Luoyun Town, outside Baiyun City.
The main hall of the Wu family was solemn and restrained. Bluestone pillars stood tall on both sides, and the atmosphere inside carried a hint of the tension preceding the upcoming selection.
Seated in the seat of honor was a middle-aged man dressed in a dark brocade robe.
He was Wu Zhenyue, Ye Ling’s maternal uncle and the head of the Wu family.
At this moment, his expression was calm as his gaze swept over the two young women standing below the dais, solemnly instructing them for the upcoming sect selection.
The rules of the sect selection were clear. The four major families in the city possessed deep foundations, each exclusively enjoying five participant slots every session.
For town-level minor families like the Wu family of Luoyun Town, there were only two slots.
The rogue cultivators within Baiyun City had three slots, while the surrounding towns each received one.
The Wu family’s only two slots had already been finalized.
The young woman standing on the left side of the hall was Wu Ruotong, Wu Zhenyue's eldest daughter and Ye Ling's maternal cousin. She was nineteen years old and at the Houtian Eighth Layer.
The woman on the right was a genius from a branch line of the Wu family. She was twenty years old, and her cultivation was likewise at the Houtian Eighth Layer.
Both were at the peak of the younger generation in Luoyun Town, carrying all of the Wu family's hopes of entering the sects.
Wu Zhenyue looked at the two in the hall, well aware of their limits.
Two Houtian Eighth Layer cultivators were simply not considered top-tier in Baiyun City's sect selection.
The four major families in the city were filled with geniuses, with no shortage of Houtian Ninth Layer talents. Relying solely on their strength to break into the top ranks offered slim hope.
However, in leading the team personally this time, he had two intentions.
First, he wanted the two juniors to experience the competition firsthand, witness the geniuses from all directions and the duels between experts, and accumulate experience, which would benefit their future cultivation.
Second, and his main personal motive for this trip, was to take the opportunity to visit his younger sister, who had long resided with the Ye family, as well as his niece, Ye Ling, whom he had not seen in over three years.
He wondered how that once-tender child was doing in the Ye family now, and how much her cultivation had progressed.
Thinking of this, a trace of warmth rose in the depths of Wu Zhenyue's eyes.
At noon the next day, the sun was warm and gentle, casting its warmth before the vermilion gates of the Ye family estate. A steady middle-aged figure, accompanied by a graceful and upright young woman, stopped in front of the Ye family gates.
The newcomers were indeed Wu Zhenyue and his eldest daughter, Wu Ruotong. Wu Zhenyue was dressed in an elegant brocade robe and carried a steady demeanor. He raised his hand to hand a visiting card to the gatekeeper, his manner polite.
Wu Ruotong curiously sized up the grand Ye family residence, speaking to her father in a low voice.
“Father, we haven't seen each other in over three years, and I've almost forgotten what Ling'er looks like. She has been cultivating in the Ye family all these years. I wonder what realm she has reached now.”
“When I see her later, as her older sister, I must test her properly.”
The young woman's tone carried a hint of curiosity, along with the scrutinizing air of an elder sister toward a junior.
Wu Zhenyue smiled faintly, his eyes filled with fondness for his niece.
“Don't underestimate Ling'er. That child has had a steady temperament since she was young. She is serious in her actions and has plenty of resilience.”
“Once she enters cultivation, she will definitely throw herself into it completely. With her personality, her progress is bound to be rapid. Perhaps in another two years, you won't even be able to compare to her.”
Hearing this, Wu Ruotong was not at all displeased. Instead, she giggled, her expression gentle and open.
“What does it matter if I can't compare to my younger cousin?” She paused, a sense of clarity shining in her eyes.
“My aptitude is average, so I probably won't be able to leave Baiyun City. But Ling'er is different. She has infinite possibilities.”
“If she truly soars to the heavens, I will only be happy for her.”
“The path I cannot walk, she will walk for me. In the future, maybe she can even give me a hand and show me the boundless world outside.”
The young woman was broad-minded, her heart full of hope that her cousin would rise rapidly.
Inside the Ye family estate, a gatekeeper quickly reported the news of the Wu family's arrival.
Ye Ling's father and mother were both delighted to hear this. Knowing that the brother they had not seen in years had come to visit with his daughter, they quickly sent someone to the small forest on the back mountain to call Ye Ling back from her cultivation.
After making the arrangements, Ye Ling's parents personally went out to the main gate to welcome them. After a round of warm greetings, everyone moved to the main hall and sat down according to their host and guest statuses. The fragrance of tea curled through the hall, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
After sitting for a while without seeing Ye Ling, Wu Ruotong could not help but ask, her eyes curved in a smile.
“Aunt, where is Cousin Ling'er? Why haven't I seen her?”
Ye Ling's mother's expression softened, her tone carrying a hidden pride and relief as she smiled and said,
“Your cousin has a steady temperament. She pours her entire heart into cultivation, practicing bitterly every day without a shred of laziness.”
“She has great talent. She is only fifteen this year, yet her cultivation has already reached the Houtian Tenth Layer.”
“I've already sent someone to call her. She should be here shortly.”
The moment these words were spoken, Wu Zhenyue, who was sitting in the guest seat, trembled violently. His pupils constricted sharply, the calm expression on his face instantly vanishing, replaced by utter shock.
Reaching the Houtian Tenth Layer at fifteen was something unheard of in Luoyun Town. Even in Baiyun City, which was teeming with geniuses, or even Heishui Commandery, she would be considered a top-tier genius seen only once in a century.
Most people who cultivated bitterly for over a decade would end up stuck at the Sixth or Seventh Layer. Even the carefully nurtured disciples of the four major families would become famous in their region if they could reach the Houtian Seventh Layer at fifteen.
One could not even begin to imagine how many years of struggle it would take to break through to the Tenth Layer.
On his way here, he had been thinking that if Ye Ling had managed to stabilize at the Houtian Sixth Layer after three years of bitter cultivation, it would already be quite good. He had never expected her to have surged directly to the Tenth Layer.
Beside him, Wu Ruotong's eyes widened. She had cultivated bitterly for many years and was only at the Houtian Eighth Layer at nineteen. Compared to her cousin, who was four years younger than her, the gap was simply too vast. Her heart was filled with sheer disbelief.
Ye Ling's mother took in the shocked expressions of her brother and niece, feeling secretly amused.
She had deliberately mentioned Ye Ling's cultivation level just now precisely to see this stunned reaction.
Just as everyone's minds were in a state of upheaval, steady footsteps echoed from the main entrance.
A young girl walked in. At fifteen years of age, her figure was tall and agile. Her dark hair was tied into a high ponytail, with a few stray strands falling over her forehead.
Her skin was fair, her features cool and elegant, and her eyes calm and devoid of childishness. She wore a tight-fitting black martial arts attire, and a long sword in a simple, ancient scabbard hung at her waist.
Stepping into the main hall with measured paces, she looked toward her uncle and cousin, whom she had not seen in a long time.
Wu Ruotong sized Ye Ling up from head to toe, her eyes filled with curiosity.
Three years ago, her cousin had still looked like a child, but now she was a slim and graceful young woman. Her steady temperament did not seem like that of a fifteen-year-old at all.
She could not help but smile. “Ling'er, you've changed so much. I almost didn't recognize you.”
Ye Ling bowed slightly in greeting, her voice clear and steady. “Uncle, Cousin, it has been many years.”
After speaking, she quietly stood to the side, neither humble nor arrogant, offering no unnecessary pleasantries.
In her past life, she had never been good at sweet-talking, and in this life, she still had not learned how.
Wu Zhenyue looked at his niece, his gaze filled with relief and satisfaction. This child was much taller than she had been three years ago, and her entire being exuded a sense of composure that set her completely apart from her peers.
He nodded and smiled. “Good, good. You are far better than your cousin.”
After speaking, he glanced at his daughter. Wu Ruotong did not mind at all, laughing along instead.
Beside them, Ye Ling's mother grinned from ear to ear, pulling Ye Ling's hand to have her sit down.
Ye Ling sat down as bidden. She did not speak much, simply listening to the elders chat. Only when she was occasionally asked a question would she give a brief reply.
After chatting for a while, Wu Zhenyue stood up to take his leave. He still had to arrange matters for the competition and could not stay long.
Before leaving, he patted Ye Ling's shoulder and said earnestly,
“Prepare well. Your uncle is waiting to see you shine brilliantly in the selection.”
Ye Ling nodded. “Do not worry, Uncle.”
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