Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chapter 461: Chapter 205: Ancestor Master

Outside the Treasure Tower, upon the Celestial Treasure Stele.

The number behind Chen Qing’s name suddenly jumped from "six" to "seven."

From its original position around eightieth place, it shot up, brazenly breaking into the top fifty before finally settling firmly in forty-third place!

"The Seventh Layer! Chen Qing has reached the Seventh Layer!"

Li Wang was the first to cry out, his face filled with excitement and disbelief.

A wave of suppressed gasps and sharp inhales instantly rippled through the Wutai Sect’s area.

The fist that Elder Sang Yanping had been clenching tightly slowly unfurled, revealing a slightly damp palm. He let out a long sigh of relief, a gratified smile he couldn’t suppress spreading across his face as he whispered to Chu Jinyun beside him, "Excellent! What a kid! The Seventh Layer! I knew he could do it!"

The Seventh Layer was a major hurdle. As long as one passed it, a spot in the top fifty was basically guaranteed.

In the Cold Jade Valley area not far away, Granny Hanzhuang said in a solemn voice, "The trial of one’s disposition is the most grueling. To pass so quickly and have his rank jump so drastically reveals the sheer strength of his will."

Xiao Bieli stared at the name hanging high in forty-third place. The complex emotions in his eyes eventually resolved into a soft sigh, a mix of admiration and the melancholy of being left so far behind.

Ye Qingyi stared blankly at the stone stele, recalling the first time she had met him at the Wutai Sect. It felt like a lifetime ago.

"The Seventh Layer... Forty-third place..."

Zhu Yu of the Fiery Sun Sect stroked his chin, his voice laced with surprise. "This guy... his rank is a whole lot higher than what the Heroes’ Record predicted."

’Chen Qing’s rank is higher than mine, which means he spent even less time climbing the tower than I did.’

’And I’m several years older than him. I’ve been through more trials and should have the advantage when it comes to disposition and actual combat experience.’

Kong Yian of the Bitaomen Sect also glanced over, remarking, "The Wutai Sect has produced quite a remarkable figure."

Not far away, the members of the Earth Element Sect and the Haisa Sect from Lin’an Prefecture were also drawn by the commotion at the stele, and they all turned to look.

"This kid..."

Qiao Hongyun shook his head with a wry laugh. "Shen Xiuyong’s martial nephew... he’s truly the type to lie low, only to shock the world when he finally makes a move."

’I’d originally thought he was just a junior with decent potential, but now I clearly realize he’s already a powerful, potential rival whom I must take seriously.’

On another side, Ding Jinfeng and Cao Xue of the Earth Element Sect exchanged a look, each seeing the profound surprise in the other’s eyes.

They had heard of Chen Qing’s name before, but only knew him as a newly-risen young talent from Yunlin Prefecture and hadn’t paid him much mind.

After all, every prefecture has its geniuses, and until you witness their strength for yourself, there’s always room for doubt.

But now, the name that had leaped to forty-third place on the Celestial Treasure Stele was like a thunderclap, shattering all their previous disregard.

The disciples and Elders from the sects of other prefectures also cast interested glances, discussing the matter in low voices.

"Chen Qing from the Wutai Sect? I hadn’t paid him much mind before. I can’t believe he managed to charge up to forty-third place!"

"The Seventh Layer is a test of one’s disposition. To pass it so quickly means this young man’s will is firm. He has a promising future."

"Looks like the Wutai Sect is on the rise."

However, not everyone’s reaction was one of admiration.

On the other side of the square, in the area occupied by the Chaoyang Sect.

Elder Ruan Wenju remained expressionless as his gaze swept over Chen Qing’s name on the Celestial Treasure Stele, his brow furrowing slightly.

He, of course, remembered the conflict on the road, and even more so, the report Liu Wu had given upon his return.

Although he hadn’t paid much mind to the young Astral Force martial artist from the Wutai Sect at the time, Chen Qing’s current performance forced him to re-evaluate.

Liu Wu stood behind Ruan Wenju, his brows tightly furrowed.

Chen Qing’s ranking was already fast approaching his own, and Chen Qing’s youth gave him a distinct advantage. This made Liu Wu feel a potential threat.

Another Chaoyang Sect disciple, Ruan Hongjin, ranked seventy-first, said in a low voice to his companion, "It seems that kid from the Wutai Sect really has some skill; it wasn’t all just a fluke. Once we enter Xu Wang Mountain, we’ll need to keep a closer eye on him."

The few from the Chaoyang Sect exchanged glances, each seeing a trace of solemnity in the others’ eyes.

Atop the high platform, Elder Deng Ziheng, who had been resting with his eyes closed, now opened them slightly. His gaze paused on Chen Qing’s name on the Celestial Treasure Stele for a moment. He gave an almost imperceptible nod, then slowly closed his eyes again.

It seemed this young disciple from Yunlin Prefecture had left a small impression on him.

...

「Inside the Treasure Tower.」

Chen Qing slowly stepped onto the Eighth Layer of the Celestial Treasure Tower.

The scenery on this layer was completely different from the ones below. There were no more puppets or illusions; it was like a sealed chamber.

The light on this layer was soft. In the center stood a single stone table, upon which rested a simple, ancient Parchment Scroll. Beside it was a massive stone door covered in arcane patterns, flawlessly sealing the entrance to the Ninth Layer.

A calm voice once again resounded directly in his mind: "Within one hour, you must comprehend the entry-level of this fragmented ’Circulation Star Essence Technique.’ Circulate the Heart Method, condense your Astral Force into your palm, and press it to this door. The door will then open. If you exceed the time limit or fail to reach the entry-level, the test will end."

’Comprehend a fragmented technique?’

Intrigued, Chen Qing walked forward, picked up the Parchment Scroll, and began to read.

He immersed his Heart and Spirit in it, and a Heart Method Mantra of about a thousand characters appeared in his mind. However, it was clearly missing its critical circulation pathways and core tenets.

The language of this Heart Method was archaic and abstruse, its essence obscure. Its complexity would likely be considered top-tier even among Superior Heart Methods.

Even a typical genius would likely be scratching their head, struggling to deduce its secrets.

This trial was a test of one’s aptitude for comprehension.

However, Chen Qing merely gave it a cursory scan—

[Heaven Rewards Diligence; success is assured.]

[Circulation Star Essence Technique (Fragmented), Entry-Level: (1/500)]

The familiar golden characters appeared in his mind right on cue. The cultivation pathways for this incomplete Heart Method, the subtleties of its energy circulation—all of it became instantly clear, as if he had already practiced it thousands upon thousands of times.