87 to 89

Fatty Fu then stood up as he quickly gulped down the rest of the wine in his jar before saying

''Great! I also wanted to see my Jinjing.''

Shun Long looked at him questioningly when fatty suddenly cleared his throat and said

Cough

''What I meant was that it's better for me to accompany you and help you get a discount on the things that you want to purchase brother. This is what brothers are for, right?''

Shun Long snorted, before also cracking a smile seeing fatty's antics and said

''Okay then, let's go together. Also, who is that Jinjing of yours?''

As they walked towards the 'Treasure Pavilion' fatty Fu puffed out his chest as he heard Shun Long's question and responded proudly

''It's my beautiful fiance. You have also seen her before, back in the 'Alchemist's Guild'.''

Shun Long tried to think for a while, and as he recalled the time when he had visited the 'Alchemist's Guild', a crazy idea swept through his mind as he looked at fatty Fy and asked in a voice filled with disbelief

''Fatty.. you... don't tell me that your fiance is Lan Jinjing from the 'Treasure Pavilion'.''

Fatty Fu started laughing proudly as he said

''Of course, who do you think this young master is? Her Lan and my Fu family have had a great relationship for many years.

Actually, there are 5 main families that have the most power in the 'floating cloud sect'. My Fu family and the Lan family are among those 5. The other 3 are the Lu family which Lu Wen comes from, the Meng family, and lastly the most powerful one is the family of the sect master, the Liu family. Every family has many powerful experts and most of them are high-rank Elders inside the sect.''

Just as fatty Fu finished speaking, they had already arrived outside of the 'Treasure Pavilion'.

As soon as they entered, the staff of the pavilion greeted fatty Fu respectfully as 'auctioneer Fu'.

Fu Li happily accepted everyone's greetings as he nodded while he took Shun Long deeper inside the 'Treasure Pavilion'.

After arriving on the second floor, fatty didn't stop as he continued straight towards the third.

The third floor of the 'Treasure Pavilion' was exclusive only for people with high status inside the sect. Of course, as the heir to the Fu family, fatty Fu had no problem going upstairs and bringing people with him. Shun Long could also enter by himself using the VIP card that he had received from Yin Xing, but since he wasn't wearing his black robes he simply followed fatty Fu.

Entering the third floor, Shun Long noticed that the items on display here were much better than the previous 2 floors.

There were even parts of rank 3 magic beasts that were for sale. Shun Long even saw the beast core of a rank 3 'red-scaled python' being sold for 37.000 sect points.

Fatty Fu looked at Shun Long and said

''The best things of the 'Treasure Pavilion' are always in this floor. There are even some things that you may not find in the auctions here.''

Fatty Fu followed Shun Long as he looked for medicinal herbs.

Stopping in front of a certain counter, Shun Long was slightly taken aback as he looked at the price of a certain rank 3 medicinal herb

''Ohh, a rank 3 'purple fragrant grass'? I will take this stalk''

Shun Long said to the young man behind the counter whose eyes lit up as he heard him. Although the 'purple fragrant grass was a rank 3 medicinal herb, the truth was that nobody wanted to purchase it. Hence, even though it was a rank 3 medicinal ingredient, the 'Treasure Pavilion' had priced it at only 1000 sect points.

The reason that nobody purchased the 'purple fragrant grass' was because it was practically useless for alchemy. It couldn't be used as the main ingredient to concoct pills, and it could only be used as a side ingredient to improve the pill's fragrance, hence why no one had bothered to buy it. Shun Long however, had some special plans for it as soon as he saw the grass.

Looking around the third floor, Shun Long also found some more medicinal ingredients that interested him, and after 2 hours, he had spent almost 15.000 sect points.

As Shun Long and fatty Fu were looking around the third floor, the door of one of the private rooms opened, and a pair of beautiful women attracted everyone's attention as they walked side by side.

Both women were around the same height as Shun Long and they seemed to be wearing the green robes of an inner sect disciple. Behind the 2 women was a handsome young man in green clothes around 19 years old, who seemed to be fawning over one of the 2 women.

Shun Long too had turned his attention towards them as well and surprisingly, both women were also looking towards him and fatty Fu.

Fatty Fu smiled brightly as he exclaimed happily

''Jinjing!''

These 2 were the most beautiful women in the 'floating cloud city', Lan Jinjing and Liu Mei.

Lan Jinjing was a bit annoyed as she looked at fatty Fu, but when she thought that he could take care of the guy pestering her senior sister, her eyes lit up as she told him

''Fu Li, come here.''

Fatty Fu smiled brightly as he hurriedly grabbed Shun Long's and brought him along to introduce him.

''Brother, this is my fiance, Jinjing. Jinjing, this is my brother Shun. You and sister Liu have also briefly met him before at the 'Alchemist's Guild'. ''

Lan Jinjing and Liu Mei were astonished to see fatty Fu bringing someone with him. As the young master of the Fu family, Fu Li didn't have that many people that he called friends and even fewer that he called brothers. Given his frank character, bringing someone along with him, and especially one that he called brother meant that he must have a really good relationship with this person.

Lan Jinjing and Liu Mei both scrutinized Shun Long with their gazes trying to see when they had met this handsome man before. Shun Long's and Liu Mei's gazes met and he was once again mesmerized by her beautiful black eyes and peerlessly beautiful face.

Liu Mei was also stunned for a second as her gaze was attracted by Shun Long's deep eyes when a sudden voice came from the young man behind her drawing everyone's attention as he said

''Fu Li stop spouting nonsense. How could just any stray dog know sister Mei.''

88

Everyone's attention had turned to this young man who was looking at Shun Long with a hostile gaze. He had caught him looking at Liu Mei but what had frustrated him even more, was that Liu Mei seemed to be dazed for a second looking at him as well.

The cold and proud Liu Mei who had never showed him any special attention, had her gaze glued to another man.

Fatty Fu was the first to react as he looked at this man and in a voice full of anger he said

''Meng Shengyi, you pathetic bootlicker how dare you insult my brother?! Why is trash like you even following sister Liu and my Jinjing anyway?''

The young master of the Meng family was furious after hearing fatty Fu's insulting words, but before he could even respond to him, Liu Mei's cold voice sounded as she said

''Young master Meng, please don't call me sister Mei as if we are intimate together. You and I barely know each other.''

Liu Mei was extremely annoyed by Meng Shengyi's words. Although he had occasionally pestered her privately calling her sister Mei even though she had expressed her dislike numerous times, calling her like that in public was almost hinting that they were closer than they really are. However, although Liu Mei disliked Meng Shengyi, she had her own personal problems as well.

Lan Jinjing however gave a thumbs up to fatty Fu secretly as she then said

''Senior sister, I had an appointment with Fu Li today can you please accompany me?''

Liu Mei nodded her head at Lan Jinjing as they followed behind Fu Li who was heading with Shun Long towards one of the private rooms in the back.

Meanwhile, Meng Shengyi was still like a statue in the middle of the third floor, as everyone watched him being left alone.

His face had turned scarlet, unknown if he was embarrassed or angry as he looked at Liu Mei's and Lan Jinjing's back thoughtfully before he turned to leave the floor while he thought to himself

''Liu Mei, you ungrateful bitch. I have been chasing you for over a year and yet you still refuse to acknowledge me even after all of my sincerity? Watch how I make you pay in the future!''

As Meng Shengyi left the third floor of the 'Treasure Pavilion', Fu Li and Shun Long along with the 2 girls had just entered in one of the private rooms near the back. As soon as the door closed, Lan Jinjing started laughing as she said

''Fu Li, good job. Although you can be considered a lazy pig most of the time and grandpa Fu is right to beat you, you really made me happy today seeing Meng Shengyi's bitter face like that.''

Liu Mei was also smiling as she heard that while Fu Li had a serious expression on his face as he asked Lan Jinjing

''Meng Shengyi can be a real problem for sister Liu though. He has been trying to court her for such a long time, and his father has even asked for permission from the sect master. Although the sect master said that he will consider this matter, wasn't today equivalent of slapping Meng Shengyi in the face?''

Lan Jinjing seemed as if she wanted to say something, but she then looked warily at Shun Long before she threw a look at fatty Fu.

Fatty Fu understood her meaning as he said

''This is my brother Shun Long. Jinjing you don't have to look warily at him. You had also seen him when he had come in conflict inside the 'Alchemist's Guild' with that Bu Duyi. Anyways, he is my brother, you don't have to worry about anything and can speak freely.''

Lan Jinjing and Liu Mei turned to look at Shun Long in astonishment as they suddenly remembered that scene from 4 months ago in the 'Alchemist's Guild'.

Liu Mei then smiled as she looked at Shun Long and said

''So that's why you looked somewhat familiar.''

Seeing Liu Mei's beautiful smile Shun Long felt his heart stirring for a few moments. However, despite her enchanting appearance and even though he had a relatively good opinion of her, Shun Long wasn't going to judge a woman simply based on her looks.

Lan Jinjing nodded her head and looked at fatty Fu as she said

''Since no one of us here have any connections with the Meng family I will speak freely. Although Meng Shengyi is an eyesore and has pestered senior sister a lot, we have put up with him since his Meng family has a good relationship with their Liu family. However, today he declared to senior sister, that he will bring his father and officially ask for senior sister's hand in marriage in a few months. Senior sister said that she doesn't intend to marry him and yet all he said was that it doesn't matter as they can learn to love each other in the future.''

As soon as Lan Jinjing finished speaking, silence permeated the room for a while until Liu Mei looked at Lan Jinjing and said

''It's okay, I will return and speak to my father about this. I think that he will understand''

''But senior sister...''

''No need to worry, I understand what you want to say, but you also know the position that I am in.''

Lan Jinjing nodded her head and didn't continue to speak.

Liu Mei looked at Shun Long's eyes and noticed that his eyes were also looking at hers with hints of curiosity as well as interest inside them.

Liu Mei blushed and bowed her head at him as she said

''I apologize if I have caused you any trouble.''

Shun Long shook his head as he smiled at her while Fu Li responded happily

''No trouble Sister Liu, no trouble at all.''

''Of course she didn't cause you any trouble Fu Li.''

Lan Jinjing looked at Fu Li as she spoke matter-of-factly before hooking her arm around Liu Mei's.

After the 2 women bade their farewells and left hurriedly to find Liu Mei's father, Fu Li turned his head to look at Shun Long and asked

''Brother Shun, have you fallen for sister Liu?''

89

Shun Long smiled as he shook his head and said

''I don't know if I have fallen for her but I am definitely interested in her.''

''Haha, but I think that sister Liu has definitely fallen for brother Shun. I saw how her gaze was locked at you the entire time we were speaking.

Haha, congratulations brother. I as your brother will definitely support you.''

However, fatty Fu's expression turned serious as he remembered something and said

''However, brother if you really want to court sister Liu then it will definitely be very hard. Putting aside Meng Shengyi that piece of trash from the Meng family, sister Liu has many admirers even inside the inner sect. And although she definitely seemed to be interested in you, her opinion actually won't matter at all.''

Shun Long looked at fatty Fu puzzledly, who then continued explaining

''Right now, if it's true that Meng Shengyi said that he will bring his father and propose to sister Liu's father, then he will definitely accept. Sister Liu's father is the sect master and his Liu family has always had good relations with the Meng family.''

Shun Long then couldn't help but ask

''Even if they have good relations and even if her father is the sect master, is it worth to sacrifice his daughter's happiness if she doesn't want to marry someone? After all, since the Liu family is the strongest in the 'floating cloud sect', then the Meng family shouldn't be able to pressure the sect master into marrying his daughter''

Fatty Fu shook his head as he then said

''You are right brother. However, things aren't as simple as they seem. In reality, although sister Liu Mei's status in the sect is second to no one as the daughter of the sect master, there is a known rumor going around inside the powerful families of the sect.

It is said that sister Liu's elder brother hates her a lot, since a little more than a year ago, when his best friend, the third son of the 'Flying sword sect's' sect master came to ask for her hand in marriage, she directly refused him saying that she doesn't want to marry him and that she will be the one who will choose who she marries.

Ever since then, Liu Changpun, sister Liu's elder brother, has had very strained relationships with the 'Flying sword sect'.

Since sister Liu's elder brother is the son of the sect master's first wife and he is also going to become the next sect master, his opinion is taken very seriously by the sect master. Because of his extraordinary talent, the sect master views him even more importantly than the sect itself.

Meanwhile, although sister Liu is the child that the sect master had with his second wife, her status in the sect is far below her elder brother's.

Lately, the Meng family is also said to have come very close to Liu Changpu as well, so if he really decides to intervene on Meng Shengyi's behalf, considering how much the sect master listens to him, there is a very high chance that the marriage will actually go through.

''Master, if you want this Liu girl, then you don't really need to care about anyone and what they think. If worse comes to worst then I can come out and destroy everyone here.''

Shun Long smiled as he heard little Black's suggestion and said as he looked at Fu Li

''Fatty, do me a favor. I'm planning to enter seclusion so keep an eye on Liu Mei's situation and if something really happens, send someone to let me know. The truth is that I am really interested in her and I don't want someone else to get her.''

''Hahaha that's the spirit. I was already going to keep an eye on the situation anyway. The truth is that my family as well as the Lu's and the Lan's don't want for sister Liu to get married to the Meng family so if something really happens, they will all definitely oppose it. This concerns the balance of power in the 'floating cloud sect' after all.

Rest assured. If something really ends up happening then I will send someone to let you know brother.

Also, since I have told my grandfather about you, he said that he wants to meet this brother of mine who has such an amazing talent, so when you are free you should come with me to the inner city.''

Shun Long nodded his head as he said

''Thank you brother. For now, I still have to enter seclusion and increase my strength if I want to reach the top 100 in the arena and enter the secret realm, but you can tell your grandfather that I will definitely come and visit in the future.''

After bidding farewell to fatty, Shun Long decided to directly return to the 'Mystifying Fragrance pavilion'.

As he entered his room, Shun Long sat down cross-legged on his bed and he seemed to have remembered something as he took a look inside the spatial ring that Administrator Feng had given to him as his reward.

The space inside this spatial ring wasn't big, barely 10 square meters big and as expected, a black dagger with small runes on its surface was inside it. It was obvious just from its aura that this dagger was a silver grade weapon.

''I guess that's the reward for entering the top 10, a weapon from a silver grade formation master. It's too bad that I am not proficient in any weapons so this dagger is useless to me for now.''

After putting the dagger back in his spatial ring Shun Long planted everything that he had purchased today from the 'Treasure Pavilion' inside the 'Stone of Time' before he said

''Little Black, as I attempt to breakthrough to the earth grade this time, you should also try to breakthrough as well. The qi inside the 'Heaven swallowing vine is more than enough for both of us.''

As Shun Long finished speaking he sent a mental message to the vine, to release part of its stored qi inside the 'Stone of Time'. Activating the 'Monarch's Hourglass' Shun Long's body greedily absorbed the pure qi from the 'Heaven swallowing vine' as he started his breakthrough.