Chapter 567 - 239: The Competition
She didn’t want Chen Qing to follow in her footsteps, to taste the same bitterness she had experienced under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
But she also felt that Chen Qing’s chances of winning were extremely slim.
Chen Qing listened, then solemnly cupped his fist. "Thank you for informing me, Senior Sister Meng."
"You... be careful."
A thousand words were ultimately reduced to this single phrase.
Meng Qianxue gave Chen Qing a deep look, then turned and left. The hem of her dress brushed over the threshold, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible trace of melancholy.
After seeing Meng Qianxue off, the small courtyard finally fell completely silent.
Chen Qing stood in the courtyard, his Heart and Spirit calm, the Diancang Spear already in his hand.
His mind moved, and his body followed the spear.
The Diancang Spear sliced through the air with a low hum.
At first, his Spear Momentum was a bit deliberate, but as the moves unfolded, the pure Five Elements True Astral in his body surged endlessly, gradually merging with his Spear Momentum.
He attempted to integrate the stability of Mountainous Momentum, the explosiveness of Thunderous Momentum, and the dense yet sudden strikes of Rain Momentum—three forces he had already begun to fuse—into the framework of the True Martial Demon-Vibrating Spear.
The spear whistled through the air, creating invisible currents that swirled around the courtyard.
Again and again, until evening.
[Heaven Rewards Diligence: Success is inevitable]
[True Martial Demon-Vibrating Spear, Minor Achievement: (1/5000)]
’From entry-level to Minor Achievement in about two months.’
Chen Qing retracted his spear and stood still, his aura long and steady.
He could feel that after reaching Minor Achievement in the True Martial Demon-Vibrating Spear, executing the moves was much smoother and more natural, and its power had increased significantly.
’The True Martial Demon-Vibrating Spear is vast and profound. To cultivate it to the Extreme Realm and comprehend Spear Intent will still require a great deal of patient effort.’
Chen Qing caressed the shaft of the spear, feeling no impatience in his heart. ’With my Fate Plate, it’s only a matter of time.’
’Once I get these thirty thousand Contribution Points and pay back my debt to Elder Pei, I’ll have some to spare. I must ask if there are any superior Body Refining Techniques within the Sect.’
The Path of Body Refining was arduous and painful, fraught with bottlenecks, and consumed vast amounts of resources. Consequently, very few specialized in it.
Many experts preferred to focus their time and energy on True Astral Cultivation and the study of Martial Arts rather than endure that inhuman torment and the lengthy process of accumulation.
But Chen Qing had personally experienced the immense benefits of the Eight Extremes Vajra Body.
The Vajra Indestructible Realm gave his Flesh Body alone the power to contend with and even suppress ordinary Late-stage Astral Force cultivators. His vitality was immense, and his Life Force and recovery speed far surpassed his peers.
This not only greatly enhanced his combat strength but also increased his ability to survive.
...
「Two days later, at the Seven-Star Platform.」
This massive martial stage, carved from a single block of Cyan Gang Rock, was already mobbed by disciples who had heard the news.
Below the stage, heads bobbed in a massive crowd, the noise a deafening roar. Inner Sect Disciples and disciples from Xu Wang Mountain mingled together, and even a few Stewards could be seen.
A public duel between True Successor Candidates, especially one involving such a huge wager and the delicate situation between two lineages, was enough to attract a great deal of attention.
As the notary for this duel, Steward Wu, the guardian of the Seven-Star Platform, stood by the side of the stage with a solemn expression.
At the front of the crowd, several figures were particularly eye-catching.
The True Disciples, Qu River and Luo Chengxuan, stood on opposite sides of the arena at a slight distance. Although they weren’t speaking, their invisible auras already drew the gazes of the surrounding disciples.
Qu River’s expression was calm, his indifferent gaze fixed on the empty arena. He hadn’t originally intended to come in person and put too much pressure on Chen Qing, but after learning that Luo Chengxuan was personally present to support Han Xiong, he had no choice but to show up.
Luo Chengxuan, on the other hand, had a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his lips. He was speaking in low tones with a familiar Steward beside him, looking completely at ease.
Everyone present understood clearly: this duel, while appearing to be a conflict between Chen Qing and Han Xiong, was in fact a veiled clash between the True Martial and Xuan Yang lineages.
On another side, Shen Xinyue stood with her older sister, Shen Xinrou.
Shen Xinyue gazed at the arena, her slender, jade-like fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes, her expression complicated.
Shen Xinrou gently patted her wrist and said comfortingly, "Xinyue, there’s no need to worry. Junior Brother Han reached Astral Force Perfection three years ago. His foundation is deep, his True Astral is powerful, and he has the full support of his family. How can that Chen Qing possibly compare? In this battle, his victory is certain."
Her tone was resolute, filled with confidence in Han Xiong’s strength.
Hearing this, Shen Xinyue nodded.
She was well aware of Han Xiong’s strength; the possibility of Chen Qing winning was minuscule.
Not far away, Wan Shangyi, Liu Yun, Qian Baole, and a few other True Successor Candidates were also gathered together.
Qian Baole snapped his Jade Bone Fan shut and said with a smile, "Senior Sister Liu, Brother Wan, in your opinion, what are Brother Han’s chances of winning this fight?"
Liu Yun, dressed in a water-blue gown, looked at Chen Qing on the stage, whose aura was calm and focused. She said coolly, "Brother Han reached Astral Force Perfection many years ago, and his Heaven-Burning Eight Desolations Hammer has long since reached the Extreme Realm. Logically and reasonably, his chances of winning should be over ninety percent."
Her tone was exceptionally calm, as if she were stating an objective fact.
’Although Han Xiong’s actions were unsightly, they had inadvertently saved her a lot of trouble.’
’Chen Qing had achieved so much at such a young age; given time, he would surely become a major threat.’
’Now, with Han Xiong stepping in to suppress him, it was the perfect opportunity to blunt his edge.’
’Moreover, she could use this opportunity to probe Han Xiong’s true strength—if Chen Qing could force him to reveal some of his hidden trump cards, it would be the best of both worlds.’
Qian Baole chimed in, "Brother Han’s foundation is indeed deep, not something Junior Brother Chen can compare to. After all, Junior Brother Chen is young and has only just joined the Sect. His courage in accepting this challenge is already commendable."
His words seemed to carry a hint of admiration for Chen Qing.
Wan Shangyi crossed his arms and didn’t join the conversation, merely staring silently at the arena, his thoughts unknown.
For them, Han Xiong suppressing a potential competitor was naturally a welcome development.