Chapter 526 - 181: Top Ten
On the Fushan Battle Platform.
Main Peak Steward Xue Kun had just turned and taken no more than two steps when a heavy thud came from behind him.
He whipped his head around, his face a mask of astonishment.
’I haven’t even left the platform, and Huang Chao has already lost?’
Such a swift victory was beyond his expectations. After all, Huang Chao’s aura had been quite imposing just moments ago. At first glance, he looked like he had some real skill.
Xue Kun quickly composed himself, cleared his throat, and announced loudly, "Twelfth match! The winner is Yang Jing, disciple of Lingxi Peak!"
As his voice faded, Yang Jing cupped his hands in a salute to Xue Kun, then turned and walked off the platform.
He went straight back to the area where the Lingxi Peak disciples were gathered, found Fang He, and briefly told him he was going to a Training Room to cultivate.
Just like the day before, he left Fushan Square without the slightest hesitation, striding quickly toward the nearest Training Rooms on Thunder Peak.
Watching Yang Jing’s rapidly departing figure, Fang He, Ma Qiang, Yan Chenglong, and Lin Ziheng exchanged glances, unable to suppress their awe.
Yang Jing’s focus and fervent dedication to cultivation were far beyond those of his peers.
They thought about it carefully. So far, the only ones who had left Fushan Square immediately after their matches, without even a moment’s pause, were Chu Yunhai, Bai Ziyu, Lu Shaohua, and Yang Jing.
They had no need to stay and watch the other disciples’ matches. It was as if they had absolute confidence in their own strength, and the wins and losses of others were completely irrelevant to them.
Chu Yunhai, Bai Ziyu, and Lu Shaohua were the top three on the Hidden Dragon List, renowned young experts of the Xuanzhen Sect. No one was surprised by their behavior.
But Yang Jing was just a newly promoted Qi Eating Realm disciple. For him to possess the same confidence to look down upon his peers was truly astonishing to the group from Lingxi Peak.
...
「Meanwhile.」
The Training Room area on the mountainside of Thunder Peak was as quiet as ever.
After leaving Fushan Square, Yang Jing had made a beeline for this place, his steps light and filled with a sense of urgency.
He arrived at the Affairs Department next to the Training Rooms and took out his Sect Token. He handed it over and got straight to the point. "Excuse me, Steward. I’d like to rent a Level C Training Room, a spacious one if possible."
The Steward was an Inner Sect Disciple at the Inner Strength Realm with quite a bit of seniority. His hair and beard were slightly graying. Seeing it was Yang Jing, he quickly nodded politely, took the Token, and swiped it on a jade slate to the side.
He smiled and said to Yang Jing, "You’re too kind, Senior Brother Yang. With the grand competition going on at Fushan Square these past few days, our Thunder Peak Training Rooms have gotten a lot busier. Senior Brother Chu Yunhai, Senior Brother Bai Ziyu, and Senior Brother Lu Shaohua have all been here to cultivate, and now you’ve come as well."
According to sect rules, a Qi Eating Realm disciple, regardless of their peak affiliation, was considered higher in status than an Inner Strength Realm disciple. It was only natural for the Steward to respectfully address him as Senior Brother.
Upon hearing this, Yang Jing’s expression faltered for a moment, a hint of surprise on his face.
’I didn’t expect the three of them would also choose to cultivate in the Thunder Peak Training Rooms,’ he thought. ’It seems these top geniuses are just like me, seizing every moment and not daring to slack off in the slightest.’
Yang Jing took his Sect Token back from the Steward, now with the contribution points deducted, said his thanks, and turned to leave. He walked quickly toward the Level C Training Room the Steward had assigned him.
After Yang Jing left, the Steward stood there, watching his back and sighing softly.
He had been stationed at this Training Room’s Affairs Department for over a decade and had seen all sorts of disciples.
Geniuses like Chu Yunhai and Bai Ziyu, one would think they were already the favored children of heaven, yet their diligence far surpassed that of ordinary people.
When ordinary disciples had free time, they would either call up friends to hang out or gather to chat. It was a rare thing for them to even make time to use a Training Room once a month.
But disciples like Chu Yunhai, Bai Ziyu, Lu Shaohua, and Yang Jing could still find time for arduous cultivation in the Training Rooms, even during a hectic time like the Fushan grand competition.
This filled him with emotion. Some people were already a cut above the rest in terms of talent, yet they worked even harder. No wonder they became the sect’s most renowned geniuses.
Then there were other disciples who, despite having some talent, lacked ambition and spent their days in a daze, ultimately fading into mediocrity.
...
Yang Jing arrived at the Level C Training Room the Steward had assigned him.
It wasn’t the same one he had used yesterday, but the space inside was just as spacious. The floor, paved with smooth bluestone slabs, was flat and even. The cattail cushion in the corner was also clean. There was more than enough room for him to move about and practice his Body Technique.
He walked to the center of the Training Room and took out the small white porcelain vial containing six Bone Marrow Tempering Pills.
He uncorked the vial and with a flick of his fingers, tipped a single, glistening white Elixir into his palm.
The Elixir felt cool to the touch and gave off a crisp, medicinal fragrance. Wisps of the scent drifted into his nostrils, invigorating his senses.
Yang Jing carefully placed the small porcelain vial on the cushion in the corner, then walked to the very center of the Training Room and stood still.
He slowly closed his eyes, clearing his mind of all stray thoughts. His breathing gradually became long and steady as he calmed his turbulent emotions, bringing his body into the optimal state for cultivation.
The next moment, deeming his condition properly adjusted, Yang Jing unhesitatingly popped the Bone Marrow Tempering Pill into his mouth.
The Bone Marrow Tempering Pill dissolved the instant it entered his mouth, transforming into streams of warm, pure energy. It slid down his throat and into his abdomen, then spread out like a river branching into countless streams, coursing through his entire body.
Wherever it passed, his meridians swelled slightly, yet it was accompanied by a comfortable warmth. Even his bones seemed to vibrate gently.