Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Lu Chenming shook his head, seemingly finding the situation dull, and left as well.

Inside the great hall, only Elder Zhang Yi and the thick fragrance of elixirs remained.

He gazed at the empty doorway, his eyes distant. He was clearly long accustomed to such scenes and found them nothing out of the ordinary.

....

Luo Chengxuan returned to his courtyard, his face so dark it looked like it could drip water. The rage he had forcibly suppressed on Danxia Peak could no longer be concealed now that he was alone.

Qu River had shown him no mercy. This was not just a loss of resources, but a direct blow to Luo Chengxuan's pride.

"What's wrong? You look terrible." Shen Xinrou emerged from the inner chamber carrying a cup of hot tea. Seeing her husband's displeased expression, she asked in a soft voice.

Luo Chengxuan forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart. When he turned around, his face had already shifted to a gentle smile. "It's nothing, just some trivial Sect matters. They've been handled."

No matter how furious he was, he would never bring his temper home and vent it on Shen Xinrou.

Shen Xinrou came from a Noble Family and was both intelligent and perceptive. Seeing that he didn't want to talk about it, she considerately refrained from asking further. She simply placed the warm teacup in his hand and said softly, "Have some tea to calm your heart. I've asked the kitchen to stew some ginseng soup; it'll be ready soon."

Luo Chengxuan took the teacup and patted the back of Shen Xinrou's hand, signaling that he was fine.

Before long, a servant girl announced from outside the door, "Master, Brother Han Xiong is here to see you."

Luo Chengxuan nodded. "Let him in."

Soon, Han Xiong walked in with hurried steps, a hint of anticipation on his face. He bowed to Luo Chengxuan in greeting. "Senior Brother Luo."

He then bowed to Shen Xinrou, who was standing to the side. "Senior Sister Xinrou."

Shen Xinrou smiled and nodded in return, then tactfully said to Luo Chengxuan, "You two talk. I'll go check on the soup."

With that, she left the living room with her servant girl.

Only after Shen Xinrou had left did Han Xiong impatiently ask in a low voice, "Senior Brother, the Pure Yang Yuan Astral Pill... did you get it?"

Luo Chengxuan slowly set down his teacup, his tone flat. "In this round of pill distribution, the Nine Heavens Lineage was too powerful and took four pills. Huo Qiushui of the Jade Celestial Lineage took three."

Han Xiong's heart leaped into his throat. He asked cautiously, "Then... what about our Mystic Sun Lineage?"

"We only got three."

Luo Chengxuan glanced at him. "As for these three, a few of the senior uncles within the Sect have already made arrangements. They're for the elders who have been stuck at Astral Force Perfection for many years to try and break through their bottleneck. I was powerless to get a fourth."

Hearing this, Han Xiong's expression changed instantly.

He had been fortunate enough to take a Pure Yang Yuan Astral Pill three years ago and knew full well its divine effect of refining one's True Astral.

Now, he urgently needed a second one to further solidify his foundation in preparation for breaking through to the True Essence Realm.

He had thought that with his relationship with Luo Chengxuan, he would gain something this time. He never expected that he couldn't even secure a single pill.

Within the Mystic Sun Lineage, he wasn't the only disciple at Astral Force Perfection with a powerful background. Resources had always been tight.

"This..."

Han Xiong opened his mouth, his heart filled with disappointment and indignation, but he didn't know what to say.

The distribution of resources was a decision made by the Sect and the lineage. Although Luo Chengxuan was a True Inheritance disciple, he couldn't call all the shots.

Luo Chengxuan took in his entire expression. He lifted his teacup and seemed to remark casually, "The Nine Heavens Lineage took four pills; that was the First Senior Brother's will, so no one dared to contend. The Jade Celestial Lineage taking three is also reasonable. It's just... the True Martial Lineage actually managed to snatch two pills from our grasp this time."

He paused, his gaze shifting to Han Xiong, carrying a profound meaning. "The True Martial Lineage's talent has withered; they have very few at the Perfect Astral Force Realm. Senior Brother Qu River himself is already in the True Essence Realm, so this pill is of little use to him. If you think carefully, you'll know who he insisted on fighting for these two pills for."

When Han Xiong heard this, he was first taken aback, but then a flash of understanding crossed his eyes.

'Chen Qing!'

'That brat from the Wutai Sect! The one who might have competed with me for the Shen Family's support!'

'How could someone at the mere Mid-stage Astral Force be valued so highly by Qu River that he would even contend with the Mystic Sun Lineage to secure such a precious pill for him?'

'I've worked so hard, building my standing in the Mystic Sun Lineage for years, and I still can't even guarantee a single pill. What right does Chen Qing have? He just joined the True Martial Lineage, yet he's already receiving such dedicated support?'

Luo Chengxuan watched the changing expressions on Han Xiong's face and knew his words had hit their mark.

He said no more, only stating flatly, "The pill distribution is settled. There's no use saying anything else. Go back and focus on your Cultivation. In the end, the position of True Inheritance is determined by strength."

Han Xiong took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and bowed to Luo Chengxuan again. "Senior Brother, I understand. Thank you for your guidance."

His face was respectful, but his mind was already racing.

Luo Chengxuan lifted his teacup, concealing the faint, cold smile playing on his lips.

'Since Qu River didn't give me face, it's only fair I cause some trouble for the promising seedling the True Martial Lineage values so much. A fitting reciprocation.'

"Go."

He waved his hand.

"Your junior brother takes his leave." Han Xiong bowed once more, then turned and exited the living room.

.....

「In a small courtyard on Xu Wang Mountain.」 Chen Qing and Zhu Yu sat facing each other.

"Brother Chen, Luo Qianjue has already passed the thirtieth floor. He's now qualified as a True Successor Candidate."

Zhu Yu shared the news he had gathered with Chen Qing. "Besides Luo Qianjue, quite a few others have improved their strength and also attempted the thirtieth floor, but most of them failed. And judging by how long they lasted, it's unlikely anyone else will succeed in the short term."

Chen Qing nodded slightly.

He had seen Luo Qianjue in action and knew just how sharp his Saber Technique was.

The man was already ranked third among the geniuses of the Hundred Sects on Xu Wang Mountain; his background and foundation were both exceptionally solid.