When everyone arrived outside the Liu Family gates and saw the recruitment standards and testing process of the Yaochi Immortal Palace on the notice...
Some frowned in deep thought, some scratched their heads in frustration, and some looked around; everyone's expression was different.
Many people began to discuss in low voices:
"Five to six stars to enter the Outer Sect? Six to eight-stars for the Inner Sect? Nine stars for a Core Disciple? These standards are unheard of!"
"What is a'star'? Haven't other Sects always screened by Spiritual Root in the past? Could this be a new method of spiritual testing?"
"Yaochi Immortal Palace... just what kind of sacred place is it? To dare to recruit Disciples in Qingyang City with such fanfare?"
"What kind of luck did the Liu Family strike? To be able to connect with such a mysterious Sect!"
Doubt, curiosity, shock, jealousy, desire... all sorts of emotions fermented in every corner of Qingyang City.
Whether they were Loose Cultivators, juniors from small Families, or ordinary people, as long as they had children of the right age in their homes, they were all eager to move.
Even if many people didn't understand what that "star" evaluation standard actually was.
But words like "Immortal Palace" and "Recruitment" were enough to ignite the deepest desires in everyone's hearts.
After all, who wouldn't want to join a cultivation Sect and pursue the path of seeking the Dao and longevity?
Moreover, just hearing the name Yaochi Immortal Palace, one knew it was extraordinary.
The Liu Family was truly pushed to the forefront this time.
Meanwhile, at the Lin Family residence, in the meeting hall.
The atmosphere here was so heavy it felt as if it could drip water.
The Lin Family Old Ancestor, Lin Zhentian, an old man with a gloomy face and a hooked nose, was at the Late Nascent Soul stage.
At this moment, he was sitting upright in the main seat, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest.
Seated below were several Core Elders of the Lin Family, as well as a handsome young man—it was Lin Fan.
He was about twenty years old and already at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage, making him top-tier among the Lin Family's younger generation.
But compared to Liu Ruyan's current Realm at the Peak of the Middle Stage Foundation Establishment, he paled in comparison.
"Liu Family... Yaochi Immortal Palace..."
Lin Zhentian's voice was hoarse,
"Have you investigated thoroughly?"
"That woman brought back by Liu Ruyan, what exactly is her cultivation level?
"And what is the background of that Yaochi Immortal Palace?"
A middle-aged man slowly stood up; he was the current head of the Lin Family, Lin Hai, and also Lin Feng's father.
He shook his head with an ugly expression:
"In reply to Father, that person's aura is unfathomable. My cultivation cannot detect it at all. I speculate she is at least at the Soul Transformation Stage."
"As for the Yaochi Immortal Palace, among the known top-tier forces in the Southern Region, there is no such name."
"It is highly likely... to be some hidden Sect or from another region."
"A hidden Sect? An external force?"
Another Elder at the Late Golden Core Stage frowned,
"Then why did they suddenly appear in the Southern Region and choose a small place like Qingyang City? And why did they happen to get involved with the Liu Family?"
"It's because of Liu Ruyan!"
Lin Fan couldn't help but speak, his tone carrying a hint of bitterness and unease that even he hadn't noticed,
"It must be that woman joined that Immortal Palace, and now she's back to show off and suppress my Lin Family!"
Lin Zhentian glanced at his grandson, a flash of disappointment in his eyes.
"Suppress?"
Lin Zhentian sighed softly and said slowly:
"Just an accompanying Elder has a cultivation level we cannot see through; they might not necessarily care about our Lin Family."
"Their move seems more like... placing a piece at random, just casting a wide net."
He saw things more clearly, but also felt more powerless.
In the face of absolute strength, any calculation appeared pale.
He had originally planned to use the excuse of Liu Ruyan's marriage rejection to cause trouble and gradually encroach upon the Liu Family.
But now it seemed that this plan was likely to fall through.
"Father, then how should we respond now?"
"Are we just going to watch as the Liu Family uses this momentum to completely ride over our Lin Family's head?"
Lin Hai asked with some reluctance.
Lin Zhentian was silent for a long time, then sighed,
"Tomorrow during the spiritual testing, I will personally take Fan'er there."
"Firstly, to see what kind of miraculous thing this 'heaven-observing stone' is, and whether it can really test that so-called'star-level' Aptitude. Secondly..."
He turned his gaze to Lin Fan, with a hint of expectation and scrutiny:
"Fan'er, you should also go and test yourself then!"
"If you can be selected, it would also be a good chance to go and probe the reality of that Yaochi Immortal Palace."
Lin Fan heard this, and his heart tightened, followed by a surge of competitive spirit.
What Liu Ruyan could do, he, Lin Fan, might not necessarily be unable to!
He nodded vigorously: "I understand!"
The Zhao Family and other small and medium-sized forces were also watching in secret, each with their own plans.
Some wanted to befriend the Liu Family, while others wanted to test the depth of the Yaochi Immortal Palace.
Even more people held a slim hope that their own children would be selected and soar to the heavens.
Three days passed quickly amidst the city-wide agitation.
The Liu Family's efficiency was astonishing; under Liu Beichuan's personal supervision, a Spiritual Testing Platform was erected.
On the morning of the fourth day, as the sky was just beginning to brighten, the square in front of the Liu residence was already packed with people.
A dense crowd, from children of five or six to old men in their seventies or eighties... and even some Cultivators watching the excitement and spies from various forces... there were thousands of people!
The noise, discussions, and children's crying intertwined, making it incredibly lively.
On a high platform in front of the Spiritual Testing Platform, Yun Yun sat in the main seat, her face calm and rippleless, as if the sea of people before her had nothing to do with her.
She wore a plain white dress, her black hair like a waterfall, tied up with only a white jade hairpin, the rest draped over her shoulders.
The faint morning light fell on her exquisite side profile, outlining a delicate and cold silhouette.
Her eyes were as clear as autumn water, yet deep as if they could contain everything, and her gaze carried the elegant demeanor of one who had long held a high position.
Below the platform, countless gazes were involuntarily drawn to her figure.
"That... is the Senior brought back by the Liu Family's eldest Young Miss? So... so beautiful!"
Someone whispered in amazement, their voice filled with unbelievable shock.
"More than just beautiful! That temperament... she's like a Fairy walking out of a painting!"
An older Loose Cultivator murmured, his eyes full of awe,
"Look at her, she's clearly sitting there, yet she seems to blend into her surroundings. This level of Realm is at least the Soul Transformation Stage."
"The Liu Family has really... climbed a high branch this time."
Someone commented sourly, but most were filled with passion and expectation.
Liu Beihai, Liu Beichuan, and other high-ranking members of the Liu Family sat on both sides, their expressions both excited and nervous, their chests heaving slightly.
Today, Liu Ruyan had changed into the standard Disciple attire of the Yaochi Immortal Palace, with faint cloud patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs.
She appeared pure and extraordinary, her temperament outstanding, a completely different person from before.
She stood quietly by the Spiritual Testing Platform, maintaining order along with several Liu Family managers, her eyes calmly scanning the dense crowd below.
"The time has come!"
Liu Ruyan took a deep breath, channeled her spiritual power, and her voice spread clearly throughout the square,
"The spiritual testing begins now!"
"Anyone who is interested, please come forward in order and place your hand on the 'heaven-observing stone'!"
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