Poisonous Snake

Before entering the Sword Tomb, Yi Yun's white robe, which he had just changed into neatly, was once again tattered and torn.

The long robe wasn't dirty, but it looked as if it had been cut by a sword, with strips everywhere, almost turning it into tattered rags.

Yi Yun had long, flowing hair, a faint smile on his face, and bright, shining eyes that, in the dimly lit Sword Tomb, resembled stars in the sky, giving off an unusual feeling.

It seems that Yi Yun, after entering the Sword Tomb, is different from the Yi Yun of eight or nine days ago.

This difference was indescribable; it seemed to be a change in temperament. A Sword Qi had seeped into Yi Yun's bones, giving him a sword-like presence.

"Kid, you've finally figured it out!"

Cang Yan said with dissatisfaction.

"Hmm... I've been so engrossed in this for a while that I've lost track of time. How long have I been inside?"

"It's been almost nine days, kid. You're really planning to cultivate swordsmanship?"

Cang Yan scrutinized Yi Yun, wondering how well Yi Yun had progressed in his sword comprehension these past few days. However, in Cang Yan's view, even if Yi Yun had grasped some sword techniques in the Sword Tomb, it wouldn't be of much use. Any attack that a sword could achieve, a saber could also achieve. Therefore, cultivating both sword and saber simultaneously was of little significance and a thankless task.

Yi Yun didn't want to continue the topic, so he changed the subject, saying, "Senior Cang Yan, you said before that if I could break into the top 300 of the Earth Ranking, I could continue cultivating the sword path and the <Myriad Beast Catalog>?"

Yi Yun did indeed plan to try and climb the Earth Ranking; a higher ranking on the Earth Ranking would result in monthly Dragon Scale Rune rewards.

Cang Yan rolled her eyes at Yi Yun, sighed, and said, "Now you're really in for it. Alas, you have no idea that our Tai'a Divine Kingdom is facing annihilation..."

Cang Yan then gave Yi Yun a general description of the situation surrounding the Shepherd Boy's appearance.

Yi Yun was completely stunned.

Shepherd Boy?

Cang Yan's description of the Shepherd Boy's appearance reminded Yi Yun of the mysterious boy he encountered in the Blackwater Swamp when he went to the Divine Wilderness Trial.

The boy rode an ox, playing Short Flute. The music seemed to have a magical power, affecting the listener's mind and spirit.

This mysterious youth traversed the Divine Wilderness and the Blackwater Swamp, and all the wild beasts ignored him. In the Divine Wilderness, he strolled around as if he were walking in a garden.

This seemingly amiable and even mildly likable young man had actually stirred up a bloodbath in the Western Regions, killing countless people and nearly wiping out the once-powerful Shentu Family?

Yi Yun was truly shocked. According to Cang Yan's description, the Shentu Family was much more powerful than the Tai'a Divine Kingdom.

One Lineage, more powerful than the Tai'a Divine Kingdom...

What kind of Lineage is this?

But where exactly is this so-called "Western Regions"?

Yi Yun sighed inwardly. He seemed to have achieved some success since coming to this world, but compared to those behemoths, he was still too insignificant.

Of course, he didn't need to think about those things for the time being; what he needed to consider now was tomorrow's great battle.

The Tai'a Divine Kingdom has been kind to Yi Yun, and most of the resources and cultivation techniques that Yi Yun uses for cultivation are provided by the Tai'a Divine Kingdom.

Yi Yun is a grateful person. The Tai'a Divine Kingdom is facing a major crisis, and Yi Yun can help in any way, so he will naturally do his best!

"Cang Yan, does Tai'a Divine City have a weapon pavilion? I'd like to choose a pair of swords to prepare for tomorrow's great battle."

Yi Yun's Thousand Army Saber is no longer usable, and the broken sword he obtained from the Pure Yang Sword Palace is of great importance. It's not advisable to take it out unless it's a matter of life and death. Choosing a pair of swords in Tai'a Divine City would be the most suitable option.

The swords and blades in the Tai'a Divine City armory are definitely of much higher quality than those in the Brocade Dragon Guard armory.

Cang Yan's heart skipped a beat when he saw Yi Yun's harmless smile. He said irritably, "You brat, you're trying to take advantage of me again. You can choose a weapon, but consider it a loan. If you win tomorrow's battle, the weapon is yours. If you lose, hehe, you'll have to pay the price! Don't try to freeload off me during this battle."

Yi Yun grinned, "Okay!"

That night, the various prodigies gathered in Tai'a Divine City were all gathering their strength and adjusting their state, all for the battle tomorrow.

However, while everyone was recuperating, a few people gathered in a small courtyard under the cover of night in a corner of the divine city.

"Is this the person?"

The night was dark and dimly lit, but martial artists could see things with ease.

At this moment, two men, completely shrouded in cloaks, held a portrait depicting a Linen-clothed Youth wielding a knife.

This young man was none other than Yi Yun.

"It's him..." The cloaked man's voice was hoarse, making it unrecognizable. "Sever his meridians, preferably cripple him for life. If you succeed, we will reward you handsomely."

The cloaked man spoke, flipping his hand to reveal a small black bag. "This is the deposit."

"Ha!" A boy with venomous snakes wrapped around his body took the small black bag.

The boy was thin and bony, with skull earrings covering his ears and tattoos all over his face and body, making him look incredibly eerie.

The boy's pupils, also amber in color like a snake, were oval in shape. As he smiled slightly, a pair of sharp teeth were revealed at the corners of his mouth, sending chills down one's spine.

Beside the snake-wielding boy was a fat man in yellow clothes. He stroked his chin with interest and reached into a black bag.

A shiny object rolled out, gleaming like a jewel in the darkness.

They are all Savage Bone Relic!

"Top quality goods!"

The fat man in yellow licked his lips. "Interesting. I'm very curious about your identities. You can't possibly be from my Cloud Dragon Divine Kingdom. Could it be that you're from the same sect as this Yi Yun? Tsk tsk, he's really unpopular, so much so that his fellow disciples bribed people from opposing forces to cripple him..."

"That's none of your concern." The two cloaked figures' voices turned cold, and they became more vigilant.

If the higher-ups of Tai'a Divine City found out about what they had done, they might have their cultivation destroyed or even be sentenced to death.

"I'm warning you, this Yi Yun is not someone to be trifled with. Be careful, or you might end up getting caught off guard!"

"It was a cloaked figure who spoke."

"Hehe... Don't think that the people of our Cloud Dragon Divine Kingdom are on the same level as the trash of your Tai'a Divine Kingdom. We were just little brats who wouldn't even rank in the top thousand among your group a year ago."

The venomous young man smiled sinisterly and put away the Savage Bone Relic.

"You..."

One of the cloaked figures clenched his fists, almost ready to lash out, upon hearing the arrogant mockery from the snake-like boy, but was stopped by the other.

"Then I'll leave it to you two," the cloaked man said.

"Ha! You're angry already? So you really are from Tai'a Divine City. Don't worry, I, Viper, am most skilled at using poison. This job, I'll take it!"

In competitive battles, death and maiming are not uncommon, after all, they are real duels with real swords and blades, and many times when a move is made, it is with all one's might!

Even in the internal battles of Tai'a Divine City, when everyone tries to avoid a fight to the death, someone might still die in the arena.

Such battles between opposing forces are bound to be more intense, even brutal.

"It's a deal!" The two cloaked figures quietly withdrew.

The fat man in yellow, with a bamboo skewer dangling from his mouth, slowly picked his teeth. "These trial participants from Tai'a Divine City are truly pathetic. With an external enemy at hand, they turn against each other!"

"Hehe, jealousy and hatred are terrible forces that can drive people mad and make them act without considering the consequences. But that's for the best. Senior Brother Qianshui, Yi Yun has just turned fourteen. We should be in the same group. I'll just steal this business opportunity!"

"Of course, do as you please," the fat man in yellow said, unconcerned.

"But who exactly are these two? They're quite cunning; they've even disguised their voices," the venomous snake man added.

"Hehe! One of them is one-armed. He thinks he's disguised himself well, but there's no energy fluctuation in his prosthetic arm. How could he fool me? There are many trial participants in Tai'a Divine City, but there are probably very few one-armed ones. If you want to find him, you'll definitely be able to."

As the fat man spoke, a wicked smile crept across his lips...

The following morning, as dawn broke, a light snow was still falling in Tai'a Divine City. People from all directions began to gather at the arena to attend the city lord's birthday banquet, which was also the Alliance Tournament.

The arena has been cleared out, and large tables for ten people are placed throughout the arena.

At the VIP seats were small tables prepared for renowned figures from various powerful factions.

Fine wines and delicacies were laid out in abundance; this birthday banquet was more than ten times larger than the one held seven days prior.

The arena, however, exuded a murderous aura. The elegance of the Brocade Pavilion was gone, and even the forks and chopsticks on the table were made of black iron, giving off a chilling feeling. It didn't look like a birthday banquet at all.

The central Divine Desolation Stage is specially equipped with an array, so even if a fierce battle breaks out on the Divine Desolation Stage, the surrounding birthday banquet will not be affected.

But at this point, few of the young talents present could eat in peace.

Of course, there are exceptions.

On the Cloud Dragon Divine Kingdom's side, a fat man in yellow was happily devouring roasted meat, completely oblivious to the fact that the birthday banquet had not yet officially begun.

We've almost completely fallen out, why bother with these formalities? Besides, how can we go on stage if we don't eat our fill?

Beside the fat man in yellow sat a gaunt, tattooed teenager with a venomous snake coiled around his body. His eyes, like those of a venomous snake, were searching for their prey.

Until he saw a Linen-clothed Youth walk into the arena, he smiled slightly, revealing sharp, cone-like teeth at the corner of his mouth.

"Tsk tsk, the prey has arrived, so fresh and delicious."

As he spoke, the fat man next to him also looked up at Yi Yun.

"Oh! It really is him, poor kid, he doesn't even know his fellow disciples are already framing him, hahaha!"

The fat man laughed heartily, his mouth greasy.

Walking among the crowd, Yi Yun frowned slightly; he sensed someone was watching him.

He didn't need to turn his head; he simply activated his Energy Vision and instantly locked onto the fat man in yellow and the snake-wielding boy.

"Huh? I don't know these two people. Why are they staring at me?"

Yi Yun subconsciously touched his Space Ring, inside which was the weapon he had just chosen yesterday!

(Third update. I tried to adjust to the time difference the day before yesterday, but failed.)

...(To be continued~^~)