Infinite Puzzle City

Chapter 682 Dividing the spoils
Seeing the golden-armored warrior lying on the ground, everyone's hearts tightened.

With so many people present, not a single one could clearly see how Xiao Ran actually made her move.

I could only feel that the aura emanating from this person was sinister and terrifying.

"This person is too strange!!"

From the second-floor window, Gu Xintang looked at the methods Xiao Ran displayed, and his face showed a look of horror.

During the sword evaluation back then, he fought against Xiao Ran.

At that time, Xiao Ran had already displayed many incredible methods. Although his extraordinary swordsmanship was no match for Gu Xintang's, it still put Gu Xintang under unprecedented pressure.

Now that so many years have passed, I thought this guy must have diligently studied and mastered swordsmanship, but I never expected that Xiao Ran would use such strange and evil methods as soon as he made a move, and even he found the methods troublesome.

"How much has this guy's strength improved over the years?" Gu Xintang wondered to himself as to how much his former defeated opponent had improved.

"court death!!"

Seeing that Xiao Ran dared to kill someone in public, the other golden-armored warriors' eyes widened and they all drew their swords, ready to attack.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Ran simply released her spiritual power, and instantly everyone felt as if they were frozen in place by a force, unable to move.

It was as if Xiao Ran could easily crush all these people's lives with just a wave of her hand.

Even the second young master of the Gu family showed a look of shock on his face.

"Second Young Master, I've long heard that your family has very strict rules. How come you can't even control these dogs under your command? Otherwise, I'll train them for you."

Xiao Ran turned to look at the second young master, and with just one glance, she saw through him completely.

"With such a weak constitution, and not even a transcendent being?? How did this guy manage to act so arrogantly in front of the Ancient Heart Hall???"

The strength of this second young master in front of me is at best not even worthy of being called a second-rate expert in the martial arts world. In short, he is nothing but a show-off.

Faced with Xiao Ran's mental pressure, the second young master's face turned pale instantly, and large beads of sweat dripped from his forehead.

Fortunately, Gu Xintang finally stopped standing idly by.

Gu Xintang flipped down and landed beside Xiao Ran: "Brother Xiao, you've passed!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ran glanced at Gu Xintang, his serious expression instantly vanishing, replaced by a lazy demeanor as he stretched: "Alright, alright, Brother Gu has spoken, we dare not disobey."

As they spoke, everyone felt the mountain pressing down on them vanish instantly, allowing them to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

When they looked at Xiao Ran again, their eyes filled with awe.

"Wasn't it supposed to be Group C, 36th place?? Is this the strength of Group C?? Were the judges for the last sword competition blind??"

"They're not just blind, they're a bunch of good-for-nothings!!"

A murmur rippled through the crowd. The voices weren't loud, but with so many people, it was a chaotic cacophony of whispers.

This seemed to give the second young master a few key words. Just as he was trying to figure out the person's identity, Gu Xintang directly introduced him to his second brother.

"Second Brother, this is Xiao Xingbang, also known as the Thirty-Sixth of Group C who slew the dragon back then. The anonymous man is his good brother."

Upon hearing Xiao Ran's identity, Gu Xiangyun couldn't help but gasp inwardly.

No wonder he's so domineering; after all, he's a fierce dragon slayer.

"So it's the famous Master Xiao! My apologies for my rudeness. My men were very disrespectful. I will punish them severely when I get back."

Xiao Ran, however, did not give Gu Xiangyun any face, and only glanced at Gu Xintang: "Then I'll give Brother Gu face."

After speaking, Xiao Ran addressed the other members of the various factions before him: "Gentlemen, my brother and I will temporarily remain with the Qiankun Alliance. I appreciate your kindness, but please return now!"

Faced with Xiao Ran's explanation, the group of people, though unwilling, left helplessly.

The dark-faced general of the King of Wu seemed to want to say something more threatening, but having witnessed Xiao Ran's methods and ruthless nature, he thought carefully and decided: "The King of Wu has the face, but my life is mine. It's best to leave first."

"withdraw!"

With a flick of his whip, the dark-faced general sent the cavalry swiftly turning away.

From a distance, one of the Prince of Jin's men bowed to Xiao Ran and said, "Hero Xiao, my lord has always loved making friends. If we meet again in the future, please do me the honor of meeting us."

After saying that, he didn't forget to bow to Xiao Ran again to say goodbye.

"Hey, look at them, they're much better at manners than those bandits of the King of Wu."

On the other side, the thirteen Xuan Ding Guards under the King of Chu exchanged glances, silently pulled the large cauldron away quickly.

After the group dispersed, Xiao Ran ignored the second young master and went straight into the inn: "We just arrived today and are tired. Brother Gu, if you need anything, just tell my brother upstairs. I'm going to rest now."

After saying that, Xiao Ran went back to her room.

"That guy!" Looking at Xiao Ran's back, Gu Xiangyun felt a burning sensation on his face.

He had used his own dragon energy to attract them, but the dragon energy was gone, and he was even humiliated in front of others.

"Second brother, people of the martial arts world have their own way of doing things. Your future lies in the imperial court, in helping Father govern the country. Let me handle these matters concerning people of the martial arts world."

Gu Xintang's original intention was to comfort Gu Xiangyun, but Gu Xiangyun snorted coldly upon hearing this: "Hmph, it seems that Third Brother has more influence."

After saying that, he got into the palanquin without looking back: "We're setting off tomorrow. I hope Third Brother can keep these江湖人 (jianghu people) in check! Let's go!"

Upon hearing this, the golden-armored warrior immediately lifted the palanquin and swiftly led Gu Xiangyun away.

"Ugh!!"

Gu Xintang sighed, his face full of helplessness.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ran had already returned to her room.

There are three superior rooms, one for the Golden Toad, one for the Green Skeleton Demon, and one for the Tiger Demon.

Dai Long and Huang Le shared a room, while Xiao Ran naturally shared a room with Wu Man.

When she saw Xiao Ran walk in, Wu Man spat out the sunflower seed shells in her mouth: "So, how much did you sell me for?"

"Of course it's a good price."

Xiao Ran took out 10,000 ghost coins and a wisp of dragon energy from her spatial storage and placed them on the table.

Wu Man got up and sat at the table, looking at the pile of ghost money on it: "So much?? Where did they get so much ghost money?"

It would have been better if this matter hadn't been brought up, because once it was, Xiao Ran couldn't help but complain: "Isn't it just that those evil spirits are throwing money around everywhere to grab territory and believers?"

As she spoke, Xiao Ran picked up a piece of ghost money and tore a slit in her palm with her fingertip.

Then, he placed the ghost money on it, and with a thought flashing through his mind, the ghost money quickly evaporated and disappeared, and the wound on Xiao Ran's hand also disappeared and healed.

"Sure enough, some kind of power on the ghost money has begun to be unleashed."

Seeing this, Xiao Ran frowned even more deeply. The ghost money used to have no such effect, but now it was beginning to possess all sorts of magical properties.

This is by no means a sudden change.

"It seems that something has changed in the outside world during this time."

When they came in, the Lost City was falling to the ground every day.

Now that so much time has passed, Xiao Ran doesn't dare to think about what the outside world has become.

However, it is foreseeable that the use of ghost money will be highly praised. As the effects of ghost money become stronger, whoever controls enough ghost money will have more initiative in future changes.

Wu Man picked up a piece of ghost money and fiddled with it in her palm, her eyes flickering as if she were deep in thought. After a while, she said, "Then you need to be even more careful. Will Changchun just let this go?"

The situation at the Changchun Association is far from optimistic. Without the Seventh Hospital and the key figure of Stealing Jade, the association has lost two of its four leaders.

In this situation, Changchun will inevitably be constrained at every turn, and the more this happens, the more dangerous Xiao Ran's situation will become.

Because everyone can see that once the Lost City is established, Ruzhou, this peaceful land, will become the core area of ​​the entire China in the future.

This place will no longer be described as "worth its weight in gold"; every inch of land, from the sky to the ground, will have immeasurable value.

Changchun will not give up this lucrative opportunity that could allow them to turn the tide.

Similarly, it's not just Changchun Club; the company, Donglongfang, Penglailou, and those forces hidden in the shadows will all pounce like hungry wolves.

Although Xiao Ran has reached a cooperation agreement with the company and Donglongfang, who can guarantee that the company won't turn its back on her if Xiao Ran's strength isn't strong enough in the future?
Don't say that companies represent the country; on the contrary, when it comes to national interests, personal interests are even more insignificant.

Faced with Wu Man's veiled reminder, Xiao Ran nodded to indicate that she understood.

But as long as Amazing Pavilion can develop, these distributed benefits will eventually be returned in another way.

"I've taken the money, and this wisp of dragon energy is yours. I have no use for it."

Wu Man tossed the crystal bottle containing the dragon's energy to Xiao Ran.

"You don't need this?"

Xiao Ran looked at the bottle in her hand, then glanced at Wu Man with a puzzled expression. Wu Man possessed the D-rank [Beast Master] skill and the C-rank [Desire Chef] skill; this thing shouldn't be useless.

"My approach isn't that sophisticated. If this stuff ends up in my hands, the best I can do is make it into steamed buns, which would be a complete waste."

After saying that, Wu Man squinted at Xiao Ran: "I remember when you slew the dragon, that sword absorbed a lot of dragon energy, right? Why don't you let that sword absorb it? I feel that the [Decapitation Blade] in your hand will be of great use sooner or later..."

(End of this chapter)