Chapter 37: The Eve of the Great War (Part 1)

  In front of the Tianfeng Cave, Lu Yun stood quietly in mid-air, proudly gazing at the horizon. Those shining eyes held a mysterious and provocative aura that ordinary people couldn't penetrate. At this moment, his silent demeanor seemed to be showcasing something to the heavens, as if he was defying the universe itself.

  On the ground, Zhenyu Xianren looked at Haoyun Ju Shi who was walking towards him, his face still hadn't recovered its calmness, and asked excitedly: "Haoyun brother, is Bitian okay? This time, I really don't know what to say. To be honest, I'm not clear about the result either. Luyun has been under my Yiyuan gate for only two years, this is simply unbelievable."

  Hao Yunju smiled slightly bitterly and said, "Actually, this is also a very normal thing. Winning or losing is a common occurrence in the military, and I naturally won't mind about this point. However, this time my Ru Garden's last name is already set. On the other hand, you Yi Garden, this time it's really shocking, shaking the entire Xiuzhen world! This time, among the top six strong ones, two of them are from Yi Garden, which is truly beyond everyone's expectations! Old friend, work hard, and who knows, maybe this time the first place will fall into Lu Yun's hands."

  Xuan Yu's expression gradually calmed down, and he looked at Lu Yun in mid-air. A brilliant light flashed in his eyes. Softly, Xuan Yu said: "Let's hope so. If this time he can really help Yi Yuan win the first place, then Yi Yuan may also become like Tian Jian Academy back then, jumping to the top of the six academies. But this is probably unrealistic. Lu Yun has many secrets hidden on him, and there are still many things that we don't know about."

  On the side, Zi Yang Zhenren's expression was agitated and said: "I believe he will definitely make Yiyuan proud, because before the competition, he said that he wants to win first place this time. I believe he can do it." The tone was firm, and the importance of Lu Yun was very resolute.

  Xuan Yu Zhen Ren understood his emotions at this moment and knew that the excitement was impossible to conceal. Looking at him, Xuan Yu Zhen Ren nodded slightly and said softly: "We will all support him with all our might, don't worry. Now let's call him down, we should go back, otherwise Tian Jian Academy will say we are demonstrating." After finishing, he glanced at Lu Yun.

  In mid-air, Lu Yun heard all the words of the people below. At this time, he heard Xuan Yu Zhenren leave, and he glanced at Ruyi Heart Soul Sword with a slight smile. With a wave of his right hand, the divine sword Ruyi appeared in his hand. Looking at the transparent sword body, the dazzling dragon shadow, Lu Yun's mouth corner couldn't help but reveal a hint of a smile. In his heart, he understood that the dragon shadow on this sword was actually the original form of Longhun.

  This time, the Divine Sword Like Intention absorbed Bi Tianya's powerful True Yuan of Extreme Yang and Extreme Hardness, which was beneficial to both the sword itself and the Dragon Soul. Bi Tianya's one blow contained not only the True Yuan of Extreme Yang and Extreme Hardness, but also a strong ball of light that contained a stock of Heavenly Righteous Qi. The Dragon Soul was originally a divine object, but due to its physical body being destroyed, its power as just a soul was relatively weaker. This time, with the help of the Heavenly Righteous Qi, it merged with the Divine Sword Like Intention, and their combined power increased by tenfold, which was something even the Dragon Soul itself had not anticipated.

  Lu Yun's right hand waved, and a fierce fire true yuan suddenly entered the Sword God. Suddenly, a shocking sword whistling sound came from the sky. Only to see in mid-air, a shadow of a divine dragon suddenly flew out from the sword body, accompanied by a crimson glow, as if it was going to swallow the sky and spit out the earth, extremely powerful. The fire dragon let out a loud roar towards the sky, and its wildly violent aura instantly burst forth, filling every corner. After circling around the horizon for a moment, amidst the flashing red light, the fire dragon returned to the divine sword Like Intent once again.

  Lu Yun smiled with satisfaction, and his body suddenly appeared beside everyone. His eyes looked at Ao Xue with deep affection, and the two exchanged a smile in their eyes, before slightly averting their gaze. Seeing the surprised expressions of everyone, Lu Yun's expression returned to calmness once again, and his powerful aura was instantly retracted. It was as if he wasn't the same person from just now, truly astonishing and hard to believe.

  Lin Yunfeng's expression was agitated as he stepped forward and grabbed him, anxiously asking: "Lu Yun, how many more secrets do you have that we don't know about? Why do you have such powerful cultivation, I didn't notice it at all before? You're really not a good friend, being so formidable without telling us beforehand. It even made me think earlier that you were knocked to the ground by Bi Tian's move, Hao Qi Chang Cun."

  On the side, Zi Yang Zhen Ren also spoke up: "Exactly, I was scared to death earlier. But later your performance really made us Yi Garden proud, and we're all honored to have you. Keep working hard, I still hope you can achieve better results for us in that top six competition." After finishing speaking, he looked at him excitedly, deeply moving his heart with that gaze.

  Looking around at the others, everyone's eyes were filled with surprise and astonishment. Lu Yun was extremely delighted in his heart. With a slight smile, Lu Yun said: "Thank you all for your concern, I'm fine. Let's head back now." Without saying much more, he just smiled at everyone and then turned to ride the wind away.

  Looking at Lu Yun's back, Haoyun Gentleman said: "There is a king-like aura on his body. It's a strange and mysterious aura that combines the King's Way and the Overlord's Way. Lu Yun seems to not like showing himself off, perhaps he has some unknown secrets hidden in his heart." After finishing speaking, he glanced at Xuan Yu True Person and turned around to leave.

  Looking at the distant Lu Yun, Xuan Yu Zhenren fell into thought for a moment before saying: "Alright, let's all head back. As for Lu Yun, since he doesn't want to bring it up, let's not ask about it either. After this competition ends, many things will naturally become clear." Having said that, he took Li Hongfei, who was severely injured, and left.

  Back at the Tianhuo Cave, everyone gathered together. Xuan Yu looked at Lu Yun and Ao Xue with a glance, and said in a soft voice: "This time, Ao Xue and Lu Yun both entered the top six at the same time, which is an extremely unexpected good thing. This has a crucial impact on the status of our Yi Garden in the cultivation world. Tomorrow, the most critical battle among the top six will be held, and then we will see who is superior or inferior. This competition will be held at Tianxuan Cave, where all the masters will gather to compete one by one. The six people will be divided into three groups, with the winners competing for the top three places and the losers competing for the ranking of the last three places. This will affect the ranking problem of the six academies in the next ten years, as well as which academy will host the Six Academies' Martial Arts Conference in the next world. Therefore, I hope that Lu Yun and Ao Xue will both go all out and make their greatest efforts." After finishing speaking, he looked at the two with encouraging eyes.

  Lu Yun looked at Xuan Yu Zhen Ren and asked in a soft voice, "I'd like to ask, if the two strongest people of this generation were to meet, wouldn't the one who loses be limited to fourth place at most? Wouldn't that be unfair?"

  "The one thing you don't have to worry about is that the conference has a rule. In the last round of competition, if the person who is placed feels it's unfair, they can request a match with the top three players. If he wins against that player, then it proves he has strong abilities and will replace that player's position until everyone is convinced. Of course, in such a situation, if the competitor feels there is a huge gap between them and their opponent, they can also choose to give up directly and concede victory to the other side. In the final three-person match, for fairness, the three people will draw lots to decide which two go first, and the remaining person goes last. If the first player gets injured during the competition, the match can be postponed for one or two days until they recover, then proceed with a fair match until the champion is decided."

  Lu Yun only then understood the rules of the competition. He glanced at Ao Xue, and his gaze swept across everyone's face before suddenly asking: "And what about this final opponent? Is it also decided by drawing lots? Who will be drawing the lots? In the Cultivation Realm, once one's cultivation reaches a certain level, they can easily know everything inside. Such a draw would likely not be fair either."

  Everyone was stunned, and after careful consideration, they all nodded in agreement. Zi Yang and Jing Yue smiled but remained silent. Ao Xue, Yun Feng, and Li Hongfei looked at Xuan Yu Zhenren with inquiring eyes. Xuan Yu Zhenren chuckled: "Lu Yun's question is very good, it shows that you were well-prepared before the competition, with meticulous thoughts and no carelessness. Actually, someone asked about this a long time ago, so all six institutes are aware of its existence. To ensure fairness, when drawing lots for each match, the names of the six participants are written on identical jade stones, which are then drawn by a disciple from one of the institutes. Before drawing, the disciple's cultivation is sealed by the headmaster to ensure impartiality. The result cannot be faked, and everyone has no objections. This time will be the same. Don't worry, I'll pay close attention."

  The four disciples under the gate only understood that there was such a rule inside, and it was quite fair. Finally, Xuan Yu Zhenren said some irrelevant words and went to participate in the most critical battle at Tianxuandong. Li Hongfei didn't say anything due to his severe injury and returned to the cave to recover on his own. Zi Yang Zhenren only said a few encouraging words before entering to help Li Hongfei recover and assist him in recovering as soon as possible.

  As soon as Zi Yang Zhen Ren left, Lin Yun Feng suddenly asked about the situation with Ao Xue's match. Yun Feng said: "Master sister, did you help me take revenge today and properly teach that Zhan Yu a lesson? That guy is arrogant, don't show mercy, only proper punishment is suitable."

  Ao Xue heard this and said calmly, "I've already taught him a lesson. He'll have to stay in the cave for at least a few days to recover. I didn't hold back when I struck, so you don't need to remember that grudge anymore." After finishing speaking, he glanced at his master, and it seemed like there was something hidden in his eyes.

  Master Jingyue glanced at Ao Xue and said softly, "Let's do our best tomorrow. I don't have much to say now. Let's talk after the opponent knows the result." After finishing speaking, he looked at Lu Yun with a slightly unusual expression, then turned around and left.

  In the mountain cave, Yun Feng looked at Lu Yun and then at Ao Xue, and chuckled: "Everyone has left, I think it's not good to stay here either. I'll just go out alone, hehe, gone." After finishing speaking, his body flashed and he arrived at the entrance of the cave.

  Luyu and Aoxue watched his back, their eyes seeing him off. Just as the two thought Yunfeng had left, he suddenly popped out his head, looked at them with a smile and said: "Oh right, I forgot to say, Luyu, you have to take good care of Aoxue Shijie, go for it! I support you, don't forget to thank me later. It was probably me who made you two meet for the first time, wasn't it? Hehe, won't say anymore, I'm off!" After finishing speaking, his figure instantly disappeared.

  Lu Yun's eyes sparkled with an unusual light as he gazed at Ao Xue, who was also looking at him. Both of their eyes held a certain meaning, and the voices in their hearts were revealed in this moment. After a long time, Lu Yun spoke up: "Ao Xue, let's go out for a walk." He stood up, his calm gaze still fixed on her, with an endless longing in his eyes.

  Her eyes flashed with a hint of tenderness, and she nodded slightly. She got up, walked slowly to Lu Yun's side, and a faint fragrance like orchid and musk deeply attracted him. Standing quietly beside him, Ao Xue's moving figure was only a foot away from him, her clear eyes gazing at him. Ao Xue said: "Where are we going?"

  Lu Yun looked at those clear and beautiful eyes, his heart had a surge of emotion, in the silent flow. The feeling of wanting to hold her in his arms was so urgent, unfortunately, he didn't express it. He glanced back, where others were currently living. Lu Yun said softly: "Don't ask too much, trust me, just follow me." After finishing, looking at those eyes, Lu Yun's eyes clearly revealed a loving intention.