Chapter 273: Chapter 122: Prize Winnings, Physical Body Enhancement
"Once you reach the Qi Eating Realm, Inner Strength refines into Inner Qi, and your demand for vital energy will become immense. That’s when dietary and medicinal supplements become even more crucial," Sun Yong said, looking at Yang Jing. "You’ve only just entered the Huajin realm, so you might think these prizes are quite generous. But when you truly reach a higher realm, these resources will be nothing more than a drop in the bucket."
Yang Jing nodded. A vague concept of vital energy was forming in his mind. He then asked, "So how does one enter the Qi Eating Realm?"
Sun Yong took a shallow breath, a complicated look in his eyes. "When you reach the Peak of Transformation, I will naturally present you with a great opportunity. However, that bottleneck is far more difficult to overcome than the one between the Dark Strength and Huajin realms. It has stopped countless exceptional individuals, even people like your master. Whether you can ultimately succeed will depend on your own talent, opportunities, and perseverance."
Yang Jing’s heart tensed. He bowed solemnly. "Thank you for your guidance, Master."
His heart was pounding with excitement. He wished he could dive into his training immediately, reach the Peak of Transformation as soon as possible, and touch that higher realm.
He was about to take his leave when Sun Yong stopped him.
"Wait." Sun Yong picked up the Purple Sandalwood Box from the table. He opened it, took out the ten thousand-tael silver notes, and set five aside. He then pushed the box toward Yang Jing. It now contained the remaining five thousand taels, two bottles of Elixirs, and an Exotic Beast Pavilion Token. "Take these."
Yang Jing was taken aback and quickly waved his hands in refusal. "Master, I can’t possibly accept this. We only won this match because of the support from everyone at the Martial Arts Hall. Besides, you were the one who arranged it all, Master. These prizes rightfully belong to the Hall."
"I said take them, so take them." Sun Yong shoved the wooden box into his arms without giving him a chance to refuse, his tone firm and leaving no room for argument. "Ultimately, we won this match because of you. You’re the one who needs these resources the most."
He brandished the five silver notes in his hand and explained, "Of this five thousand taels, a portion will be divided among Xu Hong, Qi Yun, and Song Kang to help with their injuries and recovery. We’ll give another one thousand taels to Lin Yue. After all, this whole match started because of him. Now that his cultivation is crippled, life will be difficult for him. Consider it one last bit of help from the Martial Arts Hall."
Yang Jing wanted to refuse again, but Sun Yong simply waved his hand. "Go on, train hard. You’ll understand in the future. These resources won’t be nearly enough for you."
Yang Jing clutched the heavy wooden box, a warmth spreading through his chest.
He gave Sun Yong a deep bow, then turned and walked out of the inner courtyard.
...
Darkness deepened, blanketing the Inner City of Yuhe County.
A cold December wind carried swirling snow, rattling against the windows of the Xiao Mansion with a low WHINE.
Inside the study, it was brightly lit and comfortably warm.
Xiao Song, the Patriarch of the Xiao Family, sat behind a purple sandalwood desk, thumbing through a stack of papers. They contained a detailed file on Yang Jing, chronicling everything from his early life in Yang Family Village in Wazi Town to his enrollment in Sun’s Martial Arts Hall and his recent victory over Li Mengchao in their duel. Every event was recorded in painstaking detail.
Seated in the chair opposite him was Xiao Wenxuan, the third son of the Xiao Family. He was dressed in a brocade robe, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Xiao Song put down the file and took a sip of his tea, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "This Yang Jing is truly an anomaly. To go from a country boy to a Huajin master in just two years of training... such talent is a rare sight in all of Jintai Prefecture. His future is limitless."
Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Xiao Wenxuan’s eyes. "You’re right, Father," he interjected. "I think this is an opportunity for us. The Li Family suffered a crushing defeat this time. Not only did they lose face, but they also lost eighty thousand taels on the wager. They must be burning with resentment for Yang Jing."
He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice. "Now that the Li Family has a feud with Yang Jing, we can seize this chance to win him over. If we can get this newly minted Huajin Powerhouse on our side and join forces against the Li Family, wouldn’t that be perfect?"
"Yang Jing’s value is far greater than the bet we placed on Lin Yue," Xiao Wenxuan sneered. "Besides, Lin Yue is a cripple now. He’s useless to us."
Xiao Song tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, pondering. "You have a point. Establishing a connection with Yang Jing would certainly be advantageous for the Xiao Family, with no apparent downside. It’s just..."
His brow furrowed slightly as he continued, "I sent our steward to invite him to a banquet today, but he declined, using an appointment with the County Magistrate as an excuse. It seems he’s unwilling to get involved in the conflicts among the six major families."
"Winning him over won’t be so easy," Xiao Song sighed. "A Huajin Powerhouse has their pride, especially a young one with a limitless future like Yang Jing. Why would he let himself be easily tied to a family’s interests?"
Xiao Wenxuan frowned, lost in thought.
’Father’s right. Yang Jing’s stance is clear. He doesn’t want to get dragged into the murky affairs of the six major families.’
’But it would be a terrible waste not to win over an expert like him, especially one who’s already at odds with the Li Family...’
Suddenly, his eyes lit up as if he’d had an idea. "Father," he said quickly, "I just remembered something. It might be a way to make Yang Jing feel favorably toward our Xiao Family."
Xiao Song looked up at him. "Oh? And what is that?"
"You must have seen it in his file," Xiao Wenxuan said. "It mentions that back in his early years in Wazi Town, he had a conflict with a local wealthy landowner from the Ning Family. That Ning Family tried to forcibly buy his family’s land, and apparently, things got very ugly."
Xiao Song nodded. "Yes, I saw that. But the file also says that after Yang Jing rose to prominence, the Ning Family took the initiative to visit and apologize, and Yang Jing forgave them."
"Forgave?" A cold smile touched Xiao Wenxuan’s lips. "He might have forgiven them with his words, but I doubt he’s truly moved on. Father, think about it. If Yang Jing hadn’t had the drive to succeed, joining the Martial Arts Hall and rising through the ranks, the Ning Family would have forcibly seized his family’s land. In these chaotic times, what would have become of the Yang Family? They likely would have been destroyed, their family scattered to the winds."
