Chapter 312: Rising Tide |
Luo Chengxuan forcibly circulated his True Origin, suppressing his churning blood energy and steadying his slightly trembling form.
He looked down at his palm, then raised his eyes toward the composed and calm Chen Qing opposite him, his heart surging with shock like tidal waves.
He still had trump card divine abilities and secret techniques he hadn't used, but his opponent similarly hadn't even drawn the Black Dragon Spear on his back.
The terrifying force and condensed True Origin contained in that earlier punch had already made him clearly recognize that even if he used his secret techniques, his chances of victory were extremely slim. Continuing to struggle would only make his defeat more embarrassing and add to the ridicule.
As thoughts flashed through his mind, Luo Chengxuan took a deep breath and cupped his fists toward Chen Qing, "Senior... Senior Brother Chen's strength is profound, this one admires it. These six Spirit Nurturing Soul Stabilizing Pills... belong to the True Martial lineage, Luo has no objections."
He ultimately changed his address, replacing "Junior Brother" with "Senior Brother."
In Tianbao Upper Sect, strength was supreme. The strength Chen Qing displayed today was sufficient to make him lower his pride and acknowledge the other's status.
Seeing Luo Chengxuan concede so decisively, Chen Qing no longer spared him another glance. He turned and walked unhurriedly toward the cold jade plate, calmly collecting the six Spirit Nurturing Soul Stabilizing Pills he had already claimed one by one into a jade bottle.
Throughout the entire process, the hall remained silent.
Today's pill distribution had truly exceeded her expectations by far.
She had originally thought that the True Martial lineage sending only Chen Qing meant they intended to give up this competition. Who could have imagined that the outcome would be so earth-shattering?
Chen Qing not only brazenly acted, but moreover defeated Luo Chengxuan with an almost crushing posture.
According to sect rules, after this battle, Chen Qing had already replaced Luo Chengxuan, advancing to the seventh-ranked True Disciple.
Going further up would be Qu He and herself, Huo Qiushui.
What made her mood even more unsettled was that in that earlier battle, Luo Chengxuan probably didn't even have the qualification to force Chen Qing to reveal his true strength.
His renowned weapons and palm-sword ultimate techniques appeared so pale and powerless before Chen Qing.
The brilliance displayed today was probably merely the tip of the iceberg.
Thinking of this, Huo Qiushui immediately felt tremendous pressure.
Could this person truly intend to fight his way up against the rankings!?
Yan Chi on the side also let his eyes linger on Chen Qing for a few moments longer.
However, for him, as long as no one dared touch the eight pills rightfully belonging to the Nine Heavens lineage, whether the other three lineages had the east wind overwhelming the west wind or the west wind overwhelming the east wind, he was too lazy to expend mental energy on it.
And regarding the grievances between the True Martial lineage and Nine Heavens lineage, he personally rarely participated.
Elder Wu and Elder Li quietly exchanged a glance, both reading barely concealed admiration in each other's eyes.
They had originally thought that between the seventh and eighth ranks in adjacent positions, there would inevitably be a fierce dragon-tiger struggle. Who could have anticipated that the process would be so devastating, and the result so disparate?
"The disciple that Senior Brother Luo values is indeed extraordinary..."
Elder Zhang Yi's hand stroking his beard paused slightly as he sighed inwardly.
Seeing the dust settled, Yan Chi said no more. He stepped forward, swept his robe sleeve, and precisely collected the eight Spirit Nurturing Soul Stabilizing Pills belonging to the Nine Heavens lineage.
"Three Elders! I'll take my leave first!"
He nodded to the three elders, then directly departed from the Pill Nurturing Hall.
Seeing this, Huo Qiushui also stepped forward gracefully and took away the six pills belonging to the Jade Palace lineage.
Her gaze complexly looked at Chen Qing once more before she too departed.
In the blink of an eye, only three lonely pills remained in the cold jade plate.
Luo Chengxuan's face alternated between pale and flushed. He took a deep breath, silently stepped forward and collected these three pills.
He didn't even take leave from Elder Zhang Yi, only stiffly cupped his hands toward Chen Qing's direction and quickly left this place where he had lost all face.
"The pill distribution is finished, we'll also return now."
Elder Wu and Elder Li simply tidied up and walked toward the rear hall.
The originally tense atmosphere of the Pill Nurturing Hall now left only Chen Qing and Zhang Yi.
Elder Zhang Yi looked at Chen Qing, stroking his beard as he said, "In this Pill Nurturing Hall, the True Martial lineage hasn't been able to truly hold its head high like today in a very long time."
His tone carried several parts wistfulness.
In previous years, with the True Martial lineage weakened, whether it was Qu He or even earlier True Disciples, in such resource allocation situations, they were often severely suppressed, and the share they could obtain was always the lowest tier.
This was the naked and realistic rule within Tianbao Upper Sect, if your strength was weak, you could only swallow your anger, while resources tilted toward the strong.
Chen Qing properly stored away the jade bottle containing the six Spirit Nurturing Soul Stabilizing Pills, "This disciple merely took back what rightfully belongs to the True Martial lineage."
Elder Zhang Yi nodded, then reminded, "Your actions today have probably offended the Profound Yang lineage. That Luo Chengxuan is secondary, but behind him stands Ji Yunliang."
Ji Yunliang ranked second among True Disciples, his strength unfathomable.
This time, Luo Chengxuan only brought back three pills. The Profound Yang lineage would definitely feel their face greatly damaged, and they would certainly put this account on Chen Qing's head.
Chen Qing's gaze focused slightly as he nodded.
He had already anticipated this matter when he decided to act and compete for the six pills.
The resources within the sect were like a fixed-sized cake. If he wanted to eat more, naturally someone else would eat less. Conflict was unavoidable.
To obtain more, one must display corresponding strength and bear the pressure that came with it.
"Thank you for the Elder's reminder, this disciple understands." Chen Qing responded in a deep voice.
Seeing this, Zhang Yi knew in his heart that with Chen Qing's forceful rise, the delicate balance maintained among the current generation of True Disciples for several years had been broken.
Henceforth, the struggles over resource allocation would definitely no longer be as "mild" as in the past.
He pondered for a moment, seeming to weigh something, then lowered his voice and said, "This old man will inform you of some news in advance so you can prepare early."
Chen Qing's heart stirred as he cupped his hands, "Elder, please speak."
Zhang Yi slowly said, "Next year, around the time of the sect's great competition, a furnace of precious pills ten times more valuable than these Spirit Nurturing Soul Stabilizing Pills will be completed. This pill is called the Profound Yang Spirit Fusion Pill, and it ranks in the top five treasure pills for enhancing the strength of True Origin realm cultivators."
"Profound Yang Spirit Fusion Pill?" Chen Qing's gaze focused. Just hearing this name, he knew it was no small matter.
"Correct."
Zhang Yi nodded affirmatively, his face also showing a trace of solemnity, "This pill is extremely difficult to refine. The main and supplementary ingredients needed are without exception rare treasures difficult to find in the world. The sect has accumulated for fifteen years to barely gather enough for one furnace. Because of its enormous expenditure and low pill formation rate, it can only be prepared once every fifteen years. Each time the pills emerge from the furnace, not only you True Disciples, but even those elders within the sect who have been stuck at bottlenecks for many years all stare longingly. It can be said to affect the minds of the entire sect from top to bottom."
He paused, then continued, "However, the Sect Master has ordered that this pill is primarily used to cultivate the sect's future pillars. Therefore, after the pills are formed, the majority of the quota will be distributed to the current generation of True Disciples, hoping that you can use this pill's power to break through barriers and greatly advance your cultivation."
Chen Qing immediately grasped the key point and asked, "So you're saying that at that time, the competition for these 'Profound Yang Spirit Fusion Pills' will be several times more intense than today?"
"More than just several times!"
Zhang Yi's expression became solemn, "That will be a true dragon-tiger struggle! Elders of each lineage, even some uncles and aunts in seclusion, will secretly exert force and influence for the True Disciples they value. This is no longer merely a competition of spirit among disciples, but involves the entanglement of interests among the lineages, deeply rooted and intertwined. Its intensity far exceeds what today's Spirit Nurturing Soul Stabilizing Pills can compare to."
After all, these Profound Yang Spirit Fusion Pills were formed from fifteen years of painstaking effort and essence, their mighty medicinal power and profound divine effects unimaginable.
It could be foreseen that when the furnace opened, it would inevitably provoke a dragon-tiger struggle among the True Disciples of the four lineages, becoming the focus of attention for the entire sect from top to bottom.
Chen Qing took a deep breath, already understanding the importance of this pill.
These Profound Yang Spirit Fusion Pills were probably peerless treasure pills that could significantly enhance True Origin cultivation and even assist with refinement, possessing fatal attraction for any True Origin realm expert.
However, these pills would emerge next year, so the time was still early.
He once again solemnly bowed to Elder Zhang Yi, "Thank you, Elder Zhang, for informing me of such important news. This disciple is extremely grateful."
Zhang Yi waved his hand, speaking earnestly, "Knowing early allows you to prepare early. Cultivate well and enhance your strength. That is the foundation for standing firm in that competition."
Chen Qing nodded in agreement, deeply engraving the name "Profound Yang Spirit Fusion Pill" in his heart, then took his leave and departed from the Pill Nurturing Hall.
Before long, he returned to his small courtyard on True Martial Peak.
"Qingdai." Chen Qing called for Qingdai.
"What are Senior Brother's instructions?" Qingdai immediately came forward.
Chen Qing took out a small jade bottle he had already prepared, placed three Spirit Nurturing Soul Stabilizing Pills into it, and handed it to Qingdai, "Deliver these three pills to Senior Brother Qu He."
Qingdai received the jade bottle with both hands, respectfully responding, "Yes, Senior Brother."
She understood in her heart that Senior Brother Chen was maintaining his fellowship with Senior Brother Qu.
After Qingdai left, Chen Qing directly entered the quiet room.
He sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion and took out one Spirit Nurturing Soul Stabilizing Pill.
Swirling radiant light flowed across the pill's surface, emitting a strange medicinal fragrance that refreshed one's spirit and soul.
Chen Qing placed the pill in his mouth.
The pill dissolved immediately upon entry, and a cool surge thunderously rushed into his brow's consciousness sea!
"Hum!"
Chen Qing only felt his Will Sea suddenly shake!
The originally calm consciousness sea raised towering waves.
That cool medicinal power didn't crash violently, but rather like the most delicate and gentle rain threads of spring, soundlessly and invisibly fusing into every corner of his spiritual consciousness.
Nourishing and strengthening!
The trace of fatigue brought from continuous cultivation, especially from controlling the spear formation with divided attention, was instantly washed away completely.
His spiritual consciousness grew and solidified at an almost tangibly perceptible speed.
In the center of the Will Sea, that verdant Soul Wood seemed to also be stimulated, the pale green radiance it shed becoming more concentrated, complementing the pill's power and jointly nourishing this fertile soil of spiritual consciousness.
Chen Qing could even "see" that under the washing of the medicinal power, the range of his spiritual consciousness's perception was slowly expanding outward.
He divided his mind for dual use, on one hand guiding the medicinal power to maximize its nourishment of his spiritual consciousness, while on the other hand beginning to deduce the various changes of the "True Martial Demon-Quelling Spear Formation" in his heart.
With his spiritual consciousness clear, places that were previously sluggish in operation now suddenly became clear!
The spear formation’s many exquisite variations unfolded clearly in his mind.
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Just as Chen Qing was wholeheartedly cultivating in the quiet room.
Qu He was having a meal in the side hall of his own courtyard.
Suddenly, a disciple from the True Martial lineage rushed in frantically, his face carrying uncontrollable excitement and elation.
"Senior Brother Qu! Senior Brother Qu! Big news! Something big happened at the Pill Nurturing Hall!"
That disciple was panting, not caring about etiquette, and directly shouted.
Qu He's brows furrowed slightly as he put down his chopsticks and said in a deep voice, "Why the panic? Speak slowly. What big thing could happen at the Pill Nurturing Hall? Is it Junior Brother Chen Qing... did he suffer grievances?"
His first reaction was that Chen Qing, young and impetuous, had a conflict with Luo Chengxuan and others, and ultimately, outnumbered, had probably suffered a loss, with the pill quota pressed down again.
After all, he knew well Luo Chengxuan's strength and character.
That disciple waved his hands repeatedly, excitedly saying, "Not grievances! It's Senior Brother Chen! Senior Brother Chen... he defeated Luo Chengxuan with one punch at the Pill Nurturing Hall! And seized six Spirit Nurturing Soul Stabilizing Pills!"
"Oh?!"
Qu He suddenly stood up, as if doubting he had heard wrong.
"Say that again? Junior Brother Chen... defeated Luo Chengxuan? And took six pills?"
Qu He took a deep breath.
"Absolutely true!"
That disciple described everything that happened in the Pill Nurturing Hall in vivid detail, how Chen Qing demanded six pills, how Luo Chengxuan acted to obstruct him, how Chen Qing broke through the palm with a finger, and finally how he forced back Luo Chengxuan with just one punch.
Listening to the disciple's description, the astonishment on Qu He's face was gradually replaced by gravity.
He slowly sat back in his chair.
He knew Luo Chengxuan's strength all too well.
Both were True Disciples, and they had exchanged moves numerous times, knowing each other thoroughly.
Luo Chengxuan's True Origin was domineering and scorching. The Profound Yang lineage's Heavenly Mountain Blazing Sun Palm and Burning Heaven Sword Art were even more refined to perfection, extremely difficult to deal with.
He, Qu He, could say that even if he could defeat Luo Chengxuan, he absolutely couldn't win so decisively and cleanly like Chen Qing had, not even having used his weapon!
"With just his physical body and one punch... he defeated Luo Chengxuan exerting full effort..."
Qu He murmured to himself, light flickering uncertainly in his eyes, "Junior Brother Chen's strength is probably... not inferior to mine either."
This conclusion made his heart suddenly jump, finding it both absurd and shocking.
How long had it been?
From when Chen Qing advanced to True Disciple until now, how much time had passed?
He had actually already grown to a level where he could stand shoulder to shoulder with himself, or even... possibly surpass him?
That messenger disciple didn't notice Qu He's complex expression, still immersed in excitement, sighing, "Who could have thought? Today at the Pill Nurturing Hall, Senior Brother Chen was truly majestic! You didn't see Luo Chengxuan's face at the end... hehe, our True Martial lineage has always been suppressed, but today we seized six pills. We can finally hold our heads high for once!"
Yes, hold our heads high.
Qu He's heart was filled with mixed feelings.
The True Martial lineage's prestige was revitalized because of Chen Qing. As a senior brother, he shared in the glory.
But at the same time, a strong sense of urgency also surged into his heart.
Chen Qing's rise was too fast, so fast that even he, as a senior brother, was somewhat caught off guard.
Just then, his wife Lady Liu walked in carrying a tray with a small jade bottle on it.
"Husband, just now Junior Brother Chen Qing had someone deliver this."
Lady Liu gently placed the jade bottle before Qu He.
Qu He's gaze fell on the jade bottle. He then opened it and looked inside. Inside were three freshly produced, spirit energy-rich Spirit Nurturing Soul Stabilizing Pills.
He silently looked at the jade bottle for a long time, speechless.
The future of the True Martial lineage was no longer in his hands.
Lady Liu looked at her husband's complex expression and softly asked, "Husband, what's wrong?"
Qu He let out a long breath of turbid air, picked up the jade bottle and held it in his hand, his gaze gradually becoming resolute.
"Nothing."
He shook his head, speaking to his wife but also as if to himself, "I just feel that I, as the senior brother, must also work harder."
Chen Qing displayed such strength, and he absolutely couldn't easily fall behind.
Qu He pondered for a moment and said, "Return one of these Spirit Nurturing Soul Stabilizing Pills."
Two pills were already enough for him.
…
Profound Yang Peak, Profound Yang Hall's side hall.
The atmosphere was slightly stagnant.
Luo Chengxuan stood below with lowered head, reporting everything that happened in the Pill Nurturing Hall, including the process of his exchange with Chen Qing and ultimately bringing back only three Spirit Nurturing Soul Stabilizing Pills, completely and faithfully.
He placed the jade bottle containing the three pills on the table before him.
"Senior Brother, I... my skills were inferior. I disappointed the Peak Master and Senior Brother." Luo Chengxuan's voice was low.
He was originally responsible for this matter. If he could bring back a few more, by convention he would have a quota he could keep for himself. Now with only three pills, he naturally didn't dare have any more thoughts.
Ji Yunliang, seated at the head position, had a calm expression, showing neither joy nor anger.
After hearing Luo Chengxuan's account, his gaze swept over those three lonely pills, and his previously slightly furrowed brows had already relaxed.
"This matter cannot be blamed on you."
Ji Yunliang slowly spoke, his voice steady, "That Chen Qing is truly unexpected."
He had previously held some contempt for the disciples selected from the hundred sects at Xuwang Mountain, believing that small border sects and local families could hardly produce any truly brilliant talents. Their resources, vision, and inheritance couldn't compare with core disciples carefully cultivated by a colossal entity like Tianbao Upper Sect.
Now it seemed he had been somewhat presumptuous.
This Chen Qing was undoubtedly an "anomaly" in his perception.
"First challenging Junior Brother Zhang Baicheng, now openly seizing pills at the Pill Nurturing Hall, targeting our Profound Yang lineage directly! Does this person truly think there's no one on Profound Yang Peak, that we're easy to bully?"
An elder from the Profound Yang lineage couldn't hold back and spoke with displeasure.
Chen Qing's recent actions, from an outsider's perspective, indeed seemed to have some form of targeting the Profound Yang lineage.
Many people in the hall turned their gazes toward Ji Yunliang, waiting for his statement.
Ji Yunliang's expression didn't change. His gaze calmly swept over the elder who had spoken, saying indifferently, "Rank competition and pill distribution are all within the sect's allowed rules. Chen Qing won by strength and is beyond reproach."
His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly suppressed some dissatisfaction and restlessness in the hall.
As the second-ranked True Disciple of the Profound Yang lineage and moreover a late True Origin realm expert, Ji Yunliang had extremely high prestige within the lineage. His attitude largely determined the Profound Yang lineage's response tone to this matter.
"This matter needs no expansion, nor should there be other speculation. It's merely ordinary competition among disciples, a trivial matter."
Ji Yunliang's final word characterized the matter.
Seeing him state this, even though people in the hall still had some thoughts, they didn't dare say more and cupped their hands in acknowledgment one after another.
After discussing a few more inconsequential sect matters, everyone successively took their leave and departed.
In the side hall, soon only Ji Yunliang and Elder Gongyang Ming, who had been standing quietly on the side without speaking, remained.
Gongyang Ming stroked his long beard and said, "This Chen Qing is indeed an anomaly. Who would have thought the hundred sects selection could truly pan out such a rough jade? What's even more rare is that it was picked up by the True Martial lineage that has been weak for many years."
Ji Yunliang nodded slightly, expressing agreement, "This person indeed has extraordinary qualities. Otherwise, he couldn't have been accepted as a disciple by Senior Uncle Luo."
However, he immediately changed the subject, "But my true opponent is not him."
In the depths of Ji Yunliang's eyes, an extremely faint edge flashed.
Nan Zhuoran, the first among True Disciples, had suppressed him for fully several decades.
"Compared to Nan Zhuoran, Chen Qing... is ultimately still too immature."
Gongyang Ming slowly said, "He may be able to stir up some waves, but at present, he's still far from constituting a threat. At most, he can be considered a rising talent worth paying attention to."
Compared to that True Disciple ranked first with unfathomable cultivation and position as stable as Mount Tai, the newly emerged Chen Qing indeed seemed insufficient in weight.
Moreover, with Chen Qing rising so quickly and attracting so much attention, the ones who should feel most threatened and troubled were definitely not their Profound Yang lineage, but rather the currently powerful Nine Heavens lineage that already had friction with Chen Qing.
"The True Martial lineage has been silent for so many years,"
Ji Yunliang's gaze looked toward the direction of True Martial Peak, "No matter how long mountain stones bury it, a bright pearl will always have its day when the dust is wiped away and its luster restored. It's just unknown how much of its former glory this Chen Qing can lead the True Martial lineage to recover?"
What glory the True Martial lineage had in those years!
It could be called the first among the four lineages. At its peak, experts were as numerous as clouds within the sect, and the True Disciples were so strong they even once suppressed the other three lineages until they couldn't breathe.
Several top figures in the lineage were even the mainstay of Tianbao Upper Sect. Looking across the entire Yan Kingdom, they were among the elite.
That was also the era when Tianbao Upper Sect was most dominant in Yan Kingdom.
"Difficult, very difficult."
Gongyang Ming shook his head. “Even if Chen Qing has extraordinary talent and rises quickly, a single tree can’t support a collapsing hall. The True Martial lineage has been cut off for too long, its foundation far too damaged. Besides, the Nine Heavens lineage is thriving now, Peak Master Li Yujun’s methods are formidable, and Nan Zhuoran is at the height of his power… Wanting to restore the former glory is basically impossible.”