Chapter 392 - 147: Dragon and Tiger List, Masters of the Peaks
「Two days later.」
Dawn was just breaking when Yang Jing awoke in Qing No. 4 Courtyard, located halfway up Lingxi Peak.
Faint light filtered through the window, carrying the crisp chirping of birds from the forest and the fresh scent of grass and trees on the air.
He rose and stretched, feeling his entire body loosen up.
After several days of cultivating the Mountain-Breaking Seal, the effects of Washing Marrow were beginning to show, and his spirits had improved considerably as a result.
Yang Jing sat up in bed. With a flicker of his will, a panel displaying the data for his various martial arts appeared before his eyes.
[Mountain-Breaking Seal: Novice (75/500)]
[Mountain-Shattering Fist: Perfection (2000/2000)]
[Thunderous Leg: Perfection (1660/2000)]
[Indestructible True Skill: Perfection (1399/2000)]
By training daily in the Level C Training Room, Yang Jing’s progress with the Mountain-Breaking Seal was astonishingly fast.
At this rate, he could reach the limit of the Novice stage within a month and then break through directly to the Qi Eating Realm.
’As expected of a major sect. These Training Rooms are an incredible help to a disciple’s cultivation.’
’Training in a Level C Training Room is four to five times more efficient than outside.’
’Without the Training Room to help me cultivate the Mountain-Breaking Seal, it would probably take me nearly half a year of slow grinding to reach the limit of the Novice stage.’
’If a Level C Training Room is already this effective, I can hardly imagine how much more powerful the higher-level Level B and Level A rooms must be.’
’But there’s an opportunity right now—a chance to use a Level B Training Room for free. It’s time to register for the Cyan Qilin Battle.’
Yang Jing’s eyes narrowed slightly as details about the Cyan Qilin Battle surfaced in his mind.
’The Cyan Qilin Battle... If I can place in the top three, I’ll get to use a Level B Training Room and receive many other sect rewards. The time it’ll take me to break through to the Qi Eating Realm will be greatly reduced.’
After pondering for a moment, Yang Jing got out of bed and began to get ready.
After a quick wash, the soft call of a servant disciple came from outside his courtyard gate.
Yang Jing opened the gate and took the food container. Inside was warm rice porridge, a small dish of pickles, and two plates of Exotic Beast Meat.
He thanked the disciple, handed back yesterday’s empty container, and watched him bow and retreat. Only then did he carry the food back to the stone table in the courtyard and leisurely begin to eat his breakfast.
The porridge was smooth and warm, and the meat was savory and fragrant. A comforting warmth spread through his body as he ate.
After breakfast, instead of heading straight for the Training Room as usual, Yang Jing made his way toward the summit of Lingxi Peak. He was going to the Internal Affairs Hall to register for the Cyan Qilin Battle.
Ever since Si Jiawen had mentioned it, the rewards for the Cyan Qilin Battle had been constantly on his mind.
The ten days of free access to a Level B Training Room, in particular, would be a tremendous help in his push for the Qi Eating Realm.
Today was the twenty-sixth of the fourth month. According to the sect’s rules, registration for the Cyan Qilin Battle had already begun.
The Cyan Qilin Battle was held on the last two days of every month. The registration period was only three days long, and missing it meant waiting another month.
Before long, he reached the summit. The stone slabs of Lingxi Plaza stretched out before him, and in the distance stood the familiar Internal Affairs Hall.
Yang Jing took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The main hall wasn’t crowded. A few Stewards sat behind their counters handling sect business, with disciples occasionally approaching to ask questions. The atmosphere was calm and orderly.
Yang Jing’s gaze swept across the counters, but he saw no signs for Cyan Qilin Battle registration.
After a moment’s thought, he walked to the nearest counter, bowed to the Steward who was writing at his desk, and asked respectfully, "Greetings, Steward. This disciple would like to ask, how does one register for the Cyan Qilin Battle?"
Hearing this, the Steward paused his wolf-hair brush and looked up, his sharp eyes scanning Yang Jing from head to toe.
His gaze lingered on Yang Jing for a moment before he asked with some hesitation, "You want to register for the Cyan Qilin Battle?"
In the Xuanzhen Sect, the Cyan Qilin Battle had always been a stage for the most talented disciples from each peak.
Those qualified and bold enough to register were usually disciples of considerable strength and potential, and the Stewards of the Internal Affairs Hall were familiar with most of their names.
Yet as this Steward stared at Yang Jing, he couldn’t recall having any impression of him whatsoever.
Meeting the Steward’s probing gaze, Yang Jing nodded, neither servile nor overbearing. He said in a steady voice, "In response to the Steward, this disciple was only recently promoted to the Inner Sect. I believe I meet the registration requirements for the Cyan Qilin Battle and wish to participate to test and temper myself."
The Steward withdrew his scrutinizing gaze, his hesitation fading somewhat. He pointed toward the back of the Internal Affairs Hall and said flatly, "The Cyan Qilin Battle isn’t my responsibility. Go find Steward Zheng. He’s in charge of coordinating all matters related to the battle with the Main Peak. He’s in that room back there."
’Steward Zheng?’ Hearing the name, Yang Jing felt a surge of delight.
Of all the Stewards on Lingxi Peak, he was most familiar with Steward Zheng.
After the Dragon Gate Martial Trial, it was Steward Zheng who had handled his paperwork to become an Inner Sect Disciple. Yang Jing had even asked him for advice on cultivating the Mountain-Shattering Fist once.
He quickly bowed to the Steward, thanked him, and then turned to walk toward the room in the back of the Internal Affairs Hall.
...
Following his memory, Yang Jing easily found his way to the room deep within the Internal Affairs Hall.
He had come here once before with Steward Zheng while completing his Inner Sect admission, so the layout was not unfamiliar to him.
He raised his hand and rapped his knuckles gently on the wooden door, making a crisp KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
"Come in," Steward Zheng’s familiar voice called from inside the room.