Assessment Plaza

As the four of them stood at the mountain gate, unsure of what to do, a squad of Daoists in blue robes emerged from behind the massive portal.

This group consisted of eight people, each exuding a powerful aura. With arrogant expressions, they held their chins high and looked down upon Li Yunjing and his companions.

These were outer sect disciples of the Divine Firmament Dao Sect, all of whom possessed cultivation at the sixth level of the Qi Refining stage.

The young Daoist leading the group scanned them briefly before speaking in a deep voice, "Where do you come from, and what is your business at the Divine Firmament Dao Sect?"

"Fellow Daoist, we are from the Yu Family of Yueming City."

Steward Li stepped forward with a genial smile and said, "This is our family's eldest young lady, Yu Yunyi, and this is her friend, Li Yunjing. The two of them have come to join the sect."

"This is the young lady's maid, who has accompanied her here."

Accustomed to such matters, Steward Li explained their purpose while introducing Yu Yunyi, Li Yunjing, and Ling'er to the blue-robed Daoists.

"Hmm? The Yu Family?"

The leading young Daoist paused, scrutinizing Yu Yunyi and Li Yunjing, his gaze lingering on Yu Yunyi for a moment.

The Yu Family of Yueming was a force to be reckoned with, even within the Divine Firmament Dao Sect.

There were many formidable figures from the Yu Family within the sect, and it was even rumored that one of the sect elders hailed from the Yu Family of Yueming City.

A powerful cultivation family like the Yu Family was not something an outer sect disciple like him could afford to offend.

At this thought, the young Daoist's expression softened. He shed his arrogant demeanor, revealed a friendly smile, and said, "I am Ma Ye, an outer sect disciple of the Divine Firmament Dao Sect. Since you are here to participate in the assessment, follow me!"

"Many thanks, Brother Daoist!"

"Many thanks, Immortal Master!"

Yu Yunyi and Li Yunjing offered their thanks in succession.

Yu Yunyi looked at her family's old steward and smiled, "Uncle Li, you may return now! With our family elders present within the Divine Firmament Dao Sect, I will be just fine here."

"Very well! May the young lady cultivate here with peace of mind! This old servant takes his leave!"

Steward Li nodded, turned around, and headed down the mountain.

From start to finish, neither Yu Yunyi nor Steward Li had ever considered the possibility of failing the assessment.

Clearly, based on the family's own testing, Yu Yunyi was certain to enter the Divine Firmament Dao Sect.

Watching this scene, Ma Ye's pupils constricted. It seems some remarkable people have arrived! This woman is quite beautiful, though unfortunately, she is not someone I can touch!

What is this boy's background? His cultivation is low—only at the first level of Qi Refining?

Ma Ye glanced at Li Yunjing again, his expression unchanged. He assumed that since Li Yunjing was walking with the Yu Family, he must also have a significant background and be someone of note.

Ma Ye could never have guessed that Li Yunjing was merely a rogue cultivator, a small-timer who had just entered the circle, and had only arrived at the gate with the Yu Family through a stroke of coincidence.

"There is no need to call me Immortal Master! I entered the sect earlier than you, so just call me Senior Brother Ma."

Ma Ye said with a very kind and cheerful smile.

The members of his squad were slightly taken aback; Senior Brother Ma was not usually a man of such easy temperament.

"Alright! You all continue your patrol here! I will personally escort these two to the assessment!"

Ma Ye waved his hand, giving instructions to the others.

"Yes, Senior Brother Ma!"

The remaining seven men straightened their expressions and acknowledged the order.

This person does not seem simple, Li Yunjing thought, observing everything without a word. Loose lips sink ships; I will just play the part of Yu Yunyi's little follower and wait until I am admitted into the Divine Firmament Dao Sect!

Ma Ye carried himself with great airs. Without another glance at his subordinates, he gestured for Yu Yunyi and Li Yunjing to follow him through the stone gate.

As the three of them stepped through the gate, Li Yunjing's vision blurred. He felt the world spin, and in the next instant, he found himself standing on a plaza.

Is this... the legendary teleportation array?

Li Yunjing was secretly shocked, but he kept his expression calm and collected, as if he had seen it all before.

Beside him, Yu Yunyi did not seem surprised either.

As expected of someone raised by a great family.

Seeing their reactions, Ma Ye could not help but nod.

It seemed his assessment was correct; these two truly had impressive backgrounds and were well-traveled.

They were nothing like the new applicants who had been arriving lately—many of whom acted like bumpkins, gasping and gawking at everything they saw.

At that moment, Ma Ye had long forgotten that when he first entered the sect, he had been no different from the bumpkins he now looked down upon.

As soon as Li Yunjing appeared on the plaza, he felt powerful auras washing over him like a tidal wave.

It nearly made it difficult for him to breathe. He looked toward the circular plaza thirty yards away and saw hundreds of people already waiting there.

Some were chatting with one another, some were sitting with their eyes closed in contemplation, and others were looking around with the curiosity of a child, finding everything incredibly novel.

These people were all young, the oldest appearing to be in their twenties or thirties, while the youngest was a mere child of seven or eight.

They were dressed in a colorful array of fabrics—silk, cotton, linen, and everything in between.

Judging by their attire, Li Yunjing knew these people were just like him, all here to participate in the assessment.

Nine out of ten people here were cultivators; aside from a few children, everyone seemed to possess a certain level of cultivation upon arriving at the Divine Firmament Dao Sect.

And as someone who had just entered the first level of Qi Refining, he seemed to be at the very bottom of the heap.

Thinking of this, Li Yunjing felt a wave of depression, but considering the hope of joining the sect and the possibility of catching up in the future, his mood improved once again.

He was, after all, an optimistic person!

"Yu Yunyi, Li Yunjing, you two go over and join the queue! Today is the day of the assessment, and it begins in one hour."

In order to curry favor with the Yu Family, Ma Ye made a rare effort to explain things to the two of them.

"Many thanks for your guidance, Senior Brother Ma!"

Yu Yunyi remained calm and composed; arriving here did not seem to affect her in the slightest.

"Many thanks, Senior Brother Ma!"

Li Yunjing followed suit and replied.

"Mm! If you manage to enter the sect, you can come find me if you need anything! I live on Red Glow Peak and am a disciple of the Combat Division Yu Battalion!"

Ma Ye nodded and revealed his background to the two of them.

"Very well! We shall gather more often when we have the time."

Yu Yunyi nodded slightly, showing no sign of surprise at the mention of the Combat Division.

"Farewell! I hope you both manage to join the sect!"

Watching Ma Ye walk away with such ease, Li Yunjing finally revealed a look of envy.

"Li Yunjing, stop staring. Once you pass the assessment, you too can become a disciple of the Divine Firmament Dao Sect."

Yu Yunyi smiled brightly at him, her eyes as gentle as flowing water, a hint of tenderness flashing within them.