Chapter 634 - 258: Zhong Ming

He Shuang’s Three True Astrals were already astonishing, yet Chen Qing was even more formidable.

What he had shown was merely the tip of the iceberg.

’The tenth True Disciple?’

’This is nowhere near his limit!’

This thought struck Gong Nansong’s mind like a thunder shock, making his heart pound in terror.

Just then, Deng Ziheng’s resonant voice cut through the crowd’s clamor. "The victor of this battle is Chen Qing! From this day forth, Chen Qing is promoted to the rank of tenth True Disciple of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect!"

The moment his voice faded, a vast, deep bell toll suddenly rang out from atop Bell Peak, one of the Outer Twenty-Seven Peaks.

"DONG—!"

The toll was sonorous, its melody long and drawn-out. It echoed not only throughout the Outer Twenty-Seven Peaks but even faintly reached the lands of the Inner Nine Peaks, reverberating endlessly through the mountains and valleys.

Everyone present, disciple and Elder alike, felt their hearts and spirits tremble upon hearing the bell, their expressions turning solemn.

The Sect possessed a great bell, one that was never struck except for matters of great significance.

Each time the bell rang, the number and rhythm of the tolls carried a different meaning.

This single, solitary toll today was to announce the birth of a new True Disciple!

This was the Sect’s highest form of recognition and proclamation for a new True Disciple!

"The bell tolls for a new True Disciple!"

A senior disciple whispered, explaining the meaning of the toll.

This meant that with the sound of this bell, Chen Qing’s name was officially engraved into the inheritance records of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, placing him at the center of attention for all the Sect’s leadership.

The spies of various powers—whether planted by thousand-year-old Noble Families or infiltrated from other sects—did not hesitate to send this news out at the fastest possible speed.

A new True Disciple from a humble origin with a weak background now had the potential to alter the balance of power within the Sect.

The Elders on the viewing platform exchanged hushed words, their gazes periodically drifting in the direction Chen Qing had departed.

’This boy has immense potential, and he belongs to the True Martial Lineage, where competition for resources is fierce. Whether to recruit, befriend, or suppress him will require careful consideration.’

Amidst the crowd, an inconspicuous, gray-robed old man, who had appeared just as silently, now turned and departed with the dispersing throng, unnoticed by all.

Qu River quickly walked over to Chen Qing’s side and asked with concern, "Junior Brother Chen, how are your injuries? You should go back and focus on healing. I’ll help you handle all the subsequent matters—the True Disciple promotion ceremony, resource allocation, new living quarters, and so on—once you’ve recovered."

Chen Qing suppressed the churning qi and blood in his body and nodded. "Thank you for taking care of the arrangements, Senior Brother."

"We’re fellow disciples. There’s no need for such formalities."

Qu River patted his shoulder.

Chen Qing gave a slight bow with cupped fists to the crowd, then, with Zhu Yu’s ’support’, he left the clamorous Seven-Star Platform.

Upon returning to his small courtyard on Xu Wang Mountain, Zhu Yu said a few more words and then departed.

Chen Qing entered the Quiet Chamber and immediately sat down cross-legged.

He was also seriously injured. Lu Chenming’s final, all-out strike, imbued with Saber Intent, and the relentless, frenzied assault that preceded it were not something one could easily endure.

If he hadn’t cultivated the Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body to the Fourth Layer, making his entire body tougher than fine steel and his qi and blood as vast as a furnace, and if he hadn’t fused his True Astral, he would have been defeated long ago.

’Lu Chenming... truly worthy of his title as a True Disciple,’ Chen Qing thought to himself as he inspected his internal condition.

The pressure from this battle had been immense, and it gave him a much clearer understanding of the strength of a True Disciple.

At this thought, he instinctively looked down, lifting his tattered robes to inspect the Inner Armor he wore underneath.

A fine yet distinct crack had appeared on the chest of his Azure Wave Profound Flood Dragon Armor. It was clearly heavily damaged.

’This Top-Grade Inner Armor was nearly destroyed just by the aftershocks of that battle. It’s no longer sufficient,’ Chen Qing thought.

His Cultivation had now reached the Late-stage Astral Force, and the challenges and dangers a True Disciple faced were on a completely different level.

’Acquiring a stronger suit of protective Inner Armor has to be a priority.’

’Oh well. I’ll focus on healing first. Once I’ve recovered and my strength has stabilized, I need to find Master of the Seven Sufferings and ask for the subsequent techniques for the Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body.’

Chen Qing focused his heart and spirit, swallowed another Elixir, and began to fully circulate his Cultivation Technique. He guided the medicinal power to repair his body, and the aura around him gradually grew calm and stable.

The Quiet Chamber returned to its usual silence.

Outside the Quiet Chamber, however, the storm his battle had stirred up was only just beginning to brew.

.....

「Nine Heavens Peak, Side Hall of the Steward Hall.」

Luo Ziming was at his desk, reviewing several scrolls concerning resource allocation for the Outer Sect.

As Li Yu-jun’s head disciple, he was responsible for handling the many mundane affairs of the Nine Heavens Lineage and had long grown accustomed to the duty.

Suddenly, a crisp yet profound bell toll pierced the walls of the hall, echoing in his ears.

"DANG—"

Luo Ziming looked up, his brow furrowing instinctively. "A bell toll?"

He was familiar with this sound. It was the Sect’s bell, rung only to announce major events.

And the rhythm of this single toll...

He set down his vermilion brush and called out in a stern voice, "What’s the meaning of that bell? Go find out immediately!"

"Yes, Master!"

The disciple standing guard outside heard the order and, not daring to delay, immediately hurried off.

Luo Ziming no longer had the heart to deal with his work. He rose and paced to the window, his gaze fixed in the direction of the toll, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

’A change among the True Disciples?’

’Or perhaps an Elder has had a breakthrough?’

All sorts of possibilities flashed through his mind.

He did not have to wait long. Soon, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

The disciple returned, his face a mask of unconcealable shock and panic. He rushed into the hall, forgetting even to bow, and reported urgently, "Master, I found out! It’s... it’s from the Seven-Star Platform! Brother Lu Chenming... he... he lost the True Disciple challenge!"