Free Web NovelChapter 334: Chapter 137: Conflict
Yang Jing arrived at the summit of Lingxi Peak, and Lingxi Plaza unfolded before him.
The plaza’s layout was orderly and solemn. Directly ahead stood a grand hall—Lingxi Hall, where the Peak Master of Lingxi resided and managed the peak’s affairs.
The hall’s vermilion pillars stood tall and majestic, and its gray-green tiles were dusted with a thin layer of snow, exuding an aura of steady dignity.
The main doors of the great hall were wide open, facing the center of the plaza and offering an unobstructed view.
At this moment, Lingxi Plaza was already thronged with people, but despite the crowd, it was not chaotic.
The outer sect disciples, clad in green robes, stood packed together in the middle and rear of the plaza, murmuring to one another with expressions full of anticipation.
In contrast, the white-robed Inner Sect Disciples were more spread out, mostly standing near the front of the plaza. They stood tall and straight, their auras calm and steady.
Several Stewards in blue robes stood scattered along the sides of the plaza, their expressions solemn as their calm gazes swept over the disciples.
At the very front of the plaza sat a few gray-robed old men. Though their figures appeared aged, they radiated an unfathomable majesty. These were none other than the Elders of Lingxi Peak, a rare sight on any ordinary day.
According to the sect’s tradition for sermons, each session would begin with the Peak Master or an Elder imparting their insights on the Martial Dao and the true essence of Cultivation. Occasionally, they would also answer questions from the disciples.
After the Peak Master or an Elder finished their sermon, the Stewards would then separate to give detailed explanations tailored to disciples of different Cultivation levels, attending to the needs of both inner and outer sect disciples.
For this reason, the disciples had gathered in the plaza early, waiting in an orderly fashion for the Peak Master or an Elder to appear. No one dared to make a clamor, and only occasional low-voiced conversations could be heard.
Yang Jing’s gaze swept quickly across the plaza. He didn’t deliberately push his way to the front, instead finding a spot in the middle section to stop.
’This spot isn’t too close to the front, so I won’t be too conspicuous. But it’s not so far back that I can’t hear the sermon clearly or see the speaker’s demonstrations. It’s just right.’
Time trickled by. The warm sun gradually climbed higher, its light spilling onto the plaza and dispelling some of the winter chill.
More and more disciples filled Lingxi Plaza, and the low hum of conversation slowly faded. A silent, mutual understanding fell over the crowd as everyone quieted down, their gazes fixed on the main entrance of Lingxi Hall, eagerly awaiting the speaker’s appearance.
Out of the corner of his eye, Yang Jing noticed that several of the blue-robed Stewards had also found spots near the front of the plaza and sat down cross-legged. Their backs were straight and their expressions deferential, a clear sign that they, too, placed great importance on the sermon from the Peak Master or an Elder.
Even for experts at the Qi Eating Realm, listening to the Martial Dao insights of those at a higher realm could still be beneficial, helping them advance their own Cultivation.
Before long, a figure slowly emerged from Lingxi Hall at the front of the plaza.
The figure was slender and upright, their steps unhurried and steady. Each footfall was light and soundless, yet seemed to carry an invisible force that instantly drew the eyes of everyone in the plaza.
As the figure walked out, the slightly noisy Lingxi Plaza was instantly plunged into a silence so profound you could hear a pin drop.
All the disciples held their breath, their gazes burning as they stared at the newcomer. Their eyes were filled with excitement and awe, and many unconsciously straightened their backs, their expressions growing even more reverent.
Yang Jing looked up as well, and when he got a clear look at the person’s appearance, his eyes lit up slightly.
The newcomer wore a simple white dress, its hem embroidered with pale cyan patterns resembling flowing clouds. Her ink-black hair was tied up in a high bun, secured by a single jade hairpin. Her face was stunningly beautiful but cold, her eyes betraying no emotion, exuding an air of detached indifference. A faint white mist seemed to swirl around her, giving her a transcendent, otherworldly quality.
Suppressed whispers from other disciples reached his ears, their words filled with excitement and veneration. From their conversation, Yang Jing instantly confirmed the person’s identity.
It was indeed the Peak Master of Lingxi, Bai Bing. For today’s sermon, the rarely seen Peak Master had actually come in person.
This was the first time Yang Jing had seen the legendary Peak Master of Lingxi since he joined Lingxi Peak. An unconscious flash of wonder crossed his eyes.
He had seen many women of outstanding beauty before, such as his dashing Second Senior Sister, Qi Yun; the gentle and lovely Senior Sister Ning Xiang; and the charmingly radiant proprietor of the Exotic Beast Pavilion, Miss Jinlian.
But none of them had an impact on Yang Jing as strong as that of Peak Master Lingxi.
It wasn’t that Sun Ningxiang and the others were less beautiful than Bai Bing. In truth, they were all rare beauties, each with her own unique charm. But the profound aura of power that emanated from Bai Bing was simply too astonishing.
She just stood there quietly, without deliberately releasing any pressure, yet she still projected an intense impact. That powerful pressure—a fusion of her stunning beauty and cold temperament—was both solemn and majestic, yet possessed a fatal attraction. It was truly soul-stirring, making it impossible for anyone to harbor profane thoughts, leaving them only to gaze up in complete reverence.
Peak Master Lingxi, Bai Bing, slowly ascended the sermon platform at the front of the plaza.
The platform was about ten feet high, built from grayish-blue stone. Its surface was flat and wide, and in the very center sat a lustrous Jade Meditation Mat that radiated a faint, cold air.
Her posture was graceful as she ascended the stone steps one by one, the hem of her dress swaying without a hint of sluggishness. She walked to the meditation mat and slowly sat down, crossing her legs. Her back was perfectly straight as she faced the several hundred disciples of Lingxi Peak in the plaza. The aura around her grew even more condensed, and her cold gaze swept slowly over the crowd, carrying a silent authority.
At that moment, everyone in the plaza rose to their feet. From the white-haired, unfathomably powerful Elders and the blue-robed Stewards to the white-robed Inner Sect Disciples and green-robed outer sect disciples—all of them bowed in unison, their movements orderly and solemn.
Hundreds of voices merged into one, respectful and resonant: "Greetings, Peak Master!"
The sound thundered across the plaza, echoing for a long time.
