Zi Changhe started making the introductions, "Shaoyun, this is my master, Liu Xinji."

  Xiang Shaoyun saluted Liu Xinji. "Greetings, Lord Liu."

  Zi Changhe once wanted to accept Xiang Shaoyun as a disciple on behalf of his master. But he subsequently realized that Xiang Shaoyun had no such plans at all. Moreover, he had realized Xiang Shaoyun's extraordinary origin. Since then, he never mentioned the matter of taking Xiang Shaoyun as his master's disciple.

  Liu Xinji had heard Zi Changhe speak of Xiang Shaoyun before, and now that he saw how talented Xiang Shaoyun was with his cultivation level of seventh-stage Transformation Realm, he thought gleefully, This talent of his is already comparable to the geniuses within the pavilion. He will definitely bring me glory if I can make him my disciple.

  None of his excitement was shown on his face as he said indifferently, "Xiang Shaoyun? How did you end up here with Elder Long Hui?"

  Xiang Shaoyun shrugged and said, "That was something unexpected for me as well. We are distant relatives, which is why he decided to bring me here."

  Liu Xinji's heart thumped when he heard that, realizing that his plan might not come to fruition after all.

  "I see. So Elder Long must have accepted you as his disciple then?" Liu Xinji asked.

  Xiang Shaoyun answered, "He said that I am not qualified for that. The only thing I can be is his follower."

  What? A seventh-stage Transformation Realm cultivator is not qualified to be his disciple? What bullshit is that? Even Zhuo Yi is only at the seventh-stage! Liu Xinji cursed inwardly before he looked at Xiang Shaoyun and offered, "How about this. Become my disciple. In any case, you and Changhe have been self-proclaimed apprentice brothers for a while. Our fate is already joined together. I believe Elder Long will not mind."

  He had not personally come to see Xiang Shaoyun just for the sake of Zi Changhe. Rather, he had heard that, the day before, Xiang Shaoyun had beaten Wen Jinrui and Wang Jiaohua to the point they did not even dare to fight back. He also heard that the Zither Empress's disciple, Gong Qinyin, was also somewhat related to this Xiang Shaoyun. That was why he had decided to come meet this young man.

  Whatever the reason, he was saying the truth when he offered to accept Xiang Shaoyun as his disciple. Xiang Shaoyun could sense his sincerity, but he had no intention of agreeing. He had no need of a master. After all, he was one who had rejected even the Saber Emperor Du Xuanhao. How would he agree to be the disciple of a King?

  Nevertheless, Xiang Shaoyun still showed a grateful look as he replied, "Thank you for the offer, Lord Liu. But I think it is better if I let Elder Long decide on this."

  "Sure. I'll go talk to Elder Long right away. I doubt he will mind," said Liu Xinji before leaving to find Long Hui.

  Xiang Shaoyun was thus left alone with Zi Changhe.

  "Nice one, kid. If you were still alive, why didn't you return to the Martial Hall Palace? Everyone was so worried over you!" rebuked Zi Changhe.

  Xiang Shaoyun smiled helplessly. "It's not like I have any choices." He paused for a bit and added, "Is Elder Zhen Peng doing well?"

  "He's doing well. Right now, he is focusing on cultivation and trying to grow even stronger. But he will frequently think about you. If you have the chance, try to pay him a visit," said Zi Changhe.

  \r\r\r

  Xiang Shaoyun nodded. "When I have the time, I'll visit him."

  "You are already at the Cloud Margin Pavilion, and with your talent, you will have great accomplishments here. But you have attracted huge trouble so soon after you arrived. That trouble is quite thorny to deal with," said Zi Changhe.

  "You're talking about what happened yesterday?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.

  "Yes. You probably don't know this. Although the Cloud Margin Pavilion is a massive academy of a city, there is an entire world within the pavilion acting as a stage for the battles between the young disciples. They would compete against each other to secure status and resources in the pavilion, and the two you had beaten yesterday were members of the Lightning Alliance, the strongest faction of the pavilion's younger generation," said Zi Changhe solemnly.

  He proceeded to explain the power structure of the younger generation in the Cloud Margin Pavilion. It did not take Xiang Shaoyun long to understand that Zi Changhe was worried that the Lightning Alliance would come looking for trouble.

  One noteworthy information he gained was that the older generation was prohibited from interfering in the competition between the members of the younger generation. The entire thing was akin to a selection process where the fittest advanced while the weak was eliminated.

  "I'll face whatever they throw at me when the time comes. I have nothing to fear," said Xiang Shaoyun calmly.

  Zi Changhe warned, "You still don't understand how powerful the Lightning Alliance is. Their leader, the Lightning Kid, is Young Lightning King's cousin. He is already a ninth-stage Transformation Realm cultivator, and it is also rumored that he is already strong enough to battle Kings and is nearly undefeated among his generation. Under him are two vice alliance leaders and four guardians, each of them possessing extraordinary combat prowess as well. Not even the Transformation Realm experts of the older generation are necessarily a match for them. Any one of them will be enough to cause you great trouble!"

  "Senior brother, don't talk about those boring topics and ruin the mood of our reunion. Look, why don't you tell me about the good cultivation spots in the pavilion instead?" Xiang Shaoyun shifted the topic.

  When Zi Changhe saw how little Xiang Shaoyun cared, he stopped harping on the topic and started telling Xiang Shaoyun more about the Cloud Margin Pavilion instead. He himself hadn't been here for long. Thus, he only knew the more widely available information. But what he knew was enough for the current Xiang Shaoyun.

  In the Cloud Margin Pavilion, the best cultivation spot was a place called Cloud Pavilion. The Cloud Pavilion was built on the tallest peak in the area, and it was 49 stories high. It almost reached the sky and was the building nearest to the stars in the Cloud Margin Pavilion.

  There, an Emperor had erected a large-scale formation capable of drawing in astral energy from the stars, allowing those cultivating inside to grow quickly. It was a dream cultivation spot for many disciples.

  However, there were restrictions in place for entering the pavilion. One required contribution points that were similar in concept to Martial Hall Palace's point system. With contribution points, one would be able to buy time within the pavilion.

  A large number of contribution points were required to cultivate there, and many disciples could only afford to cultivate a few days in the pavilion after accumulating points for more than half a year. Even if it was only a few days, one should never look down on it. The short few days benefited the disciples greatly.

  One reason for that was because, in addition to faster cultivation speed, the pavilion also contained the comprehension of Kings. It was rumored that those capable of reaching the 49th floor would even be able to take a lesson from an Emperor, which was something many disciples longed for.

  Of course, apart from the Cloud Pavilion, on the 15th day of each month, lessons would be conducted by King Realm elders at the pavilion's training grounds. Other avenues of cultivation also included accepting missions from the Mission Pavilion to temper oneself and training in Limit Rooms.

  All these were cultivation resources not available anywhere else but in the Cloud Margin Pavilion.

  Xiang Shaoyun's interest was piqued when he heard about the Cloud Pavilion and the Limit Rooms. As for the others, he did not care much for them.

  Contribution points are needed for the Cloud Pavilion, whereas anyone can enter the Limit Rooms. But I'm afraid I'll attract too much attention challenging the Limit Rooms, Xiang Shaoyun pondered.

  "Just stay here and cultivate obediently for a few years. With your talent, becoming a King is no problem at all," encouraged Zi Changhe.

  Before Xiang Shaoyun could reply, someone radiating aggression arrived and interrupted their talk.

  Chapter 223: Do You Want to Increase Your Cultivation Speed?

  Both Xiang Shaoyun and Zi Changhe looked at the newcomer. The newcomer was a young man about 20 years old. He had a square face, short hair, thick eyebrows, and big eyes. Something about him made him look like a competent person. His entire body radiated an overbearing aura, making it clear he was not at all a pushover. He was Zhuo Yi, the younger disciple of Long Hui and his pride and joy. In fact, Long Hui almost viewed him as a son and treated him much better than Qin Yu.

  Zhuo Yi looked at Xiang Shaoyun with a contemptuous gaze and asked, "You're Xiang Shaoyun?"

  Xiang Shaoyun saluted Zhuo Yi before answering, "Yes, Senior Brother Zhuo."

  He now assumed the identity of Long Hui's follower. Although Long Hui had declared him as a distant relative, he still needed to act in accordance to his station as a follower.

  "You are the one who had beaten up Wen Jinrui and Wang Jiaohua?" asked Zhuo Yi with an unfriendly tone.

  Xiang Shaoyun frowned and answered, "Yes, Senior Brother Zhuo."

  Zhuo Yi then looked Xiang Shaoyun up and down before saying with a commanding tone, "Come with me."

  At this time, Zi Changhe signaled Xiang Shaoyun with his eyes, hinting that Xiang Shaoyun shouldn't go with Zhuo Yi.

  Xiang Shaoyun met Zhuo Yi's gaze and asked, "Do you need anything, Senior Brother Zhuo?"

  Zhuo Yi berated him. "If I tell you to come, you come. Why so many questions?"

  When Long Hui brought Xiang Shaoyun back the day before, he wasn't around. However, he had heard from others that Xiang Shaoyun was his master's follower. As far as he was concerned, his master's follower was the same as his own follower. Thus, he viewed Xiang Shaoyun as an insignificant nobody unworthy of his attention.

  But when he subsequently heard about Xiang Shaoyun defeating Wen Jinrui and Wang Jiaohua, he felt threatened by the talent showcased by a person so young. He was afraid that his master would eventually accept Xiang Shaoyun as a disciple, affecting his own status. But that wasn't the main reason he was here today. He was here because of his identity as a member of the Lightning Alliance.

  Right this moment, a loud and clear voice rang out, "Who are you telling to follow you?"

  The newcomer was Long Hui, with Liu Xinji beside him.

  "Master, Elder Liu!" Zhuo Yi quickly greeted Long Hui and Liu Xinji before answering, "Your disciple wishes to take Xiang Shaoyun out with me."

  Long Hui snorted coldly and berated, "Hmph. Are you thinking of handing him over to your Lightning Alliance?"

  Zhuo Yi could hear that something was wrong in his master's tone. With an awkward expression, he said, "Master, he had beaten my brothers from the Lightning Alliance—"

  "That's because they deserved the beating. Leave the Lightning Alliance right this moment. You are no longer allowed to mingle with them. Put your focus on cultivation instead. Try to reach the Skysoar Realm as soon as possible," Long Hui reprimanded Zhuo Yi, causing Zhuo Yi's expression to turn unsightly.

  Zhuo Yi had never been scolded like that by his master before. Inwardly, he cursed, Xiang Shaoyun, I'll remember this. The Lightning Alliance will not spare you!

  He blamed everything on Xiang Shaoyun, thinking that his master would never treat him that way if it wasn't for Xiang Shaoyun.

  And thus, Zhuo Yi left gloomily.

  \r\r\r

  Long Hui quickly and anxiously looked at Xiang Shaoyun and asked, "Y—Shaoyun, are you fine?"

  "I'm fine, Elder Long," replied Xiang Shaoyun.

  When Liu Xinji saw the care Long Hui was showing Xiang Shaoyun, a bitter smile formed on his face, and he said, "Looks like Elder Long will not be willing to part with your cherished junior. Oh well, I'll excuse myself."

  Liu Xinji had gone looking for Long Hui to discuss accepting Xiang Shaoyun as his disciple. However, he had been directly refused. He could see that Long Hui himself was most likely going to accept Xiang Shaoyun as his own disciple. Thus, it would be unlikely that he would succeed. There was no helping it since Long Hui's status was above him.

  After exchanging a few more words with Long Hui, Liu Xinji left. As for Zi Changhe, he stayed to continue catching up with Xiang Shaoyun. Only about half a day later did Zi Changhe leave.

  Xiang Shaoyun then called Long Hui over and asked about the Lightning Alliance and for the more discreet information about the Cloud Margin Pavilion. The information would let him have a clear view of the situation within the Cloud Margin Pavilion. He had also asked about Gong Qinyin's master, the Zither Empress.

  It turned out the Zither Empress was an expert who had made her name a long time ago. In the Cloud Margin Pavilion, she had a supreme status. She was one of the 10 greatest Emperors of Cloud Margin City and an accomplished zither player. Her style of fighting was to utilize the tune of her zither to attack in ways people couldn't block.

  After figuring out more about the Zither Empress, Xiang Shaoyun couldn't help but to lament the good luck Gong Qinyin had. Xiang Shaoyun was in no rush to start cultivating. Rather, he made use of Long Hui's influence and got Xia Liuhui and Wang Zhenchuan to come over. He had decided that it was time he helped the two grow even faster.

  "Tsk, tsk, boss, you sure are capable. You can actually get the two of us into the inner pavilion?" Xia Liuhui said with flatter.

  His face was still wrapped up due to his wounds. Thus, he looked rather comedic with his badly swollen face. Wang Zhenchuan remained silent, but from his expression, it was clear he was no less grateful than Xia Liuhui.

  Xiang Shaoyun did not want to linger on the same topic, so he went straight down to business. "You two are growing a tad bit too slowly. Do you want to increase your cultivation speed?"

  Excitement covered their faces when they heard those words.

  "B-boss, y-you can help us with that?" Xia Liuhui was almost drooling as he spoke.

  He knew that with his boss's capability, it was very unlikely for his boss to say empty words.

  Xiang Shaoyun looked at Xia Liuhui like he was looking at an idiot and said, "Yes or no. Give me a straight answer!"

  "Yes!" Xia Liuhui and Wang Zhenchuan answered at the same time.

  Xiang Shaoyun nodded and said, "I will teach you some high-level cultivation methods. But remember, never ever leak them, even to those closest to you. If you can promise that, I will teach you."

  Xia Liuhui and Wang Zhenchuan both swore to keep the cultivation methods to themselves. It was only then that Xiang Shaoyun started teaching them some of the high-level cultivation methods he had memorized in the past.

  With the high-level cultivation methods, their cultivation speed would increase. Furthermore, they would be able to reach an even higher height in the future. Xiang Shaoyun never hoped that the two would grow strong and be helpful to him. He sincerely wished that the two could live a better life.

  The two were extremely grateful after they were taught the cultivation methods.

  Xiang Shaoyun also taught them a tier-4 battle technique and told them to only start training it upon reaching the Transformation Realm. They would not be able to unleash the power of the battle technique and might even suffer a backlash if they trained it before the Transformation Realm.

  Just like that, the two obtained a cultivation method and a battle technique that many disciples would dream to have. One could say that they were lucky to have known Xiang Shaoyun. After sending the two away, Xiang Shaoyun called Lu Xiaoqing over. This time, he did not call Gong Qinyin. There were some words that would be more appropriately spoken to Lu Xiaoqing alone.

  When Lu Xiaoqing saw Xiang Shaoyun again, she handed him a cloak and said, "Shaoyun, this is a cloak I have knitted personally. Try and see if it fits!"

  The gift was presented to Xiang Shaoyun before he could speak, hitting a certain tender spot in his heart.

  Since young, apart from his father, he had almost never received sincere care from anyone else. Lu Xiaoqing was a cultivator, yet she had personally knitted a cloak for him. It filled his heart with warmth.