Chapter 478 - 167: Master’s Generous Gift, Senior Sister’s Dejection
"Yes. I will take my leave." Yang Jing bowed respectfully, holding the manual for the Indestructible True Skill, and turned to leave Lingxi Hall.
He had only taken two steps when Bai Bing’s cool voice sounded from behind him. "Wait."
Yang Jing paused and turned around, confused, looking at Bai Bing. He wondered what other instructions his master had for him.
Bai Bing raised a hand and pointed to the pale blue meditation mat where he had just been meditating to refine the Bone Jade Pill. "This mat is woven from Spiritual Bamboo Heart Marrow," she said faintly. "It calms the mind and aids in cultivation. Consider it a gift for becoming my disciple. Take it with you."
Yang Jing followed her finger, his gaze falling upon the meditation mat. A strange thought suddenly popped into his head.
’He had a strong suspicion that his new master was only giving him the mat because he’d just spent so long sitting on it, covering it with grimy, black impurities. She probably thought it was dirty now and was just conveniently getting rid of it.’
But whatever he thought inwardly, Yang Jing dared not let a hint of it show on his face.
He quickly bowed to Bai Bing, his voice full of gratitude. "Thank you for your generous gift, Master!"
After speaking, he strode over to the meditation mat. He picked up the mat, which was surprisingly light yet felt warm and smooth to the touch, and carefully cradled it in his arms before bowing to Bai Bing once more. "I will take my leave."
This time, Bai Bing didn’t speak, only giving a slight wave of her hand.
Only then did Yang Jing, clutching the cultivation technique manual and holding the meditation mat, turn and walk out of Lingxi Hall.
Just as he stepped out of the hall, he nearly collided with a figure hurrying toward it.
The newcomer was dressed in martial attire, her posture ramrod-straight. She had a cool, aloof air about her. It was none other than the Senior Sister of Lingxi Peak, Si Jiawen.
Yang Jing quickly stopped and bowed to Si Jiawen. "Senior Sister."
Si Jiawen’s eyes landed on him, and she froze for a moment when she saw he was covered in grimy, black, oily impurities, with smudges of filth even in his hair.
Then she realized what must have happened. Yang Jing must have just taken a Bone Jade Pill in the hall, and the process of Washing Marrow and Cutting Veins had expelled all these impurities.
She couldn’t help but wave a hand dismissively. "No need for formalities. You’re covered in filth. Go take a bath and change into some clean clothes before you become a laughingstock."
Yang Jing glanced down at his own wretched state and gave a wry, helpless smile. He nodded at Si Jiawen, then clutched his things and hurried toward Qing No. 4 Courtyard, located midway up the peak.
...
Only when Yang Jing’s figure had disappeared into the distance did Si Jiawen look away and step into Lingxi Hall.
She walked to the center of the hall and bowed to Bai Bing, who was seated on the dais. "Greetings, Master," she said, her voice clear and crisp.
Bai Bing looked up at her, her voice cool. "What is it?"
"I have just returned from the Main Peak," Si Jiawen replied respectfully, straightening up. "The Chief Elder sent me to inform you, Master, that the Sect Leader and the Elder Hall have drafted a preliminary plan regarding the training program for the sect’s priority disciples. All Peak Masters are requested to convene at the council hall on the Main Peak tomorrow to discuss the details."
Bai Bing raised an eyebrow, her slender fingers tapping gently on the White Jade Meditation Mat on her lap. After a moment of contemplation, she gave a slight nod. "I understand."
She then changed the subject. "By the way, I have accepted Yang Jing as my disciple. In a couple of days, find some time to show him around the sect. Have him get acquainted with the Elders and Core Disciples from the other peaks."
Si Jiawen was taken aback by this.
’But on second thought,’ she mused, ’it’s not that surprising. Master has always thought highly of Yang Jing, so accepting him as a disciple is well within reason.’
She immediately bowed in acknowledgment, her tone respectful. "I understand."
...
「Meanwhile.」
Clutching the manual for the Indestructible True Skill and cradling the Spiritual Bamboo Meditation Mat, Yang Jing activated his Body Technique the moment he stepped out of Lingxi Hall. Wind seemed to swirl at his feet as he shot like an arrow toward Qing No. 4 Courtyard, midway up the peak.
The trees and plants lining the mountain path blurred as they flew past, and the only sound was the whistling of the wind in his ears. In just a few moments, he burst through the gate to his courtyard.
As soon as he was inside, Yang Jing didn’t even bother putting his things down, making a beeline for the old well in the corner.
He deftly lowered the wooden bucket, drew up a full pail of cool well water, then stripped off his filthy clothes and carried the bucket into his room.
The water sluiced over his body, bringing with it a refreshing chill that seemed to seep into his very bones, washing away the layer of grimy, black, oily impurities from his skin.
He scrubbed himself again and again, not stopping until the runoff water was no longer murky.
After changing into a clean set of green martial attire, Yang Jing stood in the courtyard and took a deep breath of the mountain breeze. He instantly felt much lighter.
The sticky, foul-smelling sensation was gone, replaced by an unprecedented feeling of refreshment. It was as if every fiber of his being was now unobstructed and clear, as if the well water had washed away every last bit of filth from his body.
Of course, Yang Jing knew this was just an illusion.
The Bone Jade Pill had helped him expel the accumulated dross from his body, but cultivating the Martial Dao was a continuous process of Washing Marrow and Cutting Veins. There were undoubtedly still countless subtle impurities left inside him that he would need to refine slowly over time.
After his bath, Yang Jing placed the Spiritual Bamboo Meditation Mat by his bed, then carefully took out the second half of the Indestructible True Skill manual.
He sat at his table and quickly skimmed through it, his eyes filled with delight.
This second half of the cultivation technique contained the exact methods he would need after breaking through the peak of his current stage. The techniques recorded within were incredibly intricate, far more profound than he had ever imagined.
However, he had yet to master the Indestructible True Skill to the peak of his current stage, so he couldn’t use this second half of the manual for now. He could only put it away safely in his wooden chest and hide it carefully.