Chapter 355: Chapter 171: Lin’an 2
"This won’t work!"
Chen Qing shook his head, muttering to himself, ’I can’t guide and harmonize them at all. Forcing the fusion will only lead to an imbalance in my True Qi, and could even cause a backlash against myself!’
The path of Five Elements Fusion was far more complex than simply acquiring a single Exotic Treasure.
’Exotic Treasures from heaven and earth of different attributes each contain entirely distinct properties, strengths, and characteristics. It’s like mixing a potion—the slightest deviation leads to a world of error.’
’First, I have to gather at least two Exotic Treasures of corresponding attributes to create a preliminary environment for attempting a fusion. With only the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl, the earth element is overwhelmingly strong while the other four elements have no catalyst. It’s impossible to create a balance.’
’I won’t rush the Five Elements True Qi fusion for now.’
Chen Qing put the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl away, keeping it close to his chest, then took a deep breath and entered a state of Cultivation.
Time flew by. Summer turned to autumn, and in the blink of an eye, three months had passed.
Inside the Quiet Chamber, the air swirled gently.
Chen Qing sat cross-legged with his eyes tightly shut, the aura around his body rising and falling like the tide.
Within his body, the Cyan Wood True Qi surged like a river, following a set path as it charged toward his eleventh Main Meridian.
These three months of Cultivation had made his foundation even more robust, and his True Qi had become increasingly condensed and pure.
OMM...
His meridians hummed faintly, and the vortex of True Qi in his Dantian Sea of Qi suddenly began to spin faster.
Chen Qing’s Heart and Spirit were focused as he guided this stream of True Qi with all his might, controlling it as easily as his own limbs.
The long-accumulated power erupted, surging forward ferociously like a flood breaking through a dam.
BOOM!
It was as if a silent clap of thunder echoed in his mind, and the obstruction shattered in an instant!
In that instant, a wider and more resilient meridian pathway was completely opened. The surging True Qi joyfully poured into it, flowing without obstruction.
An unprecedented sense of unimpeded flow and power spread throughout his body. It felt as if his entire being, down to his very bones, had been cleansed, leaving him feeling utterly comfortable.
The turbulent aura around him slowly calmed, becoming deeper and more restrained.
WHOOSH!
Chen Qing let out a long breath of turbid air. The breath was so dense that it formed a faint white streak in the air, lingering for a long moment before dissipating.
He slowly opened his eyes. A cyan glint flashed through them before vanishing, leaving them looking even deeper and brighter.
’The eleventh Main Meridian... done.’
He felt the increasingly surging and condensed True Qi within him, and a satisfied smile touched the corners of his lips.
He was now just one final step away from the Perfection stage of the Embrace Pill Realm.
After briefly regulating his breath to stabilize his newly broken-through Realm, Chen Qing went to the Cyan Wood Institute’s Transmission Square as usual.
As soon as he stepped onto the square, he saw Yu Bao’Er with her hands on her hips, pretentiously lecturing a few disciples who were clearly new to the Inner Sect.
The disciples were young and seemed a bit nervous in the presence of Senior Sister Yu, paying exceptionally close attention.
Because of her connection to Chen Qing, Yu Bao’Er’s status in the Cyan Wood Institute had risen significantly, even though she was stuck at the peak of Transmutation Force and had yet to break through to the Embracing Pill Realm. Even ordinary Middle Stage Embrace Pill Realm cultivators like Xu Qi and Luo Xinyi treated her more or less as an equal.
This gave Yu Bao’Er a taste of the pleasure of an upstart’s success, and she particularly enjoyed putting on the airs of a senior sister in front of these newcomers.
When she saw Chen Qing arrive, Yu Bao’Er’s eyes lit up. She immediately waved her hand at the new disciples. "Alright, alright, that’s enough for today. Go and reflect on what you’ve learned. I’ll check on you tomorrow."
With that, she hurried over, a wide smile plastered on her face. "Senior Brother, you’ve come out of seclusion?"
"Yes."
Chen Qing replied, his gaze sweeping over the new disciples who looked as if they’d just received a pardon. "What are you doing?"
"Hehe, nothing much. These newcomers have just entered the sect and have a weak foundation. I’m just giving them some guidance so they don’t take the wrong path."
Yu Bao’Er said with a mischievous grin, her eyes darting about.
Chen Qing glanced at her but didn’t call her out. He simply said coolly, "The path of Cultivation requires a balance of work and rest. Don’t neglect your own training."
Yu Bao’Er shrank back guiltily and quickly changed the subject. "By the way, Senior Brother, Elder Shen Xiuyong came looking for you this morning. When he heard you were still in seclusion, he asked me to tell you to go find him once you came out. It seems to be about something important."
’Shen Xiuyong was looking for me!?’
"I understand."
Chen Qing nodded. After casually asking a few questions about recent events in the institute, he turned and headed for the Affairs Department.
After a disciple announced his arrival, Chen Qing met with Shen Xiuyong.
The newly promoted Astral Force Elder was carefully looking through a beautifully crafted booklet, a look of keen interest on his face.
"Martial Uncle, you were looking for me?" Chen Qing said, cupping his hands in a salute.
"Here, take a look at this."
Shen Xiuyong handed the booklet to Chen Qing. "It’s an auction list from the Treasure Gathering Square in Lin’an Prefecture. On the ninth day of the ninth month, they’re holding their largest auction in the last five years. This booklet contains a preview of some of the items. The finale will feature two Top-Grade Treasure Artifacts—a saber and a sword, both considered masterpieces. Take a look at the third-to-last page."
Chen Qing took the booklet and quickly flipped to the specified page.
The page was richly illustrated, listing dozens of rare and exotic treasures.
His gaze swept past the Elixirs, Secret Manuals, and Treasure Armor, finally landing on a peculiar jade stone sealed within a Cold Jade Box.
The jade stone was about the size of his palm. It had an ancient, simple shape and was a warm, gentle green all over, as if formed from the condensed essence of tender leaves in early spring.
The text next to the image read: "Wood Yang Jade, a Wood Element Treasure formed from the condensed Essence of Wood. It is supremely yang and warm, containing the power of Everlasting Life and creation. Long-term wear can nourish the meridians, dispel yin-cold hidden injuries, and is greatly beneficial to those practicing a Wood Element Technique. Starting bid: twelve thousand taels, or exchange for a treasure of equivalent value."
’Wood Yang Jade!’
Chen Qing’s eyes instantly lit up.
This was indeed the Wood Attribute Exotic Treasure he urgently needed!
