Info:
Cultivation Realms – Elementary Profound Realm, Nascent Profound Realm, True Profound Realm, Spirit Profound Realm, Earth Profound Realm, Sky Profound Realm, Emperor Profound Realm, Tyrant Profound Realm, Sovereign Profound Realm, Saint Profound Realm and Divine Profound Realm.
World Spiritist Levels – White-Cloak, Gray-Cloak, Blue-Cloak, Purple-Cloak, Gold-Cloak.
Profound System Ranks - Low Ranked Profound System, Medium Ranked Profound System, High Ranked Profound System, Special Ranked Profound System, Legendary Ranked Profound System, Ultimate Ranked Profound System and Heavenly Ranked Profound System.
Chapter 52 - Never Heard Of You
The position of the tomb had been announced a couple of minutes prior to Issei interrupting the fight between the insane beggar and the two youths, but it took some time for Sona to find Issei, and as such, she was quite distressed, afraid that they would be in a disadvantage in terms of time when compared to the other groups. Every single minute counted.
While no one knew who the announcer of the map was, everyone was certain that whoever that person was had obtained huge profits that could sustain him or her for a life time. After all, every single power in the vicinity was lusting for the map; how could he possibly not make use of the situation?
Either way, currently, all of the powers had already gotten their hands on a map and were already making their way towards the tomb, using their fastest speeds. Furthermore, at that time, the atmosphere in the city was overwhelmingly tense, war threatening to break out at any given moment.
Sounds of swords clashing, shields bashing and explosions happening could already be heard through the city as every single cultivator there rushed towards the city entrance. The groups that were already closest to the tomb were the two main powers of the area, the Heavenly Might School and the Thousand Thunder School. Conflicts were already happening between members of their groups outside of the city, ranging from small fights to huge battles.
Issei, who had already exited the alley and was already heading towards the Ling City's gates was specially glad that he had followed Sona's advice to take out his Heavenly Might School robes. Or else, they would be in deep trouble if the Thousand Thunder School caught sight of them. He probably could escape using his superb speed, but the remaining members of the Heavenly Might School would be in a much more terrible situation.
After a while, they had finally managed to pass through the city's gate along with a huge crowd of cultivators that hailed from many different sects, schools and clans. Around them, there were many people excitedly talking.
"There! They are the core disciples of the Heavenly Might School!"
"Huh? How come they are still fighting? They have yet to enter the tomb… if treasures really appeared, wouldn't this become a complete blood bath?"
Not too far away from Issei's group, there was a Heavenly Might School disciple battling against more than a dozen Thousand Thunder School members.
This particular Heavenly Might School wore a deep azure robe and it was obvious that he was a core disciple. In the Heavenly Might School, the deeper the color of your clothes, the higher your position was. Outer court disciples wore extremely light blue robes, inner court disciples wore azure robes and core disciples wore deep blue.
The disciples of the Thousand Thunder School, albeit having the advantage in numbers, lost in quality. After all, it was obvious to the onlookers that they were only inner court disciples.
With the cultivation of the third level of the True Profound Realm, the Heavenly Might School core disciple, although faced with a small army of Thunder Thousand School disciples, didn't display an ounce of fear; his handsome face betraying the emotions of superiority and contempt that he felt as he gazed at his enemies.
On the other hand, the other group only had a single member of the True Profound Realm, and he was only at the trifling first level. The Heavenly Might School disciple had the absolute advantage.
Very quickly, in a couple of minutes of fighting, all of the Thousand Thunder School disciples had their faces buried in the sand, full of bruises, although still breathing. The Heavenly Might School core disciple, however, didn't even have ragged breathing. He looked just like he had taken a casual walk in the park, squashing some insects in the way.
In the end, though, he hadn't killed them. If he were to do that, then even he would have to face some punishments. After all, that would make the tension between the Heavenly Might School and the Thousand Thunder School even worse.
The scene of the youth standing proudly amongst the defeated disciples caused many of the observers to send looks of surprise, admiration and even fanaticism towards this core disciple, whose face was as smug as it could get.
Not too far away from this core disciple, there was a group of core disciples from the Heavenly Might School, who although having a rather high standing, were much weaker than the other youth, and in fact were only his followers. They displayed equally smug faces and stuck out their chests proudly, as if the one to kick the asses of the Thousand Thunder School disciples had been them.
"Hehe, I knew that joining the Heavenly Might School was the best decision that I have ever made. Sending out elites like us is way better than sending out these trash," one of the core disciples boasted loudly, his face akin to that of a proud peacock.
However, differently from those core disciples, all of the members of the Water Devil Alliance had somber expressions, and had looks of what seemed to be fear. When they glanced at the particular youth who was standing amongst the knocked out bodies of the Thousand Thunder School disciples, they unconsciously hastened their pace, trying to get as far away from his as possible.
"Keep your heads down and pass by quickly. Be as inconspicuous as possible," Sona warned in a rushed and quiet tone to the other Water Devil Alliance members.
However, before they could get far away, they heard a proud voice directed at them.
"Sona! Is that you?!"
Turning around, the members of the Water Devil Alliance saw that the same Heavenly Might School youth from before was walking towards them, an elated yet lusting expression on his face.
Sona, though, was different as she didn't turn around and quickened her steps even further, desperate to get away from this disciple. Sadly, this person was too fast, and in seconds, he had already caught up, standing in front of the group, directly opposite Sona.
"Sona! It really is you! Why didn't you turn around when I called you out?" The core disciple said with a dazzling smile that seemed to be full of good intentions. Issei, however, wasn't fooled, as he could see the sheer massiveness of ill thoughts that were going through that person's head just by looking at his lustful eyes.
"Senior Zhou, what a coincidence seeing you here." Sona, however, had a cold face as she tried to force out a smile, but failed miserably at that task. It was obvious how much she loathed this Zhou person.
"Hehe, no need to treat me as a stranger. You can always call be Senior Brother Zhiyuan. Even dropping the Senior Brother is fine." This core disciple, Zhou Zhiyuan spoke with cheerfulness, while, at the same time, sweeping his lustful eyes all over Sona's body. Saying that he was raping her with his eyes would be a much more correct way of describing his actions.
While that happened, Issei could feel the damp and cold mood that suddenly came down upon the members of the Water Devil Alliance. They were all cursing silently, wishing that they could butcher that bastard in front of them.
If it was anyone else, then the Water Devil Alliance wouldn't need to think twice before sending him to an early grave, but this Zhou Zhiyuan wasn't a simple nobody. They were facing someone from the same school as them. Not only that, he was a core disciple, and even within the core disciples, his status was special. He was one of Long Tian's, the number one core disciple, most loyal follower, and a close friend of his.
Aside from his terrifying status, his strength also wasn't something that could be overlooked. Between core disciples, his strength would probably be between the thirty to twenty strongest. He could easily be considered a dragon within men. How could they dare to offend this mighty figure?!
"Sona, you're probably here for the expert's tomb, right? Seeing your clothing, you must be afraid of meeting trouble. However, fear not! With me, Big Brother Zhiyuan here, you don't need to fear anything. I'll guarantee that no one will bully you!"
While he spoke, this Zhou Zhiyuan fellow had the gall to shamelessly smile and extend his dirty hand, obviously intending to embrace Sona. The guy's speed was also very fast, and he was only a couple of milliseconds away from taking her in his arms.
However, he wouldn't be able to accomplish his objectives, as just as he was going to have his away, Issei abruptly appeared right next to Sona and placed his arm in front of her, blocking the path of the core disciple.
His speed was so fast that all of the members of the Water Devil Alliance didn't even see him moving. In one second, he was calmly riding his Fierce Profound Beast and in the next moment, he was right by Sona's side, arm extended.
When the core disciple saw this, he blinked his eyes in astonishment, before his expression changed greatly, turning into wrath. If looks could kill, Issei would already be dead a thousand times over. He looked like he was about to kill Issei at any given second.
However, Issei didn't seem fazed in the least by Zhou Zhiyuan's intense stare, and glared back at him coolly. He then said in a low voice, "I must thank Senior Brother for his suggestion, but right now we are in a hurry, so we must get on our way."
As he said that, he was already turning around, planning on dragging Sona away with him, but just as he was about take a step, a voice interrupted him.
"Boy, who are you?!" Zhou Zhiyuan's face turned green. Forcefully enduring his anger, he extended his index finger towards Issei and inquired with fierceness.
Just as he was one step away from taking the ice queen into his arms, this little kid appeared out of nowhere and tried to take her away! Who did he think he was to try to steal the woman he, Zhou Zhiyuan, had his eyes on?!
"Who am I?" Issei questioned as he turned around, his eyes shining with coldness. Instead of answering, he asked back, "Before that, who are you?"
"Who am I?" The core disciple sneered coldly, "I'm Zhou Zhiyuan, a core disciple from the Heavenly Might School!"
"Oh?" Issei displayed surprise, "You're Zhou Zhiyuan?"
Seeing the little boy's reaction, Zhou Zhiyuan smiled with smugness, "That's right."
However, Issei's next words completely flattened his ego.
"Never heard of you."
