Chapter 547 - 186: Attention from All Sides (Part 2)

The next day, at the crack of dawn, Fushan Square was already bustling with a clamor of voices.

The disciples of Lingxi Peak arrived in groups.

Yang Jing walked among the crowd, his gaze sweeping across the square. He soon arrived at the foot of the tournament stage.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing that Fushan Square seemed a little different today.

Besides the familiar figures of the Xuanzhen Sect disciples from various branches, there were also some new faces dressed in lavish attire, carrying themselves with an extraordinary air. They gathered in small groups, conversing in low voices, their expressions a mix of anticipation, curiosity, and a hint of restraint.

"Ziheng, look over there. Why are there so many new faces?" Yan Chenglong had also noticed the change in Fushan Square and asked, somewhat puzzled.

Hearing this, Lin Ziheng nodded and explained, "You guys don’t know? Many of the great families from the Prefecture City have sent people to watch! The Hong Family, the Lin Family, and the Su Family have all come. They’re sitting in the secondary viewing area. Besides them, many heads and disciples of smaller families are also crowded into the square to observe."

The older disciples around them, like Fang He and Ma Qiang, nodded in understanding.

As one of the five major sects in Jintai Prefecture, the Xuanzhen Sect was immensely powerful, its influence radiating throughout the entire prefecture. The sect’s every move naturally drew a great deal of attention from the outside world.

A grand event like the Fushan Grand Competition, which served to select the strongest of the younger generation, was naturally a prime opportunity for the various great families to gather intelligence and befriend rising stars. It was only reasonable for them to send people to observe, and it had happened often in the past.

Listening to their conversation, Yang Jing understood.

The arrival of these families undoubtedly added a different dimension to the competition.

Just then, a familiar, gentle voice called out from behind him, "Young Hero Yang!"

Hearing the voice, Yang Jing instinctively turned around, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Standing behind him was none other than Miss Jinlian. She was dressed in a daffodil-yellow dress today, which made her skin look as white as snow.

Beside her stood a tall, beautiful woman in a pale violet long dress. Her eyes held a certain cool detachment as she sized him up with a hint of curiosity.

Yang Jing cupped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute and asked with a smile, "Miss Jinlian, what brings you here? Are you also here to watch the Fushan Grand Competition?"

Miss Jinlian nodded slightly, her smile gentle. She turned to the side and pulled the woman beside her forward, saying softly, "Young Hero Yang, this is my friend, Wang Xiao, the direct heiress of the Wang Family from the Prefecture City. I was only able to come and watch the Fushan Grand Competition thanks to her."

Upon hearing this, Yang Jing’s gaze fell on Wang Xiao. He gave her a polite nod. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Wang."

He had vaguely heard that in addition to the three great families—Hong, Lin, and Su—there was also a Wang Family in the Prefecture City with a formidable foundation.

He had always been focused on his Cultivation and hadn’t paid much attention to such matters. Now, seeing Wang Xiao’s elegant and refined bearing, he could see she indeed had the air of a noble family’s heiress.

Wang Xiao quickly gathered her robes and curtsied in return, chuckling softly. "Young Hero Yang, you’re too kind."

Wang Xiao was secretly marveling.

’When Jinlian found me yesterday and said she knew Yang Jing of Lingxi Peak, I was a little skeptical.’

’After all, Yang Jing’s status is anything but ordinary now. He’s not just the Direct Disciple of Peak Master Bai Bing of Lingxi Peak, but also a Qi Eating Realm expert who has been shining brilliantly in the Fushan Grand Competition.’

’His talent is so high that even my father is full of praise for him.’

’When a figure like him is out in the world, his every word and action can represent the Xuanzhen Sect to some extent.’

’Even though the Wang Family is quite famous in the Prefecture City, if Yang Jing were to actually pay a visit, even my father, the Patriarch of the Wang Family, would probably have to welcome him personally. He’s far beyond the level of an ordinary disciple.’

Miss Jinlian noticed Wang Xiao’s reservedness and quickly stepped in to smooth things over with a smile. "I just came over to say hello, Young Hero Yang. I know you have a match today, so I won’t disturb your preparations."

Yang Jing nodded with a smile, his tone easygoing. "After I’m done with the Fushan Grand Competition, we can have a proper chat, Miss Jinlian."

Beside them, Wang Xiao listened to their familiar conversation with growing astonishment. Her gaze toward Jinlian became more serious.

She suddenly realized that Jinlian’s friendship with Yang Jing could be an opportunity for the Wang Family to get closer to this Xuanzhen Sect genius. In her mind, her assessment of Jinlian’s importance couldn’t help but increase.

With that, Miss Jinlian took Wang Xiao by the arm and turned to walk toward the other side of the square.

The moment they left, Fang He, Ma Qiang, Lin Ziheng, and the others crowded around, waggling their eyebrows and winking suggestively.

Fang He clapped Yang Jing on the shoulder with a laugh. "Not bad, Junior Brother Yang! When did you meet two beautiful young ladies like them? Aren’t you going to tell us about it?"

Yang Jing gave a helpless smile and explained, "I only know one of them, and we’re just ordinary friends. Don’t get the wrong idea."

Hearing this, Fang He and the others exchanged a smile, their expressions clearly showing they didn’t quite believe him.

Ma Qiang even gave a pointed wink, a "we all get it" look on his face, which made Zhang Hengyi, Zhao Xuexiang, Shi Xin, and the others nearby burst out laughing.

...

「On the other side.」

Miss Jinlian and Wang Xiao were strolling under the shade of the trees at the edge of the square.

Wang Xiao couldn’t contain her surprise any longer and lowered her voice. "I really didn’t expect it, Ah Lian! You’re actually familiar with Yang Jing! I thought you were just joking."

Jinlian smiled faintly, her eyes curving into crescents. Her tone was filled with emotion. "Why would I lie to you? To be honest, it feels like a dream to me, too. When I first met him, he was just an unremarkable boy, only at the Mingjin Realm in his Cultivation. I never thought that in such a short time, he would have come this far, even making it into the top five of the Fushan Grand Competition."

Wang Xiao nodded in deep agreement and sighed. "You’re right. I heard from my father that Yang Jing is incredibly strong. He’s practically unrivaled in the Qi Eating Realm. Ordinary Independent Martial Artists at the Qi Eating Realm are no match for him, not even for a single exchange.

"Besides, his future potential is enormous. He might even rise to the upper echelons of the Xuanzhen Sect someday. Tsk tsk, at that point, our Wang Family might even have to rely on him for a few things."

Hearing her friend’s words, Jinlian was secretly pleased.

Although she and Wang Xiao were friends, the Wang Family was powerful, and she had to rely on their support in many areas. As such, she was always polite and deferential toward Wang Xiao.

Now, hearing Wang Xiao speak so highly of Yang Jing and even hint at wanting to win him over, she maintained a faint smile, but inwardly, she felt quite gratified.

Jinlian’s gaze swept over the massive tournament stage in the center of the square, her expression growing a little solemn. She said softly, "Young Hero Yang is set to fight Su Muyuan of the Su Family today. I’ve heard that Su Muyuan is extremely strong. I wonder if Young Hero Yang can win."

Hearing this, Wang Xiao pondered for a moment before shaking her head slightly. "Yang Jing is strong, but I don’t think he’s a match for Su Muyuan."

After a pause, Wang Xiao explained in detail, "Ah Lian, you don’t usually interact with the direct heirs of the three great families, so there are things you don’t know. Core disciples like Su Muyuan, who are also direct heirs with a chance of becoming the family patriarch, are all stunningly brilliant talents. They’ve had endless resources and famous masters guiding them since childhood. They’re far beyond what ordinary disciples can compare to."

"And Su Muyuan is a first-rate figure among the core heirs of the three great families. The Su Family’s ultimate technique, the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique, is a Top-grade True Skill, and he has long since mastered it to a sublime degree.

"Ordinary Martial Artists at the Peak of the Qi Eating Realm are nothing more than cannon fodder before him. It’s just that he rarely makes a move in public, so most outsiders don’t know the true depths of his power."

After listening, Miss Jinlian’s heart couldn’t help but sink.

She had only heard of Su Muyuan’s reputation. Having had little contact with the circle of core disciples in Jintai Prefecture City, she had no idea he was this powerful.

With that, a heavy sense of worry for Yang Jing’s match today settled in her heart.

Time ticked by, and the clamor in the square gradually subsided as everyone’s gaze focused on the tournament stage.

The fifth round of the Fushan Grand Competition was about to begin.

Steward Xue from the Main Peak strode onto the tournament stage. His gaze was like a torch as it slowly swept over the thousands of Xuanzhen Sect disciples below, as well as the representatives from the various great families of the Prefecture City.

He then circulated his Inner Qi, allowing his voice to echo clearly to every corner of the square. "The fifth round of the Xuanzhen Sect’s Fushan Grand Competition now officially begins!"