Chapter 609 - 204: Potential Ranking, Yunxiao Sect (2)

"That’s right!" Lei Lie quickly chimed in, his eyes glinting sharply. "Sometimes, to achieve great things, you need to be bolder and more decisive!

"If Yang Jing can truly rise meteorically and become a powerhouse strong enough to influence the situation in Jintai Prefecture, it would be a tremendous boon for our entire Xuanzhen Sect. Our standing among the five great sects would be greatly enhanced!"

The hall immediately descended into a dispute. Qin Gang and Xie Xuan, who supported Chu Yunhai, and Li Zhihai and Lei Lie, who staunchly backed Yang Jing, each stuck to their arguments, refusing to yield.

Sect Leader Cao Zhen sat high above in his pearwood Grandmaster’s Chair, his face devoid of expression. He just quietly watched the Peak Masters argue, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest as he silently mulled over both sides’ reasoning.

「A moment later.」

Cao Zhen let out a light cough, and the argument in the hall instantly subsided.

His gaze slowly swept over the Celestial Derivation Peak Master, Huang Zhen, and Peak Master Lingxi, Bai Bing. Both were currently silent, their expressions calm.

Huang Zhen and Bai Bing were on good personal terms and often supported each other in sect affairs. Moreover, since the time of the Fushan Grand Tournament, the two had developed a habit of singing each other’s praises.

But at this moment, facing a dispute over which of their respective disciples would become the sect’s top prospect, both chose to remain silent.

This uncharacteristic silence, however, precisely revealed their individual leanings.

Huang Zhen naturally hoped his disciple, Chu Yunhai, would receive this honor, while Bai Bing firmly believed in Yang Jing’s potential and didn’t want a war of words to influence the final decision.

The atmosphere in the hall turned delicate for a moment. All eyes were fixed on Cao Zhen, awaiting his final verdict.

The silence in the hall spread. Bai Bing’s gaze inadvertently drifted toward Peak Master Yunxi, Zhou Yunyi.

At almost the same time, Zhou Yunyi happened to look over. Their gazes met briefly in mid-air, and without any words exchanged, they both tacitly looked away.

Yet that brief eye contact was enough for Bai Bing to understand Zhou Yunyi’s choice.

Among the Seven Vein Peak Masters of the Xuanzhen Sect, she and Zhou Yunyi were the only two women. Though their temperaments differed—one cool and aloof, the other gentle and graceful—this uniqueness made them the closest. They often spent time together and could understand each other without needing to say much.

Bai Bing knew that if Zhou Yunyi truly thought highly of Yang Jing’s potential, given her personality, she would have spoken up in agreement when Li Zhihai and Lei Lie were staunchly supporting him.

But Zhou Yunyi had remained silent from start to finish. This clearly meant that, in her view, Yang Jing’s potential was ultimately no match for Chu Yunhai’s.

She was only holding back out of consideration for their friendship, unwilling to speak out in direct support of Chu Yunhai and damage their rapport. That’s why she had chosen such a veiled neutrality.

Understanding this, Bai Bing sighed softly to herself but didn’t let it bother her too much.

The path of the Martial Dao had to be proven with strength, after all. She held unshakable faith in Yang Jing’s potential.

Just then, Cao Zhen’s gaze slowly moved to Chief Elder Ouyang Jingxuan, who was seated at the end of the hall.

By now, the Peak Masters in the hall had all revealed their leanings, whether overtly or subtly.

Peak Master Fen Yang, Xie Xuan, and the Peak Master of Zhenyue Peak, Qin Gang, explicitly supported Chu Yunhai.

Peak Master Qingxu, Li Zhihai, and the Thunder Peak Master, Lei Lie, staunchly backed Yang Jing.

Peak Master Yunxi, Zhou Yunyi, seemed neutral, but in reality, she leaned toward Chu Yunhai.

The Celestial Derivation Peak Master, Huang Zhen, and Peak Master Lingxi, Bai Bing, each favored their own disciple.

Only Chief Elder Ouyang Jingxuan had not uttered a single word from start to finish. He was the only one in the hall who had yet to state his position.

"Elder Ouyang," Cao Zhen’s voice broke the brief silence, "you are the sect’s Chief Elder, deeply experienced and with a unique perspective. Tell us your thoughts as well."

Ouyang Jingxuan was prepared for this. He didn’t speak immediately, but paused for a moment to gather his thoughts before slowly saying, "Sect Leader, fellow Peak Masters. In my humble opinion, the Fushan Grand Tournament has only just concluded. Both Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai have received generous rewards—the Yunqiao Jade Marrow, access to a Grade B Training Room, and a large number of contribution points. These resources are enough for them to spend some time quietly absorbing their gains."

He paused, then continued, "What’s more, both suffered considerable internal injuries in the final battle. Even with the aid of elixirs, they will need some time to recuperate and recover their peak condition.

"Even if we were to designate the top prospect right now, the sect couldn’t immediately commit its full support to their development. It would just lead to resources sitting idle."

At this, Ouyang Jingxuan paused. His gaze swept across the Peak Masters before finally landing on Cao Zhen at the head of the hall. He then continued in a solemn tone, "Therefore, I feel we should wait. There is no need to rush a decision right now."

As his voice fell, all the Peak Masters in the hall turned to look at him in unison, a hint of curiosity in their eyes.

This Chief Elder had always been prudent and level-headed; they were curious to see what kind of fitting suggestion he would propose.

Ouyang Jingxuan took a light breath and slowly shared his idea. "Give them both some time. We can observe their progress.

"Take Chu Yunhai, for example. His War Body has just awakened. It’s still unknown to what extent he will be able to control it and how much combat power he can unleash.

"Then there is Yang Jing. His progress over the last six months has been nothing short of terrifying. We need time to see whether this astonishing speed is a flash in the pan or if he can maintain it."

"Once enough time has passed, their potential and their limits will become much clearer. Then, we can make our choice with composure. That would be far more prudent than our current state of contention, where everyone is sticking to their own arguments," Ouyang Jingxuan added, his tone persuasive.