Chapter 484 - 169: Fushan Grand Competition and Senior Sister’s Situation
Lingxi Peak, midway up the mountain, in the Training Room area.
The stone door to a Level C Training Room was shut tight, isolating it from the clamor of the outside world.
Yang Jing stood in the center of the stone room. He sank into a low horse stance, fists clenched, as his Inner Qi slowly circulated, coalescing into a faint white glow on the surface of his skin.
He took a deep breath. Following the Heart Method of the Mountain-Breaking Seal, he channeled his Inner Qi and threw a punch. The edge of his fist cut through the air, creating a dull whistling sound.
The punch was fierce and domineering, carrying the force to shatter mountains and split stone. Yet, as it struck empty air, the power didn’t dissipate in the slightest. His control over his Inner Qi was seamless.
His movements flowed one after another without pause, like a ferocious tiger descending a mountain, his presence overwhelming. Each punch carried immense force, stirring the air in the stone room into a frenzy and sending dust swirling from the floor.
The more Yang Jing practiced, the more engrossed he became. He felt his blood and qi surging through his body, leaving him feeling utterly invigorated.
After his spar with Fang He, he had come to appreciate the power of the Mountain-Breaking Seal even more.
This Cultivation Technique appeared ferocious on the surface, but it actually balanced hardness with softness. The deeper he cultivated it, the more he could appreciate its subtleties.
Estimating that his training time was almost up, Yang Jing slowly retracted his fists and let out a long, turbid breath. The Inner Qi surrounding him gradually receded into his Dantian.
He raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his brow, feeling refreshed and clear-headed. The Inner Qi within him felt a bit more condensed as well.
After resting for a moment, Yang Jing pushed open the stone door and walked out of the Training Room.
He looked up toward Yunxi Peak, his thoughts on Sun Ningxiang. His feet carried him down the mountain, ready to find Senior Sister Ning Xiang, whom he hadn’t seen for many days.
Yang Jing felt a little puzzled. In the past, Sun Ningxiang would come to Qing No. 4 Courtyard to find him every two days, either to bring him some Spirit Fruits or just to chat for a bit.
But recently, it was as if she had vanished without a trace. She hadn’t come by even once.
He didn’t know if Sun Ningxiang was busy cultivating or if something else had held her up. A faint sense of worry crept into his heart.
He hadn’t gone far when he saw Si Jiawen striding toward him on the mountain path ahead.
She wore a set of fitted martial attire, her posture erect and her features carrying a heroic air.
Yang Jing quickly stopped and bowed respectfully to Si Jiawen. "Greetings, Senior Sister."
Si Jiawen nodded. Without breaking her stride, she walked up to him and said succinctly, "Master wants to see you. Come with me, quickly."
Si Jiawen noted Yang Jing’s appearance, which suggested he had just finished an intense training session, and gave a silent nod of approval. ’This junior brother’s determined mindset is quite rare.’
Yang Jing was puzzled by her words.
’Master is summoning me so suddenly at this hour? I wonder what important matter it could be.’
But despite his confusion, Yang Jing didn’t dare to delay. He quickly acknowledged her and fell into step behind Si Jiawen.
He mused to himself, ’Looks like my trip to Yunxi Peak will have to wait. I’ll go see Senior Sister Ning Xiang tonight after I’m done and maybe ask her to dinner.’
One behind the other, the two walked briskly toward Lingxi Hall at the summit of Lingxi Peak.
The wind on the mountain path billowed the hems of their robes. Along the way, any Inner Sect Disciples who passed them would bow respectfully, not daring to show the slightest neglect.
Following Si Jiawen, Yang Jing quickly ascended to the summit of Lingxi Peak. They crossed the expansive Lingxi Plaza and soon arrived before the magnificent Lingxi Hall.
The Inner Sect Disciples in the plaza all bowed in greeting as the two approached.
Si Jiawen nodded to the disciple on duty at the entrance and said coolly, "Inform Master that Yang Jing has arrived."
The disciple didn’t dare to be slow, bowing in acknowledgment before quickly turning and entering the hall.
In just a moment, the disciple returned and said respectfully to them, "Senior Sister, Senior Brother Yang, please come in."
Yang Jing and Si Jiawen walked into Lingxi Hall side by side. The interior was as solemn and dignified as ever. On a White Jade Meditation Mat, Bai Bing sat cross-legged.
Today, she had changed into a set of light purple robes. The fabric flowed around her, accentuating her stunningly beautiful face and making her seem even colder, like a Banished Immortal under the moon, exuding a natural and detached majesty.
Not daring to show the slightest disrespect, Yang Jing and Si Jiawen walked to the center of the great hall, bowed, and said in unison, "Greetings, Master."
Bai Bing glanced up at them, gave a light wave of her fair hand, and spoke in a voice as crisp and cold as striking jade, "No need for ceremony. Rise."
The two straightened up and stood to the side with their hands lowered, waiting for Bai Bing to speak.
Bai Bing’s gaze fell upon Yang Jing. "I called you here," she said slowly, "because there is a matter I need to discuss with you."
Yang Jing was slightly taken aback by her words, but he showed no sign of it. His expression only grew more serious as he focused on listening.
Bai Bing continued, "The sect intends to focus on cultivating a batch of promising young disciples. To that end, the Fushan Grand Competition will be held in one month. All disciples under the age of thirty may participate. This will be used to select disciples with potential, talent, and strength for focused nurturing."
Yang Jing’s eyes lit up at her words, and a wave of eagerness surged through him.
Having experienced the Cyan Qilin Battle, he knew full well that these sect-organized competitions were the best opportunity for a disciple from a humble background like him to defy fate and change his destiny.
If he hadn’t won first place in the Cyan Qilin Battle, if he hadn’t received those generous rewards—the Level B Training Room, the Bone Marrow Tempering Pills, and the Qi Storage Pills—he would probably still be struggling in the Inner Strength Realm, a long way from breaking through to the Qi Eating Realm. His Cultivation would never have improved so rapidly.
Therefore, what Yang Jing cared about most at this moment were the rewards for this Fushan Grand Competition.
As one of the five great sects of Jintai Prefecture, the Xuanzhen Sect had a legacy spanning several hundred years. It was wealthy and powerful, with a foundation so profound it was difficult to imagine.