Chapter 473 - 165: The Two Terrified Experts, Su Qingyue’s Lost Soul
In the Ninth Courtyard of the outer disciple residential area.
Liu Rou and Lin Wenxuan were huddled around a stone table, discussing the news of Yang Jing’s breakthrough to the Qi Eating Realm in hushed, excited tones.
For outer disciples like them, who were still in the Huajin Realm, the Qi Eating Realm was a distant dream—something to be revered, yet seemingly unattainable.
They could only wonder if they would ever have the chance to reach such a level in their lifetime. Even if they were fortunate enough to make a breakthrough, it would likely be decades from now.
As the two were deep in their animated conversation, a familiar figure appeared in the corner of their eyes.
Su Qingyue stumbled through the courtyard gate as if her soul had left her body. Staring blankly, she walked in without even lifting her head, went straight into her room, and slammed the door shut with a BANG.
Lin Wenxuan had been about to greet Su Qingyue. The words were on the tip of his tongue, but when he saw how utterly dejected she looked, his raised hand froze in midair, and he swallowed his words.
He frowned and turned to Liu Rou, asking with confusion, "What’s wrong with Junior Sister Su?"
Liu Rou shook her head helplessly, her gaze resting on the closed door. "She must be taking it hard," she said softly.
Liu Rou’s family was in the trading business, so she knew a fair bit about Su Qingyue’s family background.
In Jintai Prefecture, the Su Family was nothing more than an average, mid-tier clan.
The strongest member of the clan was the patriarch, now in his eighties. He was also the only expert from the Su Family to have reached the Qi Eating Realm in the past century.
However, when the old patriarch was young and roaming the Jianghu, he had suffered a severe internal injury that damaged his very foundation and shortened his lifespan. Now, he was nearing the end of his days.
Once the old patriarch passed away, the Su Family would be left without a Qi Eating Realm expert to protect them. Their enemies, who were watching like hungry tigers, and the other powers coveting the family’s assets would surely descend upon them all at once.
The Su Family would likely be unable to maintain its current position.
This was precisely why Su Qingyue had fought so desperately to join the Xuanzhen Sect, single-mindedly determined to find a powerful backer she could depend on to secure a future for herself and the Su Family.
But for all her scheming, Su Qingyue had ultimately backed the wrong horse.
Back when they all lived in the Ninth Courtyard, she had seen that Yang Jing was quiet and reserved, always engrossed in his training. Deciding he had no future, she set her sights on Zhao Hongxiang, who came from a wealthy family and possessed considerable talent. She put all her chips on him.
But she never could have imagined that Yang Jing, the man she’d written off as having "no future," would skyrocket to fame in just a few short months. He not only seized first place in the Cyan Qilin Battle but also broke through to the Qi Eating Realm in a single stroke, becoming one of the chosen prodigies on the Hidden Dragon List.
If Su Qingyue hadn’t underestimated Yang Jing back then—if she had instead swallowed her pride and tried to win him over—her situation today would likely be completely different.
Worse still, not only had she failed to win Yang Jing over, but she had also offended him multiple times—both openly and subtly—all for Zhao Hongxiang’s sake.
Thinking of this, Liu Rou couldn’t help but sigh, feeling a mix of pity for Su Qingyue’s poor choices and relief that she herself hadn’t antagonized Yang Jing.
"Junior Brother Lin, would you like to accompany me to visit Senior Brother Yang tonight?"
The moment Liu Rou finished speaking,
the sound of a chair being knocked over came from the room not far away.
...
「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」
Midway up Lingxi Peak, in Qing No. 4 Courtyard.
Yang Jing was up early, just as dawn was breaking.
He washed up briefly, and soon after, someone from the kitchens delivered his breakfast: a full two pounds of Rare Exotic Beast Meat, served with plain congee and side dishes.
The texture of the Rare Exotic Beast Meat was actually not much different from top-grade exotic beast meat. It was firm to the bite with a faint, savory aroma, but once swallowed, a powerful surge of energy would rapidly spread through his limbs and into every corner of his body.
After finishing breakfast, Yang Jing felt a pleasant warmth spreading through him. His qi and blood surged, and he felt as if he had limitless strength.
After breakfast, Yang Jing inspected the courtyard one last time. Seeing that everything was in order, he locked the gate.
He took a deep breath, his eyes burning with intensity as he looked toward the summit, and then set off straight for the top of the peak.
Today was the day the Peak Master had set for him to take the Bone Jade Pill and improve his innate aptitude.
His heart pounded in his chest, filled with eager anticipation for the changes the Bone Jade Pill would bring to his aptitude. He could barely contain his excitement.
If his aptitude could be improved, his training efficiency would increase dramatically. He could reach the peak of the Qi Eating Realm much faster, and his breakthrough to the Qi Absorption Realm would come far sooner than expected!