Chapter 654 - 264: The Chief
At this level, mere surveillance was of little use. In the end, strength was all that mattered.
"I understand." Zhu Yu smiled and nodded, but he had his own plans.
Chen Qing had told him not to watch them out of confidence and a sense of magnanimity, but as his follower, Zhu Yu couldn’t truly relax his vigilance.
Observing the slightest disturbance within the Sect and keeping an eye on the movements of potential threats—this was his duty, and he had to do it.
"Oh, right, one more thing."
Zhu Yu seemed to recall something and lowered his voice. "According to a reliable source, the First Senior Brother may be returning, likely within the next month or two."
First Senior Brother!
In the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, there was only one person whom all disciples sincerely and respectfully called "First Senior Brother": the leader of the True Disciples, Nan Zhuoran!
Chen Qing didn’t know much about him, but he had heard Brother Qu River speak of him many times.
Whenever Nan Zhuoran was mentioned, even Qu River’s expression would turn incredibly solemn. His voice would hold a deep-seated wariness, and even a hint of awe.
This First Senior Brother was in a completely different league from Lu Chenming, who had merely occupied the tenth spot among the True Disciples.
His legend was enough to drive the other prodigies of his generation to despair.
Legend said that after becoming a True Disciple, he had taken just five years to sweep through the ranks with unstoppable momentum and claim the throne as the number one True Disciple.
He had remained immovable ever since, holding the position for a full thirteen years. Despite innumerable challenges during that time, no one had been able to budge him in the slightest.
The depths of his power were long considered unfathomable, like a vast abyss.
Since his debut, his combat record had been nothing short of glorious. He had defeated countless geniuses and renowned experts, yet he had rarely, if ever, been defeated.
Even more frightening, he was a universally acknowledged martial arts prodigy—a monster among monsters. No matter how profound or esoteric a Martial Arts Technique, he could rapidly grasp its essence and apply it in novel ways.
The speed of his Cultivation progress and the depth of his understanding of Martial Arts far exceeded those of his peers in the same Realm.
According to the prevailing consensus within the Sect, Nan Zhuoran was the person most likely to inherit the Sect Leader’s position in this generation.
In terms of power, prestige, character, and contributions to the Sect, he had reached a level that other True Disciples could barely hope to attain.
His return now would undoubtedly cause the undercurrents within the Sect to surge.
"I see." Chen Qing nodded, not at all surprised.
Before going into seclusion, Qu River had mentioned that the First Senior Brother, the top-ranked True Disciple, had been leading a group of Sect experts to eradicate the Infinite Demon Sect’s forces and was showing signs of returning.
The only thing was, this First Senior Brother was from the Nine Heavens Lineage.
Chen Qing began to ponder.
’Nan Zhuoran’s return will inevitably bolster the prestige of the Nine Heavens Lineage. For me, who just defeated Lu Chenming and caused them to lose face, this is definitely not good news.’
’I wonder what his attitude toward me will be.’
Afterwards, the two made small talk about recent goings-on in the Sect.
Chen Qing asked casually, "What happened with that task you had in the herb garden?"
A smile spread across Zhu Yu’s face. "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. The herb garden Steward not only gave the task back to me but also added an extra one hundred Contribution Points a month. He said the previous arrangement was a mistake and this was to compensate."
Chen Qing nodded at this and said nothing more.
The underlying reason was something they both understood without needing to say it aloud.
If Chen Qing hadn’t risen to the rank of True Disciple and displayed such potential and power, how could Zhu Yu have so easily reclaimed his lost post, let alone received extra compensation?
This was the most direct change that came with power.
Zhu Yu stayed for a short while longer before rising to take his leave.
The Quiet Chamber fell silent once more.
Chen Qing sat alone on his meditation cushion, his mind turning.
’Lu Chenming is plotting a comeback, the other candidates are eyeing my position like hungry tigers, and now even the First Senior Brother—a man who sits high above the rest, practically the future master of the Sect—is about to return...’
’The storm is gathering.’
A moment later, he pushed all distracting thoughts from his mind.
’Thinking about it is pointless. Time to continue my Cultivation!’
...
「Outside Celestial Treasure City, the mountain wind howled.」
Zhong Yu stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his posture as straight and tall as a pine. He was dressed in the robes of a Nine Heavens Peak Core Disciple.
Behind him stood several disciples from the Nine Heavens Lineage, all with sharp, potent auras. They held their breath in silence, their eyes fixed on the distant sky.
Before long, a few ear-piercing eagle cries echoed from the horizon, sharp enough to shatter clouds. Several black dots in the sky rapidly enlarged, revealing themselves to be magnificent, golden-feathered giant eagles.
The giant eagles landed, kicking up a fierce gale that sent sand and stones skittering across the ground.
Two figures leaped from the backs of the eagles.
The man in the lead was not especially large, yet he projected an unshakeable presence, as stable as a mountain.
His face was not handsome in a conventional sense, but his features were strong and resolute. His sword-like eyebrows slanted up toward his temples, and his eyes were profound.
Simply by standing there, he seemed to command an invisible aura that made the very air feel heavy.
This was none other than the leader of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect’s True Disciples, the First Senior Brother—Nan Zhuoran.
The other person, half a step behind him, was strikingly handsome—so much so that he could be described as beautiful.
His complexion was as smooth as jade, his lips as red as if painted, and his almond-shaped eyes exuded a natural charm with every glance.
He wore a brocade robe embroidered with intricate cloud patterns, which further accentuated his slender figure and androgynous aura.
This was Yanchi, the fourth-ranked True Disciple.
Both were True Disciples from the Nine Heavens Lineage.
"Brother Nan, Junior Brother Yan," Zhong Yu said, stepping forward and cupping his fist in greeting.
Nan Zhuoran gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over Zhong Yu and the disciples behind him. "Thank you for your trouble, Junior Brother Zhong."
"It is my duty. No trouble at all," Zhong Yu replied with a smile.
"Has anything of note happened in the Sect recently?"
Nan Zhuoran asked. He had been away from the Sect for a long time, and while he received occasional reports, they were never as comprehensive as hearing things firsthand.