Chapter 12

The next morning, Yi Yun got up early. Today, he still had to gather herbs.

As he passed by the training ground, Yi Yun saw that the members of the Warrior Preparatory Camp had gathered in a circle, with a large pot placed in the middle, cooking something that smelled delicious!

It was the smell of meat!

Yi Yun immediately recognized the scent; he hadn't eaten a proper meal for several days.

Especially after the purification by the purple crystal, Yi Yun found his appetite to be extraordinarily good. The coarse rice porridge he drank was almost completely digested as soon as it reached his stomach, leaving nothing behind.

Yi Yun knew that as his body improved, his energy requirements were also increasing. Since he was still in the early stages of martial cultivation and couldn't absorb so-called "heavenly essence," his only source of energy was food.

However, the meager amount of porridge he usually ate was like a drop in the bucket when it came to replenishing the energy his body needed!

How could he gain strength without eating enough?

The elites of the major tribes ate wild beast meat every day, which was a high-quality source of energy, vastly different from the coarse porridge he ate.

Yi Yun knew that if he continued to be hungry for a long time, it would have a very negative impact on his body. He was currently in the stage of rapid physical development, and after the transformation, his constitution was about to improve dramatically.

It was like a bamboo shoot about to grow; if it lacked water at this critical moment, it wouldn't grow properly, affecting its entire life!

Actually, with his current level, Yi Yun could easily join the Warrior Preparatory Camp and enjoy better treatment. However, before he was fully prepared, he wanted to avoid any possibility of exposing the secret of the purple crystal. His sudden transformation was hard to explain.

Moreover, Yi Yun had deep conflicts with the Warrior Preparatory Camp and Lian Chengyu, and he had no intention of joining the camp.

"It's probably wild beast meat, something they hunted."

Jiang Xiaorou said sourly beside him.

According to the customs of this world, ordinary people ate two meals a day, and they didn't have breakfast at five in the morning; they had to wait until nine in the morning.

Only warriors and warrior candidates could have three meals a day, and they could eat as soon as they got up, because their training required a lot of energy.

The members of the Warrior Preparatory Camp didn't have to participate in production labor because they had to train. However, occasionally, these candidates would go hunting.

Under the various dangers of the Great Wasteland, the prey these candidates hunted was very limited. Such a small amount of prey was all for their own consumption, and they wouldn't share it with ordinary people, as they needed meat to gain strength. The poor people did manual labor and didn't need much strength, so coarse food was enough for them.

As Yi Yun and Jiang Xiaorou passed by, they were seen by a large man from the Warrior Preparatory Camp. Zhao Tiezhu whistled, seemingly showing off, and deliberately took a piece of meat with bones, eating it in front of Yi Yun and Jiang Xiaorou.

"This deer meat is so fragrant, hahaha!" Zhao Tiezhu laughed, his face full of satisfaction.

The meat was roasted over a fire, seasoned with spices and salt, and the fat dripped, making it smell even more delicious!

Zhao Tiezhu's mouth was full of oil, and he kept licking his lips and fingers, almost swallowing his tongue.

Not only that, but he also occasionally took out a leather bag from his chest and drank a few sips, very carefully.

It was alcohol!

In the Lian Clan, alcohol was an absolute luxury. There wasn't enough grain to eat, let alone to make alcohol.

However, the members of the Warrior Preparatory Camp received more grain, and they would use a small amount to make alcohol, claiming that they needed to drink to warm their bodies when they trained in the cold winter mornings.

Moreover, they wouldn't waste the leftover mash from the alcohol-making process; they would give it to the lower-class poor. Although the mash had a sour smell, it was better than starving, so it was never wasted.

Thus, the elders of the clan didn't oppose the Warrior Preparatory Camp secretly making alcohol.

"Hahaha, drinking and eating meat, one of life's greatest pleasures!"

Zhao Tiezhu laughed, trying to imitate the heroes from the legends.

Only at this moment could Zhao Tiezhu truly feel the joy of life and the great benefits of being a member of the Warrior Preparatory Camp.

"These two little beggars are quite pitiful. I'll give them some leftover meat broth later."

The deer meat was roasted, so there was no meat broth. Jiang Xiaorou knew Zhao Tiezhu was deliberately teasing them. She coldly snorted and pulled Yi Yun's hand to leave, but at that moment, her stomach growled.

Because they were far away, Zhao Tiezhu didn't hear it, but Yi Yun, who was right next to her, heard it clearly. Jiang Xiaorou's face turned bright red with embarrassment.

Yi Yun watched from the side, finding the little girl incredibly cute. For Jiang Xiaorou, having her stomach growl was probably a very embarrassing thing.

"Sister Xiaorou, in the future, I will get you all kinds of delicacies to eat, the best food in the world!"

Yi Yun looked into Jiang Xiaorou's eyes and said seriously.

Jiang Xiaorou was taken aback, not expecting her brother to say such a thing. She thought it was just a child's innocent words and didn't take it to heart, but she was still happy that Yi Yun was thinking of her.

She affectionately patted Yi Yun's head, like comforting a child, and said, "Sister is waiting!"

Being patted and comforted by a little girl, Yi Yun was speechless, but who could blame him for being shorter than her? "Sister Xiaorou, do you know about the Taia Divine Kingdom and the Warrior Selection?"

According to Lian Chengyu, in three months, the Taia Divine Kingdom would hold a Warrior Selection. If selected, it would be like a sudden rise to power. This was why Lian Chengyu was so determined to train and even obtained a wild bone at great cost.

"The Taia Divine Kingdom... " Jiang Xiaorou's face showed a hint of nostalgia. "The Taia Divine Kingdom is an ancient human dynasty, with 108 provinces and 24 wild regions!"

"Our location is one of the 24 wild regions, called Yunhuang."

"The Taia Divine Kingdom is extremely powerful, with many experts in its capital. Most of its divine warriors come from the 108 provinces, not because the warriors from the wild regions are weak, but because the 24 wild regions are sparsely populated, and holding a Warrior Selection would require a lot of resources. The initial selection is conducted by Taia Divine Kingdom representatives in the tribes, otherwise, young warriors would have to cross the Great Wasteland on foot, which would be a death sentence."

"This time, the Taia Divine Kingdom is holding a Warrior Selection in Yunhuang, which is quite unusual. However, regardless, it's an opportunity for the countless tribes in Yunhuang. Lian Chengyu is also seizing this opportunity to rise and escape this poor village."

Jiang Xiaorou spoke slowly, and Yi Yun was taken aback. "Sister, how do you know so much?"

Jiang Xiaorou's voice was still somewhat childish, but her knowledge and eloquence were far beyond that of a child.

"These are things I heard from my birth mother. And when I was young, I read many strange tales, so I know a lot about these things. Yun, it seems you really don't remember much. I taught you how to read."

"Uh..." Yi Yun scratched the back of his head and laughed. Indeed, poor children had no chance to learn to read; he could read because of Jiang Xiaorou's efforts.

Jiang Xiaorou must have come from a wealthy family to have read so much when she was young.

"Sister Xiaorou, did Lian Chengyu really say that if he becomes a divine warrior of the Taia Divine Kingdom, he can take the entire tribe to live in the city?"

"It's very difficult..." Jiang Xiaorou shook her head. "The Warrior Selection of the Taia Divine Kingdom has several levels, including the initial and final selections. The best performers are granted the title of 'National Scholar,' a great honor. The best National Scholars have the opportunity to enter the capital of the Taia Divine Kingdom, enjoy the resources of the divine kingdom, and practice the 'Taia Holy Law'!"

"To take the tribe to live in the city, one would need to pass the final selection and perform well. Lian Chengyu may not reach that level, and even if he does, given his character, he probably wouldn't care about us."

"By the way, Yun, why are you asking these questions? You're not hoping that Lian Chengyu will really make us live without worry after becoming a divine warrior, are you?"

"Just asking casually." Yi Yun touched his nose. Relying on Lian Chengyu was like hoping a pig could climb a tree.

If that guy saw him alive after his seclusion, he would probably try to kill him first!

But by then, he should have the means to protect himself, and who would be the one to fall was uncertain!

"The Warrior Selection of the Taia Divine Kingdom, it seems I can also participate. This could be a shortcut for me and Sister to live a better life!"

"Moreover, the 'Taia Holy Law' is probably a cultivation manual. In this world, martial arts practice can't be separated from manuals. Although the purple crystal is amazing, it can only transform my body. If I don't enter the Taia Divine Kingdom, where can I get a cultivation manual?" Yi Yun muttered to himself, already making up his mind.

He couldn't leave the Lian Clan yet. Although his strength had improved, crossing the Great Wasteland was still a pipe dream. Strengthening himself in the Lian Clan and then passing the Warrior Selection of the Taia Divine Kingdom in one go was the best choice under the current circumstances!