Chapter 737: Reward

Chapter 737: Chapter 292: Reward

Back Mountain of Nine Heavens, Tingtiao Pavilion.

Li Yu-jun was reclining on a soft couch, holding a cup of shimmering honey water—a drink she had exclusively favored for many years.

Across from her sat the disciple she relied upon most and held the highest hopes for—Nan Zhuoran.

“Have you mastered the two Divine Techniques left behind by Ancestor Pan Wu?”

Li Yu-jun asked after taking a sip of her honey water.

Upon hearing this, Nan Zhuoran respectfully clasped his fists. “Master, I found a Concentration Flower deep within the Soul-Breaking Forest. With its aid, I have achieved a preliminary mastery of the two Divine Techniques. However, their power is still unrefined. I will need more time to solidify and polish them.”

Li Yu-jun nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction on her face. “Those two Divine Techniques from Ancestor Pan Wu are exceptionally powerful. Combined with the six you’ve already learned, your arsenal for dealing with enemies is more than sufficient.”

“I understand,” Nan Zhuoran said with a nod.

He knew his master was right. At their level, having one more powerful Divine Technique could mean a greater chance of victory—or even survival—at a critical moment.

Just then, the sound of slightly hurried footsteps echoed as Luo Ziming, his expression grave, walked swiftly into the pavilion.

“Master!” Luo Ziming bowed to Li Yu-jun.

“What has you in such a hurry?” Li Yu-jun set down the Jade Cup and looked at Luo Ziming.

This disciple of hers was usually composed, yet now he seemed to have lost some of his composure.

Luo Ziming took a deep breath to steady his Heart and Spirit, then recounted everything he had witnessed at the Seven-Star Platform in full detail.

He described Chen Qing’s sudden burst of True Essence Realm Cultivation, how he had crushed and heavily injured Lu Chenming, and his subsequent challenge and defeat of Zhang Baicheng, who was at the True Essence Second Transformation. His voice still trembled with shock as he spoke.

“You’re saying Chen Qing broke through to the True Essence Realm? And he defeated Zhang Baicheng?” Li Yu-jun’s hand, holding the honey water, paused mid-air, and she raised an eyebrow.

Although she had paid some mind to Chen Qing because of Han Guxi’s previous visit, it was only a fleeting notice.

It was already difficult enough for a disciple who had just recently become a True Disciple to hold onto his position. How could he possibly defeat Zhang Baicheng, who was ranked eighth and had been immersed in the True Essence Realm for many years?

This was completely beyond her expectations.

Even the ever-composed Nan Zhuoran showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

He was well aware of Zhang Baicheng’s strength. For Chen Qing to be able to fight and defeat him meant that this young man was no mere fish in a small pond.

Luo Ziming said in a low voice, “What shocked me most wasn’t that he won two matches in a row, but the sheer density of his True Essence—it far surpasses others at the same level! Based on my close observation, when he was in the Astral Force Stage, he did far more than simply fuse Three True Astrals! It’s highly likely… that he fused all five of the Wutai Sect’s True Astrals, each with a different attribute, into one!”

“He fused all five True Astrals?!” Li Yu-jun shot upright, and the honey water in her cup rippled.

She took a deep breath and asked in a strained voice, “Are you certain?”

Five True Astrals! What did that even mean?

Even within the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, with its abundant resources and ancient heritage, those who successfully fused Three True Astrals to enter the True Essence Realm were already as rare as phoenix feathers and considered geniuses.

Fusing five?

What terrifying control, resilience, and fortuitous opportunity would that require?

Moreover, Chen Qing came from a regional Sect. To achieve this without the aid of a top Upper Sect’s resources… his aptitude and willpower were simply unheard-of!

“While I can’t be absolutely certain, I’m almost positive,” Luo Ziming affirmed. “His True Essence Attribute faintly exudes the aura of the Five Elements Rotation. It’s dense, heavy, and unpredictable—nothing like what fusing a mere three True Astrals could produce.”

Li Yu-jun slowly leaned back against the soft couch, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. She murmured, ‘This young man… is truly becoming interesting.’

At that moment, the name Chen Qing finally broke into the core of her vision as the Nine Heavens Vein Master.

She finally understood why her senior brother Luo Zhixian, a man who had always held impossibly high standards, had made an exception to take him as a disciple. She also understood why Han Guxi had been willing to sacrifice his own interests to secure a spot for Chen Qing in the Dubhe Pavilion.

Chen Qing’s potential was likely far greater than she had previously estimated.

Li Yu-jun’s gaze shifted to Nan Zhuoran. “It seems a truly interesting character has appeared among this generation of True Disciples.”

“Interesting indeed.”

Nan Zhuoran smiled, his tone still filled with composure and confidence.

Seeing Nan Zhuoran’s demeanor, Li Yu-jun nodded slightly.

This disciple of hers possessed world-shocking talent, a prodigy whose brilliance was not outshone even by her senior brother Luo Zhixian in his youth. He was one of the strongest contenders for the future position of Sect Leader.

With him as the True Inheritor Chief of this generation, the fundamental interests of the Nine Heavens Lineage would not be compromised.

Luo Ziming pondered for a moment before speaking again. “Master, there is one more thing. The anomaly during the Hundred Sects selection, and the unusual agitation of the God-Eroding Nether Fire in the winter Secret Realm not long ago… It seems both incidents were related to his presence. I suspect…”

Li Yu-jun’s gaze sharpened. “What are you implying?”

Luo Ziming organized his thoughts, then said, “I suspect he might be like Junior Brother Nan, having received an Intention inheritance from one of the Sect’s ancestors. Or perhaps… he carries some great fortuitous opportunity we are unaware of? Or even the Sect Founding Ancestor’s inheritance!?”

“The Sect Founding Ancestor’s inheritance!?”

A fervent glint appeared in the eyes of the previously silent Nan Zhuoran.

According to legend, the Sect Founding Ancestor, relying on the lost Taixu Scripture, had performed True Essence Refining a full thirteen times, using it to glimpse the Grandmaster Realm.

One must understand that he, Nan Zhuoran, had been fortunate enough to receive Ancestor Pan Wu’s inheritance, which only mentioned True Essence Refining being performed eleven times. And that was already an inheritance not seen in the world for hundreds of years.

But thirteen times…

It was simply beyond the limits of imagination!