Jiang Yun's provocation of Wan Yankun wasn't a momentary impulse, but a well-considered decision. Although Wan Yankun's cultivation level far surpassed Jiang Yun's, Jiang Yun's advantage lay in his skilled techniques. While Wan Yankun's talent was decent, the level of his swordsmanship was vastly different from Jiang Yun's. The victory or defeat was in a close contest.
If Jiang Yun merely aimed to pass the third round assessment, enduring ten moves from any inner disciple wouldn't be a problem. However, driven by his pride, Jiang Yun couldn't settle for mere passage.
In his previous life, Jiang Yun had become famous from the start and faced opponents much stronger than him upon arriving in the Spirit Martial Continent. He was always under pressure and never had a chance to be proud. So, facing Wan Yankun this time provided Jiang Yun an opportunity to regain his confidence.
After this lesson, it was unlikely that Wu Wencai would seek trouble with the Wen family without considering Jiang Yun's strength. If Jiang Yun successfully entered the Sky Sword Sect in three days, the Wen family's status would rise, and even if they disciplined Wu Wencai, he probably wouldn't dare to act against the Wen family again.
Coming back from the tavern, Wen Quan's gaze towards Jiang Yun turned somewhat awed. He hadn't witnessed how Jiang Yun had emerged unscathed from Wu Wencai's clutches, but judging from today's performance, it seemed that Wu Wencai had suffered a great deal.
Jiang Yun noticed Wen Quan's change but didn't reveal his understanding. If Wen Quan held a higher image of him, it might make things easier for Wen Wan after Jiang Yun left. This was something Jiang Yun was happy to see.
Upon returning to the Wen family, Jiang Yun secluded himself for three days. The Wen family members assumed he was concerned about the third round assessment and needed to prepare well, so they refrained from disturbing him.
In truth, these three days were spent in his attempt to figure out how to break through the suppression of his sword power. However, no matter how hard he pondered, he couldn't find a clue.
Shaking his head, Jiang Yun realized it was already late. Dressing and getting out of bed, it was the day of the third round assessment at the Sky Sword Sect. Jiang Yun had to temporarily put aside his struggles with his sword power. He believed that he would eventually find a way to regain his sword power.
At this moment, it was still dawn. With no one around to disturb him, Jiang Yun practiced a set of Tai Chi in the courtyard.
Since practicing the Nine Lai Divine Technique, Jiang Yun's perception of his body had become increasingly sensitive. It gave him a feeling of merging with nature, as if every part of his body was communicating with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. After practicing a set of Tai Chi, he could sense tangible progress in the Nine Lai Divine Technique each time.
In fact, Jiang Yun wasn't particularly proficient in Tai Chi. He merely regarded it as a form of martial arts for physical fitness. After practicing the Nine Lai Divine Technique, he felt he had gained a new understanding of Tai Chi.
What Jiang Yun didn't know was that Tai Chi was highly beneficial in harmonizing the aspects of intention, energy, form, and spirit.
This was similar to how Jiang Yun had combined his sword intent and inner energy using the principles of Tai Chi to form his incomplete sword power. However, this fusion had been rushed and disharmonious. This was why his sword intent had dominated his sword power, leading him into a malevolent state.
The middle-aged man in Yanjing City had also recognized the potential danger of the sword power. He had chosen to seal the sword power within Jiang Yun's body, allowing Jiang Yun's consciousness to return.
Jiang Yun's current situation was like a pot of mixed stew. His body contained the semi-finished sword power, a product of inner energy and sword intent, combined with the body-refining techniques of the Nine Lai Divine Technique, occasional absorption of heaven and earth's spiritual energy, and the overpowering strength of the sword power. It was easy for the sword power to dominate the other forces in his body.
This domination led to an imbalance of power, affecting Jiang Yun's consciousness to a certain extent. His descent into malevolence was a manifestation of the sword power's dominance. To address this latent problem, the key was to balance the two forces within his body, allowing them to counterbalance each other.
Although Jiang Yun didn't completely understand these things, he had some inkling. Thus, he was relatively calm about the suppression of his sword power and focused solely on practicing the Nine Lai Divine Technique.
After having breakfast, Jiang Yun left the Wen family. The date of the third round assessment at the Sky Sword Sect had been announced well in advance. Many unsuccessful martial artists from Wuan City would also go to watch the spectacle. If he left too late, the roads would surely be congested, so Jiang Yun preferred to set out early.
The location of the third round assessment was a large square. Jiang Yun thought he had arrived quite early, but he had underestimated the enthusiasm of the crowd. Even at this time, the area around the square was densely packed with people who had come to watch the spectacle.
As Jiang Yun walked toward the resting area designated by the Sky Sword Sect, many people cast envious glances at him. After all, those who entered the third round of the Sky Sword Sect's assessment were almost equivalent to receiving the honor of being listed on the imperial examination roll. Even if they eventually didn't make it, they would still be highly sought after by many prominent families.
There's an ancient saying: "Don't say you're the earliest to arrive; there are always earlier arrivals."
By the time Jiang Yun arrived, many people were already waiting in the resting area, including Li Da Dan.
"Jiang Yun, over here," Li Da Dan waved and greeted when he saw Jiang Yun approaching. Jiang Yun didn't want to brush off his goodwill, so he went straight over to Li Da Dan.
Initially, when Jiang Yun entered, many others had wanted to approach him and strike up a conversation. However, upon seeing Li Da Dan's enthusiastic greeting to Jiang Yun, most of them wore a disdainful expression and gave up on the idea.
Those who could enter the third round assessment of the Sky Sword Sect were all quite powerful. Ancient sayings often described the divide between the rich and the poor or the educated and the skilled. These participants had good cultivation, and their backgrounds were relatively prestigious. Li Da Dan, on the other hand, was just a commoner. This naturally led to others looking down on him.
Jiang Yun's demeanor was carefree and his presence was impressive. When he entered, others mistook him for being among the same group, but then noticed his close relationship with Li Da Dan. Birds of a feather flock together, and people naturally categorized him into the same social class as Li Da Dan. Those so-called geniuses who usually carried themselves with pride naturally looked down on Li Da Dan and Jiang Yun, the commoners.
Li Da Dan was open-minded and had grown accustomed to this attitude from others. Jiang Yun was magnanimous and wouldn't bother with these individuals. The two of them chatted amongst themselves, not bothering to engage with others who were eager to become friends. As a result, they ended up appearing the least sociable.
"They're here, they're here."
A commotion stirred through the crowd in the square. They quickly made way, and soon, everyone could see Fēng Lún, leading a group of inner disciples from the Sky Sword Sect, walking over. This signified that the third round of assessment was about to begin.
The presence of the Sky Sword Sect immediately silenced the onlookers in the square. The previously lively atmosphere quieted down. Li Da Dan also stopped talking to Jiang Yun. Jiang Yun glanced around and noticed that most people's inner anxiety was clearly reflected on their faces. Some were even so nervous that they were sweating profusely.