Chapter 553 - 235: Danxia
In the days that followed, Chen Qing’s life returned to its usual rhythm. He became a recluse, focusing his mind on Cultivation.
A few days later, a disciple from the Flying Book Pavilion delivered a reply to Chen Qing’s small courtyard.
Chen Qing took the thin piece of stationery. It felt light in his hand. He quickly opened it, only to find a single, large word on the pristine white paper: Received.
The handwriting was identical to the note Li Baichuan had left before.
"Just the single word, ’Received’?" Chen Qing’s brow furrowed.
It was certain that Li Baichuan had received the Nine Revolutions Rejuvenation Pill and his letter inquiring about the origins of the True Martial Seal.
But his response to it all was just this one, lonely word.
No explanation, no hint, and certainly no answer to any of the questions in his heart.
’What does Master Li mean by this? Does he feel the time isn’t right to speak plainly? Or are the implications so great that he must be cautious even in a letter, for fear of leaving evidence for others? Or perhaps... he doesn’t care about my questions at all and only cares whether he got the Elixir?’
All sorts of guesses churned in Chen Qing’s mind, but they all ultimately dissolved into a fog of confusion.
Li Baichuan’s actions had always been profound and inscrutable, like an antelope hanging by its horns, leaving no tracks to be found.
Based on a single word, Chen Qing had no way of fathoming his true intentions.
He let out a soft, turbid breath and held the letter over a candle flame, watching as it turned into a small pile of ash.
’Forget it. Since Master Li won’t say, it’s useless to overthink it. Strength is the only thing that truly matters.’
Chen Qing suppressed the doubts in his heart and once again threw his entire Heart and Spirit into his Cultivation.
Not long after, Qiao Hongyun successfully broke through to the Mid-stage Astral Force realm. He held a simple banquet in his courtyard on Xu Wang Mountain, inviting Shen Xiuyong, Chen Qing, and a few other familiar sect brothers.
The atmosphere at the banquet was congenial. Everyone drank and laughed, exchanging stories and insights about their cultivation—a small respite from the intensity of their training.
After this small interlude, life returned to its peaceful state once more.
The winter snow melted, plants began to sprout, and the weather gradually warmed. In the blink of an eye, four months had quietly slipped by.
Spring filled the air in the small courtyard on Xu Wang Mountain.
Chen Qing held the Diancang Spear, his body weaving and turning around the courtyard as a sky full of spear afterimages appeared!
At first, the spear’s tip transformed into thousands of raindrops—fine, dense, and continuous, enveloping everything around him. It was like a gentle spring rain, seeping in everywhere, carrying a persistent, penetrating force.
Then, the Spear Momentum suddenly changed. The thousands of raindrops instantly converged, condensing into a single, ultimate flowing shadow!
Like a sudden summer downpour, it flashed through the air in the blink of an eye, carrying a decisive, explosive power!
[Heaven Rewards Diligence, and success is assured.]
[Thousand Rain Flowing Shadow Spear Realm]
[Eight Extremes Vajra Body Mixed Yuan Realm (8235/10000)]
The True Astral in Chen Qing’s body surged in an unprecedented way, blending perfectly with his Spear Intent.
His body froze, and he stood holding the spear, but the aura around him suddenly skyrocketed!
A brand-new "Momentum" began to emanate from his center!
This "Momentum" possessed both the denseness and the explosiveness of rain. At times, it was like a spring drizzle nourishing the earth, eroding and breaking things down. At other times, it was like a torrential downpour, overwhelming and impossible to resist!
At the same time, the "Mountainous Momentum" and "Thunderous Momentum" he had already mastered seemed to be drawn out, appearing on their own!
Three completely different types of "Momentum" intertwined around his body.
The air in the small courtyard seemed to solidify, and an invisible pressure forced the fine dust on the ground to settle.
Chen Qing closed his eyes and focused his spirit, carefully comprehending this profound and mysterious change.
He could feel that the fusion of the three types of "Momentum" was not a simple superposition but had produced a qualitative change.
After a long while, he slowly exhaled a turbid breath, and this astonishing aura gradually receded and calmed.
He opened his eyes, and a sharp glint flashed through them before disappearing.
’The three Momentums have begun to fuse... The next step is the *True Martial Demon-Vibrating Spear*.’
Chen Qing muttered to himself, his heart filled with anticipation.
Unparalleled Martial Arts were far more powerful than Upper-Grade Martial Arts, and they also allowed one to comprehend "Intent."
However, Unparalleled Martial Arts were also much more difficult to cultivate than Upper-Grade Martial Arts. Even among the Sect’s Stewards and Elders, there were many who had failed to cultivate an "Intent" from their Unparalleled Martial Arts.
But for Chen Qing, the difficulty of cultivating Martial Arts was the last thing he needed to worry about.
As for his Eight Extremes Vajra Body, his progress over the past four months had been incredibly rapid. In addition to his own diligence, he had also spent a large number of Contribution Points to exchange for Dragon Tiger Bone Tempering Pills.
These Dragon Tiger Bone Tempering Pills cost twenty Contribution Points each. They were a Great Pill specially refined by Danxia Peak for Body Refining masters, and their medicinal effects were extremely potent.
When ordinary disciples took one, they often needed several days or even longer to digest its medicinal power and endure the inhuman pain.
Every day, Chen Qing guided the medicinal power to wash through his limbs and bones, tempering every inch of his skeleton and refining his vital energy and blood.
The results were obvious, but it also meant his Contribution Points had been flowing away like water during this period.
’When I go to the Dharma Transmission Hall this time, I’ll definitely have to "haggle" a bit again.’
Chen Qing tidied himself up and prepared to head to the Dharma Transmission Hall on True Martial Peak.
He first went to the Four Seas Pavilion to buy a roasted chicken and some wine before finally arriving at the Dharma Transmission Hall. Elder Pei Tingchun was still sitting cross-legged on the central cattail mat.
At that moment, two disciples were standing respectfully before him, having apparently just finished seeking his guidance.
Chen Qing found the two of them somewhat familiar. They were old disciples of the True Martial Lineage. One had a Cultivation at the Mid-stage Astral Force, and the other was at the Late-stage Astral Force. They had been in the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect for over a decade but were not True Successor Candidates.
The two disciples had looks of joy on their faces. They bowed deeply to Pei Tingchun and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Elder Pei. This disciple has been suddenly enlightened!"
Pei Tingchun didn’t even raise his eyelids, merely giving a wave of his hand.
Only then did the two disciples notice Chen Qing, who had just entered. They quickly clasped their fists in salute. "Brother Chen."
Their attitude was quite polite.
Although Chen Qing was younger than them and had joined the sect later, his status as a True Successor Candidate was undeniable, and they dared not be disrespectful.