Chapter 564 - 238: The Duel
'Why was Qu River willing to fight for an Elixir for me, even going so far as to argue with Luo Chengxuan?'
'Wasn't it because he saw my potential and the returns I might bring in the future?'
'Just as Qu River said, one must fight when necessary and reveal one's edge at the right time.'
'If I hide my strength and back down from challenges, others will see me as a timid pushover. Not only would Han Xiong press his advantage, but I'm afraid even people within the True Martial Lineage, and perhaps Brother Qu River himself, would doubt whether I am worth the continued investment.'
'Once I'm labeled 'unpromising,' the path ahead will become even more difficult.'
Thinking of this, Chen Qing met Han Xiong's gaze and said, "Thirty thousand!"
"What?"
A trace of confusion appeared on Han Xiong's face.
Chen Qing said calmly, "Thirty thousand Contribution Points, and I'll agree to a match with you."
Han Xiong had expected Chen Qing to refuse or hesitate. He never imagined the other man would be so direct, raising the price to a number that even startled him.
Thirty thousand Contribution Points!
Even for a veteran True Successor Candidate like him, his wealth was far from enough to casually produce thirty thousand Contribution Points.
Contribution Points were Cultivation Resources. His daily Cultivation and exchanges for Elixirs and Martial Arts consumed a huge amount, so his savings were limited.
'This brat, does he really think he has me in the bag?'
'He's simply courting death!'
"Fine! I accept!"
Han Xiong immediately agreed, afraid that Chen Qing would go back on his word. "Three days from now, at the Seven-Star Platform, we'll settle this!"
He didn't believe he would lose.
'A Mid-stage Astral Force cultivator, even an exceptionally talented one—could he really defeat me, someone who's been at Astral Force Perfection for years?'
"Fine."
Chen Qing replied calmly, his tone without the slightest ripple.
Chen Qing wasn't sure if Han Xiong had thirty thousand Contribution Points on hand, but he believed that with Han Xiong's status as a True Successor Candidate of the Mystic Sun Lineage, plus the subtle backing of the Shen Family, he could definitely produce it. In fact, he would have to.
Otherwise, the Mystic Sun Lineage would lose all face, a consequence even more severe than losing the match itself.
Han Xiong gave Chen Qing a deep look, then departed with a flick of his sleeves.
Zhu Yu closed the courtyard gate, his face etched with unconcealable worry. He lowered his voice. "Brother Chen, you really agreed? That's Han Xiong! He's been at Astral Force Perfection for three years; he's no easy opponent! Shouldn't we reconsider this, or maybe ask Brother Qu River to mediate..."
Chen Qing's expression was placid. "I've agreed, and that's that," he said calmly. "Since he came looking for a fight, there's no avoiding it."
Zhu Yu looked at Chen Qing's calm face, and the anxiety and doubt in his heart slowly dissipated.
In the time he had followed Chen Qing, he had come to know that while his senior brother was young, his mind was sharp and his actions were steady. He was far from being impulsive or reckless.
'Since he dared to agree, he must have an ace up his sleeve.'
'Could it be... Brother Chen's strength is far beyond the Mid-stage Astral Force he appears to have?'
Zhu Yu startled himself the moment the thought arose.
'But Han Xiong is at Astral Force Perfection!'
'No matter how much of a genius Brother Chen is, can he really defeat someone at Perfection while only in the Middle Stage?'
"...I understand."
Zhu Yu took a deep breath and cupped his fist. "Since you've made your decision, Brother, I will support you with all my strength! During these three days, do you need me to look into Han Xiong's recent techniques and frequently used Martial Arts? He's fought quite a few times in the Inner Sect, so we should be able to find some patterns."
"If you need any errands run or information gathered, just call for me."
Zhu Yu bowed respectfully, then turned and left the small courtyard.
The courtyard gate closed softly, and tranquility returned to the courtyard.
Chen Qing slowly let out a breath, went to the Quiet Chamber, and sat down cross-legged.
Thirty thousand Contribution Points!
'If I win Han Xiong's thirty thousand Contribution Points, not only can I pay back Pei Tingchun the nine thousand I owe, but I'll also have over twenty thousand left over. That's a considerable fortune.'
Chen Qing's gaze fell upon the Pure Yang Yuan Astral Pill in his palm.
A faint radiance flowed across the Pill's surface, emitting an aura of Supreme Yang and Pure Primordial Gang Qi.
He no longer hesitated and put the Pill directly into his mouth.
The Pill melted the moment it entered his mouth. It didn't dissolve into liquid, but instead exploded instantly, like a miniature sun erupting in his abdomen!
BOOM!
A majestic, scorching medicinal power, like a bursting flood or thousands of red-hot Golden Needles, instantly surged through his limbs and into his meridians and acupoints.
Chen Qing felt as if his entire network of meridians had been thrown into a furnace, and waves of searing, tearing pain washed over him.
He dared not delay, immediately Embracing the Origin and Guarding Unity and circulating the "Five Elements True Astral" with all his might.
His Five Elements True Astral, which had been flowing endlessly through his meridians, majestic and condensed, now seemed somewhat impure under the assault of the Pill's Supreme Yang and Pure medicinal power.
The Pure Yang Yuan Astral Qi acted like the finest filter, or an invisible forge hammer, repeatedly washing over and battering Chen Qing's True Astral.
TSSSSSS—!
It was as if a subtle tempering sound came from within his body. Under the baptism of the pure yang medicinal power, trace impurities were refined away, and the True Astral itself grew visibly purer by the second!
Its color deepened, and as it circulated, it gained a smoother, more harmonious quality.
The effect was instantaneous!
Chen Qing immersed his Heart and Spirit, guiding the medicinal power to temper his True Astral and solidify his foundation.
......
「The Shen Family, at the Wanqing Institute where Second Elder Shen Wanqing resided.」
At this moment, the Shen Family's Second Elder, Shen Wanqing, was seated in the place of honor.
Light footsteps approached from afar. Shen Xinyue, dressed in an aquamarine gown, entered the hall. Seeing her grandfather's expression, she curtsied properly. "Grandfather, you were looking for me?"
Shen Wanqing raised his eyelids to look at his most beloved granddaughter. "Have you heard the news?" he said in a heavy voice. "Han Xiong is going to fight Chen Qing at the Seven-Star Platform."
"What!?"
At his words, Shen Xinyue's lovely eyes widened. "Chen Qing and Han Xiong? Those two... How could they..."
Her thoughts raced, and she immediately latched onto a possibility. 'Could it be because of the previous marriage alliance rumors, and the old grudge from when Han Xiong held a banquet and deliberately excluded Chen Qing?'
'Or is it for some other reason?'
Her heart couldn't help but clench.
"That's right. The news has already spread throughout the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect. A duel between two True Successor Candidates, and with heavy stakes, no less."
Shen Wanqing's brow furrowed. "This Chen Qing comes from the Wutai Sect, so there's at least some minor connection to our Shen Family. Han Xiong, on the other hand, is someone our Shen Family has poured immense effort into supporting. What's more, he's your future husband..."
After a long moment, Shen Xinyue collected herself. "Grandfather, what is your take on this?"
"Han Xiong achieved Astral Force Perfection three years ago. His foundation is incredibly solid, and he has had our Shen Family's resources poured into him. His strength is among the very top of the Inner Sect's True Successor Candidates."
Shen Wanqing paused, then shook his head. "Conversely, that Chen Qing is only at Mid-stage Astral Force. Even if he holds the title of True Successor Candidate, how can the chasm in Cultivation be so easily crossed?"
In his eyes, there was no suspense in this duel whatsoever.
How could the True Successor Candidate our Shen Family has invested so much in possibly lose to Chen Qing?
Listening to her grandfather's assessment, Shen Xinyue found herself thinking the same thing.
Logic told her that her grandfather's analysis was correct. The gap between Mid-stage Astral Force and Perfection was simply too vast. There was no reason for Brother Han to lose.
Chen Qing's actions were tantamount to an egg striking a stone.
And yet, for some reason, an indescribably complex emotion welled up inside her.
She didn't understand. She truly didn't understand.
"What grandfather says is true."
Shen Xinyue agreed in a low voice. "Brother Han's Cultivation is profound, so his chances of winning are naturally very high. It's just... that Chen Qing... why would he accept a fight he's bound to lose?"
She voiced the doubt in her heart, as if asking her grandfather, yet also asking herself.
Shen Wanqing snorted. "What other reason could there be? He's young and hot-headed, unable to take a taunt. Does he really think he's one of those one-in-a-million geniuses who can challenge those in higher realms!?"
"Daring to agree to a match he's certain to lose is utterly foolish! It seems my third brother really misjudged him this time. With a disposition like that, he'll never amount to much."
He believed Chen Qing was acting out of resentment over the marriage alliance and had lost all sense of proportion.
Shen Xinyue secretly shook her head, a flicker of pity for Chen Qing in her heart.
......
「Profound Sun Peak, within a courtyard.」
A trusted disciple stood bowing before Luo Chengxuan, reporting the latest news in a low voice.
"...Brother Han has made a wager with Chen Qing. Three days from now at Noon, on the Seven-Star Platform, it will be the Pure Yang Yuan Astral Pill against thirty thousand Contribution Points."
Luo Chengxuan, who had just lifted his brush to dip it in ink, preparing to copy an ancient work of calligraphy, paused mid-motion at the news.
"Oh? Han Xiong... certainly works fast."
He slowly set down his brush and looked up, his face unreadable.
The trusted disciple couldn't gauge Luo Chengxuan's thoughts and asked cautiously, "Brother, regarding this matter, should we..."
Luo Chengxuan waved his hand, cutting him off.
He paced to the window, gazing out at the endless halls and pavilions of Profound Sun Peak.
"Han Xiong is indeed quick on the uptake. My guidance wasn't wasted on him."
Luo Chengxuan said slowly, "Qu River, oh, Qu River. So what if you embarrassed me? The Pill hasn't been consumed yet. This time, my Mystic Sun Lineage will not only get the Pill back, but we will also take it from your True Martial Lineage, fair and square!"
He turned around, the faint smile on his face gone, his usual composure restored.
'This is a perfect opportunity to regain the face I lost, and also to thoroughly suppress the prestige of Qu River and the True Martial Lineage.'
.....