Chapter 391: 389, Goodbye Wanyan (1/4)
As dawn broke, Mountain and Sea City began to warm up. This was Wenping’s first experience in a place with such extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night. During the day, it’s probably around 30 degrees, but at night, it can drop below zero, forming thick layers of ice in an instant.
However, within half an hour after dawn, the temperature can rapidly rise by dozens of degrees. This speed is so fast, it feels as if you’re in both freezing and boiling temperatures simultaneously. Because in the previous hour, you might be wrapped in a thick blanket, yet shortly after, you might switch to a sheer fabric.
After waking up, Wenping intentionally took Lin Kewu and the other two to eat some of Mountain and Sea City’s unique foods.
However, facing these delicious specialty foods, Lin Kewu seemed quite absent-minded.
"This kid’s lost his mind," Wenping laughed helplessly from the side, but he understood Lin Kewu’s urgent desire to find Wanyan and prove himself worthy of her.
In truth, he too wanted to quickly find his parents and rebuild his warm home, but he couldn’t rush it.
His aunt was already at the Upper Realm of Mountain Suppression.
The forces involving his parents would be as massive as Mount Tai, something he couldn’t interfere with at the moment.
Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds chimed in, "Wen Sect Leader, do you want to go watch the selection tournament today? Participants in the selection tournament are at least of the 13th Realm, and very young. If they were at Three Lakes, they’d be top talents. Perhaps there might even be one or two Anomalous Veins."
Honestly, he really did want to see it.
Not because he thought those kids fighting would be very exciting, but because this event was worth spending time on.
"No, I have other things to attend to." Wenping shook his head, politely declining Cang Lan’s enthusiastic invitation, "You can take Lin Kewu and the others to watch and learn from others’ strengths."
"Alright then, Wen Sect Leader, we’ll go ahead." With that, Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds had already stood up.
Lin Kewu quickly put down the food he was holding and grabbed Yang Xi’s hand, "We’re leaving, Senior Sister."
"But I’m not full yet?" Yang Xi looked reluctant.
"Eat as we walk... Sect Leader, we’re off."
With that, Lin Kewu dragged the two of them along with Cang Lan onto the Beast Vehicle, eager to leave. Wenping continued to eat a couple of bites, settled the bill, and then left the Inn.
Wenping naturally went to inquire about the Iron Mountain Pavilion.
According to his judgment, the Iron Mountain Pavilion people should be just helpers, not the force his mother is part of—his aunt at the Upper Realm of Mountain Suppression is the best evidence.
And for a Four-star Influence to willingly play a supporting role, the biggest possibility is that the Iron Mountain Pavilion is a subordinate force of theirs.
A subordinate helping a superior solve problems fits perfectly with the situation Biyue Piaoling described to him.
...
On the other side, Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds brought Lin Kewu and the two to the Martial Arts Arena. Because of the Half-Step Mountain Suppression Realm, they immediately found a vantage point at the Martial Arts Arena—around the arena, there are hundreds of high platforms, with square tables and chairs on them.
High above, they could see the entire Martial Arts Arena.
"So many people," Yang Xi couldn’t help but exclaim after jumping up, overlooking the Martial Arts Arena, the number of people surrounding the arena was indeed too many. Yesterday she couldn’t feel so many people when squeezed into the crowd.
Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds laughed and responded, "Every year, at least tens of thousands of people come to watch the selection tournament. Actually, at the start, it’s not considered crowded. In a few days, when you come back to watch, there’ll be no place to stand outside the Martial Arts Arena."
Luo Mi asked from the side, "Old City Lord, did you ever participate before?"
"No, I spent my youth always following my father during cultivation. When my father was around, I traveled extensively. After he was gone, I took over the Cloud Sea City," Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds recounted.
It was clear that he enjoyed sharing his past experiences with Yang Xi and the others while reminiscing, like a senior talking to juniors about his glorious youthful achievements.
Yang Xi and the others listened to Cang Lan’s stories while watching the Martial Arts Arena below. Yet Lin Kewu was alone on the side, standing by the high platform’s railing, his eyes constantly scanning below, his gaze wandering through the crowd with his two-colored eyes.
...
"Wanyan, go for it."
A few close friends cheered loudly as Wanyan stepped onto the stage.
With their shouts, the surrounding youths also began to cheer loudly.
They were all from Qi Bing Academy, having met Wanyan half a month ago. More importantly, Wanyan was someone Brother Lin liked; they had to support her.
"Wanyan, victory assured!"
"Wanyan, victory assured!"
With their cheers behind her, Wanyan stepped forward from the crowd, heading towards the focal point, the platform.
Suddenly, whispers reached her ears.
"Don’t worry, as long as you beat your opponent, my uncle promised Little Lin to ensure you’re admitted into the Inner Courtyard. Little Lin has already spoken on your behalf; entering the Inner Courtyard, a Divine Profound Realm Elder will directly take you as a disciple."
With the words from a sword-wielding youth addressed as Akun, Wanyan walked step by step towards the platform.
Her pace was slow, but it was assured.
Victory?
It shouldn’t be a problem.
Even if there is a problem, she has to persist.
If she beats her opponent, she can become a disciple of the Divine Profound Realm.
And at this moment, Lin Kewu stood on the high platform, his eyes fixing on Wanyan.
Wanyan may have changed her clothes, and her face was turned away, but her familiar movements were unmistakable.
When she walked, she liked to use her fingertips to clasp the sword sheath when nervous.
This action, he could never forget.
"Old City Lord, Senior Sister, keep watching... I have things to do below." Lin Kewu said then quickly climbed down the steps, not giving Cang Lan and the others a chance to call him back.
"Excuse me, let me through!"
"Sorry, please let me pass!"
"Sorry, coming through!"
Lin Kewu walked step by step toward the platform where Wanyan stood. The crowded throngs, accompanied by occasional curses, couldn’t stop him. Until he stood at the edge of the platform, his heart finally settled.
"Wanyan, go for it!"
Lin Kewu shouted hysterically.
This drew the attention of the Qi Bing Academy people and caused Wanyan, initially focused on her opponent, to change her expression instantly.
"Kewu?"
Wanyan immediately turned her head.
Glancing left and right, her gaze landed on Lin Kewu in the crowd, and she smiled.
Regardless of romance, considering solely their relationship, Lin Kewu had always been her best friend.
Lin Kewu’s sudden appearance there made her unable not to be happy.
"Watch out!"
Just as she was about to speak, Lin Kewu exclaimed a warning, and Wanyan instinctively turned back, seeing her opponent already charging at her with a spear. The spear’s tip struck the ground, scattering sparks, and was instantly before her.
"Take this spear!"
The opponent roared, the spear lunging like a dragon, aiming straight at Wanyan’s chest—a killer move right from the start.
At this moment, Wanyan could only raise her sword to her chest, defending passively. Due to her momentary distraction, her opponent gained the initiative, controlling the battle’s pace. She could only slowly seek opportunities.
If her opponent were a Realm lower than hers, this wouldn’t be an issue.
However, her opponent was slightly older and in the 13th Realm, with overwhelming combat experience.