Chapter 30

"WHAT?" Jing Chunyu almost roared.

He had been sitting in his chair, but at this moment, he stood up abruptly, his eyes fixed on Jing Tianying.

Jing Chengye's eyes also widened, and his entire demeanor changed.

The cultivation of the Sixth Level of Martial Dao certainly wouldn't shock Jing Chunyu and Jing Chengye. The problem was, Jing Yan was clearly at the Third Level of Martial Dao last month. Could he have recovered to the Sixth Level in just one month?

How was this possible?

It was too incredible! Even the Jing Yan of the past couldn't have been this monstrous. To advance one level in a month was already remarkable, let alone three levels?

"Fourth Elder, are you really sure?" Jing Chengye took a deep breath and looked at Jing Tianying, his voice heavy.

In fact, he already knew this must be true. Jing Tianying wouldn't deceive him. Besides, Jing Tianying wasn't the only one overseeing this strength test; Sixth Elder Jing Mingzhi was also present.

Even if they took a step back, there were certainly many Jing family members who witnessed it firsthand in the Martial Arts Hall.

He just couldn't believe it!

"I am very sure!" Jing Tianying saw the distorted expression on Jing Chunyu's face and felt very pleased. "Clan Leader, although Jing Yan has only recovered to the Sixth Level, his true strength exceeds appearances."

"Exceeds appearances?" Jing Chengye's gaze was filled with doubt.

"Doesn't our Jing family have a high-level martial artist, Jing Luocheng? I'm sure the First Elder knows him, right?" Jing Tianying's gaze shifted to Jing Chunyu.

Jing Chunyu, of course, knew Jing Luocheng.

Jing Yuyan is Jing Chunyu's daughter, and although Jing Luocheng is not the First Elder's direct grandson, Jing Yuyan and Jing Luocheng have a very close relationship.

"Fourth Elder, what are you trying to say?" Jing Chunyu took several deep breaths to calm the shock in his heart. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Jing Tianying and spoke in a low, solemn voice.

"Today, in the Martial Arts Hall, Jing Luocheng challenged Jing Yan to a sparring match. However, during the battle, he was defeated by Jing Yan. Jing Luocheng is at the Seventh Level of Martial Dao." Jing Tianying said with a smile.

Jing Chengye and Jing Chunyu's bodies trembled again.

"That's impossible!" Jing Chunyu immediately roared, his expression fierce. "Jing Luocheng is at the Seventh Level of Martial Dao. Even if Jing Yan has recovered to the Sixth Level, he couldn't possibly be a match for Jing Luocheng. Fourth Elder, are you talking nonsense? Or did Jing Luocheng control his level?"

"Ha ha, at first, Jing Luocheng did indeed say in front of everyone that he would control his level to the Sixth Level of Martial Dao. But during the battle, he didn't control it at all. Even so, he was still defeated by Jing Yan." Jing Tianying's eyes sparkled.

Thinking about the Autumn Wind and Falling Leaves Sword technique Jing Yan used, Jing Tianying felt incredibly excited.

Improving a martial technique is not something an ordinary martial artist can do. Not to mention martial artists below the innate level, even innate-level experts might not be able to improve a martial technique in their entire lifetime.

Jing Tianying was more than 90% certain that Jing Yan had improved the low-grade martial technique, Autumn Wind and Falling Leaves Sword. Otherwise, it wouldn't have such immense power.

"Clan Leader!" Jing Tianying's demeanor changed, and he bowed to Jing Chengye, speaking solemnly, "The martial technique Jing Yan used to defeat Jing Luocheng was the Autumn Wind and Falling Leaves Sword. The martial technique Jing Luocheng used was the Dragon Soaring Spear Technique. I watched their battle and can confirm that Jing Yan's Autumn Wind and Falling Leaves Sword has been improved, with its power greatly enhanced, not inferior to a mid-grade martial technique! It might even surpass it!"

Jing Tianying spoke quickly but clearly.

"Fourth Elder, are you saying that Jing Yan improved the Autumn Wind and Falling Leaves Sword?" Hearing the Fourth Elder's words, Jing Chengye's heart was stirred even more, and his voice trembled slightly.

If it were true, it would be astonishing!

After all, while low-grade martial techniques are valuable, they are relatively easy to purchase in Donglin City. However, mid-grade martial techniques are not so easy to obtain and require some luck.

Of course, if Jing Yan really improved the Autumn Wind and Falling Leaves Sword, as the Fourth Elder suggested, the improved technique's power would be comparable to a mid-grade martial technique. This would mean more than just adding another mid-grade martial technique to the Jing family's arsenal.

Low-grade martial techniques are much easier to cultivate than mid-grade ones. If the Autumn Wind and Falling Leaves Sword were improved, it would allow many Jing family members who haven't reached the level to cultivate mid-grade martial techniques to make significant progress in their strength after cultivating the Autumn Wind and Falling Leaves Sword.

These thoughts raced through Jing Chengye's mind.

"It should be correct, but I can't be 100% sure that Jing Yan improved the martial technique." Jing Tianying's eyes flashed.

"Is the guard there?"

Jing Chengye called out loudly.

"Clan Leader!" A guard appeared and bowed to Jing Chengye.

"Go and bring Jing Yan here!" Jing Chengye couldn't wait to see Jing Yan immediately. He wanted to talk to him.

...

In the Western Market, Ruyi Pavilion!

Jing Luocheng, dispirited, arrived at Ruyi Pavilion.

He came to see Jing Yuyan.

Although Jing Yuyan had been suspended from her duties at Ruyi Pavilion, she had not been expelled, so she still spent most of her time there.

"Luocheng!" Jing Yuyan saw Jing Luocheng and called out warmly.

She knew today was the monthly strength test for the Jing family's young members, and she also knew that Jing Luocheng would challenge Jing Yan in the Martial Arts Hall today.

Because she had instructed him to do so. She didn't want Jing Yan to have an easy time and wanted him to be humiliated in front of many Jing family members.

"How did it go? Did Jing Yan have the courage to fight you?" Jing Yuyan smiled.

"We fought." Jing Luocheng's expression was blank, and he nodded like a puppet.

Jing Yuyan's brows furrowed slightly. She could tell that Jing Luocheng's mental state seemed off.

However, she never would have thought that Jing Luocheng would be defeated by Jing Yan.

In fact, probably no one would have thought that Jing Luocheng would lose to Jing Yan.

"What happened? Were you reprimanded by the elders? Did you kill Jing Yan?" Jing Yuyan's brows furrowed. "Luocheng, as long as you didn't kill Jing Yan, it's fine. Don't worry; the elders can't do anything to you."

Jing Yuyan had the confidence to say these things because her father was the First Elder, Jing Chunyu. With the First Elder's protection, a small issue could be resolved with a single word. Of course, if Jing Yan were really killed, it would be more complicated. After all, Jing Yan is the grandson of the old clan leader, and there are still some high-ranking members in the Jing family who favor Jing Yan.

"No... I didn't kill Jing Yan. I... I couldn't!" Jing Luocheng looked up at Jing Yuyan, his lips trembling.