Just then, Sun Ningxiang’s voice came from outside the crowd. "Father, we’re back!"

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw Sun Ningxiang walking at the front, followed by Yang Jing, Xu Hong, and Liu Maolin.

With a flush of excitement still on her face, Sun Ningxiang walked up to Sun Yong, her voice clear and bright. "Father, guess what? Yang Jing won! He defeated Shen Lie and took first place in the seventh arena!"

"Hm?" Sun Yong froze. He looked up at Yang Jing, his eyes filled with astonishment.

He had heard that Yang Jing had advanced, but he never expected him to actually win against Shen Lie. After all, Shen Lie was a veteran master at the Peak of Dark Energy and had a profound grasp of the Mountain-Breaking Fist. Even Lin Yue might not be his match.

’And now he’s been defeated by Yang Jing?’

The surrounding disciples erupted into an uproar, all turning to look at Yang Jing.

"Senior Brother Yang beat Shen Lie? Is that for real?"

"Shen Lie is the mainstay of the Po Mountain Martial Arts Hall, one of the top masters in the Dark Energy realm..."

"My god, does that mean our Martial Arts Hall produced two first-place winners this time?"

The smile on Lin Yue’s face instantly froze, as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown in his face.

He instinctively looked at Yang Jing, his brow furrowed. ’How is this possible? Yang Jing got first place too? And he defeated Shen Lie?’

A strange sense of irritation washed over him. ’I always thought Yang Jing was just lucky. I can’t believe he’s made it this far, and during the training ground trials I value most, no less.’

Sun Yong composed himself and waved his hand to quiet the crowd. He looked at Yang Jing. "Yang Jing, explain in detail. What happened? Shen Lie’s Mountain-Breaking Fist is incredibly fierce. How did you defeat him?"

Sun Yong’s question was on everyone’s mind.

How *did* Yang Jing defeat Shen Lie? 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Could it be that Shen Lie had an upset stomach? Was he in poor condition?

That seemed unlikely. The physical constitution of a Martial Artist was far superior to that of an ordinary person, to say nothing of a master like Shen Lie at the Peak of Dark Energy.

Yang Jing took a step forward and said calmly, "Master, I fought with Shen Lie for over a hundred moves. When I saw his Inner Strength beginning to fade, I used the Mountain-Shattering Fist to engage him directly while employing a Body Technique I happened to acquire. I relied on my speed advantage to drain his stamina and ultimately won by a stroke of luck."

He paused before adding, "After I acquired that Body Technique, I practiced it for some time and was fortunate enough to break through to the Mingjin stage."

"Broke through to the Mingjin stage?"

Sun Yong’s eyes flew wide open. He stared intently at Yang Jing, and in that instant, the way he looked at him changed completely.

’When Yang Jing broke through to the Mingjin and then Dark Energy stages with the Mountain-Shattering Fist, I already had my suspicions. It was possible he had some kind of hidden, unnoticeable talent, but it was also possible his luck was simply heaven-defying.’

’But now, he’s even secretly cultivated another Body Technique to the Mingjin stage? This can’t be explained away by just two words: good luck!’

The Martial Arts Hall didn’t forbid its disciples from practicing other martial arts. In fact, it was quite common. Many disciples from prominent families would major in the Hall’s techniques while also cultivating their own family’s arts. However, the vast majority were never able to practice their secondary art to the point of a breakthrough.

At that moment, Sun Yong’s mind was in turmoil.

’I’m certain of it now. Yang Jing must possess some undiscovered talent. Perhaps his comprehension is far beyond that of an ordinary person, or maybe he has some kind of special constitution suited for martial arts.’

’It’s difficult enough for an ordinary disciple to cultivate a single martial art to the Mingjin stage. Yet, in such a short time, Yang Jing has brought two completely different arts to the Mingjin stage, and his primary art, the Mountain-Shattering Fist, has even broken through to the Dark Energy stage!’

A new gravity and scrutiny slowly filled Sun Yong’s gaze as he looked at Yang Jing.

In the past, while he had valued Yang Jing’s diligence, he had still looked down on him and overlooked him because of his poor martial arts foundation.

’But now, it seems I truly misjudged him.’

’This boy is definitely a hidden gem. Quiet and unassuming, but he shines with astonishing brilliance at the critical moment.’

Sun Yong silently began to re-evaluate his disciples in his mind.

’Lin Yue has a superior foundation and immense potential. Though his personality is flashy, it can be tempered over time. He is destined to be the face of Sun’s Martial Arts Hall.’

’And Yang Jing... his comprehension seems to be outstanding, and his temperament is calm and reserved. His potential might not be the slightest bit inferior to Lin Yue’s.’

’From now on, Yang Jing’s standing must be raised to a position second only to Lin Yue, and above the other Dark Energy disciples.’

Meanwhile, the surrounding Mingjin Disciples were all dumbfounded, their feelings a complicated mix.

They recalled how they had toiled day and night to break through to the Mingjin stage, spending countless amounts of silver on medicinal herbs and begging their master for guidance, only to barely reach the threshold. To then hear Yang Jing’s casual remark—"practiced it for some time and was fortunate enough to break through"—made their chests tighten.

It was true what they say: comparisons are odious!

Sun Yong took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart. He patted Yang Jing’s shoulder, his tone gentle as he said softly, "Good, good lad! You haven’t brought shame to the Martial Arts Hall! After we get back, come to my study. I have something to discuss with you."

"Yes, Master." Yang Jing nodded. His gaze swept calmly over the crowd. Though he felt a sense of joy, he wasn’t the least bit smug about the looks of amazement, envy, and admiration from the others.

...

The first day of the training ground trials came to an end.

The first-place winners from the eight arenas had been decided, and they would participate in the final competition the next day.

As for who stole the show, Sun’s Martial Arts Hall had certainly made a name for itself today. It was a rare chance for Sun Yong to bask in the glory in front of so many Martial Dao experts from across the county.

Among the eight first-place Martial Artists this year, Sun’s Martial Arts Hall had shockingly claimed two spots.

In previous years, Sun’s Martial Arts Hall had often failed to produce even a single first-place winner. This year, they could finally hold their heads high.