Chapter 486 - 212: True Martial 3
Chen Qing felt the tension in his chest ease, but he didn’t dare let his guard down. He retreated slowly, remaining vigilant.
He subconsciously looked up toward the mysterious, unfathomable peak, obscured by the many layers of the tower.
At that moment, the Purple Light deep between his brows became exceptionally active, as if plucked by an invisible string.
’It looks like the only way to uncover its secrets is to reach the very top of the Celestial Treasure Tower.’
Chen Qing realized that the source of the Purple Light, or something closely related to it, was most likely at the very top of the tower.
He shook his head, suppressing the impulse to investigate immediately. ’This isn’t something I can accomplish overnight.’
The tower’s peak was far beyond what he could reach right now.
With this in mind, Chen Qing delayed no longer and walked out of the Treasure Tower.
His name finally settled on the twenty-sixth layer, and his rank leaped to twenty-fourth among the new disciples!
The rewards from this venture into the tower far exceeded his expectations.
Not only had he acquired a hefty sum of 2,600 Contribution Points, but he had also tested his combat prowess without resorting to his trump card, the Fusion True Gang.
It proved he was strong enough to contend with seasoned Mid-stage Astral Force masters and further confirmed the deep connection between the Purple Light and the Celestial Treasure Tower.
’I need to cultivate the Mountain-Splitting Thunder Shock Spear to the Extreme Realm as soon as possible, comprehend Thunderous Momentum, and fuse it with my Mountainous Momentum. The power of my Spear Technique will surely skyrocket. The True Martial Seal is also incredibly profound and requires diligent practice. For now, I need to gather the Five Elements and achieve the Five Astrals Combined!’
’Next, I have to break through to the Mid-stage Astral Force as quickly as I can. After all, one’s Cultivation is the foundation of everything.’
Chen Qing took a deep breath and began to strategize.
Once he combined the Five Elements, his Cultivation would surely become much more efficient.
After all, he had previously been forced to divide his attention among five different Heart Methods, making it difficult to focus.
With that in mind, Chen Qing headed straight for Wanxiang Hall. Without a moment’s hesitation, he used 2,500 Contribution Points to redeem the Sharp Gold Essence, and also purchased another twenty Quenching Gang Pills to aid his daily Cultivation.
The Quenching Gang Pills were five Contribution Points apiece, costing him another one hundred Contribution Points.
Staring at the balance on his Identity Token, which had instantly shrunk to a mere one hundred and fifty, Chen Qing was once again reminded of how precious—and fleeting—Contribution Points were.
Meanwhile, news of Chen Qing clearing the twenty-sixth layer in a single run spread like ripples in a pond, quickly reaching every corner of Xu Wang Mountain and even higher echelons of the Sect.
......
In a mountain pavilion overlooking a sea of clouds, Elders Deng Ziheng and Gong Nansong were playing a game of Go and sipping tea.
A Steward Disciple approached quietly and reported the latest results from the Celestial Treasure Tower in a low voice.
"Oh? The twenty-sixth layer?"
The hand Deng Ziheng was using to hold a game piece paused. A flicker of interest crossed his face. "So the boy couldn’t resist making a move after all," he chuckled. "To steadily reach the twenty-sixth layer with only an Early-stage Astral Force Cultivation... his true combat strength far exceeds his Realm. It seems my judgment wasn’t mistaken. With such a solid foundation and combat prowess, he can be considered among the very best of the disciples from the Hundred Sects."
Gong Nansong placed a black stone on the board and chimed in, "Quite impressive, indeed. His selection ranking was twenty-ninth, and now his combat ranking is provisionally twenty-fourth. He’s even moved up a bit. It seems his performance in the temperament and comprehension trials was excellent, and this combat trial is just as impressive. What do you think, Brother Deng? I noticed you’ve been keeping an eye on him. Have you considered taking him as a disciple?"
Deng Ziheng just smiled and shook his head, his gaze falling back to the board. "The boy is indeed a rare talent with extraordinary potential. However, what I cultivate is the Mountain Shaking Hammer Technique—a path of overwhelming force that breaks through all techniques. It’s not from the same school as his Spear Path. If I were to force him under my tutelage, I might just hold him back. Perhaps... one of those old-timers on Ten Thousand Laws Peak who specializes in the Spear Path would be more interested?"
His tone held a faint trace of regret, but no indecision.
Gong Nansong nodded in understanding. "That’s true. For a master and disciple, compatibility between their Cultivation Techniques is paramount. Still, the very fact that he caught your eye, Brother Deng, is a testament to his exceptional qualities. Let’s just see what fortune has in store for him. There are countless opportunities Within the Sect; he’s bound to find a suitable mentor eventually."
The two Elders shared a look and a smile, then said no more, returning their focus to the game. But the name Chen Qing now carried significantly more weight in their minds.
......
「Meanwhile, in a small courtyard on Xu Wang Mountain.」
Shang Lujing was in the middle of his Cultivation, faint arcs of electricity flickering around his body.
Wang Bo burst through the gate in a flurry, his voice preceding him. "Brother Shang! You’ll never guess what I just saw over at the Celestial Treasure Tower!"
Shang Lujing slowly concluded his Finishing the Practice and opened his eyes, raising a single eyebrow. "What’s got you so worked up? Did someone else clear the twenty-eighth layer?"
"Not that!"
Wang Bo’s voice was laced with disbelief. "It’s Chen Qing! That guy from the Wutai Sect! He just went to climb the tower, and guess what? He shot all the way up to the twenty-sixth layer in one go! His rank is now cemented at twenty-fourth!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
For the first time, a look of genuine surprise appeared on Shang Lujing’s face. He set down his teacup. "He’s only at the Early-stage Astral Force, yet he reached the twenty-sixth layer? Are you sure about this?"
"Absolutely! The ranking on the stone monument is as clear as day!"
Wang Bo clicked his tongue in amazement. "See? I told you that kid was something else! At our little gathering, he was the youngest, so I just figured he had decent potential. I never expected his actual combat skills to be this terrifying!"
Shang Lujing’s gaze flickered as he sank into thought.
His original impression of Chen Qing had been that of a talented and level-headed junior with promising potential—someone worth befriending, but not someone he considered a competitor on his level. After all, he himself was at the Late-stage Astral Force, ranked tenth, with his sights set on becoming a True Successor Candidate.
However, Chen Qing’s performance of reaching the twenty-sixth layer forced him to re-evaluate.
To possess such combat strength at the Early-stage Astral Force... his ability to fight opponents in higher Realms and the depth of his foundation were far beyond what Shang Lujing had anticipated.
If a person like that were to break through to the Middle or even Late Stage of Astral Force, just how terrifying would he become?
"It is... rather unexpected."
Shang Lujing nodded slowly, his tone growing more serious.
His mind raced, considering a multitude of possibilities in an instant.
Chen Qing had an old feud with the Chaoyang Sect. Originally, Shang Lujing had planned to remain neutral and simply observe.
But now, Chen Qing’s value and future potential had increased immensely. Befriending him could mean gaining a powerful ally in the future.
’That’s an investment that’s absolutely worth making.’
’It seems I’ll need to pay more attention to this Chen Qing from now on,’ Shang Lujing decided internally. ’And find the right opportunities to earn some goodwill.’
Having made up his mind, Shang Lujing said to Wang Bo, "When he has some free time, we should invite him for another gathering."
Wang Bo grinned. "Got it! I knew you’d come around, Brother Shang."
......
While the news of Chen Qing’s tower climb didn’t cause as massive a stir as Wu Anren and He Shuang reaching the twenty-eighth layer, it still generated considerable discussion and attention within the circles of new disciples and even among some of the native Inner Sect Disciples who were following the events.
Meanwhile, after exchanging his points for the Essence of Geng Metal and Quenching Gang Pills, Chen Qing returned directly to his courtyard.
He was just about to enter seclusion to properly digest his gains from the tower and begin cultivating the Nine Revolutions Gilded Gold Technique to form his final True Astral when a familiar knock sounded at his gate, followed by Shen Xiuyong’s excited voice.
"Martial Nephew! Open up! It’s me and Old Qiao!"
Chen Qing opened the gate to find Shen Xiuyong and Qiao Hongyun standing outside. Both wore broad smiles, having clearly come to congratulate him on the news.
.....