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

In the main hall of the Yunxiao Sect.

Ren An, the Sect Leader of the Yunxiao Sect, stroked the cover of the dossier with his fingertips, an unavoidable sense of regret in his heart.

He couldn’t help but think, ’If only Yang Jing had joined the Yunxiao Sect back then. With our sect’s profound foundation, vast resources, and nearly a thousand years of accumulated cultivation experience, we could have helped that uncut gem reach its full potential. He could have soared to prominence and become a supreme expert capable of dominating Jintai Prefecture.’

The dossier clearly stated that Yang Jing’s Root Bone was only Eighth-Grade. To the average person, this would be a fatal flaw on the path of the Martial Dao.

But in Ren An’s eyes, being able to break through in three True Skills to the Qi Eating Realm in just over half a year was something an Eighth-Grade Root Bone alone could not explain.

Behind this achievement, there had to be some kind of top-tier talent.

Perhaps it was heaven-defying comprehension, a yet-to-be-awakened special constitution, or some other unknown secret.

For such a genius to have joined the Xuanzhen Sect of all places... one could only say that Yang Jing and the Yunxiao Sect were not fated to be.

Although undercurrents surged and conflicts, both open and hidden, never ceased among the five major sects, they had an unspoken rule: never poach another sect’s Core Disciples. To do so would trigger a full-scale war between factions, and the losses would far outweigh the gains.

Though Ren An was filled with regret, he could only let the matter go.

He pondered for a moment, then called out in a deep voice to someone outside the hall, ”Go and summon Elder Wang.”

The disciple on duty outside heard the command and hurriedly bowed. ”Yes, Sect Leader!”

He immediately turned and left in a hurry, not daring to delay for even a moment.

「Not long after.」

The sound of steady footsteps approached from outside, and a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his fifties walked slowly into the main hall.

He wore a gray daoist robe, his face resolute, and his eyes sharp. This was the Yunxiao Sect’s Elder, Wang Yunfei.

He walked to the center of the hall, bowed deeply to Ren An on the high seat, and said respectfully, ”Greetings, Sect Leader.”

Ren An gave a slight nod, gesturing for him to rise, and then said, ”Elder Wang, take a look at this file.”

As he spoke, he flicked his wrist, and the dossier in his hand seemed to come alive, flying steadily toward Elder Wang. ”After you’ve read it, pass this file around. Have all the Core Disciples in the sect familiarize themselves with this Yang Jing. With a rising star like him in the Xuanzhen Sect, we’re bound to face him sooner or later in the Jintai Grand Competition.”

Elder Wang reached out and caught the dossier firmly. It felt cool to the touch. As instructed, he opened it and began to read carefully, word for word.

At first, his expression was relatively calm, but as he read on, his brow gradually furrowed. The surprise in his eyes grew stronger until, by the end, his face had unconsciously become grave.

Every record about Yang Jing in the dossier astounded him.

From being an ordinary Martial Artist with only an Eighth-Grade Root Bone in Yuhe County, to joining the Xuanzhen Sect, to breaking through in three True Skills within half a year, and finally tying with Chu Yunhai for first place in the Fushan Grand Competition—every point in his journey was unbelievable.

After finishing the last page, Elder Wang slowly closed the dossier and took a soft breath, his tone tinged with emotion. ”Sect Leader, I had heard the news that Chu Yunhai and Yang Jing tied for first place in the Xuanzhen Sect’s Fushan Grand Competition, but I didn’t realize the details about Yang Jing were so astonishing.”

He paused, his voice filled with a hint of disbelief. ”To break through to the Qi Eating Realm in three True Skills in just half a year... that level of talent is simply unheard of! Even within our Yunxiao Sect, such a person is virtually nonexistent among the younger generation.”

Ren An nodded slightly, a flash of agreement in his eyes. His view perfectly matched Elder Wang’s. ”I’m certain of it. This Yang Jing must be hiding something extraordinary.”

”It’s either a top-tier comprehension that far surpasses an ordinary person’s, allowing him to grasp things instantly and cultivate by leaps and bounds.”

”Or it’s some kind of top-tier special constitution that hasn’t fully awakened, one that can ignore the shackles of his Root Bone and unleash astonishing potential.”

Elder Wang deeply agreed and nodded slightly. ”The Sect Leader is absolutely right. I think so as well. This kid is far from simple. Chu Yunhai’s potential is out in the open. With his second-grade root bone and awakened War Body, his upper limit is high, but it’s also clearly visible.”

”But this Yang Jing... his potential is like an abyss, impossible to fathom. I have a feeling he can still erupt with an even greater brilliance.”

”We’ll just have to see if the Xuanzhen Sect designates him as their number one prospect,” Ren An said in a level tone, his gaze analytical.

Elder Wang, however, shook his head with conviction. ”I doubt it. The Xuanzhen Sect has been on a decline for years. Their sect’s resources are dwindling, and they are especially hard-pressed when it comes to top-tier Cultivation Resources.”

”The fewer resources they have, the more hesitant they become, afraid of wasting what little they have on someone uncertain. They’re overly cautious and find it hard to make decisive moves.”

He paused, then continued his analysis. ”If I’m not mistaken, the Xuanzhen Sect will certainly focus on cultivating Yang Jing, but the position of number one prospect will most likely still go to Chu Yunhai.”

”This is how the Xuanzhen Sect has always operated. They prioritize stability, preferring to choose a genius with a clear upper limit rather than risk a gamble on an unknown quantity. They can only maintain the status quo; they lack the courage to be proactive.”

Upon hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Ren An’s face. He nodded. ”I see it the same way. However, the more the Xuanzhen Sect prioritizes stability, the more it benefits our Yunxiao Sect.”

”If they pass up on a high-potential talent like Yang Jing, we’ll have one less formidable rival in the future, and our advantage will naturally grow.”

Elder Wang also nodded slightly, unable to suppress a twinge of regret.