Chapter 31

Yi Yun was deep in thought when he suddenly glanced over and saw a person.

After breaking through to the Meridian Realm, his five senses had become extremely sharp. In the midst of the bustling crowd, he immediately spotted Jiang Xiaorou standing on tiptoe, peering inside from the outside of the crowd.

"Sister Xiaorou!"

"Yun'er!" Seeing Yi Yun, Jiang Xiaorou felt a surge of joy. "Hey, Yun'er, how come you...?"

Today, she suddenly felt that Yi Yun seemed different, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what had changed.

If the old Yi Yun gave the impression of a meek and harmless child, the new Yi Yun now exuded a handsome and spirited aura, even through his tattered clothes.

Refined...

Jiang Xiaorou suddenly thought of this term. Like a precious sword hidden in its scabbard, concealing its sharpness within, waiting for the day it would be unsheathed.

The current Yi Yun gave her this feeling.

However, this was only because Jiang Xiaorou had been with Yi Yun day and night and knew him the best. If it were someone less familiar with Yi Yun, they might notice he was different but wouldn't pay much attention, as Yi Yun was generally seen as a sickly, worthless child.

"Sister Xiaorou, I'm fine." Yi Yun smiled, knowing that the change in his demeanor was due to his breakthrough to the Meridian Realm. "Let's go inside."

He naturally took Jiang Xiaorou's hand and pushed through the crowd. After reaching the Meridian Realm, Yi Yun's casual movements seemed to have an invisible force that parted the crowd, allowing him to pass smoothly. By the time others realized what was happening, they only saw a small child slipping through the gaps.

...

At the center of the square, the Lian Clan's leadership was still carefully entertaining the sword-carrying man.

"Chengyu, give the order to slaughter a cow and set up a feast!"

Lian Laozuzhang waved his hand, though he was inwardly pained.

The clan had a few oxen, which were considered clan property. These oxen were similar to the yellow cattle on Earth but much stronger.

The land of Dahuang was rocky, with many areas covered in black iron rock. Developing a plot of farmland was extremely difficult. Without oxen, the Lian Clan would almost be unable to produce its own food, relying entirely on the Tao Clan for grain.

Therefore, in the Lian Clan, the value of an ox far exceeded that of several human lives. It sounded tragic, but that was the reality.

Now, with the Jinlong Guard members arriving at the Lian Clan, they had to be properly entertained. The clan had long been tightening their belts to refine their bones, and there was no decent food left. They could only slaughter an ox.

The sword-carrying man naturally understood the hardships of small tribes in Dahuang. He said calmly, "There's no need to slaughter an ox. On my way here, I encountered a few ferocious beasts and killed them. I've placed them on the giant rhinoceros as provisions. Have someone take them down and prepare them for cooking."

The sword-carrying man spoke lightly, but the Lian Clan people were secretly alarmed.

In Yunhuang, there were three types of beasts that attacked humans: fierce beasts, ferocious beasts, and wild beasts!

Fierce beasts were the most common, similar to tigers and leopards on Earth. Experienced hunters, even without martial training, could trap and kill them.

Ferocious beasts were much stronger, with some as powerful as Purple Blood Realm warriors!

Ferocious beasts were extremely numerous in Yunhuang. In fact, the greatest threat to the clan's hunters when they went out was from ferocious beasts.

Wild beasts, though powerful, mostly hid in the "wildlands" where the wild energy was dense. As long as one avoided the "wildlands," they were generally safe.

However, ferocious beasts were widespread and impossible to avoid!

Purple Blood Realm warriors had the ability to hunt because they could kill most ferocious beasts. Even if they couldn't defeat some, they could easily escape.

This sword-carrying man had casually killed several ferocious beasts while crossing Dahuang, and he did it with ease. His strength was truly enviable!

Lian Chengyu took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and looked at the bulging bag on the giant rhinoceros's back, clearly containing the killed ferocious beasts.

"One day, I will have such strength, and even surpass this realm!" Lian Chengyu resolved.

Hearing that there was no need to slaughter an ox, Lian Laozuzhang was inwardly delighted, but he still said, "How can that be? It's not right to have a guest prepare the food. Although the Lian Clan is poor, we..."

"Enough, no need to say more. I'm here for a reason!" The sword-carrying man was a man of action and had no interest in the Lian Clan's pleasantries.

"Please speak, Envoy! Although the Lian Clan is declining, we still have over a thousand households. If there's anything we can do for you, just say it!"

Lian Laozuzhang's voice was extremely humble, and he was not annoyed at being interrupted. He understood that a prestigious member of the Jinlong Guard wouldn't come to a small place like the Lian Clan without a reason.

The sword-carrying man said, "Recently, something significant has happened in Yunhuang, and the Lian Clan's location is right in the middle of it! The Jinlong Guard is here for that reason."

As soon as the sword-carrying man finished speaking, Lian Laozuzhang's expression changed. Something significant in Yunhuang?

Moreover, from the tone of the sword-carrying man, it seemed that many Jinlong Guard members had come, and he was just one of them.

An event significant enough for the Jinlong Guard to mobilize was beyond his imagination. And the Lian Clan was right in the middle of it. It was uncertain whether it would be a blessing or a curse.

If they were caught up in such a significant event, the Lian Clan, a mere ant, would be instantly destroyed, like a small wave in the sea that disappears without a trace.

Seeing Lian Laozuzhang's expression, the sword-carrying man said calmly, "This matter shouldn't involve you, but in the coming days, many outsiders will pass by the Lian Clan. Some of them might be important figures. Just don't offend them."

"Yes, Envoy, I understand. I will keep it in mind," Lian Laozuzhang nodded rapidly.

The sword-carrying man continued, "I came to the Lian Clan as part of a side mission. My superiors have ordered us to provide some guidance, which is also in preparation for the upcoming Divine Kingdom Selection!"

As he spoke, the sword-carrying man turned to the Lian Clan members. His voice was loud and clear, reaching far beyond the square.

For a moment, the previously lively scene fell silent.

"My name is Zhang Yuxian. Remember it. I will select thirty young people under the age of twenty-eight to be my temporary disciples and teach you martial arts and cultivation techniques!"

"I will only stay here for three to five days. You must study diligently, as the content I teach will be tested in the Divine Kingdom Selection!"

Hearing Zhang Yuxian's words, the Lian Clan members held their breath.

The Divine Kingdom Selection!

This was a matter that would determine their future. The entire clan was going all out to help Lian Chengyu pass the Warrior Selection!

Especially the members of the Warrior Preparatory Camp, who were breathing heavily.

A high-ranking member of the Jinlong Guard had come to the Lian Clan to teach them martial arts and cultivation techniques. What a wonderful opportunity!

They didn't expect to pass the Divine Kingdom Selection, but if they could receive guidance from Zhang Yuxian and learn the advanced techniques of the Jinlong Guard, it would greatly benefit their future growth!

When Lian Chengyu passed the Divine Kingdom Selection and entered the city, they would be stronger and could earn more glory and wealth for themselves!

"Thirty people will be selected by me, and the participants for the Divine Kingdom Selection will also be chosen from these thirty. In other words, those not selected by me will not have the资格 to participate in the Divine Kingdom Selection!"

Hearing Zhang Yuxian's words, Yi Yun immediately understood. It turned out that Zhang Yuxian was actually the first examiner for the Divine Kingdom Selection.

The Divine Kingdom Selection in the Great Dahuang was held only once every few years. Resources were scarce, and the average strength of warriors was low. The vast distribution of tribes made the assessment process extremely complicated. If all the people of Dahuang could participate, it would require an enormous amount of manpower and resources to organize.

Therefore, using experienced Jinlong Guard elites like Zhang Yuxian for the initial selection would save a lot of time!

"Now, all those who wish to become my temporary disciples, participate in the three-day training, and want to participate in the Divine Kingdom Selection in the future, can step forward. I will select thirty people!"

As soon as Zhang Yuxian spoke, the crowd became restless.

Especially the members of the Warrior Preparatory Camp, who were pushing forward with red faces and bulging necks.

Some, like Zhao Tiezhu, who knew how to read the situation, first glanced at Lian Chengyu. Seeing that Lian Chengyu did not object, he then pushed his way to the front of Zhang Yuxian.

For a moment, almost all the members of the Warrior Preparatory Camp had gathered.

The Lian Clan's Warrior Preparatory Camp had nearly sixty members, with over forty meeting the age requirement.

Zhang Yuxian was only selecting thirty, which meant that over ten would be left out!

The weaker members of the Warrior Preparatory Camp were suddenly nervous, fearing they would be eliminated by Zhang Yuxian.