"I heard a new cultivator came to the island and defeated someone from the guard squad. That wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"
The middle-aged man stroked the pearl in his arms with one hand and suddenly asked in a rather casual tone.
At his question, Naruto merely chuckled. "Heh."
He was still concealing his strength with the Nameless Qi Concealment Art. The man could not detect it and assumed Naruto was a Qi Refining Stage cultivator.
"Hmph! A lucky fluke..." The man gave a cold snort.
Seeing his expression, Naruto frowned inwardly.
The middle-aged man pulled his leather coat tighter around himself and said without betraying any emotion:
"The guard you defeated happens to be a worthless disciple of mine! To think he lost to you, another Qi Refining Stage cultivator. I've already ordered him to face the wall in seclusion as punishment."
Naruto merely smiled at this and still said nothing.
"Don't worry. This is a matter between you juniors, and I won't bully someone beneath me. But five years from now, I hope you'll fight that worthless disciple of mine again. Win or lose, I won't pursue the matter any further."
The middle-aged man cast Naruto a sidelong glance and spoke coldly.
Naruto stared at him, his smile fading.
The middle-aged man's eyes narrowed. A cold sneer soon curled his lips, and killing intent stirred in his gaze.
But he seemed wary of attacking here and could only restrain himself.
White light flashed in his hand, and the pearl vanished. Then he sat up.
He took a golden booklet from his clothing and copied Naruto's name into it.
Next, the green Communication Jade Token Naruto had received upon entering the harbor was taken back and replaced with a different blue jade pendant.
The pendant shimmered with