"Hahaha, excellent!"

Shen Xiuyong laughed heartily. "Nephew Chen, your progress is truly astounding! Your mastery of the Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique and your skill with the spear are both remarkable. If we were to continue, I’m afraid a young buck like you might just force my hand. It would be difficult to pull my punches then."

Chen Qing immediately withdrew his spear, his breathing steadying as he cupped his fist. "You flatter me, Uncle. Had you not held back, I would have been defeated long ago. Today, I’ve finally witnessed the sheer power and purity of the True Qi at the Embracing Pill Perfection Realm. I’ve learned a great deal."

His tone was sincere.

Shen Xiuyong waved a hand. "There’s no need for such modesty. You were holding back with your Spear Technique as well."

His gaze fixed intently on Chen Qing’s face.

’When I was his age, I had only just broken through to the Mid-stage Embracing Pill Power,’ he thought. ’But during our exchange just now, I could vaguely sense that the boy has already reached the Late Stage. He must have a Secret Technique that makes it difficult to discern his true Cultivation. If he cultivates for a few more years, he’ll be at least as strong as I am.’

At this thought, Shen Xiuyong secretly resolved to reach the Astral Force Realm as soon as possible, lest he be surpassed by the younger generation.

They exchanged a few amusing anecdotes about the auction before he departed in a hurry.

After seeing Shen Xiuyong off, Chen Qing returned to his courtyard.

That brief exchange had been incredibly informative.

’Shen Xiuyong’s Li Huo True Qi is immeasurably powerful and of exceptional quality,’ he mused. ’He’s truly worthy of his reputation as someone who has cultivated for many years and even attempted to break through to the Astral Force Realm. The accumulation from each failed attempt has only made his True Qi more condensed and refined. In terms of sheer quality, my current Cyan Wood True Qi is indeed a step behind his Li Huo True Qi.’

’But if I were to convert my other four types of True Qi entirely into Cyan Wood... the sheer volume would be enough to make up for this slight gap in quality, perhaps even surpass it!’

Chen Qing mused to himself, ’I have the protection of the Eight Extremes Vajra Body: Tiger Elephant Realm, which grants me astonishing defensive power. My Spear Technique has also reached the Realm of Perfection, and I have the trump card of my convertible Five Elements True Qi. If it were a true life-or-death battle, with all my cards on the table...’

Shen Xiuyong was approaching forty, in the prime of his life where physical prowess and experience met their peak. He was a true pillar of the Wutai Sect.

Even among those at Embracing Pill Perfection, his strength stood out.

Neither of them had gone all out just now; it was merely a test, but it had revealed a great deal.

’Xiao Bieli’s strength can’t possibly surpass Shen Xiuyong’s.’

Chen Qing now had a measure of confidence.

As the day appointed by Leng Qianqiu drew nearer, the atmosphere throughout the Wutai Sect grew increasingly tense.

The air itself seemed suffused with an invisible pressure, and even the disciples’ shouts during their training seemed tinged with tension.

Within the Cyan Wood Institute, discussions were rife.

"That Xiao Bieli is unbelievably arrogant. He publicly announced his intention to challenge Wutai with his sword."

"He’s just a junior, and he dares make such a boast!? Does he really think we have no one in the Wutai Sect to answer his challenge?"

"He clearly announced it on purpose to intimidate our Wutai Sect and damage our reputation!"

"Senior Sister Nie has been in closed-door cultivation for almost a month, hasn’t she? I wonder how her preparations are coming along."

"I heard the Sect Leader even bestowed that drop of Three Hundred Years Earth Core Milk on her. Senior Sister Nie’s strength is sure to improve by leaps and bounds!"

"Yes, Cold Jade Valley is coming on strong this time. Their Sect Leader is coming in person, and then there are the alliance negotiations... All the pressure is on Senior Sister Nie’s shoulders."

"If you ask me, the biggest issue is the Four Sects Alliance. If it’s formed, the entire political landscape of Yunlin will be turned upside down."

...

Chen Qing practiced his Spear Technique in the courtyard daily, integrating his Mountain Prison-Suppression Spear and Eight Extremes Vajra Body more and more seamlessly. As afterimages of his spear danced through the air, a fierce wind howled, infused with the immense Power of the Eight Extremes Vajra Body.

The five streams of True Qi flowed harmoniously within his body in a cycle of everlasting life.

One afternoon, just as Chen Qing put away his spear and began regulating his breath, a frantic knock sounded at his courtyard gate.

"Junior Brother Chen, the people from the Xuanjia Sect are here!"

Li Wang pushed the door open and hurried inside, his expression grave. "This time, only Sect Leader Shi and a few young prodigies have come. The other Xuanjia Sect experts remained behind to guard their headquarters. Our Sect Leader is personally meeting with Sect Leader Shi to discuss important matters, and Elder Sang has ordered us to arrange the reception for the younger Xuanjia Sect disciples."

"The Xuanjia Sect is here already?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing understood.

’Cold Jade Valley wants to unite the four sects, and the Xuanjia Sect and Qixia Manor are also feeling the pressure. Shi Kaishan’s personal visit is both a show of respect for the Wutai Sect and an opportunity to discuss a joint strategy. Bringing the young disciples along is for the sake of cultural exchange and learning, but they’re probably also here to see how the Wutai Sect handles Xiao Bieli.’

"That’s right. They’re already in the reception hall of the Internal Affairs Hall. Senior Sister Nie is hosting them now," Li Wang said with a nod.

"Alright, let’s go." Chen Qing set down his towel, straightened his robes, and headed to the Internal Affairs Hall with Li Wang.

Inside the reception hall, the atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed.

Nie Shanshan was chatting and laughing animatedly with a young man dressed in the Xuanjia Sect’s signature dark Martial Attire.

The young man was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a handsome, square-jawed face and a distinguished air. He was none other than the son of Xuanjia Sect’s Grand Elder Shi Wenchang, the leader of the sect’s younger generation—Shi Ziyi.

Behind him stood several other youths also dressed in dark Martial Attire. One of them, a powerfully built young man, was particularly eye-catching; it was Fang Rui, a rising star who had made a name for himself in recent years.

Another was a tall, comely woman, another of the Xuanjia Sect’s young prodigies, Chang Xing.

Seeing Chen Qing and Li Wang enter, Nie Shanshan paused her conversation and introduced them with a smile. "Brother Shi, Junior Brother Fang, Junior Sister Chang, this is the Chief of our Wutai Sect’s Cyan Wood Institute, Chen Qing. And this is the Chief of our Li Fire Institute, Li Wang."

Shi Ziyi immediately rose to his feet, a bright smile on his face as he cupped his fist. "I have heard a great deal about you, Chief Chen! Elder Du Lingchuan often speaks of your exceptional talent. Seeing you today, I can tell you truly are extraordinary!"