Chapter 654 - 654: Wu Jiancheng

It took Chu Qingyun over a day to comprehend and memorize the first two pages of the Ten Thousand Spirits Saint Body Secret Technique.

And just that alone was enough to make him feel a little dizzy.

'A Secret Technique that can be cultivated all the way to the Martial Sect Realm is truly something else. Even the foundational part is more complex than a King-level Sword Technique!'

'If I could just take this into the Saint Extreme Tower to study, I'd be a hundred times more efficient!'

Chu Qingyun closed the book on the Secret Technique and rubbed his aching temples, muttering to himself.

Unfortunately, no one was allowed to take any Secret Technique out of the Inner Sect's Secret Technique Hall.

In fact, every Secret Technique had an Array Restriction placed on it by a master from the Saint Extreme Sect. The Restriction would be triggered the moment it was taken out the door.

This was why disciples preparing to cultivate a Secret Technique all did as Chu Qingyun was doing now—first studying, comprehending, and memorizing a section, then heading to the Saint Extreme Tower to practice.

He rested for a while to alleviate his fatigue.

Chu Qingyun knocked lightly on the stone door three times. A moment later, Elder Ma opened it from the outside and led him out of the hidden passageway.

After leaving the Secret Technique Hall, Chu Qingyun immediately hurried over to the Saint Extreme Tower.

He wanted to strike while the iron was hot and start cultivating the Ten Thousand Spirits Saint Body Secret Technique.

As for the Celestial and Earthly Treasures needed for cultivation, although he didn't have Spiritual Medicines like Celestial Blood Lingzhi or Three Profound Blood Ginseng, he had a better option: Blood Pills.

Cultivating this Secret Technique required pure Qi and Blood Power.

And Blood Pills, capable of replenishing one's Qi and Blood Power, were undoubtedly a better choice than any Spiritual Medicine.

Arriving outside the Saint Extreme Tower, Chu Qingyun happened to see Deng Xuan walking out. She had likely just finished her cultivation inside.

Following behind her was a young man who was only a first-level Martial King.

The man trailed behind Deng Xuan, grinning and gesticulating animatedly as if trying to curry favor, but he failed to notice the disgust in her eyes.

Upon seeing Chu Qingyun, Deng Xuan's eyes lit up. She smiled and said, "Chu Qingyun, we meet again. That Earth Seal Sword Fragment, are you willing to sell it now?"

Chu Qingyun gave a wry smile, surprised to have run into her again.

"As for the Earth Seal Sword Fragment, I'd like to hold onto it for the time being."

Chu Qingyun would definitely bring out the Earth Seal Sword eventually, but now was not the time.

He would wait until he was strong enough to contend with the likes of Deng Xuan before revealing it. That would be the most advantageous move.

"As you wish, then."

Deng Xuan nodded and didn't press the issue.

But at this moment, the man who had been following her suddenly stepped forward and asked, "Xuanxuan, what Earth Seal Sword Fragment? Whatever you want, I can buy it for you."

Hearing the name "Xuanxuan," Deng Xuan couldn't help but frown in disgust.

"Wu Jiancheng, don't call me Xuanxuan. And another thing, I'll buy whatever I want myself. It has nothing to do with you," Deng Xuan said coldly.

But Wu Jiancheng didn't care in the slightest. He turned around and fixed his gaze on Chu Qingyun.

He had no idea what the Earth Seal Sword Fragment was, but that wasn't important. What was important was that Deng Xuan wanted it but couldn't get it.

'If I can just get the Earth Seal Sword Fragment and give it to Deng Xuan, she'll surely be impressed. At the very least, she'll feel indebted to me, and then…'

He couldn't help but chuckle smugly at the delightful thought.

He, Wu Jiancheng, was different from the ordinary Inner Sect Disciples who had stopped to watch.

Although his strength and aptitude were average, his status was anything but. His grandfather was an Inner Sect Elder of the Saint Extreme Sect.

Therefore, those ordinary Inner Sect Disciples could only treat Deng Xuan as a goddess to be worshiped from afar.

But Wu Jiancheng had always felt that he truly had a chance to conquer this goddess, to pin her beneath him.

A different background and status naturally led to different levels of confidence and ambition.

"You're Chu Qingyun, right? This young master wants that Earth Seal Sword Fragment. Name your price, whether it's Primordial Spirit Liquid or Saint Extreme Points."

Wu Jiancheng blocked Chu Qingyun's path, his face a mask of swaggering arrogance.

A helpless look crossed Chu Qingyun's face as he thought to himself, 'Beauty is truly a curse.'

Deng Xuan also felt a slight tinge of regret, feeling that perhaps she shouldn't have mentioned buying the Earth Seal Sword Fragment in front of Wu Jiancheng.

However, she didn't speak up to stop him, instead watching with a flicker of curiosity.

She also wanted to see how Chu Qingyun, this rising new Core Disciple, would handle the provocation of a spoiled second-generation brat like Wu Jiancheng.

Would he yield, or would he fight back?

"Sorry, the Earth Seal Sword Fragment is not for sale."

Chu Qingyun refused. There was no way he would sell the Earth Seal Sword.

Before Wu Jiancheng could even speak, two of his lackeys stepped forward.

"Not for sale? Kid, don't think you're so great just because you became a Core Disciple. It's your honor that Young Master Wu wants to buy something from you!"

"Our Young Master Wu is the grandson of an Inner Sect Elder! How dare a brat who just entered the Inner Sect defy Young Master Wu?"

They both wore the fawning expressions of bootlickers.

The other Inner Sect Disciples passing by all gave them a wide berth, seemingly afraid of Wu Jiancheng and his two companions.

Some of the more curious ones even stopped nearby to watch the commotion.

"That first-level Martial King has some nerve, not even giving Wu Jiancheng any face. Isn't he just asking for trouble? His grandfather is an Inner Sect Elder."

"That seems to be Chu Qingyun. I saw him at the Saint Extreme Tower a couple of days ago. He's a new Core Disciple who just entered the Inner Sect, and I hear he's unusually strong."

"Tch, so what if he's a Core Disciple? He still just broke through to the Martial King Realm. When you have to bow your head, you have to bow your head…"

Hearing the crowd's discussion, Wu Jiancheng's face grew even more smug.

This feeling of being watched, of being feared, was something he had always greatly enjoyed.

"Chu Qingyun, I'll give you one more chance. That Earth Seal Sword Fragment—I'll take it for one hundred Saint Extreme Points," Wu Jiancheng said.

"How absurd…"

Chu Qingyun shook his head. No longer bothering with them, he turned to leave.

Seeing that he was actually being ignored, and in front of Deng Xuan no less, Wu Jiancheng's expression changed instantly. "Fine! A brat who just entered the Inner Sect dares to ignore this young master!"

"Li Da, teach him a lesson!"

Wu Jiancheng commanded his follower, the first-level Martial King.

"But… Young Master, we're in the Inner Sect."

Li Da hesitated. He had no problem using his master's power to threaten Chu Qingyun, but when it came to actually fighting, he was a bit hesitant.

"What are you waiting for?! Teach him a lesson! If anything happens, I'll take the fall!"

Wu Jiancheng barked coldly.