Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

After Qu River left, Zhu Yu couldn't help but remark, "Brother Chen, Brother Qu really holds you in high regard!"

It was clear from the earlier conversation that since several True Disciples were fighting over it, this Elixir had to be incredibly valuable.

His tone was filled with sincere envy, but also a hint of pride, as if the honor were his own.

'I definitely made the right move by choosing to follow Chen Qing.'

Hearing this, Chen Qing simply smiled and said nothing more.

The two chatted for a while longer about some miscellaneous Sect affairs. Seeing that it was getting late, Zhu Yu rose to take his leave.

"Well, Brother Chen, I'll be..."

Before he could finish, a voice that wasn't entirely unfamiliar called out from beyond the courtyard.

"Is Junior Brother Chen Qing here? This is Han Xiong. Forgive my sudden visit, but might we have a word?"

Zhu Yu trailed off, exchanging a glance with Chen Qing.

'Han Xiong?'

'Why would he show up now?'

Chen Qing's expression remained placid as he rose, walked to the courtyard gate, and pulled it open with a CREAK.

Han Xiong stood alone outside the gate.

"What is it?"

Chen Qing asked, his tone flat and unwavering. He made no move to step aside.

'I know exactly what this man is all about.'

Ever since that little get-together he'd been excluded from, their positions had been crystal clear.

There was no need for false pleasantries, and certainly no reason for him to feign politeness.

Han Xiong seemed completely unbothered by Chen Qing's attitude. He got straight to the point. "Junior Brother Chen, do you happen to have a Pure Yang Yuan Astral Pill?"

His eyes drifted, as if by chance, toward Chen Qing's sleeve.

"No."

Chen Qing's reply was curt and decisive, his voice devoid of any emotion.

'So Han Xiong is after the Pure Yang Yuan Astral Pill?'

'He's surprisingly well-informed.'

"Junior Brother Chen, why tell such a blatant lie?"

A smirk played on Han Xiong's lips. "Brother Qu just left here. I saw it with my own eyes. What else could he have possibly fought to get for you from Danxia Peak, if not the Pure Yang Yuan Astral Pill?"

Chen Qing's eyes narrowed, a chill rising within him.

'Qu River had only just left, and now he shows up. The timing is too precise. It looks like this man has been secretly watching me.'

'Such dedication. He's gone to a lot of trouble.'

Zhu Yu, standing behind him, was well aware of the friction between Chen Qing and the visitor and could see this was not a friendly visit.

Seeing Chen Qing's silence, Han Xiong took it as a tacit admission and adopted a conciliatory tone. "Junior Brother Chen, you're only at the Mid-stage Astral Force, a long way from the bottleneck of the True Essence Realm. For you, this Pill is merely a bonus. Its effect is far less critical than it is for someone like me. Why not transfer it to me? I'm willing to offer three thousand contribution points. You won't be losing out."

'Three thousand contribution points?'

Chen Qing scoffed internally. 'This Han Xiong has some nerve!'

'The Pure Yang Yuan Astral Pill is exclusively refined by Elder Zhang Yi, with only one batch produced every three years. It's a treasure that purifies one's True Astral and offers a slight aid in breaking through to the True Essence Realm. Its actual value can't be measured in mere Contribution Points.'

'Outside the Sect, it's something money can't buy, a priceless treasure.'

'Within the Sect, if Qu River hadn't fought tooth and nail for them, the True Martial Lineage would have struggled to secure even two.'

'And Han Xiong thinks he can get it for a paltry three thousand contribution points?'

'This is less an exchange and more like blatant robbery—robbery disguised as charity!'

'He must think that just because I come from a minor sect, have little worldly experience, and joined the True Martial Lineage, I'm someone he can easily push around.'

"Forget three thousand contribution points. I wouldn't trade it even for thirty thousand."

Chen Qing raised his head and looked Han Xiong straight in the eye. "This Pill is equally important to me. If there's nothing else, please leave. I have to cultivate."

With that, Chen Qing moved to shut the gate.

Han Xiong had clearly anticipated Chen Qing's flat refusal. The fake smile on his face vanished instantly as he took a half-step forward. "Chen Qing, I know you hold a grudge against me over the Shen Family affair. I know you hate my guts. So now, I'll give you an open and legitimate opportunity."

He stared intently at Chen Qing. "Let's have a match. Right here, Within the Sect, in full view of everyone! If you win, I'll give you twenty thousand contribution points! If you lose, the Pill is mine. How about it?"

Han Xiong had his own agenda.

He was determined to obtain the Pure Yang Yuan Astral Pill and feared that Chen Qing would consume it immediately, eliminating any chance he had.

Snatching it by force was too risky; it would be easy to leave incriminating evidence, making it almost impossible within the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect.

The only way was a direct challenge. By setting an irresistible bait and leveraging Chen Qing's own hatred, he could make this guy from a minor sect walk right into the trap.

Zhu Yu felt his palms begin to sweat. 'Twenty thousand contribution points... what an incredible sum! The wager sounds tempting, but it's clearly a trap! After all, Han Xiong reached Astral Force Perfection three years ago. His True Astral is immense, his Martial Techniques are refined, and he's a True Successor Candidate that the Mystic Sun Lineage has poured its resources into. He's bound to have plenty of trump cards. If Brother Chen accepts, his chances of winning are... virtually nonexistent.'

'But he also knew that if Chen Qing refused, a man like Han Xiong would never let it go.'

Chen Qing looked at Han Xiong, his expression calm and unreadable, but his mind was racing.

'Killing a True Successor Candidate at Astral Force Perfection without anyone knowing is extremely difficult inside the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect.'

'Besides, Han Xiong has a considerable background and is close with Luo Chengxuan and the Shen Family.'

'If he were to die suddenly right after coming to cause trouble for me, even an idiot would be suspicious. The risk is just too high.'

'Since I can't act in the shadows, I might as well take the opportunity he's offering and face him openly!'

'Of course, this approach has its drawbacks. Revealing some of my strength too early will draw the attention and suspicion of many, especially the higher-ranked True Successor Candidates and even the True Disciples.'

'But the advantages are just as clear.'

'In the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, you have to fight for everything!'

'Resources, status, influence—all of it has to be won through strength.'