Free Web NovelChapter 315: Chapter 132: Final Affiliation, A Wager
And yet, this was just an ordinary meal the Xuanzhen Sect served to its guests. Without any deliberate extravagance, its deep reserves were already on full display. An intangible air of immense wealth washed over Yang Jing, making him appreciate the great sect’s profound resources all the more.
The two ate in silence. The Exotic Beast Meat was firm, and as they chewed, they could taste a faint meaty aroma and a subtle trace of vital energy. It slid down their throats and into their stomachs, leaving a pleasant, warming sensation.
The crisp seasonal vegetables cut through the richness, perfectly balancing the heavy flavor of the meat. The pairing was simply perfect.
Sun Ningxiang picked up some greens with her chopsticks, chewing slowly. Her gaze fell upon the plates on the table, her brow slightly furrowed. After what seemed like a long time in thought, she finally couldn’t resist speaking. "There’s still no news," she said softly. "Junior Brother, do you think the Xuanzhen Sect will accept us?"
Yang Jing was just putting a piece of Exotic Beast Meat into his mouth. His movements paused when he heard her. Swallowing the food, he looked up at Sun Ningxiang. After a moment of thought, he said slowly, "Senior Sister, you have a good root bone and a steady temperament. You should be able to join the Xuanzhen Sect without any problems. As for me, it’s not so certain."
Sun Ningxiang froze, her chopsticks hovering in mid-air. Her eyes filled with confusion as she quickly asked, "Why would you say that? Your cultivation is even higher than mine. How could it not be certain?"
She truly couldn’t understand. Yang Jing had reached an advanced stage of cultivation at such a young age, his aptitude clearly outshining many others. How could he think he would have difficulty joining?
Yang Jing put down his chopsticks, his fingertips tapping lightly on the edge of the table. A hint of resignation flashed in his eyes. "Because I have a poor root bone."
When Steward Chen had examined their bones earlier, Yang Jing had clearly felt the steward’s Inner Qi circulating through his own meridians and bones. Afterward, Yang Jing noticed Steward Chen’s expression had become visibly more complicated. ’He must have detected how mediocre my root bone is.’
He had long been aware of the quality of his own root bone. When he first joined Sun’s Martial Arts Hall, his master had examined his bones and determined that even among Lower-Grade Root Bones, his was merely mediocre.
In contrast to Yang Jing’s, Sun Ningxiang’s root bone was far superior.
’Master left the Xuanzhen Sect thirty years ago and has rarely returned since. The bonds with his former sect-mates have surely faded with time. How much weight could they possibly carry now?’
’Senior Sister is Master’s biological daughter, after all. If they still feel any lingering sentiment for the old days, they’ll probably accept her. But I’m just Master’s disciple with no connection to the Xuanzhen Sect. With my poor root bone, it’s unlikely I’ll be accepted.’
Hearing Yang Jing’s explanation, Sun Ningxiang’s brow furrowed tightly. Her eyes filled with determination as she put down her chopsticks and looked at him. "If you can’t get into the Xuanzhen Sect, then I won’t join either. If worst comes to worst, we can just go back to Yuhe County together and continue our training at the Martial Arts Hall."
At this, Yang Jing couldn’t help but smile, his tone tinged with helplessness. "Senior Sister, don’t be silly. The Xuanzhen Sect is a rare sacred ground for cultivation. It would be a huge shame to miss out. You can’t let me hold back your future."
"I’m not being silly," Sun Ningxiang immediately retorted, though a faint blush crept up her cheeks. Her gaze flickered away as she mumbled, "It’s not because of you that I wouldn’t join. It’s... I’m just a little homesick. I miss our days at the Martial Arts Hall... and I miss my dad."
...
「Elsewhere.」
Deep within Zhenyue Peak, the courtyard residence of Peak Master Qin Gang was quiet and spacious. A cold winter wind swept through the old pines, causing snow to slide off the branches with a soft SWISH. The weight bent the boughs, but it only enhanced the courtyard’s solemn, dignified atmosphere.
Inside the main hall.
Qin Gang sat in the host’s seat of honor. He wore a black brocade robe, its hem embroidered with a subtle pattern of mountain mists.
On the pearwood chairs to either side sat Zhou Yunyi, Peak Master of Yunxi Peak, and Bai Bing, Peak Master of Lingxi Peak. The two had always been on good terms, but as they sat facing each other now, their distinctly different auras were apparent.
Zhou Yunyi wore a moon-white long gown, her hair loosely pinned with a jade hairpin. Her features were delicate and her disposition gentle, exuding an aura of soft elegance.
Bai Bing, on the other hand, wore plain white martial attire, cinched at the waist with an ink-black sash. Her long hair was pulled up into a high bun. Her face was cold, her gaze serene, and she naturally possessed a sharp, dashing aura.
Qin Gang raised his teacup and took a sip of the warm tea. He then began to speak, slowly and clearly explaining everything: Sun Yong’s recommendation, the two candidates’ root bones and aptitudes, and Zhenyue Peak’s current predicament regarding its limited recruitment slots. He laid out all of his concerns.
"Zhenyue Peak has very few spots left for this year’s independent recruitment. A place for the Zhang Family’s direct heir has already been promised, making it exceedingly difficult to accept anyone else. Regarding the two recommended by Senior Brother Sun, I was hoping you two could see if Yunxi Peak or Lingxi Peak has any openings. Would either of you be willing to take them?"
As his voice faded, Zhou Yunyi looked up, a delicate eyebrow raised. A flash of surprise crossed her eyes as she turned to Qin Gang in the seat of honor, her tone seeking confirmation. "Did you say that the girl, Sun Ningxiang, is the daughter of Sun Yong and Senior Sister Ma?"
She and Sun Yong’s late wife, Senior Sister Ma, had been close friends and fellow disciples, and their bond ran deep. When Senior Sister Ma left the Xuanzhen Sect with Sun Yong all those years ago, she had sacrificed her own progress on the Martial Dao, a fact Zhou Yunyi had always lamented. Now, hearing that her daughter had arrived, she was naturally more attentive.
Qin Gang nodded slowly. "Precisely," he said in a deep voice.
Upon receiving confirmation, the surprise in Zhou Yunyi’s eyes faded, replaced by a soft warmth. She nodded gently. "Senior Sister Ma took great care of me back in the day. Our bond was profound. Now that her daughter has come, there’s no reason to turn her away. Sun Ningxiang can join my Yunxi Peak. I will look after her and ensure she is well-cultivated."
Qin Gang was visibly relieved. He then turned his gaze back to the two women. "It’s good that Sun Ningxiang has a place. But as for the young man, Yang Jing... you both understand his situation. Are either of you willing to take him? If neither of your peaks is interested in him, then we have no choice but to follow the rules and ask him to leave the Xuanzhen Sect and seek his fortune elsewhere."
