Chapter 550 - 234: Disturbance
Meng Qianxue looked at Chen Qing’s calm profile, hesitated for a moment, and then said in a low voice, "Junior Brother Chen, thank you for escorting me today. Our situations right now... are actually quite similar. Those gatherings for the True Successor Candidates... if there are more in the future, they probably won’t invite me again."
"If... if you make any progress in your Cultivation in the future, or if you’re feeling bored, perhaps... we could visit and exchange pointers more often."
She had always been proud and aloof, a figure adored by all among the Inner Sect Disciples.
However, her crushing defeat when challenging Lu Chenming was like a basin of ice water, not only extinguishing her arrogance but also forcing her to see the cruelty of reality.
The fellow disciples who had once eagerly flocked around her still acted the same on the surface, but their previous warmth had quietly faded.
The small circle of Wan Shangyi, Han Xiong, and the others never extended another invitation to her.
The fickleness of human nature could not be more apparent.
She secretly sized up the young man beside her out of the corner of her eye.
There was no deliberate fawning, nor any hint of disdain; his calmness, in contrast, was reassuring.
Upon hearing this, Chen Qing nodded. "Senior Sister is right. When I have the time, I will certainly discuss and spar with you."
Meng Qianxue nodded and said, "Alright. You’re welcome anytime."
Afterward, Chen Qing escorted Meng Qianxue to the edge of the residential area on Jade Emperor Peak. He cupped his fist and said, "In that case, Senior Sister, I’ll be heading back."
Meng Qianxue bowed. "Take care, Junior Brother Chen."
Watching Chen Qing turn and leave, his figure disappearing around a corner, Meng Qianxue stood where she was, a hundred emotions welling up in her heart.
’True Successor Candidate... It sounds glorious, but in the end, it’s still just a "candidate."’
’I gave it my all, even hiding my Astral Force Perfection Cultivation, yet I was still so thoroughly defeated by Lu Chenming.’
’And Chen Qing... his talent and potential might be astonishing, but he’s young, his Cultivation is still shallow, and he chose the declining True Martial Lineage. He doesn’t have the backing of a powerful Noble Family either... For him to truly earn a spot among the ten, what a long and arduous road lies ahead.’
’It’s probably even more difficult than it was for me back then.’
She shook her head lightly, casting aside the chaotic thoughts in her mind, and turned to walk toward her own desolate courtyard.
Chen Qing returned to his small courtyard and first carefully checked on the Golden Feathered Eagle’s condition.
The Golden Feathered Eagle’s injuries had fully healed, and it was full of vigor, so he fed it a sufficient amount of Bone Strengthening Pills and fresh meat.
Watching the magnificent eagle affectionately rub against his hand, Chen Qing felt a sense of peace.
He then entered the Quiet Chamber, sat cross-legged, and calmed his breath and focused his spirit.
His meeting with Ruan Lingxiu and Meng Qianxue today, as well as the news of the Wang Family’s secret investigation, made him feel an even greater urgency to increase his strength.
’The title of True Successor Candidate is both a halo and a target.’
’The storm over the marriage alliance with the Shen Family, the subtle ostracism from Han Xiong and the others, the potential threat from the Wang Family... all of this requires sufficient strength as a foundation to be handled with ease.’
Chen Qing’s Heart and Spirit sank inward as he reviewed the various martial arts he had learned.
’My *Five Elements True Astral* is improving steadily; it’s the foundation of my Cultivation, so it can’t be rushed.’
’For now, I’ll first cultivate the *Thousand Rain Flowing Shadow Spear* to the Extreme Realm and comprehend the ’Rain’ Momentum. Then I can begin cultivating the *Demon-Swaying Martial Suppression Spear*.’
’An Unparalleled Spear Skill is sure to be extraordinarily powerful.’
’Other than that, the fastest way to increase my strength right now is with the *Eight Extremes Vajra Body*.’
’The Mixed Element Realm has already given me a powerful physique that far surpasses others at the same level, and it showed a unique advantage at Luoxing Slope.’
’And now, I’m not far from reaching the final realm, Vajra Indestructible.’
According to the Cultivation Technique, once this realm is achieved, one’s vitality and blood will become as vast as a draconic elephant, the sound of its coursing like rolling thunder!
The Flesh Body’s strength will undergo a qualitative leap, making it difficult for ordinary Astral Force to cause even the slightest harm, and it will even be able to clash directly with Divine Weapons.
With every move, immense power will be generated naturally. Relying on his physique, vitality, and blood alone would be enough to match or even suppress an ordinary Late-stage Astral Force expert!
At that time, his overall strength will take a huge leap forward, and both his life-preserving abilities and his killing methods will be greatly enhanced.
This Vajra Indestructible Realm is undoubtedly the way to increase his strength by the largest margin in the shortest amount of time.
As for the difficulty and danger of the breakthrough... the Cultivation Technique Books also have some descriptions.
This final realm is the biggest bottleneck in the cultivation of the Eight Extremes Vajra Body.
It requires using one’s own vitality and blood to undergo a reconstruction akin to breaking and then rebuilding. The pain involved is beyond what an ordinary person can endure. The slightest mistake could cause one’s vitality and blood to surge backward, damaging the meridians, and could even lead to the Flesh Body’s collapse.
However, the corners of Chen Qing’s mouth lifted into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
’Danger? Difficulty?’
’For me, who possesses the [Heaven Rewards Diligence] Fate Plate, these are non-issues. No matter how difficult the bottleneck, as long as the direction is correct, it can eventually be broken through with enough effort and sweat.’
Chen Qing let out a light breath and immediately entered a state of Cultivation.
...
「Celestial Treasure Sect’s Main Peak. The main hall was solemn.」
Sect Leader Jiang Lishan sat high on the main seat, his aura restrained, as if he had merged with his surroundings, exuding an unquestionable authority.
To his lower left sat Elder Ji.
Elder Ji’s expression was grave as she gave a detailed report on the Wang Family’s recent activities Within the Sect.
Her speech was steady and her report methodical. She recounted how the Wang Family, using the deaths of Wang Zhifu and the Tributor Zhu River as a pretext, had secretly mobilized sect disciples to conduct a high-profile investigation into anyone cultivating the *Circulation Star Essence Technique*, which had disturbed the peace in several areas of the Inner Sect.
Jiang Lishan’s face was expressionless, like a deep, ancient well, as he listened to the entire report.
A brief silence fell over the hall, and the very air seemed to stagnate.
After a long moment, Jiang Lishan finally spoke slowly. "Teach the few direct descendants of the Wang Family within the Sect a lesson. A high-profile investigation within the Sect? What? Does the Wang Family intend to set up its own private Punishment Hall in my Celestial Treasure Upper Sect?"