188: Chapter 188 The Clouds Rumble in All Directions! The Guild Master Arrives, the Assessment Is About to Begin!

Upon the suspended platforms.

A gathering of wind and clouds.

Feng Xiao, the head of the Feng Family, and Shi Potian, the Sect Master of the War Beast Sect, were on adjacent platforms.

Their gazes met, and they nodded slightly.

"Sect Master Shi, I hope you have been well."

Feng Xiao's voice was calm.

It carried the steady composure of a great family's patriarch.

"Patriarch Feng, your elegance remains unchanged."

Shi Potian's voice was like a resonant bell.

It carried the bold and heroic aura unique to the War Beast Sect.

After speaking.

His gaze swept toward Qian Guangquan.

Feng Xiao also smiled indifferently.

Together, they turned their gazes toward the central platform where Qian Guangquan was located.

"Brother Qian, we haven't met for decades. This Wanjian Heavenly Altar has regained its brilliance because of you. It is truly worth celebrating."

Feng Xiao cupped his hands.

His tone carried a hint of sentimentality.

"President Qian, it seems we are about to witness the birth of another Grand Tutor today!"

Shi Potian's voice was booming as he laughed heartily.

Qian Guangquan wore a smile.

He responded with composure.

"Brother Feng, Sect Master Shi, you speak too soon. Whether another can be born depends on the examinee's own ability. We must wait and see how things unfold."

The few of them exchanged polite pleasantries on the surface.

However, their words were laced with hidden barbs.

They were testing each other's level of knowledge about today's examinee and their intentions to recruit him.

The air was thick with an invisible sense of competition.

Everyone knew in their hearts.

That gathering here today was by no means just to observe the ceremony.

In this subtle atmosphere, energy fluctuations occurred almost simultaneously on two other suspended platforms.

Above the platform on the left.

Streaks of pure, holy light pierced through the clouds like the dawn, converging into steps of light.

An elderly man wearing a white mage's robe, with a kind face and wise eyes, held an ancient-looking wooden staff. He slowly stepped down the light, his aura gentle and profound.

The old man was the Vice Principal of Sky Dome Academy.

Mr. Ming Jing.

At almost the same time.

On the central main platform.

Space distorted slightly.

Two figures emerged silently.

On the left was a spirited old man with sharp eyes; it was none other than Vice President Lin Yan.

But the person on the right.

Caused many who saw him for the first time to lose themselves for a moment.

It was actually a young man who looked no more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. His features were handsome to the point of being ethereal, his temperament was as gentle as jade, and his deep eyes seemed to contain a sea of stars. A faint, lingering smile played at the corners of his mouth.

He was the President of the Appraisers Guild's S Province branch!

Yun Xi!

"It's Vice Principal Ming Jing from Sky Dome Academy!"

"And President Yun Xi and Vice President Lin Yan from the Appraisers Guild!"

"They've all come! It looks like the assessment is about to begin!"

"President Yun Xi... is indeed as young as the Legendary tales say!"

Someone marveled at President Yun Xi's appearance.

The audience below the stage instantly grew excited.

The sound of discussion rose like a tsunami.

Jiang Yun's gaze was also immediately drawn over.

He looked at the kind old man walking down the steps of light.

He understood in his heart.

The Vice Principal of Sky Dome Academy?

It seems the Principal did not come in person?

He thought to himself.

Immediately afterward.

His gaze turned toward the main suspended platform.

When he clearly saw Yun Xi's appearance,

He couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

In his imagination,

The President of the Appraisers Guild, even if he didn't have white hair and a youthful face, should have been a dignified middle-aged man. How could he be... so young and handsome?

He was practically a 'flower boy'!

It gave off a somewhat surreal feeling.

He couldn't help but whisper a question to Elder Mo Yuan beside him.

"Elder, are those... the President and Vice President of your guild?"

Elder Mo Yuan heard this.

A knowing smile appeared on his face.

"Little friend Dong Xuan, that person is indeed the President of our Appraisers Guild's S Province branch, President Yun Xi."

The look of surprise in Jiang Yun's eyes deepened.

Elder Qing Xuan, who was nearby, seemed to find it amusing. He leaned in closer and explained in a low, gossipy tone.

"Little friend Dong Xuan might not know, but despite our President's youthful appearance, he is actually over three hundred years old..."

"Ahem!"

Before he could finish his sentence.

Elder Mo Yuan beside him coughed heavily twice and gave him a warning glare.

Elder Qing Xuan immediately realized his slip of the tongue.

He quickly fell silent, a flash of embarrassment crossing his face.

Elder Mo Yuan then turned back to Jiang Yun.

His expression returned to seriousness as he gave a meaningful smile.

"Little friend Dong Xuan, let's set the matter of the President aside for now. Now that the President has arrived, the assessment should begin very soon! You should focus on calming your mind and preparing for the upcoming assessment. Although you performed excellently in the High Grade assessment, this Grand Tutor Level Assessment is extraordinary. It especially tests patience, perseverance, and insight into the unknown. You must not let your guard down just because things went smoothly before."

"Moreover, in front of so many powerful figures... it's inevitable to feel some tension!"

Elder Mo Yuan said.

Jiang Yun composed himself upon hearing this and bowed slightly.

"Thank you for the reminder, Elder. This Junior understands."

Meanwhile.

Upon the suspended platforms.

With the arrival of the core figures,

The atmosphere became even more subtle and formal.

Vice Principal Ming Jing smiled and greeted Yun Xi and Lin Yan.

"President Yun Xi, Vice President Lin Yan, it has been a long time. For today's grand occasion, this old man has come uninvited. I hope I am not intruding."

President Yun Xi returned the greeting with a gentle smile.

His voice was clear and melodious.

"Mr. Ming Jing, you are too kind. It is our guild's honor that Sky Dome Academy could come to observe."

His gaze swept over Feng Xiao and Shi Potian.

He also nodded in greeting.

Vice President Lin Yan looked toward Ming Jing.

With a hint of familiarity, he asked, "Dean Ming Jing, on such a grand occasion, does your school's newly appointed Principal still not intend to show his face? Is there some inconvenience?"

Vice Principal Ming Jing stroked his beard and smiled.

His response was appropriate.

"Vice President Lin Yan must be joking. The Principal indeed has important matters to attend to and truly cannot spare a Clone. He specifically ordered me to come, first to observe the ceremony, and second to convey his regards to everyone on his behalf."

Their conversation was not intentionally lowered. Some sharp-eared individuals below heard clearly, immediately causing another round of whispers.

"That new Principal has been in office for decades and has never appeared in public. How mysterious!"

"It's said his strength is unfathomable, and even within Sky Dome Academy, few have seen his true face."

"For such a powerhouse to never show his face, could there be some hidden reason?"

While everyone was discussing,

President Yun Xi took a slight step forward.

With just one step,

All the clamor on the Wanjian Heavenly Altar seemed to be instantly smoothed over by an invisible giant hand, becoming dead silent.

Everyone's gaze

Focused on him involuntarily.

He did not intentionally release any pressure, but the aura he naturally exuded caused the tens of thousands of people present, including the giants on the suspended platforms, to subconsciously listen intently.

"Everyone."

President Yun Xi spoke. His voice was calm yet clearly reached every corner, carrying a power that soothed the heart while also containing an unquestionable authority.

"Today, thanks to the presence of fellow Daoists from all sides and friends from all walks of life, we gather at our Wanjian Heavenly Altar to witness a grand event in the world of appraisal."

His gaze swept over the dense crowd below,

As well as the various suspended platforms.

"The path of appraisal is broad and profound, exploring the essence of all things and communicating with the Laws of Heaven and Earth. The Grand Tutor Level is a peak that we Appraisers pursue tirelessly, symbolizing a deep understanding of and Excellent contribution to the Dao of appraisal. Every opening of a Grand Tutor Level Assessment is not only a severe test for the examinee but also a review and inspiration for our Appraisers Guild and even the entire appraisal community of S Province."

His words were neither fast nor slow, carrying a sense of historical weight.

"Today, another fellow Daoist, carrying a sincere pursuit of the Dao of appraisal and a firm belief, has stood upon this ancient altar to challenge this peak. Regardless of success or failure, this courage and ambition are worthy of our respect."

At this point,

He paused slightly. His gaze seemed to drift toward the direction where Jiang Yun was located before he announced loudly.

"The hour has arrived. I announce that this Grand Tutor Level Appraiser assessment officially begins!"

"Proctoring Elders, please lead the examinee into the arena!"

As his voice fell,

It was like throwing a giant rock into a calm lake!

Boom!

The entire venue instantly boiled over!

The Grand Tutor Level Assessment was finally starting!

Everyone's gaze

Turned in unison toward the central area of the Wanjian Heavenly Altar, in front of those eleven vacant giant pillars!

Everyone craned their necks, wanting to be the first to see what kind of person this was who dared to challenge the Grand Tutor Level!

Feng Xiao, Shi Potian, Vice Principal Ming Jing,

And even the representatives of various forces who had only recently learned the news, all had shining eyes, looking toward the field with intense curiosity and scrutiny.

They knew nothing about this examinee and were unaware of the storm he had caused inside the Assessment Tower.

"He's finally coming out! I wonder which sacred being it is?"

"To dare challenge the Grand Tutor Level Assessment, he must be an old Senior who has been in seclusion for a long time, right?"

The few big shots on the suspended platforms exchanged glances,

Guessing in their hearts.

However, in sharp contrast to them were the audience members below who had already lost their patience and had personally witnessed Jiang Yun's progress through the stages!

The moment President Yun Xi's voice faded,

Deafening cheers and shouts of support

Like a volcanic eruption,

Thundered from every corner of the observation seats!

"Great Master Dong Xuan! Great Master Dong Xuan is coming out!"

"Go, Great Master Dong Xuan! You can definitely do it!"

"We believe in you! Create another miracle!"

"Great Master Dong Xuan! Look over here!"

This sudden, fan-like feverish shouting left the big shots on the suspended platforms stunned, with looks of bewilderment appearing on their faces.

Shi Potian raised a thick eyebrow,

His rugged face filled with surprise.

"Oh? He hasn't even appeared yet, and there's such a clamor? This Great Master Dong Xuan seems to have no small reputation among the people!"

A hint of surprise also flashed in Feng Xiao's eyes as he stroked his beard and said, "It is indeed unexpected. This name... forgive this old man's ignorance, but I have never heard of any highly respected old Appraiser in the provincial capital named Dong Xuan before."

Vice Principal Ming Jing's wise eyes were filled with inquiry.

He smiled calmly.

"It seems this examinee might not be the reclusive old monster we imagined. This is interesting."

Only Yun Xi and Lin Yan, who knew the inside story, and Qian Guangquan, who had learned the details from Old Hai long ago, remained calm. However, their gazes were more focused and profound than anyone else's, tightly locked onto the place where he was about to appear.

They all wanted to see with their own eyes.

This sixteen-year-old boy who had risen like a comet in a single day, shaking the entire Assessment Tower, and was now standing on this Wanjian Heavenly Altar.

What he actually looked like.

And whether he could, under the gaze of the entire province,

Create the previous miracle once again.