For the following days, Jiang Yun temporarily cast aside all distracting thoughts and focused wholeheartedly on Cultivating.
Because he didn't dare to let his Realm advance too quickly, he spent most of his time Cultivating various techniques.
Besides that, he would go to the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion to enrich his knowledge of the Dao.
Of course, occasionally he would also visit Dongfang Bo and ask him one or two questions.
What surprised him a little was that not only did Xu Chengshan, the Outer Sect Disciple from Hundred Beast Peak, never come to seek revenge again, but nothing happened with Lu Xiaoyu either.
In fact, Lu Xiaoyu even came to Hidden Peak several times specifically to visit Jiang Yun.
After a few back-and-forths, his relationship with Lu Xiaoyu also grew closer.
Unknowingly, Lu Xiaoyu began to treat Jiang Yun as an older brother, and Jiang Yun sincerely regarded Lu Xiaoyu as a younger sister.
In short, this kind of life made Jiang Yun feel very fulfilled and satisfied.
...
On this day, Jiang Yun opened his eyes from his Cultivation, and the black stone appeared in his hand.
For such a long time, although Jiang Yun had frequently visited the Scripture Pavilion and indirectly questioned Dongfang Bo, he still had no clue about the origin and specific use of the black stone.
Furthermore, as a Utility Disciple, he could not obtain any Dao-related items, nor did he feel comfortable asking Dongfang Bo or Second Senior Sister for them, so he had not used this stone again.
"After today, perhaps I can try this stone again!"
Today, it had been exactly half a year since Jiang Yun arrived at Wen Dao Sect, and it was also the day for the re-evaluation.
According to Dongfang Bo, if he could successfully pass today's re-evaluation, the Sect would issue some Cultivation items as a reward.
Although they would still only be some low-grade Medicinal Pills, perhaps there would be items containing Dao Intent among them!
If he was lucky enough, he might even be able to make this stone turn into water again.
"Dong dong dong!"
As Jiang Yun's murmuring ceased, three melodious bell sounds suddenly rang out, spreading throughout the entire Wen Dao Sect and entering Jiang Yun's ears as he was playing with the black stone.
Jiang Yun's eyes suddenly lit up and he said, "Has it finally arrived!"
Jiang Yun knew that this was the bell sound for gathering Disciples within Wen Dao Sect, which meant that the re-evaluation was about to begin.
The so-called re-evaluation was not like the initial entrance examination where one had to pass three trials, but rather a direct assessment of a Disciple's Cultivation Realm.
The passing standard required all newly admitted Disciples to advance at least one level from their original Realm.
Of course, the more one advanced, the greater the benefits for the Disciple.
If one failed the re-evaluation, regardless of one's status upon entering that year, one would automatically be demoted by one level.
For Utility Disciples, the consequence of demotion was direct expulsion from Wen Dao Sect.
The reason for conducting a re-evaluation was, firstly, to urge Disciples to Cultivate diligently and give them a sense of urgency.
Secondly, it was to avoid any oversights during the three entrance trials that might lead to missing out on some Disciples with good Aptitude, thus giving these new Disciples a second chance.
After the re-evaluation, there would also be some small competitions primarily focused on sparring, aiming to hone the Disciples' practical combat abilities.
Some people had extraordinary Aptitude in the Dao, but lacked combat experience, making them unable to effectively use their strength in battle, ultimately losing their lives to opponents whose Realm was inferior to their own.
After all, for any Sect to develop and grow stronger, it could not avoid conflicts with others, just as Jiang Wanli once told Jiang Yun: in this world, it's the survival of the fittest!
Therefore, the Sect did not prohibit sparring among Disciples, and even arranged a small competition for each of the Five Peaks every year, and a Grand Competition for the entire Sect every three years.
In short, all newly admitted Disciples attached great importance to the re-evaluation.
In the history of Wen Dao Sect, there were indeed many examples of individuals who, despite performing poorly in the three entrance trials, showed outstanding performance during the re-evaluation, leading to a direct promotion in status.
It is even said that Fang Yuxuan, who is now hailed as the number one Inner Sect Disciple in Wen Dao Sect, was able to directly advance from an Outer Sect Disciple to an Inner Sect Disciple during his re-evaluation, because he consecutively advanced four Realms and displayed great skill in the competition.
He even became a Disciple under the main peak master, thus leaping over the Dragon Gate and soaring to the sky.
A faint light flashed in Jiang Yun's hand, and the black stone had been re-hidden in his Dantian.
When he pushed open the door and walked out, Dongfang Bo also appeared before him with a smile, saying, "Jiang Laodi, are you nervous?"
Jiang Yun also smiled and said, "Not nervous!"
Although he had only been in Wen Dao Sect for half a year, with the guidance of his Great Master Senior Brother Dongfang Bo, who was knowledgeable in theoretical knowledge, and his Second Senior Sister, who excelled in techniques, coupled with his own Comprehension Ability and the abundant books in the Scripture Pavilion, Jiang Yun was no longer the novice who knew nothing about Cultivation.
Dongfang Bo had merely spoken casually.
He still clearly remembered Jiang Yun's rapid Cultivation speed, entering Tongmai Realm third level in one and a half hours, and the scene where he injured the old tiger with a single finger.
Not to mention, even he couldn't discern Jiang Yun's current Realm, so he wasn't worried about Jiang Yun's re-evaluation at all.
"Oh right, did your Second Senior Sister teach you the minor technique you needed?"
"She taught it to me!"
Not long ago, Jiang Yun specifically asked his Second Senior Sister to teach him a small method to conceal his Cultivation Realm, in order to retain some strength during the re-evaluation.
Although everyone wanted to make a name for themselves in the re-evaluation, Jiang Yun was quite the opposite.
He preferred to stay on Hidden Peak and Cultivate with Dongfang Bo and his Second Senior Sister, rather than becoming a Disciple of the Asking Dao Five Peaks.
Furthermore, his Cultivation speed far exceeded others, and if it were to spread, it might not necessarily be a good thing for him; in fact, it would inevitably attract some unnecessary trouble.
Therefore, his only requirement for the re-evaluation was simply to pass it!
Dongfang Bo reached out and patted Jiang Yun's shoulder, saying, "That's good.
I have something to do and need to go out for a trip.
It will take a few days at the shortest, or half a month at the longest, before I can return, so I won't be accompanying you to today's re-evaluation!"
"Alright!"
Dongfang Bo nodded at Jiang Yun, and with a flick of his sleeve, a verdant leaf suddenly appeared beneath him.
It grew with the wind, instantly transforming into a length of ten feet.
Immediately after, the leaf flashed with light and, astonishingly, carried Dongfang Bo into the sky.
A moment later, it had vanished without a trace.
Although Jiang Yun and Dongfang Bo were already very familiar with each other, he had never asked about Dongfang Bo's Cultivation, nor had he seen Dongfang Bo perform any techniques.
Today was the first time he had seen it!
However, Jiang Yun was not too shocked.
In his opinion, Dongfang Bo and his Second Senior Sister should at least be in the Blessed Land Realm, so being able to fly with an artifact was also a very normal thing.
Watching Dongfang Bo's gradually receding figure, Jiang Yun considered another matter.
Just now, he had keenly noticed a hint of solemnity hidden deep in Dongfang Bo's eyes!
"Did Senior Brother encounter some trouble?"
Although Jiang Yun had some doubts in his heart, since his Senior Brother hadn't spoken, he didn't feel it was appropriate to ask proactively.
Moreover, if there was truly trouble that even his Senior Brother couldn't resolve, he probably wouldn't be able to help much either.
However, Jiang Yun still felt uneasy, so he simply went to the waterfall, wanting to inform his Second Senior Sister about this matter.
However, when he arrived at the waterfall, he was surprised to find that his Second Senior Sister had also disappeared.
This immediately made him realize that something must have happened to Hidden Peak, and something that could make both his Senior Brother and Senior Sister disappear at the same time probably had something to do with the Hidden Peak Master or Third Senior Brother.
These two had not yet appeared!
Standing in front of the waterfall and pondering for a moment, Jiang Yun finally turned and walked down from Hidden Peak.
No matter what trouble his Senior Brother and the others encountered, he couldn't help.
It would be better to first pass this re-evaluation, and then find an opportunity to ask if there was anything he could do.