Chapter 593 - 198: Top of the Hidden Dragon List, Passion in the Night
In the more than half a year since arriving at the Xuanzhen Sect, Yang Jing had focused solely on his training and had never intentionally harmed anyone.
But if Yuwen Mingjue refused to back down and continued his schemes from the shadows, he wouldn’t mind finding a discreet way to silence him for good.
’Some rules are meant for those who abide by them. Against treacherous schemers, there’s no need for courtesy.’
Although the Xuanzhen Sect strictly forbade disciples from killing one another, rules were rigid, while people were flexible. If one was determined enough, they could always find a loophole.
Yuwen Mingjue couldn’t stay on Fushan Island forever. Once he left the island, away from the watchful eyes of the Xuanzhen Sect, it would be child’s play for someone of Yang Jing’s strength to kill him without a trace.
Suppressing the murderous intent in his heart, Yang Jing reined in his aura and turned to Sun Ningxiang, who was still on guard beside him. "Senior Sister," he said gently, "let’s head back."
Seeing his expression return to normal, Sun Ningxiang finally relaxed. She gave a slight nod, and the two walked side by side up the mountain path of Lingxi Peak.
...
「Afternoon, 3:00 PM.」
The Law Enforcement Main Hall on the Main Peak bustled with activity. Disciples from all the veins came and went in a steady stream. Some were there to accept sect missions, others to exchange contribution points, and still others perused the elixirs at the counter. It was noisy, yet orderly.
Just then, a powerfully built, imposing middle-aged man walked out from an inner chamber. He wore a blue Deacon’s Robe with a Bronze Token at his waist—it was none other than Steward Zhang, the man in charge of updating the Hidden Dragon List.
Steward Zhang walked to the announcement board in the center of the hall. He reached up, slowly took down the old Hidden Dragon List that had been hanging there for a long time, rolled it up, and set it aside. Then, he produced a new list, carefully smoothed it out, and used a paperweight to secure it firmly to the board.
After finishing, he gave the list a final look from top to bottom. Once he was satisfied there were no mistakes, he turned and strode back into the inner chamber.
The moment the list was posted, a large crowd of disciples swarmed around it. There were disciples from both the Inner and Outer Sects, all craning their necks, their eyes eagerly fixed on the new rankings.
When they saw the name at the top, the crowd let out a collective gasp, and the hall instantly erupted in discussion.
There, at the very top of the Hidden Dragon List, were two names emblazoned side-by-side: Chu Yunhai and Yang Jing. Tied for first place!
The sect had deliberately suspended updates to the Hidden Dragon List during the recent Fushan Grand Tournament.
After all, most of the participants were disciples from the upper echelons of the Hidden Dragon List. The outcome of a single match could turn the rankings upside down, so frequent updates would have only led to confusion.
Now that the tournament was over, the battle records and changes in strength of all disciples had been tallied and assessed to finalize this new version of the Hidden Dragon List.
The crowd around the announcement board grew, and every face was a mask of astonishment and disbelief.
Since the founding of the Xuanzhen Sect, there had never been a precedent for two people tying for first place on the Hidden Dragon List. As the old saying goes, "There is no absolute best in scholarship, and no second best in combat." The contests of the Martial Dao were always meant to determine a clear winner.
Normally, even if Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai had fought to a draw in the final match, the Elder Council would have most likely kept Chu Yunhai at the top of the list and placed Yang Jing in second.
This time, however, Sect Leader Cao Zhen himself had decreed that the two were evenly matched. The Hidden Dragon List ranking naturally had to follow the Sect Leader’s judgment, resulting in the direct tie for first place—a clear testament to the recognition of Yang Jing’s strength.
"My heavens, they’re tied for first on the Hidden Dragon List, too! I didn’t think Yang Jing would actually make it to number one!"
"Yang Jing is an absolute beast! He’s only been in the sect for a little over half a year, and he’s already surpassed Bai Ziyu and Lu Shaohua to stand on equal footing with Chu Yunhai!"
"The Sect Leader himself made the call, who would dare to object? This is a once-in-a-century event for the Xuanzhen Sect!"
Soon, news of the updated Hidden Dragon List—with Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai tied for first—spread like wildfire from the Law Enforcement Main Hall, sweeping across the Main Peak and out to the Seven Veins.
The entire Xuanzhen Sect was abuzz. Disciples gathered in small groups, fervently discussing the change. And on Lingxi Peak, talk of Yang Jing was absolutely everywhere.
"Senior Brother Yang has brought so much honor to our Lingxi Peak! First on the Hidden Dragon List!"
"Lingxi Peak used to rank in the middle to lower tiers of the Seven Veins. Now, thanks to Senior Brother Yang, we can finally hold our heads high!"
"Who will dare say Lingxi Peak has a talent gap now? Senior Brother Yang is our cornerstone!"
Whether they were Inner Sect Disciples or from the Outer Sect, every face on the peak was beaming with pride. Yang Jing had not only tied for first in the Fushan Grand Tournament but had also reached the pinnacle of the Hidden Dragon List. This glory belonged to all of Lingxi Peak.
...
Meanwhile, inside the Lingxi Great Hall at the summit of Lingxi Peak, all was silent.
Peak Master Lingxi, Bai Bing, sat cross-legged on a cloud-patterned cushion in the seat of honor. Dressed in a simple white gown, her aura was cold and ethereal.
On the stone desk before her lay two brand-new lists: the Profound Truth List on the left, and the Hidden Dragon List on the right.
According to sect rules, whenever the Hidden Dragon List and Profound Truth List were updated, the Main Peak Steward Hall would immediately transcribe copies and deliver them to the Seven Vein Peak Masters.
The lists currently on her desk were the ones that had just been delivered.
The rankings on the Profound Truth List had changed little. The Hidden Dragon List, however, had been completely upended by the Fushan Grand Tournament, with nearly half of the top spots changing hands.
Bai Bing’s gaze didn’t fall on the Profound Truth List, nor did it drift to the other names. Instead, it was fixed on the two words on the first line of the Hidden Dragon List: "Yang Jing." Her expression was distant, lost in thought.
She recalled how, just over half a year ago, Yang Jing had been an obscure Outer Sect Disciple who had just joined the sect. His aptitude was mediocre, and many had even looked down on him.
Yet in just six short months, he had staged a stunning comeback. He fought his way from the Outer Sect to the Inner Sect, from a complete unknown to co-champion of the Fushan Grand Tournament and number one on the Hidden Dragon List. Every step had been breathtaking, yet as steady as a rock.
Her fingertips gently brushed across the list on the stone desk. For the first time, a faint ripple of emotion stirred in Bai Bing’s cold, clear eyes.𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶