"Passable."
After carefully examining the formation disk, Jiugong Zhenren finally uttered these two words, cherishing them like gold.
Yang Mei's delicate face turned pale as she heard the evaluation. Her body swayed precariously, and despair washed over her like a tidal wave.
She knew her talent wouldn't be enough to be noticed by the Xuanji Gate.
She had disappointed the senior.
Xu Yi initially smiled, ready to congratulate Yang Mei, but upon noticing her distress, she immediately reached out and supported her.
"Yang Mei, you can call me Master now."
"Master? Master?"
Yang Mei's eyes widened abruptly. She gripped Xu Yi's arm tightly.
Xu Yi explained, "Don't be scared. Jiugong Zhenren saying 'passable' means he is very satisfied with you."
When she had first sought guidance from Jiugong Zhenren, he had been stern and sat stiffly, making her believe he didn't welcome her visits.
Only later did she realize that this was Jiugong Zhenren's usual demeanor. If he disliked someone, he wouldn't even speak to them.
Yang Mei receiving his "passable" evaluation meant he was willing to accept her as a disciple.
Yang Mei glanced hesitantly at Jiugong Zhenren, who remained with his gaze fixed forward. She bit her lip and whispered, "Greetings… Master."
After speaking, she nervously clenched her lower lip.
Seeing Jiugong Zhenren nod, her eyes instantly blazed with a bright light, and she felt a dizzying sensation.
She had truly done it.
Xu Yi gently patted her shoulder, "You must cultivate diligently under Jiugong Zhenren from now on."
"Yes! I will!"
Yang Mei nodded without hesitation.
This was a chance to change her destiny, and she would seize it tightly.
After offering Yang Mei a few more words of encouragement, Xu Yi handed her over to Jiugong Zhenren and turned her attention to the taciturn man standing behind Elder Qingfeng.
"Lu Zaiye."
Xu Yi's smile widened.
She reckoned she had spent the most time with Lu Zaiye, apart from the elders.
When they were chased by the Wuzuyu and forced to separate, Xu Yi knew Lu Zaiye should be safe, but confirming his well-being with her own eyes would bring her greater peace of mind.
"Master... Xu Yi."
Lu Zaiye's unfinished "Grandmaster Ancestor" was abruptly changed to her name under Xu Yi's slight frown.
Xu Yi circled him twice and nodded with satisfaction, "You're already in the early stage of Nascent Soul Departure. Not bad."
When they separated, Lu Zaiye was still in the late stage of Nascent Soul.
"Compared to you, I'm still far behind," Lu Zaiye said earnestly, staring at Xu Yi.
Xu Yi's heart trembled under his sharp, penetrating gaze, and a strange feeling suddenly bloomed within her.
However, before she could understand the source of this feeling, Xiong Zhuangzhuang's hearty voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Xu Yi! Haha! I knew you'd be fine!"
Xiong Zhuangzhuang had deliberately waited until Xu Yi had finished greeting others and was speaking with Lu Zaiye before running over.
"If I'm alive and kicking, how could I possibly be in trouble?"
Xu Yi tilted her chin up playfully.
"Haha, it's good that you're alright. My contracted beast, Xiong Da, has recovered. This time, I'll have a proper match with you."
"Xiong Zhuangzhuang, ambition is good, but if you want to beat me, you'll probably need a few more years of cultivation."
"Hahahaha, what you're saying now doesn't count. We'll settle it on the competition stage then."
Xiong Zhuangzhuang's hearty laughter carried far, making it clear to onlookers that he and Xu Yi were close.
Long Haotian and Chen Tao, along with Wang Yi'an, stood together. Upon seeing this, they couldn't help but let out a snort.
What a woman, attracting attention everywhere.
Not far away, a shadow flickered in Yin Li's narrow phoenix eyes.
"The second round of the Nascent Soul Departure disciples' competition is about to begin. Disciple numbers one and two, please proceed to competition platform one..."
Xu Yi had only exchanged a few laughs with Xiong Zhuangzhuang, and the second round of matches had already begun.
Xu Yi stepped onto competition platform seventeen according to her new number plate and froze again.
"You are that..."
"Senior Sister Xu, my name is Hong Shengyi."
The woman in red offered Xu Yi a smile that was uglier than crying, secretly lamenting her bad luck.
"Yes, Hong Shengyi, I remember now."
Xu Yi recalled that Hong Shengyi had been watching when she competed against Lu Zi'ang at Xuanqing Sect. Xu Yi had been impressed by her striking red attire.
"Senior Sister Xu, please be merciful."
After a moment of thought, Hong Shengyi immediately chose to bow to Xu Yi.
Since there was already a Lu Zi'ang, even if she lost face, it would be shared with Lu Zi'ang.
Xu Yi raised an eyebrow and then chuckled, "No problem, no problem."
It was just going easy on her. Familiarity breeds ease.
"Thank you, Senior Sister Xu!"
Hong Shengyi happily retrieved her Emei thorns.
With Xu Yi's assurance, she was confident she would do her best to display her most beautiful side on the competition stage.
"Senior Sister Xu, here I come."
Hong Shengyi's eyes sharpened as she launched an attack on Xu Yi. Her crimson gown danced gracefully on the competition stage, a pleasing sight.
Many cultivators in the arena turned their attention to the two, occasionally cheering loudly.
Only the highly cultivated seniors and the disciples of Xuanqing Sect could discern the subtle interplay between the two.
Elder Qingfeng looked towards the Xuanqing Sect direction, pondering if his Grandmaster Ancestor had a good relationship with the people from Xuanqing Sect and if there was any room for maneuvering.
Qiu Yuanfeng's gaze also fell upon Xu Yi, his eyes flickering, making it impossible to guess his thoughts.
And behind him, the figure of Qiu Tianying was no longer present.
"Boom!"
A sudden, loud sound erupted from the competition stage.
Even the disciples on other platforms were affected, involuntarily casting their gazes over.
On competition platform number two.
Yun Ling'er swallowed her saliva, her eyes fixed on the deep pit about a foot away. She solemnly raised her hand and shouted, "I concede!"
Too terrifying.
She looked back at the petite, innocent-looking female cultivator opposite her, who held an iron hammer taller than herself, her back chilling.
She couldn't imagine what it would be like if that hammer had landed on her.
She had dodged this hammer, but she had no confidence in dodging the next one.
For the sake of her own life, she chose to surrender.
"Competition platform number two, Yu Xiaoyu wins."
"I'm sorry!"
As the elder from Ten Thousand Buddha Sect announced the result of the match, Yu Xiaoyu's apologetic voice sounded simultaneously.
Yun Ling'er had already intended to jump off the platform. Seeing Yu Xiaoyu holding her hammer with a worried expression, as if she might cry at any moment.
She couldn't help but step forward and affectionately pinch Yu Xiaoyu's cheek.
"This is a competition, why are you apologizing to me? You're very strong, keep up the good work."
Tsk, the texture felt good.
Yu Xiaoyu looked up at her in surprise, then broke into a smile, "Okay."
After getting her fill of touching, Yun Ling'er gracefully jumped off the stage.
The disciples of Xuanji Gate showed no objection to her act of conceding. Instead, they crowded around her, cheering loudly in comfort.
Surrounded by the disciples, Yun Ling'er's smile was bright and radiant, making Yu Xiaoyu on the competition stage extremely envious.