, including the king and the Xiao marquess were shocked.

Shun Long smiled as he stared at the more than 500 people that had already gathered inside the hall, while his eyes immediately focused on the Xiao marquess as he asked

''Xiao Zhengsheng, are you ready to die?''

Looking at Shun Long's outer disciple robes, Xiao Zhengsheng had a serious look on his face as he asked

''Who are you? I don't recall meeting you before!''

A palace guard was about to speak, but Dong Weifeng raised his hand indicating for them to not act rashly. Just based on the fact that Shun Long was an outer disciple of the 'floating cloud sect', unless necessary, the king wasn't willing to clash with him.

Hearing Xiao Zhengsheng's question, Shun Long laughed as he said

''You are right! I have never met you before either...''

''Then...?''

Everyone was stunned by Shun Long's reply, until they then heard the latter part of his answer

''...And yet, even though you had never met me, you still decided to assist Lin Shang in his assassination attempt against me. Now tell me, do you have any last words?''