497: Don't you recognize the 4th generation?

He even began to suspect whether her Realm might eventually catch up and surpass his own.

He had no doubt about Li Qingyue's potential.

A talent like Innate Divine Abnormality was considered a Prodigy even among Special Grade Disciples.

As for why Li Qingyue hadn't become a Special Grade Disciple...

Qin Yan guessed it might be because her Realm was relatively low and her overall combat strength was weaker back then.

But in terms of potential, she was definitely not inferior to any Special Grade Disciple.

“What time do you think it is? How do you still have the mind to space out?”

Lin Qingyue walked up to Qin Yan and spoke indifferently.

“Do you know how many prodigies are currently eyeing your position as a Special Grade Disciple?”

Her voice was cold, yet it carried a hint of a reminder.

Among the Special Grade Disciples, Qin Yan firstly wasn't born in a Great World, so his background was very weak.

Secondly, he was relatively young, and his Realm wasn't particularly high.

To those First Grade Disciples who wanted to strike for a Special Grade position, Qin Yan was the best target for a challenge.

Qin Yan nodded and said, “I know.”

“Then you aren't worried?” Lin Qingyue frowned slightly.

“Is being worried useful?” Qin Yan asked back. “If I'm worried, will they stop challenging me?”

Lin Qingyue fell silent upon hearing this.

Indeed, worrying was useless.

What was meant to come would come regardless of anxiety.

Those who coveted the position of Special Grade Disciple wouldn't give up their challenge just because of his anxiety.

Rather than pointless anxiety, it was better to face it calmly.

The atmosphere fell into silence for a moment.

The two just stood there quietly, neither speaking again.

Just then—

“Brother Qin, so you're here!”

A light laugh rang out, breaking the silence.

Then, Shen Wanqian's round figure was seen laboriously squeezing through the crowd to reach the two of them.

“I've been looking for you for quite a while!”

Qin Yan smiled and nodded toward Shen Wanqian as a greeting.

Shen Wanqian also smiled and nodded in return, then his gaze naturally turned to the side—and with that turn, his eyes suddenly lit up.

“The Great Beauty Lin is here too?”

Shen Wanqian greeted enthusiastically.

Hearing this, Lin Qingyue's brow furrowed slightly; she wasn't fond of this title.

A title like 'Great Beauty Lin' sounded as if she were being called some kind of eye candy, which made her very uncomfortable.

“You know Lin Qingyue?”

Qin Yan asked, puzzled.

Was Shen Wanqian's social circle really that wide?

Shen Wanqian shook his head, then leaned in closer and lowered his voice. “Brother Qin, there's something you don't know.”

“Miss Qingyue has both looks and talent. In just one month, she's already become quite famous among our batch of Disciples.

Many First Grade Disciples, and even some Special Grade Disciples, want to associate with Miss Qingyue.”

As he spoke, he signaled with his eyes for Qin Yan to look around.

Hearing this, Qin Yan looked at his surroundings.

Sure enough, he found that many Disciples were looking in their direction.

The vast majority of those gazes fell upon Lin Qingyue.

Those gazes held appreciation, admiration, and even a sliver of desire.

Lin Qingyue's long, light-blue hair, her delicate features, and her quiet temperament...

Standing there, she was like a painting that people couldn't take their eyes off of.

There were also some gazes that fell on him, carrying greed and an eager excitement.

Those were the gazes of people who wanted to defeat him and seize his position as a Special Grade Disciple.

“However, Miss Qingyue has a somewhat cold personality and stays in her room to Cultivate for long periods, so as of now, no one has succeeded in associating with her,”

Shen Wanqian added, his tone carrying a hint of regret.

“I didn't expect you to have this much charm?”

Qin Yan looked at Lin Qingyue and chuckled after hearing this.

Hearing this, Lin Qingyue's fist tightened slightly.

What do you mean, 'didn't expect you to have this much charm'??

She was a school belle back at Jingdu University of Martial Arts, alright!

And the unattainable kind at that!

The line of people chasing her could stretch from the school gate to the teaching building, yet she wouldn't give them a second glance.

Only this guy in front of her was utterly ruthless when he made a move against her—one could even say he was a 'destroyer of flowers'!

The memory of that spear severing her arm and another spear piercing her abdomen still made her feel pain just thinking about it.

“Brother Qin, you and Miss Qingyue...?”

Shen Wanqian looked at Qin Yan, then at Lin Qingyue, his eyes full of curiosity.

He knew they both came from Blue Star, but he wasn't sure if they knew each other.

Looking at the tone of their conversation now, they seemed very familiar?

But seeing Lin Qingyue's slightly clenched fist, was there some kind of grudge?

“We're acquainted.”

“We aren't!”

The two spoke simultaneously.

Qin Yan said "acquainted," while Lin Qingyue said "we aren't."

Shen Wanqian: “...”

He looked at Qin Yan, then at Lin Qingyue, the expression on his round face becoming quite spectacular.

There was definitely something between these two! And it wasn't a small matter either!

Lin Qingyue glared at Qin Yan, her gaze carrying a hint of a threat.

Qin Yan simply shrugged, unconcerned.

Just then, a majestic figure suddenly appeared above the square.

The figure stood in mid-air, her red profound robes fluttering in the wind. Her long hair draped over her shoulders, her face was exquisitely beautiful, and her entire body radiated a terrifying aura. It was precisely the Dean of the East Courtyard's Outer Court—Yun Nishang.

Her appearance instantly silenced the entire square.

“Time is up. Activate the Formation!”

Yun Nishang's cold voice rang out. Without any superfluous words, she directly announced the start of the assessment.

As her voice fell, a giant Formation descended from the sky!

The Formation was incredibly massive, enveloping the entire square like an inverted giant bowl, shielding everyone inside.

Light flowed over the Formation, and countless runes flickered, emitting a heart-palpitating aura.

Outside the square, many Disciples were still hurrying toward it.

Some had just left their residences, while others were still on the way. Seeing the Formation activate, they all quickened their pace.

But it was too late.

They rushed to the edge of the Formation but were blocked by the giant array.

No matter how they attacked or shouted, they couldn't enter.

The Formation remained motionless, firmly blocking them outside.

“Why won't you let us in!”

“Dean, open the Formation!”

“We're only a little bit late, let us in!”

“...”

Those Disciples outside frantically struck the Formation, but it remained unmoved, isolating the internal and external worlds.

Yun Nishang listened to the voices from outside with a calm expression, showing neither sorrow nor joy.

She merely cast a faint glance at those Disciples before speaking, her voice carrying across the entire square.

“Taixuan Holy Land Sect Rule Number Six—If personnel have not arrived by the assessment time, they shall be considered to have forfeited this assessment.”

Her voice wasn't loud, yet it clearly entered everyone's ears.

The voice was as calm as water, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty.

After speaking, she no longer paid attention to the blocked Disciples and instead looked toward the Disciples inside the square.

“I now announce that the end-of-month assessment begins.”

Her voice rang out again, and the atmosphere of the entire square instantly became tense.

(Thanks to 'Just Here' for the Great God Certification, and thanks to the babies for the five-star reviews during this time. Here's an extra chapter~)

There will be another chapter in a bit to make up for the last chapter owed from last month~)