Chapter 534 - 183: Origins and a Great Feud

Halfway up Lingxi Peak, in a spacious Level C Training Room.

Yang Jing was focused on cultivating the *River-Crossing Step*.

The effects of the Bone Marrow Tempering Pill had yet to fully dissipate, still flowing slowly throughout his body.

His movements grew increasingly nimble. His feet gripped the bluestone floor as Inner Qi, guided by the principles of the Body Technique, flowed to the soles of his feet.

With a light tap of his toes, he glided several yards away like a wisp of smoke, landing without a sound, not even disturbing a single speck of dust.

Suddenly, with a sharp twist of his waist, his body abruptly changed direction. He shifted his position with the unpredictability of a wave crashing against the shore, the hem of his robes whipping up a faint gust of wind.

At times, his feet moved in an intricate pattern, executing a series of profound steps. His figure flickered around the stone room—now left, now right, now forward, now back.

At his fastest, he moved so quickly that he left three overlapping afterimages, making it impossible to tell which was real. It was as if three Yang Jings were practicing the Body Technique simultaneously.

His unpredictable figure filled the entire Training Room. The only sound was the soft rustle of his robes cutting through the air, echoing in the quiet stone chamber.

Two hours later, Yang Jing slowly brought his movements to a halt and let out a long, turbid breath.

He stood still, closing his eyes to focus and carefully observe the changes within his body. At the same time, a flicker of thought brought the status panel into clear view before him—

[Mountain-Breaking Seal, Adept (751/2000)]

[Indestructible True Skill, Level 2, Adept (125/2000)]

[River-Crossing Step, Initiate (393/500)]

Over the past two days, aided by the Bone Marrow Tempering Pill, his progress in cultivating the *River-Crossing Step* had been astonishingly fast, far surpassing his usual arduous training.

A smile crept onto Yang Jing’s lips as he felt the daily improvement in his Body Technique and speed, his heart filled with delight.

He could feel the lingering effects of the Bone Marrow Tempering Pill within him and was naturally unwilling to let them go to waste.

Without further delay, Yang Jing walked to the center of the Training Room and began practicing his primary offensive art, the *Mountain-Breaking Seal*.

His primary focus was now on the *Mountain-Breaking Seal* and the *River-Crossing Step*.

The *Mountain-Breaking Seal* was his foundational skill, its attacks overwhelmingly powerful, so he had to practice it diligently.

And since the *River-Crossing Step* had not yet reached the Qi Eating Realm, his training efficiency for it was at its peak.

Besides, if he could advance the *River-Crossing Step* to the Qi Eating Realm, his overall strength would increase tremendously.

’I know that only with three True Skills at the Qi Eating Realm will I have the confidence to vie for the top prize in the Fushan Grand Competition. Only then can I break through to the Qi Absorption Realm more quickly.’

His mind made up, Yang Jing took a deep breath and slowly raised his hands. Inner Qi surged from his Dantian, coursing through his meridians to gather in his palms.

He pressed his fingers together, his palms curving slightly inward. As he formed the initial hand seal, a heavy pressure began to radiate from him.

With a low shout, Yang Jing thrust out his palm. The resulting gust of wind howled, carrying the faint clang of metal striking stone, as if it could split mountains and shatter rock.

He struck out, palm after palm, his movements fierce and overwhelming. Each blow made the air tremble, and the force of his strikes left faint palm prints on the stone walls.

At other times, he would change hand seals, his palms a blur of motion—now crashing down like a great mountain, now striking like a thunderclap rending the sky—displaying the full power of the *Mountain-Breaking Seal*.

After training for over another hour, Yang Jing finally stopped. Fine beads of sweat dotted his temples, and his clothes were soaked through.

After training for nearly four hours straight, Yang Jing felt a deep exhaustion seep into his very bones.

At the same time, however, he was filled with a sense of accomplishment. The Inner Qi in his Dantian had grown more substantial, and his understanding of martial arts had deepened.

He had gotten into the habit of it; on any day he didn’t train to utter exhaustion, he would feel empty and unsettled.

Yang Jing walked over to a cushion and sat down, closing his eyes to regulate his breath for a moment. Only when his breathing steadied did he rise and push open the Training Room’s stone door.

Outside, the sky had grown completely dark. A crescent moon hung high in the night, casting a soft, pale glow.

The daytime bustle of the Training Room area had long since vanished. All that remained were a few dimly lit lanterns swaying in the wind; nearly all the disciples had gone home.

Yang Jing glanced at the deserted mountain path, guessing he was the last person to leave.

He started walking slowly down the path. He had only taken a few steps when his gaze was drawn to a figure ahead.

His eyesight was far superior to that of an ordinary person, and in the moonlight, he recognized her face at a glance. To his surprise, it was Senior Sister Si Jiawen.

Si Jiawen was dressed in a plain robe, her hands clasped behind her back. She stood tall, gazing at the distant mountains.

Seeing her, Yang Jing quickened his pace. With a puzzled look, he walked over, cupped his hands in greeting, and asked, "Senior Sister, what are you doing here?"

Si Jiawen slowly turned at the sound of his voice. She shot him a look and let out a soft huff, her tone laced with an unreadable nuance. "I was waiting for you, of course."

Yang Jing froze for a second, feeling rather flattered. He smiled and asked, "Is there something you need from me, Senior Sister?"

Si Jiawen turned her back to Yang Jing and started walking down the mountain path. Her cool voice drifted back on the evening breeze, "I have something to tell you. We can talk as we walk."

Yang Jing nodded and quickly caught up, falling into step beside her.

’Watching her from behind,’ he thought, ’I wonder if she’s spent too much time with Master. I can almost see a hint of Master’s bearing in her.’

The evening wind carried the fresh scent of the mountain forest’s flora, rustling the hems of their robes.

’What important matter could Senior Sister have for me that she would go out of her way to wait here?’ Yang Jing wondered silently.

In the quiet of the night, the two walked slowly along the winding mountain path, heading toward the residential area for Inner Sect Disciples.