Chapter 597 - 248: True Martial (3)

He had just walked a short distance from the Ten Thousand Laws Tower when a familiar figure happened to come around a bend in the mountain path ahead. It was none other than Qu He.

"Brother Qu!"

Chen Qing was a little surprised. He then clasped his fist and smiled. "What a coincidence. I didn’t expect to run into you here, Brother Qu."

Hearing this, Qu He just smiled faintly and shook his head. "It’s no coincidence. I came here specifically to find you."

"Find me?"

A look of confusion appeared on Chen Qing’s face as several thoughts flashed through his mind. ’I wonder why he’s sought me out at this particular time.’

"That’s right."

Qu He’s expression turned serious, and his tone grew solemn. "Master has come out of seclusion. After learning of your recent situation, he specifically instructed me to bring you to see him."

’Master!?’

’There’s only one person in the entire True Martial Lineage whom Qu He would call Master—the Vein Master of True Martial Peak, Han Guxi, "the Profound Turtle Carrying the Mountain"!’

In the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, becoming a Vein Master meant one possessed extraordinary strength and status. They were true pillars of the Sect, holding immense power and authority.

This Vein Master Han Guxi was extremely famous. Not only was he the current Sect Leader’s senior brother, granting him exceptionally high seniority, but his Cultivation was also unfathomably deep. He just spent his years in seclusion and was rarely seen.

"Let’s go."

Seeing Chen Qing’s slightly tense expression, Qu He explained, "When you first joined our True Martial Lineage, Master was supposed to meet you personally according to tradition. However, he was at a critical juncture in his seclusion at the time, so it was delayed. Now that he’s out, he naturally has to make up for it."

"I see. Thank you for leading the way, Brother Qu."

Chen Qing suppressed the ripples in his heart and nodded in response.

’A personal summons from the Vein Master is anything but ordinary.’

’It’s not just about the initiation ceremony. It probably has more to do with my recent performance, especially the battle on the Seven-Star Platform and the potential I’ve displayed.’

He focused his Heart and Spirit and followed behind Qu He. The two of them walked toward the deepest part of True Martial Peak, toward Zhenwu Hall, the symbol of the True Martial Lineage’s authority and heritage.

Chen Qing and Qu He passed through layers of halls and pavilions, arriving at Zhenwu Hall located at the very top of True Martial Peak.

The hall was magnificent, yet it exuded a primitive, ancient aura. It wasn’t extravagant; instead, it had a sense of returning to simplicity.

Stepping into the great hall, they saw an old man sitting cross-legged on a cattail cushion at the head of the room.

He wore a simple gray robe. His face was ruddy, and his hair and beard were completely white but meticulously groomed. His eyes were gentle, without a trace of sharpness, making him look more like a kind-hearted, friendly neighborhood elder.

This was the Vein Master of True Martial Peak, Han Guxi.

Qu He took a step forward, clasped his fist respectfully, and said, "Master, Junior Brother Chen is here."

Chen Qing didn’t dare to be slow. He quickly bowed in salute. "Disciple Chen Qing pays his respects to the Vein Master."

Han Guxi’s gaze fell upon Chen Qing, and a warm smile spread across his face, gentle as a spring breeze. He waved his hand, his voice mild. "No need for such ceremony. This isn’t a formal occasion, so please be at ease. Sit."

Chen Qing did not move immediately, looking instead to Qu He.

Seeing this, Qu He smiled and patted the cattail cushion beside him. "Junior Brother Chen, Master told you to sit, so please, sit."

Only then did Chen Qing say, "Yes," and sat as instructed on the cushion below Qu He, his back straight, his posture respectful but not stiff.

Han Guxi took in this scene and began to speak slowly. "You have been part of our True Martial Lineage for some time now. According to tradition, I should have met you sooner, but it was delayed until now because this old man was in seclusion. I hope you don’t mind."

"Vein Master, you speak too gravely. This disciple wouldn’t dare. The Vein Master’s secluded Cultivation is a major affair for the Sect. It is already an honor for this disciple to be summoned by you," Chen Qing replied with a sincere tone.

Han Guxi nodded slightly and said in a gentle voice, "Chen Qing, you are a genius selected from the Hundred Sects. Although you originate from the Wutai Sect and have your own martial lineage, since you have chosen to join the True Martial Lineage, you are now a disciple of the True Martial Lineage."

"The Sect is like a great ocean that accepts a hundred rivers, and the True Martial Lineage is no different. Here, you need not feel any sense of alienation. Disciples of the same lineage should naturally work together with one heart and help one another. Do you understand?"

Chen Qing nodded seriously. "This disciple understands. Since joining the True Martial Lineage, Brother Qu has taken great care of me, and Elder Pei has not been stingy with his guidance. This disciple has deeply felt the warmth of the lineage and holds no divided loyalties."

These were not empty words. Whether it was Qu He fighting to get him Elixirs or Pei Tingchun’s care at the Dharma Transmission Hall, both had given him a favorable impression of the True Martial Lineage.

"Good. This old man is very pleased that you think this way."

The smile on Han Guxi’s face widened. "Your talent is outstanding, and your foundation is solid. What’s even rarer is your steady temperament, unlike ordinary youths who are prone to arrogance and impatience. You handled the battle on the Seven-Star Platform very well, establishing the prestige of our True Martial Lineage."

"The path of Cultivation is long. Remember to guard against arrogance and impatience and proceed one steady step at a time. The position of a True Disciple is certainly important, but solidifying your foundation and clarifying your own path is even more critical. With your ability, as long as you advance steadily, becoming a True Disciple is merely a matter of time."

Chen Qing replied respectfully, "Thank you for your teachings, Vein Master. This disciple will surely keep them in mind, focus on my Cultivation, and not disappoint the high hopes of the Vein Master and the lineage."

Han Guxi looked at Chen Qing, his tone still gentle. "As a True Successor Candidate of our True Martial Lineage, you now represent not only yourself, but also the face of our True Martial Lineage."

"Competition is encouraged within the Sect, but rules must also be respected. In the future, if you encounter difficulties, or if someone oversteps the rules and uses their power to bully you, you don’t need to endure it silently. You can report it to Qu He, or come find this old man directly."

He paused for a moment. "Our True Martial Lineage is amicable and dislikes conflict, but we have never been the kind to be easily bullied. When it is time to fight, we will fight. When it is time to protect, we will protect. This seat will stand up for you."

Hearing this, Chen Qing’s heart stirred. He knew that this statement was the most critical part of today’s summons.

This was the Vein Master, on behalf of the True Martial Lineage, giving him powerful backing.

He immediately stood up and gave a deep bow. "This disciple understands! Thank you, Vein Master!"

Han Guxi nodded with a smile, asked a few simple questions about Chen Qing’s recent Cultivation, offered some encouragement, and then said, "Alright, that will be all for today. Go back and cultivate well."

"Yes. This disciple will take his leave."

Chen Qing bowed again, and then, at a glance from Qu He, he respectfully exited Zhenwu Hall.

After Chen Qing left, only the master and disciple remained in the hall.

Han Guxi gazed toward the hall’s entrance, gently stroking his beard. He said to Qu He, "This boy is indeed quite remarkable. To be able to defeat Han Xiong, who is at Astral Force Perfection, while only being at the Mid-stage Astral Force himself... his foundation is far more solid than his peers. What’s even rarer is his steady temperament, which is far beyond his years. He knows when to hide his strengths and when to let his brilliance show."

"Junior Brother Pei told me the other day that this boy exchanged for the *True Martial Demon-Vibrating Spear* just a few months ago and has already reached the Minor Achievement Realm. Such progress makes him an absolute genius of the Spear Path."

Qu He nodded in agreement. "Master is absolutely right. Since Junior Brother Chen joined, he has acted with method and discipline. He doesn’t cause trouble, but he isn’t afraid of it either."

Compared to Chen Qing’s aptitude, he admired his character even more.

A genius with only potential but a poor character could become a disaster instead, making them unworthy of dedicated cultivation.

"He handled the matter with Han Xiong cleanly and efficiently. Not only did it not damage the prestige of our True Martial Lineage, but it greatly boosted morale. It’s just... he is young, after all. This disciple worries that a tree that stands out from the forest will be destroyed by the wind."

Han Guxi nodded slightly. "Your worries are not without reason. Such a fine piece of raw jade must be guided properly so as not to waste his talent."

Qu He said, "Master, your Cultivation is heaven-reaching. If he could receive a bit of your guidance, it would be an immense opportunity for Junior Brother Chen."

But Han Guxi slowly shook his head. "He and I are not a good fit. My style leans toward being solid and defensive. Forcing my guidance on him might instead limit his own development. The one most suited for him... is the one on Ten Thousand Laws Peak."

"Ten Thousand Laws Peak?"

Hearing this, Qu He’s brow furrowed slightly. "Master, are you referring to the Peak Master of Ten Thousand Laws Peak? That one... his Spear Dao Cultivation is certainly at the Peak of Perfection, but setting aside his extremely strict conditions for accepting disciples—he’s never been heard to have an heir to his legacy—just his temper... it’s truly too strange. One might even call it the strangest in our entire Celestial Treasure Upper Sect. As good as Junior Brother Chen is, I’m afraid it would be difficult for him to catch that master’s eye. Even if they met, he might not be willing to offer any guidance."

Han Guxi sighed softly. "Opportunities cannot be forced. No one can fathom that person’s thoughts. For now, we should just keep a closer eye on him. But there’s no need to excessively try to rush his growth. Letting him develop on his own might allow him to forge an even broader path."

"Yes, this disciple understands."

Qu He bowed and replied, but he knew in his heart that getting the Peak Master of Ten Thousand Laws Peak to agree would probably be even more difficult than Chen Qing becoming a True Disciple.

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