Chapter 490: Spear Domain |
The guests dispersed in twos and threes.
Marquis Jingnan approached, saying in a low voice to Chen Qing, "Follow me. This is not the place to talk."
Chen Qing understood and nodded, following along.
The two didn't take carriages but walked along the shadows beneath the palace walls, returning on foot to the nearby Martial Academy.
The night was deep, the palace grounds silent.
Only after returning to that independent courtyard in the Martial Academy did Marquis Jingnan's expression relax somewhat.
"Sit."
Marquis Jingnan pointed to a stone bench in the courtyard. He himself also gathered his robes and sat down, his gaze falling on Chen Qing's face. "What do you make of tonight's events?"
Chen Qing sat down opposite him. After pondering for a moment, he said, "The Empress seems to show favor, but in reality placed me in a difficult position. This action... doesn't seem like simple recruitment."
He paused, lowering his voice. "The key to this matter actually doesn't lie with you, but with Princess Anning."
"Senior Sister Xu?"
Chen Qing's brow raised slightly. This answer was both unexpected, yet upon reflection, within reason.
He knew Xu Min's relationship with the imperial family was complex, but he wasn't very clear on the specific details.
"That's right." Marquis Jingnan sighed. "This matter is a long story, involving an old grievance from many years ago. Princess Anning's birth mother, Consort Ping, was also breathtakingly beautiful in her time and deeply favored by His Majesty."
"And the Empress... at that time was still an Imperial Consort. Between her and Consort Ping, there were many conflicts. The rear palace has always been a place of cruel struggles."
He didn't finish his words, but Chen Qing could already imagine several parts.
A consort without support or backing, facing a high-ranking and powerful Imperial Consort—her difficult circumstances were easy to imagine.
"Later, Consort Ping... passed away early. Opinions differ on the cause. The palace kept it deeply secret."
Marquis Jingnan shook his head. "At that time, Princess Anning was still very young. Having lost her mother's protection, her days in the palace... can be imagined."
Chen Qing was silent.
A child dwelling in the deep palace full of treacherous currents and cold human relations, facing the opponent who might have killed her birth mother—this was beyond what outsiders could comprehend.
"Then why did Senior Sister Xu later go to Tianbao Upper Sect?" Chen Qing asked.
Marquis Jingnan's expression became even more grave. He slowly said, "This matter involves even deeper connections, related to certain secrets of the inner court. The specific reasons, I also know little of and it's not convenient to say more."
"You only need to know that Princess Anning being able to leave the imperial palace and enter Tianbao Upper Sect involved extraordinary twists and turns. The Empress, regarding this, probably still harbors resentment to this day."
Chen Qing pondered silently.
Xu Min's departure was perhaps the result of some compromise or deal.
But regardless, this must have touched upon certain of the Empress's interests or nerves.
Now that Xu Min had returned to the capital, and moreover brought back himself who had rendered great merit and was riding high—the Empress feeling threatened or uneasy and then wanting to use recruiting him to check and suppress Xu Min made sense.
"So, the Empress's action today, nominally recruiting a son-in-law, was actually to sow discord?"
Chen Qing summarized. "If I agreed, I would naturally become one of her people, or at least create a rift with Senior Sister Xu. If I didn't agree, she also loses nothing, and can even use this to remind those aligned with the Seventh Prince."
"Exactly so." Marquis Jingnan nodded. "Storms often arise from tiny beginnings. Killing doesn't necessarily require a blade. After today, the Empress will probably be wary of you."
Chen Qing didn't particularly care about this.
He didn't want to become involved in the struggle for imperial power—provided no one forced him.
Marquis Jingnan, knowing he had his own judgment, changed the topic. "Recently, while conducting reconnaissance beyond the northern border, the court accidentally discovered a peculiar place. According to the accompanying Pacification Guards' judgment, it's very likely an ancient kingdom ruin."
"Ancient kingdom ruin?" Chen Qing's heart stirred.
This wasn't the first time he'd heard of ancient kingdoms. The southwestern Eight Dao lands and his own Four Symbols Thunder Bow were both related to the ancient Shu Kingdom.
"Mm," Marquis Jingnan nodded. "That area is shrouded in peculiar mist. Within are powerful chaotic air currents and bone-eroding fierce winds. Ordinary True Origin realm experts venturing deep inside find their protective True Origin difficult to sustain. After a bit longer, they face danger of skin splitting and True Origin collapsing."
"Partial ruins have been discovered—the style ancient and completely different from today's. There are also suspected remnants of giant pill furnaces and traces of... pill residue."
"A pill refinement site?" Chen Qing's gaze focused slightly.
If it truly was an ancient kingdom's pill refinement important site, the materials used and pills refined back then were probably extraordinary.
Even if the pills themselves might have long turned to ash, if pill formulas, residue, or even strange precious medicines had been nurtured remained, all would be priceless.
"Extremely likely."
Marquis Jingnan said, "Currently, the news is strictly sealed. But there are no walls without cracks in this world. The Jinting Eight Divisions' scouts also seem to have noticed. Recently, they've been frequently active near that area."
"Additionally, Taiyi Upper Sect has also sent some experts to investigate. The Buddhist Kingdom reportedly also has eminent monks setting out."
"Currently, forces from all sides are secretly maneuvering, wanting to be first to clearly understand the situation."
He looked at Chen Qing, his meaning pointed. "This place is dangerous, but it may also contain great opportunities. Once the court has more concrete news, this old man will find a way to notify you."
Chen Qing cupped his fists, saying sincerely, "Thank you for Your Grace's guidance."
It wasn't the news itself that excited Chen Qing. What truly moved him was the earnestness in Marquis Jingnan's words.
Marquis Jingnan waved his hand, smiling. "You are a genius of our Yan Kingdom, bringing glory to the nation. For this old man to provide some conveniences is only proper."
"I only hope that in the future when your cultivation achieves success, you won't forget your homeland."
These words were spoken candidly, making Chen Qing feel emotions arise.
People like Marquis Jingnan who truly held their country in their hearts and acted uprightly were rare phoenixes and qilins, whether in court or in the martial world.
After pondering for a moment, Chen Qing remembered another important matter and spoke. "Your Grace, this junior has one more matter to request."
"Speak freely."
"This junior wishes to borrow some supreme spear technique manuals from the Martial Academy for reference." Chen Qing said.
Hearing this, Marquis Jingnan's brow immediately furrowed. "Supreme spear techniques? Peak Master Chen, you have already condensed eleven spear intents. In martial cultivation, what matters is refinement and deepening."
"The more spear intents, the more the difficulty of ultimately condensing them into a 'spear domain' increases geometrically!"
His concern came from the heart. He truly treasured talent and feared Chen Qing would take a wrong path.
Chen Qing's expression didn't change. He answered composedly, "This junior is not rushing to cultivate new spear intents. It's just that martial cultivation also requires broadening one's horizons and drawing on many strengths."
"Studying different schools' supreme spear techniques and comprehending their essential mysteries might provide inspiration for this junior in merging existing spear intents."
These words were reasonable enough.
Marquis Jingnan stared at Chen Qing for a long while. Feeling he didn't seem like an impatient person seeking quick success, his tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed slightly.
"Very well. You have your own judgment. This old man won't say more."
Marquis Jingnan sighed. "The Martial Academy's secret collection does indeed contain most of the supreme spear technique manuals collected by the court and imperial family over the years. Among them, spear techniques total six types."
He recalled briefly, slowly naming them, “Startling Thunder Sky-Splitting Spear, Cold Star Jade-Dotting Spear, Gentle Water Silk-Winding Spear, Unmoved Like Mountain Spear, Star Annihilation Spear, Soul-Chasing Life-Seizing Spear."
Chen Qing quickly cross-referenced in his mind.
Of these six spear techniques, he already had five and had condensed the corresponding spear intents.
Only Cold Star Jade-Dotting Spear was one he had never encountered.
"I wonder if this Cold Star Jade-Dotting Spear can be borrowed? Consider it expanding my knowledge." Chen Qing's tone was earnest.
Marquis Jingnan, seeing he only mentioned one technique, felt more reassured. He nodded. "The Martial Academy does have a copy of this spear technique manual. Since you only want to study one or two, this old man will take it upon himself to agree."
"Tomorrow, I'll have Changle deliver it to you."
"Thank you for Your Grace's fulfillment!" Chen Qing rose and cupped his fists in a solemn bow.
Marquis Jingnan rose, patted Chen Qing's shoulder, and said earnestly, "You can look at spear techniques, but remember this old man's words. Don't be greedy, don't aim too high too quickly."
He knew Chen Qing was a rare uncut jade. He truly couldn't bear to watch such a good seedling go astray due to rushing for success and ultimately be destroyed.
"This junior will definitely remember Your Grace's teachings and proceed steadily." Chen Qing answered solemnly.
Only then did Marquis Jingnan show some smile. After giving a few more instructions, he took his leave.
After seeing Marquis Jingnan off, Chen Qing returned to his room and closed the door.
Lamplight flickered like a bean, illuminating his calm face.
Today's celebration banquet had many twists and turns, with quite a bit of information.
The old grievance between the Empress and Xu Min, the undercurrents within the imperial family... These were potential troubles for him, but not the key point.
What was most urgent now was breaking through the Grandmaster bottleneck, condensing eighteen spear intents, and forming his own spear domain.
Only by stepping into the Grandmaster realm could he possess true foundation for establishing himself in this increasingly treacherous situation and deal with threats like Li Qingyu and the Night Clan.
Everything at today's celebration banquet demonstrated that in this Jade Capital City, though he received rewards for his merit and enjoyed unlimited glory, he had also imperceptibly stood opposite certain people, becoming a variable others needed to guard against.
"After returning to the sect, I'll begin quiet cultivation and digest what I've gained from this trip."
Chen Qing calculated in his mind.
He sat cross-legged back on the couch. Just as he was about to calm his heart and enter meditation to continue regulating his breath, his ears suddenly twitched slightly.
A nearly imperceptible footstep merged with the night wind, approaching from far to near, stopping outside his courtyard gate.
Those footsteps were light as a cat, landing soundlessly.
"Who!?" Chen Qing's eyes flew open, brilliant light shooting like electricity toward the door as he called out in a low voice.
Outside the door, silence fell for an instant, then came a light laugh. The voice was clear and carried some familiarity.
"Quite alert!"
As the words fell, the door was pushed open from outside by a gentle force.
Moonlight poured down like mercury. A graceful figure stood in the corridor outside the door.
She wore a moon-white long dress with a matching light gauze outer layer. Her dark hair wasn't in the complex palace coiffure from daytime but simply coiled in a loose bun, secured with a jade hairpin, several strands naturally falling along her neck.
It was precisely the Que Religion Saintess, Bai Xi.
Chen Qing flicked his sleeve and rose. "So it's Miss Bai. I didn't expect the Que Religion Saintess also has the habit of arriving uninvited in the middle of the night."
Bai Xi didn't mind the faint teasing in his words. With lotus steps, she walked into the room on her own and casually pulled the door half-closed.
"This is also unavoidable."
She walked to the table and poured herself a cup of tea. "Who told you to strike so heavily, beating Senior Brother Shang so miserably? Though the three elders don't say it aloud, they probably all have considerable complaints about you in their hearts."
"If I came to find you openly in daylight, it would inevitably attract attention and create unnecessary trouble."
"Oh? Is that so?" Chen Qing's expression didn't change, his tone bland. "Chen and Daoist Friend Shang engaged in fair sparring. Fists and feet have no eyes. Injuries are inevitable. Your Religion's elders are all reasonable people of high character. They surely won't take offense over this."
"Heh, being reasonable is one thing, feeling distressed is another."
Bai Xi took a sip of tea, slightly furrowing her brow as if finding the tea too cold. She put down the cup and waved her hand. "But you needn't worry. They just have some complaints. In this world, only mediocrities aren't envied by others."
"The stronger the strength you displayed today, the higher your talent, the greater achievements you may reach on the martial path in the future, the more attention you'll naturally attract—good, bad, envious, wary, all of it."
She changed topics, staring intently at Chen Qing. "The thing I wanted—did you get it?"
Chen Qing naturally understood what she meant.
During the daytime at the Martial Arts Field when he deployed the Wind Snow Hidden Dragon Roar divine ability, that pure flood dragon aura surely couldn't be hidden from interested parties.
He didn't answer directly but asked in return, "What about the thing I wanted?"
Bai Xi didn't waste words either. Her delicate hand reached into her breast and took out two book scrolls.
"All here."
Bai Xi placed the two scrolls on the table. "Based on the list of spear techniques you previously mentioned you didn't need, after returning to the Four Directions Hall, I specially sought out Elder Mo Qingshan and exchanged for these two supreme spear techniques."
She pointed at the scrolls. "One is called Flowing Light Chasing Moon Spear.It emphasizes extreme speed and transformation. The spear emerges like flowing light chasing the moon, its trajectory unpredictable, excelling at using speed to beat slowness and skill to break strength."
"The other is called Mountain-Shattering Heaven-Shaking Spear. It follows the path of unmatched fierce power, breaking techniques with force. The spear momentum is heavy as a mountain collapse, emphasizing using one force to overcome ten skills. Cultivated to profound depths, it truly has mountain-shattering, heaven-shaking might."
"These two spear techniques have completely different styles—one skillful, one simple. Both are rare supreme spear path techniques and shouldn't be among the spear techniques you've already mastered."
Listening to Bai Xi's introduction, Chen Qing's heart couldn't help but surge with excitement!
Sure enough, Bai Xi hadn't disappointed him!
He had previously informed Bai Xi of the list of spear techniques he'd already mastered, precisely hoping she could fill in the gaps.
Now, these Flowing Light Chasing Moon Spear and Mountain-Shattering Heaven-Shaking Spear were precisely what he was missing!
Adding the Cold Star Jade-Dotting Spear Marquis Jingnan promised to deliver tomorrow, the eighteen sets of supreme spear techniques he'd dreamed of would all be gathered!
Even with Chen Qing's steady character, a trace of joy couldn't help but pass through his eyes at this moment.
Eighteen sets of supreme spear techniques that couldn't be duplicates—being able to collect them all was already extremely rare.
"Miss Bai truly keeps her word." Chen Qing praised, then took out a jade box.
Inside the box was precisely the fruit of the Azure Dragon Heart-Entwining Vine.
Bai Xi's eyes lit up. She carefully examined it and after confirming there were no issues, a genuinely bright smile appeared on her face.
"Thank you!" She treasured and carefully put away the jade box.
"Just each taking what we need." Chen Qing smiled faintly and also put away the two spear technique manuals.
Bai Xi put away the treasure, in quite a good mood. She sat down again, propping her cheek with one hand, looking at Chen Qing. A trace of cunning light flashed in her eyes. "By the way, that Giant Whale Overturning Seas Technique... You truly want the complete subsequent cultivation method, right?"
"That's right." Chen Qing nodded, frankly admitting it.
There was nothing to hide about this. He was indeed very interested in this body refinement secret transmission that could produce wonderful resonance with Dragon-Elephant Prajna Vajra Body and had enormous potential.
"I can teach it to you." Bai Xi said softly, though her tone carried a certain calculation. "However, not now, and not for free."
She paused and continued. "Tomorrow I must return to the Que Religion with the delegation. After going back, I may need to undergo an important period of seclusion. In the future, if I need precious medicines or other spirit materials... After all, though my Yun Kingdom's territory is vast, the reserves of certain spirit objects are far inferior to the Yan Kingdom's abundance."
The words didn't need to be said fully. Chen Qing already understood.
She wanted him to exchange precious medicines or spirit materials for the subsequent cultivation method of Giant Whale Overturning Seas Technique.
"Fine." Chen Qing nodded without the slightest hesitation. "When you need it, make a list. As long as I can find it, I'll definitely do my utmost."
"Good!" Bai Xi nodded with satisfaction.
She had in her hands what Chen Qing needed. This was the greatest bargaining chip.
She wasn't afraid Chen Qing wouldn't agree.
Seeming to feel the serious business was concluded and the atmosphere relaxed, Bai Xi suddenly blinked, asking with a somewhat gossipy tone, "I heard today at your Yan Kingdom's celebration banquet, it was quite lively? That Empress even wanted to marry off a princess to you? You weren't willing?"
Chen Qing glanced at her, his tone bland. "Marriage is a major matter, not child's play. Chen is dedicated to the martial path and has no interest in such things."
"Tsk, how heartless." Bai Xi pursed her lips, not knowing if it was teasing or some other meaning. "That princess is royal blood..."
She seemed to only ask casually, then stood up. "Alright, since I've obtained what I came for, I won't disturb you further."
"Peak Master Chen, the martial world is vast. I hope when we next meet, both you and I will have advanced further."
"Farewell."
Having said this, Bai Xi's figure flickered, like a phantom merging into moonlight, soundlessly disappearing outside the door, leaving only a trace of extremely faint fragrance.
She came suddenly and left decisively.
Chen Qing watched her depart.
The room returned to silence.
Chen Qing didn't immediately rest but once again took out those two supreme spear technique manuals.
He first unrolled Flowing Light Chasing Moon Spear and focused on reading.
He read extremely quickly yet incomparably carefully. Every character, every diagram, deeply imprinted in his mind.
In about the time of one incense stick, golden light emerged in his mind.
[Heaven Rewards Diligence, Success Guaranteed]
[Flowing Light Chasing Moon Spear: Major Achievement (5000/10000)]
As Chen Qing's attainments in the spear path grew higher and higher, new spear techniques not only directly reached major achievement realm but also came with five thousand proficiency.
This made his speed of cultivating to extreme realm faster and faster.
Chen Qing took a deep breath and picked up the Mountain-Shattering Heaven-Shaking Spear scroll.
Similarly spending nearly one incense stick's time, he committed all the essential points of this spear technique to memory.
On the panel, another line appeared.
[Mountain-Shattering Heaven-Shaking Spear: Major Achievement (5000/10000)]
"Only one last Cold Star Jade-Dotting Spear remains..." Chen Qing thought silently.
Tomorrow, as long as he obtained the spear technique Marquis Jingnan promised, the eighteen sets of supreme spear techniques would be completely gathered!
At that time, he could wholeheartedly cultivate the remaining spear techniques one by one to extreme realm.
Then, he would merge the strengths of a hundred schools, converge all intents into one, and ultimately temper out a spear domain uniquely belonging to him.
"This trip to Jade Capital City hasn't been in vain!" Chen Qing murmured in a low voice.
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