Chapter 401: Chapter 186: Peers
Chen Qing exited the assembly hall and slowly exhaled.
He was a little puzzled. ’Old Deng is in seclusion?’
’Why would he go into seclusion?’
’To break through to a higher Realm?’
’Or is there another reason?’ Chen Qing had no way of knowing.
But he knew that with Old Deng in seclusion, he had essentially become the Deputy Dean, fully responsible for the affairs of the Cyan Wood Institute. This meant he needed to increase his strength even more urgently.
With this in mind, Chen Qing took a deep breath and hurried to the Tingchao Armory, unable to wait any longer.
When Elder Ma saw Chen Qing, he immediately greeted him with a smile, his attitude even more enthusiastic than before.
Chen Qing stated his purpose directly: he wanted to enter the Fourth Layer of the Tingchao Armory.
Elder Ma had obviously received a secret order and didn’t dare to delay in the slightest. He quickly said, "Rest assured, Chief Chen. The Sect Leader has given the order. You may enter the Fourth Layer whenever you wish and stay as long as you like. You are also free to imprint and study any of the Cultivation Techniques within."
Although he didn’t know the specific reason for the Sect Leader’s unprecedented order, he knew that the status of this young Chief before him was absolutely extraordinary, far beyond that of the other Chiefs.
"Thank you, Elder Ma."
Chen Qing clasped his hands in thanks, then stepped into the Fourth Layer of the Tingchao Armory once more.
This time, he no longer felt the pressure of time. He could truly calm his mind and carefully browse the true foundation of the Wutai Sect.
In the quiet surroundings, there were only his light footsteps and the hazy halo of light emanating from the Jade Platforms.
He first walked toward the Jade Platform that had previously caught his attention. The pale golden Parchment Scroll of the *Nine Heavens Thunder Shocking Finger* floated silently above it.
The annotation next to it was detailed: This Finger Technique is fierce and domineering. When cultivated to Great Success, a single finger strike is like the roar of thunder from the Nine Heavens—supremely hard and yang, incomparably swift. It specializes in breaking all kinds of Body-Protecting True Astral and is especially effective at suppressing Yin Evil Techniques.
Cultivation requires tempering the finger bones with pure Thunder Qi or Supreme Yang True Qi. The process is extremely painful and cannot be accomplished by anyone without great willpower.
A sharp glint flashed in Chen Qing’s eyes.
’Finger Techniques and Spear Techniques certainly have something in common,’ he thought. ’Both focus on concentrating power into a single point, pursuing ultimate penetration and explosive force.’
He had been tempted when he saw the *Supreme Profound Finger Technique* at the auction house in Lin’an Prefecture, but for various reasons, he hadn’t bid on it at the time.
Now, this *Nine Heavens Thunder Shocking Finger* seemed more grand and righteous than the *Supreme Profound Finger Technique*, and its power appeared superior. It could perfectly compensate for his relative weakness in close-quarters Fist and Foot Skills and complement his Eight Extremes Vajra Body.
He made a mental note of this Finger Technique, preparing to imprint it.
His gaze then swept over the other Jade Platforms.
The *Profound Turtle Sea-Suppression Skill* focused on defense, the *Blood Transformation Divine Saber* followed a strange and vicious path... one Upper-Grade Martial Arts after another.
Suddenly, his eyes were drawn to three Jade Platforms in a corner.
What floated above them were not complete Parchment Scrolls or Jade Scrolls, but rather shattered bone fragments, a scorched iron book, and even half a silk scroll.
’Fragments?’ A thought struck Chen Qing, and he moved closer to take a look.
The small engraved characters of the annotations beside them read: *Haoyang Scripture*, *Star Shattering Sword Technique*, *Nether Stepping Void Step*.
The annotations explained that all three were partial fragments of Unparalleled Martial Arts. Although one could not achieve complete Cultivation through them, the slivers of true meaning and the Force Manipulation Techniques they contained were of immeasurable value to Astral Force experts for broadening their horizons, drawing parallels, and even supplementing their own learning.
Chen Qing picked up the fragment of the *Haoyang Scripture* and flipped through it. Even though it was only a fragment, the methods for circulating True Astral described within were incredibly profound, far beyond what any ordinary Superior Martial Arts could compare to.
’Unparalleled Martial Arts... they truly are something else!’
Chen Qing was inwardly shocked.
The mere hints revealed by these fragments already surpassed the scope of most Upper-Grade Martial Arts on the Fourth Layer, touching upon a higher level of qi manipulation.
They included uses and understandings of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, True Astral, and more, which was a real eye-opener for Chen Qing.
No wonder the Sect valued them so highly, preserving them here despite their fragmented state.
Besides Cultivation Techniques, the Fourth Layer also housed some miscellaneous records and secret archives that weren’t Martial Arts Secret Manuals, stored on specially made bookshelves.
Chen Qing casually picked up an ancient booklet made of a special material, titled *Observation Record*, and began to flip through it.
The text inside was not a systematic Cultivation Technique but more like the personal notes of a senior expert, recording many secrets of the Jianghu, entries from a Marvels Collection, and... speculations and descriptions of Martial Arts Realms!
According to the text, above the Astral Force Realm was the True Essence Realm!
A Martial Artist would temper their pure True Astral a thousand times over, refining it to remove impurities. Ultimately, from their various forms of True Astral, they would return to the source and forge a mouthful of even more fundamental and purer True Essence.
This True Essence had endless wondrous uses. Not only could it vastly increase one’s combat power, but its most important function was its ability to cleanse and nourish the Flesh Body’s organs. It would subtly improve one’s life source, and with each major tempering cycle completed, one’s lifespan could be extended by several decades!
The record mentioned that a True Essence Realm expert, who had lived in seclusion, had reached over three hundred years of age before passing away peacefully. This was already a display of near-transcendence.
’Extending one’s lifespan!?’
When Chen Qing read this, an astonishing light erupted in his eyes.
’Why practice fists and Martial Arts, fighting life-and-death battles and striving for victory?’
’For resources, power, and fame?’
’Ultimately, perhaps it’s all for the sake of ’living’ a better life!’
’The True Essence Realm is directly related to lifespan!’
The allure of this was fatal to anyone.
He eagerly read on.
The record also vaguely mentioned that upon stepping into the True Essence Realm, one’s spiritual will would undergo a qualitative change along with the condensation of True Essence, allowing one to begin refining and condensing a Divine Sense.
This wisp of Divine Sense was a highly condensed form of a person’s Martial Arts Intention, exceptionally profound... However, the author of this record seemed to have limited knowledge of it, as the description was vague. But even these few words were enough to leave Chen Qing captivated and yearning.
