Chapter 750: Longze (3)

‘So that’s how it is,’ Chen Qing realized.

For a True Disciple, breakthroughs in one’s Cultivation were always the top priority. It was common for them to enter seclusion on short notice, even if it meant abandoning a mission.

Luo Ping continued, “After a brief discussion between Peak Master Luo and several Vein Masters, it has been decided that you will take Yanchi’s place and accompany Ruan Lingxiu to Longze Lake.”

“Me?” Chen Qing was genuinely surprised.

By all rights, even if Yanchi wasn’t going, there were other higher-ranked, more senior disciples within the Human Position. For instance, the other True Essence Realm cultivators from the Nine Heavens Lineage. There was no reason it should fall to him, a newcomer who had just been promoted to the eighth rank.

Luo Ping gave a slight smile. “That’s right. This was arranged by the Sect Leader.”

At the mention of the Sect Leader, Chen Qing’s hesitation vanished. He immediately cupped his fist and declared in a deep voice, “I accept the order! I will do everything in my power to live up to the Sect’s expectations!”

“Good.”

Luo Ping nodded. “The specific mission details and the credentials for liaising with the Cloud Water Sect will be delivered to your True Martial Peak shortly. Be ready. You depart in three days.”

“Yes!”

Having given his instructions, Luo Ping turned and left.

Only then did Qu River, who had been standing to the side, speak up, his brow furrowed slightly. “Junior Brother, about this matter… you need to be careful.”

“Please, speak freely, Brother.”

“Although Longze Lake isn’t part of the Sect’s core territory, this is, after all, our first joint operation with the Cloud Water Upper Sect. The relationship between the Cloud Water Sect and our Celestial Treasure Upper Sect… well, it isn’t exactly friendly.”

Qu River lowered his voice. “Our two sects’ territories border each other, and we’ve had our share of minor clashes over resources and influence in the past. Although we formed an alliance in recent years because of the Demon Sect’s growing power, the covert competition has never stopped. Their invitation might not be entirely well-intentioned. They’re likely using this as an opportunity to observe the strength of our Sect’s younger generation.”

Chen Qing’s expression turned solemn. “Thank you for the warning, Brother. I will handle it with care.”

After parting ways, they each returned to their residences.

Back in his small courtyard, Chen Qing began to calculate inwardly.

‘This trip to Longze Lake will earn me ten thousand Contribution Points. More importantly, the Nine Nether Yin Fiend rumored to be in its depths is the key material for cultivating the ultimate technique of the Taixu Scripture: the Void Annihilating Divine Light.’

‘Besides, the Blood Bodhi that the Master of the Seven Sufferings mentioned seems to have some connection to the Cloud Water Upper Sect. This trip will be a perfect opportunity to investigate.’

‘All things considered, this trip to Longze Lake is an excellent opportunity.’

He cast aside these distracting thoughts and immersed himself in his Cultivation once more.

His Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body was drawing ever closer to the profound Fifth Layer.

His qi and blood surged and roared within him like a great river battering a dam. With every cycle, the Dark Gold Luster beneath his skin intensified, and the faint, ancient Sanskrit characters seemed on the verge of becoming fully tangible.

Once he broke through to the Fifth Layer, his power was certain to undergo another qualitative leap.

「Three days later, at dawn.」

An eagle’s cry shattered the tranquility above True Martial Peak.

An unusually majestic giant eagle circled down, landing just outside the small courtyard.

A woman sat poised upon the eagle’s back.

It was Ruan Lingxiu.

She was not wearing the standard Sect uniform today, having changed into practical Martial Attire that perfectly accentuated her mature, buxom figure.

Her dark hair was swept up into a high bun, secured by a simple jade hairpin. A few loose strands cascaded down the side of her neck, adding a touch of languid charm.

When she saw Chen Qing emerge, a faint smile touched Ruan Lingxiu’s lips. “Brother Chen, a Steward Disciple has already gone ahead with the necessary documents and credentials to liaise with the people from the Cloud Water Sect. We should get going, too.”

The Celestial Treasure Upper Sect revered strength above all. Now that Chen Qing was ranked as the Eighth True Inheritor, ahead of Ruan Lingxiu, her form of address had naturally changed to “Brother Chen.”

Chen Qing nodded without a word and leaped onto the back of the Golden Feathered Eagle.

Ever since Chen Qing’s promotion to True Disciple and his placement as the eighth in rank, their relationship had become somewhat delicate.

The crux of the matter, of course, was her husband, Zhong Yu. As a core True Disciple of the Nine Heavens Lineage, he was at odds with Chen Qing on both a political and personal level.

Deep down, however, Ruan Lingxiu had no desire to push their relationship to a complete impasse.

‘Within the Sect, fortunes were ever-shifting. It was always better to have a friend with boundless potential than an enemy with a limitless future.’

She quietly reined in her thoughts, her expression remaining calm, though a flicker of complexity passed through the depths of her gaze.

“SKREEE!”

The two Golden Feathered Eagles flapped their wings in unison, stirring up a current of air as they carried the pair soaring into the sky toward Longze Lake.

High in the sky, the Astral Wind howled.

The two Golden Feathered Eagles soared side by side above the clouds, the landscape of mountains and rivers receding swiftly beneath them.

Aboard the eagles’ backs, neither of them spoke for a time.

Ruan Lingxiu’s gaze shifted, and she glanced at Chen Qing. She knew this prolonged silence wasn’t good; they were, after all, fellow disciples on a mission together.

Taking a soft breath, she was the first to speak. “Brother Chen, our destination is Longze Lake. Do you know much about it?”

At her words, Chen Qing pulled his gaze from the distant horizon and turned to Ruan Lingxiu. He went along with her opening, saying, “I only know that it’s the largest lake in Yan Country, located where the territories of three sects meet. I don’t know much beyond that.”

He had, in fact, done his research on Longze Lake, particularly regarding the rumors that it might produce the Nine Nether Yin Fiend, but now was not the time to reveal his true purpose.

Seeing that Chen Qing had taken the conversational bait, the corners of Ruan Lingxiu’s lips curved slightly. “Longze Lake is vast, stretching for over twelve hundred li. The expanse of its waters is truly unrivaled in Yan Country. At its heart lies a region of roughly three hundred li that, due to the convergence of a yin-attributed earth vein on the lakebed and a unique type of water vapor, is perpetually shrouded in a thick, lingering mist. That’s how it earned the name ‘Smoke Wave Marsh.’ This mist not only obstructs one’s vision but can also confound Divine Sense probes. It’s quite strange, and most experts don’t dare to venture too deep inside.”