Chapter 314: Golden Leaf

Surviving In A Martial Arts World To Become A Saint

Chen Qing followed the female disciple from the Nine Heavens lineage through layers of cloud-wreathed pavilions and towers, finally arriving at a pavilion.

The pavilion was named "Cloud Viewing." It was open on all sides, and leaning on the railings to gaze into the distance, one could see the sea of clouds churning, mountains like dark jade, and myriad atmospheric phenomena.

The interior furnishings were simple yet luxurious.

"Senior Brother Chen, please wait here. Senior Brother Nan will arrive shortly."

The female disciple gave a graceful bow, her voice gentle, then quietly withdrew to stand at the side.

Chen Qing nodded slightly and slowly walked to sit in a rosewood chair. His gaze appeared to calmly appreciate the sea of clouds outside the pavilion, but his mind was racing with thoughts.

Nan Zhuoran... why would this person ranked first among True Disciples suddenly invite him?

When something abnormal happens, there must be a demon behind it.

The relationship between the Nine Heavens lineage and True Martial lineage had always been poor—this was something everyone in the sect knew.

According to the information he had obtained, in recent years, Nan Zhuoran seemed to focus on his own cultivation and rarely personally participated in the open and covert struggles between lineages.

But this person was definitely not soft-hearted or merciful. Back then, Senior Brother Qu He had suffered quite a bit at his hands. His methods were so cold and ruthless that Qu He remained wary of him to this day.

Now Chen Qing was in the limelight, having first defeated Zhang Baicheng, then shocking Luo Chengxuan back with one punch at the Pill Nurturing Hall and seizing six Spirit Nurturing Soul Stabilizing Pills. He could be said to have revealed his edge completely.

Was Nan Zhuoran's invitation at this moment a goodwill gesture to win him over, or... a Hongmen Feast?

Just as he pondered, steady footsteps sounded from outside the pavilion.

It was the first among True Disciples, Nan Zhuoran.

"I've kept Junior Brother Chen waiting. I was just handling some trivial matters and arrived a step late. I hope Junior Brother won't take offense." Nan Zhuoran's smile was like a spring breeze as he spoke first.

Chen Qing immediately stood up and cupped his hands in greeting, neither servile nor overbearing, "Senior Brother Nan speaks too highly. This junior only just arrived moments ago."

The two exchanged simple pleasantries. Nan Zhuoran gestured for Chen Qing to sit, and serving maids naturally brought fragrant tea.

"Congratulations to Junior Brother Chen on your promotion to seventh-ranked True Disciple."

Nan Zhuoran picked up his teacup and gently blew on the tea foam, smiling as he said, "Though Junior Brother entered the sect only recently, your progress has been remarkably swift. I've also heard that Junior Brother previously slew the Demon Sect's Tenth Elder Lu Hanyin at Dragon Marsh Lake, establishing great merit and raising the prestige of our Tianbao Upper Sect."

"Senior Brother flatters me too much."

Chen Qing's expression remained calm, but his vigilance heightened, "Lu Hanyin's execution was merely this junior happening to be there and exerting a bit of meager effort."

The more polite the other party was, the greater their aims might be.

Nan Zhuoran chuckled, put down his teacup, pondered for a long while, then got to the main point, "Junior Brother Chen is too modest. By the way, I've also heard that when Junior Brother was at Dragon Marsh Lake, you seemed to have obtained a bottle of 'Nine Nether Yin Evil'?"

Here it comes!

Chen Qing's heart stirred, but his face remained impassive, "Indeed, I was fortunate enough to obtain a little."

After he killed Lu Hanyin and obtained the Nine Nether Yin Evil, this matter wasn't a secret. It wasn't strange that Nan Zhuoran would know about it.

Nan Zhuoran nodded, his tone still mild, "To be frank with Junior Brother, I have a close friend at Cloudwater Upper Sect. He cultivates a divine ability called 'Nine Nether Cold Soul Tide' and urgently needs this item as a catalyst."

"I'm sure Junior Brother is also aware that this Nine Nether Yin Evil has an extremely yin nature and doesn't quite align with the mainstream technique paths of our Tianbao Upper Sect. Keeping it in hand may not be very useful. I wonder if Junior Brother Chen would be willing to part with it? Of course, I definitely won't let Junior Brother suffer a loss."

Hearing this, Chen Qing sneered inwardly.

Not very useful?

For him, this Nine Nether Yin Evil was a key item for cultivation, already integrated into his body. How could he give it up?

He cupped his fists, "I'm afraid I must disappoint Senior Brother Nan. This item also has great use for me."

Hearing this, Nan Zhuoran couldn't help but frown slightly, but the expression smoothed out instantly, returning to normal.

He didn't give up and directly made an offer, "One hundred thousand contribution points."

This number would absolutely be considered a huge sum for any True Disciple, enough to exchange for many rare resources.

Chen Qing was just about to refuse again when Nan Zhuoran, as if not seeing his expression, continued indifferently, "Additionally, next year when Elixir Glow Peak opens that furnace of 'Profound Yang Spirit Fusion Pills'... I can make the decision to ensure Junior Brother receives one pill."

As these words fell, Chen Qing's eyes focused slightly.

If the earlier one hundred thousand contribution points provided generous compensation, then the latter promise about the Profound Yang Spirit Fusion Pill carried half enticement and half veiled threat!

The Profound Yang Spirit Fusion Pills were refined by the sect and, according to rules, distributed among True Disciples of each lineage based on strength and status. Yet Nan Zhuoran said he would "give" Chen Qing one, which was tantamount to declaring his absolute authority over sect resource distribution—if he could give, naturally he could also prevent Chen Qing from getting any!

Chen Qing's brows furrowed inwardly, but he still cupped his fists on the surface, "Senior Brother Nan shows great favor, which this junior appreciates. However, this Nine Nether Yin Evil is truly extremely important to me. I must respectfully decline."

Hearing Chen Qing refuse decisively once again, the smile on Nan Zhuoran's face finally faded. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze calmly watching Chen Qing as he slowly said, "Junior Brother Chen, is there truly... no room for negotiation at all?"

He really couldn't understand why Chen Qing was so stubborn about a bottle of Nine Nether Yin Evil that had no great use for the True Martial lineage's mainstream divine abilities and secret arts, to the point of being willing to offend him, the first among True Disciples, rather than hand it over?

He believed the conditions he offered were already generous enough, and he had lowered his posture sufficiently.

Chen Qing felt that invisible pressure enveloping him and said, "I ask for Senior Brother's understanding."

Nan Zhuoran narrowed his eyes, a trace of cold light flashing in them, but his tone remained steady, only carrying a chill, "Good. I understand."

The originally harmonious scene between senior and junior brothers suddenly became subtle.

Seeing this, Chen Qing took the opportunity to stand, "Since Senior Brother Nan has no other matters, this junior will take his leave."

"I won't see you out."

Nan Zhuoran picked up his teacup, his tone indifferent.

Chen Qing said no more, turned and walked away, directly leaving Cloud Viewing Pavilion.

After Chen Qing's figure disappeared, displeasure immediately appeared on the face of the female disciple who had been standing quietly to the side, "Senior Brother, this Chen Qing actually doesn't give you any face!"

Who was Nan Zhuoran?

He was the first among the current generation of True Disciples, recognized as the person with the highest aptitude in Tianbao Upper Sect in nearly a hundred years, viewed as one of the strong contenders for the next Sect Master!

Today he had lowered himself, personally hosting a banquet for Chen Qing, asking pleasantly for something "useless" to him and making great promises. He could be said to have given Chen Qing plenty of face.

Yet Chen Qing was impervious to persuasion, refusing three times in succession without leaving any face!

Nan Zhuoran also felt a surge of displeasure in his heart.

He had promised that person from Cloudwater Upper Sect that he would definitely obtain the Nine Nether Yin Evil for him, but now he had gone back on his word.

Since ascending to first among True Disciples, his words carried the force of law. Rarely did anyone dare to so directly oppose his will.

"This Chen Qing..."

Nan Zhuoran's gaze looked toward the direction Chen Qing had departed, his mind racing with thoughts, "Nine Nether Yin Evil... he's so determined to keep the Nine Nether Yin Evil, what exactly does he want to do with it? Among our Tianbao Upper Sect's many divine abilities and secret arts recorded over the past thousand years, it seems only certain vague inheritances left by the founding ancestor mentioned needing to use such extremely yin materials..."

Although the founding ancestor's complete inheritance had long been lost to the river of history and the sect hadn't truly found it, some ancient texts and fragmentary clues still remained.

Moreover, Luo Ziming had previously mentioned to him that he suspected Chen Qing had some fortuitous encounter in the Grotto Heaven and might have obtained some inheritance related to an ancestor!

"Could it be... related to the founding ancestor's inheritance?"

An astonishing thought flashed through Nan Zhuoran's mind, making even him feel it was somewhat hard to believe.

The female disciple beside him saw Nan Zhuoran's expression changing and couldn't help but whisper, "Senior Brother, are you saying... he might have obtained... the ancestor's inheritance?"

As soon as these words left her mouth, even she was startled by this speculation, her expression changing slightly.

If this were true and word spread, not just within Tianbao Upper Sect but throughout the entire Yan Kingdom, it would cause an uproar!

The founding ancestor, what an amazingly talented figure who dominated an entire era?

"The possibility isn't high."

Nan Zhuoran slowly shook his head, suppressing the shock and suspicion in his heart, "The ancestor's inheritance is ethereal and traceless. How could it be so easily obtained? Perhaps he just has another fortuitous encounter and cultivates some unorthodox secret art that requires yin fiend energy."

Though he denied it verbally, once this seed of suspicion was planted, it began to take root and sprout in his heart.

He still didn't want to believe that a disciple selected from a border region could possess even more heaven-defying opportunities than himself.

Wouldn't this mean Chen Qing's potential might even exceed his own?

However, Chen Qing's unreasonably rapid rise and his extraordinary emphasis on the Nine Nether Yin Evil both made Nan Zhuoran feel vaguely that something was off.

"True Martial lineage..."

Nan Zhuoran's eyes gradually became sharp.

With the Nine Heavens lineage's dominance already established, he could remain behind the scenes, watching coldly from the sidelines.

But this didn't mean allowing things to run wild. If anyone dared to try stirring up trouble, he would personally act to bring everything back on track.

The sect's resources were limited. If someone took more, inevitably someone else had to take less.

When the True Martial lineage was strong in the past, they devoured nearly eighty percent of the sect's resources, suppressing the other three lineages until they couldn't breathe.

Now that the Nine Heavens lineage was powerful, naturally they should occupy the dominant position.

Nan Zhuoran pondered for a moment, then instructed the female disciple, "Pass word to Zhong Yu that from now on, whenever resource distribution at the True Disciple level is involved, he should personally handle it."

"Yes, Senior Brother!" The female disciple nodded.

Nan Zhuoran looked at the churning sea of clouds outside the window, his eyes cold.

Suppressing Chen Qing was partly because of the accumulated grievances between the two lineages and Chen Qing's rebuff today, but on the other hand, he also wanted to use this opportunity to properly probe where exactly Chen Qing's trump cards lay!

If he truly was related to the ancestor's inheritance... a trace of fervor and wariness flashed through Nan Zhuoran's eyes.

The founding ancestor's inheritance was the supreme opportunity that everyone in Tianbao Upper Sect dreamed of.

Why had Li Qingyu been willing to betray the sect in the past?

Wasn't it for the "Tianbao Tower" contained in that inheritance's secrets?

If someone truly obtained the ancestor's personal transmission and could control this Tianbao Tower, wouldn't that be a matter of course?

After leaving Nine Heavens Peak, Chen Qing pondered inwardly.

This first among True Disciples was definitely not a mild-tempered person.

This person had extremely high aptitude, became famous at a young age, and was proud and arrogant. Today, he had refused his requests three times in succession, especially the nearly naked threat about the Profound Yang Spirit Fusion Pill at the end. He had already offended this first among True Disciples considerably.

"The days ahead within the sect won't be peaceful."

Chen Qing's gaze focused slightly. Nan Zhuoran's strength was unfathomable, and the resources and connections he controlled far exceeded what people like Luo Chengxuan could compare to. If he truly wanted to target him, the trouble would definitely not be small.

However, Chen Qing was not one to shrink back either.

All along his journey, his heart had long been tempered as solid as rock.

"I hope you don't provoke me."

Chen Qing's eyes narrowed, a trace of cold, harsh light flashing in their depths.

If Nan Zhuoran truly wanted to find trouble with him, Chen Qing was definitely not a soft persimmon to be kneaded at will!

"Right now, I should use all resources to enhance my strength. This Seven-Leaf Golden Lotus must also be quickly absorbed."

He took a deep breath, suppressing the distracting thoughts in his heart, then changed direction and headed toward Myriad Manifestations Hall.

At the Myriad Manifestations Hall's administration office, Chen Qing directly listed the several supplementary medicines Master Qiku had mentioned, "Earth Heart Jade Marrow, Hundred-Year Stalactite, Pure Heart Three-Leaf Grass, Warming Meridian Fruit..."

Though these supplementary medicines weren't main ingredients, they were all rare items of considerable value.

After a round of exchanges, he had spent fully over five thousand contribution points.

But to maximize the utilization of the Seven-Leaf Golden Lotus's medicinal power, this investment was indispensable.

Carrying all the precious medicines, Chen Qing directly returned to his small courtyard on True Martial Peak.

"Qingdai, prepare a bathing barrel and clear water." Chen Qing instructed.

"Yes, Senior Brother!" Qingdai didn't dare delay and immediately busied herself along with Baizhi and Su Wen.

Soon, inside the quiet room, an enormous bathing barrel was filled with clear spring water.

Chen Qing waved his hand to dismiss the three women and tightly closed the room's door.

He dissolved the other several supplementary medicines that harmonized medicinal properties into the water one by one.

The originally clear spring water had now become misty, with flowing spiritual light. The rich vital energy almost became substantial, and the entire quiet room was filled with an invigorating medicinal fragrance.

Having completed all this, Chen Qing took a deep breath and carefully took out that Seven-Leaf Golden Lotus.

The moment the Golden Lotus appeared, supreme yang and pure vital energy burst forth, illuminating the quiet room in golden yellow. Even the other medicinal fragrances permeating the air were temporarily overwhelmed by this pure harmonious yang energy.

Chen Qing carefully plucked from the base of the Golden Lotus one perfectly formed golden leaf with golden light flowing through its veins.

Just plucking one leaf, the Golden Lotus's brilliance seemed to dim by a degree, showing how immense its contained source essence was.

He gently placed this golden leaf into the bathing barrel.

"Tss—"

As the golden leaf touched water, it didn't sink to the bottom but floated suspended in the center of the medicinal liquid, like a miniature sun.

The next moment, mighty pure supreme yang vital energy surged out from the golden leaf like a volcanic eruption!

The medicinal liquid in the entire bathing barrel instantly boiled!

A scorching aura spread out, but it wasn't dry heat—rather, it carried the warmth of mighty vitality and warmth.

The clear water in the barrel, under the combined effect of supreme yang vital energy and various precious medicines, seemed to transform into boiling golden magma, bubbling and gurgling. With each bubble that burst, a stream of pure aura dissipated.

Chen Qing hesitated no more. He quickly removed his clothes and stepped into the bathing barrel.

"Ugh!"

Just as his body submerged into the medicinal liquid, Chen Qing couldn't help but let out a muffled groan.

Pain!

Indescribable severe pain!

It was as if countless red-hot golden needles viciously pierced through all his pores into his body, penetrating straight to the bone marrow!

It was also like being thrown into a massive furnace, accepting the tempering and forging of fierce flames.

The Dragon-Elephant Prajna Vajra Body automatically operated to its extreme. His skin instantly transformed into a deep ancient bronze-gold color, ancient Sanskrit characters emerging to resist the impact of this domineering medicinal power.

Low dragon roars and elephant cries continuously sounded from within him. His blood energy was like an ignited oil depot, surging thunderously, violently colliding and fusing with the supreme yang vital energy pouring into his body.

Chen Qing sat cross-legged and stable, forcibly steadying his mind, guiding this violent yet pure medicinal power to circulate through his meridians along specific routes.

The medicinal power was like a bursting flood, washing over his four limbs and hundred bones again and again—every inch of flesh, every piece of bone, even deep into the bone marrow.

He could clearly feel that his physical body was undergoing earth-shaking changes.

His bones emitted subtle "crack crack" sounds, as if being tempered a thousand times, their density continuously increasing, faintly showing a trace of pale golden luster.

His meridians continuously widened under the impact of the medicinal power, becoming more flexible, able to contain even more surging blood energy.

This process was excruciatingly painful, like being in purgatory.

Sweat had just seeped from his pores when it was evaporated by the scorching medicinal power.

Chen Qing's face twisted slightly from the extreme pain, but his eyes remained exceptionally resolute. He firmly guarded a trace of clarity in his spiritual platform, guiding this rebirth-like transformation.

Time slowly passed in the extreme pain and rapid improvement.

After an unknown amount of time, the brilliant gold in the barrel gradually dimmed, the boiling medicinal liquid slowly calmed, and finally transformed into murky turbidity.

That single leaf from the Seven-Leaf Golden Lotus had long since dispersed without a trace, all its essence completely fused into the medicinal liquid and absorbed by Chen Qing's body.

He slowly opened his eyes, then stood up from the bathing barrel. His originally ancient bronze-colored skin now faintly showed a warm jade-like luster, as if containing inner treasure light.

With a light clench of his fist, his joints cracked and popped.

With a slight movement, the blood energy throughout his body surged like the great Yangtze River, faintly accompanied by wind and thunder sounds.

His tendons and bones rang in unison, like dragon roars and elephant bellows, emitting a heart-palpitating sense of oppression.

[Heaven Rewards Diligence, Success Guaranteed]

[Dragon-Elephant Prajna Vajra Body: Fifth Layer (5125/20000)]

"This Seven-Leaf Golden Lotus truly has extraordinary divine effects!"

Chen Qing glanced at the panel, marveling in his heart.

Just one leaf, combined with various supplementary medicines, had effects several times better than he had anticipated, actually increasing by nearly over four thousand points.

This was just the beginning. The remaining six golden leaves would be enough for him to reach the sixth layer.

However, Chen Qing didn't rush to continue using the remaining golden leaves.

Martial cultivation required alternating tension and relaxation.

This time, borrowing the mighty medicinal power of one leaf from the Seven-Leaf Golden Lotus, his Dragon-Elephant Prajna Vajra Body had already made considerable progress. His physical body's strength had improved significantly, and his blood energy had increased by thirty percent.

The supreme yang vital energy fused into his flesh, blood, and bone marrow still needed time to be thoroughly digested and completely integrated with himself before it could be as responsive as an arm, leaving no hidden dangers.

"Greed leads to poor digestion. I must proceed steadily and methodically."

Chen Qing took a deep breath.

At the same time, news about Chen Qing forcefully defeating Luo Chengxuan at the Pill Nurturing Hall, seizing six Spirit Nurturing Soul Stabilizing Pills, and subsequently 'arrogantly' refusing Senior Brother Nan Zhuoran's goodwill at Cloud Viewing Pavilion began to circulate within the sect in a small scope.

Although the versions weren't entirely the same, the core meaning was very clear.

The True Martial lineage's newly promoted True Disciple Chen Qing was extremely prominent, acted forcefully, not only offending the Profound Yang lineage but also giving absolutely no face to the great senior brother of the Nine Heavens lineage.

For a time, Chen Qing's name suddenly became the focus of discussion within Tianbao Upper Sect.

"Have you heard? Senior Brother Chen Qing from True Martial Peak actually dared to rebuff even Senior Brother Nan Zhuoran!"

"I heard Senior Brother Nan kindly invited him, but that Chen Qing was arrogant and conceited, showing no respect in his words, directly making Senior Brother Nan unable to save face!"

"This Chen Qing... how dare he?"

"What else? Young and successful, he's forgotten himself! He thinks that just because he defeated Senior Brother Luo Chengxuan, he can really look down on everything? What kind of person is Senior Brother Nan? He's the first among True Disciples of our Tianbao Upper Sect! The only one with disciple status holding a ‘Terrestrial Balance Position’ in the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion, an unparalleled prodigy!"

"That's right! Senior Brother Nan is amazingly talented. I heard he already obtained some core inheritance from Ancestor Panwu. In the future, after experiencing eleven True Origin refinements, his hope of stepping into the Grandmaster realm is extremely high! He's a future pillar of the sect! Though Senior Brother Chen Qing has exceptional talent, offending Senior Brother Nan like this is truly unwise!"

"I'm not so sure! How long has Senior Brother Chen Qing been in the sect? Yet he's already advanced to seventh-ranked True Disciple. His strength and potential cannot be underestimated!"

"Junior Brother, watch your words! Don't say such things carelessly outside! Senior Brother Nan's prestige within the sect is so high, how can Chen Qing compare? Moreover, behind Senior Brother Nan stands the entire Nine Heavens lineage. Peak Master Li favors him greatly and has tilted countless resources toward him. Though Senior Brother Chen Qing is strong, the True Martial lineage has been weak for a long time. How can it contend with the Nine Heavens lineage?"

Similar discussions were endless on Profound Yang Peak, Jade Palace Peak, and even various other peaks.

The vast majority of disciples, especially those from the Nine Heavens lineage, all responded with cold laughter, believing Chen Qing was overestimating himself, arrogant and ignorant, actually daring to provoke Nan Zhuoran's authority.

"Just wait and see. Senior Brother Nan usually doesn't act because he can't be bothered with these things. Now that this Chen Qing is seeking death himself, he can't blame others. I wonder if he'll still be able to get even one pill of that Profound Yang Spirit Fusion Pill next year!"

Disciples of the Profound Yang lineage had even more complex feelings.

On one hand, Chen Qing's defeat of Luo Chengxuan had caused them loss of face. On the other hand, seeing Chen Qing turn around and severely offend Nan Zhuoran and the Nine Heavens lineage, quite a few people secretly felt a sense of schadenfreude.

Most disciples of the Jade Palace lineage maintained a neutral, wait-and-see attitude, but privately, they also generally believed Chen Qing's actions were too impulsive and that provoking Nan Zhuoran was truly unwise.

"Senior Brother Chen Qing... doesn't seem like such a discourteous person. Could there be other circumstances involved?"

"Hard to say. You know the face but not the heart. However, regardless of the reason, offending Senior Brother Nan like this is ultimately a foolish move."

Huo Qiushui, upon hearing the rumors, furrowed her delicate brows. She felt the matter was definitely not as simple as it appeared on the surface, but rumors were like tigers. She could only secretly shake her head and instruct disciples within her lineage not to participate in the discussions.

Even some elders and stewards within the sect were alarmed by this matter and began paying secret attention.

Regarding some of the gossip from the outside world, Chen Qing, situated in his small courtyard on True Martial Peak, naturally occasionally heard about it.

But he paid it no mind at all, still devoting all his energy to cultivation, focusing on thoroughly digesting and absorbing the medicinal power within his body.

On this day, just as he was preparing to absorb the second golden leaf, Qu He came to visit.

"Is Junior Brother Chen present?"

Chen Qing got up to open the door and welcomed Qu He into the reception hall.

Qu He's expression carried a trace of gravity. Without excessive pleasantries, he directly got to the point, "Junior Brother Chen, are the rumors outside about your meeting with Senior Brother Nan Zhuoran at Cloud Viewing Pavilion true?"

Chen Qing's expression was calm as he briefly recounted the situation from that day, neither embellishing nor exaggerating, only objectively describing Nan Zhuoran's request for the Nine Nether Yin Evil and his own refusal.

After hearing this, Qu He's brows locked tightly as he said in a deep voice, "Just as I thought. I came today because I received definite news."

He paused, his tone carrying several parts gravity, "Zhong Yu has already returned to the sect, and after he went to see Nan Zhuoran, he let word out in private circles that when Elixir Glow Peak opens that furnace of 'Profound Yang Spirit Fusion Pills' next year, absolutely not a single pill will be left for our True Martial lineage!"

"Oh?"

Chen Qing's eyes focused slightly, "This was said by Zhong Yu himself?"

"Though not a public declaration, the source is reliable, almost equivalent to him representing the attitude of the Nine Heavens lineage's True Disciples."

Qu He affirmed, "Nan Zhuoran remains behind the scenes while Zhong Yu is practically the decision-maker for the Nine Heavens lineage among True Disciples. Junior Brother Lu was someone he personally supported, and those suppressions you encountered when you first became a True Disciple all had his shadow behind them."

Chen Qing nodded. He naturally wouldn't forget that when he first became a True Disciple, he had been suppressed by this third-ranked True Disciple at the Pill Nurturing Hall.

"I understand." Chen Qing took a deep breath, his tone revealing not too much turbulence.

Qu He wanted to say something but hesitated, finally transforming it into a light sigh.

With the balance broken, it would inevitably bring intense conflicts. This was unavoidable.

How profound were the Nine Heavens lineage's foundations? Their influence was deeply rooted and intertwined. This Senior Brother Nan didn't even need to personally appear, just Zhong Yu alone was enough to suppress the isolated True Martial lineage at the True Disciple level until they could barely breathe.

He warned gravely, "Junior Brother, the Nine Heavens lineage is powerful, with foundations spread throughout the sect. Their influence cannot be underestimated. In the days ahead, we must act even more carefully and cautiously, trying to avoid letting them seize on mistakes and make an issue of them."

The underlying meaning of these words was hoping Chen Qing could temporarily avoid direct conflict with the Nine Heavens lineage.

Even regarding next year's Profound Yang Spirit Fusion Pill... although it was indeed a rare treasure pill with great benefits for cultivation, if the situation was untenable, temporarily yielding and lying low for a time wouldn't necessarily be an unwise choice.

"I understand the stakes involved. Senior Brother can rest assured."

A faint smile appeared on Chen Qing's face as he offered comfort.

Seeing that he had things under control, Qu He said no more. He nodded and took his leave.

The quiet room door closed again, and the smile on Chen Qing's face slowly faded.