Chapter 578 - 194: Decisive Battle! Each Has Their Hidden Cards
Below the arena, Yang Jing stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the other disciples from Lingxi Peak, silently waiting for the finals to begin.
Sunlight spilled onto his shoulders, making his black martial attire seem even more vivid. He stood tall and straight like a sturdy pine, exuding an air of calm composure.
However, Fang He, Yan Chenglong, Lin Ziheng, and the others beside him were nowhere near as calm. They huddled together, speaking in low voices filled with unconcealable nervousness, excitement, and a hint of apprehension.
"Do you think Senior Brother Yang can win this time? Chu Yunhai is number one on the Hidden Dragon List!" Zhao Xuexiang’s voice trembled as he spoke, his fists clenched.
Lin Ziheng’s brow was furrowed. "It’s hard to say," he mused, "but you’ve seen Senior Brother Yang’s strength for yourself. Maybe he can pull off a miracle!"
Zhang Hengyi, standing to the side, nodded repeatedly, his eyes shining with fervor. Their discussion wasn’t loud, but it revealed their immense concern for this final match.
Yang Jing listened to the whispers around him, his expression remaining perfectly calm.
The closer it came to the start of the final match, the calmer his mind became, as still as an ancient well without a single ripple.
The more excited and nervous the others became, the more composed he grew. Influenced by this state of mind, the Inner Qi within his body flowed slowly, becoming ever more refined.
In truth, when news of the Fushan Grand Competition first spread and Yang Jing learned of the generous rewards, the goal he had set for himself was merely to make it into the top three.
At that time, he hadn’t even broken through to the Qi Eating Realm with his Indestructible True Skill. Faced with the top geniuses on the Hidden Dragon List—cultivators who had been immersed in the Martial Dao for years—he hadn’t been very confident he could even make it into the top three.
He never would have imagined that, through a stroke of luck during the Fushan Grand Competition, he would also manage to break through to the Qi Eating Realm with his River Crossing Art.
With all three of his True Skills at the Qi Eating Realm, the three streams of his Inner Qi merged into one, causing his power to skyrocket. He could now rival veteran experts who had been in the Qi Eating Realm for years; even against Chu Yunhai, he now had a fighting chance.
For the person Yang Jing used to be, just reaching the finals was an achievement that had already far exceeded his expectations, more than enough to leave him satisfied.
The prize for second place in the Fushan Grand Competition was already incredibly generous. The Yunqiao Jade Marrow, plus two months’ access to a B-grade Training Room, would drastically shorten the time he needed to break through to the Qi Absorption Realm.
But now, having reached this point by climbing over the shoulders of powerful enemies, he was only a single step away from the top spot.
If he were to stop here, Yang Jing knew a feeling of dissatisfaction would fester within him.
Defeating Lu Shaohua, crushing Bai Ziyu—one victory after another, coupled with his own rapidly increasing power, had quietly nurtured his ambition and desire.
He wanted to win. He wanted to take first place in the Fushan Grand Competition. He wanted to stand at the pinnacle of the Xuanzhen Sect’s younger generation.
A wave of relief washed over Yang Jing, and he felt a profound sense of gratitude toward Sun Ningxiang.
If not for the six Bone Marrow Tempering Pills Senior Sister Ning Xiang had so generously given him, which had nourished his meridians and Dantian and greatly aided his cultivation, he never would have been able to break through to the Qi Eating Realm with his River Crossing Art amidst the Fushan Grand Competition’s intense schedule.
Without the power of this True Skill, he wouldn’t even be contending with Chu Yunhai in the finals—he likely would have been defeated back when he faced Lu Shaohua.
These veteran prodigies, steeped in the ways of the Xuanzhen Sect for years, each possessed unique and powerful skills. Their strength was not to be underestimated; in fact, it was terrifying.
The slightest carelessness would have resulted in defeat, sending him tumbling from the arena.
He had made it this far thanks to his own efforts, but also thanks to the rare opportunity Senior Sister Ning Xiang had given him.
...
Just then, Steward Xue strode onto the arena.
Dressed in a blue Steward Robe with an erect posture, he immediately drew the gazes of the thousands in the square the moment he appeared.
Steward Xue walked to the center of the arena and stopped. His gaze, sharp as an eagle’s, slowly swept across the entirety of Fushan Square.
The once-bustling square fell silent, as if a mute button had been pressed. All that remained was the sound of wind whipping through the banners, and the atmosphere grew heavy.
Once the square was utterly silent, Steward Xue took a shallow breath. His expression was incredibly solemn as he channeled his Inner Qi, his voice booming like thunder across the square, "The eighth round of the Fushan Grand Competition, the final match, begins now! The combatants—Chu Yunhai of Celestial Derivation Peak versus Yang Jing of Lingxi Peak!"
As Steward Xue’s voice faded, Yang Jing took a deep breath, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
He suppressed all other thoughts, his expression grave as he strode forward, walking toward the arena one steady step at a time.
Each footstep seemed to land on the hearts of the crowd, ratcheting up the tension.
As Yang Jing slowly advanced, the Lingxi Peak disciples behind him—Fang He, Yan Chenglong, Lin Ziheng, Ma Qiang, Zhang Hengyi, and the rest—all wore tense expressions, their eyes filled with nervousness and gravity.
Yesterday, when Yang Jing had fought Bai Ziyu, they had been focused, but not this apprehensive.
The strength Yang Jing had displayed gave them confidence that he could defeat Bai Ziyu.
Today, however, Yang Jing was about to face Chu Yunhai—the disciple hailed as the foremost genius of the Xuanzhen Sect’s younger generation, the man who had sat firmly atop the Hidden Dragon List for two years.
Chu Yunhai’s reputation was deeply ingrained in everyone’s minds, and a heavy feeling settled in their hearts. They hoped Yang Jing could perform another miracle, but they couldn’t help but be nervous for him.
Many of the ordinary Inner and Outer Sect disciples from Lingxi Peak watched Yang Jing’s receding back, their gazes filled with complex emotions—apprehension and worry mixed with an unconcealable sense of anticipation and hope.