In Fu Mountain Square.
With the Fu Mountain Grand Competition officially concluded, disciples from the Main Peak and the various branches left in small groups.
Some excitedly discussed the heart-stopping final, some brooded over their rankings, and others eagerly debated the sect's top twenty talents.
The leaders and core descendants of Jintai Prefecture's great Lineages also began departing.
They walked away while quietly discussing the competition's outcome.
The legends born of this contest were destined to spread swiftly to every corner of Jintai Prefecture, becoming the talk of every street and alley.
Fang He, Yan Chenglong, and the others gathered around Yang Jing, enthusiastically proposing that they leave the island and find the finest restaurant in the Prefectural City to celebrate his joint first-place finish.
Yang Jing smiled and waved a hand, politely declining. "Thank you for your kindness, senior brothers. The competition only just ended today. There are too many people and prying eyes on the island, and the commotion has yet to settle. Why don't we discuss celebrating another day? I'll treat everyone then."
They did not insist. Smiling, they agreed, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and went their separate ways.
After bidding farewell to Fang He, Yan Chenglong, and the others, Yang Jing glanced around and spotted Sun Ningxiang nearby, standing on tiptoe and watching him with a worried expression.
He quickly walked over, and they stood side by side.
Sun Ningxiang's gaze fell on his shredded black training clothes. His exposed arms and neck were covered in purple bruises and several shallow cuts, and a trace of unwiped blood still lingered at the corner of his mouth.
Her heart clenched, and her eyes reddened slightly. Her voice caught with distress. "Junior brother, are you all right?"
Warmth filled Yang Jing's heart. He raised a hand to