Preliminary Selection

Yi Yun was contemplating when his gaze suddenly swept over and he saw someone.

After breaking through to the Meridian Realm, his senses were incredibly sharp. Amidst the chaotic crowd, he immediately spotted Jiang Xiaorou, who was standing outside the throng, craning her neck to peer inside.

"Sister Xiaorou!"

Yi Yun called out.

"Yun'er!" Seeing Yi Yun, Jiang Xiaorou's heart leaped with joy. "Huh? Yun'er, how are you..."

She suddenly felt that Yi Yun was different today, but she couldn't quite pinpoint how.

If the Yi Yun of the past gave the impression of a timid, harmless child, the current Yi Yun was a handsome young man with a hint of heroic spirit in his brows. Even his tattered rough-spun clothes couldn't conceal his aura.

Inner depth...

Jiang Xiaorou suddenly thought of this phrase. A precious sword hidden in its sheath, concealing its edge within, waiting for the day it would be drawn.

The current Yi Yun gave Jiang Xiaorou exactly this feeling.

However, this was only because Jiang Xiaorou, having spent so much time with Yi Yun and knowing him best, could sense this change. If it were someone unfamiliar with Yi Yun, even if they felt he was a bit different, they wouldn't pay much attention. After all, Yi Yun's impression on people was that of a sickly, good-for-nothing child.

"Sister Xiaorou, it's nothing," Yi Yun smiled. He knew this was due to the change in his temperament after breaking through to the Meridian Realm. "Let's go inside and watch."

He naturally took Jiang Xiaorou's hand and squeezed through the crowd. After reaching the Meridian Realm, Yi Yun merely extended his hand, and an invisible force seemed to part the crowd, allowing him to pass smoothly. Before others could even register what was happening, they saw a small child slip through.

By the time they reacted, they merely assumed it was because Yi Yun was small and took advantage of any opening.

In the center of the plaza, the elders of the Lian Clan were still cautiously entertaining the sword-carrying man.

"Chengyu, give the order. Kill a cow and prepare a feast!"

The old Tribe Leader of the Lian Clan waved his hand, though his heart ached terribly.

The clan had a few draft cattle, which were considered tribal property of the Lian Clan. These draft cattle were similar to the yellow cattle on Earth but much stronger.

The land in the Great Desolation was filled with rocks, much of it Black Iron Rock. Developing a piece of farmland was extremely difficult. Without draft cattle, the Lian Clan could barely produce its own food, and then all their grain would have to be supplied by the Tao Clan.

Therefore, in the Lian Clan, a draft ox was worth more than dozens of human lives. It sounded tragic, but that was the reality.

Now, a member of the Brocade Dragon Guard had arrived at the Lian Clan, and they had to entertain him. The clan had already been tightening its belt to forge Savage Bones, so they had no decent food. They could only slaughter a draft ox.

The sword-carrying man naturally knew how difficult life was for the small tribes in the Great Desolation. He said calmly, "No need to kill a cow. On my way here, I encountered several ferocious beasts that attacked me. I hunted them and stored them on a Giant Rhinoceros Beast as rations. Have someone take it down and cook it."

The sword-carrying man said it so casually, yet the people of the Lian Clan listened with secret shock.

In Yunhuang, beasts that attacked humans were divided into three categories: Fierce Beasts, Ferocious Beasts, and Savage Beasts!

Among them, Fierce Beasts were the most common, similar to tigers or leopards on Earth. Experienced hunters, even those who hadn't practiced martial arts, could capture and kill them by setting traps.

Ferocious Beasts were much more powerful. The strong ones among them were comparable in strength to Warriors of the Purple Blood Realm!

Ferocious Beasts were numerous in Yunhuang. In fact, the greatest threat to tribal hunters when they went out hunting came from Ferocious Beasts.

Although Savage Beasts were powerful, most of them hibernated in "Wastelands" where Savage Power was dense. As long as one avoided the "Wastelands," they were generally safe.

But Ferocious Beasts were distributed too widely; it was impossible to avoid them!

Purple Blood Realm Martial Practitioners had the skill to hunt because they could kill most Ferocious Beasts. Even if they couldn't defeat some Ferocious Beasts, escaping was not a problem.

This sword-carrying man, traversing the Great Desolation, casually hunted several Ferocious Beasts with great ease. Such strength was truly enviable!

Lian Chengyu took a deep breath, clenched his fist, and looked at the bulging pack behind the Giant Rhinoceros Beast. Clearly, the hunted Ferocious Beasts were stored in that large bag.

"One day, I will also have this strength, or even far surpass it!" Lian Chengyu resolved inwardly.

Hearing that they didn't need to kill a draft ox, the old Tribe Leader of the Lian Clan was overjoyed. However, he still said, "How can that be? It's not proper for a guest to prepare food. Although my Lian Clan is poor..."

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

"Esteemed envoy, please speak! Although my Lian Clan is in decline, we still have over a thousand households. If there is anything you need us for, please do not hesitate to ask!"

The old Tribe Leader of the Lian Clan's voice was extremely humble. He wasn't annoyed by being interrupted. He also understood that someone like a Brocade Dragon Guard member wouldn't come to a small place like the Lian Clan for no reason.

The sword-carrying man said, "There have been some major events in Yunhuang recently, and the Lian Clan's location happens to be within the area where these events are frequently occurring! The Brocade Dragon Guard is here for this reason."

As soon as the sword-carrying man finished speaking, the old Tribe Leader's expression changed slightly. Major events in Yunhuang?

And from the tone of the sword-carrying man, it seemed many people from the Brocade Dragon Guard had come, and he was just one of them.

Matters that the Brocade Dragon Guard considered major events were already beyond his imagination. And their Lian Clan was precisely within the area where these major events were frequently occurring. He wondered if it was a blessing or a curse.

If they were caught up in such a major event, their Lian Clan, a mere existence like an ant, would likely be annihilated instantly, like a small ripple falling into the sea, disappearing without even a bubble.

Seeing the old Tribe Leader's expression, the sword-carrying man said calmly, "This matter should not involve you. However, in the coming days, quite a few outsiders may pass by the vicinity of the Lian Clan, some of whom might be important figures. Just don't offend them."

"Yes, esteemed envoy, you are right. This old man will keep it in mind." The old Tribe Leader nodded vigorously.

The sword-carrying man added, "My visit to the Lian Clan is a secondary matter. My superiors have ordered us to provide some guidance, also in preparation for the upcoming Divine Kingdom Grand Selection!"

As the sword-carrying man spoke, he turned towards the tribespeople of the Lian Clan. His voice was loud, carrying for miles.

Instantly, the previously lively scene fell silent.

"My name is Zhang Yuxian. Remember it well. I am here at the Lian Clan to select thirty young people under the age of twenty-eight to be my temporary disciples, and I will guide you in fist techniques and cultivation methods!"

"I will only be here for three to five days. You must study diligently. Everything I teach will be tested during the Divine Kingdom Grand Selection!"

As Zhang Yuxian spoke, the members of the Lian Clan held their breath.

The Divine Kingdom Grand Selection!

That was something that concerned their future destinies. The entire clan had gone all-in, hoping to get Lian Chengyu through the Warrior Grand Selection!

Especially the members of the Warrior Reserve Camp. Their breathing grew rapid.

A master from the Brocade Dragon Guard was actually coming to their Lian Clan to instruct them in cultivation techniques and martial arts. What a stroke of luck!

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

When Lian Chengyu passed the Divine Kingdom Grand Selection and entered the city, if their own strength was greater, they could also win more glory and wealth for themselves!

"Thirty people will be selected by me. The participants for the Divine Kingdom Grand Selection will also be chosen from these thirty people! This means that anyone not chosen by me will not be qualified to participate in the Divine Kingdom Grand Selection!"

Hearing Zhang Yuxian's words, Yi Yun immediately understood. So, Zhang Yuxian was essentially the first examiner for the Divine Kingdom Grand Selection.

The Divine Kingdom Grand Selection was held in Yunhuang only once every few years. Yunhuang was scarce in resources, the average warrior's strength was low, and the territory was vast, making assessments very troublesome. If all the great wasteland clans could participate in the assessment, it would consume an unknown amount of manpower and resources to organize.

Therefore, using an experienced elite Brocade Dragon Guard like Zhang Yuxian for the initial screening would save a lot of time!

"Now, anyone who wishes to become my temporary disciple, participate in the three-day intensive training, and wants to participate in the Divine Kingdom Grand Selection in the future can step forward. I will select thirty people!"

As soon as Zhang Yuxian finished speaking, the crowd became agitated.

Especially the members of the Warrior Reserve Camp, their faces flushed red as they pushed forward.

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

In an instant, almost everyone from the Warrior Reserve Camp had arrived.

The Lian Clan's Warrior Reserve Camp had nearly sixty people in total, with over forty meeting the age requirements.

Zhang Yuxian would only select thirty, meaning over ten people would be eliminated!

Those Warrior Reserve Camp members with weaker strength became nervous for a moment, fearing they would be rejected by Zhang Yuxian.