Chapter 286: Chapter 286: Second Round of the Green Talent List
Just as Lu Tao and his two companions wanted to say more, the Forbidden Guard Army came over and led them out of the Celestial Prison. The Royal Family had only allowed them to visit because they were under pressure from Gong Qi and Master Wu.
"Time’s up," the commander of the Forbidden Guard Army said coldly as he approached.
Hearing this, Lu Tao and his companions wanted to protest, but the Forbidden Guard Army was already forcibly escorting the three of them out of the dungeon.
Watching their retreating figures, Lu Bingning’s gaze remained firm. ’Lin Yun will definitely come,’ she believed with all her heart.
Meanwhile, back in Celestial Eagle Valley, Lin Yun was refining the residual Elemental Power left in his body from the Qi Essence Pill. This power clung to him like a persistent rot, making it incredibly difficult to refine.
The days passed one by one. The Crown Prince and his lackeys hadn’t come to bother Lin Yun, so he took advantage of the quiet period to completely purify his body of the residual Elemental Power, eliminating a potential hidden danger.
Then one day, someone came looking for Lin Yun early in the morning. It was none other than his acquaintance, Wu Tianyuan. Wu Tianyuan had failed to pass the first round, so he would not be participating in the second.
Wu Tianyuan’s cultivation was at the Ninth Layer of Qi Sea Realm, and he had faintly touched upon the threshold of the Primordial Ocean Realm, but he had yet to achieve a breakthrough. His strength was still somewhat lacking compared to the likes of the Crown Prince.
"Brother Lin, congratulations on making it to the second round!" Wu Tianyuan said with a hearty laugh the moment he walked in.
Hearing this, Lin Yun smiled and replied, "Senior, I doubt you came all this way just to congratulate me."
Lin Yun felt relaxed around Wu Tianyuan, who harbored no ulterior motives. In Wu Tianyuan’s mind, it didn’t matter if Lin Yun was a fugitive wanted by the Royal Family—he was his friend.
Lin Yun invited Wu Tianyuan to sit and poured him a cup of tea. Wu Tianyuan then said, "Junior, I’ve come today mainly to say goodbye."
Lin Yun was taken aback. ’The Green Talent List isn’t even over, and he’s leaving already? Even though he didn’t make it to the second round, he shouldn’t be leaving now.’
Sensing Lin Yun’s thoughts, Wu Tianyuan smiled, took a sip of tea, and said, "Junior, my greatest virtue is that I’m self-aware. I know the limits of my talent. I’m leaving to go temper myself in the Eastern Heart Domain, hoping to break through to the Primordial Ocean Realm sooner."
"Senior, the Eastern Heart Domain is over a million li from the Southeast Domain. Are you sure about going all by yourself...?" Lin Yun asked, concerned.
"Haha! I’m a lucky man. Besides," Wu Tianyuan laughed heartily, "if you want to reach a higher realm, how can you do so without enduring some hardship?"
Hearing Wu Tianyuan’s bright laughter, Lin Yun couldn’t help but smile. ’This guy really is an optimist.’ Then he asked, "So, Senior, when do you plan to set off?"
"I’m setting out tonight. I’ve already spoken with Vice Director Bai," said Wu Tianyuan. "Junior, you have to place high on the Green Talent List and teach those royals a harsh lesson."
He and Wu Tianyuan chatted from morning till dusk, talking about anything and everything. It was the most relaxed Lin Yun had felt since the start of the Green Talent List.
Wu Tianyuan was indeed a very optimistic person. After their conversation, Lin Yun felt a great deal of his stress melt away. The heavy stone pressing on his heart seemed to have lightened.
Wu Tianyuan didn’t leave Lin Yun’s quarters until sunset. As he was about to depart, he smiled and said to Lin Yun,
"Lin Yun, putting too much pressure on yourself is counterproductive. Just give it your all. Even if you end up dying, as long as your conscience is clear, that’s enough."
With that, Wu Tianyuan let out a hearty laugh and strode away.
As he watched Wu Tianyuan’s back recede into the distance, Lin Yun smiled and murmured to himself, "A clear conscience, is it?"
Wu Tianyuan left that very night. Although he was still a disciple of the Yanhuang Academy’s Genius Class, he was likely already on his way to the Eastern Heart Domain.
’I wonder if we’ll ever have the chance to meet again. Still, with his skills, I’m sure it won’t be difficult for him to break through to the Primordial Ocean Realm.’
After Wu Tianyuan left, seven days passed in the blink of an eye, and the second round of the Green Talent List arrived as scheduled. On this day, atop the summit of Celestial Eagle Peak, more than ten thousand disciples of Celestial Eagle Valley had gathered on a vast plaza that was as flat as if it had been carved by a knife.
The second round of the Green Talent List was a true clash of titans. Making it onto the list signified recognition from the entire Southeast Domain. Along with the dazzling glory came endless rewards in resources. One might even catch the eye of one of the Six Great Forces, leap through the dragon gate, and become one of the true chosen of the heavens in the Southeast Domain.
Every genius participating in the competition aimed to reach the Peak of the Green Talent List, and Lin Yun was no exception. In fact, his determination to claim the top spot was stronger than anyone’s.
He could not afford to fail. Failure meant death—not only for him, but for his parents and friends as well.
Amidst deafening cheers, the second round of the Green Talent List began. The thirty top geniuses from the Southeast Domain who had passed the first round appeared in the center of the plaza.
Lin Yun was naturally among them. The Crown Prince and the Third Prince both shot him sinister glares, their lips curled into cold smiles. They had made thorough preparations for this second round and would give Lin Yun absolutely no chance to make a comeback.
Unaware of the two princes’ gazes, Lin Yun was speaking quietly with Huang Tao at his side.
"Brother Lin, you have to be extra careful during this competition," Huang Tao whispered. "I’ve heard some things... I’m afraid your chances of survival are slim."
Hearing this, Lin Yun just smiled faintly. "I’ll deal with whatever they throw at me."
Like Tang Chenming, Huang Tao’s master was one of Celestial Eagle Valley’s Main Seat Elders—a powerhouse at the Celestial Spirit Realm.
Tang Chenming had been secretly manipulating the Green Talent List, and Huang Tao’s master was naturally aware of it. However, since he had no ties to Lin Yun, he certainly wasn’t going to offend Tang Chenming on his behalf.
Now aware that there was likely a conspiracy afoot, Lin Yun glanced over at the two princes, only then realizing they were staring right at him. When their eyes met, the Crown Prince made a throat-slitting gesture.
Ignoring the Crown Prince’s provocation, Lin Yun vowed silently, ’I must make it onto the Green Talent List. I must save my parents.’
The thirty geniuses who had advanced to the second round did not have to wait long. On the high platform directly before them, six figures suddenly appeared.
These six figures represented the Six Great Forces of the Eastern Domain. The powerhouse from Celestial Eagle Valley was none other than Tang Chenming.
The six of them strode calmly through the air. A distance that appeared to be several hundred meters was crossed with a single, simple step, and in the next moment, all of them were standing on the high platform.
Everyone gazed at the six figures on the platform with reverence. All of them were beings who had surpassed the Primordial Ocean Realm—experts of the Celestial Spirit Realm.
