Chapter 505 - 174: Potential Seeds, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Yang Jing also nodded lightly, the serious expression on his face easing. He didn’t dwell on the subject of Lu Shaohua.

’The top masters on the Hidden Dragon List are certainly formidable, but I’m not completely helpless anymore. Rather than worrying for nothing, it’s better to focus on the upcoming competition.’

As time slowly passed, more and more disciples gathered in Lingxi Plaza, the bustling crowd nearly filling half the square.

The clamor of discussion and hearty laughter intertwined, merging into a lively wave of sound that drifted out toward the mountains.

Yang Jing watched the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd of his fellow sect members and thought to himself, ’If it’s already like this on Lingxi Peak, I can only imagine how spectacular the scene will be when the disciples from every peak gather at Fushan Square on the Outer Island.’

Just then, a commotion arose from the east side of the plaza, in the direction of the Internal Affairs Hall.

The crowd turned toward the sound. More than twenty stewards from the Internal Affairs Hall, all clad in blue Deacon’s Robes, were walking out together. The two at the forefront were none other than Steward Zheng and Steward Wang.

Yang Jing had only learned later from the idle chatter of others that both Steward Zheng and Steward Wang had reached the Peak of the Qi Absorption Realm. They were considered high-ranking among the sect’s stewards.

If they could take one more step forward and enter the True Qi Realm, they could be promoted to Sect Elders.

Steward Zheng’s gaze swept over the plaza and quickly fell upon Yang Jing. He gave Yang Jing a gentle smile and a nod.

They were too far apart to speak, so Yang Jing solemnly cupped his fists toward Steward Zheng and bowed slightly as a sign of respect.

He had always been grateful to Steward Zheng. Back when he was still in the outer sect, he had sought Steward Zheng’s advice on cultivating the Mountain-Shattering Fist. Later, when he participated in the Dragon Gate martial trials and the Cyan Qilin Battle, Steward Zheng had also led the group and had taken good care of him.

He was quite familiar with Steward Zheng.

Before long, the doors of the magnificent Lingxi Hall at the far end of the plaza let out a heavy CREAK as they slowly swung open.

The Peak Master of Lingxi Peak, Bai Bing, dressed in a moon-white Daoist robe, strode slowly out of the hall. Her posture was straight and tall, her features exquisitely beautiful, and her expression cool and detached. She was followed by six Elders of Lingxi Peak, their hair and beards all white.

The moment the Peak Master and the Elders appeared, the clamor in the plaza instantly died down by more than half.

Soon, under the leadership of Peak Master Bai Bing, the group of four to five hundred disciples from Lingxi Peak began their grand procession toward Fushan Square on the Outer Island, their footsteps echoing along the mountain path.

...

「Meanwhile.」

On the summit of the Main Peak, the atmosphere within the rear chamber of the majestic hall was starkly different—grave and solemn.

The Sect Leader of the Xuanzhen Sect, Cao Zhen, sat upon the main seat, dressed in an ink-black robe. His face was stern and imposing, his gaze profound.

In the guest seat beside him sat the Chief Elder, Ouyang Jingxuan, whose hair and beard were completely white. He was dressed in a simple, plain-colored Daoist robe. A faint aroma of tea wafted from the small table between them.

Cao Zhen lifted his teacup, took a gentle sip, and only after setting it down did he slowly ask, "How are the top three potential seeds for this grand competition progressing?"

Ouyang Jingxuan stroked his long beard and replied in a deep voice, "The number one potential seed is Chu Yunhai of Celestial Derivation Peak. He possesses a Second-Grade Root Bone and has exceptionally high comprehension. He has already mastered two Top-grade True Skills to the Qi Eating Realm. Furthermore, he has been at the Peak of the Qi Eating Realm for over a year now, diligently polishing his foundation, which is now extremely solid."

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhen nodded slightly, a trace of satisfaction in his eyes.

Ouyang Jingxuan continued, "Chu Yunhai is number one on the Hidden Dragon List. With his level of strength, he should be the strongest disciple participating in the Fushan Grand Competition. His chances of winning are the highest.

"I’ve also heard that Chu Yunhai has recently been searching for Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to help him break through to the Qi Absorption Realm. If he wins this competition, with the sect’s reward of the Yunqiao Jade Marrow and the subsequent priority on resources, he has a very high chance of breaking through to the Qi Absorption Realm before the next Jintai Grand Competition."

Cao Zhen nodded slowly, his tone holding a hint of deeper meaning. "Chu Yunhai is highly talented and has a steady disposition, but fame at a young age has inevitably given him a bit of an edge.

"Being stuck at the Peak of the Qi Eating Realm right now might not be a bad thing. It’s exactly what he needs to settle and temper himself. On the path of the Martial Dao, if the journey is too smooth and lacks adversity, it is actually detrimental in the long run."

Stroking his long beard, Ouyang Jingxuan nodded gravely, completely agreeing with the Sect Leader’s perspective.

After a moment of contemplation, he continued, "The number two potential seed is Bai Ziyu of Thunder Peak. Two months ago, that boy had a private match with Lu Shaohua. They exchanged a full hundred blows before he managed to defeat Lu Shaohua by overpowering him with his sword’s momentum.

"His primary skill is the Top-grade True Skill, Fiery Sun Sword, supplemented by the Mid-grade True Skill, Wind-Following Step. He has cultivated both to the Peak of the Qi Eating Realm. His sword strikes are fierce, his footwork is nimble, and he is well-rounded in both offense and defense."

Cao Zhen lifted his teacup, his fingertips tracing its side. He hummed lightly in acknowledgment, then looked up and asked, "At his current pace, what are his chances of breaking through to the Qi Absorption Realm before the Jintai Grand Competition?"

Ouyang Jingxuan’s brow furrowed slightly. He pondered for a moment before replying, "If he has a fortuitous encounter and finds suitable Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to aid him, or if the sect is willing to give him a push with some extra resources, he has a chance of breaking through to the Qi Absorption Realm before the next Jintai Grand Competition. Otherwise, his prospects are slim."

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhen merely gave a faint nod and said nothing more.

On the path of the Martial Dao, fortuitous opportunities and talent were both indispensable; neither could be forced.

Ouyang Jingxuan continued, speaking of the third potential seed, "As for the number three seed, Lu Shaohua of Qingxu Peak. I admit I previously underestimated the boy. I was even considering replacing him. I never expected he would be able to kill the Flower-Picking Thief, Li Zhikai, in a direct confrontation on Qixia Mountain while only sustaining minor injuries himself. That level of strength is more than enough for him to secure his position as the third seed."