Chapter 321: Tempering the True Origin |
Returning to the small courtyard on True Martial Peak, Chen Qing furrowed his brow slightly.
He stood in the courtyard, not immediately entering the quiet room, but instead called out, "Qingdai."
Qingdai immediately walked out from the side wing, quickly coming before Chen Qing and respectfully bowing, "Senior Brother."
Chen Qing directly asked, "The matter of Senior Brother Qu's conflict with Zhong Yu and his injury, did you know about this beforehand? Why didn't you mention it when I returned?"
Hearing this, Qingdai's face flashed with a trace of panic. She immediately lowered her head, her hands nervously wringing the corners of her clothes, "In response to Senior Brother, Qingdai... Qingdai did know about it. I originally wanted to report it to Senior Brother immediately, but... but there were too many gossips spreading outside, I..."
"Gossips outside?" Chen Qing asked.
Qingdai raised her head, her eyes carrying a trace of indignation as she said urgently, "Some people in the sect have been gossiping, saying that Senior Brother Chen deliberately avoided going out this time, letting Senior Brother Qu face Zhong Yu alone, because... because you didn't dare, or were afraid of Zhong Yu, so you didn't go."
"They also said that the True Martial lineage ultimately cannot be helped, and at the slightest pressure, its true colors are revealed... I know Senior Brother is definitely not a coward, and must have other important matters, but those words were really unpleasant to hear. I was afraid of disturbing Senior Brother's state of mind, so I thought I'd wait until Senior Brother rested a bit before..."
Chen Qing listened silently, his face still showing no particular expression.
Qingdai breathed a sigh of relief and quickly responded, "Yes, Senior Brother, Qingdai understands."
"Go prepare some food," Chen Qing instructed.
"Yes, I'll go right away." Qingdai responded and quickly withdrew.
Chen Qing came to the hall and sat down, his mind beginning to contemplate.
Those rumors probably had no small amount of instigation from the Nine Heavens lineage.
"If I cultivate step by step, with the existing True Origin Pills, plus the convenience of entering the Grotto Heaven for cultivation each month, by the time the Profound Yang Spirit Fusion Pill is ready next February, completing the three True Origin refinement shouldn't be a problem."
Chen Qing calculated silently.
He still had the lotus heart of the Seven-Leaf Golden Lotus in his hand. This item was the core essence of the Seven-Leaf Golden Lotus, containing pure yang essence as vast as the sea, far surpassing that of individual golden leaves.
But precisely because its essence was too enormous, with his current cultivation of two refinements, it was difficult to absorb, so there was no rush for now.
Steadily advancing and solidifying his foundation, there was no need to seek quick success.
After having his meal, Chen Qing went straight back to the quiet room.
He sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion, dismissing distracting thoughts, and his mind quickly calmed down.
With a thought, a True Origin Pill appeared in his palm.
Chen Qing placed the True Origin Pill in his mouth.
The pill dissolved upon entry, instantly transforming into a warm and pure torrent that surged into his meridians like a bursting river.
He immediately circulated the cultivation method of the Supreme Void True Scripture.
Time quietly passed in the silence.
Several hours later, the medicinal power of one True Origin Pill was completely absorbed and refined.
Chen Qing slowly opened his eyes, feeling his True Origin within his body become more solid by another degree.
[Heaven Rewards Diligence, Success Guaranteed]
[Supreme Void True Scripture: Second Layer (10216/20000)]
Although progress was slow, each step was extremely solid.
After adjusting his breathing briefly, he took out another True Origin Pill and began a new round of cultivation.
Cycling through this repeatedly, two days passed in monotonous yet fulfilling cultivation.
During these two days, he didn't step out of his door. Except for necessary breathing adjustments, almost all his time was spent refining True Origin Pills and polishing his True Origin.
During this period, he also took time to familiarize himself with his physical strength and continued to study the mysteries of the Nine Shadow Void Evasion Art.
On the morning of the third day, Chen Qing had just finished a round of cultivation when Qingdai's announcement came from outside the courtyard.
"Senior Brother, Senior Sister Meng Qianxue from Jade Palace Peak has come to visit."
Chen Qing's heart stirred. He tidied up his robe and walked out of the quiet room, "Please let her in."
Coming to the guest hall, Meng Qianxue was already waiting inside.
Today she had changed into a water-blue long dress. She had less of the heroic spirit from practice time and more of the grace of a noble family's daughter. Seeing Chen Qing, she smiled, "Senior Brother Chen, I hope I'm not intruding."
"Junior Sister Meng is too polite, please sit." Chen Qing indicated for her to sit down. After Qingdai served fragrant tea, she obediently withdrew.
Meng Qianxue didn't beat around the bush and directly stated her purpose, "Senior Brother Chen, regarding the matter you entrusted to me a few days ago, I've already asked the family elders. True Origin Pills are indeed scarce, and the family's internal allocation is also very strict. However, after some effort, the elder agreed that each month, they can squeeze out five from their personal allocation to transfer to Senior Brother."
Five per month!
A trace of delight flashed through Chen Qing's eyes.
Although this wasn't much, it was stable, and it was a supplement beyond his fixed allocation. Accumulating little by little, it was crucial to his current cultivation.
"As for the price," Meng Qianxue continued, "we'll calculate based on the contribution points required for official exchange at the sect's Myriad Manifestations Hall, which also saves a lot of trouble. What does Senior Brother think?"
This price was fair, and it could even be said that the Meng family didn't take advantage of the situation to raise prices, showing their sincerity.
Chen Qing immediately nodded without any hesitation, "Excellent! The price will be as Junior Sister said. Five per month, I'm extremely grateful. I'll remember this kindness."
He cupped his hands solemnly.
Meng Qianxue smiled and waved her hand, "Senior Brother Chen is being too serious. It's just mutual benefit. I'm also happy to be able to help Senior Brother."
Her tone was relaxed, as if this was indeed just a small matter, "Oh right, here are the five pills for this month."
As she spoke, she took out a small, delicate jade bottle and handed it to Chen Qing.
Chen Qing accepted it and thanked her again, "Thank you, Junior Sister Meng."
"Senior Brother needn't be polite."
Meng Qianxue smiled slightly and chatted for a bit about recent interesting events in the sect, keeping the atmosphere relaxed.
About the time it takes to burn a stick of incense later, Meng Qianxue stood up to take her leave, "Senior Brother is busy with affairs, so I won't disturb you further. At the beginning of next month, I'll deliver the pills on time."
"Much obliged, Junior Sister." Chen Qing saw her to the courtyard gate.
Watching Meng Qianxue's departing figure, Chen Qing gripped the jade bottle in his hand, feeling reassured.
"Next is to cultivate as quickly as possible to the three True Origin refinement."
Adding these five stable pills per month, daily cultivation should basically be sufficient.
…
Tianbao City, Cloud Soaring Tower.
This tower had seven levels, with flying eaves and brackets, blue tiles and vermillion ridges, standing on the main street of Tianbao City's most prosperous eastern market. It was truly a place where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold.
The guests who came and went were either wealthy or noble, all people with status and reputation within the giant city of Tianbao, or giants of various influential forces.
This place was precisely one of the core industries of the Ruan family, one of the five great thousand-year-old families.
At this moment, on the top floor of Cloud Soaring Tower, in an elegant room with an excellent view.
The melodious sounds of strings and flutes were pleasing to the ear. Several dancers with graceful figures and beautiful faces were dancing to the music.
They wore light gauze dance skirts. As the hems whirled, they rolled like flowing clouds and rosy mists. Small gold bells tied around their exposed ankles made clear, pleasant tinkling sounds with each movement, harmonizing with the music and adding several degrees of enchanting sound.
Not far away, on an ornately carved jade couch, two people sat facing each other.
One was precisely Zhong Yu, the third-ranked True Disciple of Tianbao Upper Sect.
He wasn't wearing sect attire today, but had changed into a black brocade robe with dark patterns.
The other person was a middle-aged man who appeared to be around forty or fifty years old.
He was the third uncle of the current Ruan family head, and also Ruan Lingxiu's third granduncle.
He held a lofty position in the Ruan family and wielded significant power. He was one of the true helmsmen of the Ruan family.
Zhong Yu's gaze fell on the lead dancer with the most outstanding dance posture and most exquisite appearance, and he praised, "This dance is excellent, graceful as a startled swan, gentle as a swimming dragon. Especially the lead dancer, her appearance and skill are both superior."
Hearing this, Ruan Hongchang's face showed a smile, and he said slowly, "As long as Worthy Nephew Zhong is pleased, that's good. This woman is a dancer presented as tribute from a small nation in the Western Regions. She has practiced the Whirling Dance since childhood and indeed has some unique charm. If Worthy Nephew is interested, I'll have her go to your residence later to dance exclusively for you."
Zhong Yu noncommittally picked up his teacup and took a light sip, not taking up the conversation.
The two chatted about customs and scenery for a few more sentences, and the atmosphere seemed harmonious.
After a moment, Ruan Hongchang changed the subject and asked seemingly casually, "I heard that a few days ago, Worthy Nephew had some conflict with Qu He of the True Martial lineage at Elixir Glow Peak?"
Zhong Yu's expression didn't change. He put down his teacup, "I originally thought Chen Qing would come, and I could conveniently give him a warning. Since he didn't come, teaching Qu He a lesson is the same. The True Martial lineage has been somewhat restless these past few years, seeming to have forgotten past lessons. It's time to give them a warning."
His tone was calm and waveless, as if talking about an insignificant matter.
Ruan Hongchang nodded slightly, not at all surprised by Zhong Yu's attitude.
The Nine Heavens lineage was powerful. Suppressing the declining True Martial lineage was the norm.
He pondered for a moment and asked, "As for that Chen Qing, how does Worthy Nephew plan to deal with him? I heard this person's advancement speed is extremely fast. He's now the seventh-ranked True Disciple and is in the limelight."
Chen Qing's current reputation was quite significant.
Consecutively defeating Zhang Baicheng and Luo Chengxuan, two True Disciples, this kind of record was enough to shake the sect and make his prestige soar among the younger generation.
Those two were both prominent figures within the sect, definitely not people with undeserved reputations.
"To reach the True Disciple rank at this age, he naturally has some talent."
Zhong Yu's tone was flat, yet every word carried a cold intent, "But our Tianbao Upper Sect has stood for a thousand years. How many prodigiously talented individuals have there been? You and I have both seen many. What happened in the end? Most were like meteors crossing the sky, brilliant for a moment before dimly fading away. Of those who could truly grow up in these past hundred years, besides Senior Brother Nan, who else is there?"
Ruan Hongchang's brow moved slightly, and he said, "This person seems to have already been taken as a nominal disciple by Peak Master Luo of Myriad Techniques Peak, who teaches him spear techniques. Luo Zhixian is a person whose strength is unfathomable. If he interferes..."
"Master Luo?"
Zhong Yu shook his head, "His personality is eccentric, and he single-mindedly pursues the ultimate in the spear Dao. He can't even be bothered with the affairs of the Nine Heavens lineage, which he originated from, so how would he interfere in the disputes among the four lineages, especially matters concerning the True Martial lineage?"
Ruan Hongchang slowly nodded, "Indeed, Peak Master Luo has an aloof personality. He truly doesn't seem like someone who would interfere in such matters."
He seemed to remember something and sneered, "Speaking of which, the Shen family really changed their tune quickly."
The Shen family and Five Terraces Sect were old friends. This matter was known throughout the region.
In many people's view, Chen Qing, who originated from Five Terraces Sect, should have a close relationship with the Shen family.
However, at Shen Jiuhe's birthday banquet, this family head showed warmth and courtesy toward Zhong Yu that far exceeded ordinary guests.
Zhong Yu said leisurely, "If they befriended Chen Qing, that would be equivalent to offending me, Zhong Yu, offending Senior Brother Nan, offending the entire Nine Heavens lineage! The Shen family's timely pivot was the wisest choice they could make."
The Shen family making such a choice was quite expected.
After all, their relationship with Chen Qing had already shown cracks, while on the other side was the ascendant Nine Heavens lineage, as well as Zhong Yu and Nan Zhuoran, these two top True Disciples with transcendent status.
Which way the scales would tip was self-evident.
"The Shen family has truly turned disaster into fortune."
Ruan Hongchang's expression became serious, "Worthy Nephew Zhong, my Ruan family shares the same spirit and interests with you. Here, I can represent the Ruan family in stating our position. No matter when, the Ruan family will definitely do everything in our power to support Worthy Nephew!"
The Ruan family also had some of its own forces within Tianbao Upper Sect. Although most of their strength was distributed in the Jade Palace lineage, they couldn't be underestimated.
Zhong Yu looked at Ruan Hongchang, and finally, a trace of genuine smile appeared on his face. He raised his cup, "Third Granduncle shows such great favor, Zhong Yu thanks you in advance."
Ruan Hongchang quickly raised his cup in response, his face full of smiles, his tone warm, "What is Worthy Nephew saying! You are the son-in-law my Ruan family selected after much deliberation. Why should family speak of thanks? That girl Lingxiu's ability to marry you as wife is her good fortune and also my Ruan family's honor! I only hope you two will have a harmonious marriage and advance hand in hand, so that one day together you will control the winds and clouds of this sect."
The two smiled at each other and drank the tea in their cups in one gulp, everything understood without words.
After chatting idly for a bit longer, Ruan Hongchang used clan affairs as an excuse and stood up to take his leave.
In the elegant room, only Zhong Yu remained, along with the musicians still playing softly and the dancers still dancing gracefully.
The smile on Zhong Yu's face quickly disappeared after Ruan Hongchang left. He waved his hand, and the music and dance abruptly stopped. The musicians and dancers, well-trained, bowed in salute and silently withdrew.
After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, he lightly tapped the table once.
A figure quietly appeared in the corner of the elegant room. It was Ruan Lingxiu's personal maid, Youlan.
She lowered her head and bowed, her posture extremely respectful.
"How has Madam been recently?" Zhong Yu didn't turn around, asking in a flat voice.
Youlan's heart tightened, and she answered cautiously, "In response to Young Master, Madam has been in secluded cultivation and hasn't gone out. It's just... occasionally this servant feels Madam's aura seems somewhat abnormal. It doesn't seem like what pure cultivation would cause, but rather... somewhat fatigued."
"Hmm?" Zhong Yu finally turned around, his gaze like lightning falling on Youlan, "Have you carefully investigated? Or asked a physician to examine her?"
Youlan lowered her head even more, "This servant has secretly investigated. Madam's daily life is normal. I also made excuses out of concern, wanting to invite a familiar physician to check Madam's pulse, but Madam said she had reached a critical point in cultivation and didn't like disturbances, so she refused."
Zhong Yu's brow furrowed slightly, and he was silent for a moment.
Ruan Lingxiu's cultivation was profound. As a True Disciple, occasionally feeling fatigued from secluded cultivation was normal.
Perhaps he was overthinking?
She had indeed been well-behaved recently, without any improper behavior.
"Understood." Zhong Yu waved his hand, "You may go. Continue to pay attention, and if there are any abnormalities, report immediately."
"Yes." Youlan felt as if granted amnesty and quickly bowed, silently withdrawing from the elegant room.
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