Chapter 369: Chapter 290: Peeking

At Dragon Ascending Square.

All eyes were on Huang Xiang, who had fallen from the nine-hundredth step.

“He actually… managed to reach the nine-hundredth step?”

Aria, having fallen earlier at the seven-hundred-something step, gazed at Huang Xiang from a distance, her bright green eyes trembling uncontrollably.

*First, he managed to defeat me with his Silver High Stage strength, and now he’s climbed the nine-hundredth step of the Heavenly Ladder?*

Aria looked at the ordinary young man, whose height was half a head shorter than hers and who would vanish in a crowd, yet somehow he exuded a unique aura that felt entirely different from the noble prodigies of Qiguang.

*Unknowingly, a strange sensation she had never experienced before began to stir in her heart…*

At the edge of the square, Yang Sect Leader, who had been standing by, promptly got to his feet, saying, “Quickly, quickly, summon the healer! Let’s go to meet him. This kid is extraordinary; we need to show our sincerity and get him to join Dragon Sect!”

“Got it!” Several disciples of Dragon Sect—who had already prepared for such an occasion—immediately scrambled to follow Yang Sect Leader and locate Huang Xiang.

Yang Sect Leader had barely taken a few steps when he suddenly received a message. Opening it, he realized it was from Qin Xiangyang.

“Yang Sect Leader, what’s going on?” one disciple next to him inquired.

Yang Sect Leader felt deeply surprised and clicked his tongue. “The City Lord has sent a message, asking for this kid to head to Sky Dragon Palace as well. Looks like even the City Lord has taken notice of him.”

“Then what about us…?”

“Let’s heal him first and then immediately escort him to the teleportation point behind us!”

“Understood…”

At the pinnacle of the Dragon Gate Heavenly Ladder.

Su Yuan nodded slightly, withdrawing his gaze.

“Huang Xiang climbing the nine-hundredth step is already remarkable. Judging by his current state, it looks like he’s almost reached Gold Middle Stage.

There’s practically no small bottleneck left for him, so I reckon he’ll break through soon.”

Su Yuan smiled faintly, feeling genuinely pleased for Huang Xiang.

*Since Huang Xiang had returned to Dragon Ascending Square, there was no reason for the two of them to remain there any longer.*

Thus, Su Yuan stepped into the teleportation portal along with Luo Bingtong, ascending together to Sky Dragon Palace…

Inside Dragon Gate City, in the top floor of a hotel room.

An elegant man with golden hair leisurely swirled a small transparent crystal vial in his hand.

Inside the crystal vial, two faintly glowing ethereal wisps flitted about wildly.

“Found it—just as expected, this trip wasn’t for nothing.”

The golden-haired man smiled gently, then gestured with the vial toward a burly, crew-cut man beside him, who was tearing into rhino meat with gusto.

“Gerry, we’ve located them: the two at the top of the Heavenly Ladder. Once we use the Blood Origin Secret Method, we’ll easily determine who killed Young Master Sino.”

“Mmm… Okay…” The burly, crew-cut man barely glanced up as he continued to devour the massive portions of meat before him.

The golden-haired man frowned in distaste. “Can’t you at least take a proper look at the people?”

“Well… you’re the one leading the way, Frank…” the burly man muttered between mouthfuls of food.

Frank pressed a hand to his forehead. “You’re hopeless… How the family keeps supporting someone as mindless as you is beyond me.”

*Despite his grumbling, Frank understood the reason—strength.*

*Even among the Shining Star Level elites of the Bach family, Gerry’s strength ranked among the top as a Purple Card Star Card Master.*

*Though there were no divisions of stages within Shining Star, the gaps between individuals at this level were astronomical.*

Frank and the burly Gerry were prime examples—not only were they formidable Purple Card Star Card Masters, but their combat skills were exceptional.

Both were top-tier operatives nurtured externally by the Bach family, specifically tasked with handling covert operations.

Sino had died in Snow Burial Plain Secret Realm to the north of Dragon Gate, at the Silver Level. Thus, upon learning of the Fish Jumping Dragon Gate Conference, the Bach family suspected Sino’s killer might also attend the conference. They dispatched Frank and his team to investigate, and indeed, it seemed the perpetrators had surfaced.

At this moment, Gerry didn’t mind Frank’s complaints—he simply continued eating voraciously.

Frank resumed speaking, “This time, we’re here to deal with them. Eat your fill now, but make sure you don’t mess up later.”

“Mmm… don’t worry!”

Halfway through his meal, Gerry seemed to remember something: “If we take action, will it affect the situation with Great Flame?”

“Oh? Now you’re thinking of such things?”

*Frank was visibly surprised. It was rare for this brainless fellow to consider such matters.*

Frank casually explained, “Killing one or two young talents—it’s not as if this place is within the borders of Great Flame, so there’s no restriction.

Besides, Young Master Sino died by their hands. Even if they trace it back to the family, revenge is perfectly justified; it’s only natural.”

“Mmm, fair point,” Gerry nodded as he continued devouring his meat.

Frank, meanwhile, pulled out a Spirit Talisman and said, “Iren Ting, the targets are confirmed. Use whatever resources are necessary and ensure absolute success.”

Soon, a slightly cold female voice responded from the other end.

“Understood.”

…

“Su Yuan, you’ve finally made it!”

Upon arriving at Sky Dragon Palace, Su Yuan heard the excited voice of Qin Lianyun.

Su Yuan smiled warmly. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

*Given that Qin Lianyun wasn’t occupying himself with duties below, he was likely here to meet and observe the elite figures. This didn’t surprise Su Yuan.*

*What did surprise him, however, was noticing that Qin Lianyun had also stepped into Gold Level—and was already at Gold Middle Stage!*

*With such progress, it was clear he himself had climbed the Dragon Gate Heavenly Ladder.*

“A top-tier second-generation talent…” Su Yuan muttered inwardly.

*With a King Level father, it was evident that Qin Lianyun would likely ascend effortlessly in the future.*

Qin Lianyun turned to Luo Bingtong and asked, “Who is this…?”

From their previous encounter at Snow Burial Ancient City, Qin Lianyun had seen Luo Bingtong along with Situ Qingyin atop the Frost Giant Dragon, but this was his first personal meeting with her.

“Luo Bingtong, my classmate,” Su Yuan replied.

As Qin Lianyun studied her flawless and delicate face, his gaze shifted back to Su Yuan, and he chuckled teasingly.

“Oh? Just classmates, huh?”

*Su Yuan shook his head slightly. Her true form was a True Dragon and a descendant of the Demon Queen; what kind of thoughts was he entertaining…*

*Deciding to let the matter drop, he changed the subject, asking: “Are we just supposed to stand here?”*

“Ah, apologies, apologies!” Qin Lianyun laughed heartily, saying, “Brother Su, come with me.”

Following Qin Lianyun, Su Yuan and Luo Bingtong entered the square in front of the palace, where numerous powerful figures glanced at them with admiration.

Qin Lianyun led Su Yuan and Luo Bingtong directly to Qin Xiangyang.

At this time, Seth—who had arrived earlier—was already resting not far behind Kleken. Noticing Su Yuan and Luo Bingtong’s approach, he casually nodded.

“Father, I’ve brought them here,” Qin Lianyun announced with a smile. Then he introduced, “Su Yuan, this is my dad—Dragon Gate City Lord.”

Su Yuan quickly brought Luo Bingtong forward and bowed respectfully. “Congratulations to Lord Qin for achieving King Level. Thank you, City Lord, for providing the Heavenly Ladder that helped us break through!”

At the same time, Su Yuan noticed Xiao Jian in his Vermilion Bird Black Robe standing nearby. Behind him, Hou Wu was giving Su Yuan a knowing look. Understanding immediately that Xiao Jian was likely a major figure in the Sky Patrol Department, Su Yuan promptly greeted them.

“Greetings, Senior, Special Envoy Hou.”

Xiao Jian nodded with approval and said, “Su Yuan? Not bad!”

Qin Xiangyang laughed heartily. “Previously, Brother Su not only saved Lianyun but unknowingly helped me solve a major problem. You don’t need to be so polite.”

*Su Yuan understood that Qin Xiangyang referred to the Blood Lion Alliance and Black Tiger Gang’s conspiracy discovered in the Snow Burial Plain Secret Realm.*

*With Qin Xiangyang’s successful breakthrough, it was evident that those factions—and some Dragon Gate traitors—had been purged.*

*Though saving Qin Lianyun had been a convenient act on Su Yuan’s part, it indeed played a role in the outcome.*

*Building connections with a King Level figure was certainly beneficial, and Su Yuan didn’t hesitate to adapt and said, “Of course, Senior Qin.”*

“Good!” Qin Xiangyang smiled warmly.

Xiao Jian, however, seemed curious about the matter and asked, “Could you share the details, City Lord?”

Qin Xiangyang nodded. “Naturally, it’s no longer a secret.

During my attempt to break through, certain individuals tried to disrupt the process and targeted Lianyun.

It was Brother Su who saved Lianyun and helped expose their plan.”

“Oh?”

Xiao Jian, along with Hou Wu and the other experts from various nations near Kleken, expressed their surprise upon learning of Su Yuan’s relationship with Qin Xiangyang and his son.

*They consequently understood why Qin Xiangyang—a newly ascended King Level—was so friendly toward Su Yuan, whose performance on the Dragon Gate Heavenly Ladder alone would not have warranted such warmth.*

*Disrupting someone’s path to breakthrough was akin to causing immense harm; conversely, aiding someone was equally significant.*

*A successful King Level breakthrough was critical, allowing no room for mishaps.*

“Brother Su and the young lady, please rest nearby for now. Lianyun, make sure you take care of them,” Qin Xiangyang instructed.

“No problem, Father!” Qin Lianyun responded confidently and brought Su Yuan and Luo Bingtong aside.

Shortly after, a shimmering dragon-like aura appeared before the teleportation portal of Sky Dragon Palace, signaling the arrival of another figure—Huang Xiang!

“Su Yuan!” Huang Xiang exclaimed excitedly the moment he appeared.

Thanks to Dragon Sect healers, his injuries from climbing Dragon Gate were now mostly under control.

“Huang Xiang, you made it up too?”

“Yeah, one of Dragon Sect’s seniors treated me and then sent me here through teleportation.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Lianyun remarked in surprise, “So, you all know each other?”

*Initially, Qin Lianyun hadn’t paid much attention to the climbers on the Dragon Gate Heavenly Ladder, so he hadn’t realized Su Yuan, Luo Bingtong, and Huang Xiang started their journey together.*

“We do—we’re classmates,” Su Yuan explained.

Qin Lianyun clicked his tongue. “Three talents from Demon Capital Academy—and all from the same class?

Rumor has it that Great Flame has even stronger schools like Capitol City College and Demon Academy. Just imagine how many monsters like you must be there! Great Flame Country truly lives up to its reputation.”

“Something like that,” Su Yuan chuckled casually.

*In reality, characters like Huang Xiang, Luo Bingtong—the Demon Queen descendant—and Su Yuan himself, blessed with the Star Dust System, were far from common.*

*As for other students in the academy who might match his own abilities…*

Su Yuan thought to himself without modesty, *There probably weren’t any.*

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