Chapter 549 - 233: Wang Family
After everyone was seated, Ruan Lingxiu, as the host, smiled and said, "Junior Brother Chen, you’ve become a True Successor Candidate at such a young age. And Junior Sister Meng’s reputation has long preceded her. You are both pillars of our Sect’s future. You should exchange insights on Cultivation often."
"That’s right."
Shen Xiuyong chimed in, "My martial nephew here is good at everything, except he’s too withdrawn. All he does is Cultivation, completely oblivious to the world outside... Oh, right, he does go fishing occasionally."
He added with a smile, trying to lighten the mood, "Junior Sister Meng’s Cultivation is profound and she is very experienced. You should ask her for guidance more often in the future."
Hearing this, a bitter smile touched Meng Qianxue’s lips. She said in a low voice, "Please don’t make fun of me. A defeated general has no right to speak of valor. I’m afraid I have nothing to teach Junior Brother Chen now."
Chen Qing’s expression remained calm as he said, "Senior Sister Meng, you are too modest. The Perfect Astral Force Realm is a level of immense power that we all look up to. Victory and defeat are common in battle. A single loss in a spar doesn’t negate your strength or potential, Senior Sister."
Meng Qianxue felt much better after hearing this.
At that moment, serving maids filed in, presenting exquisite delicacies.
The dishes were clearly no ordinary fare. The ingredients used were all types of Treasure Medicine, most likely exchanged for a high price using Contribution Points through special Sect channels.
’True Disciples are truly extravagant,’ Chen Qing sighed inwardly. ’They’re in a completely different league from ordinary Inner Sect Disciples.’
"Go on, eat while it’s hot. There’s no need for formalities."
Ruan Lingxiu gave a faint smile and gestured for everyone to begin eating.
During the meal, they chatted idly.
Shen Xiuyong seemed to recall something and asked, "Lingxiu, I’ve heard some stirrings Within the Sect recently. It seems someone is secretly investigating something, and I heard it even involves some of the True Disciples. Do you know what’s going on?"
Ruan Lingxiu replied in a calm tone, "It’s the Xuanming Royal Family. A direct descendant of their family named Wang Zhifu, along with a Tributor at Astral Force Perfection, died at Luoxing Slope some time ago. According to the survivors from the Wang Family, the attacker seemed to have used... Star Essence True Gang."
"The Wang Family naturally wouldn’t dare to openly reach into the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect and demand someone be handed over. However, some of the disciples they support, or the collateral branches and retainers of the Wang Family who joined the Sect long ago, have been investigating in secret. They want to find the culprit and demand an explanation, or at least figure out who did it."
’The Wang Family!?’
Chen Qing’s heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained impassive.
’As expected, they traced it back to the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect.’
’But that was to be expected. I simulated the characteristics of the Circulation Star Essence Technique’s Gang Qi back then. The clue couldn’t have been more obvious.’
’Within the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, the number of disciples who practice this Cultivation Technique isn’t large, but it isn’t small either. It would be no easy task for the Wang Family to track me down in a short amount of time.’
’Still, this serves as a reminder. I’ll need to be more wary of the Wang Family from now on.’
’After all, the Wang Family is a Noble Family with a thousand-year history, and their influence within the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect is not to be underestimated.’
Nearby, Meng Qianxue listened to the conversation, her gaze occasionally drifting toward Chen Qing.
She had also heard about the marriage alliance controversy with the Shen Family and the fact that Han Xiong had deliberately excluded Chen Qing from his banquet. She had expected this new True Successor Candidate to be upset, but seeing him now, perfectly composed and speaking with ease, it was as if he were completely unaffected.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Ruan Lingxiu was the first to rise. She looked at Chen Qing with a gentle smile. "Junior Brother Chen, it was a pleasure to meet you today. I feel we get along quite well. If you encounter any difficulties Within the Sect in the future, or have any questions about your Cultivation, feel free to come find me. There’s no need for such formality between fellow disciples."
Chen Qing understood perfectly. Shen Xiuyong had obviously brought him here today to help him connect with Ruan Lingxiu. In the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, competition was fierce and factions were numerous. Having a True Disciple as a backer or an ally had countless benefits and no drawbacks. He understood the principle that more friends meant more paths.
Chen Qing quickly clasped his hands and said solemnly, "Thank you, Senior Sister Ruan. I hope you won’t find me a bother if I take you up on that offer."
Ruan Lingxiu nodded slightly and said no more. Trailing a faint, fleeting fragrance, she quickly departed.
Seeing this, Shen Xiuyong said to Meng Qianxue, "Junior Sister Meng, I have some other matters to attend to. Why don’t you let Chen Qing walk you back?"
Meng Qianxue quickly waved her hands, a hint of awkwardness on her face. "N-No, there’s no need to trouble Junior Brother Chen. I can get back by myself."
But Shen Xiuyong insisted, "Ai, you’re fellow disciples. Why be so formal? You’re about the same age, it’s a good chance to get to know each other better."
With that, he turned and left with a smile, not giving either of them a chance to refuse again.
Suddenly, only Chen Qing and Meng Qianxue were left in the private room. A subtly awkward silence fell over the room.
"...Really, it’s fine. You don’t have to go out of your way to escort me."
Meng Qianxue kept her head down, her voice barely a whisper.
Chen Qing looked at her, seeing how completely different she was from her usual self. He recognized it for what it was: the hesitation and self-doubt that followed a crushing blow to one’s confidence.
He smiled and said in a calm voice, "It’s no trouble, Senior Sister Meng. Please."
His attitude was natural and unforced. There was no pity or condescension, nor did he look down on her for her failure. He acted as if this was the most ordinary thing in the world.
His calm demeanor actually helped her tense heart relax a little.
The two of them walked out of the Four Seas Pavilion side by side.
The winter sun shone through the thin clouds, casting a bit of warmth on the stone-paved path of Guest Welcoming Peak.
A mountain breeze swept past, carrying the fresh scent of rustling pines from the distance.
After they had walked in silence for a while, Meng Qianxue secretly glanced sideways, studying the junior brother beside her whose fame had recently skyrocketed.
His eyes were clear and calm, not at all sharp and aggressive like a newly emerged prodigy. Instead, they held a composure that belied his age.
She recalled his attitude during the meal—neither servile nor arrogant when facing Senior Sister Ruan—and the sincere, not perfunctory, words of comfort he had offered her.
"This time... thank you," Meng Qianxue said softly, breaking the silence.
"You’re too kind, Senior Sister," Chen Qing replied.
.....