69: Inner Department Promotion Assessment

At this moment, on this massive stone-pillared plaza capable of holding tens of thousands, the crowd was surging, and the Auras were chaotic.

Figures with diverse appearances filled the space: there were steady Cultivators with middle-aged faces like Yao Delong; and there were also geniuses with tender faces like seventeen or eighteen-year-old youths.

The age difference at Foundation Establishment intuitively displayed the level of their respective talents and the differences in their fortunes.

The vast majority of people had expressions of irrepressible excitement and anticipation, their gazes eagerly looking toward the high platform.

Everyone knew that this assessment was not only the key to promotion to the Inner Sect, but also a chance to leap over the Dragon Gate and ascend to the heavens in one step!

If one could perform stunningly and be favored by an Elder or even a Peak Master to be taken as a Disciple, that would truly be a bright future!

As soon as Yao Delong merged into the crowd, his shiny bald head, hairless eyebrows, and chin so clean it lacked a single whisker instantly became a moving focal point.

"Pfft... quickly look at that person!"

"Hahaha, this Senior Brother... is quite unique!"

"Could it be that he Cultivated some strange Cultivation Technique? Or is it... naturally like that?"

"Shh, speak quietly. This Senior Brother has a robust Aura; he is clearly not someone who just entered Foundation Establishment. Don't cause trouble..."

Low discussions and undisguised snickers came from all directions, and gazes pierced like needle points.

Even though Yao Delong had a firm will, he felt a hint of indescribable embarrassment at this moment.

Just then, a figure actively pushed through the crowd and squeezed in front of him.

The person appeared to be in his early twenties, with a tall and straight figure, wearing a fire-red Disciple robe with the mark of Chiyan Peak; his face had sharp features, and in particular, his eyes were bright and spirited, carrying a bit of curiosity and hearty laughter.

The spiritual power fluctuations around his body were steady and thick; he was impressively at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

"This Senior Brother looks very unfamiliar," the black-haired youth cupped his fists; his gaze lingered on Yao Delong's bald head for a moment, then he grinned and asked without hesitation, "Little brother is Xiao Huohuo, a Disciple of Chiyan Peak. Senior Brother's... style is very mighty! May I ask the reason? A newly practiced Divine Ability?"

The corner of Yao Delong's mouth twitched imperceptibly, and he thought to himself that this Xiao Huohuo was quite direct.

He could only wave his hand vaguely: "Ahem, there was a small mishap in my Cultivation; it is fine, it is fine. In a few days, it will grow back."

He did not want to dwell on this matter and cupped his hands: "I am Yao Delong, a Disciple of Luoxia Peak."

"Luoxia Peak... Yao Delong?"

A trace of surprise and doubt flashed in Xiao Huohuo's eyes, and he subconsciously raised an eyebrow.

Yao Delong of Luoxia Peak, this name was thunderous within the Yin Yang Sect— "The Shame of the Yin Yang Sect", "the Qi Condensation trash whose Lifespan is about to end?"... Shouldn't he be in the appearance of being old and frail with exhausted spiritual power as rumored?

But the person before him, although mature in appearance, had skin that exuded a warm, jade-like luster; his vital blood was as vigorous as a raging furnace, and his vitality was so immense that it far exceeded his own Late Foundation Establishment Stage!

What made his heart tremble even more was the faint, heavy, and steady Aura on the other party; and the golden-red sharp light that occasionally flashed in his eyes actually made him feel a trace of fear, which was something he had never felt even from Senior Brother Golden Core!

Xiao Huohuo's smile faded a bit, and his eyes gained more seriousness and inquiry as he cupped his hands: "So it is Senior Brother Yao! I have long heard of your name, and seeing you today, it is indeed... well-deserved!"

His words carried a double meaning, containing both pleasantries and an exclamation at the huge contrast between what he saw and the rumors.

How could Yao Delong not hear the meaning within; he just smiled indifferently, neither confirming nor denying.

The two then chatted casually, mostly with Xiao Huohuo talking about interesting anecdotes within the Sect; Yao Delong occasionally responded, his gaze scanning toward the high platform from time to time.

About half an hour later, the originally boiling human voices on the plaza suddenly went quiet!

An invisible, heart-palpitating pressure quietly spread like a tide, enveloping the entire plaza.

On the high platform, it was unknown when it had become filled with figures!

The Peak Masters of each peak, the Elders with real power, except for a few who were still in seclusion, were all present at this moment!

The big figures who were rarely seen on ordinary days were now sitting upright above.

Their Auras were as deep as the sea, some majestic, some ethereal, some sharp, some gentle, their gazes scanning the tens of thousands of Foundation Establishment Disciples below as if they were substantial.

The appearance of every Peak Master and Elder caused a low exclamation and awe-filled gaze from the Disciples below.

Yao Delong's gaze swept quickly, taking in all seven Peak Masters, and he also saw Bai Lengchan sitting at the position of Spirit Plant Peak.

She was still in a cold white robe, her expression indifferent, her eyes calm and waveless, as if she was not specifically paying attention to the crowd below.

Yao Delong felt slightly at ease; as long as it was not that Peak Master who obviously had hostility toward him, it would be fine.

Xiao Huohuo, who was beside him, was clearly a well-informed person, and following Yao Delong's gaze, he lowered his voice and quickly introduced:

"Senior Brother Yao, look quickly! That old man with crane hair and youthful complexion is the Dan Chenzi—Senior Dan Chenzi, his Alchemy skills are superb!"

"That person in red robes like fire, with a figure..." Xiao Huohuo paused, seemingly weighing his words, "Ahem, the majestic Senior, is the Peak Master of Chiyan Peak—Fairy Lieyang, Ji Yanshuang! Her temper is said to be like raging fire!"

Yao Delong looked slightly to the side, and a red-haired woman with a fiery figure and extreme visual impact came into view!

"The one in the blue dress is the Peak Master of Spirit Water Peak—Fairy Shuiyue, Liu Yue, tsk tsk, truly... possessing natural seductive bones; her Cultivation Technique is also known for being soft and strange."

Xiao Huohuo's eyes carried a hint of instinctive wariness.

"With Sword Qi soaring to the heavens, eyes as sharp as swords, that is the Peak Master of Heavenly Sword Peak—Sword Venerable Li Cen! It is said that his Dao of the Sword has reached the realm of Sword Heart Clarity, and his combat power ranks in the forefront among the twelve Peak Masters!"

"The white-haired, sturdy one who looks like a Thunder God is the Peak Master of Thunder Marsh Peak—Senior Lei Zhenzi! His Lightning Technique is domineering and unparalleled!"

"The one with a scholarly temperament, but with mysterious runes faintly flowing around his body, is the Peak Master of Zhuàn Zhèn Peak—Immortal Master Fu, Han Yunzhou! His attainments in Formation are unfathomable."

"The exotic woman with waterfall-like golden hair, deep emerald eyes, and skin as white as porcelain is the Peak Master of Jinxin Peak—Holy Mother Jinxuan, Mu Xianglan! She excels in Geng Metal sharp Qi, combining offense and defense, extremely difficult to deal with!"

Seven Peak Masters, seven distinct and powerful Auras, like stars surrounding the moon, sat quietly on the high position.

Just as they were speaking. Screech—! A clear and high crane cry sounded!

In the distant sky, a magnificent snow-white crane appeared, gliding gracefully toward them.

On the crane's back, the current Sect Head of the Yin Yang Sect—White Cloud Master, was dressed in a simple black Daoist robe, his face peaceful and approachable.

The crane landed lightly on the empty seat in the center of the high platform.

White Cloud Master stood up slowly and stepped off the crane's back.

Where his foot landed, a lotus bloomed in the Void Realm!

It was not an illusory phantom, but a white jade lotus truly condensed from incomparably pure power containing the Law of heaven and earth!

Each petal was clear and solid, flowing with the luster of dao rhyme, layered, and blooming and stabilizing one after another with his steps.

He walked up the stairs, his pace calm and unhurried, as if walking on the stairs of the order of heaven and earth.

Lotus blooming with every step! Law following his body!

At this moment, the tens of thousands of Cultivators on the entire plaza, regardless of their cultivation level, all felt themselves as small as dust, as if they were facing this heaven and earth itself!

"Cultivation reaching the level of creation..." Xiao Huohuo looked at the figure with lotus blooming at every step, his voice trembling uncontrollably, his eyes filled with shock and longing.

"It is rumored that Senior Martial Uncle Sect Head has already glimpsed the threshold of the Body Integration stage; it seems to be true!"

Yao Delong was also deeply shaken! His Divine Sense was far stronger than those of the same level; he could even more clearly "feel" the tiny ripples of heaven and earth Qi induced every time he took a step!

In front of such power, his Major Achievement Glazed Jade Body, which was enough to shake Earth-Grade Weapon Magic Treasures, was also as small as an ant.

White Cloud Master walked to the main seat and sat down calmly.

His gaze swept across the audience peacefully, like spring breeze turning into rain, yet it made everyone feel they had been seen through.

"Greetings to the Sect Head (Senior Brother)!"

On the high platform, the seven Peak Masters, together with the other accompanying Elders, stood up in unison and bowed in salute.

Their posture was incomparably respectful, their voices were uniform, containing incomparable awe.