Chapter 110: The Arrival of the Assessment

Under the bright moonlight, Ye Jiuyou’s unparalleled beauty appeared even more refined at this moment, resembling a noble gentleman from a scroll painting.

“A figure on the path like jade, a peerless young master of the world.”

Perhaps these words best described Ye Jiuyou at this very instant.

Several cycles later, Ye Jiuyou finally emerged from his cultivation. Yet, upon catching sight of Cao Sisi’s dreamy gaze, a sudden sense of unease washed over him.

“Hey, you… brainless girl, if you’re not going to train, what are you staring at me for?” Ye Jiuyou scolded her again. However, Cao Sisi’s eyes sparkled with a light, her big eyes blinking as if they could speak, silently watching him.

“I advise you not to entertain any impure thoughts. Although I struggle to control my body, you won’t win my heart,” she said firmly.

“Bah! You… you pervert! You think you’re worthy? I’m Cao… Cao Sisi, a self-reliant woman. Why would I chase after you?” Cao Sisi almost blurted out Cao Zheng’s name but paused, sensing it might seem like bragging, and quickly replaced it with herself.

Yet, this change made her words sound somewhat disjointed and awkward when spoken aloud.

“Alright, alright, I get it. You’re not annoying me. Love whoever you want…” Ye Jiuyou gave her a dismissive order to leave. Cao Sisi, on the verge of tears, felt thoroughly rejected—even a great beauty like herself was being ignored.

“You… fine, I’m leaving…” Cao Sisi stomped off in a huff. Ye Jiuyou watched her go with a sly smile, inwardly sighing.

“That little girl, being ‘great’ isn’t enough. You need brains to be truly likable.”

Ye Jiuyou absorbed his spiritual energy and resumed cultivation once more, the words of Sun Qigang echoing in his mind, fueling his determination.

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Cultivation knows no passage of time.

Perched upon a rock, Ye Jiuyou sat for dozens of days. Meanwhile, the grand assessment competition approached, stirring nervous anticipation among all.

Around the Martial Arena, numerous attendants and outer disciples had gathered, but these were merely spectators.

The true participants would not arrive ahead of time; after all, every additional moment spent in cultivation meant a stronger advantage.

Such occasions might even spark sudden breakthroughs, so those competing held their futures in their hands. Yet, the spectators already filled the area like a sea of people.

The Thousand Leaf Sect, a vast and prestigious clan, naturally had countless disciples. Among the attendants and outer disciples alone numbered in the hundreds of thousands, yet only a dozen or so new disciples were admitted annually.

Such a vast base existed because, unlike the other three great powers, the Thousand Leaf Sect allowed disciples who left to return.

Thus, so many people had come to watch, eager to witness the future leaders of the Thousand Leaf Sect.

Every three years, the sect would dismiss attendants and outer disciples, so the pressure on them now was immense—especially for those who had yet to advance in the previous two cycles.

Their hearts were undoubtedly anxious.

“The Thousand Leaf Sect assessment begins!”

Suddenly, a refined and elegant young man appeared above the void, holding a long scroll densely inscribed with at least three hundred groups of names.

With his proclamation, figures began to dart from the attendants’ and outer disciples’ sections.

The new disciples scrambled eagerly—this was their first experience with the assessment competition. Though they were somewhat familiar with the process, their nerves were palpable.

Given that even scars on one’s face signified great strength, outer disciples were even more formidable. The competition grew fiercer the higher one climbed. To emerge from among three hundred groups was no small feat.

So, these newcomers listened intently, observing, memorizing everyone’s names, and devising strategies to counter potential opponents.

Yet, one baffling fact remained: Ye Jiuyou was nowhere to be seen. The boy who had run away that night had never returned.

His absence stirred anxiety among the new disciples, sparking many rumors.

Some believed he was afraid and hiding, others thought he had secluded himself in meditation, while some suspected he had been disqualified.

Such speculation spread rapidly among the newcomers and even reached the outer disciples, though many scoffed at these theories.

“Fellow juniors, please listen carefully to your match details. Winners enter the outer disciples and replace their position!” the young man commanded, watching the rushing crowd below.

After a brief count, he was satisfied and announced the matchups loudly.

“Wild Bear versus…”

“Foolish Dog versus…”

“…”

“Ye Jiuyou versus Cao Sisi.”

After reciting a long list, the announcement of Ye Jiuyou’s duel with Cao Sisi drew unusual reactions from those familiar with the situation.

The young man, Ning Ling, paused in surprise—he knew Cao Sisi’s status. Initially, her lack of placement had already intrigued him. Now, she was matched against someone ranked near the bottom, almost third from last.

These rankings were absolute, based on the initial tier of the Elemental Stone test upon arrival, with the top positions determined by a combination of strength, cultivation, and other factors.

Hence, Ning Ling found it odd that Cao Sisi would face Ye Jiuyou.

Cao Sisi herself felt a wave of despair upon hearing this.

“Ning Ling, who arranged this? Tell me, or I swear I’ll skin them alive,” she almost shouted in anger, her voice booming in Ning Ling’s mind.

“I really don’t know, Auntie. I’m just supervising…” Ning Ling replied, his face bitter beneath the sky.

“Hmph, if I find out you’re hiding something, you’re dead! I’m going to ask right now,” Cao Sisi shot back, storming off angrily through the crowd.

Those unaware of the background watched in confusion, while those privy to the situation sighed quietly. Many onlookers swallowed nervously, casting hopeful yet apprehensive glances at her trembling figure.

“Why sigh? Now that Sisi’s an attendant, you’ll see more of her. Isn’t that just…” someone whispered nearby, sparking a gleam of excitement among the crowd.

Under Ning Ling’s direction, the competition soon commenced, and the Martial Arena burst with energy.

Though the battles were one-on-one, the atmosphere was fierce, as if thousands of horses charged and the air thundered with war cries.

The fights quickly reached a white-hot intensity, growing more terrifying with each round.

The most thrilling match was naturally between Wild Bear and Foolish Dog.

Both their opponents were formidable, ranked among the top attendants, having spent two grueling years in relentless cultivation for this very moment.

“Down!” Wild Bear roared, sending his opponent tumbling off the arena, face etched with unwillingness.

“You go too!” Foolish Dog bellowed, unleashing his strongest blow, forcing his foe from the stage, both fighters begrudging their defeat.

At last, the battle turned to Ye Jiuyou.