The crowd began to stir again under the weight of shock and dread, yet the atmosphere had utterly changed.
Gone was the earlier clamor and restlessness; everyone now stood in perfect order, eyes brimming with reverence as they gazed at the high platform.
The two Nascent Soul Elders from first-rate Sects had been swatted away like insignificant flies.
The might of Yaochi Immortal Palace had been branded—directly and ruthlessly—onto every heart in Qingyang City.
Like a hurricane, the news swept outward from Qingyang City in all directions.
"Mysterious powerhouse appears in Qingyang City! Suspected to be at Fusion or beyond!"
"Feiyun Sect's Immortal Master Yunhe and Qingshan Sect's Immortal Master Tiesong erased with a single finger!"
"Yaochi Immortal Palace—a reclusive Sect no one had ever heard of! Its Vice Palace Master's cultivation reaches the heavens!"
"The Liu Family has latched onto an incredible backer! Public Spiritual Root testing to select Disciples!"
In an instant, rumors of every kind spread and clashed.
Some claimed Yaochi Immortal Palace was a hermit Sect of the Southern Region, others that it came from beyond... The eyes of countless nearby powers turned toward the once-unremarkable Qingyang City.
High above, Yun Yun still sat quietly, sipping tea as though the storm outside had nothing to do with her.
Only when Liu Ruyan occasionally glanced at her did the awe hidden deep in her eyes prove what had happened was no dream.
The testing continued in a strange, solemn hush.
With Yun Yun's terrifying might present, no one dared the slightest mischief.
As the sun tilted westward, the first day's testing neared its end.
Besides Lin Fan,
Qingyang City and its surroundings produced only eight outer-court candidates, and merely two inner-court prospects—Zhao Linger and the little girl suspected to possess an Innate Sword Physique.
The result far exceeded Liu Ruyan's expectations.
She knew that as news spread, even better seedlings from farther afield would arrive in the coming days.
"That concludes today; we continue tomorrow."
Liu Ruyan announced.
Under the guidance of Liu guards, the crowd dispersed in mixed moods.
But legends of Yaochi Immortal Palace and the white-robed Vice Palace Master would boil through the night.
On the platform Yun Yun rose, nodded slightly to Liu Beihai:
"Family Head Liu, thank you for today's efforts."
"These preliminary candidates still need their Heart-Nature observed; we'll decide after the seven days are up."
"Yes! I obey Senior's arrangements!"
Liu Beihai bowed hurriedly.
Yun Yun turned her gaze to Liu Ruyan:
"Ruyan, come with me."
Their figures flickered, vanishing from the platform; an instant later they stood in a quiet garden within the Liu estate.
"Vice Palace Master." Liu Ruyan stood respectfully.
Watching the sunset clouds gather, Yun Yun spoke slowly:
"Today's events were foreseen by the Palace Master."
"Now that the Immortal Palace is established, perpetual secrecy is impossible; a little storm is nothing to fear."
She turned to Liu Ruyan, approval in her eyes:
"Your performance today was excellent."
"Focus carefully in the coming days: Heart-Nature first, potential second."
"Disciple understands."
Liu Ruyan nodded emphatically.
She knew that after this, the name Yaochi Immortal Palace had begun to shine.
And her Family would greet a brand-new beginning.
Night deepened, yet Qingyang City was destined for a sleepless night.
At the same time, in the Main Hall of Yaochi Immortal Palace.
Gu Han had a mirror floating before her, showing everything that had happened at Qingyang City's testing platform.
She watched Yun Yun's casual finger that silently obliterated two Late Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators, saw the crowd's stunned silence, Liu Ruyan's composure and orderly follow-up... "Beautifully done."
"Yun Yun judged it perfectly—might established without excess show."
Gu Han chuckled and was about to put the mirror away.
Yet the System's prompt made her eyes turn sharp.
[Warning! Karma fluctuation related to this incident detected!]
[Core figures of 'Feiyun Sect' and 'Qingshan Sect' (Yunhe, Tiesong) have fallen; their Sects are suspected to be relaying information to backers or higher powers.]
[Probability of follow-up chain reactions within three days: 47.8%.]
[Risk note: Passively waiting for trouble contradicts the conduct code of the Strongest Sect System Host. Advise proactive move to expand Yaochi Immortal Palace influence.]
"Oh?"
Gu Han arched a brow, showing not worry but a curious, cold smile.
"System, you mean merely establishing prestige isn't enough?"
"We have to make them truly feel pain, to remember that Yaochi Immortal Palace is someone they absolutely cannot provoke?"
[Bingo! Host catches on at once!]
[Main quest triggered: Thunderous Counter, First Display of Immortal Might!]
[Quest content: Dispatch capable personnel to personally deliver 'appropriate' intimidation to 'Feiyun Sect' and 'Qingshan Sect'.]
[Quest reward: Innate Spiritual Root—one enlightenment tea tree!]
[Kind reminder: enlightenment tea tree—legendary treasure; a single leaf can induce Epiphany.]
"enlightenment tea tree?" Gu Han's eyes blazed.
It was an Innate Spiritual Root, a thing of legend!
To a Sect, such a treasure that could benefit Elders and Disciples and raise Comprehension Ability was beyond price!
"Since they've stuck out their claws and still don't know when to stop, sending someone to clear their heads isn't too much, right?"
[Not too much at all! Entirely reasonable! System raises both hands and feet in favor!]
Gu Han's Divine Sense swept the whole Yaochi Immortal Palace; she pondered briefly and already had her candidate.
"Fu Shan!"
Her voice was not loud, yet it seemed to pierce through space.
Inside his Immortal Cave, the Fushan Ape King, who was drinking, shivered; the jar nearly slipped from his grasp.
He hurriedly set it down, flashed, and appeared outside the Main Hall, respectfully answering:
"Palace Master! Fu Shan is here!"
"Come in."
Fu Shan strode inside, bowed upon seeing Gu Han:
"Palace Master, what are your orders?"
"Fu Shan, I have a task for you."
Gu Han's tone was calm but carried unquestionable authority.
"Palace Master, speak! Fu Shan will handle it flawlessly!"
Fu Shan thumped his chest with loud bangs.
"Two Sects near Qingyang City sent people to disrupt the testing. Though Vice Palace Master Yun has dealt with them,"
"I feel they may not have learned their lesson."
A fierce glint flashed in Fu Shan's eyes:
"Such nerve? Palace Master, shall I wipe the two Sects out?"
Gu Han shook her head at his words.
"We are reasonable. Go personally to the locations of Feiyun Sect and Qingshan Sect."
"No need to kill; you only need... to let them understand the gap."
"If their mountain-guarding formations are active, just 'lightly' tap them so they know it can't stop you."
Fu Shan's eyes lit up—he understood!
This was to demonstrate might, to shatter their courage!
He had to display strength, keep'style', and leave the other side with an unforgettable mental scar!
He loved this kind of job!
More skill required than killing or tearing down homes—and far more interesting!
"Remember," Gu Han added finally,
"You are an Elder of the Inspection Hall; you represent the face of the Immortal Palace. Act domineeringly but with measure."
"The goal is deterrence—make them never dare another thought. Do it beautifully."
"Palace Master, rest assured!"
Fu Shan bared a grin that looked ferocious, eyes blazing with excited Battle Intent:
"I guarantee they'll dream of me! I'll win our Immortal Palace mountains of face!"
"Go."
Gu Han waved; a beam of light carrying the exact locations of Feiyun Sect and Qingshan Sect shot into Fu Shan's brow.
"Order received!"
Fu Shan bowed, turned, and strode out of the Main Hall.
-------------------------------
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