A week passed in a flash. Ye Yun was giving his disciples final pointers while simultaneously condensing the Power of Transcendence within his body.
Because the condensation of the Power of Transcendence was highly linked to one's comprehension, Ye Yun, possessing comprehension exceeding that of a ninth-tier cultivator, condensed this power at an astonishing speed.
In seven days, it transformed from a pond into a stream, eventually expanding to an area comparable to a small lake.
According to Ye Yun's calculations, the Power of Transcendence would be fully charged by today at the latest, at which point he could attempt to enter the Life and Death realm at any time!
Furthermore, Lin Xueyan and Bai Xiaoxiao were also very promising. After nearly two months of cultivation, they had achieved a qualitative leap compared to when they first joined the sect.
One primarily cultivated sword intent, while the other excelled in cold energy. Coupled with their excellent profound skills, they were considered quite powerful among King-level cultivators.
This was even without him having had the time to impart the top-tier Earth-grade profound skills to the two women. That would likely have to wait until after the Four Sects Grand Assembly.
However, it was more than enough. In previous Four Sects Grand Assemblies, the participating disciples mostly had cultivation levels at the peak of Transcendence, with very few at the Half-step King realm being considered top-tier.
It could be said that with their King-level cultivation alone, amplified by their sword intent and cold energy, the two women would be more than capable of easily sweeping through the entire Four Sects Grand Assembly.
On Qingyun Peak, Ye Yun looked at the two women and chuckled heartily.
"While I, your master, dislike showing off, you have cultivated so diligently that you deserve to let the world witness your formidable strength!"
"If we don't crush the disciples of the three major sects, people will really think our Gu Dao Heavenly Sect has gone to the dogs!"
Bai Xiaoxiao nodded and said, "Yes, I will not disappoint your expectations, master!"
Lin Xueyan also giggled charmingly, "I will definitely make those who look down on the Heavenly Sect, and you, see things in a new light!"
Seeing this, Ye Yun smiled faintly.
"Then I shall look forward to it. Time is almost up, let's depart!"
Fledgling eagles are destined to soar through the skies. This year's Four Sects Grand Assembly would be the starting point for Lin Xueyan and Bai Xiaoxiao to become famous across the continent!
...
The Four Sects Grand Assembly had always been held at the peak of Qianren Mountain.
As one of the grand events of the Eastern Region, it would annually attract observers from various factions, or curious rogue cultivators seeking excitement.
This year was no exception. Moments before the assembly began, the vast mountaintop was already densely packed with cultivators who had arrived early to secure prime viewing seats.
Amidst the clamor, a sword cry echoed through the heavens and earth from the distant sky, causing everyone to look up.
A colossal golden sword pierced through the sea of clouds. On its blade stood over a hundred figures, with a golden banner hanging at the very top!
At the forefront of the formation stood a young man clad in a golden robe, his gaze arrogantly surveying the crowd on the mountaintop.
Below the peak, the crowd erupted in discussion.
"The Jin Tao Heavenly Sect arrived really fast. Do you know who that young man at the front is? He looks so arrogant!"
"You don't even recognize him? That's the top contemporary disciple of the Jin Tao Heavenly Sect, Han Zimo, the Golden Tao Holy Son!"
"That's right. It's rumored his cultivation has reached the Half-step King realm, and he's close to comprehending the Ultimate Intent of the Sword!"
"Holy cow, that powerful? So he's going to reach the King realm and comprehend sword intent before he's twenty!"
"Exactly. The Jin Tao Heavenly Sect has placed second for three consecutive times; they're determined to clinch first place this time!"
"Indeed, with that kind of strength, he certainly has the qualifications to contend for first place..."
...
As they neared the ground, Han Zimo listened to the discussions below, feeling incredibly exhilarated.
In his eyes, this year's Four Sects Grand Assembly was merely the prelude to his rise on the continent, a stage for his performance!
As for the others, they were merely there to accentuate his brilliant aura, stepping stones to be trampled upon.
As the Jin Tao Heavenly Sect disciples descended, Han Zimo, wielding a folding fan, leaped off the flying sword with an ostentatious air of superiority.
However, before they could even stabilize themselves, a gasp of surprise erupted from the crowd.
"Someone else is here! It's the Zhen Wu Heavenly Sect! Damn, they're so domineering!"
A massive flying boat, hundreds of meters long, was rapidly approaching. A blue banner, symbolizing the Zhen Wu Heavenly Sect, was erected on its deck.
After slowly descending onto the peak of Qianren Mountain, figures began to disembark from the flying boat's deck.
Apart from the sect elders leading the way, the most conspicuous among the disciples was a youth carrying a greatsword on his shoulder, his sharp black short hair revealing a hint of ferocity in his eyes.
He surveyed his surroundings with an arrogant expression, muttering to himself.
"So this is Qianren Mountain peak. I wonder how many people today will give me a good thrashing!"
Many discerning individuals felt a chilling aura emanating from the youth, clearly indicating he had killed many.
Especially upon sensing his Half-step King realm cultivation, many people gasped, whispering amongst themselves.
"Good heavens, this year is going to be extraordinary. Even the Zhen Wu Heavenly Sect has disciples at the Half-step King realm participating!"
"Is that Wu Tiankuang? He was only at the peak of Transcendence before; he must have broken through."
"It looks like it. I'd heard before that he was skilled with his greatsword, and his current aura is indeed extraordinary!"
"Tsk tsk, if the Jin Tao Heavenly Sect and Zhen Wu Heavenly Sect are so powerful, how terrifying must the Nine Nether Demonic Sect be, who surpasses them!"
"Who knows? I feel like the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect is doomed. They're going to be brutally thrashed this year."
"Yeah, I heard last year the strongest disciple from Gu Dao Heavenly Sect was only at the ninth level of Transcendence. I wonder how miserable they'll be this time."
The four great sects of the Eastern Region had never had good relations. Now that two teams had converged, mutual taunts and 'well-intentioned' greetings were inevitable.
Han Zimo and Wu Tiankuang both eyed each other with unfriendly gazes, filled with wariness.
"This guy... he's not simple..."
Sensing the aura of the other, both thought the same thing, already regarding the other as their greatest opponent in this assembly.
For a moment, the atmosphere between the two sects' retinues grew increasingly tense.
Until, Han Wangfeng, the Grand Elder of the Jin Tao Heavenly Sect, stroked his beard and chuckled.
"Speaking of which, have you heard? The one leading the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect this time is reportedly that Gu Dao Sword Emperor, Ye Yun."
This was apparently a very amusing topic. The tense atmosphere between the two sides instantly relaxed as they began to whisper amongst themselves.
Wu Chuan, the Grand Elder of the Zhen Wu Heavenly Sect, sneered.
"Of course, we've heard. I wonder what kind of luck Ye Yun stumbled upon to have recovered from his injuries."
Han Wangfeng shook his head and smiled lightly, "What good is recovery? With his injuries, even if he miraculously healed, his future achievements are destined to be limited. He'll likely never reach the Venerable realm in his lifetime."
Wu Chuan heartily agreed, saying with a touch of schadenfreude, "Ye Yun, or the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect, are both just drawing their last breaths."
"Indeed. And I heard that some time ago, they even provoked the Bai family of Misty Mountain because of Ye Yun's disciples and were taught a lesson."
"We heard about that too. Apparently, the sect suffered severe damage, and then they took the people away. Ye Yun didn't dare to utter a single word."
"Truly disgraceful..."
"I suspect that this year, it's questionable whether the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect can even muster a single disciple at the ninth level of Transcendence."
"I think so too. The Gu Dao Heavenly Sect is completely finished. Give it a few more years, and they can truly be kicked out of the Heavenly Sect ranks."
The two men were shamelessly mocking Ye Yun and the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect, which had become a tradition over the years. This was precisely why Gu Chen and other chief elders felt so indignant.
But this time, exclamations from nearby interrupted their conversation.
"Holy shit, look! The Gu Dao Heavenly Sect is being way too flashy!"