Chapter 31: Are there still experts out there?

Once everyone had gathered, Zhao Leming entered with books in hand.This assessment was no different from previous ones.

However, it was also the last regular assessment.

Next month would bring the competition for sect assessment qualifications.

Starting from next month, actual combat would be incorporated.

Only actual combat could truly determine who would obtain the qualifications.

As for the rest, they needed to properly consider their future paths.

By next August, they would formally leave the Cloud Front Division and go their separate ways.

At this moment, everyone quietly awaited the assessment.

Jiang Man observed Luo Xuan and Cheng Yu, noticing that neither of them glanced in his direction.

Luo Xuan glanced at Fang Yong, while Cheng Yu took a couple more looks.

These were normal reactions, but Jiang Man couldn't quite determine which of the two had bigger issues.

He decided not to overthink it for now—securing first place was the priority.

As for Jiang Man's return, Zhao Leming at the front wasn't particularly surprised.

However, he was quite curious about how many points Jiang Man would score this time.

If he couldn't make it into the top three, then the problem would be serious.

The people from the sect would genuinely eliminate candidates.

Tokens could be used, but their use needed to demonstrate actual strength.

Otherwise, they wouldn't accept it.

Setting aside further thoughts, he distributed the books.

Two assessment subjects in one day concluded smoothly.

Luo Xuan and Cheng Yu walked back together.

On the way, Cheng Yu asked curiously, "Luo Xuan, did you really spend resources to get Jiang Man out?"

"No," Luo Xuan shook her head. "I was also surprised to hear that news, but I didn't pay it much mind. Since the other party didn't have that intention, I didn't need to do more."

"That was a great opportunity to win people over, and you just missed it?" Cheng Yu asked with a smile.

Luo Xuan shook her head. "I'm not that familiar with him. Using him was to block Fang Yong's progress, but getting myself involved would be more trouble than it's worth."

"Although he has some potential, based on his current performance, he doesn't seem like someone who would become a guard."

"I don't need to waste mental energy on him. There's only one thing I need to do now: maintain my ranking and secure a spot."

After parting ways with Luo Xuan, Cheng Yu frowned. "Originally everything was going smoothly, but both of them getting out is somewhat regrettable."

"I thought Luo Xuan had come to her senses and rescued Jiang Man early."

"It seems Luo Xuan really is giving up on Jiang Man."

"She still lacks vision—this is excellent guard material."

"Who wouldn't want to become a guard?"

"She just doesn't have the right methods yet."

Then Cheng Yu headed toward the Enforcement Division.

After making arrangements, she met with Chang Qiwen, who was being held inside.

"Miss Cheng, did I complete my mission?" he immediately asked.

Cheng Yu played with the long hair on her shoulder and smiled. "Failed."

Hearing this, Chang Qiwen immediately said, "How could that be?"

"It's not your fault—you did well enough. But you were too obvious in your actions, and with your qualification revoked, you won't be getting out anytime soon." After saying this, Cheng Yu changed the subject. "However, I can help you with all of this."

"There's a new mission now."

"Please speak, Young Lady," Chang Qiwen said respectfully.

"On the 15th of next month, make Luo Xuan or Fang Yong pay a sufficient price to get injured." Cheng Yu said with a smile. "I still want that sect assessment spot."

Chang Qiwen nodded respectfully. "It will be done."

Then Cheng Yu left.

However, she was hesitating about whether to approach Jiang Man.

But his situation hadn't reached that point yet.

Plus, she didn't know how he had gotten out, so she decided not to go.

She decided to wait for this ranking to come out.

If his ranking was near the top, that would be even better. As long as he agreed, there might be a spot for him.

Later, he could become a sharp blade for her.

Not cultivating such good guard material—Luo Xuan was still too aloof.

Chang Qiwen had also returned.

Everyone was somewhat astonished.

How exactly had he gotten out?

Even Jiang Man was surprised.

Did Young Master Yang pull strings?

He didn't really believe it.

But the other party was out.

However, one thing was certain: his ranking this time wouldn't be high.

Because he hadn't participated in yesterday's assessment.

But for Jiang Man, it didn't matter—whether the third-place contender participated or not made no difference to him.

Soon, today's assessment ended.

Tomorrow, the 17th, would be when the rankings were announced.

"When are you coming tomorrow?" Little Fatty asked as he approached Jiang Man.

Jiang Man shook his head. "I probably won't be able to come tomorrow. The rankings will be announced at noon—you'll know my ranking then."

"Is reaching tenth place difficult?" Little Fatty asked expectantly.

Jiang Man pondered briefly. "Difficult."

Little Fatty sighed. "That's fine too—getting close to the top ten isn't bad."

Jiang Man didn't explain further and returned to cultivate.

For now, he needed to accumulate enough cultivation to handle next month's actual combat.

He also needed to intensify his practice of techniques and then engage in actual combat training.

This latter part was somewhat troublesome.

He needed to find someone to spar with.

Either someone of similar strength, or he could pay someone.

After some thought, Jiang Man decided to try his luck at the Guard Station.

After all, others also needed combat experience—he could rent himself out.

"Are you going to learn the Visualization Method tomorrow?" Old Yellow Ox asked.

Jiang Man nodded. "Yes."

"If you can't learn it, remember to memorize the content—there will be opportunities later," Old Yellow Ox reminded.

Jiang Man understood.

One extremely important aspect of learning techniques was the explanation.

Techniques weren't something you could master just by looking—they were actually quite complex.

You needed someone to explain them, and then you needed to comprehend them yourself.

Only then could you understand the circulation pathways.

If you relied solely on your own comprehension, you wouldn't be able to get started.

There were very few such geniuses, and they required extensive foundational knowledge of techniques.

Jiang Man didn't have such a foundation, but as long as he could remember the content, he could still consult Old Yellow Ox.

Dawn arrived quickly.

A night of cultivation had left Jiang Man quite hungry.

He ate everything available.

If he failed today, there might not be a tomorrow.

He needed to adjust to his best condition.

Soon he arrived at the Technique Transmission Area.

Upon entering, he presented his token.

The guard was surprised but returned the token, saying, "Follow me."

Meanwhile.

At the Azure Cloud Pavilion's Sixth Courtyard.

Ranking papers were being distributed sheet by sheet.

Luo Xuan immediately checked the content on her paper.

November 17th.

Cloud Front Division, Azure Cloud Pavilion.

Rear Courtyard, Sixth Courtyard.

Name: Luo Xuan.

Rank: 2 (out of 26).

Cultivation: Sixth Level of Qi Refinement.

Technique Levels: Pure Dust Qi Refinement Method Eighth Layer, Spring Bright Blood Energy Method Fifth Layer, Simple Visualization Method Second Layer.

Resources Obtained: "Simple Qi Refining Method," "Simple Blood Qi Method," "Simple Visualization Method," "Divine Movement Steps," "Six Harmonies Palm," "Three Talents Force."

Plan: Practice eighty repetitions daily.

Score: 63.

Evaluation: Need to work harder to reclaim first place.

The moment she saw the content, Luo Xuan's pupils contracted.

Second?

She found it hard to believe—had Fang Yong surpassed her?

She had thought he would surpass her in December, not November.

This puzzled her.

At the same time, Fang Yong saw his ranking.

Third.

This shook him to his core.

Had Cheng Yu surpassed him?

Indeed, she was the one with the biggest issues.

Seeing that she remained in fourth place, Cheng Yu was surprised—was there another expert?

For a moment, the top-ranked individuals felt complex emotions, but none of them spoke up.