Chapter 604 - 202: Yunqiao Jade Marrow, Rapid Progress

A moment later.

He shot to his feet, pulling off his white training clothes to reveal a lean, muscular back. His bronze skin glowed with a healthy sheen under the wall lamps of the Training Room.

Yang Jing spread his feet shoulder-width apart, sank into a horse stance, and slowly raised his hands, assuming the opening stance of the Mountain-Breaking Seal.

"HAH!"

A low cry erupted from his throat as he shot his fists forward. The punches displaced the air, creating a whistling sound.

The Mountain-Breaking Seal was known for its fierce and domineering nature, possessing formidable offensive power.

Under the dual effects of the Yunqiao Jade Marrow and the Exotic Beast Musk, Yang Jing felt his Inner Qi surge like a mighty river. Each punch was faster and more powerful than ever before.

His punches grew faster and fiercer. His figure darted back and forth within the Training Room, leaving behind a series of blurry afterimages.

As his fists flew, the wind they generated was biting, faintly ringing with the clang of metal on stone, as if possessing the power to split mountains and sunder rock.

Unlike his previous training sessions, this time he could clearly perceive the flow of Inner Qi through his meridians. Every blocked node was slowly clearing under the nourishment of the Yunqiao Jade Marrow, and every contraction and expansion of his muscles could unleash even greater strength.

Yang Jing had long ago figured out a training method that suited him.

He would focus his energy on breaking through to a higher realm in his main martial art, then use that high-level perspective to drive progress in his other techniques. This was far more efficient than practicing multiple martial arts simultaneously.

Now, he was focusing his main efforts on the Mountain-Breaking Seal, hoping to push this martial art to the Peak of Qi Eating Realm as quickly as possible and then break through to the Qi Absorption Realm.

Inside the Training Room, Inner Qi howled and fists tore through the air. The scents of the Exotic Beast Musk and Yunqiao Jade Marrow mingled, creating a unique training atmosphere.

Yang Jing was completely immersed in his training, shutting out the outside world. His eyes saw only the advance and retreat of his fists, and his mind was filled with thoughts of circulating his Inner Qi and refining his techniques.

Two hours passed in a flash. Yang Jing slowly stopped, retracting his fists and standing still.

He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving. Beads of sweat covered his forehead, trickling down his cheeks and dripping onto the floor.

But his eyes were brighter than ever, filled with an unconcealable joy. Before him, a panel clearly displayed the improvement to his Mountain-Breaking Seal—

[Mountain-Breaking Seal: Adept (949/2000)]

[Indestructible True Skill (Layer 2): Adept (155/2000)]

[River-Crossing Step: Adept (35/2000)]

The improvement from this training session was far more significant than any before.

It had increased from (839/2000) to (949/2000), a full 110-point increase in proficiency.

Of course, this situation would be difficult to replicate. It was the result of the powerful effects of the Yunqiao Jade Marrow combined with the terrifying training efficiency of a B-rank Training Room.

Especially the Yunqiao Jade Marrow. It was a treasure so potent it could even greatly benefit the cultivation of Pill Realm masters, making it an extremely precious resource even within the Xuanzhen Sect.

If the sect hadn’t been determined to nurture its young disciples—even setting up the Fushan Grand Competition to motivate them—they might not have been willing to offer the Yunqiao Jade Marrow as a reward.

After that training session, his proficiency in the Mountain-Breaking Seal had soared, his Inner Qi had become more robust and condensed, and his internal injuries were mostly healed.

He could clearly feel that some of the Yunqiao Jade Marrow’s medicinal effects had yet to be fully absorbed. Now was the perfect time to press his advantage.

Yang Jing didn’t rest for long. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, sank back into his horse stance, assumed the opening position, and continued practicing the Mountain-Breaking Seal.

The wind from his fists howled once more, echoing through the empty Training Room with an unstoppable edge.

...

While Yang Jing was immersed in his arduous training in the B-rank Training Room, his punches making the stone walls faintly tremble, Senior Sister Si Jiawen was walking slowly through a crowd of disciples on Lingxi Plaza at the top of Lingxi Peak.

She wore moon-white training clothes, a dark jade belt cinched at her waist. Her figure was tall and slender, and her cool, aloof aura was like the cold moon between the peaks, causing disciples along the way to stop what they were doing, bow in respect, and dare not make a sound.

Si Jiawen kept her eyes fixed forward, walking straight toward the Lingxi Great Hall at the end of the plaza.

Just as she set foot on the White Jade Steps before the hall, a figure in black robes hurried out from within. His steps were slightly rushed—it was none other than Senior Brother Zhao Wenju of Zhenyue Peak.

Zhao Wenju had a square-jawed face and a scholarly air, but his expression was unnatural at the moment, his brow furrowed with an ill-concealed awkwardness.

Si Jiawen raised an eyebrow, her steps faltering for a moment.

Zhao Wenju, like her, was the head disciple of his peak. While they had dealings on normal days, he rarely set foot on Lingxi Peak. His sudden visit today was rather unusual.

Though she was puzzled, she maintained her calm exterior and waited for him to approach.

Zhao Wenju quickly spotted Si Jiawen on the steps. He forced a smile and quickened his pace to meet her.

The two stopped midway up the steps and cupped their fists in greeting.

"Greetings, Junior Sister Si." Zhao Wenju’s voice was a fraction higher than usual, laced with a deliberately cheerful tone.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Zhao." Si Jiawen gave a slight nod, her tone cool and flat, betraying little emotion.

After the pleasantries, Si Jiawen asked bluntly, "Senior Brother Zhao, why have you suddenly come to my Lingxi Peak today? Is there some urgent matter?"

Zhao Wenju’s smile was strained. His eyes unconsciously darted toward the inside of the hall before quickly looking away. He gave a nervous laugh and said, "It’s nothing, just... delivering something for Peak Master Bai. An errand from my master."

He spoke quickly, seeming a bit uncomfortable.

After saying this, as if afraid Si Jiawen would ask more questions, he hastily cupped his fists again. "Junior Sister, I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll take my leave. We can chat more next time."

Before his voice had even faded, he turned and strode quickly down the steps. His hurried pace had the air of a hasty retreat, and he failed to maintain his usual composed demeanor.

Si Jiawen stood on the steps, watching Zhao Wenju’s rapidly receding back. She knitted her delicate brows, her confusion deepening.

’Zhao Wenju is always so composed. His behavior today is completely out of character. This so-called "delivery" sounds more like a flimsy excuse.’

’What on earth could he be delivering that would make him so flustered?’

She looked away, suppressing her curiosity.

’It’s Master’s business, after all. If I need to know, she’ll tell me.’

With that, she thought no more of it and continued up the steps toward the Lingxi Great Hall.

The two Inner Sect Disciples standing guard outside saw their Senior Sister arrive and were about to turn and announce her, but Bai Bing’s cool, gentle voice already drifted out from within the hall. "Jia Wen, come in."

Si Jiawen answered in acknowledgment and stepped into the great hall.

As soon as she entered, her gaze was drawn to an object in the center of the hall.

There sat a mahogany chest, half the height of a person. It was exquisitely crafted, its surface carved with intricate cloud patterns and its corners wrapped in brass, giving it a heavy, substantial presence.

Her Master was standing beside the chest, her gaze fixed on its lid, lost in thought.

Si Jiawen’s curiosity was instantly piqued.

’The chest looks heavy. Whatever is inside can’t be ordinary.’

’Considering the timing of Zhao Wenju’s departure and my arrival, this chest must be what he just delivered.’

’But why would Zhenyue Peak go to the trouble of sending Master such an extraordinary-looking chest?’

’What could possibly be inside?’

Although she didn’t voice her questions, she couldn’t help but let her gaze linger on the chest for a moment longer, the mystery deepening in her mind.

...