178: Chapter 178 I'm ready! Let the assessment begin!

"Sorry, sorry! I was too focused and didn't notice you, Elder. Are you alright?"

Qian Rongrong hurriedly steadied herself.

Two clouds of crimson flushed her exquisite face as she apologized repeatedly, subconsciously taking a step back to distance herself from Jiang Yun.

Her voice was like a yellow oriole in a valley, carrying a hint of natural coldness, yet filled with sincere apology at this moment.

Hearing her words.

Jiang Yun, beneath his mask, couldn't help but be stunned.

Elder?

He then realized.

It seemed his mysterious black robes and face-concealing mask had caused a misunderstanding.

One couldn't blame Qian Rongrong; as a recognized appraisal Genius, she possessed extraordinary talent and the backing of the Qian family's resources, allowing her to reach the threshold of the High Grade assessment at her age.

In her view, it was unlikely any other peer would have the strength and audacity to come and challenge it besides herself.

Furthermore, she had never heard of any other top-tier Medium Grade Rank 3 Appraiser in the provincial capital as young as her.

Moreover.

Jiang Yun's getup.

In the world of Appraisers.

Was indeed more commonly seen on eccentric old Seniors who disliked showing their faces.

Actually.

She and Jiang Yun had indeed met once in C City, and Jiang Yun had even indirectly helped her then, but she didn't recognize that the person before her was the seemingly ordinary youth from back then.

Meanwhile.

Seeing Qian Rongrong again.

Jiang Yun was also somewhat surprised.

He hadn't expected that the girl who looked like a well-bred young lady from a wealthy family would have such a massive background in the provincial capital.

And.

This noble Eldest Young Miss of the Qian family didn't have the slightest air of arrogance or bossiness; she apologized immediately after bumping into someone with a sincere attitude.

This made his impression of Qian Rongrong a few degrees better.

The collision just now was an accident.

He hadn't been paying attention to what was ahead either.

Naturally, he couldn't blame her.

"No matter."

Jiang Yun smiled.

The voice coming through the mask carried the clear brightness unique to a youth; although he deliberately lowered it, that sense of youthfulness couldn't be hidden.

Hearing this voice.

Qian Rongrong was visibly dazed for a moment.

A youth?

Beneath the mask.

It was actually a boy who sounded about the same age as her?

Realizing she had just mistaken a young man for an Elder.

The flush on Qian Rongrong's face instantly spread to the tips of her ears.

No wonder the feeling of plunging into that chest just now was so firm and powerful.

Thinking of this, the embarrassment in her heart intensified.

She was the precious pearl of the Qian family.

Usually dignified in her conduct.

When had she ever made such a blunder?

"Ah... Sor-Sorry! It was my rudeness!"

She appeared even more flustered.

Somewhat incoherent.

She didn't even dare to meet Jiang Yun's gaze anymore.

She hurriedly apologized once more.

"I-I wish you success in your assessment!"

After saying that.

Like a startled fawn.

She hurriedly turned around.

Almost fleeing, she walked quickly away from this place that made her feel extremely embarrassed.

Returning to the corner where she had been before.

However, her slightly reddened profile and somewhat hurried breathing showed that her state of mind had not completely calmed down.

Jiang Yun watched her figure as she practically fled in panic, somewhat bewildered as he touched the mask on his face.

"Why did she run away in such a hurry? Was she scared of me? Is my mask really that terrifying?"

Qian Rongrong's sudden, strange reaction.

Jiang Yun was truly puzzled.

In the end, he could only attribute it to the Young Miss being too thin-skinned, or his attire being indeed a bit odd.

But this was fine too.

He and Qian Rongrong had crossed paths in C City.

Although she might not remember him.

Having less contact.

Would always reduce the risk of his identity being exposed.

"After finishing this last row, I'll go for the assessment."

Jiang Yun stopped overthinking.

He focused his mind and continued his unfinished stroll.

His gaze, like a precision instrument, quickly swept across the last row of crystal counters.

The power of [Manifestation of All Things Entries] faithfully fed back information on each item.

However.

Even after he finished browsing the last row.

He still didn't find anything that caught his eye, like a treasure on the level of [beast taming armor condensation] or urgently needed evolution Materials.

Most were items with clear Law tendencies but low levels, or Common and ordinary array patterns.

"It seems good luck won't always favor me."

Jiang Yun felt a slight regret in his heart.

But he wasn't too disappointed.

Being able to unexpectedly obtain [beast taming armor condensation] was already a huge gain.

If he could also secure the void plume.

And make a name for himself with his Dong Xuan identity.

This trip would not be in vain.

"Alright! Half an hour should have passed! Time to complete the High-Grade Appraiser assessment!"

Jiang Yun said.

Not staying any longer.

He turned toward the entrance of the examination venue.

Which was where Steward Wang and the two Elders were located.

While the other three examinees were still buried in deep thought, while the hundreds of people outside were still discussing him, and under the deep gazes of the two Elders.

Jiang Yun calmly arrived before the entrance of the examination venue.

He stopped his footsteps.

Raised his head.

His gaze passed through the mask to look at the differently-reacting Steward Wang and the two Elders, speaking in a clear and steady voice that was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

"I'm ready."

He paused slightly.

Amidst the gazes of everyone suddenly focusing on him.

He continued to speak.

"We can begin the High-Grade Appraiser assessment."

...As soon as these words were spoken.

Silence!

Shock throughout the venue!

At this instant.

It was as if even the faint Law fluctuations emitted by the countless items in the Myriad Forms Law Forest had stagnated!

Inside the venue.

The three examinees who were originally fully focused on their comprehension almost simultaneously snapped their heads up, their gazes locking onto the black-robed figure at the entrance with unbelievable shock!

Qian Rongrong's beautiful eyes widened even further, her hand movements for simulating array patterns coming to a screeching halt, her cherry-red mouth slightly agape.

She stared at Jiang Yun at the entrance with astonishment.

She had just bumped into this person and fled in embarrassment, so seeing him again caused a flush to spread across her face.

However, she had roughly noted the others before entering.

This masked man clearly hadn't been in for long.

He... he was actually saying he was ready now?!

He wants to take the assessment!!!?

How is this possible?!

She found it absolutely inconceivable?!

Even she, recognized as a Genius and Prodigy Appraiser in the provincial capital, hadn't been this ridiculously fast!

On the Elders' seats.

The expressions on the faces of Elders Mo Yuan and Qing Xuan, who had been maintaining indifferent smiles, also instantly froze.

Elder Mo Yuan's hand, which was stroking his beard, stopped mid-air.

Elder Qing Xuan's teacup was suspended at his lips, and both of their eyes simultaneously burst with light of extreme shock and disbelief!

Steward Wang was as if struck by a bolt of lightning.

He froze on the spot.

His mouth hung wide open.

Large enough to fit a fist.

His mind went blank.

Only one thought echoed wildly.

"No!!! What... what did he say? Start the assessment?! How long has it been?! a stick of incense? Half a stick?! Did he even finish walking around?!!"

Outside the examination venue.

In the viewing area isolated by a special barrier.

Everyone clearly saw Jiang Yun walking toward the entrance and speaking to the steward and Elders!

When they heard Jiang Yun's words, the place instantly erupted into a frenzy!