Chapter 618 - 207: The Might of the Qi Absorption Realm, Banquet in the Prefecture City (Part 2)

Their innate talent was considerable, but limited by opportunity, luck, or constitution, they had never been able to break into the Qi Absorption Realm.

After realizing they had no hope of a breakthrough, these veteran Qi Eating Realm experts would focus all their energy on enhancing their current abilities. They would continuously cultivate additional True Skills and refine their bodies and Inner Qi. Some among them, who had mastered three or more True Skills, possessed astonishing combat power.

The strength of such masters could almost match that of an ordinary expert who had just broken through to the Qi Absorption Realm.

However, this did not mean Yang Jing was weak. He was only slightly lacking when compared to the top-tier veterans who had been immersed in the Qi Eating Realm for decades.

But compared to the young Qi Eating Realm experts of his own generation, Yang Jing’s strength was terrifying.

After all, at his age, managing to cultivate a single True Skill to the Qi Eating Realm was enough to be considered a genius worthy of attention from the major sects.

And yet, Yang Jing had simultaneously advanced three True Skills to the Qi Eating Realm—a feat of talent and perseverance that was nothing short of astonishing.

As far as Si Jiawen knew, there was practically no Steward in the Xuanzhen Sect under the age of fifty who could surpass Yang Jing in strength.

Having served as the Senior Sister of Lingxi Peak for many years, she knew the distribution of power among the sect’s various branches like the back of her hand. Still, she had never heard of a young Steward reaching Yang Jing’s level.

As for those veteran Qi Eating Realm experts who had mastered three or more True Skills, they were exceedingly rare even among the five great sects of Jintai Prefecture and were by no means ordinary individuals.

Si Jiawen looked at Yang Jing and slowly withdrew her palm. The surprise in her eyes gradually gave way to approval, and she gave a slight nod.

She now had a fairly clear understanding of Yang Jing’s strength and acknowledged her junior brother’s potential.

Si Jiawen looked at Yang Jing, her tone calm but laced with encouragement. "Not bad. Your strength is decent. Again."

Hearing this, Yang Jing grinned and cupped his hands. "Alright. Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister."

’It was clear as day to him. With Senior Sister’s power, defeating him would be a trivial matter. To put it bluntly, this sparring match was a special opportunity she was giving him for guidance, a chance to see his own shortcomings in real combat.’

The moment the thought settled, Yang Jing no longer hesitated. The fused Inner Qi in his body surged once more.

He pushed off from his feet and shot forward again, unleashing a flurry of alternating punches. He executed the techniques of the Mountain-Breaking Seal one after another, each move fierce and sharp. The wind from his fists howled through the courtyard, kicking up dust from the ground.

Each punch, condensing all his strength and Inner Qi, was aimed at a different part of Si Jiawen as he tried to find an opening.

The two immediately clashed again.

THUD! THUD! THUD! Muffled impacts echoed continuously in the courtyard as shockwaves spread out one after another.

Outside the courtyard gate, any passing Lingxi Peak disciple who heard the commotion couldn’t help but slow their pace, their hearts filled with curiosity. ’What in the world is going on in Qing No. 4 Courtyard to cause such intense sounds of impact?’

With every exchange of fist and palm, Yang Jing could clearly feel the steady, powerful force coming from his Senior Sister’s hand.

He attacked with all his might, his moves swift and his angles tricky, but Si Jiawen defended with just a single palm, standing her ground, completely motionless, as if rooted to the spot.

No matter which direction Yang Jing’s fists came from, her palm would always arrive just in time, intercepting them with unerring precision and completely neutralizing their force.

Her seemingly casual defense was like an iron wall, leaving him no gap to exploit.

The more Yang Jing fought, the more excited he became. This sparring match was a golden opportunity for him. He could go all out without any reservations and use his Senior Sister’s immense power to test his own limits.

Each clash gave him a deeper understanding of how to use the Mountain-Breaking Seal.

The crucial part was that his Senior Sister was so powerful that even when he went all out, Si Jiawen could block him with ease. He didn’t have to worry about injuring her, which meant he didn’t have to hold back.

After they had been fighting for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Si Jiawen, observing Yang Jing’s still-relentless assault, suddenly spoke. "Didn’t you also cultivate a Body Technique True Skill to the Qi Eating Realm? Show me your speed. Don’t just rely on brute force."

At her words, a glint appeared in Yang Jing’s eyes. "Alright!" he responded immediately.

The moment he spoke, he channeled the Heart Method of the River-Crossing Art with all his might. The Inner Qi in his body instantly changed its path of circulation, and a light, nimble aura spread throughout him.

His Body Technique’s speed suddenly surged. His figure flickered erratically around the courtyard, leaving faint afterimages, as if multiple versions of him were simultaneously attacking Si Jiawen from all directions.

For a moment, it seemed as if countless versions of Yang Jing were moving and punching within the courtyard. The wind from their fists wove into a dense, inescapable net that closed in on Si Jiawen.

Yet Si Jiawen remained in place, her expression unchanged. Only after Yang Jing unleashed the River-Crossing Art and his speed increased dramatically did she slowly raise her other hand.

Defending with both hands now, her movements seemed slow, yet she precisely anticipated his every angle of attack. No matter how fast his Body Technique or how dense his assault, she blocked him with ease, missing nothing.

After another few moments of exchanges, fine beads of sweat appeared on Yang Jing’s forehead and trickled down his cheeks. The back of his shirt was soaked through, but he was exceptionally energized, fighting to his heart’s content.

The feeling of holding nothing back, of unleashing his full power, combined with the pressure of facing a top-tier expert, made the blood boil in his veins.