Chapter 443 - 157: Grade B Training Room
Yang Jing smiled and nodded. "Senior Sister," he suggested suddenly, "let’s leave the island and head into town for a bit. We can get a good meal at the Ma Family Tavern to celebrate this victory."
’Of course, he was eager to break through to the Qi Eating Realm as soon as possible, but he knew the Steward Main Hall needed time to register his access to the Level B Training Room. He wouldn’t be able to use it so quickly.’
’He’d won first place today and was in high spirits, so it was the perfect chance to go out and relax with Sun Ningxiang.’
’The food at the Ma Family Tavern last time had been excellent. This was a good chance to go back and unwind.’
Sun Ningxiang’s eyes lit up the moment she heard they were going out. Her face filled with delight, and she nodded eagerly. "Great! I was just thinking I wanted to get out for a bit, too!"
The two chatted as they walked side-by-side toward the Fushan Island docks, occasionally encountering other sect disciples in small groups along the way.
Some disciples, upon seeing Yang Jing, cast curious and admiring glances his way. Some even stopped, bowed to him, and respectfully called out, "Senior Brother Yang."
With the conclusion of the battle on the Cyan Qilin Platform, the news of Yang Jing winning first place had already spread throughout Fushan Island.
Yang Jing’s fame within the Xuanzhen Sect had soared, and he became a legendary figure, the talk of many disciples.
...
Night had fallen, but the summit of the Xuanzhen Sect’s Main Peak was brightly lit.
The upturned eaves of the Main Peak’s great hall sketched a majestic silhouette against the night sky. Faint voices could be heard from within, making the surrounding night seem even more tranquil.
Si Jiawen stood silently by the stone steps outside the great hall. The evening breeze brushed past, causing the hem of her skirt to flutter gently.
She looked up at the palace hall, which was as bright as day, and thought to herself, ’It must be quite lively in there right now.’
For a newcomer like Yang Jing to take first place in the Cyan Qilin Battle... such an achievement was nothing short of stunning.
And yet, the list of disciples designated for special training, previously drafted by the Main Peak, did not include Yang Jing’s name; Lingxi Peak’s recommendation had been summarily rejected.
After Yang Jing’s meteoric rise to fame today, the Main Peak would likely have to reconsider its position.
An hour slowly passed, carried away by the evening breeze.
Finally, the vermilion doors of the Main Peak’s great hall were pushed open from within, and the Seven Vein Peak Masters walked out, talking amongst themselves.
The leaders of the group were in a lively discussion, seemingly still debating some point.
Bai Bing walked at the rear of the group, her expression as cold as ever, with little emotion visible in her eyes.
Si Jiawen hurried forward to Bai Bing’s side. She bowed to the other Peak Masters nearby, her voice clear and respectful. "Greetings, esteemed Peak Masters."
The Peak Masters nodded in acknowledgment. Bai Bing, however, just gave a slight nod, her thin lips parting. "We’re going back."
As soon as the words left her mouth, the two of them started walking toward Lingxi Peak.
The late April night on Fushan Island was gentle.
The evening breeze, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees, drifted over the rolling mountain peaks.
The lights on the various peaks were like scattered stars, dotting the ink-black mountain forests. The occasional chirp of an insect from the grass only accentuated the tranquility of the night.
Wildflowers bloomed by the mountain path, their faint fragrance unfurling in the moonlight. A gust of wind swept past, stirring the leaves into a soft rustle.
The two walked all the way up Lingxi Peak, encountering many Lingxi Peak disciples on duty along the path.
Upon seeing Bai Bing, the disciples all bowed respectfully in greeting, calling out in unison, "Greetings, Peak Master!"
Bai Bing nodded slightly, her pace unbroken, and led Si Jiawen straight to the summit of Lingxi Peak and into the Lingxi Great Hall.
Inside, candlelight flickered, casting a warm yellow glow throughout the hall.
Bai Bing walked to the cattail cushion at the head of the hall, sat down cross-legged, and gently tapped her fingers on her knee, her gaze serene.
Si Jiawen stood in the middle of the hall with her hands at her sides, her eyes on her master’s profile, feeling a little curious.
’She truly wanted to ask about the list of disciples for special training, but with her master silent, it wasn’t her place to bring it up. She could only suppress her curiosity.’
After a moment of silence, Bai Bing finally looked up at Si Jiawen. Her voice was as cold as ever, yet it carried an almost imperceptible tremor. "The Main Peak has made a decision. The list of disciples for special training will be redrafted."
She paused, then added, "The candidates on the list will be deliberated on again. A new version will be finalized in a few days."
Hearing this, Si Jiawen felt a sense of relief.
She let out a silent sigh of relief, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes.
’Her master’s intentions had been clear when she invited the other Peak Masters to watch the Cyan Qilin Battle today.’
’As long as Yang Jing placed in the top three of the Cyan Qilin Battle, her master would have the leverage to go to the Main Peak and fight for a spot for him.’
’Now that Yang Jing had won the championship with such a dazzling performance, her master’s position was naturally even stronger.’
’As expected, the list previously set by the Main Peak would be redrafted after all.’
...
「The next day.」
The sky was just beginning to lighten. The first faint light of dawn filtered through the window lattice and into the room in Qing No. 4 Courtyard.
Yang Jing was up early. A quick wash swept away any trace of fatigue from his face.
The breakfast delivered from the kitchens was warm and appetizing: two pounds of high-grade Exotic Beast Meat and a side of vegetables.
He ate it quickly, then got up, left the courtyard, and headed straight for the training room area of Lingxi Peak.
For winning first place in the Cyan Qilin Battle, the sect had granted him ten days of access to a Level B Training Room. Today was the first day.
Yang Jing was completely focused on breaking through to the Qi Eating Realm and wasn’t willing to waste a single moment. His steps were light as he hurried along, and before long, he arrived at the training room area.
Outside the training rooms, many disciples were already coming and going, preparing to start their morning practice.
When they saw Yang Jing, everyone looked over. Some were curious, some were awed, and a few Inner Sect Disciples smiled and greeted him.
Yang Jing politely nodded back to each of them without breaking his stride, walking directly to the Affairs Department on the side.
He handed over the Disciple Token from his waist and said, "Disciple Yang Jing. I won first place in the Cyan Qilin Battle yesterday and was awarded ten days of access to a Level B Training Room. I’ve come to use it today."
The steward was a middle-aged man with a calm expression who was used to seeing sect disciples. At first, he didn’t react when he saw Yang Jing, but after hearing his words and taking a closer look at the young man whose fame had recently skyrocketed, his expression immediately became serious.
He stood up, cupped his hands in a salute to Yang Jing, and said politely, "So it’s Junior Brother Yang in person. My apologies, I didn’t recognize you."
Although this steward was on duty at the training rooms, he was also a senior Inner Sect Disciple of the sect. He had only taken on the steward position because he had been unable to break through to the Qi Eating Realm.
In the Xuanzhen Sect, a steward’s rank was lower, and he didn’t need to be so polite even to ordinary Inner Sect Disciples. But facing Yang Jing, the new champion of the Cyan Qilin Battle, he didn’t dare show the slightest disrespect.
Then, not daring to delay, the steward quickly picked up a brush and ink, scribbled in the register, and recorded Yang Jing’s name and the dates of use. Only then did he hand the Token back. "Junior Brother Yang, you can go directly to Training Room B-3. The Exotic Beast Musk Aroma in that room was just replaced, so it’s the most effective."
Yang Jing took the Token, said his thanks, and turned to walk toward the Level B training rooms.
Many disciples along the way saw this scene, and their eyes filled with deep envy.
After all, even Inner Sect Disciples could typically only cultivate in the Level C Training Rooms.
The Spiritual Qi concentration and the boost from the Exotic Beast Musk in a Level B Training Room were far beyond what a Level C room could offer.
A single day of cultivation in a Level B Training Room was worth several days of hard work in a Level C one. Such a disparity was enough to make countless disciples yearn for the opportunity.
Yang Jing soon arrived outside Training Room B-3. It was a rustic stone building with "B-3" carved on the lintel above the door.
He raised his hand and pushed open the heavy stone door, then closed it behind him, completely shutting out the noise from outside.
The moment he stepped into the stone room, a rich but not pungent scent of Exotic Beast Musk washed over him, filling his nostrils.
Yang Jing instantly felt as if the fragrance was seeping into every part of his body. The Inner Strength within him even began to stir restlessly.
It was precisely this Exotic Beast Musk Aroma that had a powerful stimulating effect on the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi and a Martial Artist’s Inner Strength, greatly increasing cultivation efficiency.
And the higher the concentration of the aroma, the better the cultivation effect would naturally be.