Chapter 251: Meeting Yu Hualong Again

“Elder Qu, do you truly support Zhang Su going to Mixed Element Peak? That’s the Three-Thousand-Year-Old Ice Lotus we’re talking about…”

an Elder asked in astonishment.

His gaze swept back and forth across Qu Zhengliu’s face, as if trying to discern some hidden motive.

The Three-Thousand-Year-Old Ice Lotus was a treasure rarely seen even in the Upper Sect, let alone in the Guiyuan Sect.

If it was really sent to the Upper Sect, it would be very difficult to obtain a similar treasure in the future.

If the Ice Lotus remained in the Guiyuan Sect, Elders like them in the Postnatal Realm could also contend for it.

This was especially true for Qu Zhengliu, who was at the Peak of the Postnatal Realm. In theory, he still had a sliver of hope of advancing to the Innate Realm, and there was no reason the Three-Thousand-Year-Old Ice Lotus couldn’t be used for him.

Besides, Qu Zhengliu had rejected Zhang Su’s bid to join Bamboo Sword Peak back then.

But now, Qu Zhengliu was supporting Zhang Su instead. Something wasn’t right.

Qu Zhengliu glanced at the crowd, aware of their thoughts. He said coldly, “What do you take me for? There was some unpleasantness between Zhang Su and myself, but that’s all in the past. Zhang Su failing to enter Bamboo Sword Peak was due to my own poor judgment. I was blind.”

His tone was cold, yet it held a hint of candor.

“But look at the situation now. The Three Sects Alliance is in a precarious state, and every sect is looking for a way out. Our Guiyuan Sect has finally produced its fourth Inner Sect Celestial Pride in history. If we don’t go all-in now, when will we?”

As Qu Zhengliu spoke, his gaze swept across the hall, passing over the faces of the Ten Great Martial Vein Masters one by one.

“I have investigated Zhang Su in detail. When he first entered the Outer Sect, he wasted a year on the Great River Divine Technique without managing to cultivate any Qi Blood. It was only after he gave up on the Great River Divine Technique that he succeeded. From that first wisp of Qi Blood to his current Gang Force, it has taken him less than two years. With such talent, I’m willing to bet on him!”

After speaking, Qu Zhengliu sat back down in his chair.

Hearing this, everyone was slightly taken aback.

They hadn’t expected Qu Zhengliu to have investigated Zhang Su so thoroughly.

They only knew that Zhang Su’s cultivation speed was fast.

But they had no tangible concept of just how fast it was.

But now, Qu Zhengliu had laid out the timeline clearly.

From the first wisp of Qi Blood to Gang Force in less than two years.

How terrifying was that?

For an ordinary Martial Artist, advancing from the Qi Blood Realm to Outer Force might take one or two years.

From Outer Force to Gang Force could take ten or twenty years, and some might never even reach Embracing Pill in their entire lives, let alone Gang Force.

Yet Zhang Su had traversed a path that took others ten or twenty years in less than two.

“Less than two years, from the Qi Blood Realm to Gang Force…”

Inside the hall, everyone fell silent.

Yu Hualong entered the Inner Sect at thirteen and reached Embracing Pill at sixteen.

That meant it took him a full three years to go from Outer Force to Embracing Pill.

That was already considered the cultivation speed of a Celestial Pride.

But Zhang Su had gone from the Qi Blood Realm to Gang Force in less than two years.

The comparison made Zhang Su’s cultivation speed seem all the more shocking.

Looking through the entire history of the Guiyuan Sect, Zhang Su was likely the fastest ever to go from the Qi Blood Realm to Gang Force.

It was only because Zhang Su had been older when he entered the Outer Sect.

Otherwise, he would never have been assigned to the Guardian Sequence.

“Indeed. Such a stunningly brilliant Celestial Pride is a blessing for our Guiyuan Sect! Even if we keep the Three-Thousand-Year-Old Ice Lotus, it’s not going to immediately produce another Innate Grandmaster for the Sect. But if we give it to Zhang Su, he represents the hope of our Guiyuan Sect! Therefore, I support Zhang Su going to Mixed Element Peak.”

The speaker was the Master of Jade Peak, Ning Hongmian.

She wore a set of emerald green robes and appeared to be only in her early thirties.

But her actual age was far greater than her appearance suggested.

“I support it as well.”

The Master of Yishui Peak, Lu Cangfeng, nodded.

“If we don’t support a Celestial Pride like Zhang Su, who else is there to support?”

“Let Zhang Su go to the Upper Sect and try his luck.”

“I support it.”

“I support it too.”

And so, the Elders began to declare their positions one by one.

All of the Ten Great Martial Vein Masters were in support.

Even those Elders who had been hesitant nodded in agreement after seeing the Ten Great Martial Vein Masters declare their stance.

Seeing this, a smile appeared on Meng Shouzhen’s face.

The Sect had reached a consensus from top to bottom. Now, it was all up to Zhang Su.

“Good, then this matter is settled. The eleven people on the list will depart in three days.”

Meng Shouzhen stood up, his gaze sweeping across the great hall.

“Over the next three days, have the disciples on the list prepare themselves well.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

The many Elders rose to their feet, cupped their fists, and accepted the order.

“Go and summon Zhang Su. There are some things I must still impress upon him.”

Meng Shouzhen sat back down in his chair.

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

And so, an Inner Sect Steward received the order and departed.

The Elders in the hall began to disperse.

Zhao Qianfeng stood up, his face a mixture of pride and worry.

He was proud that his disciple was going to the Upper Sect.

But he was also worried. ‘The Upper Sect is a place where geniuses gather like clouds. Will Zhang Su be able to stand his ground there?’

Wang Dakui walked over, clapped him on the shoulder, and said with a smile, “Old Cripple, don’t you worry. That kid Zhang Su won’t get the short end of the stick anywhere.”

Zhao Qianfeng nodded without a word.

…

The number of people on Pure Yang Peak had grown.

Since Zhang Su needed to build a team, it naturally couldn’t just be Zhou Peng and Xie Guanchao.

There was the former Outer Sect “freak” Lu Tianqing; Han Guiyi, number one in Huajin; and others.

Zhang Su accepted all who were willing to join Pure Yang Peak.

Lu Tianqing stood at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena, dressed in a cyan robe.

He was once a freak in the Outer Sect, a loner who kept to himself.

But when Zhang Su asked if he would come to Pure Yang Peak, Lu Tianqing agreed without a moment’s hesitation.