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

Chapter 377: Chapter 144: Congratulations from Fellow Disciples, Paying Respects to the Peak Master

The courtyard was meticulously tidy. In the corners were several pots of Spirit Grass, their leaves glowing with a faint spiritual light. The figures of servant disciples could be seen moving about, all treading lightly, afraid to disturb the tranquility of the courtyard.

Zhenyue Peak’s senior disciple, Zhao Wenju, dressed in black martial attire, walked into the courtyard with a steady gait. The servant disciples he passed along the way saw him and all stopped what they were doing, bowing respectfully.

Zhao Wenju gave a slight nod in acknowledgment but did not linger, heading straight for the main hall.

Arriving outside the main hall, he looked up and saw Qin Gang sitting upright on a Grandmaster’s Chair inside.

Before him was a simple, antique tea table, on which sat an exquisite tea set. As the boiling water steamed, the fragrant aroma of tea drifted out, crisp and mellow.

Qin Gang held a teacup, his fingertips lightly tracing its rim. His expression was placid as he quietly savored the tea.

Zhao Wenju averted his gaze, stepped into the main hall, and walked to the tea table. He bowed and said respectfully, "Disciple greets Master."

Qin Gang slowly raised his eyes, his gaze landing on Zhao Wenju. With a calm look, he nodded slightly, his voice steady. "Rise. What is it?"

Zhao Wenju straightened up, standing to the side with his hands lowered. He reported, "Master, word has come from the Mansion Master’s Mansion. A group of Water Bandits has appeared on the southern shore of Hidden Dragon Lake. Their actions are strange, and they seem to have ties to the Demon Sect. The Mansion Master hopes our Xuanzhen Sect can send people to assist with the investigation. The Sect Leader has already arranged for Elder Bai from the Main Peak to take a team and handle it."

Upon hearing this, Qin Gang’s hand, holding the teacup, paused for a moment. He then nodded lightly, a grave look flashing in his eyes. He said in a deep voice, "The Demon Sect has been hiding in the shadows for years, never content. Now they are suspected of colluding with rebel forces; their ambitions are great. Tell Elder Bai to be extra vigilant. He must be extremely careful and not let his guard down."

"I understand," Zhao Wenju acknowledged with a nod. He suddenly remembered something and added, "Oh, right, Master, there’s one more thing. Our Zhenyue Peak’s outer sect disciple, Xue Yi, successfully passed the Dragon Gate’s martial trials today and has been promoted to an Inner Sect Disciple. I’ve already had someone get him settled in. I’ll bring him to greet you tomorrow."

A faint hint of approval appeared on Qin Gang’s face. He nodded and said, "Very well. Bring him to see me tomorrow."

With that, he picked up his teacup and took a light sip of the hot tea. His gaze shifted slightly as he suddenly asked, "In this Dragon Gate’s martial trials, how many people passed in total from the Seven Sect Veins and the Main Peak?"

Although he rarely went to Dragon Gate Plaza to watch the assessments in person, he always paid close attention to the results of the martial trials. After all, the number and performance of the passing disciples often revealed the cultivation foundation, strength, and future potential of each vein, which was crucial for the sect’s future talent development.

Zhao Wenju thought for a moment before replying, "Master, only two people passed the Dragon Gate’s martial trials this time. Besides our Zhenyue Peak’s Xue Yi, the other is an outer sect disciple from Lingxi Peak."

After speaking, Zhao Wenju paused, recalling the details from the reporting disciple. He added, "The disciple who reported to me said that the disciple from Lingxi Peak performed exceptionally well in the trials. He swept through all four assessments with clean and decisive moves. The mutated beasts used for the tests could barely withstand a few of his blows. He passed the trials without any suspense, his strength far surpassing that of his peers. I suspect that with his power, he might represent Lingxi Peak in the Cyan Qilin Battle."

Qin Gang’s originally calm expression shifted slightly. He raised an eyebrow in surprise, a hint of astonishment in his eyes, and said softly, "Oh? Lingxi Peak hasn’t been particularly prominent in recent years. It’s rare for them to produce such a talent."

As he spoke, a bit of curiosity grew in his heart, and he asked, "What’s the name of that disciple from Lingxi Peak?"

Hearing this, Zhao Wenju frowned slightly, trying hard to recall.

When the other disciple had reported earlier, he had indeed specifically asked about this person. But at the time, his mind was more focused on Xue Yi and the Water Bandits, so he hadn’t made a point of remembering the name. Now that he was trying to, he couldn’t recall it.

He shook his head and said, "Master, that disciple’s surname is Yang. I can’t recall his full name at the moment. I will ask again when I return and report back to you tomorrow."

Qin Gang waved his hand, his expression nonchalant. He said casually, "No matter. He’s just a newly promoted Inner Sect Disciple. The name isn’t important. I was just asking on a whim."

Seeing this, Zhao Wenju bowed and said, "Then I shall take my leave."

With that, he turned and walked toward the entrance of the main hall.

Just as he reached the entrance, he suddenly smacked his forehead, a flash of realization in his eyes. He quickly turned around, cupped his fists toward Qin Gang, and said, "Master, I remember now! That disciple from Lingxi Peak is named Yang Jing! The reporting disciple said he’s only been in the sect for a few months. He was an outer sect disciple who had just joined not long ago."

At that moment, Qin Gang was holding his teacup, having just brought it to his lips, ready to drink.

Hearing the name "Yang Jing," his fingers suddenly stiffened. His movement to drink the tea halted, his pupils constricted slightly, and an unconcealable shock flashed in his eyes. The warm tea in his cup nearly spilled.

His heart skipped a beat. He forced down his astonishment and slowly swallowed the tea in his mouth. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his expression instantly became complicated.

...

「Dusk fell, the setting sun slanting low.」

Yang Jing, dressed in the white robes of an Inner Sect Disciple, ascended Yunxi Peak with a light step.

Having successfully passed the Dragon Gate’s martial trials and been promoted to the Inner Sect today, he had packed his things and come to find Sun Ningxiang, planning to go out for dinner with her off the island that evening.

It was both a celebration of his promotion and a way to make up for the guilt he felt for being too busy with his cultivation to properly spend time with her.