Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chapter 470: Chapter 207: Resources (2)

Everything that needed to be said was conveyed without words.

Chu Jinyun’s eyes brimmed with reluctance to part and unspoken warnings. In the end, she simply patted Nie Shanshan’s shoulder. "Be careful with everything."

Sang Yanping also addressed Chen Qing and Shen Xiuyong in a solemn tone. "The Sect will be waiting for your good news."

Afterward, the group mounted their Treasure Steeds. The figures of Sang Yanping, Chu Jinyun, and the others grew blurry in the distance before vanishing completely.

Nie Shanshan watched silently for a moment. Soon, an Outer Sect Steward from the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect arrived to guide her to the Outer Sect to check in.

"Nephew Nie."

Shen Xiuyong called out as he stepped forward. "The affairs of the Outer Sect are many and complicated. Though we walk different paths now, we are from the same sect. If you ever need help, you must send word to me."

Chen Qing also stepped forward and said, "Senior Sister Nie, let’s stay in touch."

Hearing their words, the layer of frost on Nie Shanshan’s face melted slightly. She nodded. "Mm, I will. Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle Shen, Junior Brother Chen. You both take care as well."

With that, she hesitated no longer, turning to follow the Steward. Her figure gradually vanished among the swirling clouds and grand pavilions.

「Two days later, at Guest Welcoming Peak.」

The one hundred geniuses who had passed the selection gathered here once more.

Chen Qing saw many familiar faces.

Qiao Hongyun of the Haisa Sect, Zhu Yu of the Fiery Sun Sect, Kong Yian of the Bitaomen Sect, and others he had briefly met at the small gathering—like Wang Bo of the Four Extremes Sect and Shang Lujing of the Guiyuan Sect—were all present.

"Brother Chen!"

"Brother Zhu!"

They all exchanged pleasantries, and the atmosphere seemed congenial.

Every person standing here was one of the finest prodigies of the younger generation from the Three Paths and Fifty-One Mansions.

As everyone finished arriving, the crowd gradually fell silent.

Deng Ziheng, a Main Peak Elder, walked out slowly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below.

"From this day forward, regardless of which sect you came from,"

Deng Ziheng said slowly, "you all have an additional identity: a disciple of Xu Wang Mountain in the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect. You will enjoy the status and benefits of an Inner Sect Disciple."

As he finished speaking, a Steward Disciple had already brought forth a Jade Plate, upon which were neatly arranged a number of White Jade Tokens of exceptional quality.

Deng Ziheng continued, "These are your Identity Tokens. Each Token is pre-loaded with one thousand Sect Contribution Points. For the next six months, you may collect one hundred Contribution Points each month with this Token. After six months, Contribution Points will be distributed according to your rank."

Elder Deng’s words immediately sparked a buzz of discussion.

Although they didn’t know what Contribution Points were, they had heard the part about receiving them based on rank.

A sharp glint appeared in the eyes of many.

Chen Qing, too, began to ponder this.

Deng Ziheng paused, then looked down at the crowd and explained, "Contribution Points are a core asset of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect. Their value far exceeds gold or silver. Cultivation Techniques, Elixirs, Divine Weapons, Exotic Treasures, even requesting an Elder’s guidance or posting and accepting missions... nearly all resource circulation within the Sect relies on them. As for what specifically you can exchange for, you can go to Wanxiang Hall later to look through the catalog. You will soon realize just how precious they are."

"Alright, the ceremony is concluded. Someone will now guide you to your respective residences on Xu Wang Mountain."

Having said his piece, Deng Ziheng turned and left.

Hearing this, the disciples all looked down at the warm Tokens in their hands, their curiosity piqued and their minds filled with anticipation for these Contribution Points and the Wanxiang Hall.

Soon, a capable-looking middle-aged man in the robes of an Outer Disciple walked up to Chen Qing. He bowed respectfully. "Brother Chen, this one is Outer Disciple Huang Changming. I have been tasked with guiding you to your residence on Xu Wang Mountain. This way, please."

A brief glance was all it took for Chen Qing to sense that Huang Changming had a steady aura; his Cultivation was at the Late-stage Embracing Pill.

’Are all Outer Disciples at the Late-stage Embracing Pill?’

"Thank you for your trouble, Junior Brother Huang," Chen Qing nodded.

"Brother Chen, you’re too kind. It’s my duty."

Huang Changming’s smile widened as he gestured for Chen Qing to follow. "Since you’re new here, Brother Chen, please feel free to ask if there’s anything you don’t understand. I’ll be sure to tell you everything I know."

He was well aware that these geniuses, who had distinguished themselves in the selection among the Hundred Sects, were becoming Inner Sect Disciples right from the start. Their status was high, and their futures were limitless. Forging a good connection with one of them now had nothing but upsides for him.

The two walked along a Rainbow Bridge, heading toward the distant, cloud-shrouded Xu Wang Mountain.

Chen Qing asked casually, "Junior Brother Huang, Elder Deng just mentioned the Inner Nine Peaks. Could you tell me what they are?"

Upon hearing the question, Huang Changming immediately began to explain as if he knew the subject by heart. "To answer Brother Chen, the Inner Nine Peaks are the heart of our Celestial Treasure Upper Sect. They are primarily controlled by four major branches: Nine Heavens Peak, True Martial Peak, Profound Sun Peak, and Jade Emperor Peak. Besides those, there is the Celestial Treasure Main Peak, where the Sect Leader and his lineage reside."

He paused for a moment, his tone laced with reverence. "Then there are four peaks that are rather special. The first is Danxia Peak, home to the Sect’s Alchemy Masters. They’re in charge of refining and distributing Elixirs, so its status is exceptional. The second is Ten Thousand Laws Peak. The Scripture Pavilion is located there, housing a collection of Martial Arts Classics from all over the world. It is the very foundation of the Sect’s legacy. Third is Prison Peak. For countless years, the Sect has imprisoned great Demons, traitors, and top experts from enemy factions there. Many of them possess heaven-defying Cultivation. Ordinary disciples are strictly forbidden from going anywhere near it, and its Defenders are all incredibly powerful and mysterious Elders from within the Sect..."

As he spoke of the last one, Huang Changming lowered his voice, a sense of mystery and longing in his tone. "The final peak is the most enigmatic of all: Hidden Peak. Its status is exceedingly high. It’s said that no one below the True Essence Realm, unless they are an Elder or someone who has made immense contributions to the Sect, is permitted to live there."

"The peak is not only home to our Sect’s own True Essence Realm masters, but it seems some of the Honored Guest Elders recruited by the Sect also reside there. Furthermore, I’ve heard that residents are qualified to bring their families and relatives to live on the peak under the Sect’s protection, completely safe from harm... Of course," he added, "this is all just hearsay from a junior like me. The actual details aren’t something we Outer Disciples would be privy to."