Chapter 29

"Chenxi, look, Lu Xuan has indeed come as well." Lin Xinyi, with her sharp eyes, immediately spotted Lu Xuan. It was fortunate that Lu Xuan arrived early and stood at the front; otherwise, finding one person among so many martial artists would not have been easy.

Following Lin Xinyi's gaze, Xia Chenxi also noticed Lu Xuan. At that moment, Lu Xuan was looking at her, and their eyes met. Lu Xuan nodded and smiled at Xia Chenxi.

Xia Chenxi's face turned slightly red, and she quickly averted her gaze, replying to Lin Xinyi, "He's here to participate in the assessment, so of course he would come."

"Let's go and say hello." Lin Xinyi said happily, not waiting for Xia Chenxi's agreement, and pulled her hand to walk over to Lu Xuan.

Uncle Jiu was originally going to ask a question, but when he saw them heading towards Lu Xuan, he shook his head with a smile and let them go.

"Miss Chenxi and Miss Xinyi are coming over!"

"Really? Could it be that my charm attracted the two goddesses?"

"Get lost, with your height and weight, you dare to talk about charm?"

As the two of them moved, the group of martial artists around Lu Xuan immediately became agitated. Their eyes sparkled, hoping that the two were coming to see them, and they all struck what they thought were cool poses.

"A bunch of fools, really overestimating themselves," Yao Lei said with a sneer, knowing very well who Xia Chenxi and Lin Xinyi were looking for.

Under the expectant gazes of countless martial artists, Xia Chenxi and Lin Xinyi decisively stopped in front of Lu Xuan. This stop deflated the spirits of the other martial artists.

"Damn, they're looking for that guy? What kind of status does that guy have? He's clearly not as good as me!"

"Exactly, he doesn't look like a good person at all!"

A murmur of complaints spread, and those who had previously looked down on Yao Lei were now completely stunned, their mouths wide open. Could it be that what he said before was true?

When Yao Lei called her "sister-in-law," they had all looked down on him. Now that Lin Xinyi and Xia Chenxi had come over, even if they weren't, their relationship was definitely very close.

"Lu Xuan, you came pretty early!" Lin Xinyi said with a smile.

"Heh, after two days of intense training, I was suffocating. I came out early to take a look around."

"The sword I gave you, did you bring it?" Lin Xinyi glanced around and, not seeing the Xiangsi Sword, pouted and asked.

"Of course, how could I not carry something Miss Xinyi gave me?" Lu Xuan smiled and patted the black cloth bag on his back. "But, I don't want to show off, so I keep it hidden."

Seeing that Lu Xuan indeed had it with him, Lin Xinyi smiled in satisfaction.

"By the way, are you two here to participate in the assessment as well?" Lu Xuan asked curiously.

"Of course not, we've already been chosen. This time, we're here with Uncle Jiu to watch. However, I'm just an inner sect disciple, while Chenxi is a core disciple. We'll be separated from now on." Lin Xinyi sounded a bit melancholic.

Xia Chenxi, who had reached the sixth level of Body Tempering before the age of sixteen, was naturally a core disciple without any doubt. Lin Xinyi, although also good, was only at the fourth level of Body Tempering. To become a core disciple, one needed real strength, and there were no shortcuts. She and Xia Chenxi were very close, and the thought of being separated made her sad.

Xia Chenxi patted her hand and smiled, "Why be sad? We can still see each other. I can come to visit you often." She paused and continued, "Besides, Lu Xuan should also become an inner sect disciple this time, so you won't be alone."

Lin Xinyi looked at Lu Xuan with surprise, "Lu Xuan, are you going to enter the inner sect this time?"

Lu Xuan smiled bitterly, "I'd like to, but it depends on the assessment results."

"I believe you'll be fine," Xia Chenxi said, looking into Lu Xuan's eyes. "Although there are many strong people this time, that one sword of yours is enough to get you into the inner sect."

Xia Chenxi remembered that sword from that day, and she knew that Lu Xuan had a mysterious "master" behind him. Being chosen by such a strong person, his potential was undoubtedly excellent.

Lu Xuan laughed, not commenting. Although he was confident, saying it himself would sound arrogant. He changed the topic, "By the way, what is Uncle Jiu's real identity? How did he end up on the judging panel this time?"

Lin Xinyi chuckled, "You don't think Uncle Jiu is just a shopkeeper at the Treasure Pavilion, do you?"

Xia Chenxi also laughed, "Uncle Jiu was originally an elder of the Wind Sword Sect. Once, he was severely injured and on the brink of death. My father and Xinyi's father spent a great deal to save him. To repay their kindness, Uncle Jiu stayed in Lincheng."

Hearing this, Lu Xuan was stunned. An elder of the Wind Sword Sect? That must mean he had already broken through the tenth level of Body Tempering and entered the next realm. No wonder he had felt that Uncle Jiu was unfathomable. His strength was indeed formidable.

Just then, a loud drumbeat sounded, signaling that the time had come, and the assessment officially began!

Xia Chenxi and Lin Xinyi didn't linger, turning to leave. Before they went, Lin Xinyi reminded Lu Xuan, "Lu Xuan, you must become an inner sect disciple. Otherwise, I'll be so bored."

Seeing the close relationship between Lu Xuan and the two young ladies, the martial artists around him were envious, speculating about Lu Xuan's identity.

Yao Lei, on the other hand, looked very proud, as if he were the one being envied. "I told you before, she's my sister-in-law. You didn't believe me? Now you're just jealous!"

As the drumbeats continued, the martial artists gradually quieted down, their gazes focused on the judges' platform.

On the platform, four elders were seated, one of whom was Uncle Jiu. The other three were unfamiliar to Lu Xuan, likely other elders of the Wind Sword Sect.

Seeing the martial artists' attention, an elder sitting next to Uncle Jiu stood up, raised his hands, and pressed them down slightly. The drumbeats stopped abruptly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am the chief examiner for this Lincheng assessment and an inner sect elder of the Wind Sword Sect. You may call me Elder Sun!" Elder Sun's voice, though not particularly loud, was clearly heard by all the martial artists, demonstrating his strength.

Upon hearing this, the martial artists became excited, whispering to each other. For them, becoming an outer sect disciple was already a great achievement. An inner sect elder held a high position, which was evident.

"Silence!" Elder Sun commanded with authority. "Next, we will begin the first round of the assessment. Now, I will announce the rules!"