Suspicions?*

'Why is she angry? Did she find out? Wait! What am I feeling afraid of? It's not like I did something. It's not like I did anything wrong...Urgh, I shouldn't have played the hero saving 'damsel in distress' back then...'

Jianyu calmly pondered this (rather silly) matter. 'To begin with, there's no way she could know about this matter, especially since I only met Xiao Xiang once. Unless...'

As clarity dawned, someone must've blabbed if she knows about it.

Jianyu narrowed his eyes and looked at Xin Dongyang

"I-I didn't tell her anything?!" Xin Dongyang rushed to deny what hadn't even been alleged, showcasing the intuition of a cultivator at his level – a truly formidable skill.

"I haven't said anything yet." A smile graced Jianyu's lips, though it didn't quite reach his ears.

Xin Dongyang felt wronged like bananas that were defamed for many sins, while not getting as much action as cucumbers.

[AN:- Bananas are equated to d*cks in many jokes and usually many people hesitate to eat bananas in public, while cucumber is used as nature's dildo by girls... or boys, we don't kink shame people:) ]

Just as Jianyu contemplated the source of the leak, a sudden realization hit him. 'Could it be?! Did Xifeng investigate me?!'

Cold sweat ran down Jianyu's back at the idea of being engaged to someone with issues (in the head).

'No, that's highly unlikely. Plus, I would've noticed by now... right?'

Doubt seeped in, casting shadows on the situation. 'Come to think of it, didn't she become attached to me pretty fast? And she grasped my preferences easily too. At first, I thought Mother might've told her, but now... if Mother gave permission, it wouldn't be strange if she could spy on me.'

Jianyu's complexion paled as his mind continued to weave countless unrealistic scenarios.

'Hold on, why am I flustered? She invaded my privacy! Yeah!! I didn't do anything wron—'

A humming buzz disrupted his thoughts, a spatial portal opening, and a melodious voice chimed like heavenly hymns.

"Seeing that even Grand Elder Xin is already here, it seems I'm quite late this year."

The voice emanated from a woman with bluish silver hair and azure eyes akin to ocean depths. She wore snow-white attire adorned with an azure serpent navigating colossal waves dwarfed by its gargantuan body.

"Oh is that so? well, Grand elder Yin doesn't have to worry about such a thing. After all, you do like to arrive fashionably late to all events anyway."

Xin Jianyu directed his attention to the woman, renowned as the era's preeminent female cultivator and his future grandmother-in-law.

"Junior Xin Jianyu greets Grand elder Yin."

Jianyu hurriedly greeted Yin Meili with a respectable bow, so that the two grand elders don't fight like dogs in public.

"Umu," Yin Meili nodded kindly, her expression transitioning from a mocking frown to a gentle smile that left Jianyu flustered.

"I've heard a lot about you from Feng'er"

Jianyu began to get more flustered as he imagined what Xifeng might have talked about him to Yin Meili.

"Fufufu." Yin Meili chuckled, her hand masking her mouth gracefully. Her voice held an enchanting allure, her demeanor evoking a mystic aura.

Xin Jianyu felt his face burn up as he looked at Yin Meili's captivating appearance.

Xin Jianyu's bashful appearance seemed cute and innocent to Yin Meili, she felt that Jianyu was feeling shy thinking about Xifeng singing his praises to her. Whereas, Xin Dongyang understood that his grandchild wanted an 'Ara Ara' from the woman who was significantly (Like a shit tonne) older than him.

"Well then."

Having met her future grandson-in-law, Yin Meili felt satisfied and departed her seat.

Subsequently, Xin Dongyang cast a spell that isolated him and Jianyu from their surroundings. He turned to Jianyu, his expression bearing a weight of profundity.

"Jianyu, having experienced passionate youth, I understand your feelings, the allure of a ripe fruit is truly immense. But remember, she's essentially my rival—"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Confusion wrinkled Jianyu's brow as he quizzically looked at his grandfather.

Cough cough!!

"Forget it. In any case, the second test is about to commence!"

Though skeptical, Jianyu shifted his attention to the arena.

...

As Jianyu's attention shifted towards the arena, a bitter smile touched Xin Dongyang's lips. 'Does he not realise... Well, perhaps that's for the best. Just as I anticipated from my own flesh and blood, his taste is impeccable.'

...

'Sigh, I missed evaluating that guy's spiritual roots. I need to stay focused this time.'

Candidates within the arena struggled to remain upright, their exertions manifesting through a veneer of sweat and quivering legs.

'A test of endurance? Or perhaps a trial of resolve and fortitude...'

Speaking of which...

"Grandfather, how do disciples adept at formation creation and alchemy navigate the entrance test?"

Possessing superior strength, innate ability, and unwavering resolve undoubtedly provided a significant edge in mastering formations, crafting artifacts, and practicing alchemy. Yet, even those without such attributes could exhibit remarkable potential. Every sect required a substantial number of such disciples to ensure its smooth functioning.

"We subject them to a preliminary assessment, and those who display promise are reassessed following these trials."

Jianyu discerned the sect's multifaceted approach. 'They undermine their self-worth, only to extend a "chance" through benevolence later?'

The Profound Heavens sect's supremacy wasn't solely rooted in resource control; their exemplary talent management played an instrumental role.

After all, in a world where a solitary being could reshape the heavens and fracture the land, the master of the myriad talents would inevitably ascend to the pinnacle of power. Such was the path of the countless sects.

Bribery, plunder, theft, or manipulation – any means deemed effective as long as it secures an advantage.

...

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Are we the baddies?