204: Chapter 204 Assessment

Dongfang Shuo followed the instructions previously given by Xiao Yuchen and told Mu Yunfeng about the conditions for Xiao Yuchen to join the Qingyun Sword Sect.

Mu Yunfeng naturally understood the intention behind Xiao Yuchen's actions and relayed these words to the Sect Master of the Qingyun Sword Sect.

Because when Mu Yunfeng had returned to the Sect earlier, he had already informed the Sect Master about Xiao Yuchen's desire to join the Qingyun Sword Sect and had received the Sect Master's affirmation.

Later, upon hearing that Xiao Yuchen actually had conditions, the Sect Master was somewhat surprised; after all, it was his first time hearing of someone setting conditions when joining the Qingyun Sword Sect.

However, if Xiao Yuchen was truly as formidable as Mu Yunfeng described, then it would not matter if he agreed to Xiao Yuchen's conditions.

But before he could agree, Elder Qing Feng voluntarily stepped forward. He was an Elder of the Inner Court and also Sun Jie's Master. He felt that Mu Yunfeng had been deceived, as it was impossible for someone in their twenties to reach the Void Refinement Stage.

Thus, he proactively requested the Sect Master to allow him to assess Xiao Yuchen's strength. If the other party truly possessed the cultivation of the Void Refinement Stage, then he would be willing to have the Sun Family cease hostilities and make reparations.

Conversely, if Xiao Yuchen's strength was fake, then Qingshan City would voluntarily admit defeat, cede territory as reparations, and transfer Qingshan Town to Jinghai City.

This Qingshan Town was Qingshan City's largest town, with a long history and rich mineral resources. Moreover, Qingshan Town was adjacent to Jinghai City, and the City Lord of Jinghai City had long wanted to take this territory for himself; this was also the purpose behind his constant provocation of war.

The most critical point was that once Qingshan Town was ceded, Qingshan City would be split into two disconnected parts. It would only be a matter of time before it was completely devoured; it could be said that annexing Qingshan City was the ultimate goal of Jinghai City.

"City Lord Dongfang, do not be agitated. Whether Xiao Yuchen is as formidable as you say is not for you to decide, nor is it for me. When he arrives, everything will be revealed."

"Although Sun Jie is my Disciple, I must also be responsible for the future of the Qingyun Sword Sect, so I naturally will not favor Sun Jie."

Hearing Elder Qing Feng say this, Dongfang Shuo muttered in his heart: "If you didn't have selfish motives, the Sect Master would have already agreed to Xiao Chen's conditions."

Dongfang Shuo could only think these words in his heart; he dared not say them aloud. Fortunately, he knew Xiao Yuchen's strength best, so even if Elder Qing Feng wanted to show favoritism, he would not be able to.

"Then I will have to trouble Elder Qing Feng. However, Xiao Chen has been gone for several days, and I do not know when he will return," Dongfang Shuo replied.

"It does not matter, we are not in a rush. Besides, we will be recruiting new Disciples in about ten days, so he will have to return eventually."

However, just as the voice faded, Xiao Yuchen appeared before the three of them. In fact, he had arrived long ago; he just wanted to see the attitude of the Qingyun Sword Sect.

Seeing Xiao Yuchen suddenly appear before him, Elder Qing Feng was shocked. With his Divine Sense, he had not sensed anyone in the vicinity at all.

"You... you are Xiao Yuchen?" Elder Qing Feng asked proactively.

"That is correct. Didn't you want to assess my abilities? Make your move. In front of me, as long as you can draw your sword, I will consider my assessment a failure."

Xiao Yuchen could naturally see that this old man had selfish motives. Since the other party wanted to favor Sun Jie, he naturally would not give him a pleasant expression.

Hearing Xiao Yuchen's words, the old man was burning with rage. For the sake of the Sect, he could guarantee fairness and impartiality, but Xiao Yuchen was so young yet so arrogant; even the Sect Master would not dare to speak like that.

"Mu Yunfeng, this is the kid you appreciate? He is so arrogant and does not know how to restrain himself. I am somewhat disappointed; such a personality is destined not to go far on the path of cultivation."

Hearing Qing Feng's words, Mu Yunfeng felt somewhat awkward. Previously, Xiao Yuchen had always been very low-key, and he did not understand why the other party would say such things. To make a Body Integration Middle Stage expert unable to draw their own sword, perhaps only a Void Tempering expert could achieve that.

"Is that so? Someone as short-sighted as you seems destined to stop here as well," Xiao Yuchen said bluntly, retorting immediately.

"You rascal! I want to see exactly how much weight you carry to dare speak to me like that."

As he spoke, Qing Feng directly took out his sword. However, a shocking scene occurred: he really could not draw his sword.

"This... what is going on? What did you do to my sword?"

Qing Feng was greatly alarmed. Normally, if a Void Tempering expert released their Aura, it could make him unable to move an inch, or even unable to draw his sword. But now, he did not feel any Aura pressure, and the Spiritual Qi within his body had not encountered any obstruction, yet he simply could not draw his sword.

"Your sword has been in your Storage Ring the entire time and was only just taken out. Do you think I had the opportunity to tamper with it? Have you never heard of the Unity of Man and Sword?"

That's right, Xiao Yuchen had used the Unity of Man and Sword. He could not only control his own sword but also control others' swords at will.

"Unity of Man and Sword? You have already reached the Realm of the Unity of Man and Sword?" Qing Feng exclaimed.

"What do you think?"

Xiao Yuchen did not answer, but the sword in Qing Feng's hand flew toward Xiao Yuchen uncontrollably.

"Didn't you want to assess me? Today, I will let you witness a real Sword Technique."

Following a sword hum, Qing Feng's sword seemed to possess a sword spirit, constantly weaving through the air. Streaks of invisible Sword Qi took form in the air, resembling a Dragon, a tiger, and a leopard.

As the saying goes, laymen watch the spectacle, while experts watch the technique. Although Xiao Yuchen just stood there quietly, Qing Feng and Mu Yunfeng were already completely convinced.

Ten minutes later, Qing Feng's sword returned to its scabbard on its own and made no further movement.

"How was my Sword Technique? Did I pass Elder Qing Feng's assessment?"

After a long while, Qing Feng finally came back to his senses, knelt on one knee before Xiao Yuchen, and said very respectfully: "Young Master Xiao's sword is the best in the world. It was this old man who was blind; please forgive me, Young Master Xiao."

Qing Feng was completely convinced. His previous perspective had been too narrow, which was why his own Sword Technique had been unable to make any progress. Upon witnessing Xiao Yuchen's Sword Intent, it was as if he had been enlightened, and he gained many insights.

"Get up. You are Sun Jie's Master?" Xiao Yuchen asked.

"Yes, but rest assured, I will not favor him. I will have Jinghai City end the war with Qingshan City and have them make the corresponding reparations," Qing Feng promised quickly.

However, upon hearing Qing Feng's words, Xiao Yuchen shook his head. "Your Disciple does not seem very loyal to you; he is now a traitor to the Qingyun Sword Sect."

"What? Why do you say that?"

If anyone else dared to slander his Disciple like this, Qing Feng would likely have been furious with shame and anger long ago. Although he usually favored his Disciples, he was particularly strict on matters of principle.

"I previously bought a divine crystal stone at an auction and was targeted by two Elders from Fire Cloud Valley. They wanted to kill me and seize the treasure, but I killed them instead."

"So, I have been wandering outside these past few days because I knew people from Fire Cloud Valley would come again. Sure enough, just a moment ago, Fire Cloud Valley dispatched three more Elders—it seems they were the Third Elder, Fourth Elder, and Fifth Elder."

"The three of them came to cause trouble for me, and I taught them a lesson. To save their lives, these three sold me a piece of information."

Xiao Yuchen repeated what Fourth Elder Huoming had said earlier. However, upon hearing Xiao Yuchen say this, the three people present were shocked beyond measure.