Chapter 671 - 226: Qi Absorption Realm

Yang Jing remained immersed in his cultivation for another half-hour before slowly retracting his fist and settling his breath.

He stood in place, gradually calming his ragged breathing. He could no longer suppress the sheer joy on his face as the excitement in his heart erupted like a volcano.

The emotions he had deliberately held back were finally, completely unleashed.

He closed his eyes, quietly sensing the various changes that came with breaking through to the Qi Absorption Realm.

His five senses had become sharper than ever before. He could clearly perceive every wisp of air flowing within the Training Room and even hear the faint chirping of insects in the distant mountain forest.

His meridians had grown wider and tougher, allowing his Inner Qi to flow through them without the slightest obstruction, moving as smoothly as water.

Within his Dantian, three streams of Inner Qi swirled quietly. The one belonging to the Mountain-Breaking Seal had already undergone an earth-shattering transformation.

It was far larger and more condensed than the other two streams, like a silver flood dragon emanating an astonishingly sharp aura.

That was the unique edge born from highly condensed Inner Qi, and also the ultimate expression of the Mountain-Breaking Seal’s fierce and powerful fist intent.

Yang Jing opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly raised his palm. With a thought, the Inner Qi in his Dantian, condensed like a silver flood dragon, surged gently through his meridians and gathered in his palm, forming a wisp of brilliant white light.

This wisp of Inner Qi floated above his palm. It was about an inch long, completely translucent, and shimmered with a faint luster—a world apart from the grayish-white Inner Qi he had before his breakthrough.

He looked down, focusing his attention on the wisp of Inner Qi. He could even feel a sharp presence wash over his fingertips, as if he were holding an invisible blade that could slice his skin with the slightest touch.

’The sharpness of this Inner Qi is simply beyond imagination. It’s still just a single wisp, but compared to before I reached the Qi Absorption Realm, its quality is several times more potent.’

His previous Inner Qi had been forceful, but it was like crude iron—heavy, but lacking a sharp edge.

But the Inner Qi he possessed now was like refined steel, dense and sharp. A single wisp held the power to pierce armor and shatter stone.

He couldn’t help but ponder, ’This is the power of just a single wisp of Inner Qi. If I were to channel all the vast Inner Qi from my Dantian, the resulting might would be even more staggering.’

’I’m afraid even ordinary steel plate armor could be easily pierced by this condensed Inner Qi.’

Yang Jing gently lifted his hand, and the Inner Qi in his palm receded like a tide, flowing back into his Dantian.

He stood in the center of the Training Room, his eyes closed, slowly absorbing the many changes before and after his breakthrough. He clearly perceived every subtle transformation: the flow of his Inner Qi, the widening of his meridians, and the sharpening of his five senses.

A moment later, he walked to a stone stool in the corner of the Training Room, sat down, and took a few sips of the water he carried with him to rehydrate.

After resting for no more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he stood up again. His eyes burned with a fervent light, and he threw himself back into his cultivation, full of motivation.

He had just broken through to the Qi Absorption Realm, so he wasn’t yet skilled in controlling his condensed Inner Qi and its aura. Though the panel had ensured his foundation was exceptionally solid after the breakthrough, leaving no sense of instability, he still needed a great deal of practice to master his abilities and truly unleash the full power of the Qi Absorption Realm.

...

「Night deepened.」

In the Lingxi Great Hall atop Lingxi Peak, candlelight brightly illuminated the carved beams and painted pillars.

Peak Master Lingxi, Bai Bing, sat cross-legged on the White Jade Meditation Mat at the head of the hall. Her eyes were slightly closed, and a faint, chilly aura lingered around her.

Her face was stunningly beautiful, her skin fairer than snow. An air of aloofness hung about her, as if even the surrounding air was influenced by her presence, giving off a subtle coolness.

Bai Bing slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze fell upon the closed doors of the hall, her elegant brows knitting slightly as she pondered.

’Given Yang Jing’s usual, almost extreme, pace of cultivation, he should be reaching the Peak of the Qi Eating Realm within the next few days.’

She calculated that in two days, she could summon Yang Jing to the great hall to personally instruct him on matters to be aware of at the Peak of the Qi Eating Realm.

For example, she would teach him how to refine his Inner Qi, stabilize his realm, and what preparations were needed for the subsequent breakthrough to the Qi Absorption Realm. This would help him avoid unnecessary detours.

In addition, there was another matter she needed to inform Yang Jing about: the challenge from the Vajra Sect’s three prodigies, which had been mentioned during today’s meeting in the Main Peak’s great hall.

’Although Bai Ziyu and Lu Shaohua are also exceptionally talented, there’s still a significant gap between their strength and that of prodigies like the Vajra Sect’s three. They probably wouldn’t be a match for them.’

’When the time comes, I’m afraid the Xuanzhen Sect will need Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai to step in.’

Bai Bing thought to herself that she needed to tell Yang Jing about this in advance so he could be mentally prepared. It would also give him time to train diligently and further improve his strength for the upcoming challenge.

’Jing’er is already exceptionally talented. Even if he isn’t the top prospect, the sect should grant him top-tier Cultivation Resources to help him break through to the Qi Absorption Realm once he reaches the Peak of the Qi Eating Realm.’

’If Jing’er can perform well during the challenge from the Vajra Sect’s three prodigies, I can fight for more resources for him.’

Bai Bing thought this to herself and slowly closed her eyes.

...

「Meanwhile.」

In Jintai Prefecture City, the Lin Family Mansion, home to one of the three great families, was brightly lit. The estate was magnificent, with upturned eaves and soaring roof corners that spoke to the profound heritage of a great clan.

Inside Patriarch Lin Weiyuan’s study, several thick candles burned, their bright flames illuminating the entire room as if it were day. Ink, brushes, paper, an inkstone, and a few ancient scrolls were neatly arranged on the desk.

Lin Weiyuan, dressed in a deep blue brocade robe, sat behind the desk, carefully poring over a yellowed file in his hands.

Just then, a gentle knock on the study door, KNOCK KNOCK, broke the room’s silence.

Lin Weiyuan looked up toward the door and said in a deep voice, "Come in."

As his voice faded, the door was gently pushed open, and a slender figure walked in. It was the Lin Family’s fifth young miss, Lin Shuhua.

Lin Shuhua wore a pale green blouse and skirt, her figure graceful and her features dignified and poised. After entering the study, she walked straight to the desk and respectfully said, "Father."

Lin Weiyuan looked at his daughter, whom he had meticulously groomed since childhood and who excelled in every respect. A gentle smile appeared on his face, and he nodded. "Shuhua, sit."

Lin Shuhua did as she was told, taking a seat in the chair opposite the desk. She looked at Lin Weiyuan with clear eyes and asked, "Father, you summoned me. Is there something you need?"

Lin Weiyuan put down the file, leaned forward slightly, and said, "In a little while, the Vajra Sect’s three prodigies will be heading to the Xuanzhen Sect and Bishui Palace to issue challenges.

"As it happens, the five Bone Marrow Tempering Pills for Yang Jing are due to be sent next month. I want you to personally take your seventh and eighth younger brothers to the Xuanzhen Sect.

"First, to deliver the Bone Marrow Tempering Pills to Yang Jing. Second, to let your two younger brothers broaden their horizons and see the bearing of true prodigies from a great sect. It should motivate them to cultivate diligently."

"Yes, I understand," Lin Shuhua replied, nodding immediately in agreement.

After she spoke, she seemed to recall something. A trace of curiosity flashed in her eyes as she looked up and asked, "Father, will Yang Jing participate in this challenge from the Vajra Sect’s prodigies?"

Hearing this, Lin Weiyuan tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. He pondered for a moment before nodding. "The Xuanzhen Sect will likely send him out to fight. Although Yang Jing lost to Chu Yunhai in the contest for the top prospect, his strength in the Qi Eating Realm is still not to be underestimated. He can be considered among the very best.

"The Vajra Sect’s three prodigies are all top experts at the Peak of the Qi Eating Realm. Their strength is considerable. Chu Yunhai alone might not be able to handle them all. With Yang Jing fighting as well, they can support each other."

Hearing this, Lin Shuhua’s eyes lit up slightly, and a faint smile unconsciously tugged at the corners of her lips. She quickly nodded. "That’s good to hear."

Seeing her reaction, Lin Weiyuan raised an eyebrow, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "Oh? What do you mean by ’that’s good to hear’?"

Lin Shuhua was taken aback for a moment, then quickly explained, "Oh, I mean it will be a good thing for Seventh and Eighth Brother’s cultivation to see Yang Jing, Chu Yunhai, and the Vajra Sect’s prodigies fight. It will broaden their horizons."