Chapter 585 - 244: Laying the Foundation (3)

Most of his attention had indeed been drawn to Chen Qing, and he had also been keeping an eye on Wu Anren. Yet he never expected that this He Shuang, who had been cultivating diligently under Elder Gong, would have quietly reached this point!

"Oh? The thirty-first level?"

Zhong Yu raised an eyebrow, his gaze turning to Lu Chenming. "He Shuang... She’s that new Direct Disciple Elder Gong took in, isn’t she? It seems Elder Gong is quite a skilled teacher. Junior Brother Lu, it looks like your position as the ’Gatekeeper’ isn’t so easy after all."

Lu Chenming instantly concealed all his emotions and chuckled lightly. "Brother Zhong, you jest. For Junior Sister He to have reached the thirty-first level, she is indeed exceptionally talented. But I have held this tenth seat for six years. If I can’t even withstand a small storm like this, wouldn’t I be letting down the sect’s high hopes?"

Zhong Yu gave him a deep look, nodded slightly, and said, "Of course I trust you. Right now, our Nine Heavens Lineage holds four True Disciple seats, making us the strongest of the Four Veins. Our influence is at its peak, and Master places great importance on this. Junior Brother Lu, it would be best not to disappoint Master."

His words seemed encouraging, but they were actually applying more pressure.

The Nine Heavens Lineage was powerful, so its internal competition was all the more intense. If Lu Chenming were to lose his seat, it wouldn’t just affect him personally, but the entire lineage’s share of resources as well.

"I take your point, Brother. I understand."

Lu Chenming replied with a serious expression and then stood up. "This news is sudden. I need to go back and make some preparations, so I won’t disturb your quiet cultivation any longer, Brother."

Zhong Yu did not ask him to stay, saying coolly, "Go on."

Lu Chenming clasped his hands in a salute and turned to leave.

His steps remained steady, but a closer look would have revealed the hand beneath his sleeve quietly clenching into a fist the moment he turned.

After walking out of Tingtai Pavilion and leaving Zhong Yu’s line of sight, the composure on Lu Chenming’s face finally vanished completely.

Immense pressure, like an invisible tide, surged in from all directions.

A stifling, irresolvable frustration built up in his chest.

Above him, the higher-ranked senior brothers and sisters were like great mountains pressing down. Below, an endless stream of geniuses chased at his heels.

This tenth seat among the True Disciples seemed glorious, but in reality, it was the heart of the storm, a place where he had to walk on thin ice.

’Every single one of them... pushing me this hard...’

The fist inside Lu Chenming’s sleeve was clenched so tightly his nails nearly dug into his palm. "Do they really think I’m some kind of pushover?!"

Six years ago, he had given his all, seizing an opportunity to become a True Disciple. He thought his future would be limitless, but who would have known he’d get stuck in this tenth seat for six whole years!

In those six years, he had appeared secure, but in reality, he hadn’t been able to advance a single step.

The seats above were held firmly by stronger cultivators, impossible for him to overcome.

Meanwhile, an endless stream of challengers emerged from below, never allowing him to let his guard down for a moment.

This torment of being stuck in limbo was driving him mad!

He had tried to break through to the True Essence Realm countless times. But that seemingly fragile barrier was like an insurmountable chasm. Every attempt ended in failure right on the verge of success, sometimes even causing a backlash that injured him.

Resources, comprehension, opportunities... He always seemed to be lacking just that little bit!

The Nine Heavens Lineage skewed its resources, favoring the higher-ranked senior brothers and sisters. His share was far from enough to support an all-or-nothing attempt to break through his bottleneck.

Zhong Yu’s reminder, in particular, made his heart turn cold.

The Nine Heavens Lineage wanted people who could secure, or even improve, their seat rankings. If he showed any sign of decline, the lineage itself would likely be the first to cast him aside like a sacrificial pawn and support someone else instead.

’I have to find a way. I absolutely must find a way!’

A look of grim determination flashed across Lu Chenming’s face.

At the same time, the news that He Shuang had cleared the thirty-first level was like a giant boulder dropped into a calm lake, instantly sending ripples throughout the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect.

In the disciple area of Xu Wang Mountain, discussions erupted, a mixture of astonishment and envy.

Many of the Inner Sect Disciples were also shaken by the news and scrambled to find out more details.

Even a few of the top-ranked True Disciples took notice.

He Shuang had cleared the thirty-first level. Her strength was beyond doubt.

So, what was next?

Was she going to challenge Lu Chenming!?

Would she shatter the current status quo!?

This question instantly ignited the anticipation and curiosity in many hearts. Among the True Successor Candidates, where an Undercurrent Swell was already brewing, the atmosphere grew even more delicate and tense.

...

The night was deep. Within Prison Peak, all was still and silent.

Chen Qing sat cross-legged in the guard area, the Qi and Blood in his body roaring like a furnace, refining the Yin-Sha Aura that seeped in.

He wasn’t completely immersed in his Cultivation. A part of his Heart and Spirit remained aware of his surroundings, especially the passageway leading deeper into the peak.

Sure enough, after an unknown amount of time, the sound of footsteps echoed, and Master of the Seven Sufferings appeared once more in his familiar black monk’s robe.

Chen Qing immediately stood and bowed respectfully. "Master of the Seven Sufferings."

Seven Sufferings gave a slight nod, preparing to leave.

Knowing this was a rare opportunity, Chen Qing quickly stepped forward. "Master, please wait. I’ve been practicing a Body Refining Technique recently, and during my Cultivation, I sometimes feel a sense of stagnation. I was wondering if you might offer some guidance?"

Seven Sufferings stopped and said indifferently, "Speak."

Chen Qing proceeded to detail the few points of his confusion. After listening, Seven Sufferings slowly began to explain. His words were simple, yet they pointed directly to the crux of the issues.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master!" Chen Qing said with sincere gratitude.

Seven Sufferings merely gave a noncommittal grunt and said no more.

「The next few days.」

Chen Qing stood guard every day, using the Evil Qi here to temper his Qi and Blood and solidify his Vajra Indestructible Realm.

Master of the Seven Sufferings would appear every few days to purify the Evil Qi.

Every time Seven Sufferings arrived, Chen Qing would seize the opportunity to step forward and ask for guidance.

His questions all revolved around the Path of Body Refining, from difficulties in Qi and Blood Transport to the key points of Bone and Muscle Forging. They seemed random, but they always pointed toward a stronger physique and a deeper Body Refining Realm.

Seven Sufferings could naturally see what Chen Qing was after. This young man’s dedication to the Path of Body Refining far surpassed that of ordinary people, and both his talent and his perseverance were of the Upper Grade.

On this day, Seven Sufferings finished purifying the Evil Qi and was about to leave quietly as usual. Chen Qing stepped forward again, just about to ask a question about the specific manifestation of "Qi and Blood like the Dragon Elephant."

But Seven Sufferings spoke first. "You have asked me about Body Refining methods time and again. What you truly desire... is it not the *Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body* that I cultivate?"

Chen Qing solemnly clasped his fists. "You see everything clearly, Master. I am indeed extremely passionate about Body Refining Martial Arts. After witnessing the might of your Buddhist Golden Body, my heart yearns for it. I wonder... might I be fated to learn this Technique?"

Seven Sufferings’s face was impassive as he said slowly, "The *Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body* is a supreme Body Refining Secret Technique of my Buddhist Sect. It cannot be taught lightly to anyone who is not a core, direct-lineage disciple. That is the first reason."

He paused, his gaze falling upon Chen Qing. "Second, even if I made an exception and taught it to you, you would find it difficult to cultivate. Your efforts would be in vain."

"Why?" Chen Qing asked, unable to understand.

Seven Sufferings said indifferently, "To cultivate my Buddhist Sect’s supreme Flesh Body secret technique, one must first lay a foundation in the Buddhist Dharma. You must integrate Buddhist Zen into your Qi, Blood, and spirit, making it complementary to your Flesh Body cultivation. Only by cultivating both inside and out can one master the immense power of this Technique."

"That is why it is difficult for an outsider to achieve any success with it."

.....