Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chapter 452: Chapter 202: Three Gang

The next few days on Guest Welcoming Peak were much quieter.

Elder Sang Yanping took Chen Qing, Shen Xiuyong, and the others to visit several Sects that had friendly relations with the Wutai Sect. They exchanged information, learning more rumors and inside stories about the selection.

After that, the members of the Wutai Sect spent most of their time at their residence, rarely venturing out.

Nie Shanshan, Yan Yaoyang, and the others were well aware of the gap between their own Cultivation and that of the top prodigies. They barely left their rooms, burying themselves in hard training, hoping to make even the slightest bit of progress before the selection.

Li Wang, on the other hand, couldn’t resist the bustling temptations of Celestial Treasure City. He dragged along a few equally curious junior brothers to the Celestial Treasure Giant City to broaden their horizons.

When they returned, they were all flushed with excitement, exclaiming in endless amazement. They couldn’t stop praising the countless rare treasures and luxurious sights in the city. They were particularly impressed by the famous Baihua Tower. Although they didn’t dare venture deep inside, just seeing its grandeur from afar—the singing and dancing, the brilliant lights—was enough to leave them captivated.

However, Nie Shanshan soon found out about this and reported it to Elder Chu Jinyun.

Chu Jinyun summoned Li Wang and the others and gave them a stern lecture, warning them that this place was not to be taken lightly. They were not to be blinded by its splendor, lest they neglect their duties or, worse, invite disaster.

Li Wang and the others immediately wilted like frost-bitten eggplants, hanging their heads. After that, they behaved themselves and didn’t dare go out without permission again.

One day, while Chen Qing was in his room quietly cultivating, a steady knock sounded at his door.

"Martial Nephew! It’s me!"

Chen Qing finished his practice, his breathing returning to normal. He rose and opened the door.

Shen Xiuyong was standing outside, a look of excitement on his face. He smiled and said, "I didn’t interrupt your Cultivation, did I? Come on, I’ll take you to meet some people."

"Who are we meeting?" Chen Qing asked, a little curious.

"Masters from other Sects. They’re all talented disciples whose names are in the Heroes’ Record."

Shen Xiuyong smiled and clapped Chen Qing on the shoulder. "You’ll see when we get there. It’s never a bad thing to get to know more fellow cultivators and exchange information. It’ll be a great help for the upcoming selection."

Chen Qing nodded, understanding Shen Xiuyong’s good intentions.

In a place like Celestial Treasure City, where dragons and snakes mingled and geniuses gathered, information and connections were indeed crucial.

The two left their residence and walked for a short while through the layered pavilions of Guest Welcoming Peak, arriving outside a relatively secluded courtyard with guest rooms.

Shen Xiuyong stepped forward, but instead of pushing the door open directly, he knocked lightly three times in a distinct rhythm.

A moment later, a clear voice came from inside. "Who is it?"

"It’s me, Shen Xiuyong. I’ve brought a martial nephew with me," Shen Xiuyong replied.

"Ah, it’s Brother Shen! Please, come in." The voice inside became much more enthusiastic.

Only then did Shen Xiuyong push the door open. He stepped aside to let Chen Qing enter first, then followed him in, closing the door behind him.

The room was elegantly furnished, and a faint scent of Soothing Incense was burning.

Four people were already seated inside: Qiao Hongyun, along with two other men and one woman.

Seeing the two of them, Qiao Hongyun greeted them with a smile. "Old Shen, what took you so long today? You’ve kept us waiting."

Shen Xiuyong laughed heartily and began the introductions for Chen Qing. "Come, Chen Qing, let me introduce you. This is Old Qiao, whom you’ve met. This is Brother Shang Lujing from the Guiyuan Sect; this is Brother Wang Bo from the Four Extremes Sect; and this is Miss Zhuo Xiaoyun from Water Mirror Square."

Hearing this, Chen Qing’s heart stirred.

He had seen all three of their names in the Heroes’ Record; they were all renowned figures.

Shang Lujing, in particular, was ranked in the top ten of the Heroes’ Record, a master at the Late-stage Astral Force.

Shang Lujing appeared to be in his early thirties, with a handsome face and a free-spirited, roguish smile. The aura around him was deep and powerful, and one could faintly sense the flow of lightning within it.

He cultivated a Thunder Attribute Heart Method and possessed a Secret Technique, the Thunder Transformation Technique, of unparalleled power. It was rumored that back in his early days, while still at the Early-stage Embrace Pill Power, he had once killed a Middle Stage master, a truly glorious feat.

Wang Bo was burly, dressed in the distinctive short-style martial uniform of the Four Extremes Sect, which revealed his knotted, muscular arms. He had a heroic demeanor and was ranked thirty-first on the Heroes’ Record, another expert at Mid-stage Astral Force.

Zhuo Xiaoyun wore a water-blue dress, her figure graceful and her features beautiful. She appeared to be around thirty, with an air of resilient intelligence in her eyes. As the core figure of her generation in Water Mirror Square, she was ranked forty-sixth, and her Cultivation was not to be underestimated.

Shen Xiuyong then introduced Chen Qing to the three. "This is my martial nephew, Chen Qing of the Wutai Sect’s Cyan Wood Institute. He only recently broke through to Astral Force and is not yet thirty years old."

"Hahaha, a pleasure to meet you! Brother Chen, you are truly young and promising!"

Shang Lujing was the first to speak, his laughter hearty and his attitude quite warm.

Although his rank was far higher than Chen Qing’s, he knew that reaching Astral Force before the age of thirty meant Chen Qing’s potential and talent were absolutely enough to rank in the top thirty, or even higher. Naturally, he wouldn’t look down on him.

Wang Bo also clasped his fist. "I’ve long heard of your great name!"

Zhuo Xiaoyun simply smiled, her voice crisp and clear. "Finally, a younger one joins our little group. The younger generation is truly to be feared."

Hearing this, Wang Bo grumbled, "We’re not that old, are we..."

The others smiled at his remark.

Shen Xiuyong leaned in and whispered to Chen Qing, "We all met through some fortunate encounters years ago, and our personalities clicked, so we get together often. We either discuss our Cultivation Insights or trade information about the Jianghu and resources. We’re pretty close. In Celestial Treasure City, the more friends you have, the more doors open for you."

Chen Qing nodded in understanding.

Such small circles were common among the major Sects. The members were usually elite disciples of similar strength and status who banded together for mutual support, sharing resources and information in the hope of gaining an edge in the fierce competition.