Dawn had barely broken.
A soft knock sounded at the gate of Azure No. 4 Courtyard.
Yang Jing was already up. After a quick wash, he accepted the breakfast delivered by a servant disciple.
He soon finished eating, feeling warmth spread through his belly and renewed strength fill his body. Then he rose and headed straight for the summit of Lingxi Peak.
Today was April twenty-ninth, the day the Azure Qilin Battle began.
According to the rules, he had to gather with the other competing disciples at the Internal Affairs Hall, then follow the stewards to the Azure Qilin Platform on Main Peak.
Before long, Yang Jing arrived outside the Internal Affairs Hall beside Lingxi Square.
Quite a few disciples had already gathered outside.
Inner-Door Disciples in white robes stood in small groups, quietly discussing the coming battles on the Azure Qilin Platform, tension and excitement written across their faces.
Farther away stood some Outer-Door Disciples in azure robes, most of whom had come to watch the excitement.
Yang Jing's arrival attracted little attention.
The Inner-Door Disciples merely glanced at him before returning to their conversations. After all, he had only recently joined their ranks and had little reputation on the peak. Naturally, these established disciples thought nothing of him.
Yang Jing did not mind. He found a quiet corner and stood there, waiting calmly.
Before long, a tall, straight-backed figure approached at a brisk pace.
The newcomer was powerfully built, with a resolute face. It was Zhang Hengyi, first on the Lingxi Dragon-Tiger Ranking.
The moment he appeared, the surrounding Inner-Door Disciples crowded around him, calling out greetings all at once.
"Senior Brother Zhang!"
"Senior Brother Zhang is here! This will be your seventh Azure Qilin Battle, won't it?"
"You're sure to place well this time, Senior Brother Zhang!"