Chapter 277 - 275: Wild Runes
Someone in the arena asked, "Sir, what happens in the case of a draw? Do they both keep their original ranks?"
This kind of situation was quite rare.
The supervising teacher said, "An overtime is recorded as a draw. Both the challenger and the challenged will drop one rank."
The student ranked fourth in the year froze.
’Huh? I just stood here and watched for a bit, and now I’m second in the year?’
’What a windfall!’
’I knew praying to Buddha this morning would pay off!’
’If I were a little bolder... a little luckier...’
The new number two looked up at Yang Shen, only to see a handsome but not overbearing, calm face.
It was as if his expression was saying, ’I support your bold idea.’
Hmm... He guiltily averted his gaze, suppressing his own bold idea.
’He was afraid even Buddha couldn’t protect him...’
After hearing the verdict, Xu Bamboo leaped back into the stands. She looked at Yang Shen and said helplessly, "Sigh... My speed is still a step behind..."
Yang Shen smiled and comforted her, "It’s alright. If you’d used the Fire Element Escape, it probably would have been enough. If you’d used the Gold Element Escape, you might have even surpassed him."
Xu Bamboo shook her head. "I’m not proficient with those two. I prefer the Wood Element Escape. More importantly, my control over inertia is definitely weaker than his."
It wasn’t that the Escape Technique was weaker than the Martial Dao Will, but that Xu Bamboo’s own Cultivation Side realm was insufficient.
If the current Yang Shen were to use it, Jiang Xin’s eyebrows would be blown right off.
Yang Shen laughed. "It is the Martial Dao Will, after all. That guy got it through some ancestral miracle. Most of his strength is tied up in it. You’re different. To you, it’s just an ordinary Secret Technique."
Jiang Xin shouted from below, "Hey! I’m right here! You’re not even going to be subtle about insulting me?!"
Yang Shen glanced down and teased, "When are you going to challenge me? How long do you plan on letting me stay idle?"
Jiang Xin scoffed. "I’ll challenge you when I’m confident I can win. I’m outta here. Going to find someone for a leg massage!"
With that, he flickered and was gone.
His lackeys stared blankly for a moment, then scrambled to follow him out.
Following such a neurotic boss, life sure was tough for these bootlickers.
Xu Bamboo wiped away her sweat, planning to redouble her cultivation as soon as she got back. This draw had left a bad taste in her mouth.
However, her gaze lingered for a moment on the woman behind them. It wasn’t that she recognized Xu Nan, but that her attire was rather unusual for a school campus.
"Let’s go. Cao Wei and the others have their matches tomorrow or the day after. We’re done for today."
Yang Shen stretched. ’Being ranked high is awesome. It’s like getting an extra five days off every month.’
The Yang’s Disciples rose and walked out, surrounding Yang Shen. He didn’t even spare Xu Nan another glance.
He didn’t know Xu Nan’s purpose, but he understood her state of mind.
If their roles were reversed, he might also have a sudden whim to see his own flesh and blood.
But Yang Shen, Xu Bamboo, and even the Yang Family would not be the ones to initiate contact.
In this matter, Xu Mo was Xu Mo, and Xu Nan was Xu Nan.
Besides... Xu Nan’s Life Chart wasn’t exactly great...
’The "No Lasting Kin" part is just too much...’
However, to Yang Shen’s surprise, Xu Nan wasn’t the only unexpected guest today. There was another, even more surprising visitor.
Outside the stadium, a broad, burly, middle-aged man was walking toward them, laughing heartily and waving at Yang Shen.
Deng Ming! He was actually back in Yanhua!
’Huh? Does that mean my family-sized bucket of runes has arrived too?’
...
The most interesting match of the day had ended, but many spectators still lingered.
For the students in the middle and lower ranks, whether it was number two fighting number three or number five fighting number six, it was all a battle between gods. Watching more would benefit them greatly.
However, at the exit where the crowd was dispersing, many people noticed Deng Ming. With his forty-something, clearly adult face and clothes that looked less like a teacher’s and more like... a wild, unrestrained triad boss.
They thought to themselves, ’Flame Fist sure has wide connections.’
Deng Ming and Yang Shen shared a hug. "Yang! Long time no see!"
Yang Shen laughed. "Deng, you’re finally out? How are things over in the Noon Realm?"
Deng Ming said heartily, "Things have been pretty quiet behind the Yellow Springs. The long procession of corpses took almost half a month to pass. I actually got out in mid-November but went back to Dongying Remnant Island first."
Yang Shen was taken aback. "Yellow Springs?"
"Yeah. The Yanhua Official position is now to call the ’River of Calamity and Pestilence’ the ’Yellow Springs.’ After all, the original name was a direct translation from the Noon Realm’s language. Naming rights are a part of taking the initiative, aren’t they?"
"So you’re no longer the man who ’Burned the River of Calamity and Pestilence,’ you’re the man who ’Burned the Yellow Springs.’ Feel more impressive?"
Yang Shen shook his head and smiled. "It’s just a name change. What about the others?"
Deng Ming counted on his thick fingers. "Guan Mountain performed meritorious service this time and earned a chance to come to Yanhua for advanced studies, though he’ll probably go to Yan Wu. Chen Beiwang is still holed up on Harmony Island. He’s working off his past mistakes, so he still needs to put in more time."
"As for Xu Mo, that guy went after the Yellow Springs. Its properties suppress the wind and sand, which actually makes it suitable for exploration. The officials formed a team of experts to follow it, and I heard they’ve discovered some ruins from the Noon Realm’s original civilization."
"I’m not sure what the situation is now. It’s possible they’ve even reached other continents in the Noon Realm."
Yang Shen felt a surge of emotion... Exploring the Exotic Realm was still as magnificent and turbulent as ever.
Novelty, opportunity, danger, challenge...
’I’m actually a little nostalgic.’
In reality, most proper explorers of the Exotic Realm would spend over half a year, or even several years, on their expeditions. Unfortunately, the Yang Family was in a period of rapid growth, so he ultimately couldn’t afford to spend that much time in the Exotic Realm.
Deng Ming was talking to Yang Shen, but his gaze was secretly observing Xu Bamboo. The fierce-looking, burly man’s eyes held a trace of nostalgia, as well as a hint of sorrow.
’Seeing the bloodline of a dear friend is moving.’
As for Xu Nan, who was standing about ten meters further back in a bit of a dilemma, Deng Ming naturally recognized her too. He discreetly gave her a look that said, "Leave it to me."
Xu Nan secretly frowned for a moment before turning in another direction. This was the only exit, but she was a Late-stage True Gang...
With a light push off her toes, she drifted out.
Deng Ming acted as if he had come specifically to see a good friend from a different generation, chatting and laughing with Yang Shen as they walked out.
"I took care of that thing you asked me to do last time. I found a professional Rune Master, just as good as any of those old hands in Europe."
"I followed your instructions and focused on weapons. I’ve checked them; they’re all good stuff."
Yang Shen’s interest was piqued. "I wonder what the cost was? I’ll reimburse you, Deng."
He had only provided some rune components. Turning them into weapons would require additional materials, not to mention the processing fees.
Rune Inheritances from Europe were very expensive. For those dirt-poor exchange students at Jiangti, a single bracer would be enough to put their entire family on the chopping block. For Deng Ming to process so many at once, the cost couldn’t have been low.
Deng Ming quickly waved a dismissive hand. "How could I take your money? Let’s not talk about that. I haven’t been back to Yanhua in over a decade, and it just so happened to be the first of the month, so I came to see my alma mater. Sure enough, the rules haven’t changed after all these years."
His main strategy now... was to foster a good relationship with Yang Shen.
’If he was on good terms with Yang Shen, then Xu Bamboo would be willing to talk properly with old guys like them, right?’
Deng Ming slung an arm around Yang Shen’s shoulder. "Let’s go, let’s go! I hear you have a big residence. I’m going to find myself a cup of tea!"
---
At the Yang Residence, under the verdant green of the Outer Courtyard’s covered veranda, Yang Shen and Deng Ming sat opposite each other at a tea table.
Xu Bamboo was also at their side, but she just drank her tea quietly, not saying a word...
No matter who came for the first time, the ritual of exclaiming in admiration was unavoidable, but everyone’s praise was always sincere.
"Chen Beiwang said you were still tutoring at the beginning of the year to supplement your family’s income, and now you’re living in such a grand place. A hero’s talent truly shows at a young age."
Yang Shen took a sip of the tea Cao Wei had prepared. "Deng, your family home is surely grander than this. I’m just taking advantage of the remote location."
The Deng Family was also a top-tier Martial Arts Family in Jianghuai. In fact, at this very moment, they were even a bit more powerful than the Jiang Family.
This was because "Earth-Shattering Divine Fist" Deng Ke had replaced "Bright Moon Sword" Wei Shu, who had aged off the list, to become the current number one on the Qilin List.
And Deng Ke was Deng Ming’s nephew.
Deng Ming laughed. "The Deng Family estate was built up over generations. But you earned this all by yourself. How can that be the same?"
"Deng, you’re back in Yanhua this time. Are you planning to stay for good?"
Deng Ming took out a small flask and poured an unknown liquid into his teacup.
Yang Shen was dumbfounded. He didn’t even have to guess what it was.
It was flammable water.
For a Late-stage Jade Viscera Realm expert, alcohol couldn’t be considered harmful.
Just a hardcore addict.
"I wouldn’t say for good. After all, I’ve been running things on Dongying Remnant Island for over ten years. At first, it was just for fun, but later it became part of the family business. I’ll probably travel back and forth often in the future and slowly adapt."
He would indeed need to adapt. On Dongying Remnant Island, he was practically a local tyrant.
Aside from the official Yanhua administrators stationed there, a Late-stage Jade Viscera expert could basically be called the number one master. And under him, he had a huge... ’energetic organization.’
If he gave the word, every master weapon forger on the island would have to work overtime for him, their hammers swinging so fast they left afterimages.
But in Yanhua, he had to adjust his mentality and be a five-star model citizen.
As he spoke, Deng Ming made a phone call. A short while later, several large, thick alloy cases were carried in.
These were clearly the "Rune Weapons" he had processed for Yang Shen.
"Let me show you the good stuff first! Among your spoils, a few of the runes are quite precious. They must have been pried off some important figures. I was getting envious just looking at them, haha."
Yang Shen quickly raised a hand. "Hey now, that’s not right. We have to follow the official story. Those were all ’wild’ runes."
"Right! The wild ones are the best!"