Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

He had indeed harbored some selfish plans, but now he could only abandon them.

Grand Elder Shen Boyuan took in Shen Qianshan’s reaction and said calmly, "Chen Qing, after all, comes from the Wutai Sect and has past ties with our Shen Family. Now that he’s a True Successor Candidate, we can’t skip the necessary gestures of goodwill. Qianshan, I’ll leave this matter to you. Handle it as you see fit."

Shen Qianshan nodded, his composure restored. "Yes, I understand."

.....

Chen Qing returned to his courtyard, Wu Anren’s words echoing in his mind.

He meticulously went over the details of the whole affair. The more he thought about it, the more he sensed turbulent undercurrents. ’This is far from simple.’

Wu Anren clearly had ulterior motives for revealing this information to him; Chen Qing knew this perfectly well.

Ever since becoming a True Successor Candidate, no matter how low a profile he kept, he had become a thorn in the side for many people.

This was inevitable.

’You’d best not provoke me...’

Chen Qing let out a soft sigh, his gaze darkening.

He knew that strength was the root of everything. He cast aside all distracting thoughts and continued to immerse himself in his Cultivation.

「Three days later.」

Early in the morning, a knock came at his courtyard gate.

Chen Qing opened the door to find Shen Xiuyong standing there.

"Chen Qing, about that business with the Shen Family..."

He looked somewhat worried. He had clearly heard the rumors circulating within the Sect about the Shen Family and Han Xiong, which was why he was concerned for Chen Qing.

Chen Qing’s expression was calm. "Junior Martial Uncle Shen, I’m not bothered by it."

Shen Xiuyong sighed in relief inwardly.

He was afraid Chen Qing’s youth and hot-headedness would cause him to become distraught over the matter, which would affect his Cultivation.

This matter wasn’t as simple as it appeared. Rumors were spreading, growing distorted in the telling. Now that Chen Qing was a True Successor Candidate, he was like a tall tree catching the wind. These rumors were surely laced with malice and attempts to test him, all intended to disturb his peace of mind.

His gaze shifted to the magnificent Golden Feathered Eagle in the courtyard as he changed the subject. "This great bird of yours... I must admit, I’m envious."

An adult Golden Feathered Eagle cost two thousand Contribution Points to redeem within the Sect. Shen Xiuyong had some savings, but he could never bring himself to spend them on one. After all, Contribution Points were precious and had to be used where they would be most effective.

Chen Qing smiled and asked, "By the way, where’s Old Qiao?"

Shen Xiuyong and Qiao Hongyun were close and usually inseparable, yet today, Shen Xiuyong had come alone.

"He’s preparing to break through to the Mid-stage Astral Force," Shen Xiuyong said, his voice full of happiness for his old friend. "His foundation is more solid than mine, and he’s accumulated enough power. It should happen within the next few days."

Chen Qing nodded.

Qiao Hongyun had reached the Astral Force realm several years ago. After receiving a greater share of the Sect’s resources on Xu Wang Mountain, breaking through to the Middle Stage was to be expected.

In fact, after receiving more favorable training conditions, many of the Hundred Sects’ geniuses on Xu Wang Mountain had seen their Cultivation improve. The competition remained as fierce as ever.

Three more people had managed to reach the twenty-ninth floor, but Chen Qing’s name remained firmly in the top ten.

Meanwhile, Luo Qianjue had challenged the thirtieth floor of the Celestial Treasure Tower again.

Although he failed again, he managed to fight a grueling battle inside for a full hour before his True Astral was completely depleted.

This was a clear sign that his strength had increased dramatically. It was only a matter of time before he conquered the thirtieth floor.

Chen Qing planned to challenge the Celestial Treasure Tower again, but only after his own strength had improved.

"There’s another reason I came to see you today," Shen Xiuyong said, his smile fading into a serious expression.

"What is it?" Chen Qing asked.

Shen Xiuyong’s smile returned, tinged with a bit of mystery. "I’m taking you to meet someone."

"Meet someone? Who?" Chen Qing asked, confused.

"An old friend of mine, Ruan Lingxiu," Shen Xiuyong said with a smile.

Ruan Lingxiu!?

Surprise flashed in Chen Qing’s eyes.

Of course he knew of her. She was the ninth-ranked True Disciple, from the Ruan Family—a Noble Family with a thousand-year history. Her strength and status both surpassed Lu Chenming’s.

’Shen Xiuyong actually knew her? And from the sound of it, they were quite familiar?’

"Let’s go!"

Without further explanation, Shen Xiuyong pulled Chen Qing along and headed out.

Soon after, Shen Xiuyong brought Chen Qing to the Four Seas Pavilion on Guest Welcoming Peak.

The place was lavishly decorated and was a popular spot for Celestial Treasure Upper Sect disciples to gather for feasts and parties.

Shen Xiuyong navigated the place with ease, leading Chen Qing to a secluded private room.

He pushed the door open and saw two women sitting inside.

One was cold and glamorous, but her face was marred by a lingering gloom. It was Meng Qianxue, the very same who had recently failed in her challenge against Lu Chenming.

At the moment, she was looking down, seeming somewhat absent-minded.

Beside her sat another woman dressed in an elegant, moon-white gown, over which she wore a thin, light-cyan gauze. Her dark hair was swept up in a high coiffure, fastened with a simple jade hairpin.

She appeared to be in her thirties, with a refined and beautiful face. Her gentle and graceful demeanor held an undercurrent of noble dignity. Her aura was contained, giving her an unfathomable air.

This was the ninth-ranked True Disciple, Ruan Lingxiu.

"Xiuyong, you’re here. This is my junior sister, Meng Qianxue."

Seeing the two of them, Ruan Lingxiu rose with a smile and said, "And you must be Junior Brother Chen Qing. We’re all fellow sect members now, so there’s no need to stand on ceremony. Let’s just treat each other as peers."

Chen Qing stepped forward and offered a cupped-fist salute, his bearing neither servile nor arrogant. "Chen Qing greets Senior Sister Ruan, Senior Sister Meng."

Ruan Lingxiu returned the salute with a light smile. "There’s no need for such courtesy, Junior Brother Chen."

Meng Qianxue managed to force a smile, nodding at Chen Qing and Shen Xiuyong in greeting without saying anything more.

Since her defeat at Lu Chenming’s hands, her reputation within the Sect had plummeted. The gazes of admiration and awe she once received now seemed tinged with doubt.

More importantly, it was as if her own spirit had been crushed by that disastrous defeat, plummeting to rock bottom.

She had been a recluse these past few days, refusing to leave her home. She had only come today because Ruan Lingxiu had insisted on dragging her along.