189: Chapter 189 What?! A sixteen-year-old kid taking the imperial tutor exam?!

To one side of the Wanjian Heavenly Altar.

There was a dedicated preparation area where the outside world could not peer inside, yet those within could clearly see the grand spectacle outside.

Upon hearing President Yun Xi announce the start of the assessment, Grand Elder Mo Yuan took a deep breath and looked at Jiang Yun, who was standing quietly beside him, his tone carrying the concern of an Elder.

He urged him once more.

"Little friend Dong Xuan, you are about to go on stage. Remember, there is no need to be overly nervous; just keep your mind calm. The difficulty of the Grand Tutor Level Assessment is Heaven-Defying, and even failure is normal. Given your age, you have a great future ahead of you. Do your best this time and treat it as gaining experience. Do not let this affect your Dao Heart on the path of appraisal."

Second Elder Qing Xuan also nodded in agreement from the side, his eyes revealing the same worry.

They could not bear to see such a peerless young talent suffer a setback or have his Dao Heart clouded because of an excessively difficult assessment.

However.

When they looked at Jiang Yun.

They couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

They saw Jiang Yun still dressed in his black robes and mask, standing tall and straight. Far from showing any sign of nervousness, he appeared exceptionally leisurely and relaxed.

His gaze was curiously scanning the prestigious figures on the hanging platforms and the bustling spectator seats below through the light screen of the preparation area, as if the person about to participate in that world-renowned, incredibly difficult assessment was not himself.

A hint of embarrassment couldn't help but appear on the faces of the two Elders.

It seemed.

Their worries were completely unnecessary.

This youth's Heart-Nature was far steadier than they had anticipated.

The two looked at each other.

A flash of relief passed through their eyes.

With such a Heart-Nature, regardless of the success or failure of the assessment.

It would likely be difficult to shake his foundation.

Elder Mo Yuan composed himself.

"Little friend Dong Xuan, let us go."

Hearing this, Jiang Yun.

Withdrew his gaze from the outside world.

Turned to the two Elders and nodded calmly.

"Alright."

Subsequently.

Elder Qing Xuan remained in the preparation area.

While Elder Mo Yuan led Jiang Yun.

And stepped out of the light screen that separated the inside from the outside.

The figures of the two.

Were suddenly exposed under the focus of tens of thousands of gazes above the Wanjian Heavenly Altar!

"He's out! He's out!"

"Is that Great Master Dong Xuan?"

"So mysterious! Black robes and a mask, his true face can't be seen!"

In an instant.

A massive wave of discussion swept through like a tsunami.

The crowd in the spectator seats was clearly divided into two factions.

Those who had personally witnessed how Jiang Yun had swept through the Assessment Tower and created miracles.

At this moment, they erupted with fanatical shouts and cheers.

"Great Master Dong Xuan! It's Great Master Dong Xuan!"

"Go for it, Great Master! Create another miracle!"

"We believe in you! You will surely take the Grand Tutor Level with ease!"

While many others who had only come because of the prestige of the Grand Tutor Assessment.

And did not know Jiang Yun's background.

Sneered at this.

And spoke up to refute.

"Are you kidding? Is the Grand Tutor Level Assessment something any random person can easily pass?"

"Wearing a mask and acting all mysterious, who knows if he's just bluffing?"

"Exactly! He doesn't look like a high-level expert at all!"

In the various Family and power areas above.

Bursts of discussion also rang out.

Their gazes were full of scrutiny and speculation.

"Black robes and a mask... Dressed like this, could he really be some old monster from a Hidden Family who hasn't stepped out into the world?"

"It's also possible he's someone with a Heaven-Defying background who doesn't want to show his true face?"

Su Family Head Su Yuntian, who was mixed in the crowd, laughed heartily upon hearing this and said half-jokingly, "Not necessarily, not necessarily. Perhaps it's just this Great Master's personal hobby!"

A chorus of agreeing laughter immediately rang out around him.

"If that's truly the case, then this Great Master's hobby is indeed... quite unique."

Upon the hanging platform.

The moment Qian Rongrong saw the black-robed figure appear, her beautiful eyes instantly lit up, and her gaze closely followed Jiang Yun. The heat and focus in her eyes were almost palpable.

Qian Luoyun keenly noticed his sister's abnormality, and his brow twitched imperceptibly.

Qian Guangquan's expression remained calm.

But a flicker of doubt passed through the depths of his eyes.

A sixteen-year-old Genius.

At such a moment of public attention.

Why conceal himself so much?

Not showing his true face.

The other big shots were also discussing it.

War Beast Sect Sect Leader Shi Potian spoke with a voice like a booming bell.

"Oh? This is the candidate for the Grand Tutor Assessment this time? This outfit is certainly mysterious enough! I wonder what his identity is?"

Feng Family Head Feng Xiao stroked his beard and agreed.

"Observing his form and sensing his aura, he indeed has a somewhat unfathomable feel. Could he really be some hidden figure who hasn't come out for a long time?"

Vice Principal Ming Jing of Sky Dome Academy's wise gaze drifted over Jiang Yun. He stroked his sparse beard and remained silent, unknown what he was calculating.

Only President Yun Xi had a faint smile on his lips, thinking to himself.

"What an interesting little fellow."

Vice President Lin Yan stood to the side with his hands behind his back.

Observing silently.

Under the baptism of countless gazes—curious, scrutinizing, fanatical, or skeptical.

Jiang Yun truly experienced what it meant to be the center of attention.

He walked with steady steps, following Elder Mo Yuan all the way to the very center of the Wanjian Heavenly Altar, stopping before the eleven vacant silver pillars.

The clamorous noise subsided slightly.

Everyone wanted to hear Elder Mo Yuan's upcoming introduction clearly.

Elder Mo Yuan looked around.

Using his Mental Energy, his voice spread clearly throughout the venue.

"Everyone, please be quiet!"

"The Grand Tutor Level Assessment at the Wanjian Heavenly Altar is about to officially begin!"

He turned slightly.

Reaching out to gesture toward Jiang Yun beside him.

"The one beside me is the candidate for this Grand Tutor Level Appraiser assessment! Dong Xuan!"

Upon hearing this name.

The crowd became restless again, and discussions arose.

Elder Mo Yuan continued, "Great Master Dong Xuan is currently a First Rank Upper Grade Appraiser!"

As soon as Elder Mo Yuan spoke the first sentence.

This startling news caused the entire venue to boil over.

The Wanjian Heavenly Altar was covered in clamor.

Everyone was astonished!

"What? First Rank Upper Grade?"

"Did I hear that right? A First Rank Upper Grade dares to come and take the Grand Tutor exam?"

"What's wrong with the Appraisers Guild? This is such a joke!"

The uninformed spectators and representatives of various powers were suddenly in an uproar, with voices of doubt rising one after another.

While those who supported Jiang Yun immediately countered loudly.

"What do you know! Great Master Dong Xuan is no ordinary First Rank Upper Grade!"

"His strength has long since far exceeded this level!"

"Exactly! Have you heard of a score of 150 in the Medium Grade assessment? Have you seen a perfect score in the High Grade assessment?"

The doubters were stunned upon hearing this, but some still persisted.

"No matter how much he exceeds it, his basic rank is right there! This is too much of a joke!"

The various Family areas were also buzzing with discussion.

Feeling that this matter was quite strange.

Upon the hanging platform.

Aside from Qian Guangquan, Yun Xi, and Lin Yan, who already knew, the other big figures also showed clear looks of surprise on their faces.

Shi Potian and Feng Xiao exchanged a glance.

Thinking to themselves.

"First Rank Upper Grade? President Yun Xi actually allowed him to take the assessment on the Wanjian Heavenly Altar? Could it be... this youth is some Genius secretly cultivated by the Appraisers Guild, specifically introduced at this grand event today to intimidate all parties? Are they paving the way for him in advance?"

This speculation swirled in their minds, but on the surface, they all remained calm and watched the situation unfold.

In the arena.

Elder Mo Yuan seemed oblivious to the surrounding discussions. He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping across the venue, lingering for a moment on those hanging platforms, and then, in an even clearer and more solemn tone, he dropped the news that was enough to set the entire place ablaze.

"At the same time, Great Master Dong Xuan is sixteen years old!"

..."What! sixteen years old?"

"Six... sixteen years old?!"

"What?!"

"My god! sixteen years old?!"

"Under this mask... it's not an old Senior? But a youth?!"

"A sixteen-year-old First Rank Upper Grade Appraiser?! This... what kind of Prodigy is this?!"

"Is it for real? He couldn't be lying about his age, could he?!"

"I thought the eldest Young Miss of the Qian Family was already a peerless Genius, but I didn't expect someone to be even more terrifying than her!"

"Dong Xuan... I've never heard this name before! Such a young boy! Where did he come from?"

As Jiang Yun's age was revealed.

The entire Wanjian Heavenly Altar.

Was instantly submerged in a wave of extreme shock and disbelief!

Those who had previously questioned Jiang Yun's rank.

Were now struck speechless by this appalling age.

His supporters were even more excited, feeling a sense of shared pride.

Upon the hanging platform.

Several big figures who were originally quite calm could finally no longer keep their composure, and difficult-to-conceal shock appeared on their faces!

War Beast Sect Sect Leader Shi Potian, who had the most straightforward personality, directly cried out in alarm, his voice exploding like a thunderclap.

"Wh... what?! A sixteen-year-old child... coming to take the Grand Tutor exam?!!"

However.

After the shock passed, connecting it to Jiang Yun's status as a High-Grade Appraiser, they seemed to find a reasonable explanation.

Family Head Feng Xiao calmed his mind.

Looking at Qian Guangquan.

His tone carried a hint of emotion.

"Brother Qian, I thought your daughter Rongrong's appraisal talent was already the best of her generation, but I didn't expect that in the appraisal Dao, there truly is always someone better. Congratulations, President Yun Xi. The Appraisers Guild has gained another heavenly Genius!"

His words.

Clearly regarded Jiang Yun as a core disciple secretly cultivated by the Appraisers Guild.

Most of the others, including Vice Principal Ming Jing, held similar thoughts, believing this was an act of the guild showing off its strength.

Paving the way for their Prodigy child in advance.

But they also secretly marveled.

The Appraisers Guild had hidden him quite deeply.

However.

Facing Feng Xiao's congratulation, which contained a hidden probe.

President Yun Xi only gave a faint smile.

His gaze swept over the various big shots.

And he spoke plainly.

"Family Head Feng has misunderstood. This youth is not someone secretly cultivated by my Appraisers Guild."

He paused.

Under the gazes of the big shots, which suddenly became suspicious and uncertain, he slowly said:

"He only appeared for the first time today in our guild's Assessment Tower, passing the Lower, Medium, and High Grade assessments in succession, and then... stood directly upon this Wanjian Heavenly Altar... a Genius who appeared out of nowhere."

As President Yun Xi's voice fell.

The giants on the hanging platform.

Their pupils all shrank violently, revealing looks of extreme astonishment.

What?

Not cultivated by the guild?

Appeared suddenly today?

Passing three ranks in one day and heading straight for the Grand Tutor?!

This was simply more shocking to them than hearing about a sixteen-year-old High-Grade Appraiser!