Thanks to Elder Xuan's assistance, I was rescued from the dark magicians due to his timely intervention. Despite their strength, Elder Xuan was able to protect me.
Lan's eyes widened with awe as he expressed his gratitude for the presence of Elder Xuan, a highly skilled member of their sect.
Liam confirmed his agreement, recognizing the invaluable guidance and wisdom that was given. He expressed appreciation for the person's presence.
Curiosity shone in Ran's eyes. "What did he say to you? What wisdom did he teach you?"
Liam smiled, feeling a sense of reverence towards the elder.
The elder talked about the essential elements of growth, highlighting the balance between physical abilities and personal characteristics. The elder emphasized the importance of being humble, adaptable, and resilient. His words carried profound significance, acting as a reminder that true strength comes from within.
Lan, with attentive listening and her expression reflecting the profoundness of the teaching, expressed her desire to hear his words directly, as he appeared to share knowledge of great value.
"He was," Liam agreed. "I believe that his guidance will shape my future path of cultivation."
The two friends continued their conversation, sharing stories of their individual adventures and dreams. Under the night sky, they found solace in each other's company, strengthened by the shared experiences they had as followers.
As the night grew darker, Lan said goodbye to Liam, assuring him that they would meet again soon. Liam observed her departure, experiencing a revived determination.
The guidance from Elder Xuan and the companionship of Lan had empowered him to confront the obstacles awaiting him.
While Liam was having his meeting with Lan, a meeting was taking place between two beings in one of the houses situated in the inner court of the sects, both of whom exuded a domineering presence.
In the secluded house located within the inner court of the sect, two powerful beings were seated facing each other, emanating auras that demanded both respect and fear.
One of them was an elder, emanating an air of wisdom and authority, whose eyes appeared to possess the knowledge of the entire universe.
The other figure was younger, yet his eyes blazed with a fervor that exceeded his apparent age, suggesting a wealth of experiences beyond his years.
The eldest, Master Ling, stroked his long white beard thoughtfully before speaking. His voice bore the burden of countless years of cultivation.
"Xuan, your interest in the young student Liam has not gone unnoticed. What do you see in him that others don't see?"
Elder Xuan, a mysterious individual who had previously visited Liam, leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing as a calculating glint appeared. He expressed belief in Liam's potential, stating that if guided properly, it could exceed their expectations. Liam possesses a unique blend of determination, adaptability, and humility, which, when combined with his natural talent, make him a candidate deserving of investment.
Elder Ling nodded slowly, acknowledging the wisdom present in Xuan's words. However, potential alone does not suffice; we must ensure his guidance towards the correct path, steering him away from the traps that have entangled numerous promising cultivators.
Xuanyuan smiled, with a mysterious smile on his lips. "I have set a path for him, he has received the basic teachings, and his encounter with the Black Magician has taught him a valuable lesson. He is now aware of the challenges he may face."
Master Ling's eyes flashed with approval. "Very well, Xuan. I trust your judgment on this matter. But please remember that the path of spiritual practice is full of dangers. It is our responsibility to shape the future of our sect and the world."
Elder Xuan's face was solemn. He could not tell the elder what he had discovered when he rescued Liam from the dark mage.
Some things were better left unsaid. His eyes flickered, and the weight of responsibility was reflected in his eyes. "I understand that I will do my best to guide him and put him on the path to balance and enlightenment."
After concluding their conversation, the two beings sat in silence, their minds solely occupied by the board game they were playing.
Unaware of the significant events happening inside, the night continued to silently watch over the sect.
The next day, Liam woke up to someone knocking on the door. He was still feeling sleepy after all the stress he had gone through. He was extremely tired and planned to knock some sense into the person who came so early in the morning to wake him from such a good sleep.
Liam walked up to the door and asked who it was, only to see Yuan, who appeared to be in a hurry or something, talking.
"Hey Yuan, what's going on?""Dude, we have to go to the assessment early, otherwise we may not be able to attend the assessment today."
"Especially considering the influx of mortals currently taking part in the test," Ewan continued, "What an assessment, I told you, we still have a few days before the event begins," Liam said.
"Ah, you didn't know, right, you were in a coma for a few weeks, and the sect decided to start the assessment earlier because of their anger at the actions of dark magicians and to distract people from the murders."
Rubbing his eyes, Liam quickly processed the information, spurred into action by the urgency in Yuan's voice.
"Okay, I'll get ready quickly. Thanks for letting me know, Yuan."
In a hurry, Liam quickly gathered his belongings, making sure he had everything necessary for the assessment. His mind was filled with thoughts of the upcoming challenges. Remembering Elder Xuan's teachings, he felt a renewed sense of determination to confront any obstacles that might come his way during the assessment.
While making their way to the assessment grounds, Liam was unable to get rid of the feeling of anticipation and nervousness.
The thoughts of the previous night's events, the meeting with Elder Xuan, and the wise words shared by the elder consumed his mind. He understood that he carried not only his own hopes but also the expectations of those who had faith in him.
When Liam arrived at the assessment grounds, he took a deep breath to prepare himself for the challenges ahead.
Liam was shocked by the queue of people at the assessment ground; he couldn't believe it considering that they were all very early.
Although they arrived early, the assessment grounds were already filled with activity. The line of individuals waiting for the assessment extended a great distance, indicating the large number of participants and the eagerness with which everyone desired to demonstrate their value following recent occurrences.
Liam and Yuan exchanged worried glances, both recognizing the seriousness of the situation. The sect's choice to begin the assessment ahead of schedule had caused a sudden increase in participants, resulting in a more intense competition than previous ones.
Liam steadied his nerves by taking a deep breath, fully aware of the need to concentrate and perform at his best despite the obstacles.
The teachings of Elder Xuan resonated in his thoughts, serving as a constant reminder about the significance of maintaining balance, being flexible, and displaying resilience.
Liam joined the queue, prepared to confront any challenges that awaited him in the assessment. He firmly held onto his weapon, silently promising to seize this opportunity and demonstrate his worth as a devoted follower of the sect.
The assessment grounds, which were located within the sect's premises, covered vast acres of land. This area was meticulously designed with strategically placed terrains and obstacles to test the participants.
In general, the assessment grounds were a dynamic and multifaceted environment that was carefully designed to evaluate different aspects of a cultivator's capabilities. It offered a complete platform for participants to showcase their skills, intelligence, and ability to adapt, guaranteeing that only the most skilled individuals would come out as winners.
Liam appeared to be a country bumpkin when he was sightseeing.
(PS: he literally was)
In the midst of tension and anticipation, an abrupt commotion disturbed the concentrated atmosphere of the assessment grounds. Two cultivators of lower rank, as indicated by their robes, were involved in a fiery argument. Their disagreement appeared to center around determining who should have priority in the assessment queue.
Liam, who was standing nearby, observed the situation that was becoming more intense. He couldn't help but experience a combination of amusement and sympathy. He knew very well about his own modest origins in the sect, and witnessing the argument made him recognize the significant progress he had made since he arrived.
While Liam was contemplating his predicament, one of the cultivators, whose height exceeded 7 feet and possessed bulky, toned muscles, seized the collar of the other cultivator, who maintained a calm demeanor.
"What did you call me?" the bulky cultivator said, spitting buckets at the thin man.
That was how it appeared to Liam, or so he thought. Perhaps he wasn't the only one who felt this way. He desired to inquire about Yuan's opinion, but Yuan was nowhere to be found. After contemplating for a moment, Liam ultimately decided to let go of the matter concerning Yuan.
The tension in the atmosphere was palpable, heightened by the resounding voice of the larger cultivator that echoed throughout the assessment grounds. The other cultivator's calm composure faltered as they became fully aware of the seriousness of the situation.