Chapter 198 A Hidden Family Emerges! The Five Elements Laws Gather!

Upon the hanging platform, the atmosphere was subtle.

Shi Potian stood with his arms crossed.

His copper-bell-sized eyes stared at the still-calm Jiang Yun in the center of the field, his brow furrowed as he spoke in a booming voice, "Dammit, we're just missing Water and Wood! Even with the three of us stepping up, this verification can't be completed!"

Head of the Feng Xiao Family shook his head slightly.

His tone carried a hint of regret.

"Missing two of the Five Elements is indeed a dead end. Almost all the Eclipse Moon Rank Experts on the surface of S Province are gathered here. It seems this lad will find it difficult to achieve Perfection today. It's a pity for his shocking Appraiser talent; today is destined to end in regret!"

Qian Guangquan stroked his beard in silence.

However, his gaze never left Jiang Yun.

He felt the same pity in his heart, but more than that, he felt a sense of inquiry.

Because he had keenly sensed something.

From beginning to end, even amidst the most intense questioning from Gu He and the others, and when it seemed certain that the five elemental attributes could not be gathered, the black-robed youth in the center never showed the slightest hint of panic, anxiety, or frustration.

That calmness...

...was not a forced composure.

It was a kind of... near-certain indifference.

"This lad... doesn't seem worried?"

Qian Guangquan's thoughts stirred.

"Could it be he still has a trump card?"

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at President Yun Xi beside him.

On President Yun Xi's handsome Face...

...that meaningful smile had never disappeared.

He heard Qian Guangquan's doubt.

His gaze remained fixed on Jiang Yun.

He gave a soft "Mm."

He whispered as if talking to himself.

"Indeed, the little fellow doesn't seem anxious at all. Is it because he knows it's hopeless? Or does he believe those two attributes will deliver themselves to his door?"

As soon as these words were spoken...

...the hearts of the several big shots beside him all shuddered!

Deliver themselves to his door?

Could it be... there were other Eclipse Moon Rank Experts hidden at the scene?

And ones that happened to match the required attributes?

But why hadn't they noticed anything before?

If there really were some, who would they be?

Vice Principal Ming Jing's usually calm and wise Face also showed a hint of interest. He stroked his long white beard, his gaze sweeping over the seemingly ordinary crowd below, a faint light shimmering in the depths of his eyes as if he were searching for something.

Listening to the adults' conversation and seeing Jiang Yun still as steady as a rock in the arena, Qian Rongrong's worries strangely settled, replaced by deeper expectation and curiosity.

"Dong Xuan... you must still have a way, right?"

She clenched her small fists tightly.

Her beautiful eyes didn't blink for a second... In the arena.

Faced with the sighs of regret from the whole audience, the whispered discussions, and those who were resurfacing with low-voiced but still piercing schadenfreude, the expression under Jiang Yun's mask remained unchanged.

The reason he was calm wasn't because he was putting up a front, but because long before he had selected the five-colored origin divine seed as the exam topic, when he had quietly activated Manifestation of All Things Entries to scan the venue and assess all potential energy sources, he had already seen it.

He had not only seen the attributes and strength of the big shots' Spirit Beasts on the platform.

Including President Yun Xi's radiant sun Realm Spirit Beast which made his heart skip a beat, but even more so among those tens of thousands of spectators with their seemingly ordinary and mixed auras.

He had seen several clusters of energy light as dazzling as lighthouses in the dark night!

That was the unique Law radiance belonging to Eclipse Moon Rank Experts!

Among them, there just happened to be the Water and wood attributes he needed!

Although he didn't know the specific identities and origins of these two people, since they chose to hide their auras and come to watch the ceremony, they must have some goal.

Perhaps they were curious about this once-in-a-century Grand Tutor exam, or interested in him, the Genius who had appeared out of nowhere, or simply interested in those five assessment treasures.

Regardless, they were here right now.

And this was his greatest source of confidence.

As everyone's spirits sank and they almost deemed defeat certain, Jiang Yun slowly raised his head. His gaze calmly swept across the platform and the spectator stands before he spoke loudly, his voice clear and resonant, reaching everyone's ears.

"Junior once again thanks Sect Master Shi, Head of the Qian Family, and President Yun, the three Seniors, for their generous assistance."

He first bowed solemnly with cupped hands toward the three Eclipse Moon Rank Experts who had already expressed their support.

Then, his tone shifted. His gaze seemed to pierce through the crowd, looking toward a seemingly ordinary corner. His voice wasn't loud, yet it possessed a strange penetrative power and sincerity.

"The Way of the Five Elements involves mutual generation and restraint; not a single one can be missing. We are currently short of Water and Wood to form the array and verify this divine seed's protective capability."

"Junior knows he is of humble status and does not dare to make demands. However, the Grand Tutor exam is a pursuit of truth and the Dao, concerning the dignity of an Appraiser and Junior's Dao Heart. If there are still Seniors at the scene who possess Water or wood attribute eclipsing moon power and are willing to trust Junior once by lending a hand..."

Jiang Yun paused, his tone becoming extremely solemn, even carrying a faint hint of a promise intended only for true experts.

"I, Dong Xuan, stand here today and give my word: this favor shall be etched in my heart. Should there be a need in the future, within my capabilities, I shall surely repay it!"

As soon as these words were spoken...

...the entire venue fell silent again for a moment.

Everyone reacted differently.

Many ordinary spectators and low-tier Appraisers felt Jiang Yun was just struggling in his death throes, saying pretty words that couldn't possibly be useful.

"What's the use of saying this now? Can Eclipse Moon Rank Experts be moved by a few empty promises? And are there even any other Eclipse Moon Rank Experts at the scene?"

"Exactly. Even if there are hidden experts, why would they help you? Just to trade for a future Grand Tutor's favor? While a Grand Tutor's favor is precious, Eclipse Moon Rank Experts already hold extremely high status; they might not care for it."

"Sigh, the young man just refuses to admit defeat..."

Upon hearing Jiang Yun's plea, Gu He and Vice Dean Yan Song finally showed that mocking sneer of being back in control of the situation.

Gu He lowered his voice.

But it was enough for the surrounding Appraisers to hear clearly.

"Brother Yan, see that? He's at his wit's end, starting to turn to anyone in desperation! He actually expects to invite hidden Eclipse Moon Rank Experts with an empty check? It's laughably naive! Which of those beings isn't an old monster who's lived for hundreds of years? They are deep-thinking and weigh pros and cons; why would they easily step into such a public setting and intervene in our Appraisers Guild's exam for a Genius who hasn't even grown up yet? How childish!"

Vice Dean Yan Song also stroked his beard, shaking his head.

He looked like he had seen through everything.

"Indeed. This lad is ultimately young and impetuous, ignorant of the world's ways. How can the tacit understanding and balance between Eclipse Moon Rank Experts be easily broken by a mere boy? His shout is destined to go unanswered, only adding to the mockery!"

Their words...

...made the surrounding jealous Appraisers nod one after another, feeling that the two Great Masters were indeed far-sighted. Jiang Yun was just performing a useless task and bringing humiliation upon himself.

However.

Not long after Gu He's words fell, and just as the mocking smile on Vice Dean Yan Song's Face was at its peak.

"Hahaha! What a 'pursuit of truth and the Dao,' what a 'shall surely repay it'!"

An old but vigorous laugh, full of vibrant life like an ancient tree meeting spring, suddenly rang out from an inconspicuous corner in the northeast of the spectator stands!

This laughter wasn't particularly deafening, yet it strangely suppressed the noise of the entire venue, reaching everyone's ears clearly and carrying a unique, spirit-refreshing aura of life.

Immediately following that.

A majestic, pure torrent of green Law, filled with infinite vitality and the Concept of growth, soared into the sky from that corner!

Within the green light, one could vaguely see phantoms of towering ancient trees and Entwine vines; the fragrance of vegetation instantly permeated the air!

wood attribute!

Eclipse Moon Rank wood attribute Law!

Everyone looked toward that corner in shock, only to see an old man wearing simple hemp clothes, holding a verdant vine staff, with a complexion as ruddy as a baby's but with hair and eyebrows that were entirely snow-white, slowly stepping out into the air from the crowd.

His steps seemed slow, yet each one covered several yards. In the blink of an eye, he had reached the mid-air at the edge of the exam field, facing the hanging platform from afar.

The old man looked at Jiang Yun in the arena with a smile.

His voice was like a resonant bell.

"Little Friend Dong Xuan, do not worry. Those four words, 'pursuit of truth and the Dao,' have truly won my heart! This old man is Huang Mu, serving as the Grand Elder of the Huang Family. Today, I shall use this old wood Qi to lend you a hand and forge a good karmic bond!"

The Huang Family!

This name was like a thunderclap, exploding in the hearts of the countless people who knew the inside story!

The Huang Family!

One of the most mysterious and ancient Hidden Families in S Province!

Rumor had it that their Legacy was related to the ancient Wood-type Divine Beast Spirit Beast race. They had existed for over a thousand years with unfathomable foundations. They rarely participated in secular disputes, but no power dared to underestimate them!

Unexpectedly...

...they had actually sent someone.

And the one who came was an Eclipse Moon Rank Grand Elder!

A being who would be at the very top in the outside world.

In the Huang Family, he was merely a Grand Elder!

One could only imagine how deep their foundation was.

It was beyond imagination!

Before the shock of the whole audience could subside.

"Old Man Huang, you certainly aren't slow."

Another voice, clear and cold like a spring, seemingly able to cleanse the soul, rang out from another direction in the southwest corner.

Accompanying the voice was a deep blue, soft, yet profound and vast blue light of water.

Within the water light, waves vaguely surged and mist billowed; a cool, moist aura instantly neutralized the air in the arena, which had become slightly parched due to the presence of several powerful experts.

A beautiful woman dressed in a water-blue palace gown, her hair coiled high, appearing to be in her thirties, with an elegant and noble yet slightly cold and detached temperament, likewise floated up from the crowd. Faint blue water mist surrounded her like a water nymph as she took a few steps and stood suspended in the air near Old Man Huang Mu.

The beautiful woman's gaze swept across the venue indifferently.

Finally, it landed on Jiang Yun.

She nodded slightly, her voice ethereal.

"Little Friend Dong Xuan's treasure appraisal ability is truly admirable. My Liu Family is also willing to help fulfill another's wish. I am Elder Liu Lan, an eclipsing moon of the water attribute, and I can provide the Five Elements' Water."

The Liu Family!

Another Hidden Family!

The Liu Family, just as famous, mysterious, and ancient as the Huang Family!

Huang Family! Liu Family!

Wood! Water!

They were all here!

The Five Elements attributes and Eclipse Moon Rank Experts had actually been gathered right before everyone's eyes!

At this moment, the Wanjian Heavenly Altar fell into an unprecedented, extreme state of shock and silence!

Everyone's mouths hung open and their eyes bulged as they looked at those two Hidden Family experts who had suddenly appeared in mid-air with auras as deep as the sea; their minds were a complete blank.

Especially Great Masters Gu He and Vice Dean Yan Song; the mockery, sneering, and triumph on their Faces hadn't even had time to fully bloom before they were completely frozen, as if turned to ice!

Their expressions were as comical and as ugly as could be!

They had just been saying with absolute certainty that it was impossible, that Jiang Yun was naive and childish, and that hidden experts would never step in... only for the words to have barely left their mouths.

The Eclipse Moon Rank Experts of the Huang and Liu Families had appeared together and responded of their own accord!

This Face-slapping came so fast!

So hard!

And so loudly!

Gu He felt his Face burning as if he had been slapped left and right by invisible hands, making him dizzy and his ears ring.

His lips trembled as he tried to say something, but he found he couldn't utter a single word. He could only watch helplessly as these powerful Eclipse Moon Rank beings, who were usually as elusive as divine dragons, appeared to help that youth he had looked down upon in every way!

Vice Dean Yan Song was no better. His originally ruddy Face was now drained of all color, turning deathly pale. His fingers trembled uncontrollably as he pointed at the two figures in the air, his throat making weird rasping sounds like a rooster being strangled.

His heart was filled with a sense of absurdity, failure, and an indescribable fear.

Just what was this Dong Xuan's background?

He hadn't even achieved the title of Grand Tutor yet.

Why could he already draw out Hidden Families to speak up for him?!

Back then, even Head of the Qian Family couldn't catch the attention of these families!

On the platform.

The several big shots also had varying expressions.

But shock was universal.

Shi Potian's eyes were wide as he laughed loudly, "Dammit! There really are! The old monsters of the Huang and Liu families have come out! This kid's Face is even bigger than mine!"

Head of the Feng Xiao Family's eyes flickered with sharp light as he whispered, "Old Man Huang Mu, Fairy Liu Lan... these two haven't made a public appearance in nearly a hundred years. It seems this lad's value is even greater than we imagined; even these two families couldn't sit still."

Qian Guangquan took a deep breath.

The gaze he directed at Jiang Yun became even more profound.

He now completely understood why Jiang Yun had remained calm all along.

This lad... had likely sensed the presence of these two hidden experts long ago!

This level of insight was simply inconceivable!

It was even more terrifying than his own!

He realized once again.

This Dong Xuan's appraisal ability was definitely above his.

Perhaps even on par with President Yun Xi!

Qian Rongrong was so excited she almost jumped up. Her beautiful eyes were filled with constant brilliance, and her gaze toward Jiang Yun was full of endless admiration and pride, as if she were the one standing in the center of the arena receiving the gaze of the masses.

The smile on President Yun Xi's Face finally fully unfolded, a pleasant smile like one seeing the most wonderful play being performed.

"As expected... Little Fellow, you always bring surprises. Huang Family, Liu Family... interesting, truly interesting. It seems those two old fellows also discovered this lad's ability and couldn't sit still either."

Vice Principal Ming Jing's hand, which was stroking his beard, also stopped.

His wise eyes showed a look of understanding and approval.

At the edge of the field.

Grand Elder Mo Yuan and the other guild Elders were already shaking with excitement.

The Five Elements of eclipsing moon, gathered together!

This was not only a miracle for Jiang Yun's exam, but a grand event that the Wanjian Heavenly Altar, and even the S Province Appraisers Guild, had not seen in decades!

At this moment, in mid-air.

Old Man Huang Mu held his vine staff, green wood-type Law circulating around him, full of vitality.

Fairy Liu Lan was surrounded by water-blue radiance, the deep blue water-type Law calm and vast.

Combined with the area before the platform: Shi Potian was surrounded by earthy-yellow light as heavy as a mountain, Qian Guangquan had a deep red flame behind him that was hot and domineering, and President Yun Xi had silver-white sharp metal Qi on his body that was peerlessly sharp.

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth!

Five Eclipse Moon Rank Experts!

The Five Elements attributes were complete!

Everyone's gaze...

...was fervently cast toward the center of the arena.

At that black-robed figure who had been as calm as water from start to finish.

Dong Xuan!

Now, the conditions were fully met.

The verification was about to begin!

They were filled with anticipation!

Was Jiang Yun's appraisal statement just now true?!

Gu He and Vice Dean Yan Song looked ashen-faced, as if their parents had died. In a corner where no one was paying attention, their bodies trembled slightly, and they were almost unable to stand steadily.

They could only secretly curse in their hearts for Jiang Yun's verification to fail.

If this Dong Xuan succeeded...

...those statements they had just made...

...would surely cause them to lose all Face.

They would become the shame of the Appraisers!