In fact, the Northern Sovereign wasn't just stunned by Liu Mei, but also by Jiang Chen, Bai Longtian, and Xingyi.

After all, although the 3 of them were quite behind Liu Mei in terms of their cultivation bases, they had still managed to become peak rank 2 Dao Kings, and they were only a step away from breaking through to the early rank 3.

As for Shun Long, he seemed to still be an early rank 2 Dao King.

Although it was an extremely good result and it would have normally left the Northern Sovereign speechless since most cultivators needed at least a couple, if not tens of years to do so after they successfully breakthrough to the Dao King realm, after seeing Liu Mei and the others' results, the Northern Sovereign wasn't as surprised and she even felt that this result of his was somewhat lacking in comparison.

If it wasn't because of that unprecedented Heavenly Tribulation that the Northern Sovereign had witnessed by herself, she would have even started to believe that Shun Long wasn't as talented as the other 4.

Of course, what the Northern Sovereign didn't know was that Shun Long had been traveling for 1 of those past 2 months, as he wreaked havoc in Murong city and even trapped and killed the patriarch of the Murong family.

Naturally, nobody could guess what the Northern Sovereign's reaction would be if she knew about this.

Shun Long clasped his hands at the Northern Sovereign and said calmly

''Senior, I heard that you were looking for me while I was in seclusion. Is there something that you needed me for?''

The Northern Sovereign turned her gaze back towards Shun Long, and after a moment of silence she nodded her head before she said

''Shun Long, have you decided whether you want to join my Northern Sovereign's city and the Tianxuan dynasty? As long as you are willing to join, you can forget about high-grade spirit stones, even if you want immortal-grade cultivation techniques and martial skills, or even rare treasures and high-grade star-rank pills, everything you want will be yours.''

Shun Long had already expected that the Northern Sovereign would ask him again about this matter.

Clearly, there was no way that she would simply give up like that.

However, the Northern Sovereign didn't know that none of her offers were attractive enough in the first place.

After all, other than the benefit of having a backer in the central region, there was nothing else that the Tianxuan dynasty could offer to Shun Long and the others

As for those high-grade spirit stones and the immortal-grade cultivation techniques and martial skills, Shun Long knew that none of them came for free.

Cupping his hands, Shun Long bowed slightly at the Northern Sovereign before he said calmly

''Senior, I am not interested in joining any power for now, including the Tianxuan dynasty. I hope that you can understand.''

Although the Northern Sovereign had already expected this, a look of disappointment still flashed through her eyes when she heard Shun Long's answer.

After all, she knew that if Shun Long really intended to join the Tianxuan dynasty, he would have accepted her offer the first time.

However, she was still unwilling to give up like that.

After a few moments of silence, the Northern Sovereign sighed and waved her hand before she said in a resigned tone

''Very well then. If you change your mind, you know where to find me. Even if you aren't willing to join my 'Northern Sovereign's city', you are still welcome to stay in my estate as my personal guest until you want to leave.''

Shun Long cupped his hands as he thanked the Northern Sovereign, before he led Liu Mei and the others back to the 'Southern Dragon's courtyard'.

A few moments after Shun Long's group left the Northern Sovereign's courtyard, the silver-armored commander Quan Lin appeared in front of the Northern Sovereign, as he knelt down on one knee and spoke in a respectful manner

''City lord, did you call for me?''

The Northern Sovereign nodded her head, her face having lost the amiable smile that she was wearing when she met with Shun Long and the others just now, as she looked at commander Quan in front of her and said in a commanding tone

''Quan Lin, I want you to find everything you can about Shun Long and the other 4 who are with him. I want to know how those 5 little monsters appeared in the Holy sect and where they all came from.''

''Shun Long?'' Commander Quan was surprised since he hadn't expected this request from the Northern Sovereign.

After all, since Shun Long and the others were guests of the Northern Sovereign, shouldn't the Northern Sovereign already know everything about them?''

The Northern Sovereign snorted as she guessed what commander Quan was thinking, before she said in a cold tone

''I have spent the last 2 months entertaining those brats from the Tianxuan dynasty. Do you think I had time to do anything else? Although I know some things about Shun Long from Kang Wen, it doesn't explain how 5 monsters appeared in his Holy sect at the same time! If it was just Shun Long himself, it could make some sense, but that's clearly not the case!''

Quan Lin lowered his head when he sensed that the Northern Sovereign was displeased, before he said hurriedly

''Don't worry, city lord. You can leave this to me!''

A moment later, Quan Lin's figure disappeared from the Northern Sovereign's courtyard, allowing it to descend into silence shortly after.

-

Author's note: The mass release should have been ready on Christmas but it wasn't. These 5 chapters aren't part of it and you can consider them as compensation for the delay. After all, I didn't want to leave you guys with no chapters until I'd finished them.. The 10 chapters for the mass release will be ready all at the same time, and I will work much harder until they are ready.