This Is Jianghu

Stepping up the icy stairs onto the Profound Ice Platform, they found ice-carved seats arranged neatly across the spacious platform. Quite a few families had already arrived ahead of them.

Seeing the Shen Family arrive, sharp-eyed people immediately stepped forward to offer their greetings.

"Fellow Daoist Linfeng has arrived. Please, take your seat."

Their attitude was exceedingly attentive. Though they were all among the Ten Great Families of Canglang, they appeared somewhat deferential.

The First Elder did not stand on ceremony. He took the seat of honor as was only right, displaying the prestige of a Golden Core Clan.

Across the entire Canglang Mountain, even False Core experts were resounding figures of importance, treated as honored guests wherever they went. Yet before Golden Core experts, they had not the slightest standing.

All beneath the Golden Core were but ants—this was no empty saying.

A family without a Golden Core expert to hold the fort was naturally a cut below the rest!

Quite a few gazes were sizing up the Shen Family. They belonged to a group of young talents from False Core Families, each one imposing and radiant.

"So what if they're Golden Core Clans? Selection depends on strength. Your background won't be of any use here."

The clan elders had repeatedly warned them to keep far away from members of Golden Core Clans and endure as much as possible. They had long been holding in a bellyful of anger.

Whenever they encountered spoiled young masters throwing their weight around and running rampant, they could only grit their teeth and swallow their rage. Today, they finally had a chance to wash away their shame. Every one of them was brimming with Qi Chong Douniu, full of vigor.

Only one black-robed youth remained exceptionally calm. His resolute face possessed an unruffled air.

"Brother He Guang, are people from Golden Core Clans really that strong?"

The black-robed youth was surrounded like the moon by stars. His bearing made him Stand Out, showing the immense prestige he commanded.

This man was none other than He Guang. He had once attended a grand gathering in Great Zhou alone and had crossed paths with Shen Yun.

Ever since his crushing defeat at Tantai Jing's hands, he had known shame and striven harder. He had achieved another tremendous breakthrough, and now he was already an outstanding figure among the False Core Families.

"Golden Core Clans are indeed powerful, but I, He Guang, am no pushover either. So what if I have to pull teeth from a tiger's mouth? This time, I will claim the Sword Sect Quota."

He Guang's voice was not loud, yet it carried a convincing power that won him many cheers.

A Moment Later, the Su Family arrived, personally led by Su Yu, stirring up no small commotion.

Many people immediately went forward to Strike Up a Conversation, hoping to use the opportunity to build a friendship with the Su Family.

Among them, Su Yu'er received much fawning attention. Everyone knew she was Su Yu's cherished daughter, and they wanted to climb a high branch and soar to prosperity.

Many young talents lowered themselves and did their utmost to flatter Su Yu'er. Their praises were Heavenly Flowers Scattering, and they competed to present all kinds of precious gifts.

Su Yu'er only found it irritating. She was not stupid—how could she fail to see their intentions?

Just then, she spotted Shen Yun. Her eyes lit up, and she said mischievously, "You big villain, you haven't been slacking lately, have you? This young lady has been engaged in Diligent Cultivation, so you'd better watch out!"

Everyone's gazes immediately turned toward Shen Yun, while some clever people tactfully withdrew.

Shen Yun studied her for a moment, smiling faintly. "Is that so? Then I'll wait and see."

Seeing his languid appearance, Su Yu'er ground her pearly teeth and could not help snorting. "Just keep taking it easy. We'll see!"

With that, she skipped away, her Black Hair fluttering and her graceful figure drawing countless gazes.

Shen Qingruo's eyes were profound as she murmured softly, "Su Yu'er?"

Shen Yun felt a chill wind at his back. When he turned around, he saw only Shen Qingruo's gentle smile.

Strange. Was that just my imagination?

He rubbed his chin, then promptly stopped thinking about it.

Shen Wude watched his nose, his nose watched his heart, and with great tact, he took two steps back.

After the Su Family appeared, the Shangguan Family arrived close behind.

Granny Aramaki strolled over with a sinister old face, as though someone owed her tens of thousands of Spirit Stones.

Shangguan Mo looked as though he had been carved from the same mold as her. With hawkish eyes and a wolfish gaze, his vicious Aura made people shudder.

Ever since Ye Chen had crippled him, he had gone to great lengths to repair his Sea of Qi. However, no matter what he did, his foundation could not be restored.

"The Sword Sect certainly has a way to restore it. You must seize this opportunity."

Granny Aramaki's tone was grave. Shangguan Nian had refused to take part in the selection, so she could only pick the best from the worst and make use of this waste.

Shangguan Mo nodded heavily and said coldly, "Rest assured, Great-Aunt. I will not fail the family's trust."

Granny Aramaki ignored him and instead said to a beautiful woman, "Shangguan Nian has become a sinner of the family. I trust you will not repeat her mistakes."

The green-robed woman nodded, her expression solemn. "Please rest assured, Granny. Little Nian is stubbornly clinging to her errors and is no longer worthy of being a member of the Shangguan Family. I will certainly not follow her old path."

She resembled Shangguan Nian by seventy percent. Her features were exceedingly proper and beautiful, but her brows were far too cold, making her seem devoid of human warmth.

"Very good. That is the attitude a member of the Shangguan Family should have."

Granny Aramaki was extremely satisfied. The woman before her was Shangguan Nian's elder sister, Shangguan Ya. Her cultivation ranked among the best of the younger generation. More importantly, she was obedient—this was the kind of talent the family needed.

Shangguan Ya's Gleam in the Eyes was icy as she murmured inwardly, Little Nian, by acting this way, how are Father and Mother supposed to face others? I will personally correct your mistake.

All Ten Great Families had now arrived and began exchanging intelligence with one another.

"I heard Elder Yaoguang will personally come to the Profound Ice Platform. The scale of this selection far exceeds previous years."

"Elder Yaoguang is one of the seven great elders of the Outer Sect. His cultivation is unfathomable. If he takes a liking to you, you will surely rise smoothly through the ranks."

"What about the list of Deputy Envoys? They also have considerable decision-making power and cannot be overlooked."

"I heard they are Murong Xue and Duanmu Tong. Both of them are top-ten geniuses of the Outer Sect and must not be underestimated."

"..."

Listening to the many discussions, the clever ones had already begun analyzing the intelligence, intending to curry favor with the envoys and cater to their preferences.

All three envoys possessed considerable decision-making power. At a time like this, Off-the-board Moves became especially important.

If two people were evenly matched, then whoever was more favored by the examiners would naturally Stand Out. Everyone present understood this without saying it aloud.

"Where there are people, there is jianghu."

Shen Yun sighed, utterly unsurprised by it.

There was no absolute fairness in this world. At the very least, the Sword Sect's entry examination was open and aboveboard, already as bright and fair as wind and moonlight to ordinary cultivators.

In an internal selection like this, background was itself a part of one's strength. That was simply reality.

Granny Aramaki looked toward the Shen Family's seats and gave a sinister smile. "Enjoy yourselves a little longer while you can. Soon, you won't be able to smile anymore."

Thinking of Shangguan Dongjun's arrangements, she grew More and more calm and assured, as if victory were already in her grasp.

Half an hour passed silently, and a breeze suddenly swept across the Profound Ice Platform.

The sound of air tearing apart rang out. Everyone immediately stopped talking, only to see an astonishing magic sword flying toward them at tremendous speed from the distant sky.

The endless gale was split apart by the magic sword. It moved so quickly that even Foundation Establishment cultivators could not catch sight of it.

"So fast!"

The thought had barely crossed their minds when the magic sword had already reached the sky above the Profound Ice Platform.

Against the sunlight, three hazy figures stood upon the sword. Their lofty sword Dao presence made everyone hold their breath unconsciously.

The Sword Sect Envoys had arrived!