Monarch of Time

''How is this possible? How did those bastards get this strong in just 2 years?'' The person ranked 3rd in the 'Martial Roll of Honor', Zhang Jing spoke in a voice that was filled with both denial and unwillingness as he gritted his teeth and stared at Shun Long and the others who were walking behind him.

Unlike the other Dao Kings in the 'Demon-fanged city' who came from the countless powers throughout the central region, Zhang Jing and the rest of the outer court disciples of the Holy sect all knew, that back during the 'Martial Roll of Honor' tournament, Shun Long and his faction had just reached the late-stages of the Nascent Soul, and weren't even close to the peak of the Nascent Soul stage.

This was why none of them could accept this terrifying rate of growth of theirs that had already exceeded even Qiao Min's who was born with a unique physique that increased her cultivation speed.

''I refuse to believe that all 5 of them were born with unique physiques that are even superior to Qiao Min's and are all focused on increasing their cultivation speed. Those types of unique physiques are already extremely rare, that it's surprising to have even a single one in the entire sect! If it was one of them perhaps it would be possible... but 5 of them?

...Wait! Don't tell me that these bastards are actually cultivating immortal-grade cultivation techniques! This...''

Zhang Jing's thoughts seemed to have suddenly stopped in place as Zhang Jing stared at Shun Long and his group with a disbelieving expression.

Indeed, if Shun Long and his group were cultivating immortal-grade cultivation techniques, then that could probably explain their terrifying rate of growth that had already exceeded even the inner court disciples' of the Holy sect!

Although this was still a far-fetched thought and one that didn't make much sense considering how rare immortal-grade cultivation techniques really were, Zhang Jing was certain that his guess was right on the mark since there wasn't any other explanation.

At that moment, an uncontrollable feeling of greed sprouted in his heart as Zhang Jing stared at Shun Long's figure.

If Shun Long and the others could get so strong in just a couple of years, then how strong would he have become if he had an immortal-grade cultivation technique? Wouldn't he surpass even Yang Hui?

''No, forget about Yang Hui... I would even have a chance to become a core disciple of the sect!''

As this thought appeared in his mind, Zhang Jing had to do his utmost to stop himself from attacking Shun Long in the middle of the street.

Even though he was confident that he could kill Shun Long if he went all-out, Zhang Jing didn't feel the same amount of confidence when he thought of the peak rank 6 magic beast that was protecting Shun Long.

''It doesn't matter! I will still have a chance to find him again during the next trial! As long as that panther leaves his side even for a bit, I will instantly kill him and take his cultivation technique! As long as I am the only one who knows about this matter then it should be fine.''

As he thought of this, Zhang Jing recomposed himself and decided to reign in his greed for now, before he turned his gaze towards Qiao Min and the others who were by his side.

Of course, Zhang Jing wouldn't share this guess of his with any other outer court disciple regardless of the potential benefits.

If Shun Long was really cultivating an immortal-grade cultivation technique, then Zhang Jing knew that he couldn't let anyone else find out about it or word might start spreading. Since he knew that even the inner court disciples of the Holy sect had entered the 'City of Immortals' this time and they had already gone ahead to participate in the next trials, Zhang Jing understood that if any of those people found out about this matter, then he wouldn't have a chance to obtain that cultivation technique no matter how much he schemed.

Of course, what Zhang Jing didn't know was that he wasn't the only one who had guessed that Shun Long and his group were all training in an immortal-grade cultivation technique.

The Northern Sovereign had also come to this conclusion long ago, while the Grand Elder of the Holy sect, and even Sun Wen and Elder Mao Jing had guessed this much as well, the moment they visited the 'Northern Sovereign's estate' and saw Jiang Chen's and the others' progress.

But of course, the Northern Sovereign wouldn't really covet an immortal-grade cultivation technique to the point where she would fall out with Shun Long, considering that she had access to many immortal-grade cultivation techniques from the Tianxuan dynasty.

As for the Grand Elder, even if he hadn't obtained an immortal-grade cultivation technique from Shun Long, he still wouldn't dare to cause a fuss within the Northern Sovereign's territory.

All of a sudden, Shun Long sensed an uncontrollable wave of killing intent focused on his back, before he turned around and looked towards the source of this killing intent.

At that moment, Shun Long stared at Zhang Jing who was standing on the very front of the Holy sect's group with an extremely deep look in his eyes, before he kept walking towards the heart of the city shortly afterwards.

A few moments later, Shun Long led Liu Mei and the others as they arrived back at the entrance of the 'Hall of Trials', before their group headed directly for the room with the stone tablet.

Shun Long then had Little Silver return back into the foggy space in the 'Stone of Time, before he turned his gaze towards the stone tablet in front of him and said calmly

''Let's go.''

Waving his hand, Shun Long then took out the beast cores of the 5000 'Demon-fanged mice' and spread them around the stone tablet, while Jiang Chen, Liu Mei, Xingyi, and Bai Longtian, all did the same as well.

Placing his right hand on the stone tablet, Shun Long then closed his eyes and sent his soul sense inside the tablet, before the runes that were etched on the walls of the room suddenly lit up.