The figure appearing at the entrance startled both Zhou Wan and me—it was actually Elder Chen! Why was he here? Before I could speak, Elder Chen said in a deep voice, "The assessment is about to begin. You must all proceed to the plaza immediately!" With that, he turned and left, leaving behind only a hurried figure. It seemed Master Wang's appearance was just a side episode, and the real challenge lay ahead.
Zhou Wan and I exchanged glances, both seeing solemnity in each other's eyes. Without time to think, we quickly followed Elder Chen's pace toward the plaza.
A large crowd had already gathered at the plaza, mostly young people with nervous and expectant expressions on their faces. It seemed these people had all come to take part in the sect assessment. Looking around, there were quite a few brightly dressed, imposing disciples, presumably from various cultivation families. Compared to them, Zhou Wan's and my attire appeared much simpler, like two unremarkable blades of grass mixed among a riot of colorful blooms.
Chapter 56