Chapter 503 - 174: Potential Seeds, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

「June 10th.」

Yang Jing rose from his bed at the crack of dawn.

After quickly washing up, he felt utterly refreshed. The exhaustion from a night of arduous cultivation had completely vanished.

After a brief warm-up, Yang Jing sat on the stone bench in his courtyard. With a single thought, a panel materialized before his eyes—

[Mountain-Breaking Seal: Minor Achievement (651/2000)]

[Indestructible True Skill, Layer Two: Minor Achievement (101/2000)]

[River-Crossing Traverse: Entry Level (185/500)]

Yang Jing nodded slightly. Thanks to his recent period of arduous cultivation, his progress in martial arts had been quite significant.

Yang Jing also discovered that since he had practiced the Mountain-Breaking Seal and the Indestructible True Skill to the standard of the Qi Eating Realm, when he went back to cultivate River-Crossing Traverse, his speed was shockingly fast. He was practically advancing a thousand miles a day.

Sitting on the stone bench, Yang Jing slowly contemplated his future training plans and the fast-approaching Fushan Grand Competition.

Before long, a kitchen handyman arrived with a food box, delivering his breakfast.

Inside the food box was warm Spirit Rice Porridge, accompanied by two saucers of refreshing, appetizing pickled vegetables and a large platter of glistening, reddish-brown Rare Exotic Beast Meat. The rich, savory aroma was overwhelming.

Yang Jing picked up his chopsticks and began to eat heartily.

The Spirit Rice Porridge was soothing and easy on the stomach, while the Exotic Beast Meat was satisfyingly chewy. Once swallowed, a pure stream of Qi Blood Power slowly diffused from his stomach, flowing through his limbs and into every corner of his body.

For a Martial Artist at the Qi Eating Realm like him, ordinary meals could no longer meet the demands of his Qi Blood Power consumption from training. Only Exotic Beast Meat, rich with Spiritual Qi, could properly replenish his body.

Once he had eaten his fill, Yang Jing wiped his mouth, stood up, and locked the gate to Qing No. 4 Courtyard. He then headed straight for Lingxi Plaza at the summit of Lingxi Peak.

It was June, and the mountain vegetation was exceptionally lush.

Verdant canopies of leaves blotted out the sky, and sunlight filtered through the gaps, casting dappled shadows across the bluestone path.

Wildflowers bloomed wantonly along the path—red, purple, and yellow blossoms dotting the emerald grass. A gentle breeze drifted by, carrying the fresh, mingled scent of plants and flowers.

The occasional crisp birdsong from the woods only served to deepen the mountain’s tranquility.

Along the way, Yang Jing encountered many other Lingxi Peak disciples who were also heading for the summit.

Upon seeing Yang Jing, they would all stop to greet him politely.

"Good morning, Senior Brother Yang!"

"Are you also heading to Lingxi Plaza to gather, Senior Brother Yang?"

"I’m sure you’ll be a star at the Fushan Grand Competition, Senior Brother Yang!"

Yang Jing smiled and nodded, returning each greeting with a gentle expression, showing not a hint of arrogance.

Soon, Yang Jing reached the summit of Lingxi Peak and arrived at Lingxi Plaza.

The plaza was already bustling with disciples. A glance revealed a crowd of bobbing heads, numbering three to four hundred by a rough estimate.

Among the crowd were Inner Sect Disciples in white robes embroidered with the sect emblem, as well as Outer Sect Disciples in green robes. They gathered in small groups, some chatting in low voices, others rubbing their hands in anticipation. The atmosphere was electric.

The summit of Lingxi Peak was normally a tranquil place; it was rare to see it this bustling.

Only an event like the Fushan Grand Competition could draw disciples from all corners to gather here.

Some were registered competitors for the tournament, while others had come specifically to spectate.

According to the sect’s arrangements, the disciples of each peak were to gather at their respective plazas first, then proceed together to Fushan Square on Fushan Island’s Outer Island.

The moment Yang Jing set foot in Lingxi Plaza, many Lingxi Peak disciples took notice of him.

Many smiled in greeting, voluntarily parting to clear a path for him toward the front of the plaza.

By now, Yang Jing had become quite well-known on Lingxi Peak.

After all, disciples in the Qi Eating Realm were already the elite of the Inner Sect. What’s more, Yang Jing had broken through at an astonishing speed despite having joined the sect not long ago. With such talent, he was already widely recognized as a genius on Lingxi Peak.

As Yang Jing made his way toward the front of the plaza, a familiar voice suddenly called out from his side. "Senior Brother Yang."

Yang Jing turned toward the voice and saw Lin Ziheng, Fang He, Zhang Hengyi, and Zhao Xuexiang standing a short distance away. With them were two other white-robed disciples who carried themselves with an impressive air. It was Lin Ziheng who was waving and had called out to him.

A smile touched Yang Jing’s eyes upon seeing his acquaintances, and he immediately walked over to them.

When he reached them, he greeted Lin Ziheng, Fang He, and the others familiarly before nodding to the two unfamiliar faces in acknowledgment.

At this, Fang He grinned, took a step forward, and draped his arms over the shoulders of the two men beside him. "Junior Brother Yang, let me make some introductions," he said to Yang Jing. "These two are also Qi Eating Realm disciples from our Lingxi Peak. This is Ma Qiang, and he’s Yan Chenglong."

"This guy, Yan Chenglong, is a training maniac. He’s always cooped up in a Training Room in seclusion, and nothing can pry him out. As for Ma Qiang, he’s rarely in the sect. He spends most of his time in the Prefecture City handling family business, which is why you hardly ever see either of them."

He paused before adding with another smile, "The Fushan Grand Competition is such a huge event this year that it managed to draw both of them out. You should all get acquainted. You’re all fellow disciples of the same peak, after all."

Fang He continued, "Speaking of which, there are three of us from Lingxi Peak in the Qi Eating Realm who are competing in the Fushan Grand Competition this time: Yan Chenglong, myself, and you, Junior Brother Yang."

Only then did Yang Jing take a closer look at the two men.

Ma Qiang and Yan Chenglong were about the same height, both of average build—neither tall nor short.

Ma Qiang had a fair complexion and handsome features, with an air of sharp competence about him.

Yan Chenglong, by contrast, had a swarthy complexion and a lean frame, yet he stood ramrod straight. His eyes were bright and piercing, exuding a deep-seated steadiness that could only come from years of difficult training.

Then, Fang He turned to Ma Qiang and Yan Chenglong and introduced Yang Jing with a grin. "This is our Junior Brother, Yang Jing. He’s currently ranked twenty-third on the Hidden Dragon List. I’m sure you’ve both heard his name, right?"