Chapter 5

In the midst of the congratulatory voices, Jing Chuanling turned his gaze to the main gate of the Martial Hall with a smile, seeing Jing Yan walking out, his lips curled slightly.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and the curve of his lips grew even more pronounced.

"Jing Chuanling, you're doing very well. I remember that three months ago, you had just entered the Seventh Heaven of Martial Dao, and in this short three months, you have already reached the Eighth Heaven of Martial Dao. Very good! Keep up the good work and strive to reach the Ninth Heaven of Martial Dao as soon as possible," the Fifth Elder praised Jing Chuanling.

"These two hundred spirit stones are your reward," the Fifth Elder Jing Yuxiang handed a bag to Jing Chuanling, his eyes full of fondness.

"Thank you, Fifth Elder." Jing Chuanling casually took the bag filled with spirit stones.

Amidst the envious gazes, Jing Chuanling walked to the side. He did not leave the Martial Hall immediately. Here, he could enjoy the flattery of many family members, and he liked this feeling.

"Two hundred spirit stones as a reward!" Jing Yan had already left the Martial Hall, but he also heard about the family reward Jing Chuanling received this month.

"I only have two spirit stones."

"Two spirit stones are definitely not enough to support me in reaching the Fourth Heaven of Martial Dao." Jing Yan shook his head slightly. "Sigh, I never thought that I, Jing Yan, would also have to worry about a lack of spirit stones. If I had known, I should have accumulated more spirit stones."

Back at his residence, Jing Yan once again practiced the first divine technique of the Cangqiong.

Although the technique was powerful, without spirit stones, it would take Jing Yan a lot of time to break through to the Fourth Heaven of Martial Dao.

An hour later, Jing Yan left his small courtyard and headed towards Jing Chuanling's residence.

On the way, he encountered many members of the Jing family, but few greeted him. Most of them glanced at Jing Yan from a distance and then showed an awkward smile.

"Brother Jing Yan?"

As Jing Yan entered Jing Chuanling's courtyard, he saw several family members sitting in the courtyard.

Jing Chuanling immediately saw Jing Yan.

"Ha ha, Brother Jing Yan, please sit down," Jing Chuanling stood up and smiled, inviting Jing Yan.

"No need. I came to talk to you about something," Jing Yan looked at the people present, all of whom were currently talented members of the Jing family with considerable strength, the weakest being at the Seventh Heaven of Martial Dao.

None of them stood up when they saw Jing Yan.

If it were in the past, this would never have happened. As soon as Jing Yan appeared, they would have immediately stood up to welcome him. Now, Jing Yan could only sigh at the coldness of human relationships.

"Brother Jing Yan, what do you need? Just say it, as long as I can do it," Jing Chuanling said generously.

Seeing Jing Chuanling's attitude, Jing Yan nodded slightly.

"Chuanling, come over, let's chat for a bit," Jing Yan beckoned to Jing Chuanling.

Jing Chuanling's brows furrowed slightly, but his face quickly returned to a smile as he came to Jing Yan's side.

"Chuanling, I'm currently short of some spirit stones. Can you lend me some?" Jing Yan came to Jing Chuanling to borrow some spirit stones. He had a reason for choosing Jing Chuanling, as Jing Chuanling had borrowed a large number of spirit stones from him in the past, a number Jing Yan himself couldn't remember, but it was at least in the thousands.

And the spirit stones Jing Chuanling borrowed were never returned. Now that Jing Yan was short of spirit stones, it was only natural to ask Jing Chuanling.

"Spirit stones? No problem!" Jing Chuanling did not hesitate.

"Brother Jing Yan, here are five spirit stones, take them," Jing Chuanling generously took out five spirit stones and handed them to Jing Yan.

Even with Jing Yan's calm personality, his face changed when he saw the five spirit stones Jing Chuanling handed over.

Was Jing Chuanling treating him like a beggar?

Jing Yan had specifically come to see him, and he only gave him five spirit stones. This was clearly not to help Jing Yan, but to embarrass him.

Jing Yan's face changed slightly, but then he returned to his usual expression and extended his hand to take the five spirit stones.

At this moment, Jing Yan was undoubtedly furious, but he did not show it. Having experienced a fall from the peak, Jing Yan had learned a lot.

Even if it was only five spirit stones, he had to take them. These five spirit stones would be of great help to him. Adding the two spirit stones he had received from the test, he now had seven spirit stones, which would likely be enough to help him return to the Fourth Heaven of Martial Dao.

"Chuanling, thank you, brother," Jing Yan put away the spirit stones and said with a smile.

"Brother Jing Yan, don't think the spirit stones are too few. You know I'm already at the Eighth Heaven of Martial Dao, and the spirit stones needed for cultivation are a large number," Jing Chuanling's eyes flickered. "If Brother Jing Yan needs help, I will do my best. Although I also need spirit stones, I will prioritize Brother Jing Yan's needs."

"I understand your intentions," Jing Yan nodded.

"Seeing you're busy, I won't stay long. We'll chat next time," Jing Yan said, then turned and walked out.

"Chuanling, what did Jing Yan come to you for?"

Before Jing Yan had walked far, one of the people sitting in the courtyard asked loudly.

"Nothing major," Jing Chuanling waved his hand.

"Ha ha, I heard that Jing Yan seemed to be borrowing spirit stones from you. You didn't lend him any, right? Don't lend him any, I guarantee you won't get them back," one person said with a laugh.

"Exactly, Jing Yan's realm is constantly declining. No matter how many spirit stones you give him, he will waste them. Who knows, he might fall to an ordinary person soon. Where will he find spirit stones to pay you back then?" another voice added.

"You didn't tell me earlier, I already lent them to him," Jing Chuanling's voice came.

"Pity my five spirit stones," Jing Chuanling sighed, as if he was very heartbroken over the five spirit stones.

"Chuanling, you're too..." a sharp voice said, "Jing Yan was once our Jing family's top genius. He came to you, and you only lent him five spirit stones. Aren't you embarrassing him? I bet he didn't accept your five spirit stones."

"You're wrong. He took the five spirit stones directly. Tsk tsk, I thought he wouldn't accept my kindness, but I didn't expect this. I'm a bit regretful about lending him five spirit stones. If I had known, I would have only given him one spirit stone," Jing Chuanling's voice was full of pride.

These people knew Jing Yan wasn't far away, and their voices were loud enough to ensure he could hear their conversation. But they didn't care if Jing Yan heard.

Jing Yan was already a thing of the past. Even if he offended Jing Yan, so what?

As Jing Yan quickly left, a coldness spread across his face. He silently recited the names of everyone in Jing Chuanling's courtyard.

"Just wait and see! You will regret humiliating me today!" Jing Yan gritted his teeth.

If he didn't know the reason for his decline, Jing Yan might not have been so confident, but now, his resurgence was just a matter of time.