Chapter 304: The new crop has yet to come in to replace the old
The highly anticipated rookie-ranking competition had come to an end. At the end, Lu Jie had a slight edge and defeated Wen Yu, becoming the champion amongst the rookies.
As the crowd in the rookie ranking competition dispersed, everyone discussed the final battle with great excitement.
The arena was connected to all the major residences, so it was extremely crowded.
It was at this moment that Yi Yun returned to the Tai Ah Divine City. On the way through, he noticed throngs of people and became slightly stunned, “Oh? Why are there so many people?”
As Yi Yun looked at the rookies with a dumbfounded expression, the rookies were also stunned upon seeing Yi Yun.
This was because Yi Yun’s appearance was too extreme.
The rookie ranking competition was a significant occasion, thus many people were very well-dressed. In contrast, Yi Yun was wearing ragged clothes that were obviously one size too small. Not only was he unkempt, his saber was even half-broken, all of this made him look like a beggar. It was severely out of place within the Tai Ah Divine City.
Who is this person?
This thought appeared in many people’s minds. If the Tai Ah Divine City did not forbid unauthorized people from entering, there might have been people throwing money at Yi Yun.
At this moment, not far away, a group with Wen Yu, Lu Jie, Qiuniu and Chu Xiaoran amongst them were walking over.
The world of warriors respected those who were strong, so the four of them were treated like idols as they came over.
Chu Xiaoran and Qiuniu were especially respected. No matter how crowded the streets were, everyone would make way for them.
Seeing Yi Yun suddenly appear, Qiuniu and Chu Xiaoran became stunned.
This was because, in nearly a year’s time, Yi Yun had undergone too many changes. They were unable to recognize him with just a single glance.
After staring at Yi Yun’s face for a long while, Qiuniu and Chu Xiaoran looked at each other in the eye with an incredulous look.
It’s really him!
“Haha! Yi Yun! ” Qiuniu laughed boisterously. Qiuniu and Yi Yun had only been ordinary friends, but they could be considered as having experienced life and death together in Meteorite Abyss. Besides, Yi Yun had also saved Qiuniu’s life.
Their friendship naturally was no longer the same.
Qiuniu squeezed out of the crowd and quickly strode towards Yi Yun, slapping him heavily on his shoulders.
“I knew you wouldn’t die so easily. Haha!”
Yi Yun coming back alive was something that made Qiuniu happy from the bottom of his heart.
Yi Yun also gave a hearty laugh and said, “I was lucky…I went in a cursory circle around death’s gate.”
After experiencing a year of loneliness, Yi Yun was overcome with emotion upon seeing a familiar face again. He had indeed nearly lost his life after being chased by the Golden Crow species.
“Yi Yun, you have finally returned!” Chu Xiaoran also moved towards Yi Yun. When they bade farewell 10 months ago, Chu Xiaoran was a tiny bit taller than Yi Yun. Now however, she had to slightly look up at him.
She felt that Yi Yun had undergone a complete change in the time they were separated. It was not only his physical appearance, but other aspects as well. As for what was different, Chu Xiaoran was unable to tell.
“Yi Yun, you have been out training for so long. What is your cultivation level?” Qiuniu asked casually.
“Peak of Purple Blood!” Yi Yun did not conceal it.
“Haha, then you are slower than us. Xiaoran and I have already begun to condense the initial shape of the Yuan foundation. You can think of us as being one foot through the door of the Yuan foundation realm. In two months, we will definitely break through into the Yuan foundation realm!”
Qiuniu’s eyes lit up and he was eager to try it out just by talking about cultivation levels. In these 10 months, he had made significant progress. The huge leap from the peak of Purple Blood to a half-step within the Yuan foundation made Qiuniu’s “Divine Strength Ox King Skill” progress one more level.
There was a significant jump with every “Divine Strength Ox King Skill” level.
Qiuniu was now filled with confidence and he wanted to fight anyone he saw.
“Brother Yi, when will we train in the arena!?”
Qiuniu knew that Yi Yun was definitely strong, but he still brimmed with confidence. He couldn’t help himself after seeing Yi Yun, a strong warrior peer. He felt that even if he was not Yi Yun’s match, the difference would not be as great as the gap between them a year ago.
The surrounding rookies turned dumbfounded upon seeing Qiuniu and Chu Xiaoran speak so happily with Yi Yun.
They never expected that this beggar-like person would be Qiuniu and Chu Xiaoran’s good friend.
“Yi Yun… Isn’t he the champion of last year’s rookie ranking competition…?”
A portion of the rookies had heard of Yi Yun. They had some impressions of this name which was now nearly forgotten by Tai Ah Divine City cultivators.
“It should be him, but this person… actually defeated Chu Xiaoran in the last rookie ranking competition? Is that really true?”
When everyone heard this, they were dumbfounded. This guy was completely different from the preconceived expert in their minds!
He did not have the air of an expert, yet, he was actually stronger than Chu Xiaoran and Qiuniu?
Many rookies looked at Yi Yun with puzzlement and doubt. Chu Xiaoran and Qiuniu’s strength had been witnessed by many of them, and it was terrifying.
However, the person in front of them looked like he came out from a refugee camp, he didn’t look like he made the mark. They found it hard to believe that this person was a super expert. Even if he was very strong a year ago, he had disappeared for too long, and no one knew what he had experienced during this period. Could he really lead Qiuniu and Chu Xiaoran?
Many of them couldn’t help but have thoughts like that.
At this moment, Yi Yun decided to bid Chu Xiaoran and Qiuniu farewell.
“Brother Yi, when you have time, come to the arena! When you do so, inform me!”
Qiuniu still did not forget the matter of sparring with Yi Yun. In his opinion, Yi Yun’s return was definitely to challenge the rankings.
Yi Yun smiled and said, “Sure!”
“Haha, don’t be perfunctory with me. You may not know this but Qin Haotian, Li Xiao and the Qiao brothers have already left the Tai Ah Divine City. Now the first few spots have opened up in the area and everyone is eyeing them! Some of the senior cultivators who have hope in being first are all in an intense battle for it. Especially because of the ongoing City Lord’s birthday celebrations, the arena rewards have increased by a lot!”
As Qiuniu said so, he pointed to the crowd behind him, “The arena was in a hiatus because of the rookie ranking competition. If not, there would be countless numbers of people fighting, more people than usual!”
“Oh? Qin Haotian, Li Xiao and the others have left?” Yi Yun was stunned upon hearing that. Indeed, they had stayed in the Tai Ah Divine City for a full six years, and it was time for them to leave.
A pity!
Yi Yun had known the famous names of Qin Haotian, Li Xiao and company ever since he entered the Tai Ah Divine City.
Yi Yun had always wanted to spar with Qin Haotian.
However, Yi Yun was now only at the peak of Purple Blood, and due to the difference in cultivation level, he would not be Qin Haotian’s match. Only Yi Yun himself knew the difference between him and Qin Haotian.
And now, they had left Tai Ah Divine City, leaving him with no opportunity to challenge them.
This could only be described as a pity.
“Yes, with them here, it would be very difficult for us to challenge the Earth roll.” Qiuniu laughed. He did not pay any attention to Yi Yun’s thoughts. From his point of view, anyone who wanted to challenge Qin Haotian from their year, was wishfully thinking.
“Now, the arena’s overall strength has decreased. Many of the fifth year cultivators are far weaker than Qin Haotian. Maybe in a year or two, we will be able to challenge the top 5 of the Heaven and Earth rolls!”
Qiuniu was very excited. If he could enter the Tai Ah Divine City’s top 5 in his fourth year, it would be a glorious achievement to be proud of.
Yi Yun sighed. Indeed,, the Tai Ah Divine City did not give rise to extremely talented elites every year. The current Tai Ah Divine City was a bit lacking.
Yi Yun still liked to battle the peerless geniuses. With Qin Haotian gone, there was only Luo Huo’er left. However, she seldom appeared in the arena, nor did she challenge the Heaven or Earth rolls. Her strength was a question mark.
“Brother Yi, it could not have been easy for you to return. Let us go to the Divine Moon Restaurant and drink two cups!”
Qiuniu wanted to take Yi Yun drinking.
However, Yi Yun shook his head, “Let’s have it at another time. I have been gone for far too long. Now that I am back in Tai Ah Divine City, I first need to greet Grandmaster Yuehua and Elder Cang Yan.”
Amongst these two people, one was his quasi-master, and the other may not be his master but had taught him plenty. It was only right for Yi Yun to greet the seniors.
…
About one hour later in the central divine tower’s 69th floor.
“Miss! Miss!” Dong’er ran to Luo Huo’er’s training ground on her short legs.
“What’s the matter this time?” Luo Huo’er said impatiently. This maid servant of hers liked to be surprised at the slightest things.
Dong’er puffed heavily as she hurriedly said, “That… That person you especially hate, he is back!”
When Luo Huo’er heard this, her mouth curled. She said without paying attention, “There are many people this missus hates! I cannot even remember all of them them. Which (not typo, she refers to them as animals) one are you talking about?”
“It’s… It’s that Yi Yun!” Dong’er used her chubby hands to wipe the sweat off her forehead as she panted.
“Yi Yun?”
Luo Huo’er was surprised. She subconsciously stopped practicing her family’s heart sutras.
Her facial expression changed as she remained silent for ten seconds.
The rascal who had disappeared nearly a year ago had actually returned.
After thinking for a while, Luo Huo’er grunted, “Good people die young, but disasters leave a mark for a thousand years. I knew he wouldn’t die so easily!”
“That’s right, that’s right!” Dong’er nodded her head strongly. “Miss, do you want to go meet him? He’s currently greeting Grandmaster Yuehua.”
Luo Huo’er’s mouth twitched, “What do I need to meet him for? In a few days, that toad will move back beside us. In the future, we will meet frequently. What a pain!”
Saying this, Luo Huo’er began practicing her martial arts again.
However, she couldn’t help herself from thinking about it. As she thought about it, her lips couldn’t help but curl up as she revealed a sinister smile.
Although she always found Yi Yun to be a pain, she never wished for the rascal to just die like that.
“Miss, why are you smiling?” Dong’er asked curiously.
“Am I smiling?” Luo Huo’er paused for a while and then grunted, “I’m laughing because the rascal is back. I have something fun to play with again. See how I will make a fool out of him now, Ke Ke Ke!”
Luo Huo’er began laughing happily. Dong’er c*cked her head and tried to think hard. It seems that… Miss never succeeded in making a fool out of him?
Of course, she would never dare to say this out loud.