Chapter 579 - 194: Decisive Battle! Each Has a Trump Card
It had been far, far too long since Lingxi Peak had produced such a breathtakingly talented disciple.
The era when Senior Sister Si Jiawen dominated the younger generation was long past. For years, Lingxi Peak had been mediocre in the competitions between the various peaks, and the gap in producing outstanding, heaven-blessed disciples had lasted for far too long.
Yang Jing’s current advance to the runner-up position in the Fushan Grand Competition was already Lingxi Peak’s best result in nearly a decade, enough to galvanize the entire peak.
But if Yang Jing could take it one step further and claim the top spot in the Fushan Grand Competition, it would be an immense honor for all of Lingxi Peak. It would be enough for them to hold their heads high among the Seven Veins of the Xuanzhen Sect!
Yang Jing walked to the base of the arena with a steady gait. With a light push from his foot, the bluestone slab he stood on sank slightly.
Immediately after, his figure soared up like a swift swallow, landing steadily on the arena. His robes billowed, his movements clean and without a single wasted motion.
...
「On the other side.」
From the direction of Celestial Derivation Peak, Chu Yunhai had also made his move. He ascended the stairs, each step on the stone stairs at the edge of the arena producing a heavy THUD, as if striking everyone’s hearts and carrying its own form of invisible pressure.
The two stood on opposite corners of the arena, facing each other from a distance. Their eyes met in the air.
Yang Jing stood with his back straight, his aura condensed and contained. The muscles beneath his black martial attire were slightly tense. His gaze was as tranquil as an abyss, firmly locked onto Chu Yunhai’s figure.
Chu Yunhai, in contrast, wore a moon-white robe and stood with his hands behind his back. His face was handsome, and his brow held the easy confidence of one who had long stood at the pinnacle. But deep in his eyes, a trace of gravity had not dissipated.
Chu Yunhai’s reputation was simply too great, too heavy. First on the Hidden Dragon List, Core Disciple of Celestial Derivation Peak, the strongest of the Xuanzhen Sect’s younger generation aside from the leading disciples of each peak...
These titles stacked together, forming a mountain-like pressure. Even though Yang Jing had now broken through the Qi Eating Realm with all Three True Skills and possessed abundant Inner Qi, he couldn’t help but feel a heaviness in his chest.
He knew very well that the opponent before him was on a completely different level from the likes of Lu Shaohua or Bai Ziyu. His foundation was solid, and his strength was terrifyingly powerful.
Meanwhile, Chu Yunhai didn’t dare to be the slightest bit careless either.
He had a clear view of Yang Jing’s track record, this super dark horse who had cut a swath through all opponents. To rise from an outer disciple to the finals of the Fushan Grand Competition in just over half a year—that speed was simply too astonishing.
He could faintly sense the restrained yet immense aura within Yang Jing. Therefore, from the very beginning, he had cast aside all condescension and regarded him as a true, formidable rival.
...
「Below the arena.」
Yuwen Mingjue squeezed to the front of the crowd, his gaze glued to the arena, fixed deadly on Yang Jing.
His fists clenched unconsciously, his face a mask of complex, inscrutable emotions.
Regardless of the final outcome of this battle, Yang Jing was now the center of everyone’s attention, the focal point of all eyes.
Win or lose, after this battle, Yang Jing would become a seed of potential for the sect to cultivate, and his name would spread throughout Jintai Prefecture until it was known by all.
He thought back to when Yang Jing was just an outer disciple from Lingxi Peak whom he considered beneath his notice, someone he felt wasn’t even worthy of carrying his shoes.
But now, here he was, standing on the final stage of the Fushan Grand Competition, on equal footing with Chu Yunhai. Yuwen Mingjue felt as if something was stuck in his chest, an extremely awkward and uncomfortable feeling.
Jealousy grew wildly like a vine. At this moment, he desperately wanted to see Yang Jing get brutally defeated by Chu Yunhai, to see him battered and retreating in disgrace on the arena.
’It would be best if he were beaten so badly he loses all face, just as disgraced and humiliated as I was on the stage of the Cyan Qilin Battle.’
...
「In the center of the secondary platform.」
A young woman wearing a thin veil rested her chin on her hand. Her gaze drifted about before finally settling on Yang Jing.
Her voice was as soft as silk, yet it carried clearly to the few people beside her. "I’ve long been aware of the reputation of Chu Yunhai, the top of the Xuanzhen Sect’s Hidden Dragon List. His talent is outstanding and his strength is formidable. So, is this the one who has recently emerged as Xuanzhen’s new prodigy in the Fushan Grand Competition, Yang Jing?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Weiyuan quickly nodded with a smile, his tone tinged with admiration. "Miss Ning has a discerning eye. This is indeed Yang Jing. It’s been only a little over half a year since he joined the Xuanzhen Sect, starting as a mere outer disciple, yet he has fought his way into the finals of the Fushan Grand Competition. This momentum of his rise is truly astonishingly swift."
The woman called Miss Ning nodded lightly. A flicker of interest flashed in her eyes beneath the veil, and her gaze toward Yang Jing held a bit more scrutiny and curiosity.
’To make such a stunning leap in so short a time, you either have to be exceptionally gifted, possessing a Martial Arts Root Bone or astonishing comprehension that others can’t hope to match, or you must have had a great fortuitous encounter.’
’Whatever the reason, it’s enough to pique my curiosity and make me look forward to the outcome of this final match even more.’
...
「On the high platform.」
The Sect Leader of Xuanzhen Sect, Cao Zhen, was seated in the main seat. His gaze swept over the two on the arena, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face as he nodded lightly.
Of these two disciples, one was astonishingly talented—like a great sun hanging in the sky—and had led the Xuanzhen Sect’s younger generation for years.
The other had appeared out of nowhere with unstoppable momentum. Both were future pillars of the Xuanzhen Sect, the hope of their generation. He was extremely satisfied with both of them.
Cao Zhen turned to Celestial Derivation Peak Master Huang Zhen and Lingxi Peak Master Bai Bing, who were beside him. He smiled and said, "Peak Master Huang, Peak Master Bai, both of these young men are your most prized disciples. In my opinion, regardless of the outcome of this battle, these two will be the Xuanzhen Sect’s top seeds for the future, worthy of cultivating with all our resources."