Tears welled up in his red, crying eyes.

So when he heard Ethan Valentine's words, he panicked. "Not convenient!"

He was always the authoritative sect leader to the outside world.

How could he see anyone crying like this?!

Ethan Valentine paused.

He seemed to notice the unusual tone. "Sect Leader, are you unwell?"

Unwell? He was heartbroken!

Who could have imagined the future of the Cortez Sect, his beloved disciple, would drown!

Didn't she know how to swim?

Joseph Cortez's eyes welled with tears. "I'm fine."

Ethan Valentine: ??

Outside the door.

Ethan Valentine and Evelyn Ross exchanged glances.

Both were a bit confused.

But...

Evelyn Ross looked towards the door.

Why did the voice inside sound somewhat familiar?

But her master always loved to laugh.

The voice inside sounded tearful, making it hard for her to tell.

Ethan Valentine, concerned, pressed on. "Sect Leader, where exactly are you unwell? My third sh…"

He almost said "aunt" but remembered Evelyn Ross didn't want him calling her that outside.

He quickly changed his words. "My friend knows some medicine. Should she take a look for you?"

Ethan Valentine thought since Grace Nan could diagnose Joey Valentine's brain tumor, her medical skills must be exceptional.

Evelyn Ross hurriedly explained. "I'm not…"

But Ethan Valentine didn't let her finish. "Don't be modest. Please take a look at our Sect Leader. But the Sect Leader is usually very healthy. He rarely even catches a cold. What's wrong with his throat today? I heard there's a virus going around that specifically affects the throat. Sect Leader, did you catch it? You can't delay; you need treatment promptly!"

Joseph Cortez: "..." This annoying brat is so bothersome!

He quickly grabbed a tissue to dry his tears.

He tried to sound authoritative. "I'm fine. Leave! It's not convenient to see guests today!"

Ethan Valentine wasn't willing to leave just yet.

What if Grace Nan complained to Third Uncle that he handled things poorly?

He coughed lightly. "Sect Leader, what's not convenient? Your throat is like this; you must be unwell! I'm coming in now~"

With that, he pushed the door open directly.

He then winked at Evelyn Ross and led her inside boldly!

"Sect Leader, my friend has excellent medical skills. Let her take a look at you? And, could you also do my friend a small favor…"

Joseph Cortez: ??

Evelyn followed Ethan Valentine, thinking his actions were too reckless.

The Grandmaster had clearly stated he couldn't see visitors. She could have waited patiently.

But since the door was open, she didn't want to miss this chance.

Her master once said she had great potential for martial arts.

She followed Ethan into the room, her gaze immediately going to the Grandmaster.

Then she heard a faint sound.

When she looked, the Grandmaster had already turned his back, clearly unwilling to face the newcomers.

Ethan scanned the room and suddenly sensed something was off.

Many tissues were scattered on the floor.

Coupled with the Grandmaster's hoarse voice earlier...

"Grandmaster, were you crying?"

The blunt Ethan asked without any filter.

Joseph Cortez: "..."

This wretched disciple!

He must tell his second brother to discipline him properly!

Joseph Cortez took a deep breath. "Get out!"

Ethan finally felt the Grandmaster's anger. Not daring to delay, he quickly backed away with Evelyn. "Yes, Grandmaster. We're leaving. We won't disturb you. Please continue... Do you need me to bring more tissues?"

His answer was a shoe flying straight at his face!

Ethan instinctively wanted to dodge, but Evelyn was standing behind him.

He turned his body hard, and the shoe hit his rear with a solid thud!

Another shoe followed right after, hitting the door and slamming it shut.

Ethan rubbed his sore backside, looking awkwardly at Evelyn. "Miss Nan, the Grandmaster is in a bad mood today. Perhaps we should come another time?"

But Evelyn was looking elsewhere. She suddenly suggested, "Could you introduce me to someone else then? Or maybe I can just apprentice under you? Would that count as being a core disciple?"

"No, absolutely not!"

Ethan waved his hands repeatedly. "That would mess up the seniority!"

This was his future aunt. How could she become his disciple?

Evelyn thought about it. It was true.

They were cousins. A master-disciple relationship would indeed confuse their family ranks.

Besides...

Ethan cleared his throat slightly, lifting his chin a little. "I don't just take any disciple. The Cortez Sect's core disciples have very strict requirements..."

Even with the First Senior Sister now, if she didn't marry into the Cortez family, the future Grandmaster position would still be his.

As the Cortez family heir, taking a disciple concerned the next Grandmaster candidate. So the Cortez Sect had its own strict standards for accepting disciples.

Evelyn asked, "How strict?"

Ethan explained, "First, all prospective disciples must go to the Bone Assessment Hall for an evaluation. Then they train for a month. Only those who persevere get a chance to be noticed by the core disciples. Then the core members choose their disciples. That's how I was selected back then!"

Evelyn pressed, "Do older applicants also get the bone assessment?"

Ethan nodded. "Of course. No exceptions. The bone assessment is quite mystical. It can determine if someone is suited for martial arts, if they have talent, and even their current level of training..."

Evelyn decided immediately. "Take me to the Bone Assessment Hall."

Ethan was stunned. "Wait, it's full of little kids right now. Are you sure you want to go?"

Evelyn's tone was firm. "Yes."

Her master said her foundation was absolutely solid.

Perhaps the Cortez Sect would make an exception once they saw her talent?

Seeing her determination, Ethan could only rub his nose. "Well... alright."

Half an hour later.

A peculiar scene unfolded at the Bone Assessment Hall.

Evelyn stood in a line of four- and five-year-old children, looking extremely out of place.

The children in front and behind her giggled as they looked at her.

People around cast curious glances.

Someone teased,

"Miss, isn't it awkward standing among children?"

Another laughed and said to Ethan,

"Second Senior Brother, who is this? She's so old, her bone sutures are fully closed. No future there! Quickly take her away. Don't make a spectacle here!"

Ethan smiled awkwardly, sighing inwardly.

If this were his own sister, he would have dragged her away long ago.

But this was the person his uncle favored. His future aunt!

He had to show some respect to his aunt.

He cleared his throat and responded, "What's the big deal? The First Senior Sister was only discovered by the Grandmaster when she was fifteen. Maybe my friend here has good bone structure?"

"The First Senior Sister is a one-in-a-million genius. How many like her can there be in the world?"

"Exactly. The Grandmaster traveled for nearly ten years before finding the First Senior Sister. And the Grandmaster said her exceptional achievements were due to her unique life circumstances. Did your friend have a very hard childhood too?"

Ethan: "..."

After learning Evelyn might become his aunt, he had specifically inquired about her.

This Evelyn came from a comfortable, happy family. She just married the wrong person later and suffered a bit in love.

He looked at Evelyn. "Maybe we should just leave? It's really... quite embarrassing."

Evelyn said calmly, "You can go. I'll stay by myself."

"How could I do that? If Uncle finds out, he'll beat me up!"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow slightly. "Thank you, then."

"It's nothing. But after the bone assessment, you'll give up, right?"

Evelyn nodded. "Yes. If I still can't become an inner disciple after the assessment, I'll give up."

Ethan comforted her. "Don't be too disheartened. If you really want to join the Cortez Sect, I'll try to think of another way."

Evelyn knew this was just consolation.

If there were another way, Ethan would have suggested it already. Why let her embarrass herself here?

Although she found this experience novel, something she had never gone through before.

But looking at Ethan's expression, like he wanted to hide his face...

The queuing process was long and boring.

There was only one assessment master, but a constant stream of people came daily to seek apprenticeship.

Two hours passed before the child in front of her finally entered the room.

Evelyn breathed a slight sigh of relief.

It was almost her turn!

Five minutes later, the child ahead walked out dejectedly. Seeing their waiting parents, they burst into loud sobs.

Ethan felt his scalp prickle.

If his future aunt wasn't selected, or even got insulted by the assessment master, would she cry too?