Chapter 641 - 214: Sect-wide Attention, the Contest for the Top Seed (2)

He could hardly imagine how terrifyingly efficient a Level A Training Room would be. If he could obtain an exclusive one, his cultivation speed would surely increase by another huge margin.

Breaking through to a higher realm and catching up to the prodigies of the Yunxiao Sect would no longer be a distant dream.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Yang Jing’s mind, and he remembered something.

He remembered that Senior Sister Si Jiawen’s ranking on the Profound Truth List was fifth.

And the slots for the Level A Training Rooms were only available to the top four on the Profound Truth List and the number one potential seed.

This meant that even as the Senior Sister of Lingxi Peak, she couldn’t obtain an exclusive Level A Training Room.

At this thought, Yang Jing suddenly understood. No wonder he had sensed an imperceptible hint of bitterness in his Senior Sister’s tone when they spoke on the path earlier. She must have been lamenting the limited slots for the Level A Training Rooms.

He sighed inwardly. He understood that the sect’s resources were limited and that everything was determined by strength and potential. That was the rule in the Xuanzhen Sect.

Bai Bing looked at Yang Jing, her cool gaze holding a hint of expectation, and said slowly, "The candidates for the top four on the Profound Truth List are easy to decide. After all, they are the strongest Senior Brothers from each of the veins, so there isn’t much dispute.

"But the number one potential seed must be determined through an assessment."

"In three days, Chief Elder Ouyang Jingxuan will personally assess you and Chu Yunhai. Your strength, temperament, potential, and comprehension—all will be tested. The results will determine who becomes the sect’s number one potential seed."

Upon hearing this, Yang Jing’s spirits rose. He hadn’t expected the sect to move so quickly, deciding this crucial slot in just three days.

His sense of urgency intensified, but it also ignited his fighting spirit. Chu Yunhai might be a famous prodigy from Jintai Prefecture who had awakened a War Body, but Yang Jing was no pushover. He believed he stood a fighting chance.

Bai Bing saw the fighting spirit in his eyes and continued, "Jing’Er, you must understand. Becoming the sect’s number one potential seed means being nurtured with the full power of the entire sect. Elixirs, martial arts techniques, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, precious artifacts, Cultivation Sites—you will receive the absolute best of everything. This will be of immense benefit to your future on the Martial Dao, allowing you to go further and with greater stability."

She paused for a moment, and her tone grew solemn. "Therefore, for these next three days, you must cast aside all distracting thoughts and prepare with a focused mind. Bring yourself to your peak condition and be fully prepared for Elder Ouyang’s assessment. Do not disappoint the sect or your master."

Yang Jing’s expression grew more solemn. He bowed and replied, "Yes, Master. This disciple understands."

Bai Bing nodded lightly and waved her hand. "You may go. Return and cultivate well. Prepare with a calm mind."

"Yes, Master. This disciple takes his leave." Yang Jing bowed once more, then turned and left the Lingxi Great Hall with steady steps.

After Yang Jing left, only Bai Bing and Si Jiawen remained in the hall. The atmosphere fell quiet.

Bai Bing’s gaze slowly fell upon Si Jiawen, and her cool voice sounded, "Jia Wen, you are ranked fifth on the Profound Truth List, only one step away from the top four. When do you plan to issue your challenge?"

Si Jiawen lowered her gaze slightly and thought for a moment before saying softly, "This disciple wishes to wait until Junior Brother’s assessment with Chu Yunhai is over before I issue my challenge."

Bai Bing hummed in agreement. "That’s for the best. Right now, the entire sect is focused on the competition for the number one potential seed. Challenging now would only distract you. It is indeed safer to wait until the dust settles and then go all out for the top four."

At this, Si Jiawen hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "Master, do you think Junior Brother has a good chance of winning against Chu Yunhai in the assessment?"

Hearing this, Bai Bing pondered for a moment. Her gaze drifted to the clouds and mist outside the hall as she said slowly, "In the contest of the Martial Dao, there are no certainties. All one can do is their best."

Si Jiawen had followed Bai Bing for many years and knew her master’s every word and action, every frown and smile, like the back of her hand. Upon hearing her master’s ambiguous reply, she instantly understood. ’Master must also think Junior Brother Yang Jing’s chances of winning are slim.’

’It’s not that Yang Jing lacks potential, but that Chu Yunhai is simply too dazzling.’

’Chu Yunhai was already a renowned prodigy among the younger generation of Jintai Prefecture, blessed with top-tier talent. Now, he has even awakened a rare War Body, and his strength is advancing by leaps and bounds. He has almost no rivals among his peers.’

’Such a foundation is something no ordinary disciple could hope to match.’

Si Jiawen sighed inwardly. One reason she had decided to challenge the top four of the Profound Truth List after Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai’s competition was that she didn’t want her challenge to distract Yang Jing. She hoped he could face the assessment without any distractions.

But even so, she knew that this competition would be incredibly difficult for Yang Jing.

Bai Bing saw her expression and knew what she was thinking. She waved her hand and said, "You may go as well. Prepare well for your own challenge. Don’t be careless. The disciples in the top four of the Profound Truth List are no easy opponents."

"Yes, Master." Si Jiawen bowed in acknowledgement, then turned and slowly walked out of the Lingxi Great Hall.

...

Over the next three days, the entire Xuanzhen Sect was in an uproar.

The news that the sect was building Level A Training Rooms spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the Main Peak and the Seven Veins. Countless disciples discussed it endlessly, utterly shocked.

For the many Outer Sect disciples, who could only use Level D Training Rooms, they had never even experienced what a Level C Training Room was like, let alone the astonishing effects of a Level A one.

Even the Inner Sect Disciples who had passed the Dragon Gate martial trial could only use Level C Training Rooms unless they had made special contributions or received a sect reward.

Aside from the Sect Leader and the Seven Vein Peak Masters, Level A Training Rooms were untouchable for all other Sect Elders and disciples.

And now, the sect was going to make them available to its disciples. One could only imagine the immense sensation this caused.

Some well-informed disciples had even heard the news of Chen Chu from the Yunxiao Sect breaking through to the True Qi Realm. They also understood why the sect was suddenly putting so much effort into cultivating its prodigies.

Among the five great sects of Jintai Prefecture, the Xuanzhen Sect had been one of the top two a hundred years ago.

But later, due to the fight against the Demon Sect and various other reasons, the Xuanzhen Sect gradually declined.

Now, after several consecutive Jintai Grand Competitions where the Xuanzhen Sect performed poorly, a gap had formed between them and the Yunxiao Sect and Celestial Sword Sect. It was a clear sign of a generational gap in talent, and their influence throughout Jintai Prefecture had significantly declined.

Now, the Yunxiao Sect had produced yet another young prodigy in the True Qi Realm.

One must know that before Chen Chu, the Yunxiao Sect had already produced two other prodigies at the True Qi Realm.

In contrast, the Xuanzhen Sect had not a single one.

Even if the Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters of each vein were close to the True Qi Realm, even if they were just a hair’s breadth away, as long as they didn’t break through that bottleneck, they would never be a match for a prodigy in the True Qi Realm.

One could say that the outcome of the Jintai Grand Competition today would determine the future of the Xuanzhen Sect for years to come. Everyone understood this.

So now, the Xuanzhen Sect could be said to be acting with do-or-die determination to vigorously cultivate its young, talented disciples. Most disciples could feel the sect’s resolve and courage.

For a time, the cultivation atmosphere within the sect grew even more intense. Although the vast majority of disciples couldn’t compare to those Martial Dao prodigies, they still hoped their efforts would be noticed by the sect, wishing to be nurtured at this critical moment when the sect lacked new talent.

And the contest between Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai, in particular, became the focal point of all the disciples’ heated discussions.

On one side was the established, famous prodigy who had awakened a War Body.

On the other was the newly emerged powerhouse of boundless potential who had caused a sensation at the Fushan Grand Competition.

Their duel had not even begun, yet it had already captured the hearts of all the disciples of the Xuanzhen Sect and even half of Jintai Prefecture.

「Soon, the twenty-sixth of June arrived.」

The day was bright and clear, with a gentle, pleasant breeze. It was also the day Chief Elder Ouyang Jingxuan would personally assess Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai to decide who would become the Xuanzhen Sect’s number one potential seed.