preparation

After Feng Lun and Xia Qing left, Qu Buping immediately reverted to his lazy demeanor. He looked at Jiang Yun and said, "Are you happy now? Let me tell you, even though I am your master, don't think that you can flaunt my name outside and be domineering."

Jiang Yun disdainfully raised an eyebrow and said, "Come on, old man, you're underestimating me too much. Am I the type to always use your name to intimidate others? Besides, you might not even have such a high opinion of yourself. Once you're outside of the Tianjian Sect, who knows if your reputation can really impress anyone?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Lun became somewhat unhappy. With an air of arrogance, he said, "I'm not bragging, but my reputation is respected anywhere on the continent."

Jiang Yun wore an incredulous expression, waved his hand at Liu Yi, and said, "Senior Brother Liu, let's go. I can't stand people who boast without even rehearsing."

Liu Yi, who had actually rarely heard of Qu Buping's reputation, found the argument between Jiang Yun and Qu Buping amusing. While he thought Qu Buping's words were a bit exaggerated, he didn't voice his thoughts. He simply covered his mouth and chuckled.

"Hey, you brat."

After watching Jiang Yun and Liu Yi walk away, Qu Buping muttered a curse under his breath, then returned to the library on his own.

No one knew why Qu Buping was so unwilling to leave the library. Even Jiang Yun could only vaguely guess that it might be related to Qu Buping's junior sister.

Upon learning that Jiang Yun had become Qu Buping's disciple, Liu Yi adamantly refused to be called "Senior Brother" by Jiang Yun. According to seniority, Liu Yi should technically be called Jiang Yun's "Martial Uncle," but Jiang Yun didn't want Liu Yi to address him in that way. They agreed to simply call each other by their names.

Liu Yi led Jiang Yun to the Master's resting room and left only after informing him that the Sect Master, Hu Qing, was still in the main hall handling sect matters. Hu Qing's attendant told Jiang Yun to wait in the resting room while he reported to the Sect Master.

After about the time it takes to brew a pot of tea, Jiang Yun saw Sect Master Hu Qing return with his attendant. Jiang Yun stepped forward and saluted, "Disciple Jiang Yun pays respects to the Sect Master."

Although Hu Qing was already in his seventies, he appeared to be in his forties. His demeanor was gentle, and his black hair and beard gave him a youthful look. He seemed amiable and approachable. Facing Jiang Yun, he waved casually and said, "There's no need for formalities here. I heard that you've become a disciple of Qu Buping, which means we're peers. No need to be so restrained."

Hu Qing, as the Sect Master, was well-informed. The news of Jiang Yun's apprenticeship under Qu Buping had just spread today, and he was already aware of it, indicating that he had a vast network within the sect.

Following his words, Jiang Yun took a seat, looking at Hu Qing and inquired, "May I know the reason why the Sect Master summoned me?"

Hu Qing smiled and said, "No wonder Uncle Qu took you as his disciple. You're as impatient as he is."

Jiang Yun was puzzled. Qu Buping had an impatient temperament?

Ever since Jiang Yun got to know Qu Buping, he had always appeared indifferent to everything, and it was really hard to see where his impatience came from.

"Haha, you might not know about Uncle Qu's temper from before. He was known for having a quick temper. But now, he's been in the library for forty years, so his temperament should have mellowed out," Hu Qing explained, seeing Jiang Yun's confusion.

"Is that so? Master used to have a bad temper?"

Hu Qing's calm demeanor instantly put Jiang Yun at ease, and they began discussing some of Qu Buping's past. Jiang Yun gained a bit of understanding about his mentor's background, but according to Hu Qing, it was only scratching the surface. His mentor was a person with a lot of stories – big stories.

After chatting with Hu Qing for about half an hour, he finally moved on to the main topic, "Jiang Yun, I called you here today for two main reasons."

"Please, Sect Master, go ahead. I'm all ears."

"The first matter is about you. You have reached the threshold of the Earth Martial Realm in your cultivation, and you're also a practitioner of sword intent. According to the sect's rules, you can go down the mountain for a year of tempering. I'll have someone explain to you the things you need to be cautious of while you're down there."

Taking a sip from his teacup, Hu Qing continued, "The second matter concerns our entire Tianjian Sect – the Tri-Sect Assessment. This assessment not only affects the promotion of outer disciples to inner disciples but also involves the allocation of secular resources among the three sects. So, you need to strive to achieve a good ranking in the assessment."

Listening attentively, Jiang Yun heard Hu Qing say, "This time's Tri-Sect Assessment has drawn considerable investment from both the Yan Yue Sect and the Divine Dao Sect. They even have quasi-Earth Martial Realm martial artists among their outer disciples. As for our Tianjian Sect, you're the only one who can contend with them."

Now Jiang Yun understood why Hu Qing had called him here. It seemed he was giving him a small lesson on dealing with the talented individuals from the other two sects.

"I understand. I will do my best in the assessment and strive for a good ranking for the sect."

Jiang Yun offered his commitment without needing further explanation from Hu Qing.

With a pleased smile, Hu Qing praised Jiang Yun's teachable nature and said, "With your current cultivation at the Ninth Layer of Elemental Martial Realm, combined with your sword intent, I believe you could even handle a true Martial Realm martial artist if you encountered one. Aim for the top spot in this assessment."

Jiang Yun was surprised by Hu Qing's confidence in him. While he didn't dare to fully agree, he responded, "I can only do my best. I don't know much about the strengths of the other two individuals. Their abilities and the outcome can only be determined through actual combat."

"That's why I called you here today. I've already prepared the information on the two quasi-Earth Martial Realm martial artists from the Yan Yue Sect and the Divine Dao Sect. You can take it back and study it carefully. Be prepared to face them. Remember, just as you don't know them well, they won't know you well either, which is your advantage."

Internally, Jiang Yun thought Hu Qing was quite cunning, having everything prepared and just waiting for his response. Given the situation, if he didn't accept, it would be ungrateful.

"In that case, I will find a way to secure the top position in the assessment and bring glory to the sect."

After Jiang Yun's commitment, Hu Qing didn't keep him any longer. Taking the information about the other two participants, Jiang Yun left and returned to his previous lodging for outer disciples.