Chapter 350: Chapter 140: Killing Intent Arises, All Lineages Gather
Yang Jing ascended the stone steps of Lingxi Peak at a steady pace, heading straight for the summit.
The outline of Lingxi Plaza came into clear view.
Beside the plaza stood a row of buildings with layers of green bricks and black tiles. Vermilion pillars stood tall and straight, and from under the eaves hung quaint bronze bells that chimed crisply in the gentle breeze.
The buildings were spacious and grand, exuding an air of stability and order. This was the Internal Affairs Hall, where Lingxi Peak handled all manner of disciple-related matters.
At this moment, the area outside the Internal Affairs Hall was quite bustling, with disciples constantly coming and going.
The Outer Sect Disciples in their blue robes walked with hurried steps, most of them here to accept or turn in missions.
In contrast, the Inner Sect Disciples in their white robes appeared calm and composed, occasionally stopping to exchange a few words.
Their auras were all different, but each one carried the sharp efficiency of a Martial Artist.
To temper its disciples’ character, help them accumulate combat experience, and maintain the sect’s daily operations, the Xuanzhen Sect regularly issued a variety of missions.
These missions covered a wide range of types, including wilderness training, resource gathering, eliminating dangerous criminals, and handling miscellaneous chores.
After completing a mission, a disciple would receive corresponding rewards such as contribution points and Cultivation Resources.
This was not only a contribution to the sect but also a vital path for their own growth.
And the Internal Affairs Hall was the core location on Lingxi Peak for posting and registering these missions.
In addition, matters such as changes in a disciple’s status and applications for various assessments were also managed by the Internal Affairs Hall, making it one of the most frequented places for Lingxi Peak disciples.
Yang Jing stepped into the Internal Affairs Hall. The main lobby opened up before him, with light filtering through ornate window lattices to illuminate every corner.
Several wooden counters were neatly arranged inside, with desks and chairs placed behind them. A few middle-aged and elderly men wearing Steward Robes sat there, methodically handling various affairs. The layout was quite similar to the Main Peak’s Steward Main Hall, just on a smaller scale, but the atmosphere was equally orderly. The steady, quiet murmur of conversations between disciples and Stewards filled the air, calm and never chaotic.
Yang Jing’s gaze swept quickly across the hall, and he soon spotted the wooden plaques hanging above the counters. One of them was clearly engraved with the words "Dragon Gate Martial Trial."
He immediately followed the sign and walked briskly over, stopping directly in front of the corresponding counter. His eyes fell upon the old man behind it.
Behind the counter sat an old man with graying hair. His face was deeply lined, but his eyes were remarkably sharp. The aura around him was restrained and profound, marking him as a Steward of the peak with no small amount of Cultivation.
Not daring to be disrespectful, Yang Jing bowed slightly and cupped his fists in a salute. In a respectful and steady tone, he said, "Disciple Yang Jing pays his respects to the Steward."
The old man slowly raised his eyes and looked at Yang Jing, his gaze appraising. In a raspy yet clear voice, he asked, "What is your business?"
He handled countless disciple affairs every day and had seen more disciples than he could count. He had no particular impression of this blue-robed Outer Sect Disciple before him.
Yang Jing straightened his back and said solemnly, "Reporting to the Steward, this disciple has honed his Cultivation to the Peak of Transformation. I have come today to formally apply for the Dragon Gate Martial Trial."
Hearing this, a flicker of surprise flashed in the old man’s eyes. He sized up Yang Jing for a few extra moments, carefully examining everything from his blue robes to the aura around him.
’This disciple before me has an upright posture and a calm, restrained aura, unlike the restlessness of an ordinary Outer Sect Disciple.’
But he had served in the Lingxi Peak Internal Affairs Hall for many years and knew the general situation of most of the peak’s Outer Sect Disciples. He had no clear memory of Yang Jing, however. He never expected this seemingly ordinary disciple to have silently cultivated to the Peak of Transformation.
Yang Jing himself knew why. Since joining the Xuanzhen Sect, he had been single-mindedly devoted to his bitter training. His daily routine was extremely simple: aside from going to the dining hall for meals, he spent almost all his time either in a Training Room or in a secluded open space at the foot of Lingxi Peak, focused solely on honing his martial arts and improving his Cultivation.
He would only show his face when he attended the Dharma lectures held on Lingxi Peak on the third, sixth, and ninth of each month. The rest of the time, he was practically in closed-door cultivation, rarely interacting with other disciples.
Even though he had been in the sect for nearly four months, many Outer Sect Disciples on Lingxi Peak had never even seen him, let alone heard his name. It was no surprise that a Steward in the Internal Affairs Hall wouldn’t remember him.
The old man withdrew his appraising gaze and tapped his fingertips lightly on the countertop. With a tone of well-intentioned warning, he said, "Have you thought this through? While reaching the Peak of Transformation gives you the qualification to participate in the Dragon Gate Martial Trial, the assessment is perilous and unpredictable. It might be better to accumulate more experience for a while and polish your practical combat skills. Your chances of passing would be much greater."
He paused, then added, "If you fail this time, according to sect rules, you’ll have to wait three months before you can apply again. And that’s assuming you don’t get injured during the trial."
Having served in the Lingxi Peak Internal Affairs Hall for many years, the old man had seen too many disciples who were overly eager for success. They would excitedly participate in the Dragon Gate Martial Trial, only to end up either returning in defeat or suffering injuries that hindered their future cultivation. Naturally, he felt inclined to offer a word of caution.
Yang Jing understood that the Steward’s words came from a place of goodwill and were not an intentional attempt to make things difficult.
But he had complete confidence in his own strength. His three martial arts had all reached the Transformation realm, his physical body was incomparably powerful, and his Inner Strength was stable and well-rounded. There was simply no need for him to accumulate any more experience.
He shook his head slightly, his expression firm but still respectful. "Thank you for the advice, Steward. However, this disciple is well aware of his own situation. I am fully prepared and have decided to apply for the Dragon Gate Martial Trial now."
Seeing that Yang Jing’s attitude was resolute and without a hint of hesitation, the old man said no more and gave a slight nod.
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