A dense crowd of Fang Household members waited below the stage.
Everyone patiently waited for the moment the assessment would begin, their expressions solemn.
The Fang Household is not considered a powerful force.
But that's only relatively speaking.
If placed in the Eastern Continent, the Fang Household would definitely be considered a top-tier super Lineage.
Excluding everything else, just considering this one, there are at least one or two thousand people from collateral branches who are sixteen years of age or older who came to participate in the assessment.
In the past, this annual assessment has always yielded some promising talents among the collateral relatives.
Once these seedlings are discovered, they can be nurtured in the main lineage.
Whether it's gaining access to resources or being promoted to a core group after making numerous contributions, these are opportunities they dream of.
It's not just about talent.
Some people, if they are lucky, even if they are not particularly talented, but have outstanding looks, can catch the eye of a young master or lady from the royal family and have the opportunity to rise to great heights and change their destiny.
Although they are direct descendants and collateral descendants.
However, after so many years of the Fang Household branching out, some blood ties have long since faded.
Moreover, intermarriage among blood relatives is the most common thing after three generations.
Therefore, today, regardless of whether they came to participate in the assessment or not, most of the direct descendants of each branch of the family came to the scene.
The moment they appeared, they stole everyone's attention.
Countless people stared with fervent eyes at the group of extraordinary direct descendants, whose stature and bearing were exceptional, and couldn't help but whisper among themselves and exclaim in surprise.
"He's the third young master of the eldest son's family. It's said he's already grasped the Sword Intent and has one foot in the Thearch Realm. He's a renowned genius throughout Azure Wave City."
"That must be the second young lady of the third branch... She's so beautiful. If I remember correctly, she's said to be married to the young master of White Cloud Valley. Just the gifts that young master gave her to win her favor are resources that we could hardly use up even after decades of cultivation."
"This is so enviable..."
When will I be so lucky?
"You? Stop daydreaming. You have neither talent nor looks, yet you want to compare yourself to the Second Miss..."
"Wait, am I seeing things? Isn't that the young master of the sixth branch of the family?"
"The young master of the sixth branch... Let me think... It's said that he was taken in as a disciple by a passing master and went on a journey. I never expected him to return."
"..."
Everyone was talking about it, mostly with envy, and a hint of unspoken longing.
However, as the conversation progressed, the topic shifted to this most important assessment.
"Speaking of which, am I the only one who knew about that news?"
"What?"
"It's news about the elders of the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect..."
The Fang Household member who said this had extreme excitement in his eyes.
No matter how low he tried to lower his voice, everyone around him was sharp-eared and had already heard what he said; they all saw it clearly.
"Really?"
"... That's the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect."
"This was just a routine internal Lineage assessment; why did it attract the attention of those elders?"
The person who spoke immediately smiled, with a hint of smugness on their face.
He spoke with a somewhat arrogant tone, "You wouldn't know this, would you... Anyway, this matter is absolutely true."
"And this time, our Fang Household, in order to deal with those elders, is said to have offered an astonishing reward!"
"The top performers in this assessment are truly fortunate."
The Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect has indeed declined somewhat.
However, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse.
Even in its decline, the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect is still stronger and more prosperous than the Fang Household.
The Fang Household patriarch was very powerful.
However, he was no match for the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect.
Ultimately, without the Great Saint, they would still just be a third-rate Lineage.
The Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect not only has Great Saint, but also more than one!
This news wasn't known to only one person.
Many people know this news and have made every effort to help, even though they know in their hearts that it's unlikely. But what if it happens...?
What if I catch the eye of an elder of the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect and become their disciple?
Wouldn't that be like achieving instant success?
Fang Yun'er, standing at the very back, watched the surging crowd, a look of emotion appearing in her eyes.
Her city was remote and isolated, with few powerful figures, so she rarely saw such a scene.
It was absolutely magnificent...
It is dazzling and mesmerizing, captivating and enchanting.
She stared blankly at the bustling scene before her, completely unaware that while she was observing these things, many others were also watching her.
Fang Yun'er doesn't like to dress up.
She has no power, no background, and lives in poverty. No matter how beautiful she is, without resources or Spirit Stone, it is impossible for her to focus on these useless external things.
But Fang Linlin is different.
She is also a very outgoing and lively person.
With just her hands on her hips, a pout, and the words, "If you don't want me, it means you don't consider me a friend," Fang Yun'er was rendered defenseless and helplessly allowed Fang Linlin to dress her up like a doll.
In Fang Linlin's words, this is called, "Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse. We may lose, but we won't lose face. If we lose, it's because of our talent; we have to win at least once!"
In a short period of time, Fang Yun'er dressed herself up so much that she almost didn't recognize herself.
She has a strong preference for white clothing.
After becoming Lin Xuan's disciple, she developed a strong liking for white dresses because her master wore white robes.
She was now wearing a white dress as pure as moonlight, the soft hem of which clung to her ankles, accentuating her slender waist, which seemed as delicate as autumn water.
She simply stood there, and her aura was like shattered moonlight, gently scattering across the world, startling countless swans.
Captivating.
It is intoxicating.
The subtle gazes around her caught Fang Linlin's eye, instantly making her raise her eyebrows with smug satisfaction, feeling quite triumphant.
She winked at Fang Yu beside her.
"See, see, I told you Yun'er is beautiful! Of course, it's also thanks to me; I'm such a great dresser!"
"Tell me, if I fail this assessment, I'll go home and ask for a shop to run! With my aesthetic sense, I'm sure I can earn a lot of Spirit Stone!"
Fang Yu smiled helplessly, letting her tug at his sleeve and jump around, her expression showing a hint of indulgence.
She was about to say something when, at that very moment, a sharp voice rang out in everyone's ears.
"It's you?!"
" Fang Yun'er, you're really lucky to be alive!"