"This second round of the assessment is truly brutal. First they make us hunt one another, and then they send disciples from the previous batch of Martial Ascension Gate to hunt us down. No wonder people said that out of millions who take part, at most twenty or thirty thousand ever make it through."
After finishing the words on the light screen, Li Yun lifted his hand and dispersed it. He drew in a slow breath, and a solemn look settled over his face.
This assessment was even harsher than he had anticipated.
The seriousness on Li Yun’s expression lasted only a moment before a confident smile appeared. "No matter how difficult it is, I am certain I can pass."
"The Eternal Sky Hunt has only just begun, and most of the martial artists here will not have accumulated many contribution points yet. Snatching such a small amount is hardly worth the effort. I will explore the Eternal Sky Secret Realm first and see if I can find some treasures to strengthen myself. Once they have fought long enough and gathered more contribution points, I will make my move. That will be far more worthwhile."
A sharp glint flashed through Li Yun’s eyes as he formed a clear plan in his mind.
He would bide his time and let others clash first. When they were exhausted and rich in contribution points, he would step in and claim the spoils.
With a sudden burst of speed, Li Yun turned into a streak of light and shot toward the depths of the Eternal Sky Secret Realm.
"Wait a moment, Your Excellency!"
Just as Li Yun had flown several thousand meters, a shout rang out behind him.
Li Yun halted and looked back, seeing a green-robed young man rushing toward him through the air. The newcomer’s cultivation had clearly reached at least the first level of the Xiantian Realm.
Li Yun narrowed his eyes, his expression growing cautious.
The Eternal Sky Hunt had already begun, and everyone within this secret realm was a potential enemy. Facing someone whose intentions were unclear demanded absolute vigilance.
"Please do not be on guard, Your Excellency. I mean no ill intent."
Noticing the caution in Li Yun’s gaze, the young man immediately stopped about twenty meters away. He then revealed an amicable smile and spoke in a familiar, almost casual manner. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ming Yun. The reason I called out to you is quite simple. I would like to ask whether you are interested in making a deal with me."
"A deal?" Li Yun lifted an eyebrow. "What kind of deal?"
"An information deal, of course," Ming Yun replied with a grin. "I make my living selling information. As long as you pay enough spirit stones, I can tell you everything I know. I also guarantee the accuracy of my information. If there is even the slightest falsehood, I will compensate you tenfold."
"You are certainly an unusual one," Li Yun said with a soft laugh. "Everyone else enters the Eternal Sky Secret Realm to seize contribution points or search for treasures, yet you come here to do business."
Ming Yun chuckled. "Everyone walks their own path."
He then asked again, "Is there any information you wish to buy, Your Excellency?"
Li Yun shook his head. "Not at the moment. I am completely unfamiliar with this place and have no idea what I should even ask about."
"That is easy to solve," Ming Yun said cheerfully. "I can briefly suggest a few types of information. If any of them interest you, you can purchase them with spirit stones. If not, we can part ways, and I will leave you my contact information. Should you need anything later, you can always seek me out."
Li Yun nodded slightly. "Go on. What information are you recommending?"
After a moment of thought, Ming Yun replied, "For instance, details about the New Disciples Ranking and the powerhouses listed on it, information about the locations in the Eternal Sky Secret Realm that are truly worth visiting, and the benefits one can obtain by achieving a high position on the New Disciples Ranking."
Hearing this, Li Yun’s eyes brightened. "Very well. I will buy those three pieces of information you just mentioned."
"Those three pieces of information?" Ming Yun chuckled softly. "They happen to be my most valuable stock, so the price will not be low."
As he spoke, his eyes gleamed with excitement. He rubbed his palms together, wearing the smile of a seasoned merchant. "Information about the New Disciples Ranking costs one thousand low-grade spirit stones. The must-visit locations within the Eternal Sky Secret Realm cost seven hundred low-grade spirit stones. As for the last piece of information, that one is cheaper, only one hundred low-grade spirit stones."
"What?" Li Yun stared at him in disbelief. "Eighteen hundred low-grade spirit stones for three bits of information? You might as well openly rob someone."
"Robbery?" Ming Yun laughed. "Robbing is far slower than earning spirit stones through information. Since that is the case, why would I bother robbing anyone?"
He tilted his head slightly and asked with a sly grin, "So, Your Excellency, are you buying or not? If not, I will take my leave."
"I will buy," Li Yun replied without hesitation.
Eighteen hundred low-grade spirit stones meant little to him, and spending that amount for useful information was well worth it.
In truth, Li Yun could have subdued Ming Yun and forced the information out of him without paying a single spirit stone. However, he chose not to.
Firstly, Li Yun was not someone who liked to take things by force without reason. Secondly, Ming Yun was clearly not an ordinary person. Anyone who dared to approach him alone to sell information must possess reliable means of self-preservation. Even Ming Yun’s speed earlier had impressed Li Yun, and he suspected that his own speed might not even surpass the man’s.
Perhaps Ming Yun was not stronger than him, but escaping would likely be well within his abilities. After considering it, paying the price was far simpler and avoided unnecessary trouble.
"One hand for spirit stones, one hand for information," Ming Yun said, extending his palm.
Li Yun shot him an annoyed glance, retrieved the spirit stones, and tossed them over. "Now speak. Tell me those three pieces of information."
"Pleasure doing business," Ming Yun said with a broad grin as he put away the spirit stones. He then cleared his throat and continued, "Let me start with the New Disciples Ranking."
"There are actually two New Disciples Rankings. The first is the official ranking of Martial Ascension Gate. Everyone who enters the Eternal Sky Secret Realm is recorded on it, and their position is determined solely by the number of contribution points they accumulate."
"The second ranking is unofficial. It is a privately compiled list where positions are judged by the personal strength of the martial artists themselves."
"Of course, you should treat this private ranking only as a reference and not as absolute truth. A martial artist’s strength is never fixed. Someone who seems ordinary today might rise dramatically tomorrow after encountering a great opportunity."
"As for the official New Disciples Ranking, the Eternal Sky Hunt has only just begun, so the standings have not yet changed much. There is little worth discussing there for now. Instead, I will focus on the private New Disciples Ranking."
"The person ranked first is Ye Beichen, nineteen years old this year. He is a cultivator at the fifth level of the Xiantian Realm and specializes in sword techniques. His Extreme Light Ice Heaven Sword is exceptionally powerful and allows him to slay opponents above his own realm."
"The second-ranked individual is Zhu Ximen, also nineteen years old and likewise at the fifth level of the Xiantian Realm. He practices the Mountain River Crushing Fist, a technique said to possess the power to shatter mountains and tear apart rivers."
"The third-ranked person is Lu Changsan, eighteen years old, with cultivation at the fourth level of the Xiantian Realm. He is a body-refining martial artist who cultivates the Black Demon Battle Body. His physical strength has already reached a frightening level."
"The fourth-ranked individual is Han Lingxue, a renowned beauty with formidable strength. She is a also a fourth-level Xiantian Realm cultivator."
"The fifth-ranked person is... and the sixth-ranked is..."
Ming Yun continued in this manner, listing a total of twenty names. For each one, he carefully explained their position on the private New Disciples Ranking, their cultivation level, and the distinctive techniques and martial skills for which they were known.
"These spirit stones were well spent."
As he listened to Ming Yun’s explanation, Li Yun nodded in clear satisfaction. Setting everything else aside, the information about the two New Disciples Rankings alone was, in his view, already worth far more than the eighteen hundred low-grade spirit stones he had paid.
After finishing the final name on the private New Disciples Ranking, Ming Yun continued, "The private ranking only records the top twenty genius-level experts. I have already given you all the details about them. Now let me explain the benefits of achieving a high position on the New Disciples Ranking."
"Of course, I am referring to the official New Disciples Ranking, not the private one."
"Once this assessment ends, anyone who places within the top ten of the official New Disciples Ranking will receive an additional contribution point reward. On top of that, the top three will each receive special rewards. These rewards vary from one recruitment session to another, but one thing never changes: they are always extremely generous."
"In particular, the person who takes first place on the New Disciples Ranking not only receives rewards that make countless people burn with envy, but also gains an honorary title known as the New Talent King."
"Let me add one more thing. Although the official New Disciples Ranking is currently based on contribution points, the final rankings will still be decided through combat. After the assessment ends, the top fifty on the official ranking will fight again, and the results of those battles will determine the final positions."
Ming Yun paused briefly before moving on. "Now for the last piece of information, which concerns a place you absolutely should not miss in the Eternal Sky Secret Realm."
"That place lies in the central region of the Eternal Sky Secret Realm. There stands the Eternal Sky Heavenly Tablet. According to legend, this tablet contains records of all the martial skills of the ancient Soaring Cloud Sect. Anyone who sits beneath it and comprehends its inscriptions may gain one of the hidden martial skills of the Soaring Cloud Sect."
"However, this opportunity is not open to everyone. The Eternal Sky Heavenly Tablet will only open after one month, and there are merely six slots for comprehension. Whether you can secure one depends entirely on your strength."
It had to be said that although Ming Yun behaved like a shameless profiteer, the information he provided was thorough and precise, leaving Li Yun extremely satisfied.
"Well then, Your Excellency, I have delivered everything you purchased. I will take my leave now."
Just as Li Yun nodded, Ming Yun suddenly moved. His figure blurred and turned into a streak of light, shooting away like a bolt of lightning. Before Li Yun could even react, Ming Yun had already vanished into the distance.
"What terrifying speed."
Li Yun could not hide his surprise. It was now clear why Ming Yun dared to approach him alone and sell information so openly. With speed like that, even Li Yun would struggle to catch him.
"Alright, it is time for me to move as well."
Li Yun withdrew his gaze and prepared to leave. At that moment, Ming Yun’s voice echoed faintly from afar.
"Your Excellency, since this is our first transaction, I will give you one piece of information for free. Two hundred meters to the east, there is a medicinal garden. It is rumored that a Nine Extremes Magnetic Origin Fruit has appeared there. If you are interested, you can go take a look. As for whether you can obtain it, that will depend entirely on your own ability."

Comments

Loading...