Chapter 28 : Chapter 28
Chapter 28: The Assessment Begins
Great Elder Yun Ling watched Yun Yun’s mild reprimand and could not help but quietly discuss the matter with the other three elders.
“Three elders, why are none of you speaking? Disrespecting one’s superior is a serious taboo. Even if it was a misunderstanding, it cannot simply be brushed aside so lightly,” Yun Ling said unhappily.
However, Yun Xiao, Yun Hui, and Yun Yue did not respond immediately.
“Great Elder, let us discuss this matter after the assessment ends,” the Second Elder Yun Xiao said.
“Yes, that is also my opinion. It is not appropriate to discuss Lin Aoxue’s punishment in a place like this,” the Third Elder Yun Hui added.
“I agree with the two senior brothers as well. We must also consider Senior Sister Sect Master’s dignity. We cannot leave her unable to save face,” Yun Yue said in agreement.
Since all three had spoken in this way, Yun Ling could only abandon his idea of stirring trouble publicly. Without the support of the other three Inner Sect elders, he alone could not challenge Yun Yun’s authority.
The Yunxia Sect had a rule: if the four Inner Sect elders collectively opposed the Sect Master’s decision, then even Yun Yun would not be able to enforce it by force.
This rule existed to restrain the Sect Master’s power.
Meanwhile, Lin Aoxue and Yun Yun were still facing each other.
“All right, stand up. As for how you will be punished, we will discuss it after the assessment. Today I have lost face because of you. You must win that face back for me. Do you understand?” Yun Yun said sternly.
Seeing that her master had finally calmed down, Lin Aoxue stood up with a cheerful smile.
“Understood, Master. Do not worry. I will definitely help you recover your reputation. I will go to my sister first,” Lin Aoxue said before flying down from the platform to Ye Liuyun’s side.
The other personal disciples who had been harboring their own schemes could only sigh helplessly when they saw this scene. It seemed impossible to use this incident to attack Lin Aoxue.
“What? Is this some kind of joke? Can the Sect Master even tolerate such blatant disrespect? What exactly is so special about Lin Aoxue that the Sect Master favors her so much?” Jiang Hong said angrily while standing beside Li Jianxin.
Li Jianxin did not say anything. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on Ye Liuyun.
After all, a cultivator in the Spirit Stream Realm was apparently important enough for Lin Aoxue to publicly clash with her own master. That meant this girl held a very significant place in Lin Aoxue’s heart. She was certainly worth paying attention to.
The other personal disciples also exchanged glances with each other.
Especially Nalan Yan, who knew Ye Liuyun. She had secretly been paying attention to her for a long time. Every time Ye Liuyun visited the Alchemy Pavilion, she would quietly observe her.
Lin Aoxue pulled Ye Liuyun toward a less crowded corner. Although many eyes around them were watching, the two simply ignored them.
“Hey, what exactly happened? Where did you go? Also, it has only been three years since we last met, but why do I feel like something about you is strange?” Lin Aoxue asked while carefully looking Ye Liuyun up and down.
Ye Liuyun froze.
“Strange? What do you mean? I do not think I look any different from three years ago,” Ye Liuyun said seriously while playing with her hair.
However, her changes could not escape Lin Aoxue’s notice. Lin Aoxue stepped back a few steps and examined Ye Liuyun again carefully.
“You still say there is no difference? You definitely would not have stood like that before. Do you know that your posture now looks extremely elegant? And when did you start playing with your hair? It is over. You have fallen,” Lin Aoxue said. The more she looked, the more something felt wrong.
Only after Lin Aoxue pointed it out did Ye Liuyun suddenly realize it. She quickly released her hair and straightened her posture.
“Ahem… it is not that exaggerated. Forget about that. During these past few years I have been either at the Alchemy Pavilion or training in the back mountain of the Yunxia Sect. I barely returned to my residence at all,” Ye Liuyun said quickly, changing the topic.
At the same time, she began complaining internally about Lin Qingyou.
“This must be your doing. You said you would not force me to learn posture. Is it because of the palm technique and movement technique?” Ye Liuyun asked.
Lin Qingyou chuckled.
“Did I not tell you already? Those two techniques are suitable for girls to practice. If you cultivate techniques meant for girls for a long time, it is perfectly normal for your posture and movements to become more feminine,” Lin Qingyou said casually.
When Ye Liuyun heard this, she realized that she had fallen into Lin Qingyou’s trap. She decided that after the assessment ended, she should find a place to carefully examine her current appearance.
“You still say it is not exaggerated? Could it be that your female hormones are too active? This is bad. We really are going to become sisters,” Lin Aoxue said with a worried expression.
Ye Liuyun rolled her eyes.
“All right, all right. Do not make such an exaggerated face. Even if my body has undergone female degeneration, I can guarantee that my heart is absolutely that of a real man,” Ye Liuyun declared seriously.
Seeing Ye Liuyun’s serious expression, Lin Aoxue suddenly felt a strange sense of absurdity.
What kind of feeling was it?
It was like watching an extremely cute girl stubbornly insist that she was actually a man.
“All right, all right. Let us not talk about this anymore. After the assessment ends, we will find a place to have a proper conversation,” Lin Aoxue said as she stepped closer to Ye Liuyun with a mischievous expression.
“Hmph. I really wish I could turn back into a man and deal with you properly, just so you could learn what a real man is,” Ye Liuyun said unhappily.
Meanwhile, at the Martial Arena, all the disciples who had entered the sect three years ago had finally gathered.
This assessment would first eliminate disciples who had not reached the Spirit Stream Realm.
After that, the disciples would be divided according to their performance. Those who performed well might even be directly promoted into the inner sect as Inner Sect disciples.
Although Inner Sect disciples and Outer Sect disciples could both be in the Spirit Stream Realm, their treatment was completely different. The treatment of a beginner Inner Sect disciple was twice that of a beginner Outer Sect disciple.
Disciples who entered the inner sect were considered promising and recognized by the sect.
Those assigned to the outer sect were simply regarded as having average talent and not worth heavy cultivation.
“The time has come. We will now begin the disciple assessment. All disciples who entered the sect three years ago, prepare yourselves. First will be the realm examination. Those who have reached the Spirit Stream Realm will be directly promoted to beginner Outer Sect disciples. Those who fail to meet the standard will leave the Yunxia Sect today. The assessment begins. When your name is called, come to the stage for testing.”
A sect deacon stood on the assessment platform holding a roster and made the announcement.
Some people in the crowd felt nervous, while others remained calm.
Those who were nervous were unsure whether they had truly reached the Spirit Stream Realm.
Why were they uncertain?
Because although their power increased during cultivation, only when it reached a specific threshold could it truly be considered the Spirit Stream Realm.
Many people were at the Half-Step Spirit Stream Realm. They were stronger than ordinary mortals but still weaker than true Spirit Stream Realm cultivators.
In such an in-between state, they themselves could not accurately judge it.
“The first candidate: Inner Sect personal disciple Lin Aoxue. Please come to the stage for testing,” the sect deacon called out.
This was perfectly normal. As the highest-ranked disciple who entered the sect three years ago, she was naturally listed first.
“So I am first. Hehe. Liuyun, watch carefully. I will definitely be the strongest,” Lin Aoxue said confidently before leaping onto the stage.
The fact that she could already fly through the air made it obvious that she had surpassed the Spirit Stream Realm and reached the Spirit River Realm. The test itself was unnecessary.
The reason she still had to undergo it was merely a formality.