Nalan Yanran

For some time afterward, Ao Qing did nothing but cultivate every day. The days passed one after another in cultivation...

Before he knew it, it was time for the Misty Cloud Sect's annual disciple assessment.

This was held every year by the Misty Cloud Sect to select talented and hardworking youngsters. The sect would also devote greater resources to nurturing such disciples.

Ao Qing found it somewhat interesting and came alone to watch.

More than a hundred examinees had already gathered at the testing grounds. They were all children under sixteen. Those above sixteen did not need to undergo testing; instead, like that pair of young man and woman, they would engage in combat trials. Regardless of cultivation level, only the winners were qualified to receive sect rewards.

On the grounds, Yun Leng, as the Misty Cloud Sect's Grand Elder, was already presiding over the assessment.

Ever since Yun Leng had helped Ao Qing find the Heavenly Flames last time, he had received a great deal of cultivation resources from the sect. Yun Yun had even given him three Green Lotus Seeds.

Yun Leng's strength had now reached the level of a nine-star Dou Wang. Before long, the Misty Cloud Sect would likely welcome another Dou Emperor expert.

"I am Yun Leng, the Grand Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect. I imagine many of you little ones know this old man. Today's assessment is to see whether you have cultivated diligently since entering the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Based on your cultivation realm and age, you will be divided into four grades: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. The cultivation resources granted to each grade differ greatly—sometimes enormously.

"You receive the treatment your talent deserves. What awaits you next will depend on your own fortune."

Ao Qing rather agreed with what Yun Leng had said. No sect would waste resources nurturing trash, after all.

"First, Zhang Xiaobai..."

"Eight years old, second stage Dou Qi. Profound grade. Not bad."

The people waiting to be tested were all envious, and the atmosphere grew exceptionally excited.

Yun Leng was quite pleased that the first person to take the stage had achieved such a level. The Jia Ma Empire was neither particularly large nor particularly small, but talents like Xiao Yan were exceedingly rare. For an ordinary person to reach this level at eight was already very good. They might even become a Dou Zhe at around fifteen.

The testing continued.

"Second, Zhu Daneng."

As soon as Yun Leng finished speaking, a broad, fat fellow with an oily face stepped onto the testing platform. He was extremely nervous, because he knew he was lacking!

When he placed both hands on the Testing Magic Stone Tablet, his cultivation of second-stage Dou Qi was revealed.

Yun Leng's face darkened when he saw the fellow. He said coldly, "Zhu Daneng, twelve years old, second stage Dou Qi, Yellow grade."

At the Grand Elder's announcement, a wave of derisive murmurs rose from below the stage. Zhu Daneng's family was enormously wealthy, and his father contributed quite a lot to the Misty Cloud Sect every year. Otherwise, the sect would never have allowed a disciple with such talent to remain in the sect. Calling him Yellow grade was already being generous. At twelve, with this level of strength, he likely would not become a Dou Zhe even by twenty. Without some great opportunity, becoming a Dou Shi in this lifetime would be difficult.

Hearing the mockery below, Zhu Daneng put away his nervousness and cursed as he walked off the stage. Without lingering, he returned directly to his residence. This time, he had thoroughly lost face...

Although there had been this minor incident, everyone's enthusiasm for the assessment remained high.

Soon, everyone underwent their own tests. Most possessed Profound-grade talent. Aside from Zhu Daneng, there were no other Yellow-grade disciples, while there were three Earth-grade ones. One of them was even a disciple personally accepted by the Grand Elder.

The assessment reached its final stage.

"The last one, Nalan Yanran!"

At those words, the crowd became excited once more. As the disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect's leader, Nalan Yanran was the envy of all, whether for her talent or her beauty.

Nalan Yanran was not afraid. She calmly walked onto the testing platform, and as she poured in her Dou Qi, even Grand Elder Yun Leng stared in shock.

He stammered as he announced the result.

"Nalan Yanran, eight years old, sixth stage Dou Qi! Heaven grade!"

Upon hearing Grand Elder Yun Leng's announcement, everyone present felt utterly numb.

"No way, right? She's only eight, yet she's already at the sixth stage of Dou Qi. Wouldn't that mean she could become a Dou Zhe at around ten? Heavens!"

"Probably not fake. Don't forget, she's the disciple of our Misty Cloud Sect's leader. Could she have become the leader's disciple without exceptional talent?"

"That's true, but honestly, Heaven grade... that really is enviable!"

The grounds buzzed with discussion, while Nalan Yanran, the center of attention, smiled knowingly. Originally, she could not have reached such heights, but her teacher had given her a Green Lotus Seed, allowing her strength to advance by leaps and bounds in a short time.

After all, she was only an eight-year-old girl. Once the Grand Elder announced the result, she skipped away to share the good news with Yun Yun.

Watching this scene, Ao Qing could not help but sigh. The disciple Yun Yun had taken in could be considered exceptionally talented even across the Northwest Continent.

"If she wants to break off her engagement with that fellow Xiao Yan in the future, I can lend her a hand. This little girl is rather likable."

With that, Ao Qing left.

By then, Nalan Yanran had already arrived at Yun Yun's residence.

"Teacher! Teacher! Yanran has good news to tell you!"

Seeing the energetic Nalan Yanran, Yun Yun was also delighted. In Nalan Yanran, Yun Yun felt as though she saw her former self.

She had once been just as innocent and lively as Nalan Yanran. But now, she had become the leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, and she could never return to those days.

"What good news has made Yanran so happy? Let your teacher guess. Could it be that you achieved an excellent result in the Dou Qi assessment?" Yun Yun smiled at Nalan Yanran after speaking.

Of course, Yun Yun knew why Nalan Yanran had come. After all, she was the leader of the Misty Cloud Sect. It had been at her request that Yun Leng presided over the assessment.

"Oh, Teacher, how did you know?

"I tested at Heaven grade today, and I was the only one!"

As she spoke, Nalan Yanran became even more excited. Her little face was brimming with smiles as she began imagining how powerful she would become in the future, the stars in her eyes spinning without stop.

Can this disciple be returned? Yun Yun thought, deciding she still needed to put this little girl in her place.

"I heard that you, Yanran, have a marriage contract with Xiao Yan, the third son of the Xiao Clan head in Wutan City. I've heard that Xiao Yan is also exceptionally talented—not inferior to you. In the future, you might not even be his match."

"Teacher, I do not acknowledge this marriage contract. What kind of husband I, Nalan Yanran, choose in the future is my own business. Hehe, and Teacher wouldn't want Yanran to become part of the Xiao Clan either, would you?"

Hearing Nalan Yanran say this, Yun Yun had to admit it was true. She had spent so much effort nurturing this disciple; naturally, she did not want her to become someone else's. Nalan Yanran might even succeed her as the next sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect.

Setting aside her feelings for Yanran, she still could not possibly let Yanran become part of the Xiao Clan. At that thought, Yun Yun smiled at Nalan Yanran.

"Don't worry, Yanran. As long as you disagree, your teacher will support you in breaking off the engagement with the Xiao Clan. I will explain things clearly to your grandfather as well. For now, focus on cultivating properly. As long as your strength is high enough, I believe your grandfather will not stand in your way."

"Don't worry, Teacher. Yanran will definitely cultivate diligently. Only Yanran herself gets to decide her life!"

Seeing Nalan Yanran's earnest, utterly determined expression, Yun Yun did not bring up the matter again.

"Yanran, you've only just returned to the sect from home, so you don't yet know what has happened in the sect recently. But remember your teacher's words: don't go causing trouble in the back mountain."

Yun Yun said this because she feared Nalan Yanran would go to the back mountain and disturb Ao Qing's construction work.

"Don't worry, Teacher, I understand. Grandmaster is in seclusion in the back mountain, seeking a breakthrough to Dou Zong. Yanran will behave and won't disturb Grandmaster's cultivation."

Yun Yun did not explain further. Some things were better left unknown to the current Nalan Yanran. Besides, wasn't the outcome the same either way?

The master and disciple discussed many things. Afterward, Yun Yun began guiding Nalan Yanran's cultivation. Nalan Yanran's Dou Qi had risen quickly during this period and needed to be tempered further. She also needed to practice Dou Techniques; only after becoming a Dou Zhe could she use Dou Techniques at the fastest speed.

Meanwhile, at the Xiao Clan, the annual clan assessment had begun.

As expected, Xiao Yan had reached the fourth stage of Dou Qi at the age of eight, instantly becoming the center of attention throughout the Xiao Clan. However, compared to the current Nalan Yanran, he still lagged somewhat behind. After all, it was good to have a great tree to shelter beneath.

"Xun'er, let me tell you some good news. I stunned everyone at today's clan assessment! Heh heh, I've already reached the fourth stage of Dou Qi at eight years old. It probably won't be long before I become a Dou Zhe. Well? Xun'er, my talent is pretty impressive, right?"

Listening to Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er was happy as well. After all, Xiao Yan's talent was indeed quite outstanding on the Northwest Continent. But... compared to those freaks in the Central Continent, it was still far behind. Though Xiao Xun'er thought this, she would not say it aloud.

"Brother Xiao Yan, you're amazing. Xun'er believes that Brother Xiao Yan will definitely become one of the Jia Ma Empire's greatest experts in the future, and lead the clan to greatness as well!"

Hearing the girl's praise, Xiao Yan was genuinely delighted. Especially since it came from such a stunningly beautiful girl—it excited an old hand like Xiao Yan all the more.

Seeing the sleazy smile on Xiao Yan's face, Xun'er felt somewhat repulsed. Ever since she realized last time that there was basically no possibility between herself and Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er had been trying hard to avoid too much contact with him.

But Xiao Yan clung to her like a sticky plaster every day, leaving her at a loss.

Neither of them knew what the other was thinking, yet they continued getting along in this strange way.

The days quietly passed amid their individual cultivation, and everyone worked hard to improve their strength.

The Misty Cloud Sect was also peaceful during this period. The sect's strength steadily increased, and everything flourished. But Central Continent was far from peaceful.

A storm was about to sweep across the Central Continent.

A ten-thousand-word update today. Please give your support!