Rise in the Martial Chaos: Starting From a Martial Arts School

Chapter 369: Chapter 143: Promotion to the Inner Sect

They had only hoped Yang Jing would go up first to hold the line for a bit, buying them more time to compose themselves. They never imagined he would actually see it through to the end.

Who would have thought that Yang Jing would simply steamroll his way through, winning all four fights cleanly and decisively, without a single wasted motion.

Now he had successfully passed and was about to officially become an Inner Sect Disciple.

Neither Zhou Bohao nor Shen Yue had much confidence about this Dragon Gate Martial Trial to begin with.

After witnessing the trial’s dangers firsthand—especially the formidable exotic beasts Yang Jing had faced—what little confidence they had completely evaporated.

They secretly sized up the situation. The ferocious beasts Yang Jing had slain on the platform, particularly the final two exotic beasts working in tandem, were far beyond their own capabilities.

Forget killing them with ease; they would have struggled to even defend themselves.

If it had been them up there, they would have probably been utterly defeated in the very first round.

They both knew that for now, they could still speak to Yang Jing as his peers.

But once the Dragon Gate Martial Trial was over and Yang Jing officially became an Inner Sect Disciple, the gap in their status would become immense.

The next time they met, they would have to greet him with a respectful bow, having lost the right to converse with him as equals.

Seeing this, Yang Jing offered a small smile and exchanged a few words with Zhou Bohao and Shen Yue. His tone was calm, showing no trace of arrogance after his victory.

He was not an arrogant person by nature. He hadn’t spoken to them before simply because they were strangers and their paths hadn’t crossed.

Now that they had taken the initiative to congratulate him, he certainly wouldn’t push them away. His words and actions remained composed and humble.

Next, Steward Zheng turned his gaze to Zhou Bohao and Shen Yue, his expression turning serious again. "Don’t just stand there gawking, you two," he asked. "Who’s going up for the trial next?"

Zhou Bohao took a deep breath, suppressing the complex emotions in his heart. His eyes hardened, and he gritted his teeth. "I’ll go first."

With that, he straightened his green robes and walked toward the high platform, though his steps were undeniably stiff with tension.

Seeing this, Yang Jing planned to step aside and watch quietly.

Just as he moved, his gaze inadvertently swept across the crowd and suddenly landed on Sun Ningxiang, who was standing not far away.

Sun Ningxiang was on her tiptoes, her eyes fixed on him. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her eyes were filled with excitement and joy, shining as if they held starlight.

Yang Jing’s heart stirred. A gentle smile touched his lips as he turned and spoke softly to Steward Zheng beside him.

Steward Zheng was in an excellent mood. Hearing Yang Jing’s request, he smiled and waved his hand, signaling that he could do as he pleased.

After receiving permission, Yang Jing started walking toward Sun Ningxiang.

He had just crushed a series of exotic beasts, won four straight victories, and passed the Dragon Gate Martial Trial. He was the center of everyone’s attention, and his every move drew the crowd’s gaze.

His sudden movement toward the crowd immediately drew a multitude of stares, all directed their way, filled with curiosity and speculation.

A few people followed his gaze to Sun Ningxiang, a look of understanding dawning in their eyes.

Yang Jing ignored the surrounding stares and walked straight to Sun Ningxiang’s side. He stopped and called out in a gentle voice, "Senior Sister, I made you worry, didn’t I?"

Sun Ningxiang looked at Yang Jing standing before her. Though his green robes were tattered and stained with blood, his posture was still tall and straight, his eyes conveying an air of calm composure.

Noticing the pairs of eyes from all around fixed on them, her cheeks grew even redder, as if brushed with faint rouge. Her gaze flickered away, not daring to meet his directly.

She nodded lightly, her voice trembling with a hint of elation. "I was really worried at first. When I saw you facing that huge black bear in the first round, my heart was in my throat. But then I saw how incredible you were, Junior Brother, taking it down with a single punch. And after you easily defeated all those terrifying-looking exotic beasts, I was completely relieved."

Yang Jing listened to her earnest words with a faint smile, quietly letting her speak.

Sun Ningxiang paused, then continued her excited praise. "That black bear looked immensely powerful! I don’t think I could have even taken one swipe from it, but you finished it with a single punch. And the Single-Horned Black Bull, the Silver Wolf, and those last two exotic beasts... they scared me just looking at them, yet you killed them all with ease. You’re just too amazing."

As she spoke, her cheeks grew progressively redder, and her eyes shone even brighter, filled with a pride as if the victory were her own.

Hearing Sun Ningxiang’s blunt praise, Yang Jing waved his hand lightly and said with a smile, "Just a stroke of luck."

Hearing this, Sun Ningxiang couldn’t help but cover her mouth and giggle, her eyes crinkling. "Oh, stop being so modest, Junior Brother," she said playfully. "My father used to privately call you ’Brother Jiaoxing’ because you’re always talking about ’lucky breaks’."

Yang Jing froze, then shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. He had no idea his master had roasted him like that behind his back.

Sun Ningxiang giggled, her face glowing with delight. Seeing Yang Jing so successful made her happier than if she had passed the Dragon Gate Martial Trial herself. "Junior Brother, you’re going to be an Inner Sect Disciple now! Tsk, tsk. You truly are the most outstanding disciple from our Sun’s Martial Arts Hall. Even at a great sect like the Xuanzhen Sect, you won’t just fade into the crowd."

Her words were filled with pride.

Hearing Sun Ningxiang mention their master, a flash of warmth appeared in Yang Jing’s eyes. "As long as I lived up to Master’s recommendation and didn’t bring him any shame, that’s all that matters."

「In the distance.」

Two disciples from Yunxi Peak were secretly watching them. When they saw Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang talking so cheerfully, the expressions on both their faces shifted slightly.