Rise in the Martial Chaos: Starting From a Martial Arts School

As soon as Yang Jing entered the residential area for Inner Sect Disciples, he spotted a familiar figure sitting in front of his courtyard gate. It was none other than Senior Sister Si Jiawen.

She was still dressed in her moon-white martial attire, leaning against the old locust tree by the gate. Her expression was placid as her fingertips unconsciously traced the surface of a redwood box beside her.

Yang Jing thought to himself, ’Isn’t Senior Sister looking for me a bit too often?’

’From what Lin Ziheng and Fang He have said, Si Jiawen is usually incredibly elusive. On a typical day, she’s either cultivating or managing the peak’s affairs and rarely socializes with anyone. So why have I been seeing her so often lately?’

He quickened his pace and walked over, only then seeing clearly that Si Jiawen wasn’t sitting on a stone, but on an exquisitely carved redwood box.

Yang Jing hurriedly bowed, his tone respectful. ”Greetings, Senior Sister! I didn’t realize you were waiting for me. Is there something you need?”

Si Jiawen stood up from under the locust tree and brushed the grass from the hem of her clothes. She gently kicked the redwood box at her feet, her tone laced with a hint of impatience, yet also concealing an almost imperceptible awkwardness. ”Master sent me to give you something. Hurry and open the door.”

Yang Jing’s gaze followed hers to the exquisitely carved box, and his curiosity grew. He nodded quickly, pulled a brass key from his robes, and stepped forward to unlock the copper lock on the gate, gently pushing the two wooden doors open.

He turned to move the box, but just as he reached its side and bent down, Si Jiawen reached out and grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

”I’ll get it.” Si Jiawen’s voice was a fraction lower than usual, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks, unnoticed even by her.

’After all, she had been sitting right on that box while waiting for Yang Jing. If she let him carry it, wouldn’t his face get close to the spot where she’d been sitting?’

With this in mind, before Yang Jing could react, she bent over, extended her hands, and firmly gripped both sides of the box.

The wooden box looked heavy, but as the Senior Sister of Lingxi Peak, Si Jiawen’s cultivation had already reached the Peak of the Qi Absorption Realm. Lifting it was, of course, effortless for her.

She carried the box straight into the courtyard, leaving Yang Jing standing in place and watching her with a confused expression.

’Senior Sister seemed a little strange today. She was usually cool and aloof, but not to the point where she would stop a junior brother from carrying a box for her.’

But he didn’t dwell on it. He just shook his head, turned, and closed the courtyard gate, shutting out the curious gazes of the disciples passing by outside.

Si Jiawen carried the box into the main room and gently placed it on the Eight Immortals table against the wall. The tabletop sank slightly under the weight.

Yang Jing followed her into the room, his gaze fixed on the box on the Eight Immortals table. He couldn’t help but ask, ”Senior Sister, what’s inside? I’m sorry to have troubled you to deliver it personally.”

Si Jiawen shot him a look, reached for the box’s copper clasp, and flipped it open. ”See for yourself.”

The moment the lid opened, a soft glow spilled out from within, brightening the room slightly.

Yang Jing immediately leaned closer, his head nearly touching the edge of the box. He saw that its interior was lined with soft black velvet. In the center stood a small ebony hanger, upon which hung a piece of dark-silver treasure armor.

The armor was smooth all over, with a texture that was neither quite jade nor quite iron. Its surface was covered in fine, intricate patterns, and a single glance was enough to tell it was no ordinary item.

Yang Jing’s eyes instantly lit up, and his heart pounded with excitement.

Although he lacked a proper understanding of the grades of treasure artifacts, he could still tell this armor was extraordinary.

His master, Bai Bing, was famously a person of few words, let alone someone who would bestow treasures.

But when their master did give something, it was always a priceless treasure. The Bone Jade Pill and Heart Inquiry Pill from last time were proof enough.

He reached out, his fingertips lightly brushing the surface of the armor. It felt cool and smooth to the touch, yet incomparably tough. A faint repulsive force pushed back against his finger, a clear sign of its powerful defenses.

Although he was cultivating the Indestructible True Skill, and his physical body was far stronger than that of other disciples at his level, the technique was not omnipotent. He would still find it difficult to withstand a full-power strike from an expert of a higher realm, or an attack imbued with a special kind of power.

If he could wear this armor, his defenses would undoubtedly reach a new level. Whether fighting others or venturing out to gain experience, he would have an extra layer of life-saving assurance.

’But what grade of treasure artifact is this, exactly?’

’After all, he came from Yuhe County. His foundation was shallow and his worldview limited, making it difficult for him to judge its quality immediately.’

Watching him caress the armor, unable to put it down, a flash of unconcealable envy crossed Si Jiawen’s eyes. Yet, her tone was deliberately nonchalant as she said, ”This is a piece of Inner Armor at the level of a Top-Grade Treasure Artifact. Its defensive power far surpasses that of Middle-Grade Treasure Armor.”

”A Top-Grade Treasure Armor?!”

Yang Jing’s eyes flew wide, his face a mask of utter disbelief.

Even with his lack of general knowledge, he had heard of the renown of Top-Grade Treasure Artifacts.

’Within the Xuanzhen Sect, even some of the most senior Elders might not possess a Top-Grade Treasure Armor. To think his master would actually bestow such a precious treasure upon him!’

Si Jiawen nodded slightly and added, ”The defenses of a Top-Grade Treasure Armor are enough to withstand a direct, full-power strike from a True Qi Realm expert. It can save your life at a critical moment. Unless there are special circumstances, you must wear it at all times. Don’t show it to others casually, lest you invite unnecessary trouble.”

Hearing this, Yang Jing nodded solemnly, his heart filled with gratitude. ”I understand! My thanks to Master for this great kindness, and my thanks to you, Senior Sister, for delivering it!”

Si Jiawen waved her hand, her tone returning to its usual coolness. ”The item has been delivered. I’ll be going now.”

With that, she turned and walked out of the house, not lingering a moment longer.

Yang Jing quickly followed her to the courtyard entrance, bowing as she left. ”Take care, Senior Sister!”