"Unexpected Discoveries and Challenges: A Journey to Luo Tong Royal City"

The treasure map turned out to be unexpectedly in the possession of a Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey, much to Huang Xiaolong's surprise. The monkey appeared excited and eager, and Huang Xiaolong couldn't help but feel intrigued by its behavior. Could there be a connection between this treasure map and the Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey?

Suddenly, a pitiful cry broke the silence. Huang Xiaolong turned to see Chen Feng, who had been entangled by Fei Hou in his Silver River form. Fei Hou struck Chen Feng's chest with a powerful punch, causing it to cave in. As Chen Feng cried out in pain, a long sword pierced through Silver River, its icy blade flashing. Chen Feng closed his eyes, feeling the sharp pain in his throat.

Looking down, Chen Feng noticed a long sword impaling his throat, blood slowly trickling down the blade, staining the ground with its vibrant red color. Chen Feng gazed at the person holding the sword—Fei Hou—and tried to speak, but his voice failed him. After taking a few steps forward, Chen Feng collapsed lifelessly.

Fei Hou coldly observed the lifeless body before returning to Huang Xiaolong's side. He glanced at the treasure map in Huang Xiaolong's possession, wearing a perplexed expression. Hesitant, he said, "Sect Master, this treasure map seems to have been left behind by a powerful member of the Monster Clan."

"Monster Clan?" Huang Xiaolong was taken aback.

"Yes, look at the writing on the back of the treasure map. It's in the script of the Monster Clan," Fei Hou explained, pointing at the map with his finger.

Huang Xiaolong turned the treasure map over and saw a peculiar mountain depicted on it, resembling a giant elephant. Below the illustration were several lines of intricate characters, undoubtedly written in the script of the Monster Clan. Meanwhile, the Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey pointed excitedly at the Monster Clan writing, gesturing with its hands.

"Little fellow, do you recognize this script?" Huang Xiaolong inquired.

"Squeak squeak squeak!" The Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey nodded and then shook its head.

Despite Huang Xiaolong's persistent questioning, he couldn't extract any useful information from the monkey. Ultimately, he reluctantly stored the treasure map in the Asura Ring. Although he didn't yet understand the significance of the mountain and the Monster Clan script, he was certain that the treasure map was connected to the Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey.

After collecting the treasure map, Huang Xiaolong, Fei Hou, and the Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey proceeded to dispose of the bodies of Chen Feng and the others from the Purple Clothes Sword Sect. During the process, Huang Xiaolong discovered a secret cultivation manual, Black Moon Arts, among Chen Feng's belongings. It was a high-level Profound Grade Cultivation Technique. Additionally, he found some gold coins and medicinal pills, which he stored in the Asura Ring as well.

Although a high-level Profound Grade Cultivation Technique held little significance for Huang Xiaolong, he could still sell it at an auction for a decent price. Such techniques were highly sought after, as even Huang Family Manor only possessed techniques of the same caliber.

After a while, Huang Xiaolong, Fei Hou, and the Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey departed from the area.

...

Two months swiftly passed. During this time, Huang Xiaolong and his monkey companion delved deeper into the Silvermoon Forest. With each passing day, Huang Xiaolong approached the Rank 6 threshold, his barrier growing increasingly fragile. A breakthrough to Rank 6 seemed imminent.

As for the second move of the Asura Sword Arts, Tears of Asura, its power had also increased through rigorous training over the past two months. However, Huang Xiaolong had yet to establish a connection with the fourth potential, Picking Stars, in the Body Metamorphose Scripture.

The Body Metamorphose Scripture consisted of twelve potentials, and the path ahead would become more challenging. Nevertheless, Huang Xiaolong's previous attainment of the ninth potential in his past life made the current practice significantly easier.

Under the moonlit night sky, Huang Xiaolong raised his right hand high above his head, his left arm bending behind his back. He breathed steadily, circulating internal energy through his body and converging it in his dantian.

Observing this peculiar posture, Fei Hou couldn't help but find it strange. He had never seen anyone in Snow Wind Continent practice their battle qi cultivation technique in such an unusual manner.

As the night gradually gave way to dawn, Huang Xiaolong ceased his practice. The two companions continued their journey, hunting and killing monster beasts while making progress along the way.

After five months, Huang Xiaolong, Fei Hou, and the Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey arrived near a mountain range close to Silvermoon Forest. Having spent considerable time practicing, Huang Xiaolong decided it was time to visit a nearby city.

Following the mountain road, they eventually caught sight of a large city. This city surpassed Canglan County City, where Huang Family Manor was located, in terms of size. Its towering city walls stood at around 30 to 40 meters high, and the city gate was grand, guarded by a protective moat.

Seeing the city ahead, Huang Xiaolong couldn't contain his excitement and quickened his pace. Approaching the city gate, he noticed the inscription above it: Luo Tong Royal City.

"Luo Tong Royal City!" Huang Xiaolong repeated the four words in astonishment. It turned out to be the royal city of Luo Tong Kingdom—the very city he had arrived in unexpectedly!

"Sect Master!" Fei Hou called out, snapping Huang Xiaolong out of his reverie.

"Shall we enter the city now?" Fei Hou asked.

"Yes, let's enter the city!" Huang Xiaolong replied, his voice brimming with excitement reminiscent of his arrival in the capital city of Earth. It was a feeling of exuberance and anticipation.

However, before they could enter, two gate guards intercepted Huang Xiaolong, scanning him from head to toe. Then, one of them spoke, "There's an entry fee of ten gold coins!"

Ten gold coins—enough to sustain an ordinary family for an entire month—just to enter the city?

Huang Xiaolong's brow furrowed at the unexpected expense. He pointed towards a young couple riding a Rank 4 Raging Flames Beast as they arrogantly entered the city without any hindrance. Instead of being stopped, the guards respectfully made way for them.

His complexion turning cold, Huang Xiaolong gestured towards the couple and asked, "Why don't they have to pay the entry fee?"

The guard team leader sneered, "They? They are Miss Lin and Young Master Lin from the Marquis Mansion, aristocrats. Can you not see the difference? Naturally, they don't need to pay the entry fee when entering or leaving the city. How can a commoner like you compare with Miss Lin and Young Master Lin?"

Indeed, the guards had deduced that Huang Xiaolong and Fei Hou were commoners based on their attire.

Just then, the sound of galloping beasts echoed in the distance, causing the ground to tremble. Huang Xiaolong turned his gaze and saw a group of people riding massive Rank 4 Rhinoceros Horn Oxen charging towards the city gate at high speed. They were on the verge of colliding with Huang Xiaolong and Fei Hou if they didn't slow down.

Realizing who the yellow-robed young man leading the group was, the guard team leader's face changed drastically. He hurriedly retreated, shouting, "Young Master Meng has returned! Get out of the way! Move!"

Clearly, he held a deep fear and respect for this yellow-robed young man named Young Master Meng.