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

Chapter 375: Chapter 144: Sect-mates’ Congratulatory Gift, Meeting the Peak Master (2)

Yang Jing’s calm gaze swept over the few outer sect disciples who had stepped forward to bow. He gave a slight nod, his tone indifferent as he said, "There’s no need for formalities."

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried the dignified air of an Inner Sect Disciple, commanding respect.

As his voice faded, his gaze slowly shifted to Zhao Hongxiang, Su Qingyue, Lin Wenxuan, and Cai He Kang, who were standing off to the side.

The four of them had long since lost their usual arrogance and indifference. Each of them stood with their heads bowed and their gazes averted, not daring to meet Yang Jing’s eyes.

Su Qingyue still had a hand covering her face. The red mark on her cheek remained distinct, her neck was slightly retracted, and her entire posture radiated unease and anxiety.

Seeing their state, Yang Jing’s expression remained utterly placid. He simply withdrew his gaze, not bothering to entangle himself with them any further. Carrying the bundle in his hand, he turned and walked straight up Lingxi Peak.

His white robes fluttered gently in the breeze. His retreating figure was tall and steady as he walked away, step by step, without a single backward glance at the people he left behind.

’These people are destined to be left further and further behind me. Eventually, they won’t even be qualified to look up to me.’

...

Zhao Hongxiang stiffly raised his head, his vacant gaze fixed on Yang Jing’s departing back. His eyes were still filled with incredulous shock and bewilderment.

His throat bobbed, but he couldn’t utter a single word.

He knew better than anyone how difficult the Dragon Gate Martial Trial was.

He had participated in the Dragon Gate Martial Trial once before. He had spent over a month preparing for that assessment, honing his strength day and night.

But even so, he had only managed to struggle his way to the third stage with all his might before being severely wounded by an exotic beast and suffering a miserable defeat. It had taken him more than half a month to recover from his injuries.

It was precisely because he had personally experienced that danger that he understood just how hard it was to pass the Dragon Gate Martial Trial. Even if he were given two more chances, even if he were allowed much more time to prepare, he still wouldn’t be fully confident in passing the fourth stage.

But Yang Jing?

He had only been in the sect for four months and had just reached the Peak of Transformation a few days ago. Yet now, he had smoothly passed all four stages of the assessment in a single attempt and been directly promoted to the Inner Sect. It was too appalling; he simply couldn’t accept it.

Just as Zhao Hongxiang and the others stood there, stunned and lost in a daze, a figure squeezed through the crowd of onlookers. It was Liu Rou, who had just returned from Dragon Gate Plaza.

She had just approached the Ninth Courtyard when she saw the crowd and heard the buzz of discussion.

After listening to a few snippets of conversation, she quickly pieced together what had just happened: Yang Jing had been promoted to the Inner Sect, returned to pack his things, and had taught Su Qingyue a lesson for her insolence.

Liu Rou couldn’t help but sigh softly. Her gaze fell upon Zhao Hongxiang, Su Qingyue, and the others, who were still dazed and bewildered. "Don’t just stand here," she said calmly. "Let’s go back to the courtyard first."

Hearing her words, the group slowly came to their senses. They subconsciously looked up at the surrounding disciples, only to see gazes full of mockery and derision.

Some people were whispering amongst themselves, and as their words reached their ears, their cheeks burned with a fiery heat.

Only then did they realize that staying here would only make them a laughingstock.

Unwilling to stay any longer, the four of them lowered their heads and miserably followed Liu Rou through the crowd, hurrying into the Ninth Courtyard.

Liu Rou casually closed the courtyard gate, shutting out the discussions and gazes from outside. The courtyard instantly fell silent.

She turned and looked at the others, who were still standing there, not yet fully recovered from the shock. She more or less understood what they were feeling.

Yang Jing passing the Dragon Gate Martial Trial in one go with overwhelming force and soaring to the rank of Inner Sect Disciple—this shocking turn of events must have been a massive blow to Zhao Hongxiang and the others.

After all, even she, who had personally witnessed Yang Jing effortlessly defeat and slay those powerful exotic beasts one after another at Dragon Gate Plaza today, still felt a sense of dazed unreality, as if she were in a dream. It was bound to be even worse for Zhao Hongxiang and the others, who had always looked down on Yang Jing.

Su Qingyue slowly lowered the hand from her face. The red mark on her cheek was still clearly visible. Her eyes were filled with bewilderment and resentment as she muttered to herself, still in disbelief, "Impossible... How could he have passed the Dragon Gate Martial Trial? He only just reached the Peak of Transformation recently. His Cultivation isn’t even stable yet. How could he have passed the Dragon Gate Martial Trial?"

She simply couldn’t accept that the person she had so freely mocked now stood at a height she could never hope to reach.

Lin Wenxuan nodded in agreement, his face a mixture of confusion and shock.

He looked at Zhao Hongxiang and said urgently, "That’s right! Back when Senior Brother Zhao took the Dragon Gate Martial Trial, he had prepared for so long, and his Cultivation was solid. But even then, the fight was so difficult, and he was badly injured, and he still got eliminated in the third stage. This was Yang Jing’s first time. How could he pass it all in one go?"

His heart heavy, Zhao Hongxiang walked over to a stone bench in the courtyard and slumped down onto it.

He rested his clenched fists on his knees, his brows knitted tightly together. His eyes were filled with a complex mix of resentment and frustration. The image of Yang Jing, poised and steady in his white robes, replayed over and over in his mind, leaving his thoughts a tangled mess.

Cai He Kang, the most recent to join the sect, simply stood to the side in a daze, the look of bewilderment still on his face. He clearly hadn’t recovered from the shock of Yang Jing’s promotion to the Inner Sect.

Liu Rou looked at their crestfallen expressions, shook her head gently, and slowly began to speak. "You don’t need to doubt it. Not only did Yang Jing pass the Dragon Gate Martial Trial, he swept through it with overwhelming dominance."