Chapter 518 - 178: Focused Cultivation

Yang Jing had been waiting quietly in the area designated for the disciples of Lingxi Peak.

When he heard Steward Xue from the Main Peak call his name, he immediately stepped forward to the foot of the arena. He then applied a bit of force, his foot grinding against the bluestone ground and stirring up a nearly imperceptible gust of wind.

With a light leap, he soared like a hawk spreading its wings, landing steadily atop the massive, thirty-foot-high arena. His robes billowed gently, his movements utterly fluid and graceful.

Yang Jing looked up at the Main Peak Steward standing in the center of the arena. He respectfully cupped his fist and said in a clear voice, "Greetings, Steward Xue."

This Steward was named Xue Kun, one of the sect’s most senior Stewards.

He had presided over the earlier Cyan Qilin Battle, and he was now officiating the main tournament of the Fushan competition as well.

Steward Xue was a High-level Steward at the Peak of the Qi Absorption Realm. He was only one step away from breaking through his bottleneck to become a Main Peak Elder, a prestigious position that would grant him a place in the Elder Hall.

When Xue Kun saw Yang Jing, a gentle smile touched his lips, and he nodded slightly.

He had a very strong impression of Yang Jing. The memory of him overpowering numerous top-tier Inner Strength Realm disciples to take first place in the Cyan Qilin Battle was still fresh in his mind.

The sect always placed great importance on such talented disciples, so it was only natural that Xue Kun treated Yang Jing favorably.

Just then, Yang Jing’s opponent, an Inner Sect Disciple from Qingxu Peak named Hu Luoluo, finally made her way onto the arena.

Her steps were unsteady. She gripped the railing at the edge of the arena and slowly shuffled to the center, her round face taut with an extraordinary amount of tension.

Yang Jing turned to look at her, his gaze falling upon her freckled cheeks and her small, slightly prominent canines.

Hu Luoluo was already so nervous that her palms were sweating. When Yang Jing’s gaze swept over her, she found his eyes incredibly serious, carrying a palpable, invisible pressure. A chill ran down her spine, and her breathing grew fainter.

She composed herself, quickly bowing and cupping her fist toward Yang Jing. Her voice was as faint as a buzzing gnat. "Senior Brother Yang, I ask for your guidance."

Seeing her timid demeanor, Yang Jing’s lips curved into a slight smile. He gave a gentle nod, showing no signs of arrogance.

Seeing that both contestants were ready, Xue Kun announced in a loud voice, "Begin!"

As soon as he spoke, he turned and walked off the arena, leaving it entirely to the two combatants.

Yang Jing looked at Hu Luoluo and took a half-step back, gesturing for her to make the first move.

After all, his cultivation realm was already a cut above hers, and the disparity in their strength was immense. Allowing her to attack first was a common courtesy in such matches.

However, Hu Luoluo did not attack immediately.

She stood rooted to the spot, her fingers intertwined and her head slightly bowed, as if she were either contemplating something or trying to summon her courage.

Seeing this, Yang Jing’s brow furrowed slightly as he watched Hu Luoluo in confusion.

’I thought she would attack right away to test me, but I didn’t expect this kind of reaction.’

Just as Yang Jing was feeling puzzled, Hu Luoluo suddenly lifted her head. Her wide, round eyes glanced at him before quickly shifting to the sky above. Her eyes darted about as she mumbled something under her breath, from which he could faintly make out fragments like "meteorite" and "strike down."

Yang Jing was utterly baffled. He subconsciously followed her gaze and looked up at the sky.

The sky above was a pristine azure, with a few white clouds drifting lazily by. It was a clear day, and he saw nothing unusual.

At this, Yang Jing shook his head, deciding not to waste any more time.

He raised his right hand and clenched his fingers into a fist. The Inner Qi in his Dantian stirred, and wisps of it coiled around his knuckles, imbued with a heavy, focused power.

He took a light step forward. Without deliberately activating his Body Technique, he simply used basic footwork and threw a punch toward Hu Luoluo.

Yang Jing wasn’t satisfied with his own speed.

At least, not until he had mastered the River-Crossing Body Technique to the level of the Qi Eating Realm.

Even so, the punch he threw at Hu Luoluo—without even using his Body Technique—possessed a phantom-like speed that instantly gave her a fright.

Although Hu Luoluo’s Cultivation was considered decent among the Inner Sect Disciples of Qingxu Peak, she mostly interacted with fellow disciples in the Inner Strength Realm. She had very few dealings with elite disciples of the Qi Eating Realm, and consequently, she’d had little opportunity to spar with such experts.

Suddenly faced with an attack as swift as Yang Jing’s, she had no time to react at all.

All Hu Luoluo saw was a blur before Yang Jing’s figure appeared right in front of her, as if he had covered the distance in a single step.

She didn’t even have time to raise her arms to block before she felt an immense and irresistible force land gently on her shoulder.

The blow seemed gentle, yet it carried an unstoppable, overwhelming power.

The next moment, Hu Luoluo felt her body fly uncontrollably through the air like a fallen leaf, soaring straight out of the arena.

When she landed outside the arena, Hu Luoluo staggered and spun around, but she ultimately managed to stay on her feet.

She looked up in a daze at Yang Jing, who was still standing on the arena. A hint of bewilderment filled her wide, round eyes before it slowly dawned on her—she had lost.

Hu Luoluo knew in her heart that Yang Jing had shown mercy.

The force from that blow had seemed ferocious, but it had been perfectly controlled when it landed on her shoulder, merely sending her off the arena without causing the slightest injury.