Chapter 480 - 210: Li Fire
Reaching the twenty-seventh floor meant you were on the cusp of the top tier. The twenty-sixth floor was for the absolute elite, second only to those few dazzling prodigies.
Shang Lujing was ambitious and proud, so naturally, he refused to fall behind.
After regulating his breath and making ample preparations, he resolutely entered the Celestial Treasure Tower. He even used his Thunder Transformation Technique, ultimately struggling to reach the twenty-seventh floor. He had barely managed to keep pace with Luo Qianjue’s group, but it was clearly a much greater struggle for him.
At this point, the hierarchy of strength among the new disciples was slowly becoming clear.
Wu Anren and He Shuang shone like twin stars, taking a clear lead. Following closely behind them were Luo Qianjue, Qiu Qixing, Shang Lujing, and a handful of others, all occupying the twenty-seventh floor.
Every one of these disciples possessed Late-stage Astral Force Cultivation and had their own unique techniques, making their strength extraordinary.
The reason Wu Anren and He Shuang could climb one floor higher to the twenty-eighth was primarily due to their exceptionally deep foundations, each possessing unique advantages.
Wu Anren’s comprehension was exceptional; he had already cultivated two sets of Superior Swordsmanship to the Extreme Realm. He Shuang, on the other hand, cultivated Three True Astrals, giving him a foundation that far surpassed his peers.
Below them was a group of elite disciples represented by Zhuo Xiaoyun, Qiao Hongyun, and others, gathered between the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth floors. Most of them had a Cultivation at the Mid-stage Astral Force.
As for those below the twenty-fifth floor, they were mostly disciples at the Early-stage Astral Force.
......
In the distance, atop a pavilion overlooking the Celestial Treasure Tower’s plaza, Elders Deng Ziheng and Gong Nansong leaned against a railing, taking in the scene below.
"This Wu Anren and He Shuang are truly impressive."
Deng Ziheng stroked his beard in praise. "To reach the twenty-eighth floor on their first attempt... their temperament, comprehension, and combat strength are all of the highest caliber. Wu Anren’s swordsmanship is fierce, and his grasp of timing is precise, far surpassing his peers."
Gong Nansong nodded. "He is indeed a fine seedling. The twenty-eighth floor is far from his limit. He just needs some time to consolidate his gains and familiarize himself with the trials on the upper floors. Reaching the thirtieth floor... shouldn’t be a problem."
"The thirtieth floor..."
Deng Ziheng sighed with emotion. "That would make him a true True Successor Candidate. Brother Gong, I truly envy you for accepting such a fine disciple. If you nurture him carefully, he might even be able to go one step further and contend for the rank of a True Disciple."
At these words, Gong Nansong’s smile faded, and he shook his head. "Brother Deng, you flatter me. Young He certainly has potential, and his temperament and foundation are first-rate. But as for becoming a True Disciple... it’s too soon. Far too soon."
He paused, his tone growing grave. "There is only one path for a True Successor Candidate to become an actual True Disciple: challenge and replace one of the ten current seat holders. And every one of those ten is a prodigy among prodigies. They’ve held their positions for years, enjoying far greater resources than any candidate, and receiving guidance on the Sect’s core teachings."
"Their strength is unfathomable. He Shuang is talented, but at his current stage, there is still a clear gap between him and them in terms of Cultivation, foundation, and techniques. To surpass them... it’s difficult. So very difficult!"
Deng Ziheng fell silent and nodded in agreement.
He knew Gong Nansong spoke the truth. The competition for the rank of True Disciple was brutal. Each of the ten had earned their position through countless battles and trials; they could not be easily unseated.
However, Deng Ziheng changed the subject, "even if he ultimately fails to become a True Disciple, with He Shuang’s aptitude, his chances of breaking through to the True Essence Realm are extremely high. For you to have found an heir to your legacy, Brother Gong, is already a great blessing. Your teachings will be passed on."
At this, a smile finally returned to Gong Nansong’s face, and he nodded.
The True Essence Realm was an immense hurdle in itself. Nurturing a disciple to that realm would be a great achievement and a source of comfort for him as well.
The two elders then discussed the progress of several other outstanding prodigies, pleased with the emergence of new talent from the various prefectures.
Just then, Gong Nansong seemed to recall something. "By the way, Brother Deng, what about that Chen Qing from the Wutai Sect in Yunlin Prefecture? I remember you were quite optimistic about him, saying he was young, full of potential, and that his Spear Technique had already reached the realm of ’Momentum.’ Many disciples have already challenged the tower and achieved impressive results. Why haven’t we seen any movement from him? Is he just holed up, focused on his Cultivation?"
Deng Ziheng’s gaze swept across the plaza, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "That boy certainly is patient. According to a Steward’s report, he has kept to himself these past few days. Aside from a single trip to Wanxiang Hall to trade for an Earth Core Fire Lotus, he has been cultivating in his courtyard, in no hurry to challenge the tower. Such a steady temperament is rare at his age."
Gong Nansong chuckled. "Neither arrogant nor rash—that’s a good quality. A slow build-up for a powerful release. He might give us a surprise. But if he waits too long, he’ll miss the early opportunity to claim a high rank and earn a large amount of Contribution Points. The pressure to catch up later will be immense."
......
「Half a month later, in the Quiet Chamber of Chen Qing’s courtyard.」
A searing aura, like an awakening volcano, churned violently within the sealed space. It swelled, then slowly contracted inward until it fell silent.
Chen Qing opened his eyes. Deep within his pupils, a crimson light flared for an instant before vanishing, like magma churning in the earth’s core.
[Heaven Rewards Diligence: Your hard work has paid off.]
[Crimson Sun Heart-Burning Technique, Fifth Layer: (1/10000)]
He slowly opened his right hand, and with a mere thought...
In an instant, a wisp of incomparably dense, crimson True Astral slowly emerged from the Lao Gong Acupoint in his palm, where it hovered silently.
It resembled magma compressed to its absolute limit. As it flowed slowly, it radiated a searing heat that made the heart tremble.
The surrounding air shimmered with transparent ripples, and the temperature inside the Quiet Chamber skyrocketed, as if he were standing beside a great forge.
This was the Li Fire True Astral!
With a mere thought, the wisp of crimson True Astral moved as if it were an extension of his own body. The terrifying power it contained far surpassed his former Crimson Sun True Qi.
’Cyan Wood, Kun Earth, Gui Water, and Li Fire... Four True Astrals are now complete.’
Chen Qing felt the four potent energies in his Dantian. Though each had a different attribute, they were forming a subtle balance, filling him with a profound sense of confidence.
’All that’s left is the final Geng Metal True Astral!’
’When all Five Elements are gathered and fused into one, what will that be like?’
Chen Qing’s heart swelled with boundless anticipation.
He remembered that in the exchange catalog at Wanxiang Hall, the Metal Attribute Exotic Treasure, Sharp Gold Essence, was priced at 2,500 Contribution Points.
Relying solely on his monthly stipend of one hundred points, he would have to save for over two years. He simply couldn’t wait that long.
’It’s time to climb the tower.’
Chen Qing rose to his feet. "Time to earn Contribution Points and exchange them for the Sharp Gold Essence!"
The Contribution Points from the tower weren’t going anywhere, which is why he hadn’t been in a rush. Instead, he had focused on cultivating the Crimson Sun Heart-Burning Technique. Now that his Li Fire True Astral was formed, his four True Astrals were already integrating.
He was just one step away from fusing all Five True Astrals.
Chen Qing pushed open the door of the Quiet Chamber and strode with purpose toward the Celestial Treasure Tower.
......