Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

After returning from his mission, Xu Yang headed straight for the Peach Grove.

[Fierce Sun Gang Blade·Minor Achievement (1979/2000)]

[Martial Arts Longevity Points: 72]

After another month of arduous training, the Fierce Sun Gang Blade, the first Gang Qi Martial Technique he had cultivated, was on the verge of reaching Great Success.

However, his progress had slowed in the last few days. Stuck at the final hurdle, he had been unable to cultivate the Third Realm’s Fiery Sun Blade Gang and master the Fiery Sun Blade Qi.

He didn’t intend to waste time trying to comprehend this final realm on his own. The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion’s auction was about to begin, and every bit of increased strength would count.

"Add to Fierce Sun Gang Blade."

With a single thought, a flood of insights poured into him. Xu Yang’s aura grew increasingly sharp, and a suppressive presence filled the air around him. In the end, it felt as if the glint of a blade was about to burst forth from his body.

’So this is the Fierce Sun Gang Blade.’

At the Third Layer of the Fierce Sun Gang Blade, one needs no blade in hand, only a blade in the heart—allowing them to condense a Sword Gang from thin air.

A fierce wind suddenly erupted around him. Xu Yang gripped the empty air, and as his Gang Qi surged, a blade formed from Gang Qi materialized out of nowhere.

He felt as if his very flesh would tear apart, and goosebumps broke out all over his skin.

’This blade can threaten even me!’

The dazzling, silvery-white light and scorching heat caused the surrounding vegetation to quickly yellow and wither, letting out wisps of green smoke.

He made a light slash at the peach tree in front of him. A trunk as thick as a human head was silently sliced apart, the cut surface blackened as if seared by fire.

He felt almost no resistance, as if he were slicing through tofu. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

’With this Martial Technique, it wouldn’t be impossible to kill even a Gang Qi Great Success Martial Artist.’

The Fierce Sun Gang Blade wasn’t a top-tier Gang Qi Martial Technique, but the domineering Gang Qi he cultivated from the Golden Gang Skill made its power truly terrifying.

With a thought, the Gang Qi retracted into his body.

He didn’t continue testing the power of his Sword Qi.

This Peach Grove was Sect property, and he would be held accountable for any serious damage.

[Fierce Sun Gang Blade·Great Success, Points +5]

[Martial Arts Longevity Points: 56]

The next day, his investment paid off. The Fierce Sun Gang Blade reached Great Success, and he received a point reward.

Having already requested leave the day before, Xu Yang grabbed his silver banknotes and Wolf Fang Saber after his meal and immediately left the Purple Sun Sect.

Partway there, he changed out of his Purple Sun Sect Outer Disciple uniform and hurried the rest of the way to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

A long line had already formed at the entrance to the auction hall, with even more people than the last time.

Normally, it would be best to enter in disguise, but unfortunately, the Ten thousand Treasures Pavilion recognized its clients by face, making it impossible to get in if one was disguised.

’Looks like everyone learned their lesson this time.’

In the queue, he saw many familiar faces. Just like him, however, they had all changed out of their Purple Sun Sect attire.

Gu Haoming, Cao Rong, Sun Jian, Lu Ren, Liu Qian...

Standing next to Liu Qian was a young man who bore some resemblance to her. If he wasn’t mistaken, this must be the Liu Family’s genius, Liu Xiao, who had placed third in the last competition. He certainly had an impressive bearing.

"Xu Yang is here too," Tang Xiao said in a low voice.

Beside him were Guo Huai, An Ping, and Shen Liang. The four of them stood together, but they hadn’t invited Xu Yang, and they couldn’t help but look a little awkward.

"I forgot to ask him," Shen Liang whispered.

Guo Huai looked a bit surprised. "I thought he wouldn’t be qualified to attend the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion’s auction. I didn’t realize he was a client here."

Xu Yang came from a humble background, so they had worried he would lose face if they asked him about it.

Besides, it had been two or three months since the incident with the Blood Lotus Sect, and the initial bond forged from facing life and death together was gradually fading. Combined with the fact that Xu Yang had yet to achieve Gang Qi Minor Achievement, they had all begun to intentionally distance themselves from him.

After a short wait in line, it was soon Xu Yang’s turn.

"Master Xu, please follow me."

Zhou Yong walked up with a cheerful smile and led Xu Yang into the auction hall. Whether by intentional arrangement or not, his seat was once again next to Lu Ren.

On his other side were Shen Liang and his three companions.

"Brother Xu, what a coincidence," An Ping said with a smile. "If we’d known you were coming, we would have invited you."

Xu Yang wasn’t the type to wear his emotions on his sleeve and always treated people kindly. He immediately smiled, cupped his hands, and said, "Well, we’ve run into each other now, haven’t we?"

After nodding to Guo Huai, Shen Liang, and Tang Xiao, he sat down in his assigned seat.

These young masters were just as shrewd, and they all responded with smiles.

Guo Huai went so far as to suggest that if a good item came up that one person couldn’t afford, they should all pool their resources.

Xu Yang agreed with a smile, knowing their target was most likely the Ten-Perfection Rejuvenation Pill. In fact, that type of Gang Qi Elixir was the main goal for the majority of Purple Sun Sect disciples in attendance.

Most of them were not short on money, but elixirs for the Gang Qi Realm were not something that could be obtained with money alone.

This time, Lu Ren did not initiate conversation with Xu Yang, and Xu Yang did not greet him either.

Lu Ren wore a cold expression. Perhaps the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion was unaware that he and Xu Yang had already had a falling out, for they had unexpectedly seated them together again. The atmosphere between the two was rather tense.

"So that’s the Xu Yang?"

From a distance, Liu Xiao’s gaze swept over Xu Yang, his eyes turning cold.

Liu Qian nodded. "That’s him."

Liu Xiao snorted coldly. "A mere family servant, daring to turn on his master."

As Liu Qian’s older brother and the eldest young master of the Liu Family, he naturally knew that Xu Yang had once been a Tributor for their family. He was also aware that his father had intended to recruit Xu Yang to serve him, only for Xu Yang to refuse.

As soon as he’d heard about the deaths of Yue Gui and Chen Jiang, he knew Xu Yang had intentionally withheld aid. If his sister hadn’t been skilled enough to survive on her own, she would have died too.

In his eyes, an act like that was no different from a servant turning on his master.

Liu Qian’s expression shifted slightly. "Brother, don’t let my trivial affairs distract you. The Outer Sect competition is about to start. Your primary goal is to secure a top-three spot, get exempted from the assessment mission, and become an Inner Sect Disciple in one fell swoop."