Chapter 220 - 125: Celestial Pride Trial Completed, A Change in Status, Inner Sect Celestial Pride Zhang Su

How long had it been since Hengshan County?

Only a few mere months.

Not even a year had passed, yet Zhang Su had cultivated all the way from Outer Force to Embracing Pill. Today, he had even used Pill Force to defeat a Peak Gang Force Martial Artist—a feat so incredible it was hard to believe.

Back then in Hengshan County, Zhang Su was just an Outer Force Martial Artist. Though powerful, he still needed Xie Guanchao and the others to look out for him.

But after just a few short months, Zhang Su had already become someone they had to look up to.

"Junior Brother Zhang, tell me honestly, are you... about to become a Sect’s Celestial Pride?"

Suddenly, Xie Guanchao, who had been silent the whole time, spoke up.

And his first words were earth-shattering.

The expression on Xie Guanchao’s face was extremely serious.

His eyes were fixed on Zhang Su, a hint of anticipation in his gaze.

Zhou Peng and Mo Tingzhu’s expressions both faltered in shock.

A Celestial Pride!

That’s right. They had almost forgotten.

A battle record like Zhang Su’s surpassed even that of a Celestial Pride.

But to this day, Zhang Su’s status was still that of an Inner Sect Disciple.

So, was it possible for Zhang Su to become a Celestial Pride?

If Zhang Su became a Celestial Pride, wouldn’t they be witnessing the birth of one with their own eyes?

Zhou Peng’s eyes couldn’t help but light up.

Although Mo Tingzhu didn’t belong to the Guiyuan Sect, he too knew what "Sect’s Celestial Pride" meant.

They were the most core disciples of every Sect, the future candidates for Sect Leader, the pillars that held up the Sect.

Such individuals usually existed only in legends; many Jianghu Martial Artists might go their whole lives without ever meeting one.

And now, Zhang Su, a Sect’s Celestial Pride, was right before his eyes!

Zhang Su glanced at Xie Guanchao and the other two.

At this point, there was no need for him to hide it anymore.

Even if he didn’t say anything, others could guess.

So, Zhang Su nodded.

His movement was slight, just a small nod, but in the eyes of Zhou Peng, Xie Guanchao, and Mo Tingzhu, it was an undeniable, personal admission.

Zhang Su’s confirmation made Xie Guanchao’s face flush bright red.

His lips trembled. He wanted to say something, but no words came out.

It was the same for Zhou Peng and Mo Tingzhu, their hearts pounding with excitement.

Only Bai Xuan seemed a bit lost.

She stood beside Mo Tingzhu, her eyes filled with confusion.

Her experience in the Jianghu was limited, so she didn’t know what the words "Sect’s Celestial Pride" represented.

"He really is... a Sect’s Celestial Pride!"

Xie Guanchao’s gaze was incredibly fervent.

He never would have imagined it. The junior brother he had to "look after" back in Hengshan County was actually about to become a Sect’s Celestial Pride just a few short months later?

It was truly unbelievable!

Back then, Zhang Su was only at Outer Force, while he was at Huajin.

He felt that in front of Zhang Su, he could at least still be considered a senior brother.

But now, Zhang Su had reached Embracing Pill and had defeated someone at the Peak of Gang Force.

And he was still at Huajin.

One at Huajin, the other at Embracing Pill.

One an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple, the other about to become a Celestial Pride.

The gap between them had suddenly become as wide as the heavens and the earth.

"Does this mean our Guiyuan Sect will have ’Two Celestial Prides in One Sect’?"

Zhou Peng carefully sized Zhang Su up from head to toe.

No matter how you looked at it now, Zhang Su met the standard for a Celestial Pride.

To defeat an Embracing Pill master while at Huajin, and a Gang Force master while at Embracing Pill.

A battle record like that was enough to be recorded in the historical annals of any Sect.

Xie Guanchao wasn’t the only clever one.

Many people had realized it too.

For example, the Five Elements Sect’s Leader, Zhong Taiheng, gave Meng Shouzhen a deep look. Then he said coolly, "Sect Leader Meng, you hide your secrets well. To think another Celestial Pride has appeared in your esteemed Sect. And, if my guess is correct, an Inner Sect Celestial Pride? This would be the fourth Inner Sect Celestial Pride in your Sect’s history..."

Zhong Taiheng sat in the guest seat to the left of the high platform. He wore a black robe, had a square face with a short beard under his chin, and exuded a steady, imposing aura.

His tone was flat, betraying no joy or anger, but his shrewd eyes were locked onto Meng Shouzhen, as if trying to see through his every thought.

Meng Shouzhen’s pupils contracted slightly.

In truth, if Zhang Su had only defeated an ordinary Gang Force master, he could still have denied it.

Moreover, the original plan had been just that; it would have been good enough if Zhang Su could defeat a regular Gang Force master.

Then, he could have flatly denied everything. Even if others had their suspicions, they would have remained just that—suspicions, with no way to confirm them.

But now, Zhang Su had defeated a Peak Gang Force Martial Artist who had achieved the Unity of Inner and Outer in just two sword strikes.

And he was only seventeen years old.

How could he possibly hide this?

It couldn’t be hidden anymore...

Even if Meng Shouzhen tried to deny it again and again, it would be useless.

Zhang Su’s performance had been too dominant.

This wasn’t even Zhang Su’s limit.

Seeing Zhang Su’s dominant display, it was clear he was aiming for first place in the Heroes Gathering.

An Embracing Pill Martial Artist vying for first place at the Three Sects Gathering of Heroes—this was something unimaginable in the past.

Yet Zhang Su was doing exactly that.

How could it possibly be kept a secret at a time like this?

However, since it couldn’t be hidden, he wouldn’t hide it.

Meng Shouzhen laughed heartily and said, "Sect Leader Zhong, your Sect’s Celestial Pride, Shi Buyi, defeated Yu Hualong. If my Guiyuan Sect doesn’t come up with something, won’t we lose even the right to challenge your esteemed Sect’s Celestial Pride?"

His voice was loud, his tone no longer concealed.

Zhong Taiheng said coolly, "An Inner Sect Celestial Pride... The Guiyuan Sect certainly has good fortune. However, this boy is merely at Embracing Pill right now. He is still a long way from the Postnatal Realm, and likely won’t be able to cultivate Inner Strength within the next three to five years. It’s far too early for him to be thinking of challenging Shi Buyi."

His tone suggested he found it beneath him to even compare Zhang Su with Shi Buyi.