Chapter 517: Golden Dragon Guard Trial
After killing the assassin, Li Yun did not think too much about it. He continued forward and headed straight toward the deeper region of the Cloudheaven Ancient Kingdom.
The Cloudheaven Ancient Kingdom was divided into thirty-six prefectures, and beneath each prefecture were one hundred and eight county cities.
The place Li Yun had arrived at was called Greenmist City, an ordinary county city under the jurisdiction of Mistcloud Prefecture. The City Lord who presided over this city was an expert at the peak of the Earthly Core Realm.
’Setting aside the matter of becoming a Two-Clawed Golden Dragon Guard for now, the first thing I need to do is become a Golden Dragon Guard of the Cloudheaven Ancient Kingdom.’
Li Yun found an inn to stay in and silently pondered his next step.
According to the regulations of the Cloudheaven Ancient Kingdom, any cultivator who wished to become a Golden Dragon Guard first had to undergo a preliminary trial within a county city. If they passed that preliminary trial, they would then gather at the governing prefecture city at the end of the month and wait for the re-examination arrangements.
Those who successfully passed the re-examination would officially become One-Clawed Golden Dragon Guards. Of course, the chance of success was extremely small. Generally speaking, among one hundred participants, only a few would pass the re-examination, while the rest would be eliminated without mercy.
After clearly understanding the qualifications needed to become a Golden Dragon Guard, Li Yun rested for a day. The next day, he went to the preliminary trial grounds of Greenmist City.
The preliminary trial grounds were none other than the largest martial arena in Greenmist City.
The rules of the preliminary trial were also very simple. As long as one could win ten consecutive matches in the arena, they would obtain the qualification to participate in the re-examination.
Although the rules were simple, the difficulty was not low.
First, all ten matches had to be fought consecutively without any pause in between. Naturally, there would be no time to rest or recover essence qi. Furthermore, the opponents in the ten matches would become progressively stronger. After seven consecutive victories, every following match would feature a powerful opponent carefully arranged by the City Lord Mansion.
An ordinary 1st level Earthly Core Realm cultivator might be able to win eight or nine matches in a row. However, those who could truly achieve ten consecutive victories were few and far between.
"Hello, I would like to register."
Li Yun walked directly to the registration desk near the martial arena and took out one hundred high-grade spirit stones as the registration fee.
"Name?"
"Li Yun."
The person in charge of registration was an old man. He recorded Li Yun’s name and was just about to wave him away, but his eyes suddenly widened when he sensed Li Yun’s cultivation.
"4th level of Mortal Core Realm?"
"4th level of Mortal Core Realm?"
The old man’s voice immediately drew everyone’s attention.
When the surrounding crowd looked at Li Yun and realized that his cultivation was only at the 4th level of Mortal Core Realm, they were first stunned. A moment later, loud laughter erupted throughout the area.
"Hahaha! Interesting! The Golden Dragon Guard preliminary trial is becoming more and more interesting. Even someone at the 4th level of Mortal Core Realm dares to come here and register."
"He is really seeking death. Even I, as a Half-Step Earthly Core Realm cultivator, do not dare to participate in these arena battles. This 4th level Mortal Core Realm brat is either unbelievably bold or simply tired of living."
"Tell me, in the upcoming matches, how many rounds do you think this kid can last?"
"How many rounds? Are you joking? You should be asking how many moves he can endure in the first match before being torn apart."
"I bet he will not last three moves."
"I say one move is enough."
The group laughed wildly. Their gazes toward Li Yun were filled with disdain and contempt, as though they were looking at a madman who had willingly walked toward his own death. Their laughter grew louder and louder, spreading across the martial arena.
Even the old man in charge of registration shook his head and spoke in a heavy voice.
"Little fellow, I can see that you are still young, so why are you in such a hurry to participate in the Golden Dragon Guard preliminary trial? Do you know that life and death are not restricted in these arena battles? Those who dare to participate in this preliminary trial are all ruthless and cruel individuals. If you step onto the stage with your current cultivation, I am afraid you will be torn apart immediately."
After a brief pause, the old man continued, "As an elder, I advise you to wait until your cultivation is higher before coming back. At your age, being able to cultivate to the 4th level of Mortal Core Realm already means your future prospects are limitless. There is no need to throw away your life in a place like this."
"Senior, there is no need to say more."
Although the old man had spoken at length, Li Yun’s expression remained extremely calm. He said indifferently, "Since I have already registered, I will not change my mind."
"Have it your way, then."
The old man shook his head. When he glanced at Li Yun again, a trace of regret flickered in his eyes.
He had seen too many young men like Li Yun. They possessed decent cultivation at a young age, had some talent, and were full of confidence. However, because they were too arrogant and overestimated themselves, they often died miserable deaths in the martial arena.
Clearly, in his eyes, Li Yun was about to become one of them.
Then again, a so-called genius was only a genius while alive. Once dead, they were nothing. A genius who did not know his own limits and insisted on seeking death could only blame himself.
Thinking of this, the old man’s gaze became indifferent once more. After registering Li Yun’s name, he waved his hand and signaled for him to leave.
Li Yun did not care about the old man’s attitude. After completing the registration, he made his way to the edge of the martial arena.
At this moment, a battle was taking place on the arena stage.
One of the combatants was a cultivator at the 1st level of Earthly Core Realm, while the other was merely at the Half-Step Earthly Core Realm. The difference in strength between them was obvious.
Sure enough, after only a few exchanges, the 1st level Earthly Core Realm cultivator easily defeated his opponent. Then, in front of everyone, he directly twisted the man’s head off.