Roommate and Senior Student (Fourth New Year's Eve Update)

Luo Jun found a fancy-looking tavern, ordered some local specialties from the Savage Wilderness, and enjoyed them with uniquely flavored fruit juices while listening to the gossip of the passing customers. He felt quite content.

After eating and drinking his fill, it was already evening. He carried the packed groceries back to his dormitory, humming a little tune.

As soon as I opened the door, my three roommates were back; they were the same three as they had a month ago.

"Ha, it really is him!" one of the tall, burly young men laughed and held out his hand to his companion, "Come on, pay up!"

The other two reluctantly took out a five-yuan Wildlands Coin and stuffed it into his hand. One of the tall, thin boys greeted Luo Jun: "Sorry, we saw something on the bed earlier. We bet we know it's you back, or maybe there's a new girl..."

Luo Jun waved his hand to indicate that he didn't care, put the leftovers on the table, and began to make the bed.

"What's that smell? It smells so good!"

The chubby boy among the three twitched his nose, finally fixing his gaze on the table.

"What kind of dish is this...?" The chubby boy swallowed hard.

"Um... Oil-Fried Dense Fog Shrimp, Braised Dragon Claw..."

"This must be expensive! I only ever see dishes with names like this on the billboards of high-end restaurants..." The chubby boy's eyes lit up. "Can I try some...?"

"If you don't mind..."

"Thank you!" the chubby boy exclaimed, grabbing the cup. The tall, thin boy beside him scolded, "Zhu Da, you're so pathetic..."

But the chubby boy was too quick; he was already chewing a piece of shrimp when he simultaneously stuffed another piece into the tall, thin boy's mouth.

The tall, thin boy paused for a moment, but after tasting the delicious flavor, he couldn't help but start chewing...

"Is it delicious?" The chubby boy, his mouth greasy from eating, called out to the tall, strong boy, "Come on, come on, it tastes amazing!"

Seeing the three of them enjoying their meal, Luo Jun's lips curled into a slight smile.

It wasn't mockery; I just felt relaxed, even relieved.

Most young people who come to this Savage Wilderness for the first time find it difficult to adapt to the environment. In order to avoid being homeless after the newbie protection expires, they spend the first month working hard to earn money to save for rent and are very careful with their money. They can't even afford to eat at roadside stalls, let alone high-end dishes in taverns, and basically have to rely on the rationed meals to get by.

Luo Jun had tried the taste and texture once; it was similar to toilet paper soaked in water and sprinkled with salt... Luo Jun prided himself on having endured hardship, and he couldn't stand eating this stuff every day.

It's clear that these three newcomers have suffered a lot this month...

All three had good personalities, and they chatted with Luo Jun while eating. Although Luo Jun appeared indifferent, he was a sunny and cheerful young man at heart, and he responded casually.

A quick chat revealed that these three were all senior students from the Ningdong Academy, currently in their second year and about to enter their third year. Their purpose in coming here was to hone their skills.

Among them, the chubby boy Zhu Da was at the first level of the Foundation Establishment Realm, the tall and muscular one was named Zhao Jian, and the thin and steady one was named Xu Yiming. They were both at the second level of the Foundation Establishment Realm. The three of them were good friends at school, so they decided to come to the Savage Wilderness for training during the holiday.

However, their skill level was low, and their practical experience was limited. After struggling here for a month, they were still Entry Level...

"But we'll level up soon too!" Zhao Jian chuckled, munching on a piece of dinosaur meat. "We plan to go back to the Main World to recuperate when the gate opens tomorrow. We'll definitely be able to level up to Common-level next time we come in!"

"By the way, what level is Night Brother now?" Xu Yiming asked curiously, "You moved out as soon as you arrived? We thought you were from some Great Family and received preferential treatment!"

Luo Jun waved his hand. "I just happen to have a friend in the Savage Wilderness, and I've been staying with him for a while..."

"Your friend must be a seasoned hunter, right?" Zhu Da said enviously, "You got such good food! Why did you come back today?"

Luo Jun sighed, "The house burned down last night."

"Oh dear... what a pity... no wonder your luggage is all dark..." Zhu Da looked sympathetic. "But it's okay, I heard the guild will rebuild the houses. They're very efficient. We'll go back to the Main World tomorrow and come back in a month, maybe they'll be finished by then."

"Speaking of which, we were fighting bugs on the city wall yesterday too!" Zhao Jian flexed his muscles. "I personally killed four Soldier Ant! Xu Yiming was even better; he took down a Flying Ant!"

Luo Jun nodded. Although these three students were not at a high level, the academy school emphasized a solid foundation. Their Body Refinement Realm should be at the fourth or fifth level, which was stronger than most independent cultivators who would attempt to reach the Qi Foundation Establishment Realm at the Rogue Cultivator level. They were just slower to level up due to a lack of hunting experience, but their strength should not be bad.

"Night Brother, you were in the battle last night too, weren't you?" Xu Yiming asked curiously. "I see you're about the same age as us, what level are you at?"

"I'm about the same as you guys... I also took down a few..." Luo Jun was too embarrassed to say that he was at the fourth level of the Body Refinement Realm, especially since he had just broken through last night.

"I heard that the reason we were able to successfully stop the ants last night was because a master strategist went out of the city to carry out Beheading Operation!" Zhao Jian said mysteriously.

"You guys remember how many fireballs hit the city at the beginning? After the protective shield opened, we never saw them again. I heard from a hunter guarding the east wall that last night several Elite-level left the city from that side to take down the turrets that fired the fireballs. They say it was a super-giant ant, surrounded by Violetgold War Ant!"

"Violetgold War Ant?" The chubby boy Zhu Da, widened his eyes. "Just looking at those things terrifies me..."

"You don't see how scary the food is!" Xu Yiming tapped him. "But then again, we're still too weak. In a battle like last night, it was difficult enough to even protect ourselves... The real Protection of Lingyun City are those top experts."

"We won't have to worry about the ants anymore!" Zhao Jian laughed. "The Ant Queen Frost Moon Troupe. By the way, Night Brother, did you go see the triumphant parade of the expedition team today? The Frost Moon Troupe was so impressive! The Grand Commander rode a dinosaur, what a sight!"

"And the vice-captain is beautiful too!" Zhu Da raised her hand. "I love those charismatic older sisters! I wish I could join the Frost Moon Troupe..."

"Don't even think about it! We still have to go back to school in September..." Xu Yiming complained, "Besides, the Frost Moon Troupe only recruits established experts. Little Karami like us aren't even worth their attention, right, Night Brother?"

Luo Jun nodded, then suddenly his ears twitched and he looked toward the door.

Knock, knock, knock—the sound of knocking came from the door.

"I'll go open it!" The chubby boy who was closest to the door ran over, but when he opened it, he was stunned.

A woman in red stood at the doorway, with sharp eyebrows and phoenix eyes, exuding a commanding presence.

"Guan... Guan Hongyue?"

Seeing his idol up close, the chubby boy felt his heart skip a beat.

Guan Hongyue smiled slightly, "Is there someone named Ye who lives here?"

This is the fourth update on New Year's Eve, and there's more to come!

(End of this chapter)