The Locket

After the noise from the audience died down, Qing Shan turned around and exited the main Arena. Back in the waiting room, he saw Yuan Long and Su Yuesha waiting for him. The woman that Qing Shan had initially thought had a cold and uncaring personality was still laughing her head off. On the other hand, the fear that Yuan Long had toward Qing Shan had increased.

Qing Shan shook his head, embarrassed.

"Eh, you guys do not have to act so weird… I truly did not mean to um… mess up… the Bull that much. How was I supposed to know that its skin was not as hard there as everywhere else?"

Seeing Qing Shan's genuine look, Su Yuesha doubled her laughter. Even Yuan Long's lips twitched into a smile. After all, if he had done that by accident, did that not make the whole situation all the more hilarious?

After the three stopped laughing, Su Yuesha and Yuan Long began to prepare for their battles.

Watching the two battle, Qing Shan could tell that they were both very experienced fighters. Just like him, both of them had fought Mid-level Beasts. However, Qing Shan was proud of the fact that he had defeated his Beast much faster than the other two. Naturally, this was only due to the underhanded methods that Qing Shan had 'accidentally' employed.

After everyone had finished fighting, Yuan Long and Su Yuesha accompanied Qing Shan to the Dusty Heights. Even though Qing Shan had won the most, which was actually an amazing seventeen Barren Qi Shards, he refused to pay for the other two. Luckily they understood his thoughts and did not raise any objection.

"Little Bro, I cannot believe that you won so easily."

After only a few minutes, both Su Yuesha and Yuan Long had gotten drunk, which Qing Shan found quite entertaining.

"Yeah! He was so~ cool. It was hilarious! Did you hear that 'Pop!'?"

Su Yuesha once again reminding the two of Qing Shan's shameless victory caused Yuan Long to groan in phantom pain just due to being reminded of the noise. Him, just like every other male spectator, had felt only sympathy for the Bull at that moment.

However, Qing Shan came to find that despite first impressions, both fighters were quite nice people. Well… for fighters anyway. They both looked unapproachable, but to people that they felt were stronger or just as strong as them they became very welcoming. They were both drawn to people of strength. Most people who are fighters are drawn to people of strength, because they would like nothing more than to have a skilled fighter at their own back.

After the night of drunken celebration ended, Qing Shan bought a room for a week with ten Barren Shards. He stumbled up to his room, not even caring how cheap-looking the interior was. After all, this would be the first night in years that he actually got to sleep on a bed.

Qing Shan slept like the dead.

When he awoke, he went to the tavern part of the Dusty Heights and got himself a midday meal. Afterwards, he went to the Arena.

In the following month, this was how Qing Shan spent every day. He would wake late, eat a small meal, go to the Arena, win, go to the tavern, and sleep. This routine was all that was on his mind. In this month, he became closer to Yuan Long and Su Yuesha. The three became genuine drinking buddies. He followed this routine without even thinking of everything else. One thing that he had learned from his training with his master was that only if you focus solely on one thing will you have a larger chance of success. By the end of the month, Qing Shan had already gathered one Barren Orb and forty Barren Shards.

To Qing Shan's delight, the battles became easier and easier as he went on. This was not due to the Beasts that he faced. This was because the Arena only had access to Mid-Level Barren Beasts and below. Thus, the increase in his battle power was coming to a bottleneck. His physical body was already beyond the top-shape of anyone without cultivation, and he had grown used to fighting Beasts. It had been harder than he had expected to use the skills that he learned for battling against a human on Beasts of different sizes and shapes.

Because he felt that in order to raise his battle power even more, Qing Shan decided that he would be done with his time in the Arena. Although it was only a month, this time also caused massive growth within Qing Shan. This was due to the fact that he finally gained actual battle experience. Even though he was fighting against Beasts instead of humans, this was still a large step forward for him.

Unfortunately, Qing Shan had yet to tell Yuan Long and Su Yuesha that he was leaving the Arena. Even worse, Qing Shan had to convince Mao Xun to let him go.

Today after fighting, he began to tell Su Yuesha and Yuan Long about his thoughts. He made sure to introduce the subject before they got too drunk.

"Erm… I have something to tell you. I am planning to resign from the Arena."

Hearing this, both Yuan Long and Su Yuesha looked at Qing Shan seriously. To his surprise, they did not seem to think much of the matter. Yuan Long was the first to speak.

"Well, we kind of expected this. You are the first person that we have seen that had only consecutive wins for an entire month. You also distinctly come across as someone who loves a challenge and wants to grow stronger. We won't try to pull you down."

Su Yuesha spoke next.

"Actually, I want you to promise me one thing."

Su Yuesha waited for Qing Shan to nod before she continued.

"As long as you stay in this city, you have to accompany us for drinks every night. No exceptions."

Seeing Yuan Long's face brighten, Qing Shan readily agreed. He had thought she would ask for something different.

"Wow. I did not expect you guy to agree so easily. Are you saying you won't miss me…"

Seeing Qing Shan's fake pout, both of his table-mates laughed. Serious conversation over with, they started to drink.

"Oh by the way,"

Qing Shan cut in.

"drinks are on me for tonight."

Two happy yells pierced through every other voice in the tavern.

"YES!"

That night, when Qing Shan dragged himself up to his room, his thoughts were wandering for the first time in a month. As of now, he had no distinct plan in place, and so his mind began running through many different things. Suddenly remembering something, Qing Shan's hand flew toward his neck.

Qing Shan fell asleep clutching the locket that Liu Tiansheng had given him; the locket which he had completely forgotten until just now.

The next morning, Qing Shan woke while still clutching the locket. He took note of it and promised himself that he would open it up later. At the current moment, Qing Shan had to do something that could not wait.

He had to inform Mao Xun of his decision to leave the Arena.

After eating a light meal, Qing Shan hurriedly left the Dusty Heights. He had only a vague idea where Mao Xun would be at this time of the day, so he walked to the Arena to ask about him.

Upon arrival, Qing Shan found Song Chang and spoke to him.

"Senior Chang, do you know where Mao Xun is? I have to inform him that I am leaving the Arena."

Song Change looked up, a surprised look in his eye. It was very uncommon for fighters to leave the Arena. However, thinking about Qing Shan's recent winning streak within the Arena, it was not too surprising. He nodded to Qing Shan and pointed toward the east of town.

"Go to the Market District. You should find him on the second floor of the largest building."

Now that he had spoken, Song Chang immediately continued on with his work, acting as if Qing Shan were not even there.

As Qing Shan was now used to Song Chang's quiet demeanor, he ignored the older man.

Upon hearing that he had to go to the Market District, Qing Shan was somewhat exited. He had never had the time to visit the Market District, and even less, free time that he could spend shopping. He remembered that Mao Xun had said that there was only one Market in the entire district, so Qing Shan had been surprised when he heard that it encompassed a whole city district. Even more surprising was the fact that all the stores in the district were owned by one man.

Walking east a few minutes, Qing Shan came to the entrance to the Market District. To his surprise, it had a whole outer wall, and even guards manning the gates.

Once Qing Shan got close, a guard looked at him.

["Hold there. Before I let you into Riften, you need to pay the visitors' tax."]

(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

"Boy, do you have an entrance pass?"

"Entrance Pass?"

Qing Shan had never heard that there was a pass needed to enter the Market District.

"No, but I need to see Mao Xun."

The guard tiled his head to the side, confused.

"Do think that anyone can just visit Mao Xun? What business do you have with him."

"I need to inform him that I am resigning from the Arena."

One of the other guards looked at Qing Shan, clearly confused.

"What's your name boy? There are not many fighters that would have enough money to leave the arena."

"I am Qing Shan."

The curious guard's expression changed to shock. He looked at the other guard.

"Big Mo, I think we can let this kid in. if he is who he said he is, and I think he is, than he definitely has the qualifications to leave the Arena. Did you not hear about the kid who managed to keep up a month-long winning streak? This Boy even has won around one and a half Barren Orbs in just a month!"

Hearing his companion, the first guard–Big Mo, decided to let Qing Shan in.

"Next time boy, you have to get an entrance pass."

Qing Shan nodded that he understood and entered the Market District.

'Why do people keep calling me 'kid' or 'boy' Master Liu said that sixteen is the age of adulthood! I know I look young, but ask my age before you assume!'

Qing Shan was somewhat upset that people kept assuming he was a child. However, this complaint was quickly washed away when he saw the inside of the Market District. Compared to the rest of Rising Sun City, the difference was like the difference between Heaven and Earth! Even the ground was covered by polished brick, and each of the building had at least two stories. Not to mention, every single building was made from either brick or stone. It was truly an amazing sight.

Qing Shan saw that every building was its own shop, and none of them sold the same goods! However, Qing Shan was not here to window shop. He easily located the tallest building and started walking towards it.

Upon entering the building, Qing Shan once again had a culture shock. The floor was covered with wood, except the wood was unimaginably smooth! The walls were made from marble, and the ceiling was lined with gold leaf! There was even a strange candle holder on the ceiling. It looked like a normal candle holder, except it was made entirely from Barren Qi Shards! Qing Shan walked up the stairs and immediately spotted Mao Xun. He was sitting at a desk on the far corner of the room. And the activity that he was currently partaking in made Qing Shan amazingly jealous. The man was actually counting his money!

Trying to ignore the beautiful amount of wealth on the table, Qing Shan got the attention of Mao Xun.

"Mao Xun!"

The man looked up.

"Oh ho! If it is not the boy that tried to take my Lesser Qi Shard! Tell me. How are you liking the Arena?"

"Actually, I came to tell you that I am leaving the Arena."

The look on Mao Xun's face fell. This was natural as Mao Xun got a percentage of Qing Shan's winnings due to being the owner of the Arena. And, Qing Shan definitely had been contributing a good amount to his income in the past month.

"Why? Do you not like earning money fast?"

Qing Shan shook his head.

"No, In fact I love the rate that I am gaining money! However, the Arena has exhausted the amount of growth it can provide me. It is not a challenge anymore."

Mao Xun nodded. He had been expecting Qing Shan's departure for a while now. After seeing the boy's first couple of fights, he knew that he wouldn't be able to hold onto him for long.

"Okay, but take this before you go."

Mao Xun pulled out a small card and gave it to Qing Shan. Qing Shan guessed that this was one of the Entrance Passes he had heard about.

Qing Shan thanked Mao Xun and left, in a hurry to get back to his room so that he could finally open the locket Liu Tiansheng gave him.

Once he got back to his room, Qing Shan immediately put down his staff and took off the satchel that held the book his master gave him. Without hesitating, Qing Shan sat on the bed and opened the locket.

Nothing happened.

The locket was empty.

Confused, Qing Shan had an idea. The Locket might be bound to his Qi! He circulated his Qi to the loop on his Fourth Meridian and touched the locket with his left hand. As soon as this happened, Qing Shan saw a blinding flash emit from the locket.

When he regained his vision a few seconds later, Qing Shan saw an area that could not be more familiar to him.

It was the Pocket Dimension that held the Primal Elements!