Chapter 113: Chapter 84 Water Intent Realm_2
“Little Mingyue has arrived, since that’s the case, let’s set out.”
Liu Ningshuang took out her White Jade Boat, and the three of them stepped onto it, turning into a streak of light as they flew towards the central city.
The venue for the Foundation Establishment junior competition was at the square in the Trial Tower area.
As soon as Lu Yi and his companions arrived, they saw a large number of disciples either standing on the square or hovering in the air.
These disciples were from various realms, some at the Foundation Establishment Realm, while others were at the Golden Core or even Nascent Soul Realm.
After all, the East Forest Ruins only opened once every hundred years, so this junior competition for those at the Foundation Establishment Realm still drew many cultivators who were willing to join the excitement.
Even Lu Yi saw many Elders standing high in the sky, seemingly there to join in the fun as well.
At the moment, the square around the Trial Tower had grown crowded with stages, prepared for the Foundation Establishment junior competition.
When Lu Yi and his two companions arrived, a crowd of cultivators turned their gaze towards them, including both Inner Sect disciples and Elders.
After causing a Heavenly Tribulation in the Qi Cultivation Realm, Lu Yi’s fame had even surpassed Senior Sister Ningshuang’s. Virtually no one in the Inner Sect didn’t know of him.
The multitude of cultivators began to whisper among themselves.
“It’s Junior Brother Lu, Junior Brother Lu has arrived.”
“Of course he would come, the East Forest Ruins open once every hundred years and are filled with opportunities. With Junior Brother Lu’s talent, if he enters, he will undoubtedly become even more powerful in the future.”
“To think it opens once every hundred years, and it just so happens that Junior Brother Lu has come across it; he truly has astonishing luck.”
“A genius who could cause a Heavenly Tribulation in the Qi Cultivation Realm, how could his fortune be anything but extraordinary?”
No one thought to guess whether Lu Yi would pass the selection to enter the East Forest Ruins.
That was completely expected; after all, Lu Yi had now reached the 23rd floor in the Trial Tower, indicating that he could kill cultivators at the Golden Core Third Layer.
He had always ranked first in the Foundation Establishment Trial List, barely shaken from his spot.
With such strength, who could doubt him?
Liu Ningshuang looked at Lu Yi and said with a light smile, “Junior Brother, go down. We’ll watch from here.”
Lu Yi nodded, descended with his sword, and came to the square.
Many Foundation Establishment cultivators were here, all participating in the junior competition.
Since there were many Inner Sect disciples at the Foundation Establishment Realm, the sect decided to save time. Only those ranked within the top thousand on the Trial List for the Foundation Establishment cultivators could participate in the competition.
This was a threshold.
No sooner had Lu Yi landed than a number of Foundation Establishment cultivators greeted him with smiles.
“Junior Brother Lu, you’ve come.”
“I hope I won’t encounter you, Junior Brother Lu. Otherwise, it’d be a disaster for me.”
“…”
Lu Yi responded to each one with a smile.
Just then, a familiar voice called out: “Junior Brother Lu!”
Lu Yi turned his head and saw Jiang Fan coming over, with several Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators following along.
Lu Yi smiled, “Senior Brother Jiang Fan, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other.”
Jiang Fan looked Lu Yi up and down, exclaiming, “Indeed, it has been some time since our last meeting. I’ve been busy outside on tasks to gather cultivation resources.”
Lu Yi chuckled, “The fruits of Senior Brother Jiang Fan’s labors are quite evident; you’ve already reached the Third Layer Foundation Establishment.”
Last time Lu Yi had met Jiang Fan, which was over half a year ago, Lu Yi had just made a breakthrough, while Jiang Fan, Bai Yulong, and Tie Man had returned to the sect to recuperate and gathered with Lu Yi.
At that time, Jiang Fan was only at the Second Level Foundation Establishment, and in just half a year, he had advanced another level, which was quite an impressive rate of cultivation.
Lu Yi couldn’t help but feel impressed, thinking that it was no surprise since Jiang Fan had an Acquired Water Spirit Body. Though not as good as an Innate Spiritual Body, it was still much faster than an average cultivator.
Lu Yi remembered that it took Jiang Fan just over two years to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. In those two years, reaching the Foundation Establishment Third Layer was quite an accomplishment, averaging one minor realm a year.
What surprised Lu Yi the most was that Senior Brother Jiang Fan, with his Second Level Foundation Establishment cultivation base, had actually made it into the top thousand on the Trial List. This showed that Jiang Fan’s combat ability was extremely strong and far surpassed his own level of strength.
It was clear that Jiang Fan must also have some aces up his sleeve.
The disciples nearby from Waterfall Peak were Jiang Fan’s seniors and juniors. Seeing Jiang Fan so close to Lu Yi, who was rumored to possess the demeanor of an Immortal, they were all shocked, never expecting that Jiang Fan would have such a good relationship with the renowned Lu Yi.
For a moment, the group of cultivators looking at Jiang Fan did so with gleaming eyes.
To be on good terms with Lu Yi, Jiang must also possess exceptional talent.
They made a mental note to get closer to Jiang Fan in the future.
Lu Yi and Jiang Fan chatted about matters outside the sect, also talking about Bai Yulong and Tie Man.
Bai Yulong and Tie Man, though talented, could not compare to Jiang Fan. Despite all their efforts and risks taken to gain resources over two years, they had only broken through to the Second Layer Foundation Establishment. While good among new Inner Sect disciples, it was still far from the more senior ones.
In terms of combat ability, both were unable to compete with Jiang Fan, failing to make it into the top thousand on the Trial List, thus missing the chance to enter the East Forest Ruins.
Jiang Fan expressed some regret, “This time I’m entering the East Forest Ruins. If I come across treasures suitable for Bai Yulong and Tie Man, perhaps I can help boost their strength.”
Lu Yi smiled, “With Senior Brother Jiang Fan’s intentions, I’m sure Senior Brother Bai Yulong and Senior Brother Tie Man would be very touched.”
As the two were talking and laughing, a figure suddenly appeared in the sky – it was Wu Qingfeng.
Wu Qingfeng wore a stern and majestic expression, entirely different from the gentleness he showed when he first met Lu Yi. His gaze swept over the Foundation Establishment cultivators below and he spoke indifferently, “The purpose of this competition is something you all are already aware of. The East Forest Ruins are a great opportunity for Foundation Establishment cultivators, but opportunities must be fought for with strength. If you lack the strength, even if you enter the ruins, you’re merely sending yourselves to death. So, if you wish to enter the ruins, show your strength!”