Becoming a Saint Starting with the Chasing Wind Leg Technique

Chapter 163 Departure, Encountering an Old Acquaintance

The news that Song Jing single-handedly swept through ten top young masters of the inner city, including Qian Rushan, Zhao Yuanqing, Sun Sihai, Li Qingmei, Lei Zhen, and Mo Qi, in fifty moves was like a thunderclap, instantly sweeping across the entire Tianshui City and causing a sensation far exceeding any previous one.

Inside the Pingtianmen branch, the other top ten disciples who were originally eager to try their luck and take advantage of Song Jing's unstable position completely lost all interest after witnessing the almost crushing "one against ten" battle.

Are you kidding me?

Those are six combatants at the Bone Forging Realm level!

This included Qian Rushan, who possessed the ability to reverse the effects of bone forging! Yet, under Song Jing's hands, he was as vulnerable as a clay chicken or a clay dog!

This level of strength has exceeded their understanding of the "Flesh Refining Realm".

For the next month or so, Song Jing's reign as champion was unusually peaceful.

Every day, he would go to the arena and sit alone for a long time, with no one willing to challenge him.

After asking the questions three times as a matter of routine, the disciple in charge announced that the player had successfully defended the title that day.

Later on, even the number of onlookers dwindled, because the outcome was no longer in doubt.

Throughout the entire branch, from the elders and deacons to the newly initiated disciples, a strange consensus was reached: the fifth-ranked position, belonging to the surname Song, was as stable as Mount Tai and unshakeable.

Song Jing's deeds had long since transcended the scope of the Pingtianmen branch, spreading by word of mouth in every corner of the inner city and among all social classes.

Those ordinary martial artists and members of small families who once praised Qian Rushan and regarded him as the "light of the inner city" now speak of Song Jing with great enthusiasm, their tone filled with awe and pride.

It was as if Song Jing's victory had also given those of them, who came from ordinary backgrounds and had limited resources, a sense of pride.

"Have you heard? Song Jing from the outer city of Pingtianmen took on six opponents single-handedly, defeating all those arrogant geniuses from the inner city!"

"I've heard so much! I was there! My God, you didn't see it. Senior Brother Song's spear was like a fire dragon. Fifty moves! Just fifty moves! And all six of them were down!"

"This is a true genius! He didn't rely on family background, he didn't resort to underhanded tactics, he earned it all through sheer skill!"

"Qian Rushan? I used to think he was pretty impressive, but now I see... pshaw! A sore loser!"

"Senior Brother Song has truly brought honor to Tianshui City! From now on, when we go to the prefectural city, let's see who dares to look down on people from Tianshui City!"

The news naturally reached the ears of the true power core of the inner city, the leaders of the four major families.

The Qian family patriarch, a dignified old man with a profound and deep aura, remained silent for a long time after listening to the detailed report from the clan elders. Finally, he sighed, "Rushan—his character is flawed, and his actions are impulsive. This setback may not be a bad thing. But this Song Jing—how could such a true dragon emerge from the outer city? Issue an order to restrain the clan members and forbid them from becoming enemies with Song Jing again. This boy—"

It is no longer something that belongs in the pond.

The head of the Zhao family, a refined and learned middle-aged scholar, gently set down his chess piece and said to Zhao Yuanqing's father, who stood to the side, "Yuanqing's defeat at this man's hands is not unjust. This young man is resolute, exceptionally talented, and, more importantly, decisive in killing and clear about right and wrong. Convey my message: prepare a generous gift, in the name of the Zhao family, to congratulate young friend Song on obtaining the outer sect qualification. Such a person can only be a friend, not an enemy."

The heads of the Sun and Li families reacted similarly, both shocked by the terrifying strength and potential displayed by Song Jing. They also severely reprimanded their own sons, Sun Sihai and Li Qingmei, for participating in such a disgraceful "gauntlet" and ordered them to reflect on their mistakes behind closed doors. They also prepared valuable congratulatory gifts.

When the news reached Qingyun Martial Arts School, the old master was stunned for a moment, then tears streamed down his face, not from sadness, but from extreme joy and excitement.

He held his niece Li Ling Shuang's hand, his voice choked with emotion: "Shuang'er, did you hear that? Benefactor Song—no, Young Hero Song, he—he fought six against one and won! He became a disciple of the Class A district, and his outer sect qualification is within his grasp! What virtue or ability does my Qingyun Martial Arts School possess to have the honor of meeting such a true dragon!"

Li Ling Shuang was already completely absorbed in the story.

Her mind kept replaying the image of that quiet, yet incredibly skilled, young man in a blue robe at the Qingyun Martial Arts Academy training ground;

Recalling his heroic figure who stood up for the martial arts school and defeated Lei Zhen; now, hearing the legend of him sweeping away many geniuses in the inner city with just a spear—the girl's heart had already unknowingly been tied to that increasingly dazzling figure.

However, this feeling has now turned into a long sigh and a faint sense of inferiority.

"Uncle Master, I know him." She lowered her head, concealing her slightly red eyes and complex emotions. "Senior Brother Song—he is an eagle in the sky, destined to soar through the heavens. To have met Senior Brother Song, and to have been able to—to have been able to spar with him and receive his help—is already the greatest fortune and honor of my life."

She recalled how she had been somewhat unconvinced at the time, thinking it was just a "narrow defeat," but now she realized how ridiculous it was.

Song Jing is now someone she has to stand on tiptoe to even look up to.

That figure was already so tall and so distant.

The owner of the museum is a man of great stature; how could he not see through the young girl's feelings?

He patted Li Ling Shuang's hand, both to comfort and to admonish her: "Shuang'er, Young Hero Song has a bright future ahead of him, beyond our comprehension. He has been kind to our martial arts school, and we will never forget that kindness. But some of his thoughts must be kept hidden. A true dragon has its own world to roam, and it cannot remain in shallow waters. You only need to remember this good fortune and strive to cultivate yourself; that will be the best way to repay him."

As the senior disciple, Bai Yunfei was naturally extremely excited. He told everyone he met at the martial arts school how amazing Senior Brother Song was, feeling very proud of him.

Is he boasting about how he sparred with Song Jing many times before without losing? In reality, he lost after fifty moves, but he can say he didn't lose after forty-nine moves.

At the same time, he also practiced even harder, regarding Song Jing as his goal and role model.

Nie Feng and Nie Shuli returned to the Nie family and told their father, the head of the eldest and second branches of the Nie family, and several close elders about Song Jing's deeds.

Upon hearing this, the members of the main branch of the family were first so shocked that they were speechless, and then they were overjoyed.

"Feng'er, are you—are you sure? Young friend Song Jing—did he really defeat Qian Rushan and the other six by himself? And win the outer sect qualification?" Father Nie's voice trembled slightly.

"It's absolutely true! Father, I saw it with my own eyes! Senior Brother Song's divine power is unparalleled, his spear strikes are like a dragon, those six people were completely powerless to fight back!" Nie Feng said excitedly.

"Good! Good! Good!" Father Nie exclaimed three times, standing up excitedly and pacing back and forth. "Heaven blesses the second branch of the Nie family! Heaven blesses my son! To be able to form a good relationship with such a person is the fortune of the second branch of the Nie family! Feng'er, you must maintain a good relationship with young friend Song! This child's future is limitless! Perhaps—the opportunity for the second branch of the Nie family to turn things around lies with this child!"

The entire second branch of the Nie family was overjoyed, feeling incredibly fortunate for their decision to defy public opinion and befriend Song Jing.

After the last incident, the eldest and second branches of the Nie family have finally reconciled and are no longer a disorganized bunch; they have begun to unite!

The final days of defending the title were calm and uneventful.

As the bell rang on the last day, the disciples in charge announced loudly, "Song Jing has completed his reign of terror and has successfully obtained the qualification to be a candidate for outer disciple of Pingtian Sect. The verification is correct, and he is promoted immediately!" The entire square resounded with cheers and applause that lasted for a long time.

This cheer is for a young man who, through his own hard work and ability, broke through prejudice and created a miracle. It is the best proof of the belief that "great talents can emerge from humble backgrounds."

A few days later, the formal promotion ceremony was held in the main hall of the branch.

The branch's headmaster, an elderly man with a profound aura and a warm smile, personally presented Song Jing with formal attire and a jade badge representing his status as an outer disciple of the Pingtian Sect.

The clothing was no longer the ordinary tight-fitting clothes of the registered disciples, but rather a moon-white base embroidered with light gold cloud patterns and the Pingtianmen logo.

The magnificent robe of a mountain gate hidden in the clouds is of extraordinary quality. It is not only impervious to water and fire, but also has a slight effect of gathering spiritual energy and purifying the mind.

Wearing it gives off an ethereal and otherworldly aura.

That identity jade pendant was truly extraordinary. It was carved entirely from top-quality warm jade, smooth to the touch, with the characters "Ping Tian" and intricate cloud patterns engraved on the front, and Song Jing's name and disciple number on the back.

Within the jade token, a miniature array was inscribed by a master of the sect. Wearing it for a long time has miraculous effects such as nourishing blood and qi, calming the mind and spirit, and assisting in cultivation. Furthermore, it can serve as an identity credential, allowing passage through many forbidden areas, treasure vaults, and cultivation sites within the sect. Its functions are far superior to the previous temporary tokens.

Holding the warm jade in his hand and dressed in fine clothes, Song Jing could clearly feel that his connection with this vast sect had become real and close.

From then on, he became a true outer disciple of the Pingtian Sect, his name was recorded in the sect's golden register, and he enjoyed the sect's blessing and resource allocation.

When the news of Song Jing officially becoming an outer disciple spread, the reactions of various forces in the inner city were subtly different from when they heard that he had taken on ten opponents single-handedly.

The leaders of the four major families and martial arts schools were no longer just shocked, but had transformed their shock into a matter of course and decisive action.

"An outer disciple? With the strength he's shown, isn't this a given?" Upon hearing this, the Qian family head said calmly to the clan elder, "I'm afraid this outer sect might not be his final destination. Give the order to increase the congratulatory gift by another 30%."

"This child's entry into the outer sect is like a dragon returning to the sea. The Zhao family's congratulatory gift must reflect our sincerity and foresight," the Zhao family head instructed.

The Sun and Li families did the same, each gift more lavish than the last, and each attitude more polite than the last.

Upon learning of Song Jing's official promotion, the head of Duan Yue Martial Arts School patted his chest and said to the deputy head with lingering fear, "I really got incredibly lucky this time! Thank goodness I didn't listen to those scoundrels and go looking for trouble with Song Jing! Look at Qian Rushan and Zhao Yuanqing now, look at them! They've lost everything! This Song Jing is practically a jinx! No, he's a true god! From now on, we'll have to treat him with utmost respect!"

The second branch of the Nie family was especially festive, as if they were celebrating a great joyous occasion.

With a radiant face, Mr. Nie declared to the relatives and friends who had come to offer their congratulations: "The fact that my son Nie Feng is on good terms with young friend Song Jing is a great blessing for the second branch of the Nie family! To have even a trace of his favor is an immense fortune for our second branch! From now on, anyone who dares to say a bad word about young friend Song will be an enemy of our second branch!"

Inside the Qingyun Martial Arts Academy, the academy master, along with Li Lingshuang, Bai Yunfei, and others, set up an incense table to wish Song Jing a bright future.

Li Ling Shuang gazed towards the northern prefecture, silently offering her blessings, transforming the feelings that had just begun to sprout into the purest prayer.

Meanwhile, in the harsh northwest frontier, at a heavily guarded military outpost.

Lin Xuanyue, Song Jing's mentor, a man with a carefree and lazy nature but genuinely devoted to his disciples, was gnawing on a piece of dry, hard jerky by the campfire.

A fellow soldier from the same battalion, a burly man with a scarred face, waved a letter from home that he had just received from the logistics department and which had been traveling for several months before finally being delivered to the frontier.

The letter included rumors about Song Jing. He rushed to him excitedly, shouting incoherently, "Old Lin! Your apprentice!"

"Your precious disciple Song Jing! He's taken on ten men at once! He's already entered the outer gate of Pingtian Gate!" Lin Xuan Yue was suddenly stunned.

The dried meat slipped from his hand and fell into the fire, sizzling loudly.

He snatched the crumpled letter, quickly scanned it in the flickering firelight, and then carefully read it again, word by word.

silence.

The only sounds were the crackling of the campfire and the faint whistling of the wind in the distance.

Suddenly, Lin Xuan Yue's shoulders began to tremble, the trembling becoming more and more violent. Finally, he suddenly raised his head and, facing the cold moon over the border, let out a nearly manic laugh, full of boundless joy and pride!

"Hahahaha! Good! Good lad! Well done! One against six? Entering the outer sect? I knew it! I fucking knew it! How could my disciple, Lin Xuanyue's disciple, be a coward!"

He laughed until tears streamed down his face, forcefully pounding the equally excited scarred man beside him: "See that? Old Scar! That's my disciple! My student! A Flesh Refining Realm cultivator fighting ten Bone Forging Realm cultivators? Hahahaha! No wonder he's my disciple! He has the same style as me, charging in and out of battle seven times back in the day!"

The soldiers guarding the border were drawn to his wild laughter, and after learning the reason, they all looked at him with envy and admiration.

"Old Lin, you're something else! You've quietly trained such a prodigy as your disciple!"

"The outer sect of Pingtian Gate! That's a truly great sect! Anyone who graduates there will at least be an elite disciple; they'd be more than qualified to be a county magistrate!"

"It's not just the county magistrate! I've heard that the inner disciples of the Pingtian Sect consume resources worth over a million taels of silver a year! They're truly divine figures!"

"Old Lin, your disciple is definitely going to reach the Refining Realm! He might even be able to break through to the Marrow Refining Realm in the future! You've truly trained a dragon!"

"Damn, I'm so envious! Why don't I have the luck to find such a good prospect!"

Listening to her comrades' envious and flattering remarks, Lin Xuan Yue wiped away the tears of laughter. Looking southeast towards Tianshui City and Fucheng, her eyes were filled with unprecedented joy and pride, as well as a faint sense of relief and concern.

"You brat—finally, you've made it out there. The outside world is vast and wonderful, but of course, it's also more dangerous."

"Go for it. Your master—I'll be right here, guarding this pass for you, waiting for the day you truly become famous throughout the world."

He picked up the water pouch and took a big gulp of cheap liquor. It was spicy and burned his throat, but his heart was burning with passion.

His apprentice, Song Jing, finally took a crucial step and truly stepped onto that vast and splendid stage.

The legend of Song Jing has clearly only just begun.

The next morning, as dawn broke.

Song Jing had finished packing and was ready to depart.

The quiet room in Zone A returned to silence, and his moon-white robes with cloud patterns made him look even more tall and handsome.

The Crimson Star Thunder Spear was packed in a specially made holster and carried on its back.

He first bid a brief farewell to several stewards and elders he had interacted with in the branch, who naturally offered him much encouragement. He then went to see Nie Feng and Bai Yunfei, who, while excited, could not hide their reluctance to part, and promised to meet again in the prefectural city in the future.

As for the Qingyun Martial Arts School, he did not go there in person, but only asked Bai Yunfei to deliver a message and a gift of thanks to express his gratitude for the donation of pills and minerals.

Some relationships are best left unresolved, for the best for both parties.

Finally, he arrived at the Commandant's Mansion.

Inside the study, Chen Yanzhou still maintained his dignified yet somewhat casual demeanor, but his gaze towards Song Jing was gentler and more gratified than ever before, as if he were looking at his most promising nephew.

"Commander, I have come to take my leave." Song Jing bowed.

"Get up, kid." Chen Yanzhou gave Song Jing a slight push, looking him up and down. The more he looked, the more satisfied he became. "Not bad, you're full of energy and spirit, showing some of the bearing of a disciple from a major sect. Going to the prefectural city, Pingtianmen is the real dragon's den and tiger's lair, a gathering place for geniuses, the competition is a hundred times fiercer than in Tianshui. Remember, stay humble and down-to-earth. You have a long way to go."

"I will keep in mind your teachings, Commandant," Song Jing said solemnly.

Chen Yanzhou nodded, pondered for a moment, then took out a palm-sized, exquisitely made brocade pouch embroidered with cloud patterns from his bosom and handed it over.

"Here, take this."

Song Jing accepted the pouch with both hands. It felt slightly heavy in his hands, indicating that the brocade pouch was made of extraordinary materials and seemed to have an insulating effect, making it impossible to see its contents.

"Don't open this pouch yet," Chen Yanzhou said, his expression becoming more serious. "Wait until you arrive at Pingtian Gate and formally become an apprentice before opening it. Inside is a small token of my appreciation," he said, "which might be of some help in choosing a master or when you first enter the sect."

He paused, a subtle mix of complexity and anticipation flashing in his eyes: "This is all the wealth I have left. I hope—it won't be wasted."

Song Jing's heart stirred. For the Commandant to give such a solemn instruction, even going so far as to mention Guan Ping's apprenticeship, the "heartfelt intention" in the brocade pouch must be extraordinary. He bowed deeply again: "Commander, I will never forget your kindness. I will certainly live up to your expectations."

"Alright, stop with those pedantic scholars." Chen Yanzhou waved his hand, a smile returning to his face. "Go on, Old Man Wang must be getting impatient. Remember, in the prefectural city, if you encounter any intractable trouble, try going to the Wind and Rain Pavilion in the west of the city and mentioning my name. It might not be of much use, but you might get some information."

"Thank you, sir!" Song Jing carefully put the brocade pouch away and left the study.

Outside the mansion gate, a large and sturdy carriage pulled by two magnificent "black cloud steeds" was already waiting.

The carriage was simple and unadorned, but there were faint runes flowing on the walls, clearly indicating that it was no ordinary item.

Master Wang Xuanwu stood beside the car with his hands behind his back, still dressed in a gray robe, his aura deep and composed.

"What are you dawdling for? Get in the car." Wang Xuanwu glanced at Song Jing and said indifferently.

"Yes, Master Wang." Song Jing quickly got into the car.

With a soft shout from the coachman, the black steed spurred its horse forward, pulling the carriage smoothly and swiftly out of Tianshui City. Along the wide official road, it headed north towards the more prosperous and expansive prefectural city of Xiuyang.

The carriage traveled hundreds of miles a day, leaving the territory of Tianshui and entering the desolate mountain road at the border of the two prefectures.

This place is sparsely populated, with high mountains and dense forests. Wild beasts often appear here, and there are also bandits and robbers hiding here. Ordinary merchants and travelers usually travel in groups or hire skilled guards.

As dusk approached, the carriage arrived at a strategic pass flanked by two mountains.

Suddenly, the sounds of clashing weapons and shouts could be faintly heard from ahead, and a fierce atmosphere of slaughter drifted in on the wind.

Wang Xuanwu slightly opened his eyes, extending his divine sense outwards, and frowned slightly: "Three miles ahead, there's a battle. Five people are besieging one person, and the one being besieged—hmm? It seems to be an old man?"

Upon hearing this, Song Jing looked up and realized that the figure and voice were so familiar, and that move was also so familiar!