Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

Xu Yang focused his gaze and saw Elder Huoyun pull a letter from his robes.

"That Huo Xiaochen has declared he will target you during the Secondary Dragon Ascension. Although you might not necessarily face him, we must be on guard. I have an old friend in Yun Province named Xiong Wanhai, who holds considerable standing there.

"Follow the address on this letter and go find him. I’ve asked him in the letter to help you mediate this matter. With his influence, he should be able to resolve it." Elder Huoyun smiled and handed the letter over.

Xu Yang stepped forward and accepted it respectfully. "Master, you don’t have to do this," he said earnestly. "I am not afraid of Huo Xiaochen."

He hadn’t expected Elder Huoyun’s letter to be a request for an influential figure in Yun Province to help resolve the issue with Huo Xiaochen.

He didn’t want Elder Huoyun to owe this favor, because he truly wasn’t afraid of Huo Xiaochen.

Elder Huoyun’s expression hardened. "I am gratified that you aren’t afraid of Huo Xiaochen just because he has a Perfect Root Bone. I know your talent is considerable, not much weaker than a Perfect Root Bone genius. However, Huo Xiaochen is a Perfect Root Bone genius, and he broke through to the Celestial Essence realm earlier than you.

"Having the confidence to contend with him proves your fearlessness, but I don’t want you clashing with him before the Dragon Ascension. If you’re going to compete, it should be after you’ve entered the Celestial Strategy Academy and closed the gap between you."

’Can I possibly tell him that I also have a Perfect Root Bone and that my Cultivation is about to break through to the Celestial Essence Second Layer?’

’Of course, I can’t say that.’

"I understand," Xu Yang said, cupping his fists. He had no choice but to agree with Elder Huoyun.

’At worst, I just won’t go looking for this Xiong Wanhai after I get to Yun Province.’

’The lesson from Lin Cheng was still fresh in his mind. Some old friend and sworn brother who was supposed to take care of them... In the end, he and Sun Tao had nearly been killed by Xiao Hua, and Lin Wei had actually died.’

’He didn’t know the exact nature of Xiong Wanhai’s relationship with Elder Huoyun. In any case, he had already decided not to bother looking for the man. He would just pretend this conversation never happened. Elder Huoyun was far away at the Purple Sun Sect and would never know whether he sought out Xiong Wanhai or not. Once news of his successful entry into the Celestial Strategy Academy got back, whether he had found Xiong Wanhai would be irrelevant.’

Seeing that Xu Yang didn’t persist with any more rash talk about not fearing Huo Xiaochen, Elder Huoyun nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand. "If there’s nothing else, you may go. Spend more time with your sister."

He had originally thought Xu Yang would be overjoyed to hear that he was asking someone to help deal with Huo Xiaochen. He never expected this disciple, who had always been so cautious and prudent, to spout such reckless words about not fearing Huo Xiaochen.

Although he was pleased by the sentiment, he knew there was still a gap between Xu Yang and Huo Xiaochen. Fearlessness alone wasn’t enough to defeat him.

"This disciple takes his leave!" Xu Yang cupped his fists, turned, and left the Fire Cloud Elder Hall, quickly returning to Medicine King Peak.

"What did Elder Huoyun want to see you about?" Xu Qing asked curiously.

"Master informed me that we leave for Yun Province in five days," Xu Yang said, deciding to tell her.

As soon as he said this, the color drained from Xu Qing’s face.

’So, the day had finally come.’

"Come on. We still have a few days. I’ll take you to have some fun in Cyan Yang City," Xu Yang said.

Xu Qing had been at the Purple Sun Sect for more than three, almost four years. But because her brother had so many enemies, she had never once set foot outside the Sect, let alone visited Cyan Yang City.

"Okay! I’ve wanted to see Cyan Yang City for ages." Hearing she could go have fun, the little girl immediately cheered up again.

Taking Fenli with them, the two headed down from Medicine King Peak. Just as they reached the bottom, they saw Sun Tao striding toward them.

"Senior Brother Sun!"

The brother and sister smiled and cupped their fists. After a brief chat, they learned that Sun Tao had been looking for them.

Sun Tao had also received the news that they would be departing for Yun Province in five days. He had come to find Xu Yang and his sister, planning to gather Qiu Wenjie, Zhang Yong, and the others from Weiyuan Hall for a small get-together as a final farewell.

Xu Yang saw no reason to refuse. The more the merrier. Besides, Qiu Wenjie and Tian Li had also never been to Cyan Yang City, so this was a good opportunity to take them as well.

He and Sun Tao split up to find everyone. A quarter of an hour later, the group had assembled and headed straight for Cyan Yang City.

...

「Five days later」 At the Outer Sect’s Martial Arts Arena, the upper echelon of the Purple Sun Sect had gathered. Many Inner Sect Disciples were also present, all there to see off Xu Yang and the other Dragon Ascending Geniuses who were about to leave for Yun Province to participate in the Secondary Dragon Ascension.

Zhang Jingyuan was dressed in a simple robe, with Elder Tie Fu, Li Songhe, Elder Huoyun, and the other Peak Masters standing behind him.

Xu Qing’s eyes were red as she stood beside Xu Yang, holding the reins of a white horse.

People from the crowd kept coming forward to say their goodbyes.

"Senior Brother Sun, Brother Xu, we wish you a brilliant future and success in the Secondary Dragon Ascension."

Tian Li and Qiu Wenjie came forward, cupping their fists toward Xu Yang and Sun Tao, their eyes filled with reluctance to see them go.

"Take care, you two," Xu Yang and Sun Tao responded, clasping their fists and patting the two firmly on the shoulder.

"I can’t believe I’m the one who fell behind in the end!" Zhang Yong said, striding over.

After entering Medicine King Peak, he had shown a certain talent for raising Exotic Beasts, but it hadn’t been enough for him to truly rise through the ranks.

"Junior Brother Zhang, don’t be discouraged," Sun Tao consoled him. "Staying at the Purple Sun Sect doesn’t mean you won’t achieve great things. Perhaps one day, we can once again adventure together on the grand stage of Yun Province."

His relationship with Zhang Yong was even better than Xu Yang’s, so he was feeling the most emotional at this moment.

Originally, Zhang Yong’s talent had been better than his; it might have been Zhang Yong who would go the furthest. Who would have known that after unexpectedly consuming a Spirit Medicine, his own cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds, to the point where he was now qualified to participate in the Secondary Dragon Ascension—something he had never even dared to dream of before.

"Don’t worry, Senior Brother Sun. I, Zhang Yong, never admit defeat. I never gave up even when I was stuck in the mud, let alone now when things are a thousand times better," Zhang Yong declared spiritedly.

"Take care!" He cupped his fists toward Xu Yang and Sun Tao, then stepped aside.

"Take care!" the two of them returned the gesture.

Gao Lin, Zhu Yuan, and other disciples of Elder Huoyun came forward to bid Xu Yang farewell as well.

In the crowd, Liu Qian watched this scene with a complicated expression, but she didn’t step forward to speak with Xu Yang.

Zhang Jingyuan, Elder Huoyun, and the others said nothing, silently watching the disciples bid each other farewell. When no one else came forward, Bai Shaoling’s voice rang out, "All of you, over here."

His "all of you" was directed at Xu Yang and the others heading to Yun Province. As the Young Sect Leader, he was leading this expedition. The only other person escorting them was Yue Zhong, the Peak Master of Li Fire Peak.

On the surface, these two were escorting the Secondary Dragon Ascension disciples to Yun Province. Whether there were other masters protecting them from the shadows was unknown.

Xu Yang, Sun Tao, and the others walked over quickly and stood behind Bai Shaoling and Yue Zhong.

What stunned them was that Lu Ren also walked out of the crowd and stood with them.

’Lu Ren is going to Yun Province, too?’

The question arose in their minds.

"Bring the parting wine!" Zhang Jingyuan’s resonant voice rang out.

A group of disciples from Tianquan Peak strode forward, handing out bowls to Xu Yang’s group and to those seeing them off, then filling each one with a large serving of wine.

Instantly, the heart-stirring aroma of wine filled the air.

Xu Qing’s eyes were brimming with tears as she, too, held a large bowl of wine.

Zhang Jingyuan stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over Xu Yang and the others. He declared loudly, "Let us drink this cup together! May your journey be prosperous and may you leap the Dragon Gate to success!"

"Let us drink this cup together! May your journey be prosperous and may you leap the Dragon Gate to success!"

Behind him, everyone who had come to see them off shouted in unison, then tilted their heads back and downed the wine in their bowls. Xu Yang and his group did the same, draining their bowls in one go.

CRASH! CRASH!

In an instant, the sound of shattering bowls filled the air, a sight that made the blood of the Outer Disciples boil with excitement.

"Mount up!"

Bai Shaoling tossed his bowl aside and vaulted onto the horse brought by a Tianquan Peak disciple.

Xu Yang took the reins from Xu Qing’s hands and swung himself into the saddle.

"Brother, take care! Safety first in everything!" Xu Qing cried out.

"Mm!" Xu Yang nodded firmly.

"Let’s move out!" Bai Shaoling shouted. Caught up in the rousing atmosphere, his spirits were high. He wheeled his horse around and, along with Yue Zhong, led the way out of the Purple Sun Sect.

"A farewell to you all!" Zhang Jingyuan boomed, cupping his fists. The sound wave rolled like thunder, causing the Power of Heaven and Earth to stir.

"A farewell to you all!" everyone from the Purple Sun Sect roared in response, their shouts seeming to threaten to overturn the very heavens.

"Take care!" Tears shimmered in Xu Qing’s eyes as she gazed at Xu Yang’s departing figure.

’With this departure, if nothing unexpected happened, they might not see each other again for ten years. Although Xu Yang had said he would send for her once he was established in Yun Province, the Celestial Strategy Academy was a place where everyone was a chosen one. Establishing oneself there would be incredibly difficult.’

’I will get to Yun Province!’ Zhang Yong thought, clenching his fists.

In the crowd, Du Chuan, a genius who had once competed with Li Chuyang and Jiang Fan, wore a dejected expression. His Marrow Cleansing was still some ways from Perfection, so he hadn’t even gotten a ticket to the Secondary Dragon Ascension.

’May Junior Brother Xu have a brilliant future,’ Gao Lin thought to himself.

’Back then, he had only thought Xu Yang was down-to-earth and willing to work hard, with a bit of talent. He never imagined Xu Yang would make it this far.’

As the sound of hooves faded into the distance, Zhang Jingyuan stood with his hands clasped behind his back and said to the Medicine King Peak Master beside him, "Have everyone raise their guard."

With nine Celestial Essence Martial Artists leaving all at once, the Purple Sun Sect’s strength was at an unprecedented low. They had to be extremely careful at a time like this; there was no room for carelessness.

"Yes!" Qi Tai cupped his fists.

It wasn’t as if something like this had never happened before. There was once a Sect that was annihilated by a Demon Sect that took advantage of the moment most of its masters were away.

...

The steeds galloped like a gale-force wind, kicking up clouds of dust that filled the sky.

Although the horses they rode were not Exotic Beasts, they had been bred by Medicine King Peak using special methods. Each was a Divine Steed capable of traveling a thousand li a day.

Xu Yang projected a barrier of light around himself to ward off the swirling dust. Fenli hung from his saddle, within easy reach of his hand.

He carried a pack on his back. Inside, aside from some silver banknotes and clothes, was nothing but Spirit Iron.

This Spirit Iron was for him to cultivate the Vajra Glazed Body.

He had already dealt with the Spiritual Soldiers he had acquired from the Song Family, Liu Qingyuan, and the Ghost Tower Master, like the Jade Water Saber. Since he couldn’t sell them, he had used the high heat of his Iron Refining Hand’s Melting and Forging technique to melt all the Spiritual Soldiers into a single lump. He brought it with him to Yun Province, planning to use it later to forge a Spirit Soldier Pill Furnace.

’Once I get to Yun Province, I’ll start cultivating the Vajra Glazed Body,’ Xu Yang mused.

A dozen or so fine horses galloped on, and no one spoke.

"Junior Brother Lu, why are you going to Yun Province, too?" Sun Tao’s curious voice broke the silence.

At his words, Jiang Fan, Zhang Hanzhou, and the others also looked at Lu Ren curiously, wondering why he was going to Yun Province as well.