Chapter 661: Senior Sister's Good News, Bones in a Tomb

He was the one who had single-handedly tied for first place in the Fushan Grand Competition, restoring glory to Lingxi Peak and becoming a true prodigy in the eyes of its many disciples.

Yang Jing gave a slight nod to every sect mate who greeted him, but his pace never slowed. His mind was on his arrangement with Sun Ningxiang; he just wanted to get back, freshen up, and then hurry over to Yunxi Peak.

After returning to Qing No. 4 Courtyard, Yang Jing filled a basin with warm water and took a thorough bath, washing away his sweat and fatigue. He changed into a new white robe he had prepared, its smooth fabric making his posture seem even more erect and poised.

Once he was ready, he stepped out of the courtyard gate and followed the mountain path straight toward Yunxi Peak.

On the way, Yang Jing gazed at the familiar mountain scenery, a wave of emotion washing over him. ‘Senior Sister Ning Xiang has finally broken through to the Huajin level.’

‘Back in the day at Sun’s Martial Arts Hall in Yuhe County, her talent was never considered top-tier. She wasn’t dedicated to her cultivation either, so she was stuck at the Manifest Strength level for a long time. It took her ages to slowly break through to the Hidden Strength level, and she was still a long way from Huajin.’

‘But now, after just over half a year in the Xuanzhen Sect, she’s already broken through to the Huajin level. If news of this ever got back to Sun’s Martial Arts Hall, it would cause a huge sensation.’

‘Such was the gap between a major sect and a small town.’

‘With Senior Sister Ning Xiang’s aptitude, if she had stayed in a small place like Yuhe County—lacking quality resources, expert guidance, and a proper cultivation environment—breaking through to the Huajin level would have been next to impossible.’

‘But here at the Xuanzhen Sect, she had ample Cultivation Resources provided by the sect, a more systematic martial arts lineage, and a uniquely favorable environment for cultivation.’

‘More importantly, Senior Sister Ning Xiang was always by the side of Peak Master Yunxi, Zhou Yunyi, attending to her personally, and was deeply favored by the Peak Master.’

‘For an ordinary Xuanzhen Sect disciple, even getting a few casual pointers from a Peak Master was an incredibly rare opportunity, one that could save them from taking many wrong turns in their cultivation.’

‘But Senior Sister Ning Xiang was with Peak Master Yunxi day in and day out, so she was bound to receive the Peak Master’s meticulous guidance from time to time. That was a stroke of fortune others couldn’t even pray for.’

‘This also explained why, early on, Senior Sister Ning Xiang hadn’t poured all her energy into her Martial Dao cultivation.’

‘When she first joined the Xuanzhen Sect, her focus was on other things. Cultivation was merely a daily routine, something she never truly gave her all to.’

‘If Senior Sister Ning Xiang had possessed her current diligence from the moment she joined the Xuanzhen Sect, then with her talent and opportunities, she would have broken through to the Huajin level long ago—and maybe even progressed far beyond it.’

‘After all, staying by Peak Master Yunxi’s side long-term meant preferential access to Cultivation Resources, a broadened perspective on martial arts, and occasional, meticulous guidance from the Peak Master herself—benefits far beyond what any ordinary Inner Sect Disciple could hope for.’

‘With such incredible advantages, how could breaking through to the Huajin level possibly be difficult?’

Then again, an ordinary disciple at the Inner Strength Level wasn’t even qualified to personally attend a Peak Master.

It could only be said that Senior Sister Ning Xiang was profoundly blessed with a karmic opportunity others could never hope to obtain.

At this thought, an idea suddenly occurred to Yang Jing.

‘If news that Senior Sister Ning Xiang has reached the Huajin level gets back to Yuhe County, it will definitely cause quite a tremor.’

‘After all, in a small place like Yuhe County, Huajin Martial Artists are as rare as a phoenix’s feather. They’re powerful enough to become local hegemons, commanding universal respect.’

‘So what about me?’

‘I broke through to the Qi Eating Realm long ago. I’m not some recent newcomer; I’m at the absolute peak of the realm. On top of that, I’ve already made quite a name for myself in a major sect like the Xuanzhen Sect.’

‘First place in the Cyan Qilin Battle, tied for first in the Fushan Grand Competition, vying with Chu Yunhai for the title of top prospect… any one of those achievements would be legendary back in Yuhe County.’

‘In a small place like Yuhe County, a Huajin Martial Artist can do as they please. Normally, you’d be lucky to even catch a glimpse of a Qi Eating Realm Martial Artist. I wonder how the people back home would react if they knew what I’ve accomplished.’

Yang Jing suddenly grew curious. If word of all the waves he was making in the Xuanzhen Sect got back to Sun’s Martial Arts Hall in Yuhe County, what would his master, Sun Yong, his martial brothers, and all his old acquaintances think?

At that moment, Yang Jing recalled the last time his Fourth Senior Brother, Liu Maolin, had passed through Fushan Island on his way to the Prefecture City and had come to see him.

When his Fourth Senior Brother had learned about his situation in the Xuanzhen Sect, his jaw had dropped in astonishment.

As he lost himself in thought, the mountain path came to an end.

Yang Jing looked up and his eyes fell upon a familiar, elegant courtyard halfway up Yunxi Peak—it was Senior Sister Ning Xiang’s residence.

He quickened his pace, walked up to the courtyard gate, and knocked gently. The crisp sound had barely faded when he heard a set of light footsteps approaching from within.

Soon, the gate swung open from the inside, and Sun Ningxiang emerged, dressed in a pale pink blouse and skirt.

Yang Jing’s eyes brightened. Clearly, Senior Sister Ning Xiang was already prepared and had been waiting in the courtyard for him.

Sun Ningxiang wore the faintest touch of makeup. Beneath her slender, willow-leaf brows, her almond-shaped eyes were clear and bright. A hint of rouge graced her lips, making her appear all the more gentle and lovely. Bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, her delicate features seemed to radiate a soft, warm light.

Although Yang Jing had known Sun Ningxiang for many years and was long accustomed to her face, seeing her so exquisitely dressed and looking so gentle and captivating, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of wonder. His gaze lingered on her face for a moment longer than usual.