Chapter 470 - 165: The Two Terrified Masters, Su Qingyue’s Soul-Loss
On the mountain path below Yunxi Peak.
A group of four or five people was slowly making its way up.
The two men in the lead stood tall, their auras steady. They were none other than Gao Yang and Xu Ziqiang, disciples of great renown within the Xuanzhen Sect's Inner Strength Realm.
These two were considered the twin peaks among the Inner Strength Realm disciples, having dominated the top two spots of the Cyan Qilin Battle for years.
Their Cultivation had long been polished to the Peak of the Inner Strength Realm; an ordinary disciple at the Peak of Transformation wouldn't last three moves against them.
They had created an insurmountable gap between themselves and the other top experts of the Inner Strength Realm.
Whenever the two of them appeared on the Cyan Qilin Battle's platform, the other disciples were left with only despair, unable to even muster the will to compete for the top spot.
The group ascended the winding stone steps of the mountain path, chatting casually with a relaxed air.
They were on their way to a small gathering up the mountain at Yuwen Mingjue's invitation.
Speaking of Yuwen Mingjue, neither Gao Yang nor Xu Ziqiang were particularly close to him. At most, they were mere acquaintances from the same sect.
However, in their eyes, Yuwen Mingjue was a classic case of "a fool with more money than sense." He was extravagant and enjoyed associating with famous disciples like them, willing to offer tangible benefits to win them over.
Naturally, they were more than happy to befriend someone like that. They got practical benefits and an extra admirer—what was there not to like?
For example, the last time Yuwen Mingjue wanted to win first place in the Cyan Qilin Battle, he paid them a hefty price to leave the sect for a few days.
But in the end, not only did he fail to secure the top spot, he also ended up being severely injured by Yang Jing.
Xu Ziqiang glanced at Gao Yang, a playful smile touching his lips. He spoke slowly, "I say, Lao Gao, what do you think Yuwen Mingjue invited us up the mountain for this time? In my opinion, it's most likely about the Cyan Qilin Battle at the end of the month. He'll want us to rough up that kid, Yang Jing. I just wonder what kind of decent offer he'll make this time."
The relationship between Xu Ziqiang and Gao Yang was far more familiar than their relationship with Yuwen Mingjue.
The two had fought on the Cyan Qilin Battle's platform for years, going head-to-head every month in incredibly close matches, both giving their all to claim the top spot.
Yet, it was precisely this rivalry that had made them grow more familiar and closer with each fight, fostering a mutual respect between them.
Hearing this, Gao Yang paused for a moment, then gave a slight nod, a sharp glint in his eyes. "As long as he isn't asking us to kill Yang Jing, anything else is on the table."
"At the end of the day, we're all disciples of the same sect. Going a little rough in a spar is fine, but if someone actually dies, the sect's rules are absolute. No one can bear that responsibility."
"As for what we'll do, that depends on what kind of goodies Yuwen Mingjue is willing to cough up."
Both men had been stuck at the threshold of the Peak of the Inner Strength Realm for years, the path forward shrouded in uncertainty.
Every opportunity for a breakthrough was hard-won, and they would never let go of even the slightest chance that might help them succeed.
The Yuwen Family behind Yuwen Mingjue was a renowned and wealthy merchant family in Jintai Prefecture. Their businesses, spread throughout the prefecture, were all wildly profitable ventures.
As the direct heir of the Yuwen Family, Yuwen Mingjue had plenty of valuable items on hand—Spirit Medicines for Body Tempering, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to aid Cultivation—all of which were highly attractive to Gao Yang and Xu Ziqiang.
At that moment, both men were thinking the same thing: they hoped to pry a few of Yuwen Mingjue's most prized possessions from his hands to help them break through their bottleneck and finally reach the coveted Qi Eating Realm.
They walked side by side, and though a breeze carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees swept across the mountain path, it couldn't dispel the anxiety in their hearts.
They knew all too well that no matter how strong they were now, they were ultimately just Martial Artists of the Inner Strength Realm. Between them and an expert of the Qi Eating Realm lay a chasm-like gap.
The stronger they became, the more keenly they felt this immense disparity—like the difference between the clouds and the mud—and the more they yearned to step into that higher realm and truly join the ranks of the Xuanzhen Sect's elite.
Xu Ziqiang nodded lightly, the corner of his mouth curving into a cold arc. His tone was casual. "Of course, we can't kill Yang Jing. The sect's rules are there for a reason, and no one dares to cross that line. But seriously injuring him isn't a big deal. After all, fists have no eyes. Didn't he break Yuwen Mingjue's bones during the last Cyan Qilin Battle?"
He paused, then added, "The sect strictly forbids disciples from killing each other, but there are exceptions. Take the Cyan Qilin Battle platform, for instance. Disciples are allowed to go all out there. If it really comes down to a life-or-death struggle, no one can guarantee they won't slip up. Even with experts from the various peaks watching from below, they sometimes can't intervene in time. If a death or injury occurs, the sect will most likely rule it an 'accident.'"
"But that rarely happens," Gao Yang interjected, his gaze darkening. "Those Elders and Stewards below the stage are all individuals of profound Cultivation. They can tell with a single glance whether someone is intentionally trying to kill their opponent. If you really dared to show killing intent on the platform, you'd probably be apprehended on the spot the moment you made your move."
So, it was crystal clear to both Gao Yang and Xu Ziqiang: as long as they didn't kill Yang Jing on the Cyan Qilin Platform, the sect wouldn't look too deeply into it, even if they severely injured him, breaking an arm or a leg.
After all, injuries were a common occurrence in battles between Martial Artists.
As for Yang Jing's strength, neither of them took it seriously.
In their view, while it was true that Yang Jing had some skill to have won first place in the Cyan Qilin Battle, he was ultimately a new disciple with an insufficient foundation.
Compared to seasoned experts like them, who had been immersed in the Peak of the Inner Strength Realm for years, he was still a long way off. He was no match for either of them.