Chapter 746: Grand Assembly (Part 3)

Chapter 746: Chapter 294: Grand Assembly (Part 3)

Chen Qing could tell he had something difficult to say, so he spoke directly. “Elder Zhang, we’ve known each other for a long time. Please, speak freely if there’s something on your mind. I’m not an unreasonable person.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yi glanced up at Chen Qing, finally letting out a sigh. He lowered his voice. “Chen Zhenchuan, since you’ve asked, I’ll be direct. It’s true that True Essence Pills are precious, and it’s also true they aren’t easy to refine. But to say that the other Elders don’t have any to spare… that’s not necessarily the case.”

He paused, then continued, “Their reluctance to spare any for you, their unwillingness to even discuss the matter—the reason, I’m afraid, has little to do with the Pills themselves.”

“What do you mean, Elder?” Chen Qing already understood, but he wanted to hear Zhang Yi say it out loud.

“The Nine Heavens Lineage.”

Zhang Yi uttered three words, his voice growing even quieter. “The Nine Heavens Lineage. Their Momentum is immense right now, and they have a great many disciples, especially masters in the True Essence Realm. You could say they’re the strongest of the Four Veins. Their demand for True Essence Pills is massive. In the past, most of the extra Pills the other Elders refined on the side… were actually claimed long-term by the Nine Heavens Lineage through various channels.”

“It’s a kind of tacit agreement. And a way of… choosing a side.”

Zhang Yi shook his head. “The Nine Heavens Lineage is powerful. The prices they offer and the favors they call in are things the other Elders find hard to refuse—or rather, *dare not* refuse. If you offend the Nine Heavens Lineage, things will become difficult for you on Danxia Peak, and even throughout the entire Sect.”

“I suspect that before you went asking for Pills today, a master from the Nine Heavens Lineage had already given them a heads-up.”

Zhang Yi looked at Chen Qing. “So, they would rather offend you than slight the Nine Heavens Lineage.”

After hearing this, it all clicked into place for Chen Qing.

Zhong Yu’s warning hadn’t been an empty threat.

Behind the scenes, the Nine Heavens Lineage was using its immense power and influence to suppress him.

“So that’s how it is.”

Chen Qing took a deep breath, suppressing the cold anger rising within him. A calm smile appeared on his face instead. “Thank you for your candor, Elder Zhang.”

Zhang Yi fell into a thoughtful silence for a moment, then seemed to reach a decision. “Tell you what. When I refine other Elixirs each month, I can save some materials and occasionally try to concoct a batch of True Essence Pills. The success rate isn’t high, but there’s always some yield. Starting next month, I’ll figure out a way to spare you three a month.”

This was the most Zhang Yi could do without offending the Nine Heavens Lineage.

Three Pills wasn’t a lot, but combined with the five he could get from the Sect and the five provided by the True Martial Lineage, he would have thirteen True Essence Pills per month. For the time being, it was just barely enough to maintain his rapid pace of Cultivation.

‘It’s just that getting them directly from the Sect will probably cost a lot of Contribution Points every month.’

‘Still, it can’t be helped.’

Chen Qing stood up and gave Zhang Yi a solemn, cupped-fist salute. “Elder Zhang, I, Chen Qing, will never forget this timely assistance. Thank you!”

His thanks were sincere and heartfelt.

Despite the unseen pressure from the Nine Heavens Lineage, Zhang Yi was still willing to risk helping him. Chen Qing committed this favor to memory.

Zhang Yi waved his hand. “No need for such ceremony. It’s a small thing.”

He spoke of it as if it were nothing, but he knew full well that squeezing out those three True Essence Pills each month would be anything but easy.

‘However, I, Zhang Yi, have my own code.’

He had never forgotten how Chen Qing had once tested a new Pill for him.

This had nothing to do with the factional squabbles Within the Sect.

Business was business.

Therefore, even knowing it might cause him some trouble, Zhang Yi still chose to lend Chen Qing a hand wherever he could.

After leaving Hundred Herbs Hall, Chen Qing walked along the mountain path of Danxia Peak. A cool mountain breeze, carrying the crisp scent of herbs, brushed against his face, but it couldn’t dispel the chill in his heart.

‘Nine Heavens Lineage… Zhong Yu…’

He repeated the names silently.

What happened today on Danxia Peak looked like a competition for resources on the surface. In reality, it was the Nine Heavens Lineage leveraging its great Momentum to deliver a subtle blow.

This kind of underhanded tactic, used to stunt a rival’s growth, was dishonorable but all too common in the power struggles between Sect factions.

Zhong Yu’s seemingly gentle but pointed words, along with the tight-lipped attitude of the Alchemy Elders, all sent a clear message: until he demonstrated enough power to upset the status quo, this kind of trouble would be far from over.

Chen Qing returned to his small courtyard, pushed aside his distracting thoughts, and began to cultivate.

「The next morning, just as the sky began to pale with the first light of dawn.」

Pei Tingchun’s voice called out from outside the courtyard.

Chen Qing hurried to welcome Elder Pei inside. “Elder Pei, what brings you here so early?”

He noticed Elder Pei was holding a Jade Bottle, and his heart gave a slight stir.

Pei Tingchun’s expression was grave. “I heard you went to Danxia Peak yesterday regarding True Essence Pills?”

Chen Qing wasn’t surprised that word had reached Elder Pei. He nodded. “Yes. I’ve only just entered the True Essence Realm, and my Cultivation requires a huge amount of Pills. The quotas from the Sect and our lineage are limited, so I thought I’d try to purchase some from the Alchemy Elders. Unfortunately…”

He trailed off, but his meaning was clear.

Pei Tingchun snorted, his face flushing with anger. “The reach of the Nine Heavens Lineage grows longer and longer! Do they truly think our True Martial Lineage is empty of people?”

He took a deep breath, reining in his anger. “Since you’re in dire need, I have a monthly quota of ten True Essence Pills. I’ll spare you five. Take them for now.”

Chen Qing, holding the Jade Bottle, immediately shook his head in refusal. “Elder Pei, I can’t possibly accept this. These are your own Cultivation resources; how could I take them? Your Cultivation is profound, and you also need these Pills to consolidate it. I absolutely cannot allow my needs to delay your training.”