Chapter 576 - 193: All Factions Converge, The Day of the Finals
A flash of surprise crossed Hong Shixian’s eyes as he finished listening. He set down his teacup and couldn’t help but remark, "This Yang Jing is really something else! To have joined the Xuanzhen Sect just over half a year ago and achieve such astonishing improvement, defeating top prodigies from the Hidden Dragon List one after another... His talent is truly extraordinary!"
He thought for a moment before looking up at the Grand Elder. "Tomorrow is the final match of the Fushan Grand Competition," he said with a serious tone. "I’ll go with you to the Xuanzhen Sect. I want to see for myself what kind of prodigy this generation has produced."
The Grand Elder nodded. "Very well."
Hong Shixian let out a soft chuckle, stroking the short beard on his chin. "Just you watch. Su Wenbo and Lin Weiyuan will surely be there tomorrow too."
The Grand Elder couldn’t help but smile as well. "It does concern the Xuanzhen Sect’s future top prodigy," he agreed. "Knowing those two, it’s very likely they’ll both attend. After all, whether we’re trying to win him over or simply build a good relationship, a figure like that is crucial for our great families."
Meanwhile, the moon hung high in the sky, bathing the land in its cool, clear light.
Within the Lin Family Mansion, home to one of Jintai Prefecture’s three great families, a small, elegant hall was also brightly lit.
Patriarch Lin, Lin Weiyuan, sat at the head of the room in a Grandmaster’s Chair. Dressed in a brocade robe, he had a refined, scholarly face.
Seated in a chair to the side, the Lin Family Grand Elder was reporting on the Fushan Grand Competition in a low voice.
When the Grand Elder finished his report, Lin Weiyuan nodded slowly, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "This Yang Jing is a rare talent indeed. I’ll go with you to the Xuanzhen Sect tomorrow to watch this final between the prodigies."
The Grand Elder bowed and nodded in acknowledgement.
Lin Weiyuan lifted the teacup from the table and took a light sip. His eyes flickered as if he had just remembered something. Raising an eyebrow at the Grand Elder, he asked nonchalantly, "By the way, is Ziheng acquainted with this Yang Jing?"
The Lin Family Grand Elder smiled and nodded. "Yes, Patriarch. I’ve taken special notice these past few days. Ziheng and Yang Jing seem to be quite close. They’re often seen talking together at Fushan Square and appear very familiar with each other."
A smile touched Lin Weiyuan’s lips as he nodded. "When I sent Ziheng to the Xuanzhen Sect, I just wanted him to join a major sect to have some backing in the future. I never expected it would yield such a gain."
The Grand Elder chuckled along. "I didn’t expect it either. But Ziheng, that boy... ever since he was little, he’s enjoyed making friends. His talent might not be top-tier, but he’s always been good with people. Forging this connection with Yang Jing is a truly pleasant surprise."
Lin Weiyuan gave a slight nod, his expression growing serious. "Tell Ziheng to spend more time with Yang Jing," he said in a low, heavy voice. "With his talent, that boy is certain to break through to the True Qi Realm, and he might even reach the Pill Realm one day. With the Xuanzhen Sect backing him on top of that, even our Lin Family must treat him with importance."
The Grand Elder quickly bowed. "Yes, Patriarch."
After a moment of thought, Lin Weiyuan added, "If Yang Jing manages to defeat Chu Yunhai tomorrow and take first place in the Fushan Grand Competition, have Ziheng extend an invitation for him to visit our mansion. I want to meet him myself."
The Lin Family Grand Elder was taken aback for a moment, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
’He truly hadn’t expected the Patriarch to value Yang Jing to this degree.’
’Even if Yang Jing’s potential is immense, he’s still just a disciple at the Qi Eating Realm. Is he really worthy of a personal audience with the Patriarch?’
’But then again,’ he thought, ’considering Yang Jing’s future... to rise from an outer disciple to one of the Xuanzhen Sect’s top prodigies in just six months... that level of talent is exceedingly rare among the younger generation of Jintai Prefecture.’
’Given time, his accomplishments would surely be boundless.’
’A person like that, with extraordinary talent and the backing of a major sect, is destined for great things. He is indeed worth the Lin Family putting in every effort to befriend.’
Having reasoned it out, the Lin Family Grand Elder suddenly understood. He quickly nodded again and replied respectfully, "Yes, Patriarch."
...
「The next day, 7:00 AM.」
Golden light pierced through the clouds, spilling onto the bluestone pavers of the Xuanzhen Sect’s Fushan Square.
The square, normally quite spacious, was now a surging sea of people, packed shoulder-to-shoulder with a crowd far larger than on any previous day.
The hustle and bustle at Fushan Square today far exceeded that of any previous match.
After all, today was the final day of the Fushan Grand Competition—the climactic battle that would determine who would claim the top spot on the Xuanzhen Sect’s Hidden Dragon List.
It was a showdown between the dark horse who had appeared out of nowhere, Yang Jing, and the long-reigning number one on the Hidden Dragon List, Chu Yunhai.
Disciples from the Main Peak and the Seven Veins continued to pour in. Thousands of them packed the perimeter of the square until every available space was filled.
The senior leaders and core disciples from Jintai Prefecture’s many families had also arrived early on horseback. Dressed in lavish attire and wearing eager expressions, they were all prepared to witness a battle that could reshape the hierarchy of Jintai Prefecture’s younger generation.
Many sharp-eyed disciples soon noticed that far more people from the Prefecture City’s families had arrived today than for any previous match. Even some senior figures who rarely made public appearances were now present in the square.
Soon, a low stir rippled through the crowd.
Someone noticed that the Patriarchs of Jintai Prefecture’s three great families had all appeared. They were currently standing side-by-side on a secondary stage below the main platform, chatting and laughing together.
This discovery surprised many of the disciples.
For the previous matches, the three great families had only sent their Elders to observe. For their Patriarchs to personally attend today showed that they considered this final match to be of the utmost importance.