Above the sea of clouds, a magnificent sword energy spanned, leaving a rift in the void wherever it passed.
What was terrifying was that this sword energy seemed to possess infinite power, easily stirring up all the clouds and mist in the sky.
The originally calm sky began to be filled with howling gales and deafening thunder. In an instant, the wind and thunder converged, causing the very earth to tremble.
The top powerhouses present saw clearly that it was a colossal azure sword shadow, arriving with the might of overwhelming wind and thunder, carrying an aura of imperial dominion.
As this azure sword shadow approached, its terrifying aura caused the entire landscape of Qianren Mountain Peak to change color.
Judging solely by this imposing presence, an uninformed observer might have thought the Celestial Palace had arrived prematurely.
But upon seeing the ancient sect's signature brown banner hanging from the sword shadow, and the unforgettable figure leading the charge, everything became clear.
"What the hell, when did the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect gain such a formidable expert?"
"Just based on this aura, it's far beyond even the previous sect master of the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect, isn't it?"
"Wait, don't you guys find the figure at the very front familiar?"
"Indeed, I feel like I know them."
Many people hadn't recognized the figure yet, but those from the Golden Sea Heavenly Sect and True Martial Heavenly Sect were no strangers to that silhouette.
Han Wangfeng and Wu Chuan's eyes widened in disbelief the moment they saw that person.
"This... this is seeing a ghost, right?!"
"Ye Yun?! It's actually him?!"
At this moment, the two of them truly felt as if they had seen a ghost.
Just moments ago, they had genuinely considered the approaching force to be from the Celestial Palace, but they never imagined that it would be Ye Yun causing such a earth-shattering commotion.
As the crowd was filled with shock, Ye Yun arrived on his sword, and now, many recognized him. The scene instantly erupted.
"What the heck? It's Elder Ye?! I thought it was Venerable Gu Chen!"
"Didn't Elder Ye sustain severe injuries and was close to death? But based on that aura just now, he must be a Venerable now, right?"
"Isn't that obvious? He's definitely a Venerable, and certainly not an ordinary one!"
"A Venerable in his early twenties, am I dreaming?"
"This is outrageous, what happened to Elder Ye?"
As a major celebrity in the Eastern Region, many were aware of Ye Yun's previous injuries.
At that time, many had lamented his fate, believing a future Sword Venerable, a genius with the potential to pursue the Great Dao, had fallen.
But now, it seemed the former prodigy had not fallen at all. Instead, upon his reappearance, he had once again stunned the world.
This caused many to become incredibly excited – the former Elder Ye, who once reigned supreme in swordsmanship, had returned!
"Yo, everyone, it seems you've arrived quite early."
Ye Yun was the first to leap from his sword, smiling as he walked towards the two Grand Elders who were still in a daze.
For this Four Sects Grand Assembly, he had been appointed as the leader by Gu Chen, responsible for all matters concerning the assembly.
When he came, Gu Chen had repeatedly instructed him that this year's Four Sects Grand Assembly must showcase the power of the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect and put the other heavenly sects in their place. Thus, they could not lose in terms of presence.
In short, he had to put on a show today, and it had to be elegant, sophisticated, and deeply impressive!
And the result was clearly successful. Not only were the spectators completely awestruck, but Han Wangfeng and Wu Chuan, who were both cultivators at the Venerable realm, were also deeply shaken.
Although they couldn't discern Ye Yun's exact cultivation level, judging solely by the aura he displayed upon arrival, his cultivation was at least at the eighth level of the Venerable realm.
This left them stunned for a long time. Han Wangfeng, having barely regained his composure, couldn't help but ask.
"Ye Yun, haven't you just recovered from your injuries? What... what is going on with your cultivation?"
Ye Yun smiled casually and replied, "Ah, it was just good luck. I accidentally stumbled upon a bit of serendipity, and then I broke through a few realms consecutively."
The corners of their mouths twitched. What did he mean by "a few realms consecutively"? This was not "a few," this was "breaking through the heavens!"
What kind of heaven-defying fortune had this guy encountered?
At this moment, Ye Yun glanced at the teams behind the two, observing Han Zimo and Wu Tiankuang before nodding.
"One half-step King-level on each side, hmm... not bad, not bad..."
Two half-step King-levels, along with several other peak transcendent cultivators, were indeed beyond his expectations. It seemed that other sects had also produced many geniuses this year.
However, his flippant tone instantly irked the participating disciples from both sides.
Especially Han Zimo and Wu Tiankuang, who felt belittled by Ye Yun and stared at him defiantly.
If they hadn't sensed Ye Yun's formidable power, they might have become rude.
But while they could tolerate it, their team leaders, Han Wangfeng and Wu Chuan, were somewhat displeased.
Wu Chuan, disregarding Ye Yun's cultivation, sneered directly.
"Well said, 'not bad.' So, it seems the disciples you've brought to compete this year are even more remarkable?"
Even if Ye Yun's strength was indeed extraordinary, so what?
You're strong, but can you make geniuses emerge from that desolate place, the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect?
However, Ye Yun nodded without the slightest hesitation.
"Naturally. I won't say how strong, but taking first place should be no problem."
"Elder Ye, you certainly have a big mouth!"
Han Wangfeng couldn't hold back any longer and snorted, "Anyone can talk. If you have the ability, bring out your so-called geniuses for us to admire!"
Wu Chuan echoed, "Elder Han is right. Since you're so confident, let us have a look!"
Even Han Zimo, the Golden Sea Holy Son, chimed in.
"Yes, Senior Ye. I believe I possess some skill, and it's unlikely I'll be so easily surpassed, is it?"
Even many onlookers who held Ye Yun in admiration couldn't help but feel that his last statement was a bit exaggerated.
Given the age and strength of Han Zimo and Wu Tiankuang, they were not the absolute top in the Eastern Region, but they were certainly not easily surpassed.
Under normal circumstances, Ye Yun would have ignored such doubts. But now, he represented the face of the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect and was under imperial orders to impress.
Ye Yun sighed and said without looking back,
"Xueyan, come here and give them a show for your master."
As soon as he finished speaking, a blue silhouette appeared beside him. There was no doubt it was Lin Xueyan.
Behind them, Bai Xiaoxiao and Gu Xiaoyue also leaped down, followed by a large group of elders from the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect who had come to escort them, and a few participating disciples.
Because of Ye Yun's earlier words, as soon as they landed, all eyes were on them, but everyone was utterly bewildered.
What was this?
Out of the eight participating members, five from the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect hadn't even reached the sixth level of Transcendent.
And the other three girls were even more outrageous. While the others were around seventeen or eighteen years old, these three girls were only fifteen.
Although they had likely cultivated special profound techniques that kept their auras shrouded in mist, making it impossible to discern their cultivation levels.
But at such a young age, how high could their cultivation possibly be?
At this moment, Lin Xueyan, the focus of attention, glanced at her master. Seeing him nod with a smile, Lin Xueyan instantly understood his intent.
Then, she looked up at the still-doubting crowd, closed her eyes, and as others wondered what she was doing.
Suddenly, a King's might erupted from Lin Xueyan. The surging waves of energy swirled up from her body, accompanied by astonishingly strong profound energy, instantly sweeping across a radius of a hundred meters.
As this aura appeared, the surroundings fell into a deathly silence, broken only by gasps of astonishment.
"King... King-level?"
At this moment, everyone's minds were filled with question marks.
Fifteen years old, a King-level at fifteen!
What kind of concept was this?
Even Ye Yun, who participated in the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect and was hailed as the number one genius, was only at the half-step King-level in terms of cultivation, and he was already close to seventeen years old at that time.
But this young girl, at just fifteen years old, had surpassed Ye Yun's achievement?
Where did this monster come from?!