Chapter 1382: Chapter 1382: Tension in the Air

"Lord Li, look, isn’t he coming?"

Just as Li Yunfan and Ouyang Wuantong turned their heads, Qian Sanyuan, sharp-eyed, spotted a figure in coarse clothing slowly walking towards the center of the arena and immediately pointed out and drew both men’s attention.

There, two figures emerged from the crowd, automatically opening a path, with many gazes filled with fervor, evidently recognizing the identity of the young man in coarse clothing.

As for the chubby boy following Yun Xiao, Li Yunfan and Ouyang Wuantong had also heard of him, knowing that he was Ling Wan, a prodigy from Xuanyin Hall, a peerless talent who was no less than the older generation, and as close as brothers with Yun Xiao.

The person walking into the square from the outside was indeed Yun Xiao. When Ling Wan followed him to the edge of the square, he automatically stopped, as Ling Wan was not a Meridian Refining Master, and the square was prepared for all participants of the Meridian Refining Conference.

Seeing these two, especially the young man in coarse clothing, the expressions of the observers around them were quite exaggeratedly fervent, for there was no longer anyone unfamiliar with this young man.

The world is not solely filled with narrow-minded, jealous types. Yun Xiao’s deeds on the Slaughter Spirit Battlefield and Impermanence Island are now known throughout the Tenglong Continent.

In a certain sense, Yun Xiao, who shattered the conspiracy of the Holy Grade Heavenly Spirit, is already regarded as the savior of the Tenglong Continent.

Aside from those with grudges against him, many others see him as a Buddha incarnate, with even some worshipping him at home with incense; this is quite common.

Now, being able to see the true body of this youth who saved the continent from peril, many are filled with a sense of honor, and they vaguely have an expectation for Yun Xiao to display an even more dazzling performance at this Meridian Refining Conference.

Compared to these outside cultivators or Meridian Refining Masters, the feelings of Lianyun Mountain’s stewards and geniuses, and even elders, are much more complex.

For instance, Elders Feng Qiyun from Sky Poison Institute and Qiu Xian from Heavenly Hospital are filled with deep emotions.

Because this young boy, who could be their granddaughter’s age, has now in terms of both Meridian Qi Cultivation and Meridian Refining Technique far surpassed them.

These are seasoned elders of Lianyun Mountain, yet they still struggle at the level of Earth Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master, while this just-turned-twenty youth is already able to participate in the Meridian Refining Conference.

Taking part in a conference only Heavenly Rank Meridian Refining Masters can join has always been the wish of elders like Feng Qiyun and Qiu Xian from Lianyun Mountain. Unfortunately, after decades to hundreds of years of effort, they have yet to break through to Heavenly Rank Meridian Refining Master, an undeniable lifetime regret.

However, these elders harbor no jealousy towards Yun Xiao, instead having an expectation for this youth to shine brightly in the conference, as it is honor for Lianyun Mountain.

"Why, it’s quite lively!"

Yun Xiao, having entered the square, first sensed the lively atmosphere around the periphery, then glanced over the somewhat vacant square, feeling stirred within.

At this moment, quite a few figures stood on the square, but in Yun Xiao’s sensing, these should all be those who just recently broke through to Heavenly Rank Meridian Refining Master, their realms still somewhat unstable.

For instance, Huashan Old Monster seen at trading conferences and Lu Tianwen from Spirit Fighting Commerce have yet to appear, seemingly those who hold their status to appear at the last minute.

"Yun Xiao!"

"Yun Xiao!"

Just as Yun Xiao was examining the Heavenly Rank Meridian Refining Masters on the scene, two familiar voices suddenly called out, followed by his brightness in his eyes as he turned to see Liu Hanyi and Mo Qing arriving together.

"Hehe, congratulations!"

Seeing these two close companions, Yun Xiao’s mood also turned joyous, he cupped his hands in congratulations as, with his sensing, he could naturally perceive that now the two women were genuinely Heavenly Rank Low Level Stage Meridian Refiners.

"This time, our teacher and Dean Qing won’t be participating, they told us not to let them down!"

Mo Qing revealed a smile, explaining the question in Yun Xiao’s heart, as Qian Sanyuan and Qingmu Wu are both Heavenly Rank Meridian Masters and eligible to participate in the conference.

"Hmph, do you think I don’t see it? Teacher and Vice Chairman Qian’s true concern is for you!"

Hearing Mo Qing’s words, Liu Hanyi beside her couldn’t help but pout, directly stating a fact, though in her eyes was a peculiar fighting spirit.

"Haha, Yun Xiao, fighting I might not beat you, but with this Poison Meridian Skill, if there’s a chance to meet, Senior Sister surely won’t hold back!"

Without waiting for Yun Xiao to reply, Liu Hanyi continued speaking, and upon her words, the reserved Mo Qing also had a rise of battle intent in her eyes.

Indeed, as Liu Hanyi said, in terms of Meridian Qi Combat Power, they couldn’t contend with Yun Xiao, but breaking through to Heavenly Rank Low Level Stage Meridian Refiners led their confidence to soar; even faced with Yun Xiao, they had confidence for a match.

"Haha, Senior Sister Hanyi better not make a slip and endanger little brother’s life!"

Yun Xiao was naturally not angered by such a challenge, instead following Liu Hanyi’s banter, making this graceful girl laugh charmingly, drawing many fervent and amazed gazes.

Among these gazes, there were also some unusual ones, like from Huashan Old Monster’s disciple, Xu Ban, who hated Yun Xiao to the bone. Seeing him chatting casually with two beautiful women at this moment, he felt the world was truly unjust.

Swish! 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Just as Xu Ban felt a surge of hatred, a sound of wind-breaking suddenly rose, followed by an aged figure descending from the sky, which brightened his eyes because he had recognized the figure as his teacher.

As this figure swooped into the plaza, Yun Xiao and the two women naturally sensed it and turned their heads, recognizing the identity of the old man at first glance.

"It’s Huashan Old Monster..."

Liu Hanyi had stayed at Lianyun Mountain for several years and had some understanding of the powerful Heavenly Rank Meridian Refining Masters on the continent. Upon recognizing the person’s identity, she glanced at Yun Xiao with curiosity.

"I heard you had some unpleasant encounters with Huashan Old Monster at the commerce event. Judging by the old fellow’s look, he seems eager to devour you!"

Liu Hanyi apparently had heard about the conflict at the commerce event and sensed Huashan Old Monster’s predatory glare upon arrival. She chuckled lightly but was not overly concerned.

"Huashan Old Monster’s Medical Pulse Technique is extremely astonishing. You must be wary!"

After speaking, Liu Hanyi issued a warning. Since Huashan Old Monster was a Medical Pulse Master, he likely wouldn’t interact much with her, the Poison Vein Master, during the Meridian Refining Conference.

"By the way, Yun Xiao, are you participating in the Medical Pulse competition or the Poison Vein competition?"

After reminding Mo Qing, Liu Hanyi suddenly recalled something and posed the question, causing Yun Xiao’s expression to become somewhat puzzled, wondering if Qian Sanyuan and Qingmu Wu hadn’t informed these two disciples of his decision.

"Both!"

Yun Xiao didn’t bother with being mysterious. Upon hearing this, the two girls beside him wore a dazed expression, thinking to themselves that throughout history, participating in both sects at the Meridian Refining Conference might be unique to him.

From what Liu Hanyi knew, even the highly regarded dual Medical and Poison cultivation President only registered for the Medical Pulse sect during the Meridian Refining Conference years ago, not both.

"Can’t you just be normal?"

After expressing her sentiment, Liu Hanyi gave a light exclamation, and at that moment, Huashan Old Monster, who had already arrived at the plaza, couldn’t help but speak.

"Yun Xiao, I will defeat you fair and square at the Meridian Refining Conference!"

Huashan Old Monster looked at the teenager in rough clothes whom he disliked intensely, and his words puzzled some onlookers outside the plaza who weren’t privy to the details.

"Could it be that Yun Xiao and Huashan Old Monster also have some vendetta between them?"

Many people could not help but wonder, given the significant reputations of both Yun Xiao and Huashan Old Monster. Even before the Meridian Refining Conference began, tension brewed between them, hinting that this year’s conference would be exceptionally exciting.

Though several people knew of the commerce event incident before, a knowledgeable individual recounted their feud, enlightening the crowd.

"Huashan Old Monster is really shameless; it was clearly his disciple bullying others, yet now it seems as if Yun Xiao provoked him!"

Many displayed contempt, as the right and wrong of the incident were evident. Yun Xiao had intervened only because his friends were bullied; to keep this feud going as an elder is quite lacking in grace.

However, Huashan Old Monster’s well-known vengeful nature deterred people’s discontent from being loudly expressed, fearing the troubles that might follow if caught in the old monster’s crosshairs.

"I’ll be waiting!"

Yun Xiao, in response to Huashan Old Monster’s challenge, showed no sign of retreat. Simply uttering three words seemed to ignite the atmosphere in the field, filling the surroundings with fervor.

Considering Huashan Old Monster’s notoriety, he naturally did not have many allies. Although the onlookers dare not openly offend him, they had already decided internally that if these two indeed faced off, all encouragement and cheers would be for Yun Xiao.

Swish!

Amid the slightly tense atmosphere, another sound of wind-breaking suddenly echoed from the sky, attracting the attention of Yun Xiao and the two women.

"Who is that?"

This time, Yun Xiao was unable to identify the silhouette.

The woman looked to be about thirty or forty, maintaining an excellent figure and appearance. He confessed to having never encountered her before and muttered, hoping the two women beside him could clarify.