Chapter 26: Nine Palaces and Sixteen Courtyards (Part II)

Finally, the light on the stage became as steady as the earth, its radiance as heavy and substantial as the ground, bringing with it an aura of solidity.

The Rock Sound Guardian stepped out from the light. Her figure was voluptuous, with the full and alluring curves of her chest and hips delivering a powerful visual impact.

She held a massive stone zither with ease, evoking a sense of safety and protection.

Instructor Liu Qingwan introduced her, "The last to appear is our Earth Sound Palace Elder, the Rock Sound Guardian. They rely on the earth, and their melodies are steady and profound, capable of transforming sound waves into a solid defensive wall."

After the introduction, Instructor Liu Qingwan smiled slightly, a hint of mischief flashing in her eyes as she continued, "Originally, our Elders could have appeared together, but after all, we are all girls who love beauty and enjoy showing off. If I didn't let these Elders appear one by one, I'm afraid this Outer Sect Elder wouldn't have a job tomorrow."

As soon as she finished speaking, the Disciples below the stage burst into laughter, especially the female Disciples, who nodded in agreement.

Indeed, every Elder's entrance was incredibly charming, and the Disciples watched with rapt attention, filled with reverence.

Not to mention Lin Chen, that true cross-dressing master; she had already secretly made up her mind to win over all these beautiful Elders.

Instructor Liu Qingwan paused slightly, her tone becoming more serious as she continued, "As for our Outer Sect's 16 Courtyards, I am standing here as their representative. I believe everyone knows that our Xuanyin Palace focuses on healing, with attacks being secondary, and the duty of these 16 Courtyards is to teach healing techniques."

Her words stirred a wave of soft discussion below the stage, especially among those newly initiated Disciples; hearing about the importance of healing techniques, many eyes revealed curiosity and anticipation.

Some Disciples whispered among themselves, seemingly guessing at the practical role of healing techniques in combat.

Meanwhile, some Inner Sect Disciples nodded gently, wearing knowing smiles on their faces, clearly having a deep understanding of Xuanyin Palace's healing capabilities.

Instructor Liu Qingwan smiled and continued, "Even if you are fortunate enough to become an Inner Sect Disciple, you must learn healing techniques. Because in battle, healing is not only the key to saving lives but also an important ability to help teammates overcome difficulties."

The Disciples below nodded in succession, especially those who had already experienced small-scale combat, their expressions showing understanding.

They knew deeply how crucial the recovery of wounds and stamina was in intense battles.

Some young Disciples even began to show expressions of longing, as if they had already seen their own glorious images in the future, casting healing techniques on the battlefield and saving people from danger.

At this moment, the atmosphere below the stage was both relaxed and tinged with a hint of reverence and anticipation.

Instructor Liu Qingwan's speech not only made everyone feel the importance of healing techniques but also cleverly eased the tense atmosphere from when the Elders of each palace had appeared earlier.

Instructor Liu Qingwan smiled, waved her hand gently to signal for silence, and then said, "Alright, now is the most exciting moment. Next, the Elders of the Nine Palaces will personally select Inner Sect Disciples, and even Personal Disciples. However, the Sect has long had a written rule—if an examinee holds a Mentor's token, has obtained the qualification for the assessment, and passes it, the Mentor who holds the token can have priority in asking her if she is willing to become their Disciple."

As soon as she finished speaking, the Disciples below began to whisper, the air filled with anticipation and nervousness. Everyone was calculating in their hearts whether they were qualified to be chosen.

Instructor Liu Qingwan continued, "Please, all Disciples on stage, display the tokens in your hands."

For a moment, the Disciples on stage took out their respective tokens from their bosoms, sleeves, or even their waists, slowly unfurling them.

At this moment, the Elders' gazes were as sharp as hawks, quickly scanning every Disciple's token.

And just then, Lin Chen suddenly felt a wave of realization. She exclaimed in her heart, "Isn't the token in my hand the one Instructor Liu Qingwan gave me back then?"

With a clear mind, Lin Chen dared not delay and slowly opened the token in her hand.

To her surprise, when her token was displayed before everyone's eyes, the entire stage instantly fell silent.

The Nine Palaces Elders were inwardly whispering at this moment: "A blank token! A blank token!" They were all praying that Lin Chen's was a blank token, so they would have the opportunity to take Lin Chen as their Disciple.

The gazes of all the Elders, in this very instant, were cast in unison toward the token in Lin Chen's hand.

Their expressions were as if what they saw before them was not just a token, but some kind of extremely rare treasure.

To them, since Lin Fan had triggered the Sound of the Great Dao and played the eternal, peerless divine song 'White Fox,' she was a once-in-a-millennium Genius of the Sect. If they could take her under their wing, their palace would surely become the head of the Nine Palaces.

And when Lin Chen's token was fully unfurled, everyone's gaze instantly converged on those two elegant characters—**Qingwan**.

The Nine Palaces Elders were completely unsettled, looking at each other with turbulent hearts. **This Genius, hailed as a once-in-a-millennium talent, actually had the name of the Mentor displayed on the token as—Outer Sect Elder, Instructor Liu Qingwan?**

Wonder and questions arose simultaneously in the hearts of all the Elders.

Clearly, this was a Genius Disciple worth fighting over by the Elders of each palace, so why was her token related to the Outer Sect's Instructor Liu Qingwan? At this moment, the atmosphere on the field became somewhat subtle; the Elders were clearly feeling great shock and confusion over this matter.

Instructor Liu Qingwan's expression remained as usual, as if everything had long been within her expectations.

She smiled gently, walked slowly to Lin Chen's side, and her fingers softly brushed through her silk-like, smooth hair.

"Lin Chen traveled on foot to the mountain gate, wishing to join our Sect. I observed that she had an ethereal temperament and was fated with me, so I gave her my own token," Instructor Liu Qingwan said in a soft voice.

Hearing this, several Grand Elders revealed expressions of annoyance.

The Huoyin Palace's Zither Immortal Yanwu Elder couldn't help but heave a long sigh, her face full of regret: "Sigh, I really shouldn't have gone into seclusion! With the assessment approaching, if I had just walked around the Outer Sect a few more times, perhaps Lin Chen would have been mine!"

The other Elders also chimed in, their annoyance and regret evident: "That's right, we really shouldn't have gone into seclusion; this was such a perfect opportunity!"

The Yueyin Palace Elder, Fairy Youyue, who had a deep friendship with Instructor Liu Qingwan, joked with a smile: "Qingwan, you've picked up a huge bargain this time! Such a good Disciple—you must treat us to the Jade Dew Hot Springs later!"

"Yes, yes, yes, we must go to the Jade Dew Hot Springs!" The other Elders hurriedly agreed, their faces full of smiles, clearly this remark had struck a chord with them as well.

Seeing this, Instructor Liu Qingwan smiled happily and readily agreed: "Alright, everyone can go! I'll cover the costs!"

"Hahaha, good, it's settled!" Laughter erupted among the Elders.

After the matter of the tokens was settled, Instructor Liu Qingwan looked at Lin Chen and said softly: "Lin Chen, your talent is outstanding, and I think highly of you. Since we are fated, I not only wish for you to become my Disciple, but I am also willing to take you as my Personal Disciple. Are you willing?"