Chapter 523 - 225: Connecting to the Heavens
The banquet at the Four Seas Pavilion ended in an atmosphere of superficial harmony, with everyone harboring their own schemes.
Everyone rose one after another to take their leave, their words remaining polite.
Wan Shangyi personally saw the guests out of the pavilion, a broad smile on his face.
Chen Qing followed the crowd out of the Four Seas Pavilion, a cool evening breeze brushing against his face.
"Junior Brother Chen, please wait a moment."
A gentle voice sounded from behind him.
Chen Qing turned around to see Wu Anren walking over slowly.
He Shuang was not with him; she had already left.
"Brother Wu." Chen Qing stopped and cupped his fist.
Wu Anren walked closer and said with a smile, "Junior Brother Chen, you seem rather quiet today."
Chen Qing gave a faint smile. "I’ve only just arrived and have the least seniority. Since all the senior brothers and sisters were discussing major events like the movements of the Sect’s leadership and the competition for True Inheritance, it was only natural for me to listen more than speak."
Wu Anren nodded, his tone sincere. "Junior Brother Chen, you’re being too modest. Your ability to clear the twenty-ninth layer with a Mid-stage Astral Force Cultivation displays a potential no one would dare underestimate. Ultimately, all of us here came from the Hundred Sects selection. Compared to the disciples cultivated by the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect itself, we’re ’our own people,’ so to speak. In the future, if you run into any difficulties with your Cultivation or hear any whispers, feel free to talk with me about it."
His words carried an obvious intent to show goodwill and win him over.
Chen Qing understood perfectly. Wu Anren recognized his potential and wanted to build a good relationship, perhaps hoping to gain a potential ally in the future competition for a True Inheritance seat.
"What you say is true, Brother Wu."
Chen Qing cupped his fist, his attitude neither obsequious nor arrogant. "Since we come from the same origin, it’s only right that we look out for one another. If I happen to trouble you in the future, I hope you won’t hesitate to offer your guidance."
The two exchanged a few more simple words, then parted ways at a fork in the mountain path, each returning to their own residence.
Returning to his quiet little courtyard, Chen Qing sat cross-legged inside his Quiet Chamber, replaying the day’s banquet at the Four Seas Pavilion in his mind.
’Wan Shangyi... he seems affable, but he’s actually a deep schemer. His reason for gathering everyone isn’t as simple as just sharing information. Perhaps he’s reached a critical point himself and needs someone to stir the pot so he can fish in troubled waters? Or maybe he’s acting on someone else’s orders?’
’Is Han Xiong’s source reliable? This business about Lu Chenming reaching the threshold of the True Essence Realm... is it true, or just a smokescreen someone intentionally put out?’
’Whether the information is true or not, the waters are getting muddier.’
Chen Qing pondered for a moment before casting aside these distracting thoughts. ’Whether Lu Chenming breaks through or what the other candidates do has nothing to do with me.’
His mind now clear, he consumed a High-quality Quenching Gang Pill and entered a state of cultivation.
Time flew by, passing in a flash.
In what felt like the blink of an eye, two months had slipped away.
The first snow of winter began to fall on Xu Wang Mountain.
Fine snowflakes drifted down, blanketing the mountains and pavilions in a coat of white, adding an air of tranquility and solemnity.
In the small courtyard, Chen Qing stood with his spear at rest, his breath condensing into a white plume in the cold air.
[Heaven Rewards Diligence: Success Is Assured]
[Sixth Layer of Five Elements True Astral: (759/20000)]
[Thousand Rain Flowing Shadow Spear Perfection: (13/3000)]
Mastery in one area leads to mastery in others. Having already brought two other Spear Techniques to the Extreme Realm, Chen Qing’s practice of the Thousand Rain Flowing Shadow Spear was exceptionally efficient.
In just two short months, he had reached Perfection.
His gaze fell upon a corner of the courtyard. The fledgling that had once required meticulous care had now transformed completely.
A majestic and extraordinary hawk stood independently on a custom-made perch.
Its body was nearly the size of a full-grown eagle, with a wingspan almost as long as a person is tall. Its plumage was a brilliant gold, with only a hint of dark brown at the tips of its wings and tail.
Its once-delicate beak and talons were now hard as iron, curved and sharp. Its eyes were especially piercing and alert; with every glance, it exuded the fierce aura of a raptor.
This was none other than the Golden Feathered Eagle, which had consumed a large number of Bone Strengthening Pills and grown at an astonishing speed.
It no longer needed Chen Qing to feed it. It could now hunt the live prey released into the courtyard on its own and could even spread its wings to soar freely throughout the skies of Xu Wang Mountain.
Watching the Golden Feathered Eagle preen its feathers and occasionally let out a clear, sonorous cry, Chen Qing felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
With it as his eyes in the sky, any future excursions would be far more convenient. It was like having another reliable partner.
One day, a knock came from the courtyard gate once more.
Chen Qing opened the gate to find Nie Shanshan standing gracefully in the snow.
Today, she wasn’t wearing the moon-white Martial Attire of an Outer Disciple. Instead, she had changed into the sky-blue robes of an Inner Sect Disciple, which were embroidered with cloud patterns in silver thread. The new attire made her posture seem even more upright and crisp.
Her long hair was still fastened with a Wooden Hairpin, but her complexion was rosy and her eyes were bright. The aura around her was rounded and restrained—she had astonishingly reached the Early-stage Astral Force!
"Senior Sister Nie, congratulations on your breakthrough!" Chen Qing said sincerely as he welcomed her into the courtyard.
Nie Shanshan wore a relaxed smile, clearly in high spirits after her breakthrough. "This is all thanks to your timely help, Junior Brother Chen. Without those three hundred Contribution Points and the Vein Protecting Pill, I’m afraid it would have taken me much more time to break through successfully."
"Here are twenty-three High-quality Quenching Gang Pills. I’ll use these to offset the Contribution Points I owed you."
"Three of them were given by the Sect when I was promoted to the Inner Sect."
Chen Qing held up a hand to stop her. "Senior Sister, what’s the rush? You’ve just entered the Inner Sect; this is precisely when you’ll have the most expenses."
A single glance told him they were indeed High-quality Quenching Gang Pills. He suspected that she herself had likely only used the most common kind of Quenching Gang Pill.
To make this repayment, she had truly given all she had.
But Nie Shanshan was resolute. "Repay your debts, and you’ll find it easier to borrow again. Besides, I’m an Inner Sect Disciple now. My monthly stipend has increased significantly, so repaying this is no longer a burden."
She insisted on giving him the bottle of High-quality Quenching Gang Pills.