224: World Breeder Competition
Hearing Zhang Hengyu's words.
Li Xingran nodded and adjusted the glasses on the bridge of her nose, her gaze falling on Su Ningyu as if she wanted to say something.
At the other end of the corridor, Li He's voice exploded once again.
"Li Xingran! What are you doing! Get over here right now!"
That voice was both urgent and angry, as if he would rush over and drag her away the next second.
Li Xingran's body trembled slightly, and she quickly waved her hands at Zhang Hengyu and Su Ningyu.
"Let's chat later when we have the chance!"
Then she turned around and trotted after him.
Su Ningyu watched that hurrying back and then looked at Zhang Hengyu.
"Li He's sister?"
Zhang Hengyu sighed and rubbed his temples.
"Yeah. Both siblings are Breeders, but their personalities are worlds apart.
That guy Li He..."
Zhang Hengyu paused, seemingly thinking of an appropriate way to describe him, "His heart is higher than the sky, but his ability is thinner than paper.
Relying on his family's Foundation in the Xiling breeding circles, his eyes are on the top of his head, and he looks down on everyone."
"Li Xingran, on the other hand, is down-to-earth, works seriously, and is gentle in her dealings with others.
Unfortunately, her family favors boys over girls. Even if she is highly skilled, they won't let her overshadow her brother.
Most of the time, she can only follow along."
Su Ningyu nodded without asking further.
"Let's go." Zhang Hengyu turned and walked toward the depths of the corridor.
His pace quickened slightly.
"This is also one of the reasons I asked you to come over.
As for the specifics, you'll know in a moment.
Breeders from all regions on Yunmeng Star have arrived; let's hurry and take our seats."
Su Ningyu nodded and followed behind him.
The two passed through the corridor and pushed open a heavy wooden door.
Behind the door was a tiered lecture hall.
The space was large, enough to accommodate two or three hundred people.
Rows of seats extended downward in a fan shape. At the very front was a wide rostrum with several huge energy light screens standing on it, currently displaying complex energy maps and data analysis charts.
At this moment, the hall was already filled with people.
Su Ningyu's gaze swept across the room.
Most of those sitting in the front rows were older generation Breeders with gray hair, wearing gold or silver badges on their chests, possessing a steady temperament and conversing in low voices in small groups.
The middle and back rows were mostly young people; some looked solemn, some were eager to try, some looked down at the materials in their hands, and others were quickly recording something in notebooks.
A tense and solemn atmosphere permeated the air.
Su Ningyu noticed that many people wore badges from different regions on their chests.
East County, Xiling, Nanyang, the Northlands... almost every Breeder Association from all regions of Yunmeng Star had sent representatives.
"Such a big turnout?" Su Ningyu asked in a low voice.
Zhang Hengyu pulled him along and sat down in a seat toward the back.
"You didn't know?" Zhang Hengyu lowered his voice. "It's Yunmeng Star's turn to host the World Breeder Competition this year.
The reason for gathering Breeders from all over Yunmeng Star this time is to discuss the specific details of the competition."
Su Ningyu raised an eyebrow slightly.
The World Breeder Competition.
That was the highest-level Breeder event within the entire scope of the Beast Tamer Federation.
It was held every five years, with different Federations taking turns to host it.
Breeders who could win awards in such a competition would be sought after by various forces wherever they went.
And now, this competition was going to be held on Yunmeng Star.
"And—"
Zhang Hengyu's voice dropped even lower, "I heard that there are major changes to the competition rules this year. We'll know the specifics later."
Su Ningyu nodded, his gaze falling on the rostrum ahead.
In his mind, Li He's words suddenly surfaced: 'In this National Breeder Competition, I will definitely crush Zhang Hengyu.'
So that was it.
Su Ningyu withdrew his gaze and waited quietly.
In the tiered hall, the voices gradually died down.
The venue of several hundred people shifted from noisy to quiet, with only the occasional rustle of turning pages and low whispers.
The gray-haired older generation Breeders in the front rows sat as straight as pines, while the young people in the back rows straightened their backs one by one, their gazes all fixed on the rostrum.
This was an internal discussion meeting.
There were no media, no outsiders—only representatives from various regions of Yunmeng Star's breeding community.
Only Breeders were allowed to enter here.
Su Ningyu saw many Breeders he had previously only seen on television.
Xiao Yixun stood on the rostrum.
His white beard shimmered with a silver light under the lamps.
He didn't use any amplification equipment, yet his aged but powerful voice spread clearly throughout the entire hall.
"As you all know, the World Breeder Competition will be held on Yunmeng Star."
His gaze swept across the room, his tone steady. "But our Yunmeng Star experienced a conspiracy by the Sun-Moon Federation a month ago.
We survived that disaster, but the scars remain."
The hall was completely silent.
"Precisely because of this, this competition is even more in the spotlight."
Xiao Yixun's voice rose slightly, "The entire Longteng Federation, and even Federations from other star systems, are watching us.
They want to see how much strength Yunmeng Star still has after enduring that disaster."
"So—"
He paused, his gaze like a torch, "We must show our strength."
As soon as he finished speaking, low discussions broke out below the stage.
Several Advanced Breeders in the front row began to exchange opinions; some nodded, some frowned, and some wrote rapidly in their notebooks.
Su Ningyu sat in the back, listening quietly.
On stage, Xiao Yixun continued to explain the arrangements for the competition.
The schedule, rules, eligibility, and judging criteria.
Representatives from various regions also spoke one after another; some reported on their region's preparations, some made suggestions, and some argued strongly for certain details.
As Su Ningyu listened, he tilted his head slightly and leaned closer to Zhang Hengyu.
"Senior Zhang," his voice was very low, "the help you asked for shouldn't be specifically for listening to this World Breeder Competition stuff, right?"
Zhang Hengyu also lowered his voice: "Right. The World Breeder Competition is still more than a month away. I just wanted you to know in advance so you can be prepared.
The thing I really need your help with is something else."
As the two were speaking, someone suddenly appeared beside them.
Duan Long had slipped over at some point and plopped down in the empty seat next to Su Ningyu, a smile on his face.
"Su Ningyu, long time no see."
"Senior Duan." Su Ningyu nodded.
Zhang Hengyu gestured toward Duan Long: "Well, the person who really needs your help has arrived."
Duan Long chuckled and pulled an exquisite metal box from his robes, waved it in front of Su Ningyu, and then quickly tucked it back away. The movement was so fast it looked like he was making a secret deal.
"Good brother, I heard you need moonlight dew?"
His eyes were sparkling like a cat that had stolen a fish.
"As long as you help with my project and help me complete that research, I can get you this one in my hand, as well as the cat-type beast Soul body you mentioned."