Chapter 14, Cloud Water County Town

"Cloud Water County has arrived."

As the sun was setting, a huge city filled with the breath of years appeared, as if a fierce beast roaring, watching Lu Yun and his group with menacing eyes.

"As expected of a county capital, it really is vast and magnificent!" Lu Liangpeng gazed at the distant city, his eyes filled with longing, and his blood boiling with excitement, like an eager little chick.

Being the only city for hundreds of miles around, Cloud Water County's scale naturally could not be compared to that of a small mountain village. The tall, majestic city walls bore the mottled marks of time and an air of vicissitudes, giving these youths from the mountain village an immense visual impact.

Even Lu Yun, who had seen skyscrapers in his previous life, could not help but be astounded by the grandeur of the city walls before him.

"Hehe, this is just a small county town. Once you pass the Martial Academy examination, you might have the opportunity to witness an even more magnificent and grandiose Spirit Martial Prefecture city," explained Lu Cang, who was driving the carriage at the front.

"Eldest brother Lu Cang, I heard that Cloud Water County has powerful martial artists in the True Qi Realm and above. If that's the case, wouldn't the much larger Spirit Martial Prefecture city have even stronger warriors?" Lu Tianhu's face rarely showed a hint of aspiration.

Lu Cang slowly said, "Spirit Martial Prefecture has more than a dozen counties and a population of tens of millions. There are as many martial artists as hairs on an ox. As the most flourishing county capital, it naturally has legendary powerful warriors. As for their realm, that's not something we little folks would know.

However, in the future, you might find out just how high the sky is in Spirit Martial Prefecture, how vast the land is, and just how strong the most powerful warriors are."

"That day won't be far away!" Lu Yun clenched his fist as he looked at the distant city walls and secretly vowed in his heart.

Although he was currently just a minor martial artist in the Enter Martial Realm, having achieved such a result in less than half a year since he started practicing martial arts, he was very confident in advancing to the Meridian Passage Realm and beyond.

Moreover, the most important thing was that he had the panel. As long as he accumulated enough energy points, he would be able to climb the peaks of Martial Arts.

"Let's go into the city. Once it gets dark, you won't be able to enter," added Lu Cang, as he drove the carriage forward.

In a short while, the carriage followed the flow of people, passed through the city gate, and entered the city.

"As expected of a county capital, even the guards at the gates give an unbeatable impression," Lu Liangpeng remarked just after entering the city.

"These guards have at least cultivated a third-rate martial art to great accomplishment, and with armor on their bodies, the pressure and impact they give off are naturally strong," Lu Cang explained with a smile, then drove the carriage forward slowly.

Upon entering the city, their first priority was to find an inn to settle down in.

There was still some time before the Martial Academy examination, and both Lu Liangpeng and Lu Tianhu needed to find a place to recuperate from their injuries.

Due to the upcoming examination, many young men and women had come from other villages and towns to participate. Coupled with the many martial artists passing through, the inns in the county town were all fully booked.

Lu Yun and the others had to look for a dozen inns before they finally got settled down, but by then, the sky had completely darkened.

"In the coming time, this will be my temporary residence until the examination starts," Lu Yun said to himself, sitting on the bed in his room. He closed his eyes and began to practice the Mix Origin Technique.

[Mix Origin Technique: Small achievement (4%), cannot be promoted]

[Energy Points: 0.1]

The next morning, Lu Yun had a satisfied smile on his face when he found that the progress of Mix Origin Technique had increased by 1%.

Compared to using energy points to improve martial arts, Lu Yun preferred this method of working hard on his own and then becoming stronger.

Of course, this was only applicable when he had no energy points. After all, when using energy points, he could become stronger much faster and more easily.

"Knock knock!"

Just then, he heard a knocking sound at the door and then someone calling for him.

"Lu Yun, are you up?"

It was Lu Liangpeng; Lu Yun instantly recognized the voice and got up to open the door.

"The county town of Cloud Water is bustling with excitement, and there are many geniuses gathered. Want to go out for a walk together?" As soon as the door opened, he saw Lu Liangpeng standing at the door, extending the invitation.

Lu Yun did not give an immediate response, instead, he folded his arms and sized up Lu Liangpeng. Suddenly, his gaze sharpened as he saw Lu Tianhu standing behind Lu Liangpeng.

At that moment, Lu Tianhu's gaze also met his, and upon making eye contact, Lu Tianhu curled his lip, saying, "Anyway, there's still some time before the assessment, and since we're idle anyway, it might be good to go out and see some other geniuses, to prepare for the future assessment."

Lu Yun nodded at these words. However, he wanted to go out to see if he could get his hands on some items to accumulate some energy points for himself, so he said, "Fine, let's go out for a walk."

"That's fantastic, the Three Experts of Spirit Creek are setting out!" Lu Liangpeng said with a face full of smiles.

Seeing this, Lu Yun shook his head. These so-called Three Experts of Spirit Creek were really not worth much, but he was somewhat curious because wasn't Lu Liangpeng originally very dismissive of Lu Tianhu? Why the sudden change of heart?

Curious as he was, he didn't inquire further.

"Hmm?" Just as the three of them were leaving the inn, Lu Yun's gaze sharpened and looked across the street at the cluster of buildings.

That was a restaurant, built with incredible grandeur, like a sovereign standing proudly, overlooking the surrounding buildings.

Following Lu Yun's line of sight, Lu Tianhu shrugged and said, "That's the Soaring Dragon Restaurant, incredibly luxurious, and it specifically caters to the real sons of heaven.

Over the years, anyone who could stay at the Soaring Dragon Restaurant was bound to become a disciple at the Martial Academy."

Lu Yun nodded upon hearing this, realizing that their strongest competitors in the upcoming assessment would likely be among those who had taken shelter in the Soaring Dragon Restaurant.

At that moment, Lu Liangpeng suddenly suggested, "Hey hey, with your strength and talent, you also qualify to stay at this restaurant. Why don't we go take a look? If you really get to stay there, it'll reflect well on us too!"

"The inn is pretty good. There's no need to make such a spectacle," Lu Yun shook his head and withdrew his gaze.

To go out of his way and even risk exposing his own strength just for a place to stay was, in Lu Yun's view, undoubtedly foolish.

However, sometimes trouble comes looking for you even when you don't look for it.

"Hmph, you bumpkins from the backwoods dreaming of staying at the Soaring Dragon Restaurant, it's the biggest joke under the sky," a cold snort came from afar.

Just as the trio of Lu Yun was about to leave, a figure came from the direction of the Soaring Dragon Restaurant, immediately causing a buzz among the onlookers.

Suddenly, someone spoke rudely, and it seemed to be directed at them, spurring Lu Yun's curiosity to turn back and see who this person was.

The speaker was a long-haired teenager, about thirteen or fourteen years old, with his hands clasped behind his back and an irrepressible haughtiness on his face. He snorted disdainfully upon seeing the awe and envy in the eyes of those around him.

"This is the young master of Breeze Mountain Villa, Mu Qingyun. It's said that he is already in the late stages of the Enter Martial Realm and has reserved a spot at the Martial Academy in advance."

Seeing the young man, those around them burst into discussion. Upon hearing that he was in the late stages of the Enter Martial Realm, there were sounds of people drawing breaths of admiration.

For the average person to become a Martial Artist, they would usually have reached adulthood, but this young master from Breeze Mountain Villa, at just thirteen or fourteen, not only became a Martial Artist but was also in the late stages of the Enter Martial Realm. Such talent was definitely among the top in Cloud Water County.

"Good dogs don't block the way. Where do you country folks think you are? Don't you even know this much?"

Mu Qingyun walked forward arrogantly, and when he saw Lu Yun and the others standing in the middle of the street, he couldn't help but call out coldly.

"You're the dog, your whole family are dogs!" Lu Liangpeng immediately flew into a rage upon hearing this and retorted with harsh words.

"Hehe..." Mu Qingyun glanced at him and revealed a look of contempt.

"You're not even Martial Artists and yet you're thinking about joining the Martial Academy. I don't know where you get your courage from. I advise you to just obediently roll back to your poor villages, so you don't embarrass yourselves here."

"You…" Lu Liangpeng was infuriated by the other's remarks, trembling all over and about to burst out, but he was stopped by Lu Yun.

"If a dog bites you, are you going to bite back?" Lu Yun said indifferently, then turned to leave.

Lu Tianhu tugged at Lu Liangpeng's clothes and quickly followed Lu Yun. Though the other party was arrogant, he indeed had the capital for such arrogance. Engaging in a conflict with him would only lead to loss for themselves.

Though Lu Liangpeng was impulsive, he was not ignorant. He understood this well, and even though the fury in his eyes was intense, he still followed suit and left.

Watching the backs of Lu Yun and his companions as they walked away, Mu Qingyun sneered with contempt, "Hehe, frogs at the bottom of a well!"