Chapter 525 - 225: Tongtian
Chen Qing was inwardly shocked. ’For one person’s defection to cause such a massive storm and deal a heavy blow to the entire Celestial Treasure Upper Sect... how terrifying must his power be?’
He couldn’t help but ask, "Elder Pei, this person... is he still alive?"
Pei Tingchun glanced at him and nodded slowly. "He is. He’s currently in the Golden Court Great Snow Mountain to the north. He is also the only person in the world today who can still use the complete True Martial Seal. Oh, and by seniority, he is the current Sect Leader’s senior brother."
’The Sect Leader’s senior brother! The Golden Court Great Snow Mountain!’
Chen Qing’s mind reeled.
The Golden Court is located north of Yan Country. It’s composed of the Eight Great Tribes, who all revere the Holy Teaching Great Snow Mountain.
To think that this person could join the Great Snow Mountain after his defection and still be alive and well over two hundred years later... his power must be truly unfathomable.
’Could Li Lao Deng have gotten the True Martial Seal from this Li Qingyu?’
’What is the connection between them?’
Chen Qing grew even more confused. ’Could it be... that Li Lao Deng *is* Li Qingyu!?’
His heart hammered in his chest. Suppressing his tumultuous thoughts, he said, "Elder Pei, then... why did Senior Li Qingyu betray the Sect back then?"
Pei Tingchun shook his head, a guarded look on his face. "Very few know the true story behind that incident. Even those who do mostly keep their mouths shut. The Sect’s records on the matter are vague, but a few rumors have trickled down over the years..."
He lowered his voice and said ominously, "It seems to be related to the Celestial Treasure Tower."
’The Celestial Treasure Tower!?’
Chen Qing’s face remained impassive.
Pei Tingchun let out an enigmatic chuckle. "You think the Celestial Treasure Tower is just some artifact for disciples’ trials and rankings? You’re wrong! The tower is an exceptionally rare supreme treasure, one of the thirteen acknowledged Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasures in the world today! It possesses unfathomable power. However, in the long years since the Founder passed away, no one besides him has ever been able to truly control this Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure."
’A Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure!’
It was the first time Chen Qing had heard this term, but from the name alone, he knew it far surpassed so-called Divine Weapons, Treasure Artifacts, and even Spiritual Treasures!
Pei Tingchun’s gaze grew distant. "Back in the day," he said slowly, "it was precisely by relying on his Heaven-Reaching Divine Techniques and this very Celestial Treasure Tower that our Founder established the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, which for a time became the undisputed number one Upper Sect in the Yan Region. It’s a pity... what flourishes must eventually fade..."
The lament in his voice was like a heavy sigh.
Chen Qing couldn’t resist asking, "Elder Pei, does that mean no one in our Sect has been able to control the Celestial Treasure Tower since the Founder?"
His tone was tinged with curiosity.
"No one. There are usually two ways to wield a Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure. You only need to meet one of the conditions."
Pei Tingchun said slowly, "First, gain the recognition of the Spiritual Treasure itself and have it acknowledge you as its master. But this is as difficult as ascending to the heavens; it’s impossible without immense fate and fortune. The second is to temporarily command it, relying on either a special Technique or sufficient power."
’Temporarily command...’ Chen Qing repeated the phrase to himself.
This meant that even if one couldn’t completely control the Celestial Treasure Tower, it might be possible to wield the Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure temporarily through some other method.
His gaze drifted involuntarily toward the window, landing on the majestic, towering form of the Celestial Treasure Tower.
’The Purple Light, the Celestial Treasure Tower, the defector Li Qingyu... is there some unknown connection between them?’
Pei Tingchun continued slowly, "It is precisely because Li Qingyu defected to the Great Snow Mountain that the relationship between our Celestial Treasure Upper Sect and them has always been rather tense. If you’re traveling in the future and encounter disciples from the Great Snow Mountain, you must be extra careful. And if the opportunity arises..."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes. "...you might as well ’take care’ of a few of them."
A chill ran through Chen Qing. He nodded. "This disciple will remember."
He committed this feud to memory. The Great Snow Mountain was an immense power, and its disciples were surely not to be trifled with. He would have to be extremely cautious if he encountered them in the future.
Just then, Pei Tingchun suddenly changed the subject. He looked at Chen Qing with a faint, wry smile. "Kid, this old man has spent a lot of breath telling you so many old secrets today. This information would probably be worth a few hundred Contribution Points in the records of Wanxiang Hall, don’t you think? Shouldn’t you... show a little appreciation?"
Hearing this, Chen Qing gave a wry smile and cupped his hands. "Elder Pei, please understand. For the sake of my Cultivation, this disciple is truly short on Contribution Points right now. My pockets are completely empty. I will engrave the kindness you’ve shown in clearing my doubts in my heart. If I achieve anything in the future, I will certainly repay you generously!"
Seeing Chen Qing’s ’you can have my life, but not my Contribution Points’ expression, Pei Tingchun was speechless. He grumbled internally, ’This kid is a slippery one! Any other disciple who sees me is overwhelmingly respectful, practically willing to hand over their family fortune for a bit of guidance. But this brat only knows how to freeload for information. He’s a real cheapskate—won’t even spare a single feather!’
He waved his hand irritably. "Go, go. Cultivate well, and don’t forget you’re a disciple of the True Martial Lineage. Don’t you dare tarnish our name!"
"Many thanks, Elder Pei! This disciple takes his leave." Chen Qing bowed again and respectfully exited the Dharma Transmission Hall.
Leaving True Martial Peak, Chen Qing’s mind remained in turmoil for a long time.
Pei Tingchun’s words had revealed some of the Sect’s secrets, but they had only made him more confused about the Treasure Tower and the Purple Light.
And the fact that Li Lao Deng knew the True Martial Seal... did it have anything to do with Li Qingyu!?
’I’ll have to be extra careful when I use the True Martial Seal in the future.’
"Nine Revolutions Rejuvenation Pill... Li Qingyu... Celestial Treasure Tower... Great Snow Mountain..."
After a moment of racing thoughts, Chen Qing muttered to himself, "The most urgent matter is still Contribution Points. I have to exchange them for a Nine Revolutions Rejuvenation Pill."
....