Lu Yin looked at Zi Rong and then at Cai Jianqiang. “You guys know each other?”
Cai Jianqiang nodded. “We met several times when we were younger. If we didn’t end up fighting, we wouldn’t have become friends.”
Zi Rong regretfully said, “This bastard beat the people of our generation until we came to our senses. None of the Ten Arbiters back then—no, there weren’t any Ten Arbiters back then—none of the Universe Youth Councilors were his match in any way. I was unlucky enough to be a part of them, so I also took a beating from him.”
Lu Yin was surprised. “You were a Councilor in your generation’s Universe Youth Council?”
“I was one of the Outerverse Youth Councilors,” Zi Rong corrected.
“Do you know Kong Shi?” Lu Yin asked.
Zi Rong replied, “I’ve heard of her, but I’m one generation older than Kong Shi. Cai Jianqiang and I are from the previous generation, so she’s one generation younger than us.”
“Then why is her power level higher than yours?” Lu Yin was baffled.
The corner of Zi Rong’s mouth twitched as he looked away. This asshole did not know how to have a conversation.
Cai Jianqiang laughed, “Kong Shi was a Councilor from the previous Universe Youth Council, and he’s just one generation older than her and was in the Outerverse Youth Council. You can think of it as the difference between Wendy Yushan and the Ten Arbiters, though not quite that exaggerated. Still, there was a difference, but only in power level. If they truly fought against each other, Kong Shi may not actually be his match.”
Zi Rong rolled his eyes. “Don’t make a comparison between us based on our statuses. Our generation’s councilors all had similar levels of strength, unlike now, where any one of the Ten Arbiters can sweep across several generations of Universe Youth Councilors. Someone like me wouldn’t even qualify to receive a move from one of the Ten Arbiters.”
“Yes, the times have changed. Even I can’t deal with those monsters.” Cai Jianqiang sighed.
Lu Yin looked over at Cai Jianqiang curiously. “Speaking of which, I haven’t even seen you use all your strength. You’re supposed to be the definition of someone unequalled within their generation.”
Cai Jianqiang shook his head. “I’m about the same as this fellow here, and there’s not much difference between us. Don’t listen to other people’s wild exaggerations. Compared to cultivating, I enjoy lockbreaking more.”
Zi Rong snorted, “Alliance Leader Lu, don’t let this guy trick you. When he erupts with his true strength, it’s enough to scare people to death. It’s not like he’s never beaten up an Enlighter.”
“Don’t spout nonsense.” Cai Jianqiang glared at Zi Rong.
Lu Yin was surprised to learn that Cai Jianqiang had actually defeated an Enlighter before, and he probably had not relied on any items to boost his strength either. That was amazing. In that case, how strong would this person be once he became an Enlighter? In that case, wasn’t this person at around the same level as the Ten Arbiters? If that was so, then he could serve as a benchmark. If Lu Yin could go head to head with Cai Jianqiang, then that might indicate that his strength was approaching that of the Ten Arbiters. Lu Yin became a little excited when he thought of this.
Lu Yin was still uncertain how strong the Ten Arbiters truly were. From start to end, during the chaotic battle in the Daosource Sect’s ruins, Lu Yin had been either trashed or rescued. And against Nightking Zhenwu, Lu Yin had not even been able to retaliate. With a fresh benchmark in front of him, Lu Yin planned to come back to this person in the future to test his personal strength after improving.
Cai Jianqiang took out three jars of wine from his cosmic ring, which were actually traditional earthen jars. “It’s been a long time since we drank. Come on, cheers.”
“Is this a cup?” Zi Rong’s eyes went wide.
Cai Jianqiang drank to his heart’s content and then wiped the corner of his mouth. “Don’t be confused. I got these from a planet that had just broken away from a slaving civilization. It’s the best wine, and it can’t be purchased anywhere else.”
Lu Yin took a mouthful; the wine refreshed his throat, and it was actually very invigorating. There was an uninterrupted sweetness as he drank followed by a fire that seemed to ignite his belly, but the heat quickly cooled afterwards. It was a very contradictory feeling, but it was also very pleasant. “Good wine.”
“Good taste.” Cai Jianqiang appreciated Lu Yin more. He would only use this wine when entertaining people whom he recognized.
Zi Rong took a mouthful. “Not bad. Where did you get it from?”
Cai Jianqiang quietly replied, “Not telling.”
“Why?”
“You’re from Amethyst Exchange! If I tell you, this wine will end up becoming widespread.”
“Isn’t that better? Then you’ll be able to drink it more often.”
“The rarer, the more valuable.”
“That’s unrelated to food and drinks. People who say that are talking about items.”
“It’s the same logic.”
“What a wooden brain! You clearly have an amazing talent for cultivating, but you only enjoy lockbreaking. This is why you haven’t accomplished anything in your life!”
“That’s fine.”
…
Lu Yin took another sip of the wine as he watched the two bicker, enjoying the tranquil atmosphere. He had just been strangers with the two of them a short while ago, but these two clearly got along well.
“Hey, come on, tell me. I never meddle with the exchange. You should know that.” Zi Rong looked expectantly at Cai Jianqiang.
Cai Jianqiang glanced over at his friend. “I seem to recall that you don’t like drinking wine, but here you are, demanding my source so energetically. If you’re not asking on behalf of the exchange, then what?”
Zi Rong grinned and then gloomily took a large mouthful of the wine.
Lu Yin set his earthen jar down. “I seldom drink wine, but it’s quite refreshing.”
Cai Jianqiang smiled. “Every time a lockbreaking session doesn’t go smoothly, I have a drink and drown my sorrows. There’s no need to dispel it with star energy.”
Lu Yin looked at him. “Honestly, why do you pursue lockbreaking so strongly?”
Cai Jianqiang longingly answered, “It’s a dream.”
“Dream your ass! You just don’t want to lose to your brother,” Zi Rong mocked.
Cai Jianqiang quietly said, “It was like that at the start, but when I succeeded for the first time and saw the object that had been sealed away by the universe for countless years, it felt as if I was snatching treasures away from the universe. This feeling is something that can never be experienced by those who can’t lockbreak.” He then looked over at Lu Yin, and his eyes lit up. “I really wish I had the lockbreaking talent that you guys have, but… Hai.”
This person truly liked lockbreaking, and Lu Yin did not know how to comfort him. Talent for lockbreaking? Did Lu Yin have such a thing? He didn’t know, as he simply relied on his Cosmic Art to supplement his lockbreaking. It seemed as though Cai Jianqiang was not inferior in terms of perception or his star energy control, but for some reason, his lockbreaking did not improve smoothly. And thus, the man was only able to blame himself.
Lu Yin looked over at Zi Rong. “Why don’t you want to get involved in the Exchange’s business?”
Zi Rong took another swig of wine. “It’s too annoying. There’s nothing more delightful than cultivating.”
Cai Jianqiang countered, saying, “He’s afraid of trouble, so he doesn’t cultivate any other techniques besides his Battalion Slash. He has trained that one technique for decades.”
Lu Yin was stunned. “It’s not because of his perseverance?”
“It’s because he’s lazy,” Cai Jianqiang ruthlessly mocked.