Chapter 1 "So the city lord of Atlant City isn't from the 'Rodriguez Royal Family' at all, but a descendant of the former royal family's servants?"

Suren suddenly understood after reading the diary.

Back in his hotel room, and after a long time with no one coming to his door, he had been flipping through the books he had swiped from the city lord's mansion.

Then he found an ancient family diary.

After reading it, he learned that the city lord was an impostor from a fallen royal family.

When the real Rodriguez royal family was defeated, they all fled overseas, the branch of the Lu Ying Empire that Suren knew about. A servant of the royal family stole some of the royal treasures along the way, which led to the current city lord of Atlant City.

The servant also wrote this experience into a diary, which he left behind.

Only then did Suren realize why the box containing the [Medusa's Serpent Hair Scepter] hadn't been opened for thousands of years.

It turned out that it simply couldn't be opened by anyone who wasn't a blood descendant of the Rodriguez royal family.

Suren looked at these books with great interest, reading ten lines at a glance.

His current ability to multitask had reached its limit, allowing him to flip through dozens of books at the same time and quickly digest their contents.

At this moment, the hotel room was covered with dense spider silk, dozens of books were suspended in the air, and the rustling sound of pages turning echoed in his ears.

Lolota had seen this scene before and was no longer surprised.

But Tatu, who was beside her, was stunned by Suren's ability, her pretty face full of disbelief.

It was the first time she had ever seen anyone read a book like this.

But despite her surprise, she didn't disturb him.

Suren focused on flipping through these books, and Black Mister from the Little Void Realm also helped him to browse through them, searching for any needed information.

Gradually, they gained enough knowledge of the history of the Dragon Country.

Unfortunately, they didn't find any information about the petrification curse formula.

The night passed without incident.

Before they knew it, the sky outside the window had brightened.

...

The castle on the hilltop was burglarized and caught fire, and Atlant City was in an uproar all night.

But because Suren had perfectly erased all traces, he didn't cause any trouble.

It was only when dawn broke that city guards came to search the hotel for outsiders. The city guards had been searching all night and were exhausted. They probably thought the thieves had already left the city, and the search was completely perfunctory. Suren easily concealed himself with a little mental spell.

After all, it was already broad daylight, the city gates were open, and a large number of foreign adventurers and merchants poured into the city again, making it impossible to search.

Being a thief last night saved Suren a lot of trouble.

There was nothing else worth exploring in this city, just waiting for the sacrifice to the evil dragon in three days.

Suren didn't leave the hotel because he needed to digest the books.

Today the sun was shining brightly, and the streets were already bustling with activity.

At the same time, in the "Golden Dragon Gambling Den" on the city's tavern street, the largest gambling house in Atlant City, it was also the place where adventurers liked to gather.

It had been noisy all night, and was still crowded with people.

Qiandiao had been gambling here all night.

At this moment, in front of a large gambling table, this gambling-addicted young woman sat in the position of the dealer, inviting the hundreds of gamblers in the room to place their bets.

"Come on, come on! Place your bets!"

"Small bets are for fun, big bets are for getting rich!"

"..."

Qiandiao didn't know the common language of the Dragon Country, but after gambling all night, she had at least learned these gambling-specific phrases fluently.

And her luck last night was extremely good, wiping out everyone and turning the dealer into individual gamblers.

At this moment, various gold, silver, and copper coins were piled up in front of her, as well as magical beast furs, gems, armor, swords, daggers, materials... and even two magical beast cubs.

In short, everything that could be taken from the adventurers as gambling money could be bet with her.

Qiandiao had been winning all night, practically squeezing dry the gambling den's dealer and various individual gamblers.

This kind of all-in gambling with strangers was the real joy of gambling.

The gambling house was itching with hatred, but there was nothing they could do!

The boss behind the scenes also wanted to secretly sabotage, so he sent a few thugs to lure Qiandiao to the back alley under some pretext.

If not to kill and rob her, at least to threaten her not to continue gambling.

However, not only did the plot fail, but the thugs who could hunt third- or fourth-order brown bear magical beasts with their bare hands were instead beaten to a pulp.

Qiandiao didn't kill anyone, but instead went back to continue gambling.

It wasn't because her temper had improved, but because she didn't want to ruin the fun of gambling that she had finally found.

If she killed someone, she wouldn't be able to continue gambling after all.

After dawn, more adventurers came into the city from other places. When these people heard that a big gambler was dealing, they all flocked here, making the Golden Dragon Gambling Den even more lively.

Qiandiao's luck was still unstoppable, and the gambling money around her had piled up like a mountain.

However, as she gambled, an old man with mostly white hair, but who looked very strong, quietly walked out from the crowd of gamblers.

He was wearing a green linen robe, a straw hat hanging on his back, and holding a bamboo pole with a patina.

Most of the people in the Dragon Country had blond hair and blue eyes, and some had flaxen or brown hair, but black hair was rare.

Looking closely, one could see some cherry blossom tattoo patterns on the skin exposed at his cuffs.

The old man seemed very interested in gambling, and because the gambling money he took out was gold coins, he was also qualified to sit down.

Qiandiao glanced at the old man, as if sensing something, a sharp glint flashed in her eyes.

But for the two of them, it seemed that gambling was more fun.

Like gamblers who had met their match, they went back and forth, each winning and losing.

But the gamblers on the side, seeing that the old man could actually "win", followed suit.

If no one was cheating, luck on the gambling table wouldn't always favor one person.

Gradually, the wealth that Qiandiao had won behind her became less and less.

Although she was losing money, she didn't feel unhappy.

On the contrary, the opportunities for her to have fun gambling were becoming less and less.

This old man in front of her was a very rare opponent.

Not only a confrontation of gambling skills,

But also the sharpness that only top swordsmen could experience.

...

The gambling game continued until dusk.

Qiandiao lost more than she won, and gradually all the gambling money she had won was taken away by the old man.

This old man had become Qiandiao of last night, wiping out everyone along the way. Individual gamblers were won over to the point that they didn't dare to bet, so the gambling house had to send people up, and it was another bloodbath.

Qiandiao's interest hadn't diminished, and seeing that she had lost almost all her money, she prepared to call Suren over to support her with some gambling money.

But just then, someone came to spoil the fun.

The boss behind the scenes couldn't watch these two gamble the gambling house into collapse.

A team of knights riding dragon scale horses rushed in, jabbering a bunch of things.

The gamblers all looked unhappy at being disturbed, but they didn't dare to say anything.

The scene instantly cooled down.

However, Qiandiao couldn't understand the language of the Dragon Country and ignored these guys, continuing to place her bets.

The old man opposite her also ignored them.

The two continued to gamble against each other.

The knights, seeing that the two were ignoring them, drew their swords with a "clang," each revealing their weapons.

Seeing that they were getting serious, all the gamblers were instantly frightened and immediately cleared a space.

In an instant, only Qiandiao and the old man were left at the huge gambling table.

The knight leader shouted again, jabbering another string of what sounded like warnings.

But to everyone's surprise, with a row of sharp blades pointing at the two of them, they didn't even raise their eyebrows.

Seeing that the two were still ignoring them, the knight leader angrily put his knife to the old man's neck.

Finally, the old man's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he translated a sentence to Qiandiao opposite him, saying, "They suspect that you and I are related to the theft of the city lord's mansion last night and want to take us in for questioning."

Qiandiao responded indifferently, "What does the theft of the city lord's mansion have to do with me? I've been gambling here all night."

Although she knew that Suren had done it, it really had nothing to do with her.

The old man shrugged and somewhat mockingly said, "I only entered the city this morning."

Qiandiao heard this, ignored the knights, and instead said meaningfully, "It's rare to hear Lu Ying's common language here."

The old man smiled, "Indeed, I also think it's rare."

Obviously, this old man's background was very mysterious.

But the two didn't talk much about this issue.

Qiandiao, this thick-skinned guy, was more concerned about other things. She narrowed her eyes slightly and said, "Old man, you're very strong."

The old man's white eyebrows rose slightly, as if seeing an amazing junior, and praised sincerely, "Your swordsmanship is also very good."

Originally, they could have had a good chat about the topic of swordsmanship, but now was obviously not the time.

"Aiya... it seems that I really can't gamble anymore, it's rare to meet a good opponent like you, old man."

Qiandiao pouted and muttered.

Her mood was terrible after someone spoiled her fun of gambling.

And just then, the group of knights, seeing that the two were resisting arrest, suddenly swung a heavy sword at Qiandiao.

Knights were not to be offended, and resisting arrest could be killed on the spot.

Battle aura wrapped the heavy sword, making it extremely fast.

With a "swoosh" of a sharp blade cutting through the air, it seemed that a tragedy was about to happen.

But next, a scene that all the onlookers didn't expect happened.

Hearing the sound of the blade cutting through the air, Qiandiao's ears twitched slightly, but she still didn't dodge or avoid it.

But in her eyes, the lazy gaze just now suddenly became as sharp as lightning.

She didn't even look at the heavy sword that was coming, and her domineering aura suddenly burst out.

In an instant, an invisible aura spread out like ripples with Qiandiao as the center. The domineering aura directly blocked the sharp blade a foot away from her body. Hundreds of gamblers in the gambling house were all overwhelmed by a terrifying killing intent and fell to the ground in disarray.

Even outside the door on the street, the team of more than twenty knights were thrown off their horses.

With just her domineering aura, Qiandiao alone suppressed hundreds of people present.

In that instant of aura release, everyone seemed to see a killing god from hell, and the terror of death enveloped their hearts.

Everyone gasped in unison, their backs drenched in cold sweat.

At this moment, the boss behind the gambling house on the second floor was already pale with fright.

He knew that this female gambler was an expert, and he thought that bringing in the city guards would solve the problem.

He didn't expect that he had provoked not an expert, but a terrifying killing god!

In the huge gambling house, only the old man in the green shirt across the table remained motionless.

In an instant, the huge gambling house was silent.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the female gambler with three knives at her waist, all greatly terrified.

...

"Eh..."

Almost at the same time, Suren in the hotel let out a soft "eh."

The moment Qiandiao's aura erupted, he felt the released domineering aura.

Although there was nothing in Atlant City that he considered a threat, he didn't want to cause too much trouble.

Without hesitation, Suren also teleported over directly.

The scenery around him changed, and he had already arrived at the gambling house from the hotel room.

He happened to see the scene of people and horses falling over each other.

The first thing Suren saw was the old man in the green shirt sitting opposite Qiandiao, and he immediately thought, "So strong!"

It wasn't easy to accurately judge the strength of professionals above the seventh rank from their soul strength, but one could almost immediately judge it by looking at their real temperament.

This old man was definitely a top expert!

Suren thought that the old man was the enemy, but he didn't feel any malice, which made him very strange.

His peripheral vision also caught a glimpse of the old man's bamboo pole with a patina.

As far as he knew, there were no bamboo plants in the Dragon Country's waters.

Suren looked at the old man again, and the old man naturally saw him at the first moment.

Seeing Suren appear, he also let out a soft "eh" and murmured, "Interesting. I didn't expect to meet one, and there's another one. With this strength, no wonder they can cross the Eternal Night Black Sea."

Suren was very surprised to hear that this old man actually spoke Lu Ying's common language?

Such a strong person must not be an unknown person.

His mind was also rapidly guessing the old man's identity.

From beginning to end, Suren's gaze didn't fall on anyone else in the gambling house.

The atmosphere in the room became even more bizarre.

It was clearly an arrest operation, but several "suspects" didn't pay any attention to the knight's meaning.

However, at this time, a knight seemed to recognize the old man's identity, as if he had grabbed a life-saving straw, and said in a panic, "Senior Bartolo, I'm sorry, we're disturbing you!"

Saying that, this group of knights also found a way to back down and left the gambling house in a panic.

Suren keenly caught the name and immediately matched it in his mind: "'Dragon Hunter' Bartolo Figaro? The legend of being able to kill dragons alone?"

This old man was so strong, it could only be that person.

Suren didn't expect to encounter this legendary top expert of the Dragon Country.

Moreover, it seemed that this guy could also speak Lu Ying's common language?

...

Like a farce, it came on violently and went away just as violently.

After the knights retreated, everyone in the huge gambling house looked at each other.

Obviously, gambling was no longer possible, and the old man also turned around and left without saying a word.

Suren was originally very curious about the old man's origin, but seeing that he didn't want to talk to strangers, he dismissed the idea.

Qiandiao also felt that there was no fun and got up to call Suren, "There's no gambling to be had~ Let's go."

The two walked out of the gambling house, and no one dared to follow them.

Walking into an empty alley, Suren asked, "Sister Qiandiao, did you know that old man just now?"

Qiandiao shook her head, "I don't know him. But he's a very powerful swordsman."

After pondering for a moment, she added, "Hmm... he may even be beyond the Sword Saint realm."

"Swordsman?"

Suren listened thoughtfully.

Top swordsman, speaking Lu Ying's language, in his seventies or eighties...

He naturally immediately placed his guess on the members of the Black Sam Pirate Group who came to this sea area thirty years ago.

Suren thought of something: "Could it be that 'Sword Demon' Saito? Is he still alive?"

It was a pity that there was no chance to ask a few more questions just now.

If it was really the famous Sword Saint from the Black Sam Group, this would definitely be a great help to seek.

Meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign land, and with Tani, the pirate king's own son, they could definitely talk.

However, Suren didn't dwell on it too much.

That person came here, most likely for that blue dragon, and there should be a chance to meet again later.

Suren asked again, "Did you find something just now?"

He knew that Qiandiao wouldn't draw her sword for a few knights, there was obviously another reason.

Qiandiao: "It seems that I was being watched by something unclean. But as soon as I thought about taking action, it disappeared again."

Suren thought of the altar in the secret room of the castle and guessed, "Maybe it's the unformed evil god that the city lord worships..."

Qiandiao heard it and thought it was possible.

After the Lingdun Cataclysm, they had seen formed Outer Gods.

So now that they encountered one, it was just so-so.

...

At the same time, a prison carriage was setting up camp in a forest two or three hundred kilometers away from Atlant City.

The prison carriage was covered with heavy black cloth, as if it contained a terrifying beast that could not be seen.

The bonfire was burning brightly, and a thick meat soup was bubbling on the fire, and the rich aroma of meat drifted through the forest.

A group of fully armed knights were gathered around the fire.

Even during meal breaks, a team of knights took turns guarding the prison carriage.

Next to the fire, the knights who were taking turns resting were also very curious and whispered to each other.

"What do you think, what kind of big shot are we escorting this time? The person who handed it over said not to open it and look at it?"

"I don't know. Maybe it's a humanoid monster like a banshee, anyway, if they say don't open it, then don't open it."

"Hey, have you ever wondered if it's that person on the recent wanted list?"

"Ah, that 'Parnia Kingdom's Number One Beauty'? The witch who is said to have started a war between two countries?"

"Shhh..."

"..."

Before they knew it, it was already late at night.

A knight who was on duty for a shift finally couldn't resist his curiosity and secretly lifted a corner of the black cloth on the prison carriage.

He swore in his heart that he would only take one look.

He just wanted to see how beautiful a woman could be to fascinate His Majesty the King.

The black cloth was lifted, and his eyes looked in.

With this secret glance, he saw a pair of beautiful azure pupils.

In an instant, the knight's eyes were full of fascination, and he saw a dreamlike world.

...

Probably because the evil god's altar was afraid of being exposed, the theft and fire in the city lord's mansion didn't cause too much trouble after all.

On the contrary, more and more foreigners poured into Atlant City because of the blue dragon's awakening from hibernation.

Many of the locals had already fled outside the city to take refuge. That evil dragon had been in this sea area for one or two hundred years, and their ancestors had bloody lessons. If the sacrifice couldn't satisfy that evil dragon, it would also come to the city to wreak havoc.

At noon on the third day, the adventurers gathered on the cliff outside the city.

Eighteen frail girls with tear-streaked faces and a full ship of treasures were pushed into the sea. The sails propelled the boat slowly into the sea.

Everyone on the shore watched silently.

Suddenly, a high-pitched dragon roar rang out from the far distance.

Suren in the crowd narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the black spot flying in the far distance.

He also scanned the crowd around him, but didn't see the mysterious old man he had seen yesterday.

Before long, he heard the communication from the Dawn Group's ship: "Seven signal observation points simultaneously confirmed that the blue dragon's energy fluctuation is in the 221~245 seventh-order unit range, and the law level most likely has not confirmed that it has broken through the eighth-order!"

Dora brought the best energy observation instrument from Mafa, which could accurately observe the range of biological energy fluctuations and also judge the rank of the creature with very little error.

This data meant that the current energy overflow of this seventh-order blue dragon was equivalent to more than two hundred normal seventh-order professionals!

Ordinary seventh-order magical beasts were only three to five times the level of human seventh-order.

This two hundred times, even if it wasn't an eighth-order dragon, this level of energy was already ridiculously exaggerated.

But as long as it wasn't eighth-order, the problem wasn't too big.

Hearing this statement, and confirming the rumors again, Suren was sure that this blue dragon was seventh-order.

He made a decision in an instant and notified, "Proceed according to the plan. Prepare to hunt the dragon!"