Chapter 626 257: True Inheritance

Shen Jiuhe smiled. "Chengxuan, as a True Disciple, you bear great responsibilities. It is only right that you are diligent in your cultivation. How could we possibly call that 'being distant'? The Shen Family will always be your home, and you are both welcome back at any time."

Luo Chengxuan responded with composure, "Patriarch, you are too kind. I will remember your words."

Second Elder Shen Wanqing smiled along from the side, his words also very polite. However, watching the happy and harmonious scene between the Grand Elder's branch of the family and Luo Chengxuan, he couldn't help but feel a complex and inexpressible envy.

Having a True Disciple from the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect as a son-in-law brought not only glory but also tangible power and a favorable flow of resources. The Grand Elder's branch had become even more stable because of this marriage alliance.

Just then, the Grand Elder, Shen Boyuan, seemed to recall something. He set down his Jade Cup and asked, "I just received word that the True Successor Candidate, Chen Qing, has challenged Lu Chenming? Chengxuan, you are in the Sect. Do you know the details of this matter?"

The moment he said this, the expressions of everyone from the Shen Family present shifted slightly.

The name Chen Qing was a rather special one within the Shen Family.

You couldn't say their relationship was bad; after all, he came from the Wutai Sect, which had a long-standing friendship with the Shen Family. Back then, Third Elder Shen Qianshan had thought highly of him and even given him a generous gift.

But you couldn't say it was good, either. There was the matter of the failed marriage alliance, compounded by the rumors circulating within the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect about the Shen Family "breaking the engagement." Although no one dared to speak of it openly, the secret discussions never ceased, bringing dishonor to the Shen Family, who were unable to publicly clarify anything.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Hearing this, Luo Chengxuan raised an eyebrow. "I haven't paid much attention to this matter. I heard a little about this person passing the thirty-first floor of the Celestial Treasure Tower not long ago. His potential is indeed impressive. But as for him challenging Junior Brother Lu... I haven't received that news yet."

His tone was calm, as if it were a trivial matter.

A True Successor Candidate who had only just qualified for a challenge was far from being someone Luo Chengxuan needed to keep a close eye on.

Shen Jiuhe's gaze narrowed slightly as he asked in a deep voice, "In that case, Chengxuan, what is your opinion on this battle?"

As the Patriarch, he didn't actually care too much about the Wutai Sect. The old connection was more of a personal friendship between one of the family's predecessors and the Wutai Sect. The bond that remained was more of a sentimental obligation.

Furthermore, he was also aware of the Second Elder's attempts to remedy the situation afterward—decisively abandoning Han Xiong and trying to extend an olive branch to Chen Qing.

However, Chen Qing had not taken the olive branch the Shen Family offered. In Shen Boyuan's view, the Shen Family had already done all that could be expected. 'Must the Shen Family now lower itself to beg a mere Inner Sect Disciple?'

Nevertheless, the fact that Chen Qing actually dared to challenge a True Disciple—his audacity and the speed of his growth—still sent a shock through the core members of the Shen Family present.

Seated below, Shen Xinyue lowered her head slightly, her slender fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of her robes, her heart a whirlwind of complex emotions.

To be able to qualify for a challenge against a True Disciple was, regardless of victory or defeat, a testament to one's strength. It was enough to rank among the Sect's absolute top disciples.

Luo Chengxuan pondered for a moment before saying slowly, "Difficult."

His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable weight. "Junior Brother Lu has held the tenth seat for nearly eight years. In that time, he has defeated more than one True Successor Candidate, some of whom were astonishingly talented. Although Chen Qing has some strength and has progressed quickly, compared to the opponents who have fallen at Junior Brother Lu's hands, what he has shown so far is not particularly outstanding."

Clearly, Luo Chengxuan believed Chen Qing had no chance of winning, as Lu Chenming had defeated many True Successor Candidates.

Chen Qing was not exceptional among them; it was only because of his past connection with the Shen Family that they were even asking about him, that he had caught their attention at all.

Moreover, there was another very important point: the old grudge between the Nine Heavens Lineage and the True Martial Lineage. In this battle, Lu Chenming was carrying not only his personal honor and disgrace, but also the face of his entire lineage.

"I believe so as well."

Second Elder Shen Wanqing picked up the thread of conversation, analyzing the situation in line with Luo Chengxuan's opinion. "Chen Qing's foundation may seem solid due to some fortuitous encounter, but his years of cultivation are ultimately too few. In terms of polishing his True Astral and accumulating combat experience, his foundation is still lacking compared to Lu Chenming. This battle is likely more for the sake of experience; his hope of shaking Lu Chenming's position is slim."

His words served to both echo Luo Chengxuan's judgment and, perhaps, to subtly excuse himself for not having insisted on the marriage alliance back when he had first favored Chen Qing.

After all, the one he had truly valued back then was Han Xiong!

Shen Jiuhe nodded slightly and came to a conclusion. "What Chengxuan and Wanqing have said is reasonable. This Chen Qing is indeed still young. He has potential, but haste makes waste. Building a deep foundation is not something that can be done overnight. Forget it, let's not speak of this anymore."

He raised the Jade Cup in his hand, a smile returning to his face as he changed the subject. "Chengxuan, Xinrou, it's a rare occasion for you to return. This is a family banquet, so there's no need for formalities. Please, drink this cup dry."

Regarding Chen Qing, Shen Jiuhe's attitude was perfectly clear.

While there was some regret, what was done was done.

Chen Qing had not chosen to align himself with the Shen Family, so there was no need to dwell on it any further.

Besides, they already had a pearl in hand. Why regret the loss of a beautiful stone that had yet to fully reveal its luster?

"Patriarch, please."

Luo Chengxuan raised his cup in response. The atmosphere in the room once again became warm and lively, as if the recent discussion about Chen Qing had been nothing more than an insignificant interlude.

......

「Zhenwu Hall, Rear Hall.」

As the core and most important location of the True Martial Lineage, Zhenwu Hall was usually solemn and quiet.

Qu River passed through the front hall, went around the central hall where the statue of Ancestral Master Zhenwu was enshrined, and arrived outside a secluded Quiet Chamber in the rear hall.

He straightened his robes and knocked gently on the door with a respectful expression.

"Come in."