Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chapter 426: Chapter 193: A Change in the Heavens

He Yuzhou knelt beside Zhou Nianchu’s corpse and searched it carefully for a moment. Aside from a few common Healing Elixirs, he found nothing.

He straightened up, his brow furrowed slightly.

Leng Qianqiu said in a grave voice, "Heart Devourer was as cunning as a fox. He knew full well the danger of carrying a treasure. Whatever he took from the Earth Element Cave must be extraordinary. He would never have kept it on his person. He’s probably hidden the truly valuable items somewhere."

Hearing this, Shi Zhenyue, who was standing nearby, looked even more grim.

The treasures accumulated in the Earth Element Cave represented years of the Xuanjia Sect’s hard work. More importantly, they were a major part of the tribute owed to the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect. If everything was lost, the Xuanjia Sect would not only be severely weakened but would also have no way to answer to the Upper Sect.

He quickly forced himself to rally and ordered several of the calmer, more lightly injured Stewards beside him, "Quick! Take some men and search the surrounding area, centering on the ruins of the Council Hall! Especially the places where Zhou Nianchu... where Heart Devourer was active just now. Don’t miss a single suspicious corner! You must find our sect’s lost property!"

The Stewards accepted their orders and led their men to begin the search.

He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu made a few more arrangements for the aftermath, ordering the experts from their sects to assist the Xuanjia Sect in wiping out the remaining Demon Sect remnants. They were to eradicate them root and stem, completely uprooting the Demon Sect’s Yunlin Sub-Pavilion.

After giving their orders, the two Sect Leaders departed. They were clearly going to discuss how to report to the Upper Sect and how to handle the upcoming shifts in power within Yunlin Prefecture.

Chen Qing, meanwhile, followed Yan Yaoyang, Li Lei, and the others to begin clearing the battlefield.

The plaza and the surrounding ruins had been the core of the great battle, and the bodies of many Demon Sect experts lay scattered about.

Chen Qing was well aware, ’This looks like hard work, but it’s actually a plum assignment.’

These Demon Sect experts had surely plundered plenty of spoils when they broke through the Xuanjia Sect’s defenses. Now that they were dead and gone, the items on their bodies were ownerless. Finders keepers.

After the catastrophe they had just endured, the Xuanjia Sect couldn’t, in all good conscience, ask for these spoils of war back.

Yan Yaoyang and Li Lei clearly understood this as well. They exchanged a look and, with a tacit understanding, began to move, their actions swift and discreet.

Several young disciples from Cold Jade Valley, like Ye Qingyi, didn’t stay idle either, quietly joining the search party.

When Ye Qingyi passed by Chen Qing, she stopped, a complex yet sincere expression on her face. "Congratulations on breaking through to the Astral Force realm."

She remembered the first time she had met Chen Qing. She had certainly thought he was outstanding, but she had never imagined he would be *this* outstanding.

Previously, after Xiao Bieli was defeated by Chen Qing, Leng Qianqiu had consoled him, saying he still had a chance to catch up.

And she had felt the same way.

But now, ’it seems it’ll be difficult for my senior brother to catch up to Chen Qing.’

Hearing her words, Chen Qing smiled faintly. "You flatter me, Senior Sister Ye. The path of Martial Arts is long and endless. Being a little faster or slower at one point doesn’t mean much. Senior Brother Xiao has a profound foundation; he will surely succeed in his next breakthrough. I was just lucky enough to take a step ahead."

Seeing how humble he was, Ye Qingyi nodded and said, "You’re being too modest, Brother Chen. In any case, congratulations!"

She didn’t seem to be a woman of many words. After offering her congratulations, she turned and rejoined her fellow disciples.

Chen Qing took a deep breath, preparing to start his own search, when Du Lingchuan, supported by Chang Xing, slowly walked over to him.

His face was still pale, but some of the light had returned to his eyes.

He looked at Chen Qing and slowly drew a slightly old but well-preserved booklet from his robes. On the cover, five large words were written in a powerful script: *Mountain-Splitting Thunder Shock Spear*.

"Chen the Kid."

Du Lingchuan’s voice was a little weak, but very solemn. "Today, thank you for saving my life. But even more, thank you for... exposing the great traitor and saving my Xuanjia Sect from the brink of collapse. I have no way to repay you. This *Mountain-Splitting Thunder Shock Spear* is a Superior Spear Skill I happened upon in my youth. Its momentum is fierce and explosive, swift as a thunder shock. It emphasizes attacking as the best defense, always pressing forward. It is the polar opposite of your Wutai Sect’s *Mountain Prison-Suppression Spear*, with its stability and weight."

Chen Qing’s heart stirred.

’My *Mountain Prison-Suppression Spear* has already reached the Extreme Realm. It truly excels at defense and suppression. If I could obtain this offense-oriented *Mountain-Splitting Thunder Shock Spear* and study them in tandem, it would undoubtedly enrich my Spear Path, making my attacks sharper and more versatile.’

’Besides, studying another profound spear technique would surely deepen my understanding and application of ’Momentum’.’

"Elder Du, this is too precious..."

Although Chen Qing was tempted, he still felt the gift was too valuable.

This was Du Lingchuan’s signature technique, a top-tier Upper-Grade Martial Art.

"Take it."

Du Lingchuan brooked no argument and shoved the booklet into Chen Qing’s hands, his eyes full of admiration. "Your talent for the Spear Path is something I’ve only seen once in my life. To have already comprehended the spear’s ’Momentum’ at such a young age... your future accomplishments will be limitless. In your hands, this Spear Technique will truly shine and will never tarnish its reputation. This girl, Chang Xing... her temperament isn’t suited for it. She cannot inherit the essence of this Spear Technique."

Hearing her master’s words, a flash of disappointment crossed Chang Xing’s face, but she quickly came to terms with it.

’I know my temperament leans more toward agility. I’m really not suited for cultivating such a domineering and ferocious Spear Technique.’

"Brother Chen, just accept it! Master is right. Only in your hands can this Spear Technique reach its full potential. That way, this ultimate art won’t go to waste."

Chen Qing looked at Du Lingchuan’s sincere and expectant gaze, then glanced down at the spear manual in his hands, and no longer refused.

He solemnly tucked the *Mountain-Splitting Thunder Shock Spear* into his robes, then cupped his fist to Du Lingchuan and bowed deeply. "In that case, it would be disrespectful for me to refuse. Thank you, Elder Du, for this generous gift. I, Chen Qing, will certainly study it diligently and live up to this spear’s reputation!"