Chapter 591 - 197: Marriage Alliance

On Fushan Square.

As the Fushan Grand Competition officially came to a close, disciples from the Main Peak and the various other peaks began to depart in small groups.

Some excitedly discussed the thrilling finals, while others were dejected about their own rankings. Still others were busy talking about the top twenty geniuses in the sect.

The leaders and core disciples from the great families of Jintai Prefecture also began to take their leave, conversing in low voices about the competition’s results as they walked away.

The legend of this competition was destined to spread like wildfire to every corner of Jintai Prefecture, becoming the talk of the town.

Fang He, Yan Chenglong, and the others gathered around Yang Jing, enthusiastically suggesting they leave the island for the Prefecture City, find the best restaurant, and properly celebrate his tying for first place.

Yang Jing smiled and waved them off, politely declining. "Thank you all for the kind thought, Senior Brothers. But the competition just ended. The island is crowded with prying eyes, and the dust hasn’t settled yet. Why don’t we put off the celebration for another day? It’ll be my treat then."

Hearing this, the others didn’t insist. They all smiled in agreement, and after exchanging a few more pleasantries, they went their separate ways.

After bidding farewell to Fang He, Yan Chenglong, and the others, Yang Jing glanced over and saw Sun Ningxiang not far away. She was standing on her tiptoes, a worried expression on her face as she looked at him.

He quickly walked over to her, and they stood side by side.

Sun Ningxiang’s gaze fell on his tattered black tunic. His exposed arms and neck were covered in livid bruises and a few shallow, bloody scratches. A trace of unwiped blood still lingered at the corner of his mouth.

Her heart clenched. Her eyes grew red, and her voice was choked with worry and pain. "Junior Brother, are you alright?"

A warmth spread through Yang Jing’s chest at the sight. He raised a hand to gently wipe the blood from his mouth, offering a reassuring smile. "Don’t worry, Senior Sister. These are just superficial injuries. They look worse than they are. A few days of rest and I’ll be good as new."

Her tense heart eased slightly at his words. A gentle smile immediately blossomed on her face. "Congratulations, Junior Brother, for taking first place in the Fushan Grand Competition! That’s incredible. I’ll write to my father and the others later. They might not even believe it."

Yang Jing chuckled. "I couldn’t have gotten this far without you, Senior Sister. If it weren’t for the six Bone Marrow Tempering Pills you gave me, I never would have broken through to the Qi Eating Realm with my third True Skill, let alone fought Chu Yunhai to a draw."

Now that the fact he had three True Skills at the Qi Eating Realm had been revealed during the competition, there was no longer any need to hide it.

At his words, Sun Ningxiang’s eyes instantly lit up. The realization that she had truly been a great help to Yang Jing brought her a joy more intense than when she had broken through to the Qi Eating Realm herself.

She smiled and waved a hand dismissively. "You’re being too modest, Junior Brother. Bone Marrow Tempering Pills are precious, but plenty of families in Jintai Prefecture can acquire them. How many people, though, could use them to advance three True Skills to the Qi Eating Realm? At the end of the day, it’s all thanks to your own talent and hard work."

Seeing how happy she was, Yang Jing laughed too. "Senior Sister, I was hoping we could leave the island after the competition today, walk around a bit, and get something nice to eat. But the island is too crowded right now. Let’s go in a few days instead."

Sun Ningxiang nodded immediately, her voice filled with concern. "Of course. You just fought such an intense battle, Junior Brother. You need to go back and get some proper rest."

Yang Jing shook his head, his tone light. "I’m really fine, Senior Sister. With the Indestructible True Skill, these superficial wounds will be healed in an instant once I get back and circulate my technique.

"It’s the internal injuries that will take a few days to mend. But Chu Yunhai is in no better shape. We’re both in the same boat."

He was telling the truth. The Indestructible True Skill had an extremely powerful restorative effect on physical injuries, making the superficial ones negligible. However, the head-on clashes with Chu Yunhai on the platform had damaged his internal organs, and that was what truly required quiet recuperation.

Yang Jing paused for a moment before adding, "Senior Sister, when we pass by the kitchens on our way back to the peak, let’s ask them to send over extra food. We can just have a simple meal in the courtyard tonight. It can be our little celebration."

At his words, Sun Ningxiang’s eyes curved into crescent moons, and she beamed with delight. "Yes, of course!"

’For her, as long as she could be with Yang Jing, even a simple meal would taste sweeter than the most lavish feast. Where they ate, and what they ate, didn’t matter in the slightest.’

The two shared a smile and began walking side by side in the direction of Lingxi Peak.

Just as they exited Fushan Square, Yang Jing saw two graceful figures up ahead, slowly walking toward them.

One of the women, clad in a pale yellow dress with a graceful figure, was none other than Miss Jinlian.

The woman beside her, dressed in pink and with a delicate, pretty face, was Wang Xiao, the direct-line daughter of Jintai Prefecture’s Wang Family.

The two had clearly been waiting for them. The moment they saw Yang Jing, they quickened their pace.

Miss Jinlian and Wang Xiao walked up quickly and curtsied to Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang. "Greetings, Young Master Yang, Miss Sun," Miss Jinlian said, her voice gentle and polite.

Following behind Miss Jinlian, Wang Xiao also hurriedly curtsied, her voice holding an almost imperceptible nervousness. "Greetings, Young Master Yang, Miss Sun."

’Facing this prodigy from the Xuanzhen Sect who had just tied for first place in the Fushan Grand Competition, she felt both awed and timid.’

’Although the Wang Family was a great clan in Jintai Prefecture, even the Patriarchs of the three great aristocratic families had to watch their words and actions at the Xuanzhen Sect—to say nothing of the Wang Family itself.’

’With talent like Yang Jing’s, he was destined to become a high-ranking figure in the Xuanzhen Sect. Naturally, she didn’t dare show the slightest hint of disrespect.’

Miss Jinlian’s gentle gaze swept over the pair as she spoke with a smile. "In a little while, Young Master Maolin will be escorting a shipment of medicinal herbs to the Prefecture City. I’ll be hosting a banquet then, and I would be honored if Young Master Yang and Miss Sun would grace us with your presence. It would be a chance to celebrate your victory in the Fushan Grand Competition, and for all of us to get together and catch up."