Chapter 476 - 209: The Upstart, Part 2
Her voice was gentle, carrying a hint of kindness.
Chen Qing smiled faintly and cupped his hands. "Thank you for your kindness, Eighth Miss."
Shen Qianshan nodded slightly, his gaze returning to Chen Qing with a look of approval. "Your performance in the Xu Wang Mountain selection was exceptional, young man. Ranking twenty-ninth was quite a surprise to me. I never thought the Wutai Sect could produce such a capable disciple. You’re not far from the standard of a ’True Successor Candidate.’ The younger generation is truly formidable."
Shen Qianshan had indeed been paying attention to the Xu Wang Mountain selection.
He wasn’t just watching the very top contestants; he had also taken note of the Wutai Sect.
He considered Chen Qing’s placement in the top thirty an excellent result and was very optimistic about his potential.
"True Successor Candidate?"
Hearing this, Chen Qing muttered to himself.
"It’s normal that you wouldn’t know, having just entered the Upper Sect."
Shen Qianshan stroked his beard and explained, "The disciples of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect are, on the surface, divided into three tiers: Outer Sect, Inner Sect, and True Disciple. But even among Inner Sect Disciples, there’s a world of difference. Take He Shuang and Wu Anren, for example. They are exceptionally talented with boundless potential, and it’s widely acknowledged they have a strong chance of competing for a True Inheritance seat in the future. These people are unofficially known as ’True Successor Candidates.’ The attention they garner and the resources allocated to them are far beyond what an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple could ever hope for."
Understanding dawned on Chen Qing.
’The Celestial Treasure Upper Sect is the hegemon of the Three Paths, its Sect Leader wielding immense power. The Ten Great True Disciples are the strongest contenders for that position. The web of powers behind them is intricate and complex. Vein Masters, Elders, ancient Noble Families, and other factions all place their bets, investing in their chosen candidates. And these Inner Sect Disciples, who have shown the potential to achieve True Inheritance, also become targets for various factions to befriend and recruit ahead of time. It now seems that a major reason Gong Nansong had taken He Shuang as his disciple was because she was considered a True Successor Candidate.’
Shen Qianshan looked at Chen Qing, his tone encouraging. "You mustn’t sell yourself short, young man. Being a True Successor Candidate is no small feat. It means you already have one foot in the Sect’s inner circle. With your accomplishments at such a young age, you have a very promising future."
As he spoke, he retrieved a translucent Jade Token from his sleeve and offered it to Chen Qing. "This is a Sect Contribution Points Token. It’s loaded with one thousand points and is unregistered, so you can use it without worry. Please accept it as a small welcoming gift, and as my congratulations for your performance at Xu Wang Mountain."
Standing nearby, Shen Xinyue saw this and her brow twitched almost imperceptibly. Her lips moved, but in the end, she didn’t want to embarrass the Third Elder, so she swallowed whatever she was about to say.
A thought stirred in Chen Qing’s mind. He didn’t refuse, accepting the Token with both hands and saying sincerely, "Thank you for your generous gift, Elder Shen. I’m honored, but I feel I don’t deserve it."
He understood. ’These thousand points are partly a gesture toward his old relationship with Sect Leader He, and partly a recognition of the potential I’ve demonstrated. If I were just a mediocre Inner Sect Disciple, I probably wouldn’t have even been allowed inside Tingzhu Pavilion, let alone receive such a lavish gift.’
"Don’t be so formal."
Shen Qianshan’s smile was warm and pleasant. "If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation or daily life from now on, feel free to come find me at the Shen Family estate."
After some more small talk about interesting Sect affairs and the culture of Celestial Treasure City, Chen Qing felt it was an appropriate time to leave and rose to his feet.
Shen Qianshan didn’t press him to stay, instead instructing Shen Liang to escort him out.
After Chen Qing left, Tingzhu Pavilion fell silent.
Shen Xinyue could finally no longer hold back. "Third Uncle, wasn’t one thousand Contribution Points a bit too generous? An Inner Sect Disciple’s monthly allowance is only one hundred points; you just gave him ten months’ worth in one go. And while that Chen Qing did rank twenty-ninth and has some potential, he’s still a far cry from a real ’True Successor Candidate.’"
Shen Qianshan picked up his teacup and took a sip. Only then did he set it down unhurriedly and say slowly, "Providing aid in a time of need is far more valuable than adding to a pile of riches. A disciple who is already a ’True Successor Candidate’ has their momentum for success clearly established. How many eyes are on them? How many factions are vying to curry favor? If our Shen Family approaches them now, we’re just adding one more flower to an already magnificent brocade. How much of that goodwill do you think they’ll remember?
"Besides, though the Wutai Sect may be tucked away in a remote corner, the bond between them and our family has been maintained for decades. It has never faltered. In the past, both the old Sect Leader of the Wutai Sect and the current one, He Yuzhou, have aided our Shen Family. That thousand Contribution Points is as much a sign of faith in him personally as it is a means to maintain our ties with the Wutai Sect."
"More friends mean more options. Spreading our resources and investing in various talents is the fundamental survival strategy for a Noble Family like ours. To the Shen Family, one thousand Contribution Points is a drop in the bucket. If it can be used to forge a positive connection, why wouldn’t we do it?"
He looked at Shen Xinyue and said slowly, "Xinyue, don’t fixate only on the most dazzling stars."
After hearing Shen Qianshan’s explanation, Shen Xinyue fell silent for a moment. Though not entirely convinced, her expression softened. "You are truly farsighted, Third Uncle. I understand your point. The young man certainly has potential and is remarkably composed. Reaching the Astral Force realm at his age is indeed impressive, but I still don’t see anything exceptionally unique about him. As for comparing him to a ’True Successor Candidate’... in my opinion, we’ll need more time to observe. For now... he’s just not quite there yet."
She had her own sense of pride, and especially after her third sister married a True Disciple, her standards for judging young talents had become unconsciously high.
Shen Qianshan knew her temperament. He just smiled, not bothering to argue, and turned to Shen Xinwen. "Xinwen, what about you?"
Shen Xinwen beamed, her eyes curving into crescents. "I think this Senior Brother Chen Qing is quite interesting! Coming from a place like Yunlin Prefecture with no background or support, earning a spot for Xu Wang Mountain entirely on his own merits, and even placing in the top thirty—that’s already incredible! Plus, he’s so composed, neither arrogant nor rash. I think your investment is a good one, Third Uncle. Who’s to say he won’t suddenly soar to new heights one day and astonish everyone?"