Chapter 482 - 168: Yunqiao Jade Marrow, A Qi-Devouring Spar
Xiao Nu was the Senior Brother of Fen Yang Peak, his cultivation devastatingly powerful.
Zhao Wenju was the Senior Brother of Zhenyue Peak, as steady as a mountain, with peerless offense and defense.
The strength of these two made them some of the most elite prodigies, even among the entire younger generation of Jintai Prefecture.
Ever since the sect’s humiliating defeat in the last Jintai Grand Competition, Cao Zhen had steeled his resolve.
He was determined to cultivate a truly exceptional disciple who could carry the sect, to wipe away the shame of the Jintai Grand Competition, and to reaffirm the Xuanzhen Sect’s status in Jintai Prefecture.
For the past four years, the sect had placed extraordinary importance on the training of its disciples. Not only had it increased its investment of resources, but it also frequently held competitions of various scales.
On one hand, this was to stir the disciples’ competitive spirit and desire to win, allowing them to grow quickly through sparring.
On the other hand, the competitions were also used to screen for those disciples with true talent and potential, so the sect could focus its resources on cultivating them further.
In particular, the sect’s investment in cultivating each peak’s Senior Brother had reached an almost absurd level.
All sorts of Spirit Medicines for Body Tempering and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for nourishing one’s acupoints were poured into them endlessly.
It was precisely because of this no-expense-spared investment that the strength of Xiao Nu, Zhao Wenju, Si Jiawen, and the others had advanced by leaps and bounds, leaving other ordinary Qi Absorption Realm disciples far behind in the dust.
Cao Zhen stood up and walked to a window in the hall. He gazed at the heavy darkness outside, his voice tinged with anticipation. "There is one year left until the next Jintai Grand Competition. In this coming year, we must further increase our efforts in cultivating the Senior Brother of each peak. Especially Xiao Nu and Zhao Wenju. If one of them can break through to the True Qi Realm before the competition..."
He trailed off, a flash of fervent hope in his eyes.
...
「The next morning, just as the sky began to lighten.」
Yang Jing rose early. After washing up, he changed into a clean, white set of martial arts attire, looking refreshed and full of vigor.
Before long, a servant from the dining hall hurried over with a food container, delivering a steaming hot breakfast to the courtyard.
It was the usual generous portion of Rare Exotic Beast Meat with plain congee, its rich aroma filling the air.
Yang Jing quickly finished his breakfast, cleared away the bowl and chopsticks, then locked his courtyard gate and walked briskly toward the Training Rooms located at the peak’s waist.
Although the concentration of the Exotic Beast Musk Aroma in a Level C Training Room was far inferior to that in a Level B one, and the cultivation efficiency was a notch lower, it was still a great deal better than cultivating out in the open in his courtyard.
Yang Jing was unwilling to waste even the smallest opportunity to improve.
He hadn’t gone far when he spotted two people standing by the mountain path ahead, conversing in low voices under a tree.
One of them was Lingxi Peak’s famous "Bai Xiaosheng," Lin Ziheng.
The other person, though not a close acquaintance, was someone Yang Jing recognized: Fang He, a Qi Eating Realm Inner Sect Disciple from Lingxi Peak.
Without breaking his stride, Yang Jing walked over.
Just then, Lin Ziheng and Fang He saw Yang Jing as well and turned to walk toward him.
As they drew near, they all clasped their fists in greeting.
Lin Ziheng, a familiar smile on his face, called out cheerfully, "Senior Brother Yang."
Yang Jing also nodded politely in response. "Senior Brother Fang, Junior Brother Lin."
Lin Ziheng asked with a smile, "Senior Brother Yang, off to the Training Room for some hard cultivation again?"
Yang Jing nodded, his tone calm. "I am."
Hearing this, Lin Ziheng couldn’t help but exclaim with admiration, "No wonder you broke through to the Qi Eating Realm so quickly, Senior Brother Yang! Your diligence and hard work put the rest of us to shame!"
Yang Jing just smiled faintly and said nothing more.
Standing to the side, Fang He felt a wave of emotion as he looked at Yang Jing’s youthful face.
’I remember how I had to accumulate power at Inner Strength Perfection for over four years to break through to the Qi Eating Realm. I cultivated day and night, exhausted countless resources, and only just barely managed to cross that threshold.’
’But what about Yang Jing?’
’He’d only been in the sect for a few months, yet he’d advanced triumphantly all the way from the Inner Strength Realm to the Qi Eating Realm. Such speed was simply heaven-defying.’
Fang He couldn’t help but recall the incident at Lingxi Plaza. Back then, Yang Jing had just taken first place in the Cyan Qilin Battle and was ranked number one on that unofficial Spirit Tide Dragon and Tiger List.
’At the time, I was chatting with Lin Ziheng and the others, saying that if I had the chance, I should get to know this genius Junior Brother. If Yang Jing ran into any trouble with his cultivation, I could even offer him a bit of guidance.’
’But who would have thought that in just a few short days, Yang Jing would have already broken through to the same realm as me?’
’Perhaps with his current strength, having just broken through to the Qi Eating Realm, his foundation is still shallow, and he’s weaker than me.’
’But I know very well that with the talent and disposition Yang Jing has shown, it’s highly likely he’ll surpass me given enough time.’
Fang He looked at Yang Jing with a gentle smile and took the initiative to suggest, "Junior Brother Yang, you’ve just broken through to the Qi Eating Realm, so I imagine you’re not yet familiar with its combat techniques. How about we have a friendly spar? It would be a good way for you to quickly familiarize yourself with using the power of the Qi Eating Realm and solidify your new cultivation."
’Yang Jing may have entered the Qi Eating Realm,’ he thought to himself, ’but he only just broke through. His foundation definitely isn’t as deep as mine.’
’This spar is a perfect opportunity for me to offer him some guidance, and it’ll be a good way to build a friendly connection.’
When Yang Jing heard this, his eyes lit up slightly.
He had just been worrying about how to test his strength after his breakthrough and was eager to see what it was like to fight a Qi Eating Realm Martial Artist. Fang He’s suggestion was exactly what he’d been hoping for.
Hearing Fang He’s words, Yang Jing didn’t hesitate and immediately agreed with delight. "It is what I was hoping for, though I wouldn’t have dared to ask. Then I will have to trouble Senior Brother Fang!"
Beside them, Lin Ziheng’s eyes lit up as well, his face a picture of interest.