Chapter 521 - 224: Qian Yu
If Deng Ziheng knew the tangible gains Chen Qing had received, he would certainly be astonished.
Afterward, Pei Tingchun presented him with three Superior Spear Skills.
After careful comparison, Chen Qing chose a technique called the *Thousand Rain Flowing Shadow Spear*, which focused on speed and explosive power.
Once he had chosen, Pei Tingchun formed a sword with his fingers and pointed from a distance. A series of phantom images appeared before Chen Qing’s eyes.
[Thousand Rain Flowing Shadow Spear: Great Success (1/2000)]
Chen Qing not only learned it instantly, but his comprehension had also reached the Great Success Realm.
Pei Tingchun said faintly, "Go back and comprehend it well. If your previous foundation in spear techniques is solid, reaching the entry-level within one hour should be no problem."
Chen Qing cupped his fists respectfully. "Many thanks, Elder Pei. This disciple will take his leave."
Then, he turned and headed for Xu Wang Mountain.
Watching Chen Qing’s departing figure, Pei Tingchun muttered, ’This kid left so decisively. Don’t tell me he’s already reached the entry-level?’
He shook his head, feeling it was impossible.
’To reach the entry-level of a Superior Spear Skill after seeing it only once... what kind of talent is that!?’
Leaving the Dharma Transmission Hall, Chen Qing returned to his small courtyard on Xu Wang Mountain.
The next few days returned to a state of peace.
He spent his days diligently cultivating the *Five Elements True Astral* to polish his Mid-stage Astral Force Cultivation, and practiced the *Thousand Rain Flowing Shadow Spear* to improve his Spear Technique.
At the same time, he also practiced the *True Martial Seal* assiduously.
The intense, competitive atmosphere on Xu Wang Mountain from the final rankings gradually calmed down.
The rankings had mostly stabilized. Barring any major breakthroughs, it would be difficult for significant changes to occur in the short term.
Most disciples settled down, either working hard to complete Sect missions for Contribution Points or entering seclusion to cultivate and increase their strength.
On this day, Chen Qing was in his courtyard practicing the *Startled Swan Escape Shadow Technique*.
His figure flickered and transformed, like a Startled Swan Appearance.
As the True Astral within his body circulated rapidly along a specific path, his comprehension of the Body Technique’s artistic conception came naturally.
[Startled Swan Escape Shadow Technique: Nonexistence]
His body became a startled swan, his fleeing shadow leaving no trace!
At this moment, Chen Qing had officially stepped into the Fourth Realm, the Realm of Nonexistence!
This Realm not only dramatically increased his speed, but more crucially, the fusion of his body with the surrounding environment reached an ultimate state. With a single thought, he could move like a fish in water, leaving no trace to be found.
"HUFF!"
Chen Qing relaxed his stance. He had finally cultivated this Superior Body Technique to the Fourth Realm, and his speed had increased once again.
Just then, a knock came from outside the courtyard.
Chen Qing opened the gate and saw an unfamiliar Servant Disciple holding out a gilt-edged invitation.
"Brother Chen, this invitation is from Brother Wan Shangyi of Profound Sun Peak."
Chen Qing took the invitation, opened it, and his brows furrowed slightly.
"Wan Shangyi?"
He didn’t know the man, of course, but his name was as famous as a clap of thunder.
Wan Shangyi, an Inner Sect Disciple of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, a prodigy of the Nine Heavens Lineage, and also one of the eight publicly acknowledged "True Successor Candidates" in the Sect!
It was said that his strength was formidable; he had passed the thirty-first floor of the Celestial Treasure Tower a year ago but had never challenged Lu Chenming, the tenth-ranked True Inheritance disciple, leading to much speculation.
The invitation stated that tomorrow, Wan Shangyi would be hosting a banquet at the Four Seas Pavilion on Guest Welcoming Peak. He had not only invited Chen Qing but also several other True Successor Candidates, including Wu Anren and He Shuang, claiming the purpose was to exchange cultivation insights.
’Inviting the True Successor Candidates to exchange insights? I’m afraid it’s not that simple.’
As a long-established True Successor Candidate, for Wan Shangyi to suddenly gather everyone, it definitely wasn’t as simple as just exchanging insights.
He pondered for a moment and decided to go and see for himself.
「The next day」
Chen Qing arrived at the Four Seas Pavilion on Guest Welcoming Peak as scheduled.
The place was lavishly decorated, clearly a venue for entertaining honored guests.
A disciple was already waiting and respectfully led him into a spacious and elegant private room on the second floor.
"Junior Brother Chen, you’re here!" Just as Chen Qing reached the doorway, a warm-faced man who looked to be in his early thirties greeted him with an enthusiastic smile.
This man was none other than Wan Shangyi, the organizer of this gathering.
"Brother Wan!" Chen Qing cupped his fists, his gaze quickly sweeping across the private room.
Besides Wan Shangyi, several other people were already seated.
The auras of those present were all extraordinary. Aside from the familiar Wu Anren and He Shuang, there were four other Inner Sect True Successor Candidates whom he had never met but whose names he had heard.
When Wu Anren and He Shuang saw Chen Qing, they both smiled and nodded at him, their attitudes friendly enough.
He Shuang looked at Chen Qing, a flicker of imperceptible pity flashing in her bright eyes.
She naturally remembered this eye-catching young man from the Xu Wang Mountain selection. His talent and potential were truly astonishing, so she hadn’t expected him to ultimately choose the declining True Martial Lineage.
In her eyes, this was equivalent to cutting himself off from the resource support of most Noble Families. His future path would likely be much more difficult.
The other four people, two men and two women, had varied reactions.
They were Han Xiong, Qian Baole, Liu Yun, and Meng Qianxue.
Among them, Qian Baole and Liu Yun’s attitudes were passable, offering a slight nod, while Han Xiong and Meng Qianxue chose to ignore him.
Chen Qing took in everyone’s reactions but remained outwardly expressionless. He cupped his fists in a general salute to the room and slowly sat down in an empty seat.
"Alright, everyone’s here."
Wan Shangyi smoothed things over with a cheerful laugh, spoke a few words of welcome and pleasantries, and then ordered the serving maids to bring out fine food and wine.
After one round of drinks, the atmosphere livened up slightly, but there was still an undercurrent of unspoken probing.
Seeing that the time was about right, Wan Shangyi gave a light cough and steered the conversation to the main topic.
"Fellow disciples, I’ve hosted this banquet today for two reasons. First, to provide everyone with an opportunity to meet and converse. And second..."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. "I’m sure you all understand. We here are all Sect-acknowledged ’True Successor Candidates.’ It seems glamorous, but as long as we have not ascended to the rank of True Inheritance, it is all ultimately an illusion, a castle in the air. I imagine everyone’s goal is one of those ten True Inheritance seats, is it not?"