The disciple from the Shendao Sect was extremely agile and cunning. Just as Li Da Dan and the Yan Yue Sect disciple exchanged a palm, he had already darted to Li Da Dan's side. At the moment Li Da Dan's palm sent the Yan Yue Sect disciple flying, the Shendao Sect disciple, utilizing some unknown technique, instantly grew about three centimeters taller. His muscles were about to burst out of his clothes, and he lifted Li Da Dan with both hands, preparing to throw him out of the field.
"Thud!"
At this moment, another sound of a bell rang out, and the personnel in charge of the assessment walked onto the platform to announce that the remaining ten individuals on the field would advance to the elimination round.
The Shendao Sect disciple sheepishly put Li Da Dan down. It turned out that just moments ago, Yang Jin Yan had defeated his opponent and sent them out of the field. Coupled with the Yan Yue Sect disciple being knocked out of the field by Li Da Dan, there were now exactly ten people left on the field.
Li Da Dan broke out in a cold sweat. If it weren't for Yang Jin Yan eliminating someone at the right time, he might have been the last one eliminated. In retrospect, he blamed his own carelessness. This flaw had to be corrected; the enemies were indeed crafty.
After the first round of selection ended, Jiang Yun was led into the second group of fifty by the assessment personnel. Glancing around, he was surprised to see that Xiao Jintiger was also in the same group. Both of them, as if connected by some unspoken understanding, immediately locked eyes upon each other.
Jiang Yun nodded in acknowledgment, and Xiao Jintiger returned the gesture with a smile. Then, they were led by the assessment personnel onto the elevated platform.
Despite having an unfavorable position, Jiang Yun stood on the outer edge of the circular platform. However, like a luminescent firefly in the dark, he was so vivid and remarkable. His composed posture and commanding aura, as well as his intense gaze, had already betrayed his true strength.
A master is a master. From the moment Jiang Yun took his position, those around him deemed him the most dangerous individual. No one dared to easily provoke him.
"Thud!"
As the bell rang, the selection officially began. The people around Jiang Yun immediately receded like a tide, with none of them willing to be the first to face him.
However, unfortunately for them, they may not have been seeking Jiang Yun, but that didn't stop Jiang Yun from seeking them. From the moment the bell rang, he charged into the crowd like a fierce tiger descending from a mountain.
No one could perceive Jiang Yun's attacking style because those who had witnessed it were already thrown out of the field. With the Four Elements Steps, Jiang Yun swiftly maneuvered through the crowd. Every time he struck, someone was flung out of the field.
Compared to Jiang Yun's straightforward approach, Xiao Jintiger's method of attack was much more mysterious. He held his left wrist with his right hand, manipulating hand seals, causing spiritual energy to emanate from his body's surface, emitting a faint and dim light.
Starting from the moment Xiao Jintiger made his move, he was enveloped in this faint light, giving him an ethereal appearance, with only his eyes shining brightly.
Anyone who locked eyes with Xiao Jintiger's gaze felt a shiver down their spine, then involuntarily walked away from the field. They continued walking until they were outside the arena, still unable to comprehend what had just happened.
While Jiang Yun was attacking, he still managed to observe the situation on Xiao Jintiger's side. Although he was shrouded in the faint light, Jiang Yun still noticed the dim radiance emanating from him. It seemed to be coming from the silver bracelet on his left wrist.
The actions of Xiao Jintiger and Jiang Yun attracted considerable attention on the field. Not only were the outer sect disciples below discussing the two, even the elders from the three sects in the grand hall focused their gazes on them.
"Master Hu's disciple has profound cultivation. Although the disciples on the field aren't the elites of the three sects, their strengths are not weak. No one on the field has been able to hold out for half a minute against him. It seems this disciple will be a standout talent in the Tianjian Sect's future," remarked the main disciple of the Baihuzong sect.
The gaze of Liang Xinglu, the head of the Yan Yue Sect, landed on Jiang Yun. With a playful expression, he said to Master Hu, "Your disciple, Master Hu, is indeed not weak. Among the martial artists on the field, very few cultivate psychic powers. Xiao Jintiger is also the most talented in blade techniques within the Yan Yue Sect. Your sect has promising successors as well."
Master Hu adjusted his beard below his chin and replied, "Your disciple isn't weak either, Master Liang. Among the practitioners of psychic powers on the continent, very few exist. Xiao Jintiger also happens to be the most talented in blade techniques within the Yan Yue Sect. It seems your sect also has capable successors."
A slight frown creased Liang Xinglu's brow. The fact that Xiao Jintiger excelled in blade techniques was something that he had deliberately kept secret. He wanted to use it as an ace in the hole during the joint assessment, to trip up the disciples of the other two sects. Even Liang Xinglu wasn't aware of it.
However, now Hu Qing had let it slip with just a sentence. Naturally, Liang Xinglu felt uncomfortable about it. The two had agreed to secretly hinder the Tianjian Sect's disciples during the joint assessment, but Hu Qing's revelation to Liang Xinglu disrupted that plan. Liang Xinglu silently cursed Hu Qing as a sly fox.
Initially, the fact that Xiao Jintiger excelled in blade techniques was supposed to be kept secret even from Li Yifeng, the head of the Shendao Sect. But now, with Hu Qing's words, the secret was out.
This revelation caused Li Yifeng to look displeased. He glared at Liang Xinglu, sensing that something was wrong.
Liang Xinglu tried to maintain a composed appearance and laughed, "Haha, Master Hu, you jest. I'm actually not very well-informed about the matters of my disciples."
However, Li Yifeng was no fool. Liang Xinglu's weak explanation was far from convincing. Hu Qing continued speaking, seemingly unconcerned.
"Haha, what Master Liang says is true. As sect leaders, we indeed don't have much time to focus on individual outer sect disciples. However, I've heard that Xiao Jintiger is the son of your senior disciple, Xiao Yuanchi, Master Liang. Is this true?"
Li Yifeng's expression grew darker. Liang Xinglu's words might sound polite, but their agreement was to secretly collaborate to make it harder for the Tianjian Sect's disciples during the joint assessment. They wanted to subtly lower the Tianjian Sect's status among the three sects. However, Liang Xinglu had concealed everything from him and shown no sincerity. How could they continue to cooperate?
"Hmph, Master Liang is quite tight-lipped. I wonder how many more aces you have up your sleeve that you haven't revealed. It seems I also need to make my disciples be more cautious around the Yan Yue Sect's disciples."
Li Yifeng's annoyance was clearly displayed. In the face of Liang Xinglu's dissatisfaction, he didn't even attempt to hide his feelings. After saying this, Li Yifeng turned and left, not giving Liang Xinglu a chance to explain.
Liang Xinglu shot Hu Qing a resentful glare. This old fox was truly cunning. With just a couple of sentences, he caused the alliance between the Yan Yue Sect and the Shendao Sect to collapse.