Free Web NovelChapter 326: Chapter 135: Prestigious Families and Humble Origins, Dragon Gate Martial Trial, 10,000 Contribution Points
The four of them snapped out of their daze, and the way they looked at Yang Jing subtly changed. A hint of imperceptible disdain and distance crept into their eyes.
In their eyes, a disciple from a remote backwater like Yuhe County, even if he had luckily managed to enter the Xuanzhen Sect, was bound to have a worldview, resources, and a background far inferior to their own as disciples from the prominent families of the Prefecture City. He would surely struggle to achieve anything of note within the sect in the future.
However, they were all shrewd enough not to offend Yang Jing for no reason, so they didn’t let their disdain show. Their expressions remained outwardly serene.
Zhao Hongxiang was the first to conceal the look in his eyes. Plastering a polite smile on his face, he clapped Yang Jing on the shoulder and said with a faint smile, "So you’re a Junior Brother from Yuhe County. That’s rather rare. We haven’t been here for very long ourselves. Since we’ll be living in the same courtyard from now on, it’s only right that we look after and support one another."
The tall and slender Su Qingyue had barely spoken from the start.
When Yang Jing had mentioned where he was from, a flash of impatience had crossed her eyes. Now, she lowered her gaze slightly, her expression cold. She was clearly uninterested in this new disciple from a remote backwater.
She came from the Su Family of the Prefecture City and had been put on a pedestal since she was a child, surrounded exclusively by the scions of other prominent families. An innate sense of superiority was etched into her very bones, so naturally, she looked down on a disciple from a humble background like Yang Jing.
In contrast, the curvy Liu Rou had a much more approachable personality. With a smile on her face, she quickly chimed in with Zhao Hongxiang, "That’s right, that’s right! Senior Brother Zhao is correct. Since we’re all living in the same courtyard, Junior Brother Yang, if there’s anything you don’t understand or need help with in the future, just ask. We should all support each other so we can get a firm foothold on Lingxi Peak."
After speaking, she turned to Yang Jing and added with a smile, "We were just chatting about matters of Cultivation on Lingxi Peak and some of the ins and outs of the sect. Junior Brother Yang, you’ve just joined, so you probably don’t know much about all this. Why don’t you come and listen in? It’ll help you get a better grasp of things so you’re not fumbling around in the dark later on."
Compared to Zhao Hongxiang’s superficial politeness and Su Qingyue’s cold indifference, Liu Rou’s attitude was far more genuine and free of prejudice.
Lin Wenxuan, who was standing to the side, also gave a slight nod. "Junior Sister Liu has a point," he said in an even tone. "Learning more about the sect will be beneficial for your future Cultivation."
Yang Jing took note of the subtle shifts in their expressions and understood the situation perfectly, but he didn’t take it to heart.
He raised his hands slightly, clasping them in a gesture of thanks. In a humble tone, he said, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brothers and Sister. I was just hoping to learn more about the Xuanzhen Sect and Lingxi Peak, but since I’ve only just arrived, I wasn’t sure where to start. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to listen to your explanations today."
He knew perfectly well that while these four weren’t exactly friendly—in fact, they were even a little disdainful—they hadn’t deliberately excluded him. Since they had joined the sect before him and knew much more, they were the perfect channel for him to quickly learn about the Xuanzhen Sect.
Whether it was the allocation of Cultivation resources on Lingxi Peak or the social politics within the sect, every bit of information he could learn would help him avoid a misstep later. This would be a significant help in adapting to sect life and focusing on his Cultivation.
Yang Jing walked over to them and stood quietly, listening to their conversation. He barely interjected, only offering a slight nod in agreement from time to time, playing the part of a naive country boy, a junior who knew nothing.
He committed every piece of information they shared to memory. Like a sponge that had been dry for ages, he ravenously absorbed everything related to Cultivation in the Xuanzhen Sect, determined not to miss a single useful detail.
The arrogant Su Qingyue quietly turned her gaze to Zhao Hongxiang. All her previous coldness toward Yang Jing vanished, and her expression softened considerably. There was even an obvious hint of affection in her eyes. A faint smile played on her lips as she asked admiringly, "Senior Brother Zhao, your Cultivation is improving so quickly! I imagine you must be close to breaking through to the Peak of Transformation, aren’t you?"
The reverence in her voice was unmistakable.
Hearing this, a composed smile appeared on Zhao Hongxiang’s face. He nodded slowly and said in a measured tone, "Almost. I just need a little more time to refine my skills, and I should be able to reach the Peak of Transformation."
Though he spoke nonchalantly, he couldn’t hide the trace of pride in his eyes. Reaching the Peak of Transformation at his age was an outstanding achievement among the outer sect disciples of his cohort, more than enough to be proud of.
Liu Rou’s gaze was filled with admiration and reverence as she quickly chimed in, "Senior Brother Zhao, you’re truly incredible! You’re the disciple with the highest Cultivation in our entire courtyard. We’ll have to ask for your guidance on our Cultivation in the future."
Yang Jing listened quietly from the side, giving a small nod. "All of you senior brothers and sister have such profound Cultivation," he said. "I only recently broke through to the Transformation stage myself. My Inner Strength is still a bit unstable, and I have a long way to go before I reach the Peak of Transformation. I’ll have much to learn from Senior Brother Zhao in the future."
Lin Wenxuan looked at Zhao Hongxiang with eyes full of envy. "Once Senior Brother Zhao breaks through to the Peak of Transformation, you’ll be able to apply for the Dragon Gate Martial Trial. If you can pass it, you’ll be promoted to an Inner Sect Disciple! Only then are you considered a true member of Lingxi Peak, worthy of receiving its core teachings. The difference between that and us outer sect disciples is like the sky and the earth. When that time comes, Senior Brother Zhao, you’ll have to look out for us junior brothers and sister from your old courtyard."
As Zhao Hongxiang listened to their continuous flattery, the smile on his face grew wider. Still, he feigned modesty and shook his head, saying with a sigh, "That may be true, but the Dragon Gate Martial Trial is incredibly difficult. The tests are rigorous, and it’s by no means easy to pass. Even when I reach the Peak of Transformation, I might not succeed on my first attempt. And according to the sect’s rules, if you fail, you have to wait three months before you can apply again. That would be a significant delay to my Cultivation."
