Chapter 204 Testing the Waters? Would You Be Willing to Become a Supreme Elder?

Tian Jian Peak.

On the Guest-Welcoming Platform.

Clouds and mist lightly gathered, Spiritual Qi swirling.

President Yun Xi handed over that simple and ancient box engraved with spatial runes.

Jiang Yun reached out and took it.

It felt slightly cool to the touch and was extremely light, as if it contained nothing, but the strange fluctuations faintly circulating inside, resonating subtly with the surrounding space, clearly indicated the extraordinary nature of its contents.

A void plume!

It's in my hands!

Jiang Yun was incredibly excited!

His goal for undergoing the Grand Tutor Level Assessment had been achieved!

At the moment Jiang Yun's fingers touched the surface of the box, President Yun Xi's gentle voice rang out again, but the content made the surrounding air seem to stagnate a bit more.

“The reward has been handed to little friend Dong Xuan, but... this old man has a few questions I would like to... chat with you about in private. Is that possible?”

Jiang Yun paused slightly, raised his eyes, and looked at President Yun Xi through his mask.

In those eyes as deep as a sea of stars, there was no coercion at the moment, only a calm inquiry and a faint, unignorable majesty.

“President, please ask.”

Jiang Yun's voice was calm as he temporarily put away the box, showing no sign of being in a hurry to check it.

President Yun Xi smiled slightly, turned, and walked toward the elegant group of buildings hidden among the ancient pines and strange rocks on the peak, his voice drifting with the wind.

“This is not a place for conversation. Little friend, follow me.”

Vice President Lin Yan made a gesture of invitation to Jiang Yun.

His attitude was quite polite.

“Great Master Dong Xuan, please.”

The three passed through the swirling mist and stepped onto a mountain path paved with warm white jade. On both sides, spiritual springs gurgled and exotic grasses breathed fragrance; the scenery was exceptionally serene, as if it were a different world from the bustle outside.

A moment later.

A courtyard that covered a vast area, with a simple and grand style yet elegant in every detail, appeared before them. Above the lintel were the three words 'Jian Yun Residence', written with vigorous brushstrokes and reserved Daoist charm.

Stepping into the courtyard.

Rounding the spirit screen.

It was an open courtyard with well-arranged strange rocks and penjing. In the center was a pool of clear water where several spiritual carps swam leisurely.

The doors to the main hall facing the courtyard were wide open.

The interior was decorated simply and elegantly, with sandalwood incense curling in the air.

President Yun Xi entered first and naturally sat down on a cloud-patterned futon in the primary seat.

Lin Yan sat on a futon in a side seat.

Jiang Yun stood in the hall and did not sit down immediately.

His non-proactive and non-overstepping posture caused a subtle glint of approval and appreciation to flash in President Yun Xi's eyes, and Vice President Lin Yan also nodded inwardly.

To be successful at a young age yet remain calm and composed, observing etiquette and moderation—this Heart-Nature was indeed rare.

“Little friend Dong Xuan, no need for formalities. Please, sit.”

President Yun Xi gestured vaguely.

Pointing to an empty futon across from Lin Yan.

“Thank you, President.”

Only then did Jiang Yun step forward calmly.

He sat cross-legged on the futon with a proper posture. His black robe was like ink and his mask was cold and hard, creating a strange harmony with the elegant environment.

Maids silently offered spiritual tea from somewhere unknown; the tea fragrance was crisp and refreshing.

President Yun Xi picked up his teacup and gently stirred the tea leaves inside. He was in no hurry to drink, but instead looked up at Jiang Yun and started the conversation, his tone still as gentle as an elder chatting.

“Little friend's performance today has truly opened this old man's eyes. Breaking through three realms in a single day to reach the Grand Tutor level, and especially the appraisal of the five-colored origin divine seed—your insight was profound, pointing straight to the core. You even understood its specific effects, abilities, and verification methods... Such appraisal ability, let alone in S Province, even in the entire Human Federation, there is likely no one among the younger generation who can surpass you.”

He first gave a high evaluation without hesitation.

His tone was sincere.

Hearing this, Lin Yan also nodded in agreement repeatedly.

Jiang Yun bowed slightly.

“The President overpraises me. This Junior was merely lucky.”

“Lucky?”

President Yun Xi chuckled and shook his head.

“If this is all luck, then wouldn't the hundred years of bitter cultivation by us old fogies become a joke?”

He then changed the subject.

Asking seemingly casually:

“With little friend's shocking appraisal talent and academic foundation, logically you should have become famous long ago. I wonder where little friend's hometown is? Are you a talented youth from a family in the provincial capital, or... do you come from another Great Domain or the Central State where people are more outstanding? Observing little friend's style of conduct and vision, it doesn't seem like something an ordinary place could cultivate.”

This question seemed like small talk, but it actually contained hidden depth.

Clearly, he was probing Jiang Yun's background to determine if there was a massive power supporting him or if he had an unknown master.

After all.

Such a Prodigy.

If one said he just popped out of nowhere...

It would be truly hard to believe.

Vice President Lin Yan also spoke up at the right time.

His tone carried respect and curiosity.

“Indeed, Great Master Dong Xuan. Having such achievements at such a young age, your family heritage must be extremely deep. Could it be that you are from an unparalleled appraisal family in the Central State? Or are you a student of some hidden Senior appraiser?”

He directly raised his guess to the level of the Central State and Saint Appraisers, which was both a compliment and a probe.

Facing the inquiries of the two top figures in the S Province appraisal world, the expression behind Jiang Yun's mask did not change.

He had already anticipated this question.

And in his view...

In front of existences of this level, especially someone as unfathomable as President Yun Xi, deliberately fabricating lies to hide his Origin would not only be easily seen through but would also seem petty. It was better to be open.

He answered calmly.

“President, Vice President Lin Yan, you overpraise me. This Junior does not come from any prominent family or Great Domain, nor do I have a prominent master.”

Under the slightly surprised gazes of Yun Xi and Lin Yan.

He said clearly.

“This Junior comes from C City.”

“C City?”

Hearing this, Vice President Lin Yan...

Was first stunned for a moment.

Then his face showed an undisguisable shock, and he even subconsciously repeated it, his tone full of disbelief.

“That... C City, which was only officially brought under Federation jurisdiction over a hundred years ago, is located on the southwestern border, and has relatively sparse resources?”

He truly could not connect that remote, backward small place where the beast-taming civilization had just begun—as perceived by people in the provincial capital—with the peerless Genius before him whose appraisal techniques were godlike and who had broken through three stages to reach the Grand Tutor level!

The gap was simply like clouds and mud!

A flash of obvious surprise also crossed President Yun Xi's eyes, but he was more sophisticated; the shock vanished in an instant, and he quickly regained his composure.

He just looked at Jiang Yun thoughtfully.

Slowly saying:

“C City... this old man has some impression of it. I've heard that beyond the Misty Forest there is the peril-filled Beast Domain. I didn't expect it could actually nurture a figure like little friend. Indeed, the world's spiritual elegance gathers in all places; one must not underestimate the youth of the world.”

These words were both a reflection and carried a trace of subtle scrutiny, as if he were judging whether Jiang Yun's words were true and whether C City really possessed some unknown hidden Legacy.

Jiang Yun could feel an extremely subtle, gentle, yet pervasive Mental Energy, brushing over his body like a spring breeze. It seemed to be sensing his emotional fluctuations, life aura, and even Soul imprint to judge the truth of his words.

This was clearly President Yun Xi verifying things quietly.

He did not resist, nor could he.

He simply remained calm.

A moment later.

The last trace of doubt in the depths of President Yun Xi's eyes dissipated, and he nodded slightly, clearly confirming that Jiang Yun had not lied.

The interest in his eyes grew even stronger instead.

A youth who walked out of a remote small city and possessed such Heaven-Defying appraisal abilities—the secret behind this was perhaps more worth exploring than coming from some Hidden Family.

“So that's how it is.”

President Yun Xi took a sip of spiritual tea, put down the cup, and naturally moved the topic forward.

“Then, little friend's shocking appraisal skills, especially that eyesight that seems able to discern the essence of all things and see through even the hidden Five Elements Laws and Using the Body as the Seed... is it related to some kind of special talent ability?”

He asked more directly.

But he still prefaced it with praise.

“This old man has practiced the Dao of appraisal for hundreds of years and seen countless gifted individuals. There are those with extraordinary Mental Energy, those with affinity for specific elemental Laws, and even those whose Bloodline Legacy brings special perception... But someone like little friend, who seems able to ignore grade differences and discern information to such a terrifyingly comprehensive degree, is truly a first for me. I wonder if little friend can satisfy this old man's curiosity?”

Lin Yan also held his breath and focused.

Looking at Jiang Yun with burning eyes.

This question was probably the biggest doubt in the hearts of all the witnesses today!

Jiang Yun's appraisal method was too fast, too accurate, and too comprehensive; it completely defied common sense!

Jiang Yun was silent for a moment.

Regarding the Manifestation of All Things Entries, this was his greatest secret, so he naturally couldn't reveal it all.

But completely denying it was a talent would also seem hypocritical and make it difficult to explain his performance.

“The President has Wisdom Eyes.”

Jiang Yun finally spoke slowly, choosing a compromise that was also truthful.

“In the path of appraisal, this Junior indeed has a talent ability. I can see some... information levels that are difficult for ordinary people to perceive.”

He did not specifically describe what the talent was or what information levels he saw, leaving enough room for imagination and mystery.

This answer.

Acknowledged the existence of the talent and explained the source of his ability while protecting his core secret and fitting the 'all-knowing' characteristic he had shown before.

President Yun Xi and Lin Yan looked at each other, both seeing a 'just as I thought' expression in the other's eyes.

Such a performance.

If he didn't possess a Heaven-Defying special appraisal talent, it would be impossible to explain.

A smile of relief mixed with a bit of wonder appeared on President Yun Xi's face.

“No wonder... a natural Treasure-Appraising Eye, favored by the world's rules. Little friend can speak so frankly, which shows a noble Heart-Nature.”

Lin Yan also breathed a sigh of relief.

Praising from the heart: “Great Master Dong Xuan is not only exceptionally capable but also sincere and humble; you are truly a role model for our generation.”

These words weren't entirely flattery; the calm and frankness Jiang Yun showed in front of the two of them indeed won his favor.

Jiang Yun shook his head slightly.

“Vice President Lin, you overpraise me. This Junior is just telling the truth.”

By this point.

The atmosphere seemed to have become much more harmonious.

The smile on President Yun Xi's face deepened a bit. Looking at Jiang Yun, besides admiration, there was now more solemnity and expectation in his gaze.

After a moment of silence.

President Yun Xi slowly put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and looked directly at Jiang Yun with those eyes that seemed able to see through people's hearts, throwing out an earth-shattering proposal.

“Little friend Dong Xuan, with your ability, the mere title of Grand Tutor, though already a glory difficult for ordinary people to reach, I personally believe it is still not enough to fully match your value and potential.”

His tone was steady, yet every word carried immense weight.

“I wonder if little friend... would be willing to condescend to serve as the... Grand Elder of our S Province Appraisers Guild?”

As soon as the four words 'Grand Elder' were spoken.

Even though Vice President Lin Yan on the side was mentally prepared, his breathing still involuntarily quickened for a moment, and an amazing light erupted in his eyes.

He had already anticipated that the President would offer great benefits to win over Jiang Yun.

But he hadn't expected him to directly invite Jiang Yun to become the Grand Elder of the Appraisers Guild!

That was a status equal to the President!

Immediately after.

Lin Yan looked closely at Jiang Yun.

Wanting to know how Jiang Yun would respond.

As for Jiang Yun.

Even through the mask.

One could seemingly feel an extremely subtle stiffness in his figure.