Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

Kong Yu of Gale Hall has reached Qi Gathering Great Success!

It was as if someone had pressed pause in the bustling Inner Courtyard; everyone froze.

The next moment, the news struck like a boulder tossed into a calm lake, sending massive ripples through the crowd.

Many of the people resting in the pavilions shot to their feet, their faces etched with shock.

Kong Yu of Gale Hall possessed a Lower A-class Root Bone. All told, he had been training in the martial arts for less than half a year.

When Kong Yu had first succeeded at Qi Gathering in just over a month, it had already caused quite a stir. To think that he’d reach Qi Gathering Great Success in half a year was simply terrifying.

Jiang Ping, Lu Ren, and Gu Fang all wore expressions of astonishment.

"It’s a good thing he hasn’t been training for long, otherwise none of us would stand a chance in this year’s Martial Arts Ascension Dragon," Zhao Zhifei said with a hint of relief.

That level of talent was frightening just to hear about. Fortunately, Kong Yu’s training time was short, so they still had a hope of competing with him in the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon.

"To reach Qi Gathering Great Success so quickly... The Hall Master of Gale Hall must have spent a fortune on him," Lu Ren said sourly.

He thought to himself, ’If Lin Cheng had taken me as his disciple and poured vast resources into my training, I’m confident I could have reached Qi Gathering Great Success in half a year, too.’ But Lin Cheng hadn’t. So, Lu Ren had no choice but to forsake the Huang Family and jump to the Gu Family for better treatment, earning the disgraceful reputation of a turncoat.

"A good master makes all the difference!"

"If I had a master like that, I could probably reach Qi Gathering Great Success in half a year, too."

...

Lu Ren’s words resonated with many, who also felt that their slow cultivation progress was due to a lack of resources.

’When others advance quickly, it’s because of resources. When he advances quickly, it’s because of talent. Could they be any more nauseating?’ Qiu Wenjie muttered under his breath, not daring to speak up.

’Qi Gathering Great Success in half a year...’ Wu Yongfeng grew even more disheartened, his face turning deathly pale.

He had been training for a year and still hadn’t reached Qi Gathering Minor Achievement. It was uncertain if he would ever reach Qi Gathering Great Success. For the past year, his monthly stipend from the Liu Family had been a mere five taels, and he had to give two of those to the Martial Arts Hall each month. It seemed pointless to keep going.

’If I leave the Martial Arts Hall, I’ll be able to save two taels a month. Maybe then I’ll be able to reach Qi Gathering Great Success in the future.’

"Junior Brother Xu Yang, I think I’m going to leave," he said, turning to Xu Yang.

Xu Yang was silent for a long moment, saying nothing, only letting out a sigh.

It wasn’t a decision he could make for Wu Yongfeng, and what’s more, he had no idea whether leaving would be a good or a bad thing.

Earning five taels a month only to hand over two to the Martial Arts Hall—anyone would feel the sting of that loss. It was only the dream of the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon and the hope of one day reaching Marrow Cleansing that made so many grit their teeth and keep paying.

The next day, half a month had passed since Lu Ren reached Qi Gathering Great Success. Coupled with the recent commotion over Kong Yu achieving it in half a year, Xu Yang felt he could finally report his own breakthrough to the Liu Family.

Besides, so much time had passed since the Sishui Gang affair without any trouble; presumably, no one had noticed his involvement. With the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon just over two months away, there was no need to keep hiding.

"You’ve reached Qi Gathering Great Success?" Zhang Bo asked, his face a mask of shocked disbelief.

’This kid the Huang Family cast aside is really a young genius,’ he thought. ’To think he’d also reach Qi Gathering Great Success just half a month after Lu Ren did.’

"Yes," Xu Yang nodded. "If Brother Zhang doesn’t believe me, I can give a demonstration."

"No need. I’m just surprised. Knowing your character, kid, I don’t think you’d lie about this. I just never expected that in less than a year, your cultivation would already catch up to mine," Zhang Bo remarked with a sigh.

Xu Yang shook his head. "I’ve only just broken through. You, Brother Zhang, have been consolidating your strength in this realm for many years. How could my cultivation possibly compare to yours? You’re probably on the verge of Marrow Cleansing."

Even within the realm of Qi Gathering Great Success, the gap could be huge. A new breakthrough was a world apart from the Perfection stage.

"I just started training a few years before you; I don’t have your kind of talent. I can’t believe the Huang Family was so blind they couldn’t recognize a piece of unpolished jade like you."

Xu Yang shook his head again. "Brother Zhang, you flatter me. I’m no unpolished jade. I just have a few more resources than others. Don’t forget, I have the Qiu Family’s backing, and Master Lin has also helped me a great deal."

He did his best to list every source of support he had received, trying to convince Zhang Bo that his rapid progress in Qi Gathering was due to having more resources than others.

Sure enough, Zhang Bo’s expression softened considerably, the initial shock fading from his face.

"I will report this to the Patriarch. You can expect an increase in your monthly stipend starting next month."

After Xu Yang left, Zhang Bo quickly went to find the Liu Family’s Patriarch, Liu Hongchang, and informed him that Xu Yang had reached Qi Gathering Great Success.

’He actually reached Qi Gathering Great Success on his own. No wonder he refused to marry into the family back then.’

A peculiar look appeared on Liu Hongchang’s face. He had personally made the final decision on that matter, and Xu Yang had served as his guard several times, so he was naturally familiar with the young man.

"Patriarch, should we offer him some support? With our Liu Family’s backing, he could surely achieve a high rank in the Martial Arts Ascension Dragon."

"From what I’ve seen, Xu Yang is a man who deeply values loyalty. We don’t necessarily need to bind him to us through marriage. As long as we treat him with sincerity, I doubt he would turn his back on the Liu Family," Zhang Bo said.

Liu Hongchang mulled it over for a moment before saying, "He refused to marry into our family then, and he won’t truly join the Liu Family now. I’m afraid everyone has underestimated this young man. He probably wants to found a family of his own."

As the patriarch of a clan, Liu Hongchang naturally saw things from a different perspective than most. He figured that a person with Xu Yang’s talent who refused to truly join another family was most likely planning to establish a clan of his own one day.

No amount of funding he provided would be enough to retain Xu Yang.

And while Xu Yang reaching Qi Gathering Great Success was somewhat unexpected, if he wasn’t going to become one of their own, his usefulness to the Liu Family was limited.

His tone shifted. "However, he is still associated with the Liu Family, so there is a connection there. Go and ask him to come see me. I’d like to have a few words with him."