Chapter 231: The World

Are you there? Are you there?

Are you asleep?

Handsome guy, what's your name and where are you from?

Why aren't you replying... sob sob sob.

I heard the Thunder Pond is very dangerous; let's go together tomorrow, I'm a Martial Artist and can protect you!

Your friend patted you.

Your friend patted you.

Lu Jing stared at the barrage of messages and was at a loss for words.

He restrained the urge to delete his friend and tossed his phone aside.

The moon set and the sun rose.

Lu Jing opened the door.

The hallway was mostly made of transparent glass, offering a clear view of the mountain morning scenery.

Most of the autumn leaves had fallen, and the wind grew breezy.

The dazzling morning light couldn't hide the faint chill.

Hey, handsome, what a coincidence.

A short distance away, the door opened and Li Xixi's head peeked out.

Want to go eat together? The lodging here includes breakfast.

Li Xixi, arm‑in‑arm with Zhang Yujie, walked out of the room, smiling.

Lu Jing nodded, and the three of them walked side by side downstairs.

They entered the first‑floor restaurant, which was bustling; steam from buns and hot soup filled the ceiling, condensing into droplets.

Big brother!

Just as the three set their dishes down, a youthful voice was heard.

At a nearby seat, Xiao Yu was waving a soup ladle, greeting Lu Jing.

Big brother, over here!

Lu Jing followed the voice and his gaze landed on the middle‑aged man Lei Hao.

Lei Hao saw Lu Jing looking, smiled and nodded.

Lu Jing also nodded with a smile, carrying his tray to sit at the table beside Xiao Yu.

Li Xixi naturally sat next to him and said, "The food here isn't bad; no wonder it gets so many good reviews."

Lu Jing gave no reply, silently eating the bun in his hand.

Big brother, why aren't you eating over at Xiao Yu's side?

The little girl ran over carrying a rice bowl.

Shh, Xiao Yu, speak less while eating.

Lu Jing made a silencing gesture and shoved the whole bun into his mouth.

Xiao Yu was amused by Lu Jing's action and began to wolf down the food in kind.

Lei Hao watched Xiao Yu's happy expression, a soft light flickering in his eyes before being replaced by depth.

This young fellow truly is a talent and very courteous; no wonder Xiao Yu likes him so much…

Lei Hao thought to himself.

After being ambushed in Kyoto, he now remains extremely sensitive and vigilant.

Lishi Feiyu probably wouldn't send a boy so young to act as a scout.

Lei Hao's expression relaxed slightly, feeling he had been overly tense.

Even if that boy and the girl beside him were sent by Lishi Feiyu, he was confident he could end the fight in an instant.

As a Thunder-type Talent Endowed, his speed and burst are incomparable to ordinary Martial Artists.

Don't think he'll let Xiao Yu stray; as soon as Lu Jing shows any sign of trouble, his figure can appear in an instant.

Wow, you're really something when it comes to eating…

Li Xixi looked at Lu Jing with some surprise.

This was already Lu Jing's fifth time asking the aunt for buns, each time bringing back eight or nine large buns.

Yet his stomach is like a bottomless pit; he devours a bun after another without his belly bulging.

I've eaten enough.

Lu Jing shoved the last bun into his mouth and took a napkin from the table to wipe his hands.

His appetite has always been huge; today he held back a bit, otherwise those who woke late might have missed out.

Zhang Yujie, seeing Lu Jing's starving‑ghost look, couldn't help but underestimate him a little.

The hotel's breakfast is buffet style; this guy, trying to get a bit more advantage, is reckless—doesn't he fear bursting his stomach?

Even Martial Artists with big appetites generally don't eat that many grains.

Many Martial Artists keep Dan Medicine on hand to replenish stamina and satiety, so they can eat less while traveling.

Otherwise, most of the day would be wasted on meals, and eating more means more trips to the bathroom, which is inconvenient.

Zhang Yujie stared at Lu Jing a while longer, saw her sister Li Xixi still circling him, and shook her head helplessly.

That big‑breasted, brainless woman only looks at faces and nothing else.

In this Martial Artist‑centric society, no matter how pretty a face is, strength and Talent are what truly matter.

After breakfast, meet at the entrance; I'll lead everyone up the mountain later!

The female tour guide from the bus downstairs shouted loudly.

At the same time.

On the Pan Mountain Highway, a stretched limousine was speeding along.

Inside the exquisite cabin, a middle-aged man wearing a black Martial Way uniform was leisurely sipping fine wine.

The man's skin was crimson, appearing extremely hot, and his pupils showed an eerie red.

On the back of his Martial Way uniform were embroidered the four large characters 'World Martial Hall'.

Seeming to feel that the wine in the cup was a little cool, the man's hand holding the wine suddenly burst into a flame, warming the wine in the cup.

In the front seats ahead of him sat several burly, muscular men, their muscles knotted, likewise wearing the World Martial Hall uniforms.

"Tsk tsk—"

The man downed the scalding wine in the cup in one gulp, smacked his lips, and said, "Lei Hao sure can run—what does it mean to flee into the mountains?"

"Hall Master, the scouts we sent out have already found his trail; they said they signed up for a tour group and are preparing to go to the Thunder Pond Forbidden Zone."

One of the bald, burly men turned his head and said.

"Hmm, well done; keep an eye on him, don't kill him—I can't sleep easy......"

The middle-aged man hardened his heart; Lei Hao must not be left alive, since it's already a matter of life and death, he might as well eradicate him root and branch.

"Don't worry, Hall Master, that brother has already infiltrated the tour group; he'll follow him step for step!"

The burly man in the front seat laughed and said.

The middle-aged man nodded, "Also don't tail him too closely; no matter how you put it, Lei Hao is a Grandmaster—if they really fought, you couldn't hold him; you just need to know his position, and when I arrive I can still deal with him."

"Yes, Hall Master!"

The burly man hastily pulled out his phone and issued the order.

"Everyone's here, right? I'll call the roll."

The female tour guide stood in the crowd, shouting into the microphone nonstop.

Soon, everyone lined up in a long queue, winding like a dragon toward Sleepless Mountain.

Along the way, Li Xixi hovered beside Lu Jing, chirping nonstop like a warbler.

Lu Jing's thoughts were wholly on the impending Thunder Pond, responding only intermittently.

"Hey hey hey, Li Xixi, come over here!"

Zhang Yujie grabbed Li Xixi's wrist and forcibly pulled her away from Lu Jing's side.

"What the hell!"

Li Xixi frowned and asked.