61: Chapter 61 There always needs to be a backup plan.

Another Professional echoed, "Exactly! The thin bamboo pole I used before can't even compare to this!"

"It's so much better now. With this staff, the flow of my Spiritual Qi is incomparably smoother!"

"I feel like my strength has increased by at least twenty percent!"

They looked at each other, their eyes shining with joy.

Quite a few others put on the leather armor they had just received right there on the spot.

"How is it? Do I look cool?"

A burly man patted the leather armor on his chest and showed it off to his companion.

"Cool! Too cool!"

His companion gave him a thumbs up, then put on his own leather armor as well.

The two shared a smile, then— "Bam!" They slammed their shoulders together heavily.

"Hahaha, it's so sturdy!"

"It doesn't hurt at all!"

"This defense is top-notch!"

Laughter echoed at the city gate, infecting everyone.

The entire city gate had practically turned into a massive scene of people showing off.

Some were swinging swords.

Some were twirling staves.

Some were trying on leather armor.

Some were drawing bows.

The whole street was filled with cheers and laughter as people flaunted their equipment.

The other citizens who were not yet Professionals watched this scene, filled with envy.

"Sigh! Being a Professional is just great!"

"Exactly! They've already got their equipment on!"

"Their energy and spirit are completely different now!"

"I have to work hard too! I need to become a Professional soon!"

"Yeah! I'm going to work even harder! I need to absorb the Spiritual Qi in my body faster!"

"You're right! I'm off to work!"

"Let's go!"

...

Before long, Xia Nuannuan ran happily to Zhou Yun and reported, "Lord City Lord! The equipment for all 12,504 Professionals in the city has been distributed!"

Zhou Yun nodded, a mysterious smile appearing on the corner of his lips.

"Very good."

"Then let's continue and distribute the next batch."

Xia Nuannuan was stunned.

"The... the next batch?"

Zhou Yun didn't explain, he just waved his hand— A pile of brand-new equipment appeared out of thin air, stacking up like a small mountain.

Xia Nuannuan's eyes widened.

Wan'er also walked over, and seeing this scene, she was equally stunned where she stood.

These pieces of equipment...

They were different from what was just distributed!

What was distributed earlier was Elementary equipment, which didn't even have a Rank.

But these now...

The sword blades were glowing with a faint red light.

The staves were inlaid with slightly glowing gemstones.

The craftsmanship of the leather armor was much finer; one look and you could tell it wasn't ordinary goods.

This is... Black Iron Rank equipment?!

"Lord City Lord..."

Xia Nuannuan's voice was trembling.

"Didn't... didn't we already distribute one round just now?"

Wan'er was also full of confusion.

"Distribute again? But they already have equipment in their hands..."

Zhou Yun looked at their surprised expressions and smiled calmly.

"You always need a spare set."

A spare set...

Xia Nuannuan and Wan'er looked at each other, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Usually, he used Silver Rank Spiritual Rice, Gold Rank Demonic Beast meat, and Platinum Rank Spiritual Fruit as daily meals for everyone.

They saw it all, and it pained their hearts.

Just now, when the City Lord asked them to distribute Elementary equipment, they thought the City Lord had finally learned to be frugal!

But look at this now!

The City Lord... was indeed still that same City Lord!

He hadn't changed at all!!

After distributing one set, there's actually a spare set?

What kind of City Lord distributes equipment?

Even if they do, who distributes a spare set too??

Extravagant!

Too extravagant!

But...

This was indeed the City Lord's consistent style.

...

Many Professionals who had just received their equipment were also buzzing in their heads after hearing the news.

"What? Another round?"

"Is this for real?!"

"?????"

...

Regardless, having equipment was certainly a good thing.

Especially when it was even higher quality equipment!

So the distribution continued.

In Zhou Yun's mind, the System notification sounded again.

[Ding! You have successfully gifted 1 Scarlet Sword, triggering a 100,000,000x critical reward, obtaining a qualitative change reward — 10 Liuyun Swords (Bronze Rank)!]

[Ding! You have successfully gifted 1 Scarlet Staff, triggering a 100,000,000x critical reward, obtaining a qualitative change reward — 10 Liuyun Staves (Bronze Rank)!]

[Ding! You have successfully gifted 1 pair of Scarlet Boots, triggering a 100,000,000x critical reward, obtaining a qualitative change reward — 10 pairs of Liuyun Boots (Bronze Rank)!]

...

With the equipment in hand, the Professionals immediately noticed the difference.

"This... what Rank of equipment is this?!"

A warrior held the longsword he had just received, completely stunned.

Compared to what they received in the first round, the longsword this time was a grade higher in both texture and appearance!

The blade was slender, and the metal surface shimmered with a cold, icy gleam.

The hilt was carved with delicate cloud patterns and had great texture; one look and you could tell it was Advanced goods.

"Could this be Black Iron Rank equipment?!"

The surrounding Professionals also noticed the difference in the equipment distributed this time.

The staff in the Mage's hand was jet black, with a gemstone emitting a faint light inlaid at the tip.

The longbow in the Archer's hand was made of some unknown wood, with excellent elasticity, feeling almost no resistance when drawing the bow.

And those leather armors, boots, bracers... every piece was finely crafted and of superior quality.

"How come I feel... *cough*! This leather armor looks better, doesn't it?"

"Oh my! Suddenly I have two robes, which one should I wear? It's so troubling!"

"Hmm... I always feel a psychological burden using such good things..."

"Oh? A psychological burden? Why don't you give it to me? Big sister here will help you bear that psychological burden!"

"Get lost!"

...

Zhou Yun stood to the side, watching this scene, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

After this round of equipment distribution, his space was once again filled with a large batch of Bronze Rank equipment.

However, he did not continue to distribute them.

During this distribution process, the System return reward notifications were significantly fewer.

This indicated that for many people, the Black Iron Rank Liuyun series equipment already met their needs.

Moreover, everything should be done in moderation.

Black Iron Rank equipment was already completely sufficient for the Professionals whose strength was generally at the Black Iron Rank.

...

One hour later.

Outside the West Gate of Flower City.

Five thousand Professionals stood in neat formations, with bright armor and gleaming weapons.

Everyone was wearing the brand-new "Liuyun" set, looking spirited and high-spirited.

The sunlight shone on the plate armor of the warriors, so dazzling!

Zhou Yun rode on his horse, looked around, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Roll call!"

Lei Lie gave the order.

"Two thousand warriors, present!"

"One thousand five hundred Archers, present!"

"Five hundred Mages, present!"

"Five hundred Priests, present!"

"Five hundred Assassins, present!"

"Five thousand troops in total, all present!"

Lei Lie turned around, cupped his hands toward Zhou Yun and reported: "Lord City Lord, the entire army has assembled and is ready to depart at any time!"

Zhou Yun nodded.

He turned back, his gaze sweeping over the people who had come to see them off at the city gate, then pulled the reins and shouted loudly: "Depart!"

As the horn sounded, the army of five thousand marched majestically toward Han City.

Behind them, Tie Shan pursed his lips tightly and bowed deeply.

Minister Wang Fugui shouted: "Everyone in Flower City, we await the triumphant return of the City Lord!!"

The dense crowd of citizens behind him also shouted: "We await the triumphant return of the City Lord!!"