Chapter 533 - 228: Evil Qi (Part 2)
Chen Qing silently committed the two words "Grotto Heaven" to memory.
Qu He said slowly, "The benefits of being a True Disciple are many, but the competition is also extremely fierce. Due to past events, our True Martial Lineage is often restricted in the Sect’s resource allocation. In the future, you must be extra cautious in your dealings outside. Don’t easily give anyone leverage over you."
Chen Qing cupped his fist and said, "Thank you for the advice, Brother Qu."
After sitting for a little longer and finishing the Spirit Tea in his cup, Chen Qing rose to take his leave. "Brother Qu, you are a busy man. I shouldn’t take up any more of your time. I will be on my way."
Qu He did not press him to stay, smiling warmly. "Alright. Take care, Junior Brother. If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, you can come find me anytime."
Chen Qing bowed again, then followed the gray-robed old man away from the small pavilion.
After Chen Qing had walked some distance away, a beautiful woman gracefully emerged from behind the pavilion. It was none other than Qu He’s wife, Ms. Liu.
She gazed in the direction Chen Qing had departed and asked softly, "Husband, what do you make of this young man?"
Qu He picked up his now-lukewarm tea and mused, "His disposition is calm and steady, neither arrogant nor rash. His aptitude and comprehension are both of the Upper Grade. Judging from his words and actions, he is also a restrained and cautious person. He’s a promising talent."
Ms. Liu pressed, "If he can develop his potential, could he become an asset to your True Martial Lineage?"
Qu He took a gentle sip of tea and said slowly, "The position of a True Disciple isn’t something one can obtain with potential alone. Wu Anren, He Shuang, and even those veteran candidates from the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect—are any of them easy to deal with? What’s more, he comes from the Hundred Sects, so his Heart Method foundation is likely his weakness... Whether he can break through his limitations remains to be seen."
"We’ll just have to wait and see. Let’s see if he can, in the next few years, truly display the strength needed to shake up the True Inheritance landscape."
The implication was that while Chen Qing was decent, it was still too early to tell if he could become a True Disciple.
.....
Chen Qing walked along the bluestone path back to Xu Wang Mountain.
’True Essence Realm... Brother Qu must be in the True Essence Realm. His aura is as deep as the sea, completely different from the Astral Force level.’
He thought to himself, ’The position of a True Disciple isn’t just about fame. It’s about tangible benefits, status within the Sect, and even having a say in the future allocation of the Sect’s resources.’
The fact that every True Disciple had the shadow of a Noble Family or some other power behind them was a clear indication of this.
’I shouldn’t overthink it. The most practical thing to do right now is earn Contribution Points, exchange them for a Nine Revolutions Rejuvenation Pill to settle my agreement with Li Lao Deng, and accumulate cultivation resources for myself at the same time.’
Returning to his small courtyard, Chen Qing made some careful preparations.
At dawn the next day, as the sky began to lighten, he had already changed his appearance. Using the Hundred Transformations Thousand Faces Manual, he turned into a plain-faced, stern-looking man in black. He then donned a wide, black cloak that concealed most of his figure.
He walked into the courtyard and whistled at the Golden Feathered Eagle on its perch.
The eagle immediately opened its sharp eyes at the sound and affectionately nuzzled its head against Chen Qing’s palm.
Chen Qing took out the Wind-Riding Saddle he had exchanged for and carefully fitted it onto the eagle.
The Golden Feathered Eagle seemed a bit uncomfortable at first, shaking its wings, but it quickly settled down.
"Let’s go. I’ll show you the world outside." Chen Qing gently patted the Golden Feathered Eagle’s neck and leaped onto its back.
The Wind-Riding Saddle was cleverly designed and very stable to sit on, with stirrups on both sides.
The Golden Feathered Eagle let out a clear, piercing cry. With a great flap of its wings, it kicked off the ground and soared into the sky with Chen Qing!
A strong gust of wind rushed past his face, making his cloak flap loudly.
Chen Qing quickly circulated his True Astral to stabilize himself and looked down.
He saw Xu Wang Mountain rapidly shrink below him, and immediately after, the entire silhouette of Celestial Treasure City came into view.
The densely packed buildings, the crisscrossing streets, the surrounding city walls, and the continuous mountain ranges in the distance formed a magnificent, sprawling vista.
This was the first time he had ever looked down upon this majestic city from such a height, and only now could he truly appreciate its vastness and grandeur.
’No wonder those Noble Families and True Disciples all like to tame flying mounts,’ Chen Qing thought. Only by sitting high in the sky could one truly know the vastness of the world.
The Golden Feathered Eagle was extremely fast. With every beat of its wings, its body shot across the sky like a streak of golden light.
Luoxing Slope, which would have originally taken more than half a day to reach on foot, took only a little over an hour on the eagle’s back. Soon, the familiar, vast slope riddled with craters and scorched marks came into view.
Chen Qing did not venture deep rashly, instead choosing a hidden spot on the eastern outskirts of Luoxing Slope to land.
It was winter, and a bleak, cold wind swept through. Luoxing Slope seemed even more desolate, with very few people around.
Chen Qing gave the Golden Feathered Eagle a few commands, telling it to cry out a warning if it spotted a powerful Stone Lion.
He had raised this Golden Feathered Eagle from a young age, and it possessed great spirituality. Although it couldn’t speak, it could understand simple commands.
Its sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, and it let out a low cry in response. Then, it flapped its wings and took flight, circling a hundred meters in the air to act as Chen Qing’s eyes in the sky.
Chen Qing, in turn, concealed his aura and began moving through the dead trees and scattered rocks.
As expected, with the Golden Feathered Eagle scouting from high above, his efficiency increased dramatically.
In less than half an hour, a short cry came from the eagle in the sky.
He quickly crept over and, sure enough, found a powerfully-built Stone Lion gnawing on some moss.
Chen Qing approached stealthily, then suddenly launched his attack from a distance of ten zhang!
He unleashed the Startled Swan Escape Shadow Technique, his figure surging forward like a phantom. The Diancang Spear transformed into a cold gleam, stabbing straight for the Stone Lion’s relatively vulnerable throat!
The Stone Lion’s reaction was not slow. It roared in anger and swiped with its claw, stirring up an Evil Wind.
But Chen Qing was faster. With a flick of his spear, he easily parried the Sharp Claw, and his second strike plunged in with the precision of a viper striking from its den!