NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Contrast
In addition to losing access to cultivation sources like Spiritual Stones, Jing Yan had even lost the weapon he previously used. Because his rank had fallen so far, the family had decided that he no longer needed to wield such an exquisite weapon.
"How can I obtain a large number of Spiritual Stones? I'll need them if I'm going to improve my rank as quickly as possible." Jing Yan pondered the question with his eyebrows furrowed.
"Alas..."
"I never really had to worry about cultivation sources before. And now, it will be so difficult to get even one Spiritual Stone." Jing Yan sighed and gave a slight shake of his head.
"Oh right, tomorrow is the day for the family's monthly abilities test. Any disciple in the family who participates is rewarded with some resources based on their rank. Hmm, I might as well join the test this time." Jing Yan's eyes lit up a little.
His current rank was only Third Heaven, which was too pathetic to earn many sources, but something was better than nothing. He couldn't afford to waste this chance.
The night flashed by.
The next morning, at about 8 o'clock, Jing Yan had already arrived at the Jing Clan's Martial Arts Performing Stadium.
At that moment, there were already quite a few family members inside the Martial Arts Performing Stadium. Few family members would miss the monthly abilities test if they could spare the time to be there. No matter how low one's rank was, even if the warrior was only in the First Heaven, he could still get a certain number of Spiritual Stones as long as he participated in the test. The only difference between the ranks was the number of Spiritual Stones that could be gained.
As soon as Jing Yan showed up at the Martial Arts Performing Stadium, he instantly drew a lot of attention.
It had been a long time since Jing Yan had come to the Martial Arts Performing Stadium. Therefore, his sudden appearance caught many people by surprise.
"Isn't that Jing Yan?"
"What's Jing Yan doing here? Does he really plan to participate in the family's abilities test?"
"Before, he didn't need to take part in tests like this. The family's sources were his to take whenever it was convenient for him."
"Hehehe, things are different now. The old Patriarch isn't around anymore, and Jing Yan's rank has been falling nonstop. Now his cultivation has dropped all the way to the Third Heaven. He's not even as good as people like you and me. So why wouldn't he show up here? Where else could he find Spiritual Stones?"
"I have no idea how he feels right now. In the past, all we could do was look up to him. But now..."
As Jing Yan moved through the stadium, he heard the low buzz of people discussing him on all sides. He ignored everyone. He randomly picked a seat and waited for the test to start.
A little later, an Elder of the family stepped up and put a piece of black crystal in front of himself.
The black crystal was the tool used to test one's martial arts rank.
The Elder in charge of the test was the fifth Elder, Jing Yuxiang.
"Today's test now begins." The Elder glanced over the whole Martial Arts Performing Stadium. "You can come up to get tested once I call your name."
"What?" the Elder thought. His gaze had come to a sudden halt on Jing Yan. The Elder's eyes rested on Jing Yan for a brief moment, then moved on. He didn't say anything.
In previous years, the Elder would have given Jing Yan a radiant smile and greeted him warmly as soon as he saw him. Now, however, he simply pretended that he hadn't noticed Jing Yan, indicating how much Jing Yan's status had declined.
"Jing Rong, come up to take the test."
"Yes!" A young man in black quickly walked up to the black crystal.
"Jing Rong, the Sixth Heaven Rank of Martial Arts. Good! Way to go. I hope you can break through to the Seventh Heaven in the near future," the Elder said encouragingly, nodding slightly.
"The reward is 20 Spiritual Stones." The Elder waved his hand, and a small pile of Spiritual Stones was delivered to Jing Rong.
"I thank you very much, Elder," Jing Rong said, his voice respectful and a wide smile on his face.
"Jing Dongyu, the Fifth Heaven Rank of Martial Arts. The reward is 10 Spiritual Stones."
"Jing Minghe, the Sixth Heaven Rank of Martial Arts. The reward is 20 Spiritual Stones."
Many of the Jing Clan disciples completed their tests and were rewarded with their share of Spiritual Stones.
At that moment, a blue figure entered the Martial Arts Performing Stadium.
The test continued, but the young man in blue caught a lot of eyes. His name was Jing Chuanling.
"Brother Chuanling!"
"How are you, Brother Chuanling?"
"Good to see you, Brother Chuanling!"
Many disciples gave Jing Chuanling a warm welcome as soon as they saw him.
Both Jing Yan and Jing Chuanling had drawn a lot of attention when they entered the Martial Arts Performing Stadium. But the treatment they received was poles apart.
Jing Chuanling nodded slightly and kept walking as people greeted him.
"Huh?"
"Brother Jing Yan?" Jing Chuanling's gaze immediately focused when he saw Jing Yan. He soon smiled, sped up, and walked over to Jing Yan.
"Brother Jing Yan, are you here for the abilities test?" Jing Chuanling asked, studying Jing Yan.
"Yeah. I'm here to get tested." Jing Yan nodded and smiled as he held Jing Chuanling's gaze.
Before, Jing Yan had been quite close to Jing Chuanling. Jing Chuanling used to hang around Jing Yan whenever he could. Back then, a lot of people in the family secretly called Jing Chuanling an *ss-kisser who spent most of his time trying to earn Jing Yan's favor.
In fact, Jing Chuanling had gained a great deal from his association with Jing Yan.
Yet ever since Jing Yan was expelled by the Wind God Institute and returned to the family, Jing Chuanling had kept his distance. He'd only visited Jing Yan once since he came back to the Jing Clan.
Jing Yan was very aware that Jing Chuanling had distanced himself on purpose.
Jing Chuanling took a deep breath and nodded as he said to Jing Yan, "Brother Jing Yan, you are the No. 1 genius of Jing Clan. Not just Jing Clan. You are the No. 1 genius of the whole Dong Lin City. Brother Jing Yan, please never give up. I firmly believe you will regain your Precelestial rank."
"I hope so," Jing Yan said with a smile.
"Jing Yan, come over and get tested," the fifth Elder called at the right moment.
"The Third Heaven Rank of Martial Arts. Jing Yan, here are two Spiritual Stones. Take them. Be careful when you use them." The fifth Elder loudly announced Jing Yan's rank and gave him two Spiritual Stones.
"The Third Heaven! I knew it!"
"Haha, Jing Yan's current cultivation is at the bottom among the disciples of his age group, isn't he?"
"No kidding… I don't understand what gave him the courage to come here for the abilities test. If I were him, it would be too shameful for me to even show up here."
After Jing Yan had finished his abilities test, a burst of laughter washed over the stadium. He could hear the sarcastic comments intermingled in the conversation of the other clan members.
Jing Yan only gave a bitter smile when he heard the unpleasant noises. He walked toward the door in silence, having pocketed the two Spiritual Stones.
"Wow!"
"Whoa! The Eighth Heaven! Brother Chuanling has progressed again!"
"Brother Chuanling's so strong! Last time he was tested, he had just reached the Seventh Heaven. Now he has the cultivation of the Eighth already. The way I see it, it won't take long before he breaks through the Ninth Heaven and then the Precelestial rank."
"Brother Chuanling rocks!"
As Jing Yan walked to the front gate of the Martial Arts Performing Stadium, he heard all kinds of cheers and applause ring out behind him.