Chapter 726 - 288: Focusing the Mind
The thought alone sent a thrill through Chen Qing.
’This will be a magnificent feat, surpassing the record of the Sect Founding Ancestor!’
Suppressing this grand aspiration, he turned his attention to the three Divine Secret Techniques.
He had already witnessed Elder Deng Ziheng use the "Mountain and River Seal." It was an incomparably fierce and powerful Attack Technique that summoned the momentum of mountains and rivers to suppress all in its path.
The second, the "Profound Turtle Spirit Armor Technique," was an excellent defensive Divine Technique. It involved condensing True Essence with a trace of Earth Essence Qi to form the Profound Turtle Spirit Armor for Body Protection. It was said that upon reaching Great Success, the Spirit Armor would become Everlasting, granting astonishing defensive power.
The third technique, the "True Martial Demon-Vanquishing Sword Array," was not a Spear Technique. Instead, it was a Divine Technique that involved compressing True Essence to its limits, transforming it into an indomitable and piercing Sword Array. Its core intent was inherited from the same lineage as the True Martial Demon-Vanquishing Spear Intent, specializing in shattering demons and heretics. Its power was exceptionally tyrannical, but it was also the most difficult to cultivate.
As he carefully comprehended the cultivation secrets of the three Divine Techniques, Chen Qing quickly discovered that Divine Secret Techniques were completely different from Martial Arts Techniques.
Martial Arts Techniques focused more on application skills, methods for channeling power, and fusion with one’s intent. They operated on the level of ’skill.’
Divine Secret Techniques, however, began to involve guiding, leveraging, and even commanding the external Power of Heaven and Earth. They operated on the level of ’principle,’ requiring the use of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi and manifesting it through a unique method of circulating True Essence.
’Divine Secret Techniques are more like a preliminary application and understanding of Magic. They aren’t set in stone. In theory, if my understanding of a certain ’principle’ is profound enough, I could even develop and create my own unique Divine Techniques.’
Chen Qing was lost in thought, feeling as if he had just pushed open a new door.
However, it was easier said than done.
Mastering these three Divine Techniques was no easy task, as each had its own prerequisites.
The Mountain and River Seal required one to gather pure "Earth Essence Qi" from the ley lines of the earth and integrate it into their True Essence. Only then could they begin to condense the Seal Technique and summon the momentum of mountains and rivers.
Gathering Earth Essence Qi was not easy; one had to find a ley line node, and the process was both time-consuming and exhausting.
The Profound Turtle Spirit Armor Technique, meanwhile, required one to refine a type of Extreme Cold Evil Qi known as "North Nether Profound Fiend" into their body. This had to be combined with True Essence to condense the Profound Turtle Spirit Armor.
North Nether Profound Fiend was quite rare, typically only found in the bitterly cold lands of the far north or deep within certain special Secret Realms.
As for the True Martial Demon-Vanquishing Sword Array, its requirements were even more demanding.
Not only did it require a full eighteen Treasure Swords with compatible attributes and interconnected spirituality to serve as the array’s foundation, but there was a more critical requirement. One had to draw upon a celestial marvel known as "Celestial Yang True Water" to cleanse their Sea of Qi. This would allow their True Essence to nurture a brilliant Righteous Qi of Supreme Yang and Firmness. Only then could they command the Sword Array and unleash its supreme, Demon-Vanquishing and Evil-Exterminating power.
’As expected, Divine Secret Techniques are by no means easy to master.’
Chen Qing shook his head.
He had his panel, though. As long as he met the most basic entry-level conditions, the rest of the Cultivation could be accomplished through diligence and a sheer volume of resources.
Chen Qing pushed the thoughts aside and focused his Heart and Spirit. He continued to circulate the Taixu Scripture to consolidate his newly attained True Essence Realm Cultivation. At the same time, he nurtured his nascent Divine Sense, making his final preparations for the challenge on the Seven-Star Platform in a few days.
Outside the courtyard, winter snow fell quietly, blanketing the mountains. But beneath the tranquility, an undercurrent still surged.
....
Four days later, the Seven-Star Platform was packed with people.
Inner Sect Disciples of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, having caught wind of the event, had swarmed the area, surrounding the massive platform completely.
The disciples of the Nine Heavens Lineage were the most numerous among them, their presence vast and imposing. They had clearly come to cheer on Lu Chenming.
In the best viewing spot near the stage, two figures were particularly eye-catching: the True Disciples of the Nine Heavens Lineage, Zhong Yu and Yanchi.
Zhong Yu stood tall and had a handsome face. He gazed at the empty stage and said coolly, "Junior Brother Lu’s momentum is unstoppable now that he’s broken through. There’s no doubt he’ll win. I just hope he doesn’t get carried away by their old grudge and strike too heavily. After all, this is just a spar between fellow disciples; a light touch is all that’s needed."
His words seemed fair, but when he mentioned "old grudge," his tone carried a deeper meaning.
This wasn’t just because of the rivalry between lineages. On a deeper level, it was perhaps also tinged with a strange animosity toward Chen Qing stemming from matters concerning Shen Xiuyong, Ruan Lingxiu, and others.
Yanchi, who was beside him, let out a soft chuckle.
He wore a scarlet robe today that made his skin seem whiter than snow. The beauty of his face caused many nearby disciples, seeing him for the first time, to stare in a daze, their hearts fluttering.
However, when some of the newer disciples learned from others that this "beauty" was, in fact, a man, they were all stunned. They quickly turned away, sighing to themselves that such a beautiful man could exist, while simultaneously finding the notion incredibly bizarre.
Yanchi paid no mind to the surrounding stares. "Why worry so much, Brother Zhong? Junior Brother Lu knows his limits. But then again, this Chen Qing was able to force Junior Brother Lu to go all out back when they were in the Astral Force Realm—and even defeat him. Though Chen Qing’s Realm is lower now, who’s to say he doesn’t have another ace up his sleeve? I, for one, think this battle might be more interesting than we expect."
His gaze shifted, a playful glint in his eyes. He seemed to relish the possibility of something unexpected happening.
In contrast to Zhong Yu’s ill will, he was actually quite curious about Chen Qing.
After all, there were not many Body Refining practitioners within the Sect, and certainly not one like Chen Qing, who was known to cultivate a supreme secret teaching of the Buddhist Sect.
When Qu River arrived with the disciples of the True Martial Lineage, the atmosphere at the venue grew heavy, and everyone’s expression turned solemn.
He alone remained as calm as still water, yet a flicker of imperceptible anticipation lay hidden in his eyes.
The news of his junior brother’s breakthrough into the True Essence Realm had not leaked out in the slightest.
When the duel began, it would be an earth-shattering revelation that would shock everyone present.
At this thought, the faintest hint of a smile touched the corners of Qu River’s mouth.