Chapter 206: Purple Light

Surviving In A Martial Arts World To Become A Saint

Just as Chen Qing was pondering to himself, the Tianbao Tower selection finally entered its conclusion.

As the last batch of disciples were transmitted out either excited or disappointed, the rankings on the Tianbao Monument completely solidified. One hundred names shone brilliantly, representing the final results of this selection.

On the high platform, Elder Deng Ziheng's gaze swept over the crowd below with their varied expressions. He slowly spoke, his voice peaceful yet clearly reaching across the entire plaza, "The Xuwang Mountain selection of elite talents from various sects has now successfully concluded."

"The one hundred names on the Tianbao Monument are those who have obtained qualification to cultivate at Xuwang Mountain. Congratulations to all you talented individuals. Your talent, character, and willpower have been proven. I hope that after entering Xuwang Mountain, you will cultivate diligently without rest, mature quickly, live up to the sect's cultivation, and also not disappoint the expectations of the sects behind you."

"Those who did not make the list need not be discouraged. The martial Dao path is long and distant. Temporary gains and losses are insufficient to determine who is the hero. Tianbao Upper Sect broadly accepts talented people. Future opportunities remain. This experience is also precious tempering for you all. I hope you can clearly see yourselves and forge ahead with determination."

His words were balanced and peaceful, both affirming the victors and consoling those who fell short, fully displaying a great sect's bearing.

On the plaza, a scene of two extremes immediately appeared.

The hundred selected individuals and their affiliated sects were naturally jubilant and extremely excited.

Especially those small sects whose disciples were selected, their elders beamed with joy. This meant tribute exemptions for the next five or even ten years, a massive amount of resources sufficient to change their sect's fate!

Looking roughly, among nearly a hundred sects, over ninety percent had at least one person selected. Tianbao Upper Sect's methods were superb. Through this approach, they cleverly bound their own interests even more tightly with those of the numerous sects under their banner.

In the crowd, Shi Ziyi and Fang Rui exchanged glances, both showing traces of helpless bitter smiles.

They had exhausted all their strength but ultimately still fell short by a line, failing to enter the hundred. The heavy responsibility of revitalizing Xuanjia Gate would apparently need to await another opportunity.

Nie Shanshan looked at the monument and lightly exhaled. The complex expression in her cool eyes gradually calmed.

Having tried one's best without regrets was perhaps like this.

Xiao Bieli also let out a long breath. His ranking ultimately settled at ninety-eighth place, barely catching the last train by the skin of his teeth. But at this moment his heart held little joy, instead feeling a kind of exhausted relaxation.

Yan Yaoyang was also not selected. He looked at the monument, clenched his fists tightly then slowly released them, ultimately turning into a light sigh as he accepted this reality.

At this time, Deng Ziheng's voice sounded again, "Additionally, all disciples who responded to the upper sect's call and came to participate in the selection, whether selected or not, the upper sect has prepared a modest gift as encouragement, a small token of our regard."

As soon as these words came out, another commotion immediately arose on the plaza. Especially those late-stage embracing elixir disciples who had come with the mindset of seeing the world rejoiced in their hearts.

Li Wang's mood, originally downcast from not being selected, immediately improved considerably. He couldn't help saying happily, "This Tianbao Upper Sect is truly generous! Truly worthy of being a great sect that rules three circuits!"

Indeed, with so many people present, one gift per person, even if just a modest gift, given Tianbao Upper Sect's foundation and magnanimity, it absolutely couldn't be ordinary items. This was undoubtedly an unexpected windfall.

Afterward, Deng Ziheng announced specific matters regarding the Xuwang Mountain entrance ceremony to be held at Guest Receiving Peak three days later, then declared everyone could disperse on their own.

The crowd began moving. Just at this time, representatives from Tianbao City's great clans who had long been waiting around took action one after another.

Their targets were clear as they walked directly toward the most dazzling talents from this selection.

He Shuang, Wu Anren, and other outstanding individuals ranked in the top ten were immediately surrounded. Praise and invitations from all sides were unceasing. Some people from thousand-year-old clans had even handed over invitation cards, inviting them to banquets, causing amazement among surrounding people.

As someone ranked twenty-ninth and an extremely young True Aura genius, Chen Qing naturally also became a target for numerous clans competing to form connections.

For a moment, seven or eight invitation cards were actually handed before him.

Seeing this, Li Wang couldn't help revealing a trace of envy.

Zhu Yu looked at the invitation cards before Chen Qing, then looked at the mere two or three before himself. He couldn't help giving a carefree laugh and self-deprecatingly said to Shen Xiuyong beside him, "Alas, who told me I just married my fourth concubine a few months ago? My reputation is known far and wide."

Hearing this, Shen Xiuyong couldn't help teasing, "Brother Zhu is vigorous as a dragon and tiger, romantic and elegant. Naturally this makes us envious."

Everyone laughed lightly, somewhat diluting the tense atmosphere brought by competition.

These clans' intentions were obvious. Most had their eyes on these talents' potential, wanting to bind them to family interests through marriage alliances, thereby consolidating and enhancing their own influence in Tianbao City and even throughout the three circuits.

Chen Qing was not only young but also unmarried, naturally becoming a hot commodity in some clans' eyes.

Back in Yunlin Prefecture, those small clans and sects merely looked up to others and sought survival through attachment. But now in this Tianbao City, those coming to form connections were truly clans with deep foundations, discussing formal marriage alliances based on equality and mutual benefit.

These clans entrenched in Tianbao City, with accumulations of hundreds or even thousands of years, possessed resources, connections, and influence in no way inferior to Five Terraces Sect. Some were even more ancient and profound. Their strength could not be underestimated.

Especially those thousand-year-old clans whose profound foundations were jaw-dropping.

Not far away, Lingshuang watched Chen Qing surrounded by numerous invitation cards and Five Terraces Sect's Sang Yanping and Chu Jinyun's undisguisable joy. Her brow furrowed imperceptibly.

Five Terraces Sect having two people selected this time meant they would receive tribute exemptions lasting a full ten years!

This was undoubtedly a massive amount of resources, sufficient to allow Five Terraces Sect's strength to explosively grow in the near future. The pattern of two heroes standing side by side in Yunlin Prefecture would likely soon be broken, even tilting toward Five Terraces Sect dominating alone. For Hanyu Valley, this was definitely not good news.

Everyone returned to their respective resting places.

That evening, a small rumor seemed to sprout wings and spread throughout every corner of Guest Receiving Peak.

Although one failed to enter the top hundred in this selection, if willing, there was still an opportunity to join Tianbao Upper Sect's outer sect for cultivation. At that time, one could obtain qualification for promotion to inner sect through other means!

This news immediately caused quite a stir.

Most unsuccessful talents sneered at this, holding to the idea of preferring to be a chicken's head rather than a phoenix's tail.

As elites of various sects, if they returned to their own sects, they would be highly valued core disciples with resource support and respected status. Why stay at Tianbao Upper Sect starting from the lowest-status outer sect disciple position, subject to layers of restrictions and hardship?

However, quite a few people were still tempted.

These people mostly came from small or medium sects, or felt their potential had nearly reached its bottleneck in their original environment, yearning for broader horizons and more powerful inheritances.

For them, Tianbao Upper Sect outer sect disciple status was a springboard for a fish to leap over the dragon gate. Even if the starting point was lower, the future prospects might be much brighter.

Shi Ziyi, Fang Rui, and even Yan Yaoyang fell into deep contemplation and weighing.

After eating dinner in the evening, Chen Qing, Shen Xiuyong, Chu Jinyun, and Sang Yanping gathered in Elder Sang's room.

Sang Yanping took a sip of tea and slowly spoke, "Tomorrow, we will prepare to depart."

"Leaving tomorrow? So urgent?" Shen Xiuyong was somewhat surprised.

"Mm."

Sang Yanping nodded slightly, his face showing a trace of relief, "The matters here are concluded. We old folks should also return. There are still many matters to handle within the sect. The mess left by the Demon Sect's Yunlin branch altar and the delicate relationship with Hanyu Valley all require us to return and take charge of arrangements as soon as possible."

He took a deep breath. His gaze became serious as he looked at Chen Qing and Shen Xiuyong, "You two will remain here to cultivate. In everything you must be more careful and cautious, especially guarding against Chaoyong Sect's people."

He looked at Chen Qing, "Xiuyong is clear about the grievances involved. Chen Qing, you may not yet fully understand the specific situation. Decades ago, Chaoyong Sect and our Five Terraces Sect had an extremely deep grudge."

"At that time, Chaoyong Sect was at its zenith with power far exceeding now. It was one of the few prefecture overlords besides Tianbao Upper Sect with a True Origin realm expert holding the fort!"

"A True Origin realm expert!?"

Hearing this, Chen Qing's heart stirred sharply.

For a prefecture sect to possess a True Origin realm expert was simply like having a sea-calming needle. No wonder Chaoyong Sect could be so domineering back then. Their sphere of influence could even radiate and affect surrounding prefectures.

"Correct."

Chu Jinyun beside him said with emotion, "That was a true True Origin realm powerhouse who dominated one side. Precisely because of this, they acted so unscrupulously. However..."

Her tone shifted, carrying a trace of cold intent, "You need not be overly wary of the current Chaoyong Sect. That sect master has long been dead."

"Dead?" Chen Qing was even more puzzled, "How did this True Origin realm expert... die?"

True Origin realm strength was extraordinary and could extend lifespan. Unless there was an accident, how would one easily perish?

A trace of complex emotion flashed through Sang Yanping's eyes as he slowly said, "This matter is also very complex. Back then, this Chaoyong Sect master secretly led a large number of elites into Yunlin Prefecture with unclear intentions but formidable momentum, causing quite a sensation at the time. Afterward, they secretly struck viciously at our Five Terraces Sect. The sect master and several martial uncles rose up in resistance. At that time, several old generation experts died. Master Uncle Li also participated. He didn't directly confront Chaoyong Sect's experts but instead killed quite a few of Chaoyong Sect's young generation elites, completely enraging the other side."

"Later, that True Origin realm sect master personally took action, hunting Master Uncle Li..."

Sang Yanping paused, "The specific process is unknown. We only know that although Master Uncle Li was in dire straits, he ultimately escaped. The pursuit failed. This matter caused enormous trouble and nearly triggered a great war. Fortunately, the Shen family later became involved in mediation and reported this matter to Tianbao Upper Sect. With the upper sect intervening, this matter was barely suppressed."

"After that Chaoyong Sect master led people back to Tianping Prefecture, not long after, news of his death spread. Chaoyong Sect publicly claimed the sect master was too hasty in cultivation practice, leading to qi deviation and death. But my senior sect master brother and I privately speculate..."

Sang Yanping lowered his voice, "It's probably not that simple. How could a True Origin realm expert so easily suffer qi deviation? The greater possibility is that because he disregarded the upper sect's mediation and privately sought revenge, he might have even taken action outside Tianping Prefecture, angering Tianbao Upper Sect's authority. He was secretly punished and eliminated by the upper sect."

Chu Jinyun sighed lightly beside him, her tone carrying a trace of lingering fear, "Fortunately this person died. Otherwise, how could there be the relative peace of these past decades? A True Origin realm sect master's hatred would be enough to make our Five Terraces Sect restless day and night."

Shen Xiuyong also nodded with a grave expression. He had just joined Five Terraces Sect at that time. His memory was quite deep. That period of history was a gray memory filled with pressure for Five Terraces Sect.

Chen Qing listened silently, but waves stirred in his heart.

He instinctively felt things probably weren't as Elder Sang speculated.

Angering the upper sect might be true, but would they therefore eliminate a True Origin realm expert?

Tianbao Upper Sect maintaining order seemed more inclined toward balance and restraint. Directly descending to eliminate one side's overlord would create too much commotion and easily cause panic among other vassal sects.

A bolder speculation more in line with his understanding surfaced, could this matter have been Master Uncle Li's doing?

Li Baichuan was unfathomably deep. His conduct seemed lazy but actually never suffered losses.

Being hunted by a True Origin realm expert, with his temperament, would he merely flee and consider the matter settled?

Connecting this with various previous matters and his possibly far greater strength than displayed...

The more Chen Qing thought, the more certain he became.

That Chaoyong Sect master's sudden death was extremely likely Li Baichuan's handiwork!

That old monster's foundation and strength were probably far more terrifying than he imagined.

Just at this moment, Sang Yanping took several jade bottles from his bosom and gently placed them on the table, interrupting Chen Qing's thoughts.

"Inside are all Aura Tempering Pills."

Sang Yanping's voice pulled Chen Qing's attention back to reality, "These are all from the sect's stores, a full forty pills. You two divide them."

Hearing this, both Chen Qing and Shen Xiuyong's hearts shook. While warmth surged, they also felt a heavy weight.

Forty Aura Tempering Pills! This was no small number!

One must know that even with Chen Qing's current status and position, his monthly quota at Five Terraces Sect was only three pills. These forty pills were equivalent to over a year's allocation!

The sect was doing everything possible to provide them support.

Shen Xiuyong took a deep breath, his tone somewhat choked, "Thank you for the sect's generous gift! Xiuyong will definitely not disappoint expectations!"

Chen Qing's emotions also surged as he solemnly said, "Elder Sang, Elder Chu, please inform the sect master that although disciple Chen Qing has fortunately joined Tianbao Upper Sect for cultivation, I will forever be a disciple of Five Terraces Sect's Qingmu Courtyard. This heart will not change."

Hearing this, Sang Yanping's face showed gratified emotion, but he immediately waved his hand. His expression became extremely serious, "That you have this heart, we are satisfied. But keep these words in your heart. Within Tianbao Upper Sect, absolutely do not speak them to anyone. Remember this! Remember this!"

Chu Jinyun also nodded in agreement, her eyes full of concern, "Yes, the upper sect's rules are strict. They most taboo disciples under their banner keeping other sects in their hearts. If you two cultivate peacefully here, that is the best repayment to the sect. When your strength grows powerful, the sect will naturally receive invisible benefits and advantages."

Both Chen Qing and Shen Xiuyong nodded heavily, understanding the two elders' deep meaning and worry.

After casually chatting and instructing about experiences on the road and cultivation matters, night had gradually deepened. Chen Qing, Shen Xiuyong, and Chu Jinyun finally rose to take their leave, departing Elder Sang's room.

Chu Jinyun returned to her room. Candlelight flickered.

She had just poured herself a cup of clear tea but hadn't yet drunk it when she heard gentle yet rhythmic knocking sounds from outside the door.

"Master, it's me."

Nie Shanshan's voice came through the door, lower than usual.

Chu Jinyun set down her teacup, "Come in."

The door was gently pushed open. Nie Shanshan walked in wearing a light blue dress that seemed somewhat thin under the lamp light.

Her brows and eyes were lowered. Her hands lightly clasped before her. She didn't seem as coldly self-possessed as usual, instead showing a trace of rare hesitation and struggle.

"Shanshan, it's so late. What's the matter?" Chu Jinyun asked warmly, pointing to a chair beside her indicating she should sit.

Nie Shanshan didn't sit. She only walked before Chu Jinyun and took a deep breath, as if making an extremely difficult decision, "Master, disciple... has thought it through. I want to stay and join Tianbao Upper Sect's outer sect."

The room instantly quieted, only the occasional soft crackling of candlelight.

Chu Jinyun looked at the disciple she had raised with her own hands. Her heart filled with mixed emotions like an overturned five-flavor bottle.

She didn't immediately answer. Her gaze carefully traced Nie Shanshan's still young face.

This disciple of hers had excellent talent and comprehension. Her character was even more tenacious and strong, never easily admitting defeat.

Among peers in Yunlin Prefecture, Nie Shanshan was undoubtedly top-tier. Even compared to many slightly older peers like Shen Xiuyong and Kong Yi'an, she was in no way inferior, her potential even exceeding theirs.

This selection gathered powerful experts, concentrating elites from three circuits and fifty-one prefectures. The competition's cruelty far exceeded within the prefecture.

Those able to charge into the top hundred included quite a few who were already thirty or even approaching forty years old, True Aura experts with nearly ten more years of power accumulation, combat tempering, and mental refinement.

This was absolutely not merely a gap in cultivation but a chasm piled up by time and experience.

Shanshan and the others were ultimately still too young.

Those under thirty with embracing elixir strength faced those "veteran" talents with rich experience and refined True Aura at an inherent disadvantage.

To be like Chen Qing, breaking through to True Aura before thirty and forcefully killing into the top thirty at such a grand gathering was truly as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Given time and the same years of tempering, Chu Jinyun firmly believed her disciple would definitely not be inferior to these people.

However, understanding was understanding. Heartache was also genuine heartache.

She knew well the pride in Nie Shanshan's bones. This failure to be selected dealt a blow to her that was far from as calm as it appeared on the surface.

Now choosing to stay and start from the lowest outer sect disciple position, how much pride did this require putting down? How much courage did this require summoning?

Tianbao Upper Sect's outer sect was a chaotic mix of dragons and fish with fierce competition. Resources were far inferior to the inner sect.

That was truly starting from zero. Everything would depend on fighting for it herself.

This path was destined to be covered in thorns, incomparably arduous.

Strong reluctance and worry surged in Chu Jinyun's heart. But she understood Nie Shanshan even more. If she hadn't thought deeply and carefully, she definitely wouldn't open this mouth.

Since she had come, her mind was set.

After a long silence, Chu Jinyun finally let out a light sigh.

She stood up, walked before Nie Shanshan, and smoothed a strand of hair by her temple that didn't actually exist, her movements gentle.

"Thought it through clearly?"

Chu Jinyun said softly, "Tianbao Upper Sect's outer sect isn't easy, far more difficult than when you were at Guishui Courtyard."

Nie Shanshan's eyes slightly reddened, but she stubbornly didn't let any moisture spill out. She nodded heavily, "Disciple has thought clearly."

Chu Jinyun slowly nodded.

"Good."

One word contained a thousand words.

She grasped Nie Shanshan's slightly cool hand and patted it gently, "Since you've decided, then do it. My Guishui Courtyard's disciple won't be inferior anywhere. Remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter outside, Master and Guishui Courtyard will forever be your support."

"If matters become impossible... just come home. Master will forever keep a lamp lit for you."

Hearing this, Nie Shanshan abruptly lowered her head. Her shoulders trembled slightly. When she raised it again, her eyes were misty with water yet astonishingly bright.

"Disciple... thank you, Master!" Her voice choked as she bowed deeply.

Chu Jinyun supported her and gently drew her into an embrace. Everything was unspoken.

Candlelight cast the master and disciple's shadows on the wall, warm and tranquil.

…

Chen Qing returned to his room, closed the door, and shut out the outside clamor.

He walked to the table and sat down but didn't pour water. His mind repeatedly replayed that lightning-fast dramatic change on Tianbao Tower's eighth level.

That purple light that came from the tower top's deepest place directly penetrated his brow and sea of consciousness. The impact of that moment nearly shook his spirit and soul.

"Definitely not ordinary..."

Chen Qing muttered to himself, his brow tightly locked.

He hesitated no more. Rising, he walked to the bed, sat cross-legged, and tried to enter a deep meditative state, carefully examining himself.

Only then did Chen Qing discover that the Guishui true qi within his body had somehow completely finished refining. At this moment in his dantian qi sea, the three True Auras of Qingmu, Kunti, and Guishui blended together.

When the three True Auras fused into one, that power was extremely domineering with astonishing aura.

Chen Qing completely stilled his mind and spirit, discarding all miscellaneous thoughts. No longer limiting himself to sensing blood qi and True Aura, when he sought toward that mysterious place where consciousness originated...

Buzz!

As if pushing open an invisible door never before discovered, his vision suddenly opened up!

Here there was no division of up, down, left, or right. Only the most fundamental consciousness slowly flowing like thin mist.

"This is..."

Chen Qing's mind and spirit were incomparably shocked, nearly unable to maintain this internal viewing state.

He saw it!

A faint purple flowing light quietly suspended there.

An incredible thought emerged.

"Will Sea?! Could this be what ancient texts mention, the Will Sea that only after advancing to True Origin realm and one's spiritual will undergoing qualitative transformation through True Origin refinement can one initially sense and establish?!"

Only True Origin realm could refine martial will, beginning to touch the supreme mystic realm of the spiritual domain!

The Will Sea was the source and manifestation of spiritual power, the fundamental place where True Origin realm powerhouses could generate divine sense and perceive the minutest details!

But he was clearly only at True Aura realm now. Although his spiritual will had been tempered and was far more tenacious than those of the same level, it absolutely hadn't reached the degree where he could independently establish a Will Sea!

"It's because of that purple light!"

Chen Qing instantly understood, "It's that mysterious purple light in the tower. It forcibly opened this gateway for me and took root here!"

After the pleasant surprise came deep contemplation and a trace of worry.

"Establishing the Will Sea ahead of time will undoubtedly elevate my perception and even control over my own techniques to an entirely new level, making me more acute when facing crises... This is a heaven-sent opportunity!"

"But... what exactly is this purple light? Taking root in my Will Sea, is it blessing or disaster? Will it affect my future barrier when attacking True Origin realm?"

All kinds of questions surfaced, but no one could answer them for him.

The first person he thought of was the unfathomably deep Li Baichuan. If Master Uncle Li were here, he might discern some clues.

"Unfortunately, Master Uncle Li is far away in Yunlin Prefecture..."

Chen Qing sighed inwardly, then steadied his spirit, "This matter concerns fundamentals. Absolutely not one word can be revealed to outsiders. Tianbao Upper Sect's scripture repository is vast as a sea of smoke. Perhaps there are records within. In the future, I must find an opportunity to go investigate."

His mind settled, Chen Qing temporarily suppressed that doubt.

Regardless, possessing a Will Sea ahead of time, obtained through an extremely unusual method, currently the benefits far outweighed the drawbacks.