Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chen Qing returned the salute.

After the two left, he took a few steps forward and said respectfully, "Disciple Chen Qing pays his respects to Elder Pei."

"Alright, alright, no need to put on such a formal act every time you visit."

Pei Tingchun finally lifted his eyelids, his gaze sweeping over the oil-paper package and wine jug in Chen Qing’s hand. His tone seemed to soften slightly. "Go on, what brings you here this time? Have you hit a bottleneck in your Cultivation of the Thousand Rain Flowing Shadow Spear? Do you need this old man’s guidance?"

"I’m here to redeem the True Martial Demon-Vibrating Spear."

Chen Qing said, handing over the roasted chicken and fine wine. "Just a small token of my appreciation."

"Oh?"

Pei Tingchun was surprised, but his expression remained impassive. "The True Martial Demon-Vibrating Spear costs thirty thousand Contribution Points. Seeing as you’re a Core Disciple of the True Martial Lineage, I’ll give you a fair price. Fifteen thousand Contribution Points will suffice."

’So there is room to negotiate!’ Chen Qing thought.

However, he put on a troubled expression and said in a low voice, "Elder Pei, this price... could you possibly make it a little cheaper?"

He was well aware that an Instructor Elder held considerable authority. The Sect’s prices were fixed, but there was often significant leeway in their application, especially for Core Disciples of one’s own lineage.

This was one of the unspoken perks of being a disciple of the True Martial Lineage.

"Thirty thousand down to fifteen thousand is already half off! And you’re still not satisfied, you brat?"

Pei Tingchun’s eyes widened as he snapped, "This is the absolute lowest price I can give you within my authority! An Unparalleled Martial Arts technique isn’t some cabbage you can buy at the market!"

Chen Qing gave an embarrassed laugh. "Elder Pei, in that case... can I pay on credit?"

"On credit?"

Pei Tingchun’s eyebrow shot up as if he’d heard something truly novel. "Where did you pick up an idea like that? With Sect Contribution Points, it’s always been payment first, teaching second. We never offer credit!"

He paused, his tone softening with a hint of resignation. "Fine, fine. You’re a diligent kid, I’ll give you that. Tell me, how many Contribution Points do you have right now?"

The True Martial Lineage didn’t have many outstanding disciples, and they were often ostracized and suppressed by the other three lineages.

When the time was right, the experts of the True Martial Lineage would help out the disciples under their banner.

Chen Qing answered honestly, "To answer the Elder, I have six thousand points left."

Pei Tingchun mulled it over for a moment. "I’ll cover the remaining nine thousand points for you. Consider it a debt you owe me. You can pay me back later when you have the points."

Chen Qing was overjoyed. He quickly bowed with clasped fists. "Thank you, Elder Pei! I will never forget your great kindness!"

He was both grateful and secretly amazed. ’Elder Pei is really loaded,’ he thought. ’Nine thousand Contribution Points, fronted just like that. That’s no small sum.’

"You kid..."

Pei Tingchun shook his head, then broke into a smile.

After observing him for some time, his impression of the young man had become quite favorable.

His personality was low-key and unassuming, and he was a diligent cultivator.

Moreover, he was harboring a deep curiosity about Chen Qing.

Half a year ago, the kid had redeemed the Thousand Rain Flowing Shadow Spear, and now he was here for the True Martial Demon-Vibrating Spear... ’Could he really have comprehended Rain Momentum in such a short time?’

What impressed Pei Tingchun even more was that every time Chen Qing came to the Dharma Transmission Hall, he, unlike other disciples, almost never spent Contribution Points to ask for guidance on his Cultivation. He was the most "frugal" disciple he’d ever seen.

"The Contribution Points will be settled later. Watch closely. I will only demonstrate the essentials of the True Martial Demon-Vibrating Spear once. How much you grasp will depend on your own aptitude."

Pei Tingchun gathered his thoughts, his expression turning solemn. He formed a sword-finger and pointed it from afar, directly at the spot between Chen Qing’s eyebrows!

In an instant, a series of phantoms appeared in Chen Qing’s mind.

Shadows of a spear danced and flew, at times resembling the True Martial World, suppressing demons with magnificent power.

A bright light flashed on the panel in Chen Qing’s mind.

[True Martial Demon-Vibrating Spear (Entry Realm): 1/2000]

He had not only learned this Unparalleled Spear Skill in an instant, but he had also stepped directly into the Entry Realm!

After finishing his demonstration, Pei Tingchun said leisurely, "This Unparalleled Spear Skill is vast and profound. Reaching the Entry Realm is fraught with difficulty and impossible without great perseverance and comprehension. My guidance—at three hundred Contribution Points per hour—can greatly shorten the time it takes you to reach it and help you avoid many pitfalls. How about it? Want to put it on your tab?"

Chen Qing’s eyes snapped open. He clasped his fist and said, "Thank you for the kind offer, Elder Pei, but I’d like to try and comprehend it on my own first!"

’Are you kidding me? Three hundred Contribution Points for one hour!’

’With the Fate Plate, paid guidance is the last thing I need!’

’I have to save every point I can!’

Seeing Chen Qing’s expression, like he was afraid of being fleeced, the corner of Pei Tingchun’s mouth twitched. "Cultivate well, and don’t tarnish the reputation of this Spear Technique!"

"This disciple takes his leave!"

Chen Qing bowed once more, then turned and strode quickly out of the Dharma Transmission Hall.

Pei Tingchun watched Chen Qing’s rapidly disappearing back, then picked up the nearby wine jug and took a long swig. He chuckled and muttered under his breath, "That kid... certainly runs fast."

He set the jug down, but his pensive gaze once again drifted toward the hall’s entrance.

’Strange... For a moment there, the kid’s aura... it didn’t seem like he was starting from scratch? Could he really have...’

An absurd thought once again surfaced in Pei Tingchun’s mind.

He shook his head, finding the idea unbelievable, yet he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of anticipation.

’The True Martial Lineage... perhaps we really have an interesting little fellow on our hands.’

...

As Chen Qing left the Dharma Transmission Hall, his mind was already calculating how to quickly gather the nine thousand Contribution Points he owed.

After all, his future Cultivation would also consume Contribution Points.

Just as he stepped out the door, he came face-to-face with a familiar figure.

It was none other than the True Martial Lineage’s sole True Disciple, Qu He.

"Brother Qu!"

Chen Qing immediately collected his thoughts, clasping his fist in salute.