Infinite Regressor: SSS-Ranked Skill In Cultivation World!
Chapter 47: Shi Jing’s Aptitude (2)

Chapter 47: Shi Jing’s Aptitude (2)

Those ancient eyes, which had witnessed many generation past, fixed upon Zhao Gongzu with something approaching... interest.

For a brief moment, the Supreme Elder’s gaze shifted, scanning across the other participants before settling momentarily on Ye Ming.

The intensity of that stare could have melted steel, yet Ye Ming remained utterly unaffected, as if completely unaware he was being observed by one of the most powerful beings in the region.

The Supreme Elder’s attention then moved to Shi Jing, and for an instant that felt like eternity, those penetrating eyes seemed to peer directly into his soul.

Shi Jing felt a chill run down his spine, not from fear, but from the unmistakable sensation of being observed.

Then, as quickly as it had come, the moment passed.

The Supreme Elder’s eyes closed once more, returning to his meditative state as if nothing had happened.

Zhao Gongzu, still basking in the crowd’s praise, remained completely unaware of the subtle drama that had just played out above him.

Interesting, Shi Jing mused.

The Supreme Elder barely reacted to Upper Rank A talent, yet something else has captured his attention.

The question is... what?

As much as he thought about it, he couldn’t come up with the answer. At the same time, Shi Jing has realized a crucial thing ever since his arrival at Cangwu city.

’The Ming estate, missing Ming Ye, Zhao Family as well as Ling Mei warning. I have a feeling all of this is connected!’

’I just don’t know how... I am missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.’

Shi Jing threw a glance at Elder Wang, recalling the man’s special status of being a reincarnated soul of the heavenly court.

’Is all of these strange anomaly a coincidence?’ His knowledge was lacking, and his understanding of the world of cultivation is shallow.

For the moment, all these question remained buried in the back of his mind.

At the same time, a wave of spiritual sense swept the arena platform.

It was as though a tide washed over the area, one that was much more violent than the one the Heavenly Crane Family young girl experienced.

Clearly, many inner elders and even some legacy elders showed great interest in this youth.

As for Xing Yue, she watches as the greeds of the inner elders rise to the surface. Seeing this, she frowned.

Xing Yue had no intention of recruiting anyone, not after Ling Xue. Thus, even with Zhao Gongzu excellent performance, and that little girl, she barely showed any interest.

’It should be his turn next...’ She thought to herself as her gaze lingered on Shi Jing’s back.

Meanwhile, Elder Wang seemingly read her thought as he look at Shi Jing, who was still sitting by the edge of the arena platform.

"You," He called, his voice paused for a moment before continuing," Come up."

Shi Jing got up from the ground and pat his black and white robe clean of the dust and dirt.

His appearance, like the many ordinary disciple before him, attracted no attention.

However, the closer he got to the center where the Earth-Refining Stone is, the more attention he attracted.

Most noticeably is Elder Chen and Fang Zheng’s reaction.

"Shi Jing!"

Elder Chen’s surprised exclamation rippled through the crowd like a stone thrown into still water.

The outer disciples nearest to him leaned forward eagerly, straining to catch his words.

"Elder Chen, you know this disciple?" one of the nearby outer elders inquired, his curiosity evident.

Elder Chen’s eyes remained fixed on Shi Jing’s approaching figure, a complex expression crossing his weathered features.

"Know him? Six months ago, this young man’s name was as bright as the rising sun during noon!"

Instantly, Zhao Gongzu smile cracked.

With his keen sense, how could he fail to capture the whisper of this name?

Without paying the spectator platform any attention, he turn his head to stare at Shi Jing. At the same time, Shi Jing could feel many eyes placed on him.

The one closest to him is Zhao Gongzu.

Shi Jing returned an indifferent gaze at the youth, who was staring him down with spite and hostility.

Meanwhile, another inconspicuous eye caught his attention more than Zhao Gongzu.

Ye Ming!

’Who is this person?’ Shi Jing thought as he walked forward.

However, after sparing a glance at Ye Ming, he realized that he has never met this person before.

So he retracted his gaze and paid him no mind.

The crowd’s murmur grew louder.

Those who had been distracted by Zhao Gongzu’s performance suddenly found their attention divided.

"Shi Jing..." someone whispered. "Wasn’t he the one who—"

"The prodigy who disappeared!" Another voice cut in, excitement building.

"I heard he already achieved peak body tempering before entering the manor!"

The atmosphere shifted dramatically.

Before, there was barely any interest, now, with this revelation, a rising expectation starts to grow.

"More promising than Upper Rank A?" someone called out, disbelief evident in their tone.

"If the rumors were true," Elder Chen replied carefully, "His potential should have surpassed even young master Zhao’s performance."

But he can’t help but hesitantly added.

"Of course, this is just potential... After Qi-Refinement, it is hard to discern the truth."

Zhao Gongzu’s expression darkened further.

The praise he had been basking in moments before now felt hollow, overshadowed by the growing excitement around this newcomer.

His fists clenched as he watched Shi Jing’s pale figure.

"Upper Rank A, can he surpass it?"

The weight of expectations settled on the arena platform like a thick fog.

Every eye was trained on Shi Jing as he came to a stop before the Earth-Refining Crystal.

The silence that followed was deafening, hundreds of people holding their breath, waiting for the moment of truth.

Shi Jing placed his palm against the crystal’s surface.

For a heartbeat, nothing happened.

Then, slowly, the crystal began to glow—but the green light was weak, barely more than a gentle ember gleam that struggled to reach even the base of the crystal.

The silence stretched on. And on.