Rise in the Martial Chaos: Starting From a Martial Arts School

In that case, she, as his Senior Sister, ought to pay more attention to Yang Jing. If he encountered any difficulties with his cultivation or sect affairs in the future, she would lend a hand where she could.

After all, if Yang Jing could successfully break through to the Qi Eating Realm, their Master would win her bet against Qin Gang. This would be a boon for all of Lingxi Peak.

Having come to this understanding, Si Jiawen said no more. She bowed to Bai Bing and respectfully stated, "I understand. If Master has no other instructions, then I shall take my leave."

"By the way, over the next few days, I want you to compile a list of Inner Sect disciples with immense potential and give it to me," Bai Bing said slowly. "The sect is preparing to identify a group of disciples for special nurturing. Each peak has very few slots, so you must be extremely selective with the names on this list."

"Yes," Si Jiawen’s expression grew solemn. "I will begin at once."

Bai Bing gave a slight nod, dismissing her.

Si Jiawen turned and walked silently out of the hall. The doors closed behind her, plunging the entire Lingxi Hall into vast, empty silence.

Bai Bing sat alone upon her high dais, her gaze resting on the hall doors as she murmured to herself, "To have already cultivated three martial arts to the Huajin Realm at such a young age... That level of talent and perseverance is no less than what I possessed back then. What’s even more incredible is that one of them is the Indestructible True Skill, a Top-grade True Skill that is notoriously difficult to cultivate..."

"With talent like that, the Qi Eating Realm will be far from his final destination." Bai Bing slowly closed her eyes, her aura once again becoming tranquil as she seemed to sink back into a deep state of meditation.

She hadn’t revealed much to Si Jiawen. The bet had merely been the catalyst for her to take notice of Yang Jing. What truly captured her interest was the immense potential he held.

But the path of cultivation must ultimately be walked alone. She was optimistic about Yang Jing’s future and willing to provide him with support, but if he didn’t cherish the opportunity and lacked the will to work hard and advance, it would all be for naught, no matter how much she valued or tried to nurture him.

On the path of the Martial Dao, there is no such thing as success without effort.

...

Yang Jing left Lingxi Hall, his steps light as he descended the stone stairs of Lingxi Peak. He followed the winding mountain road of Fushan Island, making a beeline for the Main Peak.

The morning mist in the mountains had not yet dispersed, carrying with it the fresh scent of plants and trees. He was so preoccupied with the urgent task of selecting a martial art that he paid no attention to the scenery along the way.

Before long, Yang Jing had ascended the Xuanzhen Sect’s Main Peak. In a secluded area between the mountainside and the summit, he found the Xuanzhen Sect’s Talent Pavilion.

It was a grand, unadorned wooden building, a six-story pavilion with each floor smaller than the last.

Intricate cloud patterns were carved into its flying eaves and upturned corners. Though its wooden beams and pillars were covered in the scars of time, the building still radiated a solemn dignity and a palpable sense of history, inspiring reverence in all who beheld it.

The great doors of the Talent Pavilion stood open, with disciples in white or blue robes constantly entering and exiting. All wore solemn expressions, not daring to cause the slightest disturbance.

Yang Jing took a deep breath and stepped into the Talent Pavilion.

Just inside the main doors, set against a wall, was an old wooden desk. Behind it sat a middle-aged Steward. He wore gray martial attire, his face was calm, and his eyes scanned every disciple who entered or left.

Seeing Yang Jing approach, the middle-aged Steward put down his teacup and asked matter-of-factly, "What is your business here?"

"In response to the Steward, this disciple has just been promoted to the Inner Sect and has come to select a new martial art to cultivate," Yang Jing said with a respectful bow.

As he spoke, he took the Inner Sect Disciple Token, engraved with the insignia of Lingxi Peak, from his robes and offered it to the middle-aged Steward with both hands.

The middle-aged Steward accepted the Token, rubbing it gently with his fingertips. He then picked up a small booklet from the desk and began to look through it.

The booklet contained the names of all newly promoted Inner Sect disciples from every peak, a notice issued by the sect.

Any disciple on the list was entitled to choose one primary martial art for free, without spending any contribution points. This was a benefit exclusive to new Inner Sect disciples.

After verifying Yang Jing’s identity, the middle-aged Steward handed the Token back to him, gestured toward the stairs leading to the second floor, and said slowly, "The first floor of the Talent Pavilion stores martial arts and cultivation techniques below the level of True Skill. They are mostly for Outer Sect disciples to practice and will be of little use to you.

"The second floor has Low-grade True Skills, and the third has Mid-grade True Skills. Go on up and pick one for yourself. Remember, you are only permitted on the first three floors of the Talent Pavilion, you may only select one primary martial art, and you cannot be greedy."

"I understand," Yang Jing replied with a bow. He took the Token, tucked it safely away, and turned toward the staircase.

As he stepped onto the first floor of the Talent Pavilion, Yang Jing’s gaze swept over rows of bookshelves lined with martial arts manuals. The disciples browsing the books were almost all Outer Sect disciples in blue robes.

Whether standing or sitting, they were all completely focused, occasionally discussing details of the martial arts in low voices.

Yang Jing knew the Cultivation Technique he needed wasn’t here, so he didn’t linger. He stepped onto the creaking wooden staircase and headed straight for the second floor.

The second floor was slightly smaller and dimmer than the first. A faint smell of ink and old books permeated the air.

At a glance, only a dozen or so Inner Sect disciples in white robes were scattered about, each holding a manual and studying it intently. The entire floor was so quiet that the only sound was the soft RUSTLE of turning pages.

Yang Jing walked over to a bookshelf and began to look through the martial arts manuals one by one.

The manuals here were all incomplete, containing only the first half of each technique. This was a deliberate measure by the sect to prevent its martial arts from being leaked.

Only after choosing a Cultivation Technique and registering it with the Steward could a disciple obtain the complete manual.

His fingers brushed over the cover of one manual after another. Whenever he encountered a Cultivation Technique whose style was clearly contrary to the fierce and powerful nature of the Mountain-Shattering Fist, he would merely skim a few pages before putting it down.