Chapter 421 - 152: Peak Master Lingxi’s Mind
Upon hearing this, a bolt of lightning shot through Si Jiawen’s mind, as if she’d been viciously stung.
She instantly realized that the reason for her Master’s grim expression was likely connected to this list.
Having been by Bai Bing’s side for years, Si Jiawen was all too familiar with her Master’s temperament.
Though Bai Bing’s words sounded calm, they were laced with undisguised anger and dissatisfaction.
Bai Bing continued, "Our Lingxi Peak has two people on the list."
Si Jiawen looked up, her gaze fixed on Bai Bing seated high upon her cushion, and asked, "Master, who are they?"
The list Lingxi Peak had submitted this time contained a total of six disciples: three from the Qi Eating Realm and three from the Inner Strength Realm. Yang Jing’s name had been ranked first among the Inner Strength Realm disciples.
"Zhou Zheng and Shi Xin," Bai Bing said slowly.
Hearing this, Si Jiawen’s brow furrowed even more deeply.
’Zhou Zheng and Shi Xin?’ Both were Qi Eating Realm Inner Sect Disciples from Lingxi Peak and two of the three disciples at that realm on the submitted list.
’Does that mean all three Inner Strength Realm disciples Lingxi Peak submitted were rejected by the sect?’
Si Jiawen’s heart sank.
’That means Yang Jing didn’t make it onto the priority training list either.’
She couldn’t help but feel it was a shame and a pity for Yang Jing.
After all, once selected for the sect’s priority training list, a disciple would receive massive amounts of Cultivation Resources and wouldn’t even have to spend contribution points. For any disciple, this was a heaven-sent opportunity.
On second thought, Si Jiawen completely understood why her Master was so furious.
Her Master had deliberately placed Yang Jing’s name at the top of the Inner Strength Realm list, making her intention to strongly recommend him perfectly clear.
But the sect, in its wisdom, had rejected all three Inner Strength Realm disciples and kept only two from the Qi Eating Realm. This was a blatant slap in her Master’s face, and her Master was not one to lose face so easily.
Bai Bing slowly lifted her gaze to Si Jiawen. Her voice was cool and clear, betraying little emotion. "Go to Yunxi Peak, Celestial Derivation Peak, and Qingxu Peak. Inform the three Peak Masters that I intend to personally spectate at the Cyan Qilin Platform today. Ask them to accompany me."
At these words, Si Jiawen jolted, and a flash of shock flickered in her eyes.
’After so many years by Bai Bing’s side, how could she not understand the deeper meaning behind those words?’
’Her Master didn’t just want to watch the battles; she was clearly planning to use the Cyan Qilin Platform as a stage to make her move.’
Still, a flicker of doubt arose in her heart. ’Yang Jing is talented, and his performance in the Cyan Qilin Battle has been excellent, but is he really worth our Master getting this worked up over?’
’Or perhaps the results of this priority training list have displeased the other Peak Masters as well, and our Master is using this as an opportunity to rally them and demand an explanation from the sect?’
Si Jiawen didn’t dare to think further. She quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, I will see to it at once."
With that, she turned and quickly exited Lingxi Hall.
In an instant, Bai Bing was the only one left in the grand hall.
She remained seated cross-legged on her cushion, the hem of her plain white robes trailing on the floor. Her exquisite face was expressionless, but a frigid light glinted in the depths of her eyes.
After a moment, she slowly closed her eyes, and the aura around her gradually subsided.
...
Si Jiawen hurried out of Lingxi Hall. The mountain wind blew against her face, but it couldn’t dispel the turmoil in her heart.
As she hurried down the peak, she murmured to herself, ’Yang Jing, you have to prove your worth this time.’
If Yang Jing could make it into the top three in today’s competition, her Master would have every reason to march to the Main Peak and raise hell to secure that opportunity for him.
After all, a disciple who could reach the top three in his very first Cyan Qilin Battle was more than qualified to be on that priority training list.
But if Yang Jing’s strength proved insufficient and he was eliminated early, failing to even reach the final four, then even if her Master wanted to champion his cause, she would have no choice but to swallow her indignation.
After all, if Yang Jing himself performed poorly, on what grounds could her Master demand anything from the sect on his behalf?
...
「Meanwhile.」
The Cyan Qilin Platform on the mountainside of the Main Peak was already abuzz with a clamoring crowd, even more lively than the day before.
Hundreds of Inner and Outer Sect disciples from the various peaks had gathered, clustered in small groups and chattering amongst themselves. The din of their voices nearly drowned out the howling mountain wind.
More disciples were still arriving in a steady stream, every face alight with anticipation.
Yang Jing and his party followed Steward Zheng and Steward Wang, slowly approaching the Cyan Qilin Platform.
He glanced up and immediately spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.
Sun Ningxiang was standing outside the railing, standing on her tiptoes and looking in his direction.
Their eyes met. Yang Jing gave her a gentle smile and a slight nod.
Sun Ningxiang quickly waved back at him.
Steward Zheng and Steward Wang led Yang Jing straight to the area below the Cyan Qilin Platform.
A waist-high railing clearly separated the spectating disciples from the competitors.
Outside the railing was the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd of spectators; inside was the designated area for the competing disciples to rest and await their matches.
Zhang Hengyi, Chen Xuexiang, and Lin Ziheng followed them inside as well.
Zhang Hengyi and Chen Xuexiang had competed the previous day, so they were barely able to enter based on that status.
As for Lin Ziheng, he had gotten in purely by being thick-skinned, having pestered Steward Zheng the entire way until he was allowed through.
They had barely come to a stop when Zhang Hengyi leaned close to Yang Jing, his expression grave. "Junior Brother Yang," he warned, "be extra careful when you face Wei Dongting later. The man is incredibly strong. He might not have even used his full strength when he fought Shen Yurong yesterday."