Chapter 252: External Aura |
On this side, Lu Chenming sat cross-legged within a quiet chamber on Nine Heavens Peak, clouds and mists churning outside the window.
Although He Shuang's challenge had been repelled as expected, the explosive power of this woman merging three True Aura forces still made him feel a trace of pressure, especially that final strike. If not for his sufficiently deep foundation, he would probably have needed to exert considerable effort.
However, it had ultimately passed.
"Senior Brother."
A trusted disciple walked in with light steps, respectfully presenting a scroll, "This contains detailed recent movements of several True Disciple candidates worth noting."
Lu Chenming took it, his gaze calmly sweeping across.
Over this past year or so, after he had successively defeated Meng Qianxue and He Shuang, fewer and fewer True Disciple candidates could threaten him. As for newly promoted True Disciple candidates, they still needed time to accumulate strength.
Wu Anren had excellent comprehension. His sword techniques had already reached dual force fusion, and he received partial support from the Jade Palace lineage's forces, lacking nothing in resources.
His foundation within Tianbao Upper Sect was still shallow, and although his cultivation progress was steady, no earth-shattering breakthroughs had been seen.
The Jade Palace lineage internally was also not unified. Their support might not necessarily fully transform into immediate combat power.
Next was Chen Qing. Upon seeing this name, Lu Chenming's gaze lingered for a moment.
This person came from Five Terraces Sect with a clear background. At Seven Stars Platform, he had defeated Han Xiong in an upward strike, displaying spear techniques with triple force fusion and formidable body tempering cultivation. His potential was astonishing, and he had already received resource support from the True Martial lineage.
However, his greatest shortcoming lay in his cultivation realm. To this day, he remained at mid True Aura stage. No matter how many methods he possessed, the gulf between realms was not easily crossed.
He should be given a certain amount of attention and pressure applied to delay his rise. In the short term, he was not a concern.
Seeing the four words "mid True Aura stage," that tightly wound string in Lu Chenming's heart relaxed slightly.
No matter how high the talent or great the potential, cultivation realm was the hard truth.
Chen Qing's ability to fight across realms was indeed terrifying, but from mid True Aura stage to perfection, and even touching the threshold of True Origin realm, the required grinding work and opportunities absolutely could not be made up for in a short time.
As long as he could not quickly catch up in cultivation, those dazzling spear forces and physique would ultimately have their power reduced when facing an absolute gap in strength.
Finally was Wan Shangyi, a veteran True Disciple candidate of the Nine Heavens lineage with a solid foundation, deep accumulation, and steady, low-key conduct.
This person came from the same lineage as himself. Lu Chenming could be said to know his strength inside and out.
Intelligence from all sides indicated that he had given up on challenging in the near term, instead accumulating strength with the intention of assaulting True Origin realm.
However, observing his performance over the years, he was balanced in all aspects but had nothing particularly outstanding, lacking an absolute decisive method.
Lu Chenming set down the scroll, slowly closing his eyes. The last stone in his heart seemed to settle with it.
Wu Anren's potential needed time to materialize, Chen Qing's cultivation was a fatal flaw, Wan Shangyi lacked sharpness and his breakthrough would absolutely not be faster than his own...
Through successive challenges from Meng Qianxue and He Shuang, he had finally, with his formidable strength, once again intimidated all those who coveted his position, winning himself a precious buffer period.
"True Origin realm..."
Lu Chenming murmured to himself, a flame long suppressed deep within beginning to rise.
These years he had firmly held the tenth True Disciple position, seemingly glorious but actually treading on thin ice.
Every time a new genius emerged, he was the first gatekeeper to be measured.
He was sick of this passive defensive position, sick of being viewed as the yardstick for measuring the True Disciple threshold!
What he wanted was not merely to defend this tenth position.
He wanted to break through to True Origin realm!
Once successful, he could completely escape the awkward position of gatekeeper. His strength would undergo a qualitative leap. At that time, he would have sufficient confidence to challenge True Disciple senior brothers ranked higher, compete for higher seats, and obtain more resources and voice!
Let whoever wanted this tenth position guard it!
He, Lu Chenming, absolutely would not resign himself to being merely a gatekeeper.
…
Having obtained Zhang Yi's improved pills with even better medicinal effects, Chen Qing immediately began closed-door training.
The pill entered his belly, transforming into a powerful yet mellow heat flow. No longer wildly rampaging like initially, it was instead like a docile great river, surging magnificently into his four limbs and hundred bones, nourishing meridians and tempering True Aura.
The effect compared to superior Aura Tempering Pills was actually more than thirty percent faster!
Chen Qing was greatly delighted. These pills were practically tailor-made for him!
The powerful physique and resilient meridians forged by the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Vajra Body allowed him to bear this surging medicinal power without any hesitation.
He completely immersed himself in the pleasure of cultivation, almost never leaving his quarters, investing the vast majority of his time and energy into operating the Mixed Origin Five Elements True Solution and tempering his physical body.
At present, nothing was more important than raising his strength.
During this period, Zhu Yu successfully broke through seclusion, smoothly advancing to mid True Aura stage, in high spirits.
He often came to visit Chen Qing, reporting the latest developments within the sect.
While Shen Xiuyong, Qiao Hongyun, Shang Lujing, and several other familiar Xuwang Mountain disciples had taken on a sect mission related to Cloudwater Upper Sect, requiring several months away.
Before departing, the group specially came to gather with Chen Qing, drinking and talking. The atmosphere was lively, briefly dispelling the loneliness of Chen Qing's dedicated training.
After seeing off Shen Xiuyong and the others, Chen Qing's life returned to tranquility and regularity.
Cultivation, occasionally going to Prison Peak to inspect a circuit, or fishing by Jade Wave Pool for moments to relax his mind.
With the True Martial lineage's monthly regular resource support, plus the nearly cost-price pill supply from Zhang Yi, he completely didn't need to worry about basic cultivation resources.
Single-minded focus, abundant resources, Chen Qing's cultivation progress could be called divine speed.
The Mixed Five Elements True Aura in his dantian became increasingly condensed and powerful, that chaos-colored vortex slowly rotating, containing astonishing energy.
The Dragon-Elephant Prajna Vajra Body was also steadily advancing toward the fourth layer. Between surging blood qi, faint dragon roars and elephant calls echoed within the quiet chamber.
Time passed swiftly. Summer came and went. The scenery outside the window gradually changed from midsummer's lushness to autumn's golden yellow, finally welcoming winter's first snow amid desolation.
On this day, Xuwang Mountain was wrapped in silver. Fine snow particles drifted from the gray-overcast sky, covering the mountain forest with a thin white blanket.
Within the quiet chamber, Chen Qing slowly withdrew his technique, opening his eyes. The surging energy around his body gradually turned inward.
He exhaled a turbid breath. White qi shot out like an arrow, congealing without dispersing in the cold air.
[Mixed Five Elements True Aura: Sixth Layer (19850/20000)]
[Dragon-Elephant Prajna Vajra Body: Third Layer (8988/10000)]
[True Martial Demon-Quelling Spear: Major Achievement (5113/10000)]
[True Martial Seal: Major Achievement (6162/10000)]
Five months of closed-door cultivation, relying on Zhang Yi's improved new pills and his own single-minded practice, Chen Qing's cultivation was just one step away from breaking through to late stage.
The Dragon-Elephant Prajna Vajra Body's cultivation progress was also quite rapid. Blood qi surged and roared throughout his body like dormant dragons and elephants, just awaiting an opportunity to knock open the fourth layer.
As for the True Martial Demon-Quelling Spear and True Martial Seal, these two peerless martial arts, although progress was remarkable with killing power increasing daily, they still needed several more months of grinding work to reach perfection.
"Soon, at most just a few days and I'll reach late True Aura stage."
Looking inward at that mass of Mixed Five Elements True Aura in his dantian, Chen Qing thought to himself.
Recalling before obtaining the new pills, he had estimated breaking through to late True Aura stage would require at least a year and a half of grinding work.
Now, using less than five months, the speed of progress far exceeded expectations.
Chen Qing simply tidied up, then treading on Xuwang Mountain's unmelted snow, walked toward Four Seas Pavilion on Guest Receiving Peak.
Three days ago, he had received an invitation from Meng Qianxue, inviting most True Disciple candidates within the sect to gather.
Now Lu Chenming's prestige grew increasingly deep. Having successively defeated strong enemies, his title of invincible within True Aura realm was firmly established, causing quite a few candidate disciples who originally harbored hopes to completely extinguish their challenging intentions, instead turning their gaze toward a more distant future, breaking through to True Origin realm.
The power structure within the sect had thus quietly changed.
This gathering, almost all True Disciple candidates had accepted the invitation to attend.
Chen Qing briefly considered, then decided to attend the appointment.
He also wanted to hear everyone's true evaluation of Lu Chenming, as well as the latest news they had obtained regarding Lu Chenming's breakthrough progress.
Working behind closed doors was not a good strategy.
Stepping into Four Seas Pavilion's familiar elegant private room, warmth and tea fragrance rushed toward him. Quite a few people had already arrived.
Wan Shangyi, Qian Baole, and Liu Yun sat together in one place, chatting in low voices. The atmosphere seemed relaxed.
On another side, Wu Anren, Luo Qianjue, and He Shuang also gathered together. Wu Anren was saying something, Luo Qianjue listening carefully, while He Shuang remained as cold as ever, only occasionally nodding.
Somewhat unexpectedly, Han Xiong was also clearly present, though compared to his usual high spirits, at this moment he appeared silent and taciturn, his aura much more restrained.
Seeing Chen Qing enter, Wu Anren was first to stand, a gentle smile appearing on his face as he called out, "Junior Brother Chen, over here."
Luo Qianjue also stood, nodding to Chen Qing in greeting.
He Shuang's gaze also turned over, giving Chen Qing a slight nod, which counted as a greeting.
The several of them came from the hundred sects selection and naturally felt somewhat closer.
On Wan Shangyi's side, Qian Baole snapped open his folding fan with a "whoosh," smiling and gesturing to Chen Qing. Wan Shangyi and Liu Yun also cast their gazes over, nodding and smiling.
Even Han Xiong, sitting somewhat distant, after seeing Chen Qing, also raised his hands and cupped them.
Facing Han Xiong's somewhat abrupt proactive goodwill, Chen Qing's expression remained calm as he also nodded slightly in response.
He had heard of Han Xiong's subsequent encounters. The Shen family had cut ties with him, withdrawing all resource support.
Chen Qing knew this matter well. The Shen family being so decisive was largely for his, Chen Qing's, benefit, intended to dissolve any resentment that might have remained from the previous marriage alliance incident, attempting to ease relations.
After all, although Han Xiong was defeated, his True Disciple candidate status remained. If he could break through to True Origin, his potential still should not be underestimated.
Before long, Meng Qianxue also arrived.
Today she had changed into a goose-yellow long dress that set off her snow-white skin. Her bright eyes looked around charmingly, her smile recovering some of her former spirit. Compared to her dejection after the failed challenge, she seemed like a different person, causing eyes to light up.
"I just went to order the dishes and arrived a bit late. I hope everyone doesn't mind." Meng Qianxue smiled apologetically, her voice crisp.
Wan Shangyi laughed heartily and teased, "Seeing Junior Sister Meng's renewed radiance is something we're all happy to see. Waiting is no problem."
Everyone exchanged pleasantries for a few sentences, then successively took their seats.
Meng Qianxue was first to raise her cup, saying, "Inviting everyone here this time, first is because we haven't gathered in a long time. We're all candidates, so we should be closer. Second is to take this opportunity to exchange cultivation insights for mutual benefit."
The atmosphere at the table gradually became lively. Everyone raised cups and exchanged them, speaking and laughing pleasantly, chatting about sect anecdotes or discussing some subtle insights on martial arts. On the surface, it was quite harmonious.
After three rounds of wine, the topic unknowingly turned toward what everyone most cared about, the True Disciple positions and the path of cultivation.
At this time, Wan Shangyi set down his wine cup, his expression becoming somewhat grave as he said, "According to news I've obtained, after Senior Brother Lu stabilizes from this closed-door cultivation, within three years he will certainly attempt to assault True Origin realm again, and moreover... this time his preparations are extremely thorough. According to the judgments of senior masters within the lineage, his success probability is at least above eighty percent."
As these words came out, the private room immediately quieted.
Everyone present had various expressions, but without exception, a trace of shock and complexity swept through the depths of their eyes.
Wan Shangyi came from the Nine Heavens lineage. His news sources had extremely high reference value.
Even if this might still be rumors deliberately released by Lu Chenming to further intimidate these candidates, everyone was clear that with Lu Chenming's profound foundation tempered for nearly eight years, he was indeed only one step away from True Origin realm.
Once he successfully broke through, the gulf between True Disciples and inner sect disciples would completely become an insurmountable chasm. If they wanted to challenge him again, it would be no different from a fool's dream.
Unless a True Disciple unexpectedly perished, or reached sixty and automatically stepped down, but observing the current top ten True Disciples, the eldest still had several years before sixty, right in the prime of martial Dao, the golden period.
Thinking of the almost invincible strength Lu Chenming displayed within True Aura realm, a sense of powerlessness spread through quite a few people's hearts.
That was an absolute advantage formed after nearly eight years of accumulation, built on a peerless heart method foundation, and tempered through countless battles and grinding. It was not easily made up for.
Qian Baole shook his head, closed his folding fan, and sighed, "Senior Brother Lu's strength is unfathomably deep. The thickness of his foundation is not something we can match. Wanting to challenge him within True Aura realm and seize a True Disciple seat... difficult, as difficult as ascending to heaven! In my view, rather than this, we should put our energy into ourselves. Breaking through to True Origin realm early is the proper principle. Even if we're not True Disciples then, the status and voice of True Origin realm elders within the sect far exceeds what ordinary inner sect disciples can compare to."
His words expressed the thoughts of many present.
If one could not reach True Origin realm, even if currently a True Disciple candidate, ultimately one would only have dim prospects, becoming lost in the crowd.
"Yes, Senior Brother Lu... within True Aura realm, he probably has no rivals."
Even Wu Anren had to acknowledge this reality at this moment.
He considered his sword techniques progressing rapidly, already reaching dual force fusion, but facing Lu Chenming's incomparably profound Nine Heavens True Aura and terrifying sword force that simplified complexity, he still felt it difficult to surpass.
Meng Qianxue nodded and continued, "This is also another purpose for inviting everyone here. Since hopes of challenging Senior Brother Lu in the short term are slim, why don't we exchange more experiences and insights about breaking through to True Origin realm, mutually verifying them? Perhaps we can avoid some detours."
"True Disciple positions are certainly glorious, but the martial Dao is long. Breaking through to True Origin is the foundation."
After experiencing great defeat, she had clearly adjusted her mindset, setting her goals more distant.
Everyone present nodded in agreement.
Facing Lu Chenming, this mountain almost impossible to shake, they had unanimously chosen a more pragmatic path, abandoning unrealistic challenging thoughts in the short term, instead consolidating their own cultivation, accumulating foundation, and fully assaulting True Origin realm.
First ensure they could step into a higher realm and join the sect's upper echelons, then plan for the future.
If in the future a True Disciple seat truly became vacant, competing with True Origin realm cultivation would naturally have much greater certainty.
Wan Shangyi's gaze seemingly casually swept across everyone present, his face wearing a genial smile, echoing everyone's discussion, but he seemed to be carefully observing each person's reaction, not knowing what he was calculating in his heart.
Qian Baole, Wu Anren, Meng Qianxue, and even the silent Han Xiong, these several people's thoughts tended toward agreement, believing that challenging Lu Chenming was no longer realistic. Consolidating themselves and seeking to break through to True Origin realm was the long-term plan.
Han Xiong knew even more clearly that having just recovered from injuries, compared to others he needed to spend more time accumulating and making up ground.
While Liu Yun sat to the side, listening to everyone's conversation, her face wearing a shallow smile, but deep in her eyes flashed a trace of indescribable complexity and bitterness.
Only she herself knew that just three months ago, she had been eager for success. Unprepared, she had secretly attempted to assault True Origin realm, resulting in disastrous failure. Not only had she failed to break through, she had actually injured her dantian foundation.
Without a heaven-sent opportunity, this life, True Origin was probably hopeless.
She hid this news tightly, not daring to leak the slightest bit. Once exposed, her True Disciple candidate position would probably be difficult to preserve, and the prestige and connections accumulated in the past would all go down the drain.
At this moment, what she calculated in her heart was how to use her still-existing "candidate" status and time to plan a backup path for herself, turning to manage influence in other aspects.
Luo Qianjue was the calmest among everyone.
He had only recently become a candidate. His cultivation was still in the consolidation and improvement period. He had no unrealistic fantasies about that unreachable True Disciple seat.
His goal was clear. Currently he only wanted to be down-to-earth, consolidate his late True Aura stage cultivation, and temper his blade techniques.
Toward Lu Chenming, he held awe but no intention to challenge, at least absolutely not in the short term.
His path was steady accumulation, step by step.
He Shuang didn't speak much. Nothing could be seen from her cold countenance.
She had just experienced challenge failure and had the most direct understanding of Lu Chenming's strength.
She occasionally exchanged a few sentences with Wu Anren and Meng Qianxue about insights regarding True Aura tempering and mental spirit condensation, but more often she was listening and thinking.
Chen Qing sat to the side, quietly listening to everyone's conversation.
Clearly, under Lu Chenming's powerful intimidation, most of these former competitors had temporarily given up on frontal challenge, instead adopting a more long-term strategy.
At this time, Meng Qianxue directed her gaze toward Chen Qing, smiling as she asked, "Junior Brother Chen recently seems to live in seclusion. I wonder if you have any new insights regarding cultivation?"
Hearing this, Chen Qing set down his teacup, smiled slightly, and said, "Thank you for Senior Sister Meng's concern. Recently I've indeed been mostly consolidating cultivation, tempering True Aura, striving to advance further in realm."
His tone was peaceful, not revealing too much.
Hearing this, several people all felt it was within reason.
Looking at Chen Qing's young face, quite a few couldn't help but feel several parts envy.
Chen Qing's greatest advantage was being young with enormous potential. Time was on his side.
Even if Lu Chenming successfully broke through, as long as Chen Qing grew step by step, if True Disciple seats became vacant in the future, he would undoubtedly be one of the extremely competitive candidates.
He could completely afford to "wait it out."
After the banquet ended, everyone dispersed.
Chen Qing had just walked not far from Four Seas Pavilion when a voice came from behind.
"Senior Brother Chen, please wait."
Chen Qing halted, turning to look. He saw Han Xiong hurrying to catch up, his face carrying a trace of complex expression as he cupped his hands, saying, "Senior Brother Chen."
Chen Qing's expression remained calm. He didn't speak, waiting for his continuation.
Han Xiong took a deep breath, as if making a decision, his tone sincere as he said, "Senior Brother Chen, previously this Han offended you in many ways. I was arrogant and proud, acted improperly. I hope Senior Brother Chen can be magnanimous."
He looked at Chen Qing, no trace of former arrogance in his eyes.
Rather than harboring old grudges and establishing such a strong enemy, better to proactively resolve it, at least reducing one potential trouble.
Moreover, Chen Qing's momentum was currently flourishing, deeply valued by the True Martial lineage. His future prospects were immeasurable.
Chen Qing looked at Han Xiong. Although this person had once been an enemy, after defeat he was quite straightforward, not entangling endlessly. Now proactively lowering his head saved Chen Qing considerable effort.
The other party proactively sought peace. He was naturally happy to have tranquility.
"Junior Brother Han speaks too seriously."
Chen Qing said indifferently, his tone peaceful, "Sparring matches, victory and defeat are normal occurrences. Let past matters pass. As fellow sect disciples, in the future we should naturally prioritize cultivation."
Hearing Chen Qing's response, that constantly taut string in Han Xiong's heart finally relaxed as he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Chen Qing's words counted as accepting reconciliation.
"Thank you for Senior Brother Chen's magnanimity!"
Han Xiong cupped his hands again, his face showing an expression of relief, "Senior Brother is right. Now this Han seeks nothing else, only wishing to peacefully recover from injuries and devote himself to cultivation, hoping to break through to True Origin realm early. Other matters... I dare not think too much about."
These words truly came from the heart. Through this battle, he had seen through much fickleness of human nature and understood that only personal strength was fundamental.
What factional struggles, what empty fame and worldly profit, before absolute strength were all illusory.
If one could not break through to True Origin, everything was empty talk.
Chen Qing nodded, "I wish Junior Brother Han early success."
The two exchanged a few more polite words, then each departed.
On the road returning to Xuwang Mountain's small courtyard, Chen Qing's mind replayed everyone's reactions at the banquet just now.
"Lu Chenming... invincible within True Aura realm..."
Chen Qing silently recited in his heart.
Everyone had temporarily given up challenging because of Lu Chenming's power, instead seeking to break through to True Origin. This caused the surface of the True Disciple competition to temporarily become a stretch of stagnant dead water.
"I should continue cultivating and talk after breaking through to late stage."
Returning to the small courtyard's quiet chamber, Chen Qing cast aside distracting thoughts and once again immersed himself in cultivation.
Time passed day by day. Xuwang Mountain's accumulated snow gradually melted, but winter's cold intensified.
Within the quiet chamber, Chen Qing sat cross-legged, the aura around his body rising and falling like tides.
Mixed Five Elements True Aura surged and flowed within his body. That chaos-colored vortex rotated faster and faster, emanating palpitating fluctuations.
Through five days of cultivation, he had already pushed his cultivation to the limit of mid True Aura stage.
[Mixed Five Elements True Aura: Sixth Layer (19998/20000)]
At this moment, the True Aura within his body was abundant and surging, already filled to the brim. The chaotic vortex in his dantian was like a mass of qi compressed to the limit, constantly trembling and letting out a low rumble.
His four limbs and hundred bones, meridians and acupoints, were all filled with pure and powerful True Aura. A swelling sensation spread throughout his body.
"It's now!"
Chen Qing's mind stirred. Without hesitation, he operated the Mixed Origin Five Elements True Solution.
"Boom!"
A tremendous sound like the world first opening exploded deep in his consciousness!
Within his dantian, that originally slowly rotating chaos-colored vortex suddenly contracted inward, abruptly collapsing into an extreme point. All True Aura seemed to be completely devoured by this point.
The next moment, this extreme point erupted with unstoppable force!
Even more vast Mixed Five Elements True Aura, like a flood bursting through a dam, surged wildly from that erupting center, instantly rushing through every one of Chen Qing's meridians, every corner!
"Crack..."
Within his body, it seemed some invisible shackle was forcefully shattered by this newborn torrent.
Chen Qing’s pores loosened all over his body. A powerful aura burst out of him uncontrollably, and the air in the quiet chamber twisted, letting out a faint hum.
Only to see that powerful and vast Mixed Five Elements True Aura leave his body, surging and roaring within the quiet chamber.
True Aura externalization!
This was precisely the External Aura realm!
Simultaneously, mysterious panel information in his mind also clearly appeared:
[Mixed Five Elements True Aura: Seventh Layer (1/30000)]
Success!
Late True Aura stage!
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