"At 3 PM on the 15th of January, at the Zhengwu Swordsmanship Competition in the Sword Dao Association. The participants for assessment are Xiao Qiyun, Xiao Mingjie, and Xiao Hanshan. Many people will be there to watch..."

Xiao Wan said, "I've sent you the detailed information on Xiao Qiyun and Xiao Mingjie. By the way, have you achieved anything in your cultivation?"

"I'm already at Level 10."

Gao Xuan said confidently, "Don't worry, Sister Wan, I will definitely win."

Xiao Wan nodded. Gao Xuan was very bold, but it's better to be confident than not.

She still had doubts about the battle. After all, Xiao Hanshan is an eleventh-level Sword Hero.

Gao Xuan's Mental Shock is strong, but it's just that one move. If this move is ineffective, he's doomed.

Xiao Hanshan is also very cautious, and this time he even brought two tenth-level swordsmen to scout the way.

Xiao Qiyun and Xiao Mingjie are both at the tenth level. They are already the backbone of the Sword Dao Association and important members of Xiao Changsheng's line.

Facing Gao Xuan, an eighteen-year-old boy, the lineup deployed by the opponent was simply luxurious.

It was clear that Xiao Hanshan was also a bit apprehensive about Gao Xuan.

After all, Gao Xuan had once killed Han Peng with one strike!

Xiao Wan couldn't help but sigh. If only Gao Xuan had been more low-key then and hadn't killed Han Peng, he wouldn't have so many troubles now.

This Gao Xuan, why can't he learn to be low-key?

Now that things have come to this, she has no retreat. She must fully support Gao Xuan. If Gao Xuan is killed in the assessment, her reputation will also suffer a significant blow.

All the elites of the Xiao Family have gathered within the association, and her competitors are not only Xiao Changsheng but also two geniuses from the direct lineage.

If she loses this time, the higher-ups in the association will inevitably have a negative view of her.

The big shots at the top don't care about how you do things; they only look at the results.

If you fail, the big shots won't sympathize with the reasons for your failure.

Success is king; failure has no excuses.

The Xiao Clan has maintained its enormous strength in the military through iron-blooded means.

Only by reaching a certain level will the higher-ups unite to avoid overly fierce competition that could undermine the foundation of the family.

People like Xiao Wan are in the most intense phase of competition. Resources are limited. If she takes one more step forward and consumes one more resource, others will be taking a step back, consuming one less.

Just like Xiao Wan bringing Gao Xuan into the association. If Gao Xuan grows quickly, he will become a strong support for Xiao Wan. This is also something other competitors don't want to see.

Therefore, the resistance to Gao Xuan joining the association is very strong. It's not just Xiao Changsheng pushing from behind.

The internal strife within the Xiao Swordsmanship Association is fierce and complicated, and Xiao Wan couldn't explain it all to Gao Xuan at once. Moreover, right now there was no need to tell Gao Xuan about these.

As long as Gao Xuan can pass the assessment and join the Sword Dao Association, it will be the greatest victory.

All matters within the Sword Dao Association can be discussed slowly.

Xiao Wan discussed some details with Gao Xuan and confirmed that Gao Xuan was in good condition before closing the communication.

Gao Xuan received the information transmitted by Xiao Wan, glanced through it, and saw that the two examiners assessing him were both tenth-level swordsmen, both serving in the military.

They could come out as examiners this time because of the New Year holiday. Otherwise, they wouldn't have time at other times.

Although Golden Source City is large, the Xiao Family wouldn't leave too many experts here.

Releasing a tenth-level swordsman to the military would at least be a commander of a mid-level unit.

Xiao Hanshan set the assessment time for January 15th, obviously with well-thought-out planning.

The opponent had really calculated with care and precision.

Unfortunately, they encountered someone like him who could cheat.

Gao Xuan almost felt sympathetic for the opponents; there probably isn't another one like him in the whole cosmos.

As Gao Xuan was smugly enjoying himself, a flash of five-colored brilliance appeared before him, and Nuwa came out.

Wearing a five-colored long skirt, Nuwa had an exquisite silver crown on her head, but her brows and eyes were full of a girl's vibrant energy.

Before Nuwa could speak, Gao Xuan went up and hugged her projection, "Sister Wa, I've missed you so much. Why haven't you come to see me for so long? Did you forget about me? You're so heartless..."

Nuwa looked slightly astonished, and she said with a slight exasperation, "You're quite shrewd, saying what I was going to say first."

Recently, Gao Xuan neither went on the Dark Web nor came to the Holy Hall. Nuwa felt that Gao Xuan was heartless, using her and then discarding her carelessly to one side.

But before she could complain, Gao Xuan had already accused her of being heartless first.

Gao Xuan chuckled, "Heaven and earth know; I really missed Sister Wa. I was just too busy to come find you."

Nuwa rolled her eyes at Gao Xuan, "I believe you."

She waved her hand and said, "No more nonsense; I came to remind you of one thing: there's only two months left before the association fee is due, so you don't have much time left."

"Ah?"

Gao Xuan quickly put on a pitiful face, "Sister Wa, you have to cover me. Didn't you say you'd give me a task when I reached Taurus?"

"Yu Hualong, Vice President of Golden Source University, worth six thousand points. Golden Light Asura, Silver Level assassin. Worth eight thousand points. Eight-winged Void Flying Fish, worth eight thousand points..."

Nuwa said, "Completing these three tasks not only covers the membership fee but also leaves a surplus."

"Yu Hualong? That's a major figure."

Gao Xuan went online to search for information about Yu Hualong. Not only is he the vice president of Golden Source University, but he's also one of the core leaders of the Yu Family.

The Yu Family is on par with the Xiao Family as a great noble family. Killing such an important figure would immediately stir up a hornet's nest.

"Yu Hualong is undoubtedly a member of the Spirit Race. The Golden Light Asura is from the Shadow Race. The Eight-winged Void Flying Fish is the most detestable; these creatures devour the barriers of positive and negative space. Many passages in positive and negative space are bitten open by these fish!"

Nuwa said, "This fish is swimming near Taurus. I'll give you a few coordinates for you to check. This kind of fish isn't very powerful, just extremely cunning, and can perform space jumps. It's mostly luck-based."

Nuwa actually didn't know where the Eight-winged Void Flying Fish was; she was only judging from various data compilations that it might be near Taurus.

"What's the situation with the Golden Light Asura?"

The tasks involving Yu Hualong and the Eight-winged Void Flying Fish sounded unreliable. Gao Xuan thought the Golden Light Asura should be easier to kill.

"The Golden Light Asura should have the Golden Sun Mirror in its possession. This marvel is incredibly powerful. He originally belonged to the Shadow Race, supposedly restrained by the Golden Sun Mirror. Yet he somehow refined the mirror.

"He has likely reached the level of light and shadow dual-state transformation. He's not far from the Golden Level. This guy must be killed quickly..."

The power of the Golden Level is too formidable; the destruction caused by an alien race achieving Golden Powerhouse status is simply uncontrollable. Once Nuwa detects signs, she absolutely won't allow the Golden Light Asura to advance.

"Oh right, the Golden Light Asura is a high-ranking member of the Blood God Association in the Twelve Star Domain. Don't you hate the Blood God Association? Killing him serves both public and private interests."

"Each task is more exhilarating than the last."

Gao Xuan wanted to sigh, "Sister, you're really looking out for your brother."

"Since you're my dear brother, who else would I look after. Good brother, keep it up!"

Nuwa gently patted Gao Xuan's face and vanished with a chuckle.

"Ding..."

Gao Xuan received an email in his dark web inbox containing detailed information about Yu Hualong, the Golden Light Asura, and the Eight-winged Void Flying Fish.

Gao Xuan glanced over the information, and sure enough, just as he suspected, every task was difficult.

Especially the Golden Light Asura, a truly top-tier assassin. The Golden Sun Mirror is an incredibly powerful marvel, capable of reflecting lethal attacks.

Fortunately, there were still two months left, enough time to plan ahead. Of course, the most crucial step is to first acquire the Undying Golden Cicada.

As long as he can complete the mutation evolution of his genetic sequence, he can enter the Silver Level. At that time, killing Silver Level experts would be as easy as turning over his hand. No marvels, no problem!

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

On January 15th at 2 p.m., Xiao Wan brought Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang to the Xiao Swordsmanship Association.

The association's hall is a complex of ancient palace-style architecture. Predominantly in blue, black, and white, the buildings are constructed from special glass materials, with the buildings set on high platforms as a show of respect.

The grand palace complex is imposing, heavy, and ancient.

In its presence, one can naturally feel the historical atmosphere.

"The Zhengwu Swordsmanship Competition arena is quite large, capable of accommodating thousands. This time, because it's the festive season, many people will come to watch."

Xiao Wan said, "Don't worry about the others, just focus on the competition."

Gao Xuan nodded, Xiao Wan seemed a bit nervous and talkative.

Xiao Wan led Gao Xuan into an imposing palace, with thirty-six blue steps alone.

Standing at the foot of the stairs, the palace feels majestic and solemn, extraordinary in its aura. Naturally, a sense of awe arises.

Even Xiao Wan, who frequents this place, looked solemn as she walked along the side of the stairs. Keep us going by reading on *.

Gao Xuan, on the other hand, didn't feel much; his spiritual power was formidable. Although the architecture here has a rich historical depth, it wasn't enough to shake his spirit.

But Yun Qingshang did seem somewhat reserved. The accumulated presence of the Xiao Clan's over two thousand years as a noble family truly exerted immense pressure.

Inside the main hall, some people were already cleaning the competition field.

Gao Xuan and his companions drew many eyes when they entered. However, no one approached to start a conversation.

Xiao Wan led Gao Xuan directly to the changing room, where she had already prepared a custom-made deep blue sword robe for him. This was also the standard sword robe of the Sword Dao Association.

Once Gao Xuan changed into the sword robe, Xiao Wan's eyes lit up. The loose deep blue sword robe looked exceptionally spirited and heroic on Gao Xuan.

Especially the stern and sharp aura between Gao Xuan's brows, even with his eyes closed, exuded a formidable presence.

No, with his eyes closed, he seemed even more mysteriously unfathomable, adding to his intimidating air.

"Excellent."

Xiao Wan was very satisfied with Gao Xuan's state. She took Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang back to the competition field.

"The mat is woven from special blood-sucking vines, tough as steel wire, capable of supporting high-intensity trampling and automatically absorbing blood stains..."

Since time was still available, Xiao Wan familiarized Gao Xuan with the competition venue.

At that moment, a beautiful woman walked over, smiled, and greeted Xiao Wan, "Sister Wan, this is the person you've recruited? He's really good looking. Sister Wan, you have a thing for pretty boys now? Good taste!"

She paused, and then, with some regret, said, "What a pity, he's blind."