Chapter 682: The Shocked Sect Higher-ups, the Xuanzhen Sect's "Treasure

As for Yang Jing, he had long since stopped seeing him as an equal. He couldn’t even muster much enthusiasm for their previously arranged rematch at Fushan Square.

Back then, he had been bent on fighting Yang Jing to prove to the entire Xuanzhen Sect that he was the one and only peerless prodigy of the sect, and that Yang Jing could only ever be second to him.

But now, he had the sect’s vast resources at his disposal, and the power of his War Body was climbing steadily. In his eyes, Yang Jing’s pace of arduous cultivation was so far behind he was left in the dust, completely unworthy of comparison.

‘The sect’s leadership and the entire Xuanzhen Sect must have already decided who is stronger between me and Yang Jing. There’s no need for us to fight anymore.’

But at this moment, a strange doubt arose in Chu Yunhai’s heart.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that the gazes of the senior figures in the hall were exceptionally strange. Their eyes weren’t on him. Instead, they kept glancing at Yang Jing, who stood beside him. This filled him with confusion, but he didn’t dare raise his head to look around. He could only stand with his head bowed, respectfully waiting for the Sect Leader to speak.

From the main seat, Cao Zhen stared intently at Yang Jing, the shock in his eyes not yet fully faded. He took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and slowly asked, “You’ve broken through to the Qi Absorption Realm?”

Chu Yunhai was suddenly stunned. He subconsciously looked up at Cao Zhen and blurted out in confusion, “No, I haven’t.”

But as soon as the words left his mouth, he suddenly realized the Sect Leader’s gaze wasn’t on him at all. The question had clearly been directed at Yang Jing beside him.

Chu Yunhai’s heart jolted. He subconsciously whipped his head around and stared blankly at Yang Jing.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Yang Jing bowed. His expression was placid, and he replied in a steady voice, “Sect Leader, this disciple attempted to break through the barrier a short while ago. I was fortunate enough to overcome the bottleneck and have now stepped into the Qi Absorption Realm.”

The words were spoken lightly, but they struck Chu Yunhai’s ears like a clap of thunder.

He froze on the spot. His eyes went wide as he stared blankly at Yang Jing, completely lost in a state of extreme shock and disarray. His mind went blank, and for a long while, he couldn’t react.

‘Yang Jing broke through to the Qi Absorption Realm?’

‘This is impossible. I have to be dreaming.’

Only this one thought remained in Chu Yunhai’s mind. He stood as if struck by lightning, frozen to the spot and unable to move.

He subconsciously bit down hard on the tip of his tongue. A sharp pain mixed with a faint coppery taste instantly spread through his mouth, as clear as could be.

Chu Yunhai’s body trembled violently. He was finally forced to accept a cruel fact—this was not a dream.

But the more lucid he became, the more his mind reeled in utter disbelief.

He himself had a high-grade root bone, excellent comprehension, and even a War Body. He had access to the sect’s top resources and trained arduously day and night. Yet, he had been stuck at the Peak of the Qi Eating Realm for over a year—nearly two—and had only just begun to see a glimmer of hope for a breakthrough.

But what about Yang Jing?

‘How long has Yang Jing even been at the Peak of the Qi Eating Realm?’

Chu Yunhai stared fixedly at Yang Jing’s face, wanting to see clearly what was hidden beneath that calm expression.

「At the head of the hall.」

Having received a definite answer from Yang Jing, Cao Zhen could no longer suppress his ecstasy. He couldn’t help but throw his head back and laugh heartily, his robust laughter echoing endlessly throughout the hall.

With his level of cultivation, he could have seen through Yang Jing’s realm at a glance, but hearing Yang Jing admit it himself still sent his mind reeling with extreme surprise and joy.

The shock of this event was simply too great, but it also allowed him to truly see hope for the Xuanzhen Sect’s future.

The Xuanzhen Sect had finally produced a true, top-tier prodigy who surpassed all his peers!

The Xuanzhen Sect’s upper echelons in the hall were all visibly excited and overjoyed, exclaiming and discussing among themselves.

“To break through to the Qi Absorption Realm so quickly… even the current Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters of the various branches couldn’t do that back in their day.”

“Even Chen Chu of the Yunxiao Sect wasn’t that fast.”

“Yang Jing must have some incredible hidden talent. He’s comparable to a top prodigy with a First-Grade Root Bone, perhaps even greater! Speaking of which, Elder Ouyang, how did you conduct the examination last time? An outstanding disciple like this, and you actually failed him?”

“Indeed, Elder Ouyang. You made a huge oversight this time. We nearly lost a future pillar of our Xuanzhen Sect.”

“Hahahaha, good! To break through to the Qi Absorption Realm at such a young age—not even the Yunxiao Sect could find someone like that! In the future, the revival of our Xuanzhen Sect’s glory might just depend on this boy.”

“Junior Brother Qin, you didn’t lose your Cyan Lake Seal in vain! Hahaha, not in vain at all!”

In their eyes, the matter of Yang Jing breaking through to the Qi Absorption Realm was far more important than dealing with the Three Prodigies of the Vajra Sect.

They had previously greatly underestimated Yang Jing’s talent and potential. This boy’s future heights on the Martial Dao would certainly far exceed their earlier predictions. His future was limitless!

The visit from the Three Prodigies of the Vajra Sect was merely a matter of the sect’s temporary prestige.

But the terrifying talent Yang Jing had displayed was the foundation and confidence of the Xuanzhen Sect for the next several decades, or even centuries.

Now that Yang Jing had entered the Qi Absorption Realm, the Xuanzhen Sect naturally had the strength and confidence to face the Three Prodigies of the Vajra Sect head-on, without the slightest awkwardness.

But more importantly, Yang Jing’s breakthrough at such an unbelievable speed, which starkly revealed his astonishing talent and limitless potential, was the true priceless surprise and treasure for the entire Xuanzhen Sect!