The Great Hall of the Array Sect was beautifully decorated with handmade lanterns and silk ribbons that fluttered in the soft breeze.

The hall was filled with buzzing as disciples and elders started piling up into the beautiful and well-organized hall.

"The Array Sect welcomes the Sect Master."

"The Array Sect welcomes the High Senior Disciple."

Choruses rang throughout the hall as elders and disciples greeted Master Lu and Li Ming.

Soon everyone was settled in their seats and the feast officially started.

Being the sect of array formations, there were several groups of disciples that came forward to showcase their talents on this occasion.

As usual, Master Lu was sitting on the head seat at the very top while Li Ming stood directly beside him with a straight posture and an indifferent look covering her face.

For the first time in the past five years, the residents of the Array Sect had finally gotten the chance to see Li Ming's complete face.

None of them were prepared to witness such an ethereal beauty. She had peerless skin with equally mesmerizing eyes.

Her simple but elegant sky blue dress along with the simple silk ribbon that was keeping her hair held in a high ponytail and the weird bracelet wrapped around her right wrist gave her a simple, elegant, and powerful appearance.

But the most eye-catching was her forehead decoration, a fire like symbol in bright blue color.

Just as a group of the second year disciples finished showing their array formation skills, the silhouette of a certain person appeared at the entrance of the hall.

The low buzzing of chatters that was previously filing the Great hall, immediately quietened down as everyone started standing up to welcome this new guest.

Li Ming's eyes keenly followed the person who entered the hall and started climbing the stairs that would lead him directly to her.

Even though she knew that he was coming up the high platform to take his place on the seat of the Academy Head that was always placed a few steps above at the right side of the Sect Master's seat, she could not help but feel her heartbeat started building up.

But soon the excitement that had started bubbling inside her came to a halt when Wen Guiying kept walking towards the seat of the Academy Head and did not spare her a single glance as he passed from beside her.

It took all her self controlling power to not turn around and look at him or to not show any kind of reactions.

To the eyes of the rest of the sect members, she was still looking exactly how she was ten minutes ago, cold and indifferent.

However, Master Lu could see the slightest slimmer in her eyes while Wen Guiying noticed the way her body went stiff the moment he entered the hall.

The celebration picked up speed after that as everyone enjoyed the delicious feast and the amazing talents of the young generation, completely oblivious to the tsunami that was approaching them.

It was not until the celebration was almost approaching its end, that Li Ming felt that same presence in the room that had been haunting her for so long.

"What a wonderful sight we have in here. Not only the Supreme Immortal and Master Lu is present here, but the famous High Senior Disciple of Array Sect is also here."

The happy buzzing of the Great hall quietened down as everyone turned their focuses towards the entrance of the hall.

A young man around five-four in height, loose clothes, and beads covering most of his upper body, was standing at the entrance.

"Who dared to cause troubles in the Great Hall of the Array Sect? Are you looking for trouble kid?"

One of the elders shouted out loudly at the man who just laughed in reply, marching inside the hall with haughtiness.

"Today I'm here for the High Senior Disciple. The others can continue with their celebration. It would be better if you guys can stay away from this matter." The Young man said in arrogance as he stopped in the very center of the hall.

Before anyone else could respond to this shocking revelation, Master Lu already took the reins of the situation in his hands.

"Tiao Chen, I never expected to see you again. Moreover, definitely not in the Great Hall of my Array Sect. What business do you have with my disciple?"

Everyone turned their shocked eyes at the Sect head before once again returning their focuses on the young man who was probably known as Tiao Chen.

"Master Lu, seven years ago you refused to take me as your disciple because you made a promise to yourself not to pass over your talents and knowledge in undeserving hands. But suddenly we have a little girl of unknown background who not only got the chance from learning from you, but is also the sole successor of the 'Qi Formation Technique'."

As soon as Tiao Chen mentioned the words 'Qi Formation Technique' it was like something exploded among the people who were gathered in the Great Hall.

Everyone had heard about the legendary stories of the Lu family's legendary Qi Formation Technique and the legends that followed it.

Unlike normal array formation techniques where one needed physical materials to form an array, the Qi Formation Technique used spiritual qi to form an array.

It was the most precious array formation technique that had ever existed in the entire Immortal World.

"Since I accepted her as my sole disciple, it's obvious that she would be the only descendant of the Qi Formation Technique. Now it's up to her what she wants to do with all this knowledge and skills." Master Lu said while he sipped the hot tea that Li Ming had served him.

"Fine! I'm really curious to see exactly what's so special about this girl. Today, I, Tiao Chen, challenge the High Senior Disciple of the Array Sect to have combat of formation with me. Let's see whether this so-called sole disciple of Master Lu is even worthy of her title or not."

Tiao Chen's announcement of the challenge was followed by silence but then one after the other, the elders and senior disciples started nodding their heads in agreement.

They were not supporting Tiao Chen but at the same time, they also wanted to see the exact potential of their High Senior Disciple.

Even though they all knew from the very beginning that Li Ming was a rare genius among the young generation, but five years had passed and she had been training under Master Lu's guidance.

Now almost everyone in the Academy was curious to see what changes and progress she had made during these five years.

"Do you all want your High Senior Disciple to accept this challenge?" Master Lu asked the elders that had been whispering among themselves.

"Sect Master, the High Senior Disciple can always reject this challenge since she's not obliged to accept every unnecessary challenge thrown at her..."

It was one of the senior elders of the inner sect that stood up from his seat to reply.

"...however, since it's the very first challenge and it's targeting not only her capability to hold her position as the High Senior Disciple but also your decision of accepting her as the sole successor of your skills, it will be a better option to accept this challenge. The rest is up to you and the High Senior Disciple."

The elder finished and after bowing in respect he returned to his seat.

Even before the others could come forward to tell their opinions about the issue, Li Ming quickly kneeled down on the floor while facing Master Lu.

"Master, do you want me to accept this challenge?"

The meaning behind her question was crystal clear. The opinions of the rest of the sect and the Academy meant exactly nothing to her.

There was only one person whose opinion mattered to her and it was the one and only, Master Lu.

A small smile broke out on Master Lu's lips as he very slightly shook his head at the actions of his disciple.

"Go on! Even I want to see how good you have become in handling your opponents, especially an opponent like Tiao Chen." Master Lu said as he watched the young man with sharp eyes.

There were dozens of cultivators present in the Great Hall of the Array Sect who were considered as geniuses.

However, only three out of all these so-called geniuses were able to see the presence of the dark most around Tiao Chen.

It was not too strong but enough to alert these three people who were observing every single move of the young man.

"This disciple will obey Master's wish. I won't disappoint you." Li Ming replied as she stood up and gave a quick nod to Master Lu.

Her eyes briefly landed on Supreme Immortal, who had been looking only at her ever since he entered the hall, before she turned around to face her opponent.

It was time for the challenge!