Chapter 618 - 254: Tower Climbing (4)

He was keenly aware that He Shuang had beaten him to the thirty-first floor. The urgency of being surpassed felt like a whip at his back, leaving him no room for complacency.

"Young Master!"

Mei Niang hurried over, stopping at the edge of the training grounds. Her voice held a trace of barely concealed urgency.

Wu Anren finished a set of his Swordsmanship, performing the Qi Absorption and Essence Return technique. He twirled his Long Sword in a flourish, then looked at Mei Niang with a slight frown. "What is it?"

He could tell Mei Niang wasn’t interrupting him for no reason.

"News just came in."

Mei Niang’s words quickened. "Chen Qing is challenging the Celestial Treasure Tower right now!"

HMMMM—

The Long Sword in Wu Anren’s hand let out a faint yet distinct hum.

He subconsciously tightened his grip on the sword, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

"Chen Qing? He’s finally climbing the tower again?"

An image flashed through his mind: Chen Qing’s stunningly brilliant spear strike that had defeated Han Xiong on the Seven-Star Platform, and his unfathomable Body Refining Cultivation.

’This man’s strength is definitely not limited to the twenty-ninth floor. He’s been holding back all this time. Is he finally going to show his true colors?’

Instinct made his heart skip a beat.

"Let’s go!"

Without a moment’s hesitation, Wu Anren sheathed his Long Sword with a sharp SHIING, tossed it casually to Mei Niang, and strode out of the courtyard with quick, urgent steps.

"I’m going to see for myself! I want to witness just how high he can climb this time!"

.....

「Nine Heavens Peak, inside an elegant pavilion.」

Wan Shangyi and Qian Baole sat facing each other. On the stone table between them were several exquisitely crafted invitations, with fragrant tea steaming beside them.

The two were discussing the details of an evening banquet. Their intended guests were several friendly experts from Noble Families, the purpose being to maintain connections and exchange information.

A disciple hurried over, bowed outside the pavilion, and reported, "Brother Wan, Brother Qian, news just came from the Celestial Treasure Tower! Chen Qing of the True Martial Lineage is challenging the tower!"

The conversation in the pavilion came to an abrupt halt.

Wan Shangyi’s hand, which was raising his teacup, froze in mid-air. With a sharp SNAP, Qian Baole closed his folding fan.

The two exchanged a glance, each seeing the surprise and gravity in the other’s eyes.

"Chen Qing..."

Qian Baole gently tapped his palm with the ribs of his fan, his smile fading slightly. "He’s been quiet for almost a year, hasn’t he? His last record was the twenty-ninth floor, but everyone knows that’s not his true strength. Han Xiong is the best proof of that."

Wan Shangyi slowly set down his teacup, his gaze profound.

As a veteran True Successor Candidate, he paid close attention to any potential competitor within the Sect.

Chen Qing—the young man who, at the Mid-stage Astral Force, had defeated a cultivator at Perfection, and who carried the high hopes of the True Martial Lineage—had always been one of the people he watched most closely.

For Chen Qing to suddenly challenge the tower now was anything but ordinary.

"Brother Wan, about this evening’s banquet..." Qian Baole asked tentatively.

"We’re not going."

Wan Shangyi stood up, his tone decisive. "We’re going to the Celestial Treasure Tower now to see for ourselves."

He straightened his robes, his gaze already fixed in the direction of the Celestial Treasure Tower.

"This Junior Brother Chen has been silent for a long time. He must have a reason for making a move now. I wonder just how much his strength has improved... Seeing it with my own eyes will be more reliable than hearing rumors."

Qian Baole also rose to his feet at once, nodding. "Exactly! As for the banquet, I’ll have someone postpone it."

Without another word, the two of them set off, speeding toward the Celestial Treasure Tower with expressions of both gravity and curiosity.

In that moment, Chen Qing’s challenge of the Celestial Treasure Tower created an Undercurrent Swell within the Sect. Countless eyes turned toward the towering structure.

Everyone wanted to know what kind of shockwaves this talented disciple, who had once defeated Han Xiong, would create after nearly a year of secluded cultivation.

.....