Chapter 448 - 371: Joy and Harmony, a Blessing in Disguise

Once he had earned enough merit and the opportunity was right, he planned to first redeem a Body Technique Divine Skill.

Once he acquired a Body Technique Divine Skill, he would have essentially shored up all his weaknesses. His only slight deficiency would be in Spiritual Techniques, such as Divine Soul Shock or Divine Will Piercing.

However, these techniques for Mental Attack were nothing like the Enchanting Soul Technique from the last Beicang Auction, which was merely a support skill. These were true Spiritual Techniques that required the application of one’s Spiritual Clarity Divine Intent and Spirit Platform Spirituality. Even for a Grandmaster, they were exceedingly rare.

Even if one managed to obtain such a technique, there was no guarantee they would have the fortune to master it.

Chen Ping’an was rather zen about acquiring such a Cultivation Technique. It would be great if he could, but it wouldn’t matter if he couldn’t.

At his current Realm, his main focus remained on three aspects: offense, defense, and evasion. It was worth noting that Divine Skills like the Vajra Unbreakable Divine Skill and the Dragon Elephant Dominating Body Technique also offered some measure of defense against Spiritual Techniques.

When their discussion of Divine Skills concluded, the conversation shifted to the Beicang Chaos. Gu Qingchan revealed a fair bit of insider information on the matter, including details about the battle between Grandmasters that had erupted the day the Celestial Net Saintess appeared.

However, Gu Qingchan didn’t go into detail. She only mentioned a few things in passing before changing the subject.

Chen Ping’an hesitated, wanting to learn more about the Grandmaster battle, but seeing Gu Qingchan’s reluctance to speak, he sensed it was a sensitive subject and chose not to press the issue.

Their conversation lasted for nearly an hour. When he saw Gu Qingchan’s enthusiasm begin to wane, Chen Ping’an took the initiative to excuse himself.

"Thank you for your guidance, Elder Gu. I am deeply grateful."

"Go on. You’re a slick one, junior, but I find it rather charming. If you need anything in the future, find Water Hibiscus. She’ll pass on your message."

Gu Qingchan pointed an elegant, jade-like finger at Chen Ping’an’s head.

"Thank you, Elder Gu. I will take my leave now."

Chen Ping’an smiled faintly and bowed once more with his hands clasped. Then, he turned and left the room.

Gu Qingchan watched him go, her eyes following him until he was out of sight.

’Twenty-two years old, with combat strength on par with the very best. He’s ambitious and has his own strategies... He’s truly exceptional. Worth a wager from the family.’

A glint appeared in Gu Qingchan’s starry eyes. As the hem of her azure dress swayed, a subtle fragrance drifted through the air.

A moment later, Gu Qingchan settled back into the large, embroidered chair. She rested a hand lightly on the armrest, propping up her chin. With her head tilted, her starry eyes were half-closed.

She had been severely injured in the recent battle, and worse, her Divine Weapon, the Ruyi Linglong Ring, had been stolen by the Celestial Net Saintess.

The Divine Weapon, the Ruyi Linglong Ring.

It could change size at will, shrinking to the size of a bracelet or expanding to be dozens of feet across. It was capable of both attacking and trapping foes. Its attacks struck with the force of a mountain, and its flickering Spiritual Light could mesmerize the mind and steal the soul.

It was an incredibly versatile Divine Weapon.

To win this Divine Weapon at the auction, she had not only spent her entire fortune but had also gone into considerable debt for Yuan Crystals. Her Profound Ice Divine Needle was known for its agility, nimbleness, and unpredictability. Meanwhile, the Ruyi Linglong Ring was a versatile tool for attacking and trapping. If she could combine the two, they would complement each other perfectly, and her combat prowess would have soared.

She would have become a Grandmaster at the Early Jade Balance Stage in possession of two Divine Weapons.

It was exceedingly rare for an ordinary Grandmaster to possess even one Divine Weapon, let alone two. Such an arsenal was a rare sight even among those at the Mid-Jade Balance Stage, to say nothing of the Early Jade Balance Stage.

The reason she, Gu Qingchan, had been afforded such an opportunity was not just her own outstanding talent, but also the significant support of the Gu Family behind her. Still in her prime as a Grandmaster, she held a pivotal position within the family.

Within the Gu Family, Gu Haoqing of the Vast Righteous Qi Sword was older than her, but his status was far beneath hers.

If she had properly performed the Sacrificial Refinement on the Divine Weapon Ruyi Linglong Ring, her power and prestige would have surpassed all her previous heights. But who could have imagined... that during the Beicang Chaos, the Divine Weapon would ultimately fall into the hands of the Celestial Net Saintess.

If she hadn’t already completed the Sacrificial Refinement for her Profound Ice Divine Needle, it too would have likely been taken by the Celestial Net Saintess.

This was a calamity.

But in that battle, she found a blessing in disguise, grasping the opportunity to advance to the Mid-Jade Balance Stage. Once her injuries fully healed, it would be time for her to attempt Breaking Realm.

At that point, she would enter the Mid-Jade Balance Stage in a single stroke, forming a Spirit Fruit Embryo. Her combat strength would skyrocket, giving her a boost far greater than any Divine Weapon could provide.

This was a blessing.

’A calamity... and a blessing. Fortune and misfortune are truly intertwined...’

...

After leaving Yunlai Pavilion, Chen Ping’an didn’t linger in Beicang Town. He rested briefly, bid farewell to Water Hibiscus, and then boarded a carriage out of the town.

The meeting with Gu Qingchan had ended on a high note for everyone involved. Chen Ping’an was quite satisfied with the outcome of his visit.

He had now officially established a public connection with a Grandmaster. With Gu Qingchan’s parting words, he could now contact her through Water Hibiscus if he ever needed to.

Gu Qingchan was no lone wolf. In addition to being a Grandmaster, she was also one of the Clan Elders of the Canglong Gu Family. The Gu Family was vast and prosperous, with deep roots and branches whose influence stretched across several provinces. They held a pivotal position of influence within the Canglong Province Garrison Command.

The influence of a Grandmaster like Gu Qingchan far exceeded that of an Independent Grandmaster. Her every word and deed represented the faction behind her—and the full support of her family’s power.

By successfully establishing a connection with her, how many years of struggle would Chen Ping’an be able to avoid?

’Personal strength and worldly influence—he had to seize both, and hold on tight.’