Chapter 559 - 236: Vajra (3)
For the next two days, Chen Qing focused on consolidating his qi and blood, familiarizing himself with the Power of the Vajra Indestructible Realm.
On the third day, Zhu Yu came to visit.
"Brother Chen!"
Zhu Yu greeted Chen Qing with a cupped fist.
When they first arrived at Xu Wang Mountain, Chen Qing’s strength was still beneath his. Now, however, Chen Qing was a True Successor Candidate whom he had to look up to.
"You’re too kind, Brother Zhu."
Chen Qing retracted his spear and stood still, his presence calm and a gentle smile on his face. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit today, Brother Zhu?"
He stepped aside, ushering Zhu Yu into the courtyard.
Zhu Yu walked into the small courtyard and chuckled. "I wouldn’t come here without a reason, but I’m a bit ashamed to say I mainly just wanted to pay you a visit. After all, we from the Four Mansions of the Poison Swamp are all connected, so we should keep in touch."
Chen Qing smiled, motioned for him to sit on a stone bench, and personally poured a cup of tea. "Brother Zhu, please speak freely."
’He knew perfectly well that Zhu Yu hadn’t come just to reminisce.’
Zhu Yu accepted the teacup and sighed. "It’s been over a year since we came to Xu Wang Mountain, hasn’t it?"
"Yes, it has," Chen Qing nodded.
"A shame about Brother Kong..."
Zhu Yu’s expression suddenly dimmed. "I met him during the selection trials. After we arrived at Xu Wang Mountain, we often took on missions together, supporting one another. I never thought..."
He and Kong Yian had been close friends. Kong Yian’s death was a heavy blow to him, and it led to the disbandment of their team.
Chen Qing remained silent for a moment before saying slowly, "What happened to Brother Kong is indeed deeply regrettable."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yu let out a deep sigh. "You’re right, Brother Chen. It’s just that sometimes, I can’t help but feel that while the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect is a great place, every step is fraught with peril."
His words carried a hint of genuine emotion; things had not been going well for him on Xu Wang Mountain lately.
He had ranked forty-seventh during the selection, placing him in the middle of the pack, but now he had dropped into the seventies.
Back in the Fiery Sun Sect, he was a celebrated genius. But here in the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, there were simply too many geniuses as talented as him, if not more so.
Lacking any factional support or background in the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, a place of tangled powers and influences, he was like a boat drifting without an anchor.
Zhu Yu took a deep breath and once again cupped his fist at Chen Qing. "Brother Chen, from this day forward, whether in the Outer Sect or elsewhere in the sect, if you have any miscellaneous tasks, or need someone to run errands and gather information, please just give the order! I, Zhu Yu, will do my utmost!"
Hearing this, Chen Qing understood.
’This is Zhu Yu’s clear declaration of allegiance.’
He wasn’t surprised. As his strength and status continued to rise, it was only natural that people would gradually gather around him.
Whether it was the actual True Disciples or the other True Successor Candidates, they all had followers to handle trivial matters and bolster their prestige.
Chen Qing looked at Zhu Yu and said slowly, "Brother Zhu, why sell yourself short? With your strength, if you focus on your Cultivation, you can certainly advance further."
Zhu Yu shook his head with a bitter smile. "You’re joking, Brother Chen."
’I know my own limits,’ he thought. ’With my potential and strength, even if I struggle for decades, the best I can hope for is reaching Astral Force Perfection. There’s almost no chance for me to even glimpse the True Essence Realm.’
’A disciple with such limited prospects is insignificant in the eyes of both the Upper Sect’s leadership and the Noble Families. I’m destined to never enter the inner circle.’
’But Chen Qing is different. He’s already a True Successor Candidate at such a young age. His future is boundless.’
’Even though his influence among the True Successor Candidates is weak right now, he is one of them. He has a real chance to reach the True Essence Realm and become a core figure in the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect.’
’And because his influence is still weak, my pledging allegiance now would be providing help when it’s needed most.’
Chen Qing fell into thought. ’Zhu Yu is at the Astral Force level, strong enough to handle simple tasks. Plus, he’s from the Four Mansions of the Poison Swamp, so I know his background.’
Seeing Chen Qing’s silence, Zhu Yu knew he had to press his case further. It was time to show his value.
He lowered his voice and said, "There’s one more thing. Have you heard about the Wang Family incident at Luoxing Slope, Brother Chen?"
A flicker of movement crossed Chen Qing’s eyes, but his expression remained impassive. "Oh? I’ve heard a little. Rumor has it that a disciple from our Celestial Treasure Upper Sect killed a direct descendant of the Wang Family and a Tributor at Luoxing Slope, causing quite an uproar."
"That disciple... I’ve seen him!" Zhu Yu’s voice dropped even lower, laced with a hint of pride.
"Is that so?" Chen Qing watched him with a faint smile, his gaze perfectly calm.
Zhu Yu’s face was deadly serious. "Right when the baleful tide erupted at Luoxing Slope, I was being overwhelmed by a Seven-headed Stone Lion, my life hanging by a thread. It was that disciple in the black robe who suddenly appeared. With nothing but his bare fists, he crushed the Seven-headed Stone Lion with devastating force! His strength is unfathomable, absolutely far beyond any of us."
He still felt a lingering fear as he recalled the scene.
He had originally wanted to get close to that black-robed disciple, but after learning about the incident with the Wang Family, he couldn’t help but feel a little relieved.
’That black-robed disciple may be powerful,’ he thought, ’but he’s attracted far too much trouble. It’s much safer and more reliable to side with someone like Chen Qing, who keeps a low profile and avoids conflict.’
Chen Qing smiled. "This matter has far-reaching consequences. It would be best if you didn’t mention this to anyone else, Brother Zhu."
"Of course. I understand the gravity of the situation."
Zhu Yu quickly patted his chest in assurance. "I’ve only mentioned this to you, Brother Chen. No one else."
Chen Qing nodded.
Zhu Yu decided to strike while the iron was hot, once again declaring solemnly, "Brother Chen, from now on, if you have any need of me, I, Zhu Yu, will obey without question!"
Chen Qing looked at him and finally nodded. "I appreciate the sentiment, Junior Brother Zhu. There may indeed be trivial matters I’ll need to trouble you with in the future. We all come from the Four Mansions of the Poison Swamp; it’s only right that we look out for one another."
Hearing this, Zhu Yu felt a great weight lift from his shoulders. "Thank you, Brother Chen!"
’Chen Qing’s use of ’Junior Brother Zhu’ was a clear sign of his acceptance.’
After that, the two chatted idly for a while longer, the atmosphere growing much more cordial.
After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, a satisfied Zhu Yu rose to take his leave.
Chen Qing watched Zhu Yu’s retreating figure, his gaze flickering.
’All in all, this isn’t a bad thing.’
’After all, sometimes a seemingly small bit of help can play an unexpected role at a critical moment.’
...
...