Three-Sect Assessment

When Jiang Yun woke up from his consciousness, it was already the morning of the next day. The spiritual energy within his body had condensed almost to a liquid state. This meant that Jiang Yun's cultivation had reached the ninth level of the Elemental Martial Realm. He was just one step away from fully refining his spiritual energy into a liquid state and stepping into the True Martial Realm.

"My body feels much more agile now, and my strength has increased as well," Jiang Yun thought as he sensed the faster circulation of spiritual energy within him and the heightened explosive power in his body.

"Awake, huh? Go prepare breakfast," said Qu Buping as he emerged from the front, giving instructions to Jiang Yun.

"Thank you, Master," Jiang Yun quickly got into character. The term "Master" rolled off his tongue smoothly. After speaking, he headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

During the meal, Qu Buping said to Jiang Yun, "Actually, when it comes to the cultivation of Sword Intent, a Master's role isn't that significant. I can't do much for you. I have my own intentions for taking you as my disciple. I want you to help me with something."

Jiang Yun listened to Qu Buping's words, and his expression remained unchanged. He responded, "Master, you've already taught me a lot in these three months. I've gained a great deal from this time. Calling you 'Master' is not excessive."

After expressing his attitude, Jiang Yun paused for a moment and continued, "Regarding whatever task you need me to handle, feel free to tell me. As the ancients said, 'If the Master has a task, the disciple shoulders the labor.'"

Qu Buping glanced at Jiang Yun, showing a trace of satisfaction on his face, and said, "In that case, I'll be direct. There's an unwritten rule in Tianjian Sect. Generally, when a disciple reaches the ninth level of the Elemental Martial Realm and is about to break through to the True Martial Realm, they will embark on a journey in the mortal world. This is because breaking through from the Human Martial Realm to the Earth Martial Realm relies not only on cultivation but also on self-insight."

Jiang Yun listened attentively, and interjected, "So, the task you want me to do is something that needs to be done in the mortal world?"

Qu Buping nodded and said, "Yes, I need you to visit the ruins of Wanmo Sect. Deliver this item there. I believe that if he's still alive, he will definitely return to the former site of Wanmo Sect."

Jiang Yun looked at the burnt half of a folding fan that Qu Buping took out from his robe. He took it, examined it briefly, and then set it aside.

While the two were discussing this, an inner sect disciple entered the book repository. They both paused their conversation and looked at the newcomer, whom Jiang Yun recognized as Liu Yi, someone he had interacted with a few times before.

"Junior Brother Jiang, the Sect Master asked me to tell you that you're now allowed to leave the book repository. The Grand Assessment is in three days. The Sect Master wants you to go back and prepare well. Make the sect proud."

Liu Yi walked directly to Jiang Yun's side, smiling as he conveyed the message. Jiang Yun had spent three months in the book repository, leisurely browsing through the scriptures, and it was certain that he had gained a lot from the experience, causing envy in others.

"Make the sect proud? But isn't the Grand Assessment an internal evaluation of the sect? How does making the sect proud come into play?" Jiang Yun looked puzzled. The notion of "making the sect proud" seemed more fitting in interactions with other sects rather than within their own.

Liu Yi explained to Jiang Yun's puzzled expression, "My bad for not explaining clearly. This year's Grand Assessment is not just an internal event for our Tianjian Sect. It involves the three major sects, as well as Yan Yue Sect and Divine Dao Sect."

"The three major sects together?"

"That's right. It's a decision made by the three Sect Masters. Recently, there have been rumors that the Demon Sect is becoming active again. The three major sects must unite. This joint Grand Assessment is meant to strengthen the bond among the three sects."

Demon Sect's activity?

Jiang Yun glanced at Qu Buping, wondering if Qu Buping wanted him to go to Wanmo Sect due to this Demon Sect's activity. But he had been in the book repository all this time and hadn't left. How could he possibly know about the Demon Sect's situation?

"Thanks for letting me know, Senior Brother Liu. I'll go back with you to prepare later."

After speaking to Liu Yi, Jiang Yun turned to Qu Buping and said, "Master, I'll go prepare now. I'll make sure to handle the task you mentioned."

While Jiang Yun harbored some doubts, if Qu Buping hadn't mentioned it and he didn't ask, it seemed unrelated to him that the Demon Sect was showing activity. As long as he delivered what Qu Buping had given him, his task would be considered complete.

"Alright, go ahead. The task I've given you isn't urgent. Your safety is the most important thing," Qu Buping said, offering Jiang Yun a final reminder. Then, he returned to the front of the book repository, leaned back, and closed his eyes to rest. Jiang Yun and Liu Yi left the repository together.

"Elder Feng, I heard that my disciple Chen Si was injured by someone named Jiang Yun at Tianjian Sect three months ago. Is this true?"

Just as Jiang Yun and Liu Yi emerged from the book repository, they heard their names being mentioned. They saw Feng Lun accompanying a middle-aged man in a gray robe as he approached from a distance.

The path from the mountain gate to the sect's reception hall passed through the book repository. At this moment, Jiang Yun and Liu Yi happened to cross paths with them. Feng Lun also caught sight of Jiang Yun and his face displayed a hint of embarrassment, unsure how to respond to the question about Jiang Yun.

The middle-aged man in the gray robe seemed to sense the sudden change in atmosphere. He looked at Jiang Yun and Liu Yi as they approached, then glanced at Feng Lun before saying, "Elder Feng, is this true?"

This time, the middle-aged man's tone carried a hint of seriousness, and his words seemed to carry a hint of inquiry. Feng Lun could only awkwardly respond, "Elder Xia, those were just misunderstandings among the younger generation. I already explained it to Elder Hai last time. We don't need to meddle in the affairs between the younger disciples, do we?"

The person accompanying Feng Lun was none other than Chen Si's master, Xia Qinghuan. Xia Qinghuan was known for fiercely defending his disciples. Upon learning that Chen Si had returned to Tianjian Sect three months ago and had been severely injured, he specifically requested to lead the team for this Grand Assessment on behalf of Yan Yue Sect. His intention was to find out who had injured his disciple and to teach them a lesson.

Xia Qinghuan's dissatisfaction was evident upon hearing Feng Lun's vague response. His displeased gaze then shifted to Jiang Yun and Liu Yi, as he inquired, "You're disciples of Tianjian Sect, you should know where Jiang Yun lives, right? Can you take me to meet him?"

Xia Qinghuan's tone was commanding, which made Liu Yi feel quite uncomfortable. However, he recognized that Xia Qinghuan's seniority was much higher than his own and didn't want to argue with him. He held onto Jiang Yun's hand and spoke to Xia Qinghuan, "Elder Xia, we actually have other matters to attend to. If you're looking for someone, I suggest asking others. We don't know where Jiang Yun is."

Liu Yi's refusal didn't sit well with Xia Qinghuan, who showed his displeasure on his face. He asked Jiang Yun again, "Do you know where Jiang Yun is?"

At this point, Feng Lun stepped in to mediate, addressing Jiang Yun and Liu Yi, "Liu Yi, don't you have other matters to attend to? You should go and take care of them. Elder Xia is here, and I'll accompany him."

However, at this moment, Jiang Yun took a step forward, ignoring the looks from Feng Lun and Liu Yi. He spoke directly to Xia Qinghuan, "Elder Xia, if you're looking for Jiang Yun, then you're looking for me."