Free Web NovelChapter 318: Chapter 133: Ning Xiang’s Treatment, On Lingxi Peak
The afternoon sun filtered through the bare branches, casting scattered, dappled shadows on the stone slabs of the Guest Reception Courtyard.
A cold wind, carrying the faint scent of the lake, swept through the courtyard but couldn’t disperse the steam rising from Yang Jing’s body.
Dressed in simple martial attire, he practiced the Mountain-Shattering Fist over and over in an open area of the courtyard. Each and every move was steady and powerful.
The wind from his fists whistled with a low, tearing sound. He was exceptionally focused with every punch thrown and retracted.
But a flicker of concern, almost imperceptible, would occasionally cross his eyes. He was clearly still preoccupied with whether he could join the Xuanzhen Sect, and an undercurrent of restless anxiety tainted his movements.
Just then, a sudden KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK at the courtyard gate sounded particularly abrupt in the quiet afternoon.
Yang Jing’s heart leaped. He pulled back his fist and stood still, the heat from his body slowly dissipating as he subconsciously held his breath.
It wasn’t mealtime; he had already eaten the food brought by the servant disciples. Normally, no one would disturb him now. A visit at this hour most likely meant news had come from the Xuanzhen Sect.
He was both startled and nervous. Taking a deep breath to suppress his surging emotions, he strode quickly toward the gate.
He reached out and pulled open the unlatched gate, revealing an outer disciple standing outside. The man was dressed in cyan martial attire, his posture ramrod straight, with a standard-issue Xuanzhen Sect belt fastened around his waist.
His gaze swept calmly over Yang Jing.
"Excuse me, are Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang here?"
The outer disciple spoke in a calm and polite tone, his eyes glancing around the courtyard as if to confirm both were present.
Yang Jing nodded and replied, "We are. What can I do for you, Senior Brother?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the wooden door of a side room creaked softly, and Sun Ningxiang walked out.
She was wrapped in a thick, pale pink cloak. Her jet-black hair was neatly arranged, and her features were refined and gentle. The warm winter sun fell on her face, making her skin seem even more pearlescent and clear, and she exuded a natural, gentle charm that was captivating.
The outer disciple’s gaze inadvertently fell upon Sun Ningxiang. He froze for a moment, a flicker of stunned admiration in his eyes. He was clearly struck by her beauty and bearing.
He composed himself slightly. His previously placid tone softened a little more, tinged with an unconscious politeness. He gestured with his hand. "Please gather your belongings and come with me."
Yang Jing grew even more puzzled. "Senior Brother, may I ask where you’re taking us?"
Seeing their confusion, the outer disciple maintained his gentle tone and explained with a smile, "Didn’t you two come here to join our Xuanzhen Sect? The Peak Masters have already made their decision. I’m naturally here to take you to handle the initiation procedures and formally enter the sect."
Yang Jing froze at his words. Most of his nervousness vanished in an instant, replaced by a surge of irrepressible joy. He didn’t let it show too obviously, but he subconsciously took a half step forward, his gaze intense as he pressed, "Senior Brother, does this mean... both of us have successfully been accepted into the Xuanzhen Sect?"
He was constantly aware of his mediocre aptitude and found it hard to believe things could go so smoothly.
The outer disciple nodded, his tone firm. "Of course. You both have been successfully admitted. The Xuanzhen Sect has accepted you. It’s just that the two of you won’t be joining the same branch."
At these words, both Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang were taken aback. They exchanged a look, seeing the same confusion in each other’s eyes.
Yang Jing had always assumed that, because of their master’s recommendation letter, they would both be assigned to Zhenyue Peak. He had never considered they might be split into different branches. This outcome was completely unexpected.
Yang Jing’s brow furrowed slightly. Suppressing his confusion, he asked again, "May I ask, Senior Brother, why we’ve been assigned to different branches?"
Sun Ningxiang also chimed in, "Yes, our recommendation letter was addressed to the Zhenyue Peak Master. Weren’t we supposed to join Zhenyue Peak together?"
She couldn’t understand the reason. Two people recommended by the same letter—why would they be split into different branches, not even ending up in Zhenyue Peak as planned?
The outer disciple was also surprised to hear this, clearly not expecting their original target was Zhenyue Peak. A look of astonishment crossed his face before he shook his head and said seriously, "That I wouldn’t know. The branch assignments are decided by the Peak Masters in their discussions; it’s not something I would be privy to. My orders are that you, Yang Jing, are assigned to Lingxi Peak, and you, Miss Sun Ningxiang, are assigned to Yunxi Peak. Neither of you, indeed, will be under Zhenyue Peak."
Yang Jing stood there, stunned. He truly hadn’t expected this outcome. He was assigned to Lingxi Peak while his senior sister, Sun Ningxiang, would enter Yunxi Peak. Not only had they failed to stay together on Zhenyue Peak, but they hadn’t even been assigned to the same branch.
He lowered his head and pondered for a moment. He didn’t feel too disappointed. After all, from the moment he set foot on Fushan Island, he had been prepared for rejection. To be able to join the Xuanzhen Sect at all was already more than he had hoped for.
For him, as long as he could enter this Martial Arts Sacred Land to cultivate, obtain better resources and Cultivation Techniques, and improve his own strength, which branch he joined didn’t really make much of a difference.
The only thing he found regrettable was that he would have to cultivate separately from his senior sister from now on. They could no longer spend every day together as they had at the Martial Arts Hall.
Yang Jing looked up at Sun Ningxiang, his gaze meeting hers. Her eyes were still filled with a trace of bewilderment, and her cheeks were slightly tense. It was clear she hadn’t yet come to terms with this sudden arrangement either.
Sun Ningxiang bit her lip. Her voice was soft but laced with urgency as she couldn’t help but ask, "Junior Brother, what are we going to do? We weren’t assigned together. From now on, we’ll have to cultivate in different branches..."
