Chapter 406: Chapter 187: Disturbance (Part 2)
Chen Qing nodded. "I understand."
He, too, yearned for the True Essence Realm, for Divine Sense, and for the life-extending properties of True Essence Refining.
Resources were crucial for further advancement, but a powerful Cultivation Technique was even more so.
’But I know I have to take this one step at a time,’ he thought. ’I’ve only just broken through to the Astral Force realm. Stabilizing my foundation is my top priority.’
Overreaching and rushing for quick results often yields unimaginable bitter fruit.
Seeing how composed Chen Qing was, Shen Xiuyong praised him inwardly. ’This nephew of mine has an extraordinary temperament. He won’t let success go to his head.’
He smiled. "But it’s still too early to talk about that. The Upper Sect hasn’t sent down the specific regulations yet, so the selection method and dates are still undecided. For now, we should celebrate."
Chen Qing smiled and cupped his fist. "Then I’ll gladly accept, Martial Uncle."
....
Chu Jinyun returned to the Gui Water Institute. Mist swirled through the cool, quiet courtyard.
After a moment of contemplation, she finally sent for Nie Shanshan.
Dressed in a moon-white disciple’s uniform, Nie Shanshan hurried over. "Master, you were looking for me?"
Chu Jinyun gazed at her most prized disciple with a complex expression and said slowly, "The Sect Leader just convened a meeting to make an announcement... Chen Qing has broken through to the Astral Force realm."
"Master, is that really true?"
Nie Shanshan’s eyes flew wide as she blurted out the question.
She couldn’t believe it. ’I used Three Hundred Years Earth Core Milk to improve my Root Bone to the Nine Forms, yet my first attempt to reach the Astral Force realm still ended in failure. How could Chen Qing have succeeded on his first try?’
"He... he broke through on his first attempt?"
"The Sect Leader said so himself. He announced it in front of all the institute Deans and Elders, so there’s no possibility of it being false."
Chu Jinyun nodded and said slowly, "That boy truly defies common sense. Li Baichuan never involves himself in these matters, so perhaps... the Sect Leader secretly poured an unimaginable amount of resources into him, or even used some of our sect’s hidden reserves that we don’t know about."
She paused, her tone softening. "Shanshan, there’s no need to disparage yourself over this. Your foundation is already exceptionally solid. During your attempt at Energy Introduction, your True Qi was scoured by the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, making it even purer. You’ll have a much greater chance of succeeding with your next breakthrough. The path of Martial Arts isn’t a race to see who reaches the end first. A steady, stable advance is the Righteous Path."
Nie Shanshan lowered her gaze for a moment. When she looked up again, she said, "Don’t worry, Master. I won’t let my imagination run wild. I will see Junior Brother Chen as a role model—no, as a goal—and cultivate even more diligently."
The image of Chen Qing’s deceptively calm face flashed through her mind. She made a silent vow, and her voice grew more determined.
Chu Jinyun carefully observed her disciple’s expression. Seeing that this had ignited an even stronger competitive spirit within her, she relaxed slightly and nodded. "If that’s how you feel, then I can rest easy."
"Master, if there’s nothing else, I’d like to return to my Cultivation," Nie Shanshan said abruptly, cupping her fist.
Chu Jinyun was taken aback. "Didn’t you just finish your sword practice?"
She recalled that Nie Shanshan had already completed her Cultivation for the day.
But Nie Shanshan shook her head, her gaze resolute. "I want to seize every second to refine my True Qi and prepare for my next seclusion. I can’t let... Junior Brother Chen leave me too far behind."
Her voice was calm, but it was filled with determination.
Seeing this, Chu Jinyun nodded with satisfaction. "Go on, then. Just remember, more haste, less speed. Strive for steady progress."
"I understand."
Nie Shanshan bowed respectfully and walked straight toward her Quiet Chamber to cultivate.
Chu Jinyun watched her disciple’s figure disappear beyond the courtyard gate. Moonlight spilled onto the flagstones where she had just stood, casting a lonely, cold glow.
’Perhaps Chen Qing’s breakthrough isn’t a bad thing for Shanshan after all.’
’This immense pressure might instead become the powerful motivation she needs to constantly break through her limits.’
....
「Li Wang’s Courtyard.」
When he heard the news that Chen Qing had broken through to the Astral Force realm, his heart filled with a mix of emotions.
’Never mind the power gap between the five Chief Disciples,’ he thought. ’Even within my own Li Fire Institute, there are disciples who have reached the Late-stage Embracing Pill. It looks like their Cultivation will soon catch up to mine.’
’And I’m the Chief Disciple, enjoying all the resources that come with the title.’
He sat cross-legged in his courtyard, staring at his reflection in the pond.
’I’ve been weakened by wine and women...’
’Chen Qing trains relentlessly every day, while I’ve been dallying in the company of young ladies from the Noble Families. Although I haven’t completely abandoned my daily practice, my mind has long been elsewhere—on pleasure boats, spring excursions, and lakeside scenery.’
’As a Chief Disciple, there are just too many temptations. Countless young ladies from the Noble Families show me favor and actively invite me out, making it impossible for me to fully focus.’
"Young Master, it’s time for dinner."
Just then, an elderly man walked over and bowed.
This was Elder Quan, a Steward from his family. He had taken care of Li Wang since childhood and had come with him to the Wutai Sect.
"Elder Quan, do you think I’ve been too indulgent these days?"
Li Wang said in a low voice, his gaze still fixed on the rippling reflection in the pond.
Elder Quan fell silent for a moment. He had watched Li Wang grow up and knew his temperament well. He chose his words carefully. "Young Master, you are young, promising, and exceptionally talented. Now you are the honored Chief Disciple of the Wutai Sect’s Li Fire Institute. It’s only natural for a young man who has found success to engage in a bit of socializing. It’s just that... compared to when you first entered the Inner Courtyard, so determined to advance, you have indeed lost some of your focus and drive lately."
Hearing this, Li Wang took a deep breath, as if to expel every distracting thought from his body. "Fine! Elder Quan, you’re right! Starting today, I’m giving up wine and women to focus on my Cultivation! If I don’t get serious now, forget competing with the Chief Disciples of the other three institutes—I’m afraid even the junior brothers in my own institute will surpass me!"
With that, Li Wang shot to his feet and strode toward the dining hall.
Several exquisite and delicious dishes were already laid out on the table. Two demure maids stood beside it, ready to serve him.
Li Wang sat down and picked up his chopsticks. He ate without tasting a thing, his mind already planning his evening’s Cultivation schedule, determined to make up for lost time.
