Infinite Save: I Cultivate Immortality Through Reincarnation - Chapter 326: The Assessment Begins
Chen Yan wanted to participate in the Setting Sun Sword Manor’s mountain-opening disciple recruitment ceremony precisely to keep an eye on these cultivators who came from the Western Region, preventing them from acting recklessly.
Although Chen Yan had never held any expectations from the start that the Setting Sun Sword Manor would possess any useful intelligence.
But since he was already here, he might as well give it a try.
What if?
Shi Mingxu glanced at Chen Yan a couple of times, then gave him a slight smile before turning his gaze towards He Qingling’s direction.
“What does Fellow Daoist He think?”
He Qingling simply nodded.
“I have no problem.”
“In that case, welcome, Fellow Daoist, to join us.”
Upon hearing this, Shi Mingxu immediately reacted, smiling as he bowed respectfully towards Chen Yan.
“I am Shi Mingxu. The one beside me is named He Xiyao. May I ask how Fellow Daoist should be addressed?”
“Bao Kai.”
Chen Yan also returned the bow in greeting.
He felt a slight flicker of surprise in his heart.
He Xiyao?
Although he was well aware that the name used by the young woman before him was most likely an alias, it still reminded him of an old acquaintance.
As for Chen Yan’s joining, He Qingling was, of course, indifferent.
Or rather, whoever her teammate was didn’t matter at all, because her goal from the very beginning was not to participate in the Setting Sun Sword Manor’s assessment.
And Shi Mingxu had his own little schemes.
Compared to a more outstanding teammate or one with a stronger background, he actually preferred to have this kind of inconspicuous rogue cultivator join his three-person team.
This way, the presence of this third person would be extremely weak, making it more advantageous for him to get closer to He Xiyao.
It could be said that each had their own thoughts.
Using the Hidden Immortal Art, Chen Yan suppressed the cultivation level he displayed to the early stage of the Qi Circulation Realm.
However, this actually held little practical significance, because at this very moment, perhaps not a single cultivator at the Passable God Realm or above could be found in the entire Jin’an Country, someone capable of seeing through another’s cultivation realm.
The bustling noise level in the crowd suddenly rose, becoming even more chaotic for a moment, before quickly quieting down again.
At some point, several cultivators wearing plain white daoist robes, each carrying a sword at their waist, had appeared on the high platform in the center of the town.
They were swordsmen from the Setting Sun Sword Manor.
The Setting Sun Sword Manor cultivated the sword, so apart from a few guest elders, almost everyone was a swordsman.
The leader was a middle-aged swordsman with a stern expression.
His gaze swept over the crowd in the town. Wherever his eyes fell, people held their breath, their bodies tense under the immense pressure.
Because this middle-aged swordsman was a Martial Spring Realm cultivator.
The middle-aged swordsman slowly spoke. His voice wasn’t loud, yet it was clear enough to reach everyone’s ears.
“I am Han Qianfeng, the Manager Elder of the Setting Sun Sword Manor. The rules for today’s disciple recruitment ceremony are simple.”
Then Han Qianfeng slowly turned and looked towards Xiluo Mountain, twelve miles away.
“Those who can successfully reach the mountain gate of my Setting Sun Sword Manor before sunset today will pass the first round of assessment. Of course, this is the assessment for those with no prior cultivation foundation.”
As he spoke, Han Qianfeng’s gaze shifted to the rogue cultivators nearby.
“As for the assessment for you Fellow Daoists, it is the same as in previous years, held on Trial Sword Peak.”
Trial Sword Peak was a steep mountain peak located several miles east of Xiluo Mountain.
“My Setting Sun Sword Manor has placed a total of seven Mystic Steel Swords on Trial Sword Peak, forged personally by the elder of our Forging Pavilion. What you Fellow Daoists need to do is find a Mystic Steel Sword on Trial Sword Peak, and, holding the sword, reach the mountain gate of my Setting Sun Sword Manor before sunset. Each Mystic Steel Sword can allow three people to pass the first round of assessment. Therefore, you may choose to form teams freely or proceed alone before setting off. After leaving the town, team members cannot be changed or adjusted.”
Han Qianfeng explained the assessment rules to the rogue cultivators in the town.
“During the assessment, there are no prohibitions. Conflict is not forbidden, only fatal or crippling injuries are prohibited. The fact that you Fellow Daoists have gathered here today is already a form of fate. Even if you fail to pass my Setting Sun Sword Manor’s assessment today, there is still a long future ahead. Whether you join other sects or return next year to participate in our mountain-opening disciple recruitment ceremony, both are good choices.
“But accidents are inevitable. Life and death are matters of fate. If anyone intentionally resorts to lethal force, my Setting Sun Sword Manor will definitely pursue the matter to the end. Fellow Daoists, take care.”
After finishing, this Manager Elder subtly gave a look to the young manager disciple from the Setting Sun Sword Manor standing behind him.
Immediately, that young disciple took a step forward and announced clearly,
“The Setting Sun Sword Manor’s Mountain Opening Ceremony officially begins! Fellow Daoists who wish to form teams, please register with me!”
After that, Han Qianfeng raised the index finger of his right hand and tapped the scabbard at his waist twice. The sword at his waist instantly flew out, hovering horizontally beneath his feet.
Immediately after, Han Qianfeng leaped lightly, standing on the floating sword before him, and gracefully flew away.
“Sword Flight Art…”
Shi Mingxu watched the departing swordsman, his eyes revealing a look of envy.
To fly by sword, merely mastering the Sword Flight Art was far from enough. The requirements for the sword itself were also quite high.
It didn’t necessarily have to be a spiritual artifact, but at the very least, it had to possess sword affinity.
And a sword with sword affinity was already one in ten thousand.
Without several dozen high-grade spirit stones, one simply couldn’t acquire one.
“Young Lady.”
One of the elders standing behind He Qingling spoke.
“Then, regarding the matters that follow…”
“I’ll handle it myself. You need not concern yourselves.”
He Qingling said indifferently.
“Yes, Young Lady.”
The two elders bowed respectfully towards He Qingling in unison.
As a Martial Spring Realm cultivator, He Qingling naturally found it extremely easy to pass this Setting Sun Sword Manor’s assessment.
As for Chen Yan nearby, he only let his gaze sweep inadvertently over this young woman who called herself “He Xiyao” and the two elders behind her.
A young girl at the Martial Spring Realm, accompanied by two Qi Sea Realm cultivators, and respectfully addressed as ‘Young Lady’?
A heaven-chosen talent from one of the Five Great Sects would definitely not receive this kind of treatment.
When meeting someone with higher cultivation or greater seniority, even if one’s cultivation talent reached the level of someone like Chu Xiyao or Li Haowen, one still had to respectfully address the other as Senior.
Interesting.
Chen Yan thought to himself.
As for Shi Mingxu beside him, he harbored none of these complex thoughts, because in his eyes, although the two elders behind He Xiyao possessed some cultivation, they were probably at most only at the Qi Circulation Realm.
Those Qi Circulation Realm rogue cultivators in Jincheng all had to obediently call him ‘Young Master Shi’ when they saw him.
Therefore, there was nothing strange about it.
“Let’s go.”
Shi Mingxu took the lead in saying.
“Setting off earlier will allow us to seize the initiative.”
He wanted to take control of the situation and walked towards the young swordsmen from the Setting Sun Sword Manor on the high platform.
Chen Yan turned his head slightly, looking towards He Qingling’s direction.
“Fellow Daoist He seems quite relaxed.”
“There’s nothing to be nervous about.”
He Qingling replied indifferently.
“Just let things take their natural course.”
“I see. Fellow Daoist He’s state of mind truly commands my admiration.”
Chen Yan said with a smile.
