Chapter 494 - 171: Old Acquaintance (4)

She looked at Yang Jing. Though he spoke with his usual easygoing manner, an invisible aura of profound dignity now emanated from his every move, commanding a sense of awe.

It was hard to imagine that in just a few short months, Yang Jing had undergone such a world-shattering transformation.

The young man before her bore no resemblance to the slightly inexperienced youth she had first met.

Yang Jing chuckled and nodded. "I just had a fortunate breakthrough a while ago."

Hearing this, Miss Jinlian took a deep breath, the complex emotions in her eyes deepening.

She was suddenly reminded of something. She had seen Yang Jing’s outstanding talent and had wanted to recommend him to the Xuanzhen Sect.

She had even specially pleaded with a senior uncle of hers, a Steward in the Yunxiao Sect, only to be flatly rejected on the grounds that his ’talent was decent, but his foundation was lacking’.

That senior uncle was at the Qi Eating Realm. And now, in just a few short months, Yang Jing had also reached this very same realm.

At this, Liu Maolin, who had been listening to their conversation, was stunned for a moment, not quite processing what he’d heard.

The next moment, as if struck by a bolt of lightning, he shot up from his chair. His face was a mask of disbelief, and his voice trembled. "The Qi Eating Realm? Isn’t that the realm above Transformation?"

He knew little about the Martial Dao realms above Transformation, but from leading his merchant caravan all over the country to deliver medicinal herbs, he had heard plenty of rumors about Martial Artists of the Qi Eating Realm. He knew they were top-tier experts capable of shattering stone and splintering wood with a mere wave of the hand.

Yang Jing nodded, openly admitting it.

Liu Maolin remained incredulous. He stared blankly at Yang Jing, his lips trembling. After a long moment, he managed to force out a shocking question: "Junior Brother, doesn’t this mean you’re stronger than Master now?"

Sun Yong, the Hall Master of Sun’s Martial Arts Hall, was only at the Peak of Transformation. There was still a nearly insurmountable gulf between that and the Qi Eating Realm.

Yang Jing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Just as he was about to explain, Sun Ningxiang spoke up with a smile. "Of course. Junior Brother is in the Qi Eating Realm now, so naturally, he’s much stronger than someone at the Transformation realm."

Liu Maolin slowly sat back down. He picked up his teacup and downed it in one go, but his fingertips still trembled slightly. His face was dazed; clearly, he still hadn’t recovered from the news.

Seeing this, Yang Jing quickly changed the subject, looking at Liu Maolin with a smile. "By the way, Fourth Senior Brother, how is my family?"

Liu Maolin snapped back to his senses and nodded quickly. "They’re all doing well, very well! Your grandparents are hale and hearty, and your mother is doing great, too. They often go for a look around the East Market and West Market in the Outer City. I heard your mother and your aunt are even talking about opening a shop. And that kid Yang An is really promising. Although he hasn’t reached Bright Strength yet, he’s built a solid foundation. He should be there soon."

Hearing this, the weight on Yang Jing’s heart finally lifted.

The four of them chatted idly while enjoying the delicacies on the table.

Liu Maolin was full of curiosity about a major sect like the Xuanzhen Sect. He asked about everything from the cultivation environment to whether they had any powerful martial arts, and Yang Jing patiently answered all his questions.

Liu Maolin frequently exclaimed in amazement, much like a country bumpkin who had never seen the world. Of course, he didn’t put on any airs in front of Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang, completely unconcerned with his image.

About an hour later, having eaten and drunk their fill, the four of them got up and left the restaurant.

An exquisitely decorated carriage from the Lu Family was already waiting at the restaurant entrance, a driver standing respectfully beside it.

The two pairs parted ways there. Miss Jinlian and Liu Maolin walked toward the carriage.

Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang stood watching as the other two boarded. Just as they were about to turn and head back to Fushan Island, the Lu Family carriage, which had only just started moving, came to a sudden halt.

The door was opened from the inside, and Miss Jinlian quickly stepped out. She walked straight over to Yang Jing, a gentle smile on her face. "Young Hero Yang, I didn’t prepare anything lavish to congratulate you on your breakthrough to the Qi Eating Realm. Please, consider this a small gift."

Before she had even finished speaking, she pressed an exquisitely carved wooden box into Yang Jing’s hands.

Yang Jing’s fingers accidentally brushed against Miss Jinlian’s soft, delicate palm, and he froze for a second. He was about to refuse, but she had already pushed the box into his chest and turned to hurry back to the carriage.

She glanced back, giving Yang Jing a radiant smile that made her eyes curve like crescent moons, then lifted the curtain and boarded the carriage.

The carriage wheels rumbled, and it gradually receded into the distance, disappearing at the edge of town.

Yang Jing held the exquisite wooden box, gazing in the direction the carriage had vanished, feeling a stir of emotion.

Sun Ningxiang, standing beside him, let out a soft laugh. "As expected of a Qi Eating Realm expert, Junior Brother. Your eyesight is astounding. You can still see the carriage from this far away."

Yang Jing shook his head, at a loss. He had no idea when his usually gentle and sweet Senior Sister had become so sharp-tongued.

Sun Ningxiang pressed her lips together and said softly, "This Miss Jinlian is quite a thoughtful person."

Yang Jing heard this and looked at her in confusion, not understanding what she meant.

Sun Ningxiang explained, "Miss Jinlian must have had that gift prepared in advance. She just didn’t want to present it in front of Fourth Senior Brother. If she gave you a lavish gift while he had brought nothing, wouldn’t that put him in an awkward position?"

She paused, then added with a smile, "That’s why she deliberately chose this moment to get out of the carriage and give you the gift while Fourth Senior Brother wasn’t looking."

It finally dawned on Yang Jing. He smiled, shook his head, and looked at Sun Ningxiang. "You’re pretty thoughtful yourself, Senior Sister."

Sun Ningxiang scoffed lightly and ignored him.

Yang Jing, for his part, looked down at the exquisite wooden box in his hands. He traced the smooth patterns on its surface with his fingertips, a sense of curiosity rising within him.

’What kind of gift could be in this box?’

’What would Miss Jinlian give me?’