The clearing fell silent once more.
Yun Rui glanced toward Tang Su.
The two exchanged a brief nod.
Without another word—
they separated.
Yun Rui stepped toward the group holding recommendation tokens.
Her calm gaze swept across the several hundred youths.
"...Those carrying recommendation tokens..."
"...Come with me."
Ling Wei and the others immediately stepped forward.
No one hesitated.
On the opposite side—
Tang Su looked toward the remaining participants.
His voice remained as indifferent as before.
"...The rest of you..."
"...Follow me."
The two groups quickly separated.
Although many cast curious glances toward one another—
no one questioned the arrangement.
Yun Rui raised a hand.
A small wooden boat, no larger than her palm, appeared above it.
The crowd blinked in confusion.
"...A toy?"
Chi Bai muttered instinctively.
Before anyone could say another word—
Yun Rui gently tossed it forward.
Hum—
The tiny boat floated into the air.
Countless runes illuminated across its surface.
It rapidly expanded.
One zhang.
Three zhang.
Ten.
Twenty.
Within moments—
it had transformed into an enormous flying vessel.
Its polished wooden deck gleamed beneath the morning sun.
Formation lines spread across its hull.
Several spirit sails unfurled on their own.
A gentle breeze began circling around it.
The surrounding crowd gasped.
"...It grew!"
"So that's a flying treasure..."
"What incredible craftsmanship..."
Even Ling Wei couldn't help studying the intricate formations engraved throughout the vessel.
On the opposite side—
Tang Su performed the same action.
Another miniature boat emerged from his sleeve.
It too expanded into a massive flying vessel.
The two spirit boats hovered quietly above the clearing.
Yun Rui looked toward her group.
"...Board in an orderly manner."
"There is no need to rush."
The recommendation holders immediately began ascending the spiritual staircase that extended from the side of the vessel.
Ling Yue looked up with sparkling eyes.
"...This is amazing."
Chi Bai grinned.
"...I never thought I'd get to ride something like this."
One after another—
everyone stepped aboard.
Ling Wei.
Ling Yue.
Chi Bai.
Chi Xue.
Gu Su.
Song Qin.
Duan Shen.
Fu Yao.
Ling Jianfei.
Ling Yufei.
Feng Lu.
Soon—
every recommendation holder stood upon the deck.
Yun Rui formed a quick hand seal.
The formation beneath the ship hummed softly.
A transparent barrier slowly rose around the vessel.
On the neighboring spirit boat—
Tang Su's group had also finished boarding.
The two disciples exchanged another glance.
Then—
both flying vessels ascended simultaneously.
Whoosh—
A powerful yet gentle force lifted them effortlessly into the sky.
The clearing rapidly shrank beneath them.
Thousands of spectators looked up as the two vessels climbed higher and higher.
The mountains stretched endlessly below.
Clouds drifted past.
Before long—
both vessels soared above the sea of clouds.
The world beneath became a breathtaking expanse of white.
Only distant mountain peaks pierced through the cloud layer like solitary islands.
Many of the younger cultivators stepped toward the railings.
Expressions of amazement filled their faces.
For many of them...
It was the first time they had ever flown above the clouds.
The spirit vessel continued gliding steadily through the heavens.
Clouds drifted silently beneath its hull.
The towering mountains ahead gradually became clearer.
For a time—
no one spoke.
Each person remained occupied with their own thoughts.
Some anticipated the examination ahead.
Others quietly cultivated.
Several simply admired the magnificent scenery.
At the front of the vessel—
Yun Rui finally spoke again.
"...Since there is still some time before we arrive..."
"...I'll briefly explain what awaits you."
Immediately—
everyone's attention shifted toward her.
Even those seated with their eyes closed slowly opened them.
Yun Rui continued calmly.
"...As recommendation holders..."
"...You will not participate in the first examination."
A murmur spread across the deck.
She raised a hand slightly.
The whispers immediately subsided.
"...Instead..."
"...You will proceed directly to the Recommendation Assessment."
"...It is an evaluation prepared specifically for those carrying recommendation tokens."
Chi Bai scratched his head.
"...Senior Sister..."
"...What exactly are they evaluating?"
Yun Rui smiled faintly.
"...If I told you..."
"...It would no longer be an examination."
Several people laughed awkwardly.
She continued.
"...What I can tell you..."
"...Is that your cultivation..."
"...Talent..."
"...Temperament..."
"...Comprehension..."
"...And judgment..."
"...Will all be observed."
"There is no single standard."
"There are no fixed answers."
"...Every elder values different qualities."
The group gradually fell into thought.
Ling Wei silently committed every word to memory.
Ling Yue puffed out her cheeks.
"...That sounds even harder."
Yun Rui nodded.
"...It is."
"But..."
"...Do not burden yourselves."
"The worst thing an examinee can do..."
"...Is try to become someone they are not."
Her gaze swept across everyone.
"...Simply act according to your own heart."
"...The sect will make its judgment."
Silence followed.
No one knew what to ask next.
After several moments—
Chi Bai suddenly sighed.
"...I thought this would just be a competition to see who could swing a sword better."
Several people chuckled.
Even the corners of Yun Rui's lips curved upward slightly.
"...If cultivation were that simple..."
"...The Cloud Sword Sect would have become the strongest sect in the righteous faction long ago."
The laughter gradually faded.
Far ahead—
the clouds suddenly parted.
A faint outline slowly emerged beyond them.
At first—
it appeared to be nothing more than distant mountain peaks.
Then—
as the vessel drew closer—
everyone's eyes widened.
"...What..."
"...That's..."
Even Ling Jianfei's calm expression changed.
Before them—
countless colossal mountains stretched high into the heavens, piercing through the sea of clouds.
Each mountain was surrounded by an endless ocean of white, as though the earth itself no longer existed beneath them.
Enormous chains—
thicker than city walls—
connected one peak to another.
Towering waterfalls cascaded from the mountains, disappearing into the endless clouds below.
Ancient halls crowned the summits.
Towering pagodas reached toward the heavens.
Brilliant formations shimmered across the sky like invisible constellations.
Spirit beasts soared freely between the peaks.
The cries of immortal cranes echoed throughout the heavens.
The surrounding spiritual qi had become so dense that it was almost visible.
Someone unconsciously whispered,
"...Is..."
"...Is this..."
Yun Rui looked toward the floating mountain range.
Her voice carried a faint trace of pride.
"...Welcome..."
"...To the Cloud Sword Sect."
The spirit vessel continued forward.
No one spoke.
Every pair of eyes remained fixed upon the breathtaking scene before them.
Floating mountains.
Boundless seas of clouds.
Ancient palaces suspended above the heavens.
Everything surpassed their imagination.
Ling Yue's mouth hung slightly open.
"...This..."
"...It's like another world."
Chi Bai swallowed hard.
Even Ling Jianfei's usually composed expression could no longer remain unchanged.
His fists unconsciously tightened.
So...
This is the Cloud Sword Sect.
A true cultivation sect.
Compared to this...
The great clans of Lotus City were utterly insignificant.
Perched atop Ling Yue's head—
the invisible white-scaled lizard quietly observed everything.
His golden eyes calmly swept across the mountain range.
Countless formations.
Protective arrays.
Concealment barriers.
Sword intent lingering between the peaks.
Several powerful spiritual fluctuations hidden deep within the sect.
Several Golden Core cultivators.
His gaze shifted once more.
Toward the deepest region of the sect.
There—
hidden beneath countless layers of formations—
rested several terrifying auras.
Each remained perfectly dormant.
Yet their mere existence distorted the surrounding spiritual qi.
Nascent Soul.
More than one.
His expression remained unchanged.
A sect of this scale would naturally possess such cultivators.
He slowly withdrew his perception.
The spirit vessel gradually descended.
Instead of flying toward the central peaks—
it veered toward one of the outer mountains.
A vast stone platform slowly came into view.