Dong!

Amidst the bustling crowd, a melodious chime suddenly rang out from somewhere, causing the entire square to fall silent. Soon, everyone saw several figures emerge in succession and take their seats on the high platform in the north that had been erected long ago.

Among these people, Yun Xiao also spotted a familiar figure, the Vice President of the Meridian Refining Master Association, Qian Sanyuan, a prominent figure who had once attended the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference on the Hidden Dragon Continent and extended an invitation to him.

"It seems that Qian Sanyuan has broken through to the Heavenly Rank Third Realm!"

Though he was quite far away, Yun Xiao, with his sensing ability, could still faintly sense that Qian Sanyuan's aura was vastly different from when they were on the Tenglong Continent. Even the Power of Soul was oppressively strong to their Earth Rank souls from such a distance.

Yun Xiao knew that his sister Yun Wei had once given Qian Sanyuan a Heavenly Breath Pill; apparently, within these two years, Qian Sanyuan had refined and absorbed its power, allowing him to break through suddenly.

This was also the first Heavenly Rank Expert Yun Xiao had encountered since his rebirth, besides Shen Xingmou and Yun Wei. The extreme oppression made it impossible for him to summon the slightest thought of resistance. Fortunately, his relationship with Qian Sanyuan was cordial, so he wasn't worried about any sudden trouble from him.

On the high platform, Vice President Qian Sanyuan sat at the forefront, and behind him was the Dean of the Heavenly Poison Hospital, the Great Elder Qingmu Wu. This person, a genuine Low-level Heavenly Poison Vein Master, was only slightly lower in status than Qian Sanyuan, but in terms of Meridian Qi Cultivation and Meridian Refining Technique, he was not inferior to Qian Sanyuan.

Further back was, naturally, the Second Elder of Lianyun Mountain, the Dean of the Heavenly Hospital, Guan Rufeng. In Lianyun Mountain, the elusive Chairman had been absent for years, so Vice President Qian Sanyuan had been overseeing the situation with Qingmu Wu and Guan Rufeng managing the Heavenly Hospital and Sky Poison Institute, respectively, without any incidents.

But looking at the positions of Qingmu Wu and Guan Rufeng, it was clear that the Dean of the Sky Poison Institute was much more dominant. After all, Guan Rufeng was only a Half-step Heavenly Rank Expert, and his Meridian Refining Technique hadn't reached the Low-level Heavenly Rank, making him a notch below Qingmu Wu.

The triennial Lianyun Mountain disciple selection was an opportunity for both the medical and poisonous factions of Lianyun Mountain to absorb fresh blood. Just like the Jade Pot Sect before, there were times when they would have intense debates over a highly talented Meridian Master, with Qian Sanyuan playing a role similar to what the Sect Master Yu Shu had back then.

But now Yu Shu was merely a participant in the selection. Thinking of this, he couldn't help feeling quite emotional, glancing at the coarse-clad boy beside him, recalling how the medical and poisonous factions of the Jade Pot Sect almost fought over this boy.

Dong!

Another clear chime sounded, and this time Qian Sanyuan didn't sit down. As his right arm lifted and the venue quieted down completely, he then spoke in a resonant voice.

"Welcome, all Meridian Masters, to participate in our Lianyun Mountain disciple selection. I am Qian Sanyuan, the humble Vice President of the Meridian Refining Master Association, and I will be presiding over this disciple selection!"

Qian Sanyuan seemed well-practiced at presiding over these selections at Lianyun Mountain, speaking fluently. With the elusive Chairman often absent, these tasks naturally fell to him.

Neither Qingmu Wu nor Guan Rufeng were suitable to preside, as they were both too biased, likely wanting to recruit any talented person into their own factions.

In fact, once Meridian Masters reach the Spiritual Rank, they generally choose a stream of Meridian Refining Technique to practice, be it the Poison Vein path, Medical Vein path, or even Beast Vein path. Few on this continent shine brightly in multiple streams.

Therefore, the Lianyun Mountain disciple selection, compared to the Jade Pot Sect's disciple evaluation back then, might not have as much conflict. For instance, Qingmu Wu, the Dean of the Sky Poison Institute, would prioritize those specialized in the Poison Meridian Path first.

Those Medical Pulse Masters with outstanding talent in the Medical Vein would achieve limited success if forcibly drawn into the Poison Vein faction. Qingmu Wu wouldn't bother offending the people from the Heavenly Hospital over such matters.

"This Lianyun Mountain disciple selection consists of three rounds, and although many of you might already know the process, Mr. Qian will still run through it once more. Firstly, the first round!"

Qian Sanyuan spoke eloquently, and after his words fell, he brushed his hand across his Waist Storage, and then a scroll was thrown into the air. As his handprints changed, the scroll unfurled, appearing to have some words written on it.

Strangely, the scroll had no support, nor was it tethered like a kite, just floating quietly in the air. Those Meridian Masters who realized what it was showed looks of astonishment and envy on their faces.

"Sky Force!"

The Meridian Masters who came for the Lianyun Mountain disciple evaluation were well-informed. Even if some hadn't sensed that Qian Sanyuan was a Heavenly Rank Third Realm Expert earlier, no doubts remained after witnessing this.

A powerful cultivator who reached the Heavenly Rank Third Realm had a special designation, "Heavenly King," signifying their status as kings of the Cultivation World—a respectful title acknowledging their strength.

Heavenly King level experts could not only manipulate Sky Force to fly off the ground, but also, like now, use it to suspend a scroll mid-air, a capability many Earth Rank cultivators dreamed of attaining.

Unfortunately, cultivators who have not reached the Heavenly Rank Third Realm cannot possess such means. Unless it is an ancient divine artifact like the Dragon Taming Sword, they can at most hover in the air for a moment before falling down.

"This scroll lists ten types of herbs, and the first test is for you to find all ten types within a month from Lianyun Mountain. If you succeed, you pass the first round. Otherwise, if you fail to find them all or exceed the time limit, you will be eliminated and cannot enter the second round!"

Qian Sanyuan's voice echoed throughout the entire square. Whether they knew the rules of the first round or not, all eyes were focused on the giant scroll hanging in the air, afraid of missing a single word on it.

"This first round of assessment is indeed quite comprehensive!"

With Yun Xiao's sharp eyes, he quickly memorized the ten herbs listed on the scroll and felt that more than half of the participants in the first round of the Lianyun Mountain disciple selection would be eliminated.

This is not merely assessing a Meridian Refining Master's knowledge of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures but also requires a certain amount of luck and strength. For example, some special Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures are certainly guarded by powerful Vein Demons. To obtain these, one must first defeat the guarding Vein Demons.

Though ten Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures are not many and a month's time is long enough, Lianyun Mountain is vast. Finding all ten within a month is not an easy task.

Moreover, Qian Sanyuan seemed to know that some people present came from first-class forces, even superpowers like the Spirit Fighting Commerce, and carried many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. Yet, many had never even heard the names of the treasures on the scroll.

Yun Xiao even wondered if a few of these ten Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were specially prepared in advance by the Meridian Refining Master Association, such that even someone like Li Gongnian from the Spirit Fighting Commerce wouldn't be able to take out identical items from their Waist Storage.

"I declare that the first round of this Lianyun Mountain disciple selection officially begins. I await your successful return!"

Qian Sanyuan didn't drag it out. Seeing everyone had memorized the names of the herbs on the scroll, he put it away and shouted loudly.

With the Vice President's words, the numerous Meridian Refining Masters gathered on the square dispersed like a tide. Everyone knew that finding all ten herbs was not easy, and time was of the essence.

A moment later, the massive square of Lianyun Mountain, which was just crowded, was now empty, except for the branch chairpersons from various cities and the talented elders of Lianyun Mountain itself. All the Meridian Refining Masters who came for the selection rushed into Lianyun Mountain, beginning the first round of assessment.

...

"Haha, Miss Ningxiang, Master Xue is truly a busy person!"

As the crowd below dispersed, Qian Sanyuan sat back in his chair and turned his gaze to Xue Ningxiang beside him, with an underlying meaning in his words.

In fact, Lianyun Mountain's disciple selection, held every three years, always invites forces with good relations. However, the leaders of these forces do not always come to watch. They usually send elders of slightly lower status.

But this time, Xuanyin Hall sent the daughter of the Hall Master, which piqued the curiosity of the elders of the Meridian Refining Master Association. So, when they heard Qian Sanyuan speak, they all turned their attention to him.

"Father had some matters, so he couldn't come!"

Xue Ningxiang, somewhat resentful of Qian Sanyuan, replied stiffly. As for the reason, the elders of Lianyun Mountain chose to ignore it.

"Did Miss Ningxiang personally come for Yun Xiao?"

Qian Sanyuan, being experienced, understood Xue Ningxiang's thoughts, and couldn't help but feel a mischievous desire, bringing up the very topic she might not want to discuss.

Back at the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference, Qian Sanyuan and Xue Ningxiang had a verbal spat over Yun Xiao. Though it didn't severely damage their relationship, Qian's words now seemed somewhat smug to Xue Ningxiang.

"Yun Xiao?"

Upon hearing this name, Qingmu Wu, the Dean of Sky Poison Institute, narrowed his eyes. He had heard the name "Yun Xiao" before and knew this young man from Hidden Dragon Continent seemed to have some connection with his newly favored disciple, so his interest was piqued.

Now, after hearing Qian Sanyuan's question, Qingmu Wu realized that the young man named Yun Xiao not only had a close relationship with Liu Hanyi but also appeared to be closely connected with the daughter of the Xuanyin Hall's Hall Master.