Chapter 637 - 259: Grotto Heaven

The commotion surrounding Chen Qing becoming a True Disciple didn’t die down for a long time.

The five great thousand-year-old Noble Families and the other influential clans, in particular, all had different reactions.

Among them, the Shen Family temporarily became the butt of many secret jokes.

Of course, many more saw an opportunity. A newly promoted True Disciple with a relatively simple background was undoubtedly someone worth befriending.

Thus, for the next few days, Chen Qing’s small courtyard on Xu Wang Mountain was as crowded as a marketplace.

Visitors arrived in an endless stream. They were either Stewards sent by the major Noble Families, high-ranking family members with real power, or Elders and Stewards from the various peaks within the Sect.

The congratulatory gifts they brought piled up like mountains. Their words were sincere, but their goal was simply to become a familiar face and foster some goodwill.

Chen Qing knew this full well.

This clamor continued until the fifth day before it finally started to subside.

That morning, Qu River arrived as expected.

"Junior Brother Chen, how is your recovery coming along?" Qu River asked with concern.

Chen Qing smiled faintly. "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. It’s no longer a major issue."

He practiced a top-tier Body Refining Secret Technique, the Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body, so his recovery ability was already far beyond that of an ordinary person. Coupled with the precious Healing Elixirs from the True Martial Lineage, after a few days of recuperation, not only had his injuries fully healed, but his Cultivation even seemed to have subtly improved.

"That’s good."

Qu River nodded in satisfaction. "Come, follow me to Zhenwu Hall. The Vein Master has summoned you."

Hearing this, Chen Qing’s expression grew solemn, and he nodded.

The two immediately left Xu Wang Mountain and made their way toward the grand and solemn Zhenwu Hall at the summit of True Martial Peak.

Along the way, Qu River carefully explained to Chen Qing the many powers and benefits that came with being a True Disciple.

"First, since you are now a True Disciple, you can no longer reside on Xu Wang Mountain. The Vein Master has already designated an independent courtyard for you on True Martial Peak. The Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi there is far more abundant, the environment is serene, and it’s located in the core area of our True Martial Lineage, making its security incomparable to Xu Wang Mountain’s."

Chen Qing nodded. True Martial Peak was one of the Inner Nine Peaks and held a transcendent status. Whether in terms of resources or security, it was indeed beyond comparison to Xu Wang Mountain, one of the Outer Twenty-Seven Peaks.

"Second, as a True Disciple, you have a certain degree of authority to command Outer Sect and Inner Sect Disciples. This is real, tangible power, which will make it convenient for you to act if the need arises in the future."

Qu River continued, "Furthermore, from now on, True Disciples receive a fifty-percent discount when exchanging for resources in Wanxiang Hall."

Chen Qing’s heart stirred upon hearing this.

The list of materials Li Baichuan had given him required many rare Treasure Medicines and was worth a fortune.

With this fifty-percent discount, the amount of Contribution Points he could save would be astronomical. This was undoubtedly a tremendous piece of good news for his goal of gathering the materials as quickly as possible.

Qu River’s tone turned solemn. "There is one more crucial point. True Disciples have the right to participate in the allocation of some of the Sect’s resources. This means that the Sect’s high-quality resources will be prioritized for True Disciples. But you must remember that resource allocation is no simple matter. It involves the political maneuvering and balancing of interests between many lineages, and you must handle it with caution."

He paused, as if recalling something. "Take the Pure Yang Yuan Astral Pill I gave you, for example. It may have seemed like I was the one who approved it for you, but in reality, it involved some complications behind the scenes. It wasn’t easily obtained."

Chen Qing understood. He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother. I understand."

He was well aware that the Sect was rife with factions and that competition for resources was everywhere. Now that he had reached this position, he was bound to be drawn into it.

"Finally, and most critically."

Qu River looked at Chen Qing with an intense gaze. "You are now qualified to enter the Sect’s Grotto Heavens for Cultivation. You should take this time to consult with the Elder in charge of the Grotto Heavens and familiarize yourself with them as soon as possible. This will be of immeasurable benefit for solidifying your foundation and even for your future attempt to break through to the True Essence Realm!"

’Grotto Heavens...’

Chen Qing thought to himself.

He had long heard that the Sect controlled several Secret Realm Grotto Heavens, which were holy lands for Cultivation.

"These are all the obvious benefits of becoming a True Disciple. There are many other implicit advantages that you will discover later. When you are outside, you represent the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect. You must be cautious in your words and actions, but you also enjoy the corresponding honor."

Qu River continued, "Now, let me tell you about the current landscape of the Ten Great True Disciples."

"Among the Ten Great True Disciples, the Nine Heavens Lineage originally held four seats, making them the most powerful. Now that Lu Chenming has been defeated by you, they are down to three. The Mystic Sun Lineage has three seats, the Jade Celestial Lineage has two, and our True Martial Lineage, with the addition of you, now also has two."

"The First Senior Brother, who is ranked first among the True Disciples, is from the Nine Heavens Lineage."

Qu River paused. "However, he is not currently within the Sect."

"Not in the Sect?" Chen Qing was a little surprised.

"Mm."

Qu River explained, "A year ago, top experts from the Infinite Demon Sect began appearing frequently in both Dongji City and Soul-Breaking Gorge, stirring up trouble and threatening the Sect’s interests and subordinates there. The Sect dispatched numerous masters to suppress and eliminate them. The First Senior Brother was one of those who accepted the mission to go. It’s said the situation there has mostly stabilized, so he should be returning soon."

Chen Qing listened and nodded.

The Celestial Treasure Upper Sect controlled the Three Paths, a vast territory, so it was quite common for the Sect’s masters to be sent out on missions.

Dongji City was on the coast, while Soul-Breaking Gorge was a vital pass leading to the mountains in the southwest. Both locations were important, but they were indeed quite far from the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect’s core region.

As they spoke, the two had already arrived before the magnificent Zhenwu Hall.

Qu River fell silent for a moment before adding, "Junior Brother Chen, there is one more thing you must be aware of. Although you have become a True Disciple, you cannot afford to slack off in the slightest. You are currently ranked tenth, and your Cultivation is still at the Late-stage Astral Force, not yet at the True Essence Realm. Within the Sect, the number of people eyeing your position as a True Disciple is by no means small."