Chapter 530 - 182: Venting Anger for Master

Within a spacious Level C Training Room in the training area, halfway up Lingxi Peak.

Yang Jing was concentrating on cultivating "Crossing the River Horizontally." A Bone Marrow Tempering Pill rested on the tip of his tongue, the Elixir slowly dissolving with his saliva. It transformed into streams of pure, warm energy that, guided by his Heart Method Mantra, flowed strand by strand throughout his limbs and torso.

His figure flickered erratically within the Training Room. One moment, he was like a swan taking flight, a light tap of his toes on the stone floor sending him gliding several yards away.

The next, he seemed to be treading on waves, his intricate footwork kicking up gusts of wind. His robes billowed, leaving a trail of afterimages in his wake.

The entire Training Room was filled with his agile, swift form. Only the subtle whisper of his circulating Inner Qi echoed in the tranquil stone chamber.

After a long while, Yang Jing slowly came to a stop and exhaled a long breath of impure air.

The exhaled air carried a faint white tinge as it drifted toward the ground, evidently the last of the impurities from refining the Bone Marrow Tempering Pill.

He stood in place, eyes closed and mind focused, carefully inspecting the changes within his body.

He could feel that his legs were lighter and more powerful. His execution of "Crossing the River Horizontally" felt increasingly smooth and effortless. He was one step closer to the Qi Eating Realm.

...

「Meanwhile.」

At the summit of Lingxi Peak, within the Lingxi Great Hall.

The doors to the hall were pushed open gently, and Si Jiawen walked in slowly, clad in a simple, light-colored robe.

Looking up, she saw a cold and exquisitely beautiful figure seated on the master’s seat. It was none other than the Peak Master of Lingxi Peak, Bai Bing.

Her white robes were whiter than snow, her black hair like a waterfall. With her eyes downcast in quiet meditation, her entire being seemed shrouded in a faint frost that discouraged anyone from drawing near.

Si Jiawen hurriedly bowed, her voice respectful. "Your disciple, Si Jiawen, greets you, Master."

Bai Bing slowly lifted her gaze to Si Jiawen. With a slight nod, she spoke, her cool voice devoid of any inflection. "Today was the second round of the Fushan Grand Tournament. What is your assessment of the disciples’ performance?"

Si Jiawen straightened up and answered respectfully, "To answer, Master, your disciple watched the second round of the Fushan Grand Tournament today. The top three on the Hidden Dragon List—Chu Yunhai, Bai Ziyu, and Lu Shaohua—remain overwhelmingly dominant. Their strength is unfathomable, and their performances were particularly brilliant."

Bai Bing gave a slight nod at her words, listening patiently without interruption.

Seeing her master’s reaction, Si Jiawen continued, "Our disciples from Lingxi Peak also performed well. Among the disciples in the Qi Eating Realm, our youngest junior brother defeated Huang Chao of Zhenyue Peak in a single move today. His ranking rose another two spots, and he’s now in the top ten."

"Among the disciples in the Inner Strength Realm, both Zhang Hengyi and Zhao Xuexiang secured decisive victories."

"Lin Ziheng was also a surprise. He suddenly revealed a Body Technique on the stage that he had cultivated to a masterful level. He used his superior speed to defeat his opponent and squeeze into the top fifty."

Bai Bing fell into thought for a moment before she spoke, her voice as cool as ever. "Go and bring Yang Jing to me."

Si Jiawen was taken aback by her master’s words, a flash of surprise on her face. She quickly recovered, however, bowing and replying, "Yes, Master. Your disciple will go at once."

As soon as she finished speaking, Si Jiawen turned and quietly exited the great hall.

Bai Bing was left alone in the vast Lingxi Great Hall.

She sat in silence for a moment, then suddenly raised a hand and made a light beckoning gesture toward a nearby table.

A small, yellowed booklet on the table lifted into the air, seemingly guided by an invisible hand, and floated gently down into her palm.

Bai Bing lowered her gaze, her fingertip tracing the writing on the booklet.

It was densely filled with records detailing the missions that the Inner and Outer Sect disciples of Lingxi Peak had accepted from the Main Peak Steward Hall, as well as their martial arts exchanges at the Talent Pavilion.

Bai Bing’s gaze fell upon a single line on one of the pages: *Yang Jing, Inner Sect Disciple of Lingxi Peak, exchanged for the Mid-grade True Skill Body Technique, "Crossing the River Horizontally," at the Talent Pavilion. Cost: 118,000 contribution points.*

Her brow arched almost imperceptibly, and a thoughtful glint flashed in her cool eyes.

...

「Elsewhere.」

Halfway up Lingxi Peak, in the living quarters for Inner Sect Disciples, Qing No. 4 Courtyard.

Yang Jing had just put down his bowl and chopsticks, having finished cleaning up the last of his dinner, when a soft knock sounded on his courtyard gate.

He wiped his hands. ’Could that be Senior Sister Ning Xiang looking for me?’ he wondered.

Yang Jing walked briskly to the gate and unfastened the latch.

But the person standing outside wasn’t the beautiful, familiar figure he expected. It was Si Jiawen, clad in her simple robe, her expression cool.

The smile on Yang Jing’s face faltered. A look of confusion replaced it as he cupped his hands in greeting. "Senior Sister? What brings you here? Is something wrong?"

At his words, Si Jiawen’s brow furrowed. "What?" she said, her voice low. "Am I not allowed to come see you?"

Her chiding tone caught Yang Jing off guard, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Yang Jing quickly explained, "You misunderstand, Senior Sister. I was just surprised, that’s all."

Before he could finish speaking, Si Jiawen seized his wrist.

Her fingertips were cool to the touch, but her grip was surprisingly strong. She started pulling him out of the courtyard. "Enough chattering," she said, "Master is looking for you. You’re coming with me."

"Wait, Master?" Yang Jing was stunned. ’Peak Master Lingxi is famously reclusive and rarely summons disciples. Why would she suddenly want to see me? Could it have something to do with the Fushan Grand Tournament?’

He struggled against her grip. "Senior Sister, slow down!" he said urgently. "I haven’t locked my gate!"

Si Jiawen scoffed, not slowing her pace in the slightest. "Who’s going to steal that junk of yours?" she said without looking back. "Let’s go. We can’t keep Master waiting."

With that, she continued to drag Yang Jing by the wrist, hurrying toward the summit of Lingxi Peak.

The evening breeze on the mountain path swept past, rustling the hems of their robes and drawing stares from the other disciples they passed.

Yang Jing finally managed to wrench his hand free. Rubbing his reddened wrist, he said ruefully, "If any of my treasures go missing from my room, you’ll have to pay for them, Senior Sister."