Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

Chapter 292: Chapter 167: End of Term

On the surface, Qiao Yong’s words sounded humble.

But the underlying meaning was a backhanded jab, implying that people like Xu Yang were only stronger because they had a few years’ head start in cultivation.

Xu Yang didn’t like to argue. He preferred to kill his opponents when the opportunity arose, so he couldn’t be bothered to engage with Qiao Yong.

Zhang Yong snorted. "Cut the snarky comments."

Ma Yong and the others’ expressions shifted. They hadn’t expected Qiao Yong to twist their words into a backhanded remark aimed at senior disciples like Xu Yang and Zhang Yong.

Of course, the main target was still Xu Yang, because Xu Yang had slighted Qiao Yong before.

Qiao Yong’s gaze swept over Zhang Yong, and he said lightly, "Zhang Yong, is it? I’ll remember you."

The moment he said this, a cold glint flashed in the eyes of Sun Tao and the others. Qiao Yong was far too arrogant. He had just become the leader of the Ten Heroes and was already running his mouth, threatening Zhang Yong. Did he really think being first among the Ten Heroes made him the strongest?

Murderous intent flared in Zhang Yong’s eyes. "You’re ignorant and arrogant. I’ll remember you too."

He wasn’t concerned about Qiao Yong’s talent. Even as the leader of the Ten Heroes, it would take the newcomer a year or two to catch up to him. ’And in one or two years, I’ll have plenty of opportunities to kill him.’

Qiao Yong said no more and returned to his room.

Xu Yang narrowed his eyes, a flicker of killing intent rising in his heart as well. ’This man is far too arrogant and petty. He’s no threat to me, but letting him live will just be a constant annoyance.’

For the next few days, Xu Yang cultivated while continuing to guide Xu Qing.

Comprehending Mixed Element Strength was much harder than Wind and Thunder Strength. Even Qiao Yong, the leader of this year’s Ten Heroes, had not yet grasped Mixed Element Strength.

Xu Yang personally demonstrated it, letting Xu Qing feel the mysteries of Mixed Element Strength for herself. After about ten days of instruction, Xu Qing finally touched the threshold of Mixed Element Strength.

"Brother, I’m getting it! You’re amazing," Xu Qing said, ecstatic.

Having touched the threshold, all she needed to do was follow the steps, and it wouldn’t be long before she could grasp the mysteries of Mixed Element Strength and successfully achieve Qi Cultivation Gang.

"Don’t get distracted. Focus on capturing that feeling from before."

Xu Yang said sternly, continuing to demonstrate the intricacies of the Mixed Element Strength to her.

When night fell, he walked Xu Qing back to her residence and ran into someone unexpected on the way—Sun Ke.

"Did you forget our agreement, kid? Did I have to come looking for you myself?" Sun Ke said, his face cold.

They had agreed that Xu Yang would bring Xu Qing to see him once she arrived at the Purple Sun Sect. It had been days, and he hadn’t heard a peep from Xu Yang.

Xu Yang cupped his hands. "I haven’t forgotten, Steward Sun. It’s just that my sister is focused on breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Gang stage. I was planning to bring her to you after she succeeded."

Sun Ke said coldly, "The new disciples are just starting, and there are plenty of people with connections. If you wait until your sister achieves Qi Cultivation Gang to pick a job, all the good ones will be taken. There’s a good position available now. If you don’t want it, I’ll give it to someone else."

Xu Yang was taken aback and hurriedly said, "Of course I want a good position! May I ask what it is?"

He hadn’t considered this. He’d thought there would be no harm in waiting for Xu Qing to achieve Qi Cultivation Gang before picking a task, forgetting that just as he had connections, so did others.

Sun Ke said, "Medicine King Peak is recruiting disciples for Spirit Medicine cultivation. They’ll be responsible for cultivating and caring for Spirit Medicines. They only need five people, there won’t be any safety issues, and they can also get exposure to Alchemy. It’s one of the best jobs for an Outer Disciple.

"Of course, many people want this task. If you want your sister to get this job, you’ll need at least this much silver."

As he spoke, he held up two fingers.

Xu Yang knew he meant two thousand silver. "My sister doesn’t know anything about Spirit Medicine. Would that still be alright?"

It wasn’t that he was unwilling to part with two thousand silver. To him now, two thousand silver wasn’t a huge sum. He still had seven or eight thousand on him.

He was willing to spend even more to find a safe task for Xu Qing where she could also learn something.

He had heard of this task. It was indeed a good one and very suitable for a woman.

Yuan Sujie was on Medicine King Peak, doing Spirit Medicine cultivation, but it seemed she had started learning about it from a young age. Xu Qing didn’t know anything. If she went and was sent back after a few days, the money would have been wasted.

Sun Ke said, "It’s precisely because she doesn’t know anything that it costs two thousand silver to smooth things over. If she already knew this stuff, you wouldn’t need the money.

"Alchemy is one of the Sect’s most important legacies. Once she enters Medicine King Peak, no matter how poor her talent, the Sect will give her two years to study.

"As long as she can learn even the basics of Spirit Medicine cultivation, she’ll be able to stay in the end."

With things laid out so clearly, Xu Yang had no choice but to pay up. Besides, Medicine King Peak was where he wanted Xu Qing to go anyway.

Sun Ke happily took the money and said, "Have her come find me at the Task Hall tomorrow. I’ll personally take her to Medicine King Peak."

The next day, Xu Yang personally took Xu Qing to find Sun Ke. He watched the two of them ascend Medicine King Peak before heading towards Li Fire Peak himself.

In the evening, he leisurely went to the Peach Grove to practice the Fuyue Bear King’s Palm for a while before leaving.

The newly initiated disciples had all started their tasks and become busy. Under his guidance, Qiu Wenjie and Tian Li had also begun their tasks.

After eating, Xu Yang returned to his room and summoned his panel.

[Root Bone: 100]

[Comprehension: 80]

[Cultivation Technique: Fuyue Bear Scripture Marrow Cleansing Chapter - Introduction (467/3000), Fuyue Bear King’s Palm - Introduction (1745/2000)...]

[Skills: Gathering Essence Pill, Blood Coagulation Pill...]

[Remaining Lifespan: 98]

[Martial Arts Longevity Points: 389]

The progress of his Marrow Cleansing was the same as always, increasing a little each day.

And this was with him constantly taking Gathering Essence Pills. Without them, it was hard to imagine how slow his Marrow Cleansing would be.

As his Marrow Cleansing progressed, his remaining lifespan was approaching one hundred.

Looking at the panel, Xu Yang began to think.

Based on his calculations, in less than three months, Xiao Hua would complete his one-year garrison duty in Cyan Mountain Town and would certainly return.