Chapter 584 - 244: Laying the Foundation (Part 2)

The thirty-first floor... that’s the threshold for becoming a True Disciple.

The tenth-ranked Lu Chenming was also at the thirty-first floor.

Hearing this, Chen Qing immediately asked, "Oh? When did this happen?"

Ever since the Hundred Sects’ selection, He Shuang had displayed extraordinary talent. Cultivating the Three True Astrals, she was considered a top-tier genius from Xu Wang Mountain and garnered much attention.

Moreover, she was quickly taken as a disciple by Gong Nansong, a True Essence Realm Elder of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect. Since then, she had always been dazzling, closely following in Wu Anren’s footsteps.

And now, she had actually surpassed Wu Anren, reaching the thirty-first floor directly!

One had to remember that as the True Inheritance Gatekeeper, Lu Chenming’s own record in the Celestial Treasure Tower was also precisely the thirty-first floor.

This was the true, tangible threshold of a True Disciple, a highly prestigious achievement.

"It happened half an hour ago."

Zhu Yu spoke quickly. "I came to find you as soon as I heard, Brother Chen. I imagine the news has already spread by now."

Chen Qing nodded, his mind racing as he analyzed the situation.

’He Shuang cultivates the Three True Astrals, so her foundation is profound. The sheer power of her True Astral is in no way inferior to that of a genius who built their foundation with a Supreme Heart Method.’

’Her Cultivation has likely reached Astral Force Perfection. It’s only natural for her to break through to the thirty-first floor now, after accumulating so much power.’

But... Chen Qing felt that even after reaching the thirty-first floor, challenging and replacing Lu Chenming would not be so easy.

Lu Chenming had occupied his True Disciple seat for many years. The resources he enjoyed and the guidance he received were far beyond what a candidate could compare to.

’With his cunning and calculating nature, his true strength has probably long since been capable of reaching the thirty-second floor. He’s just been hiding it, never attempting the challenge.’

’After all, in his current situation, there’s no benefit for him even if he did break through to the thirty-second floor.’

’Lu Chenming hasn’t broken through to the True Essence Realm yet, and he can’t defeat Ruan Lingxiu to take the ninth True Disciple spot. Showing his hand too early would only expose his trump cards and attract the wary attention of all the hungry wolves below him.’

Of course, all of this was just Chen Qing’s speculation based on the situation.

The truth of the matter remained to be seen.

"’Improving my own strength is what matters most,’ Chen Qing thought to himself."

To him, the shifting tides of the outside world were secondary; the most important thing was to increase his own power.

......

Inside Wu Anren’s small courtyard.

Flashes of sword light tore through the air, letting out sharp whistles.

Wu Anren’s figure dodged and weaved, the Long Sword in his hand moving like an extension of his own arm. He was pushing a Superior Swordsmanship technique to its absolute limit, and fine beads of sweat had already appeared on his forehead.

Just then, Mei Niang hurried to the edge of the training grounds. She stood with her hands by her side, not daring to disturb him immediately.

Only after Wu Anren finished the set, performing Qi Absorption and Essence Return, did he turn to Mei Niang, his brow furrowed slightly. "What is it?"

Mei Niang took a step forward and said in a low voice, "Young Master, news just came in. Half an hour ago, He Shuang challenged the Celestial Treasure Tower and reached the thirty-first floor."

The Long Sword in Wu Anren’s hand let out a faint, vibrating hum.

His grip on the hilt tightened slightly as he asked, "Is this true!?"

Mei Niang replied, "It’s absolutely true! It’s recorded clearly on the Celestial Treasure Stele."

Wu Anren’s brow furrowed slightly.

To say he wasn’t shaken at all would be an absolute lie.

He had been the first person from Xu Wang Mountain to pass the twenty-ninth and thirtieth floors, hailed as the genius most qualified to be a True Successor Candidate. For a time, his fame was unparalleled.

But now, the far more symbolic thirty-first floor had been claimed by He Shuang, who had beaten him to it.

A sense of urgency, of being surpassed by a newcomer, weighed on his heart.

Wu Anren let out a long, heavy breath, as if trying to expel all the stagnation from his chest.

He sheathed his Long Sword, which slid home with a crisp CLANK.

"’I wonder if she’ll challenge Lu Chenming... Even if she does, it probably won’t be so soon,’ Wu Anren thought to himself."

He knew full well that challenging a True Disciple was no simple task. Lu Chenming was no pushover, and even with her great increase in strength, He Shuang would certainly need time to consolidate her gains and prepare meticulously.

But regardless, He Shuang’s action was like a loud bell, ringing in the minds of all the True Successor Candidates.

The competition had never stopped; in fact, it was only growing more intense.

He took the towel Mei Niang offered and wiped the sweat from his forehead. His gaze then grew even more determined.

"Continue sword practice!"

The clear ring of a sword echoed through the small courtyard once more, sharper and more urgent than before.

......

Nine Heavens Peak, Tingtai Pavilion.

Outside the window, a sea of clouds churned, and the wind soughed through the pines.

Lu Chenming and Zhong Yu sat facing each other. Between them, tea boiled on a small, red-clay stove, wisps of white steam curling into the air.

Zhong Yu, dressed in black robes, asked with feigned casualness, "Junior Brother Lu, it seems that batch of disciples from Xu Wang Mountain has been quite restless lately? I heard that one named Chen Qing has caused quite a stir."

Lu Chenming lifted his teacup, his expression calm. "Mid-stage Astral Force, an unstable foundation, and built upon a mere Superior Heart Method from the Wutai Sect. He won’t become a real threat any time soon. I’ve already made arrangements; the people watching him report his movements daily."

In his eyes, while Chen Qing was an unexpected dark horse, his fundamental weaknesses meant he wasn’t a major threat.

Zhong Yu gave a noncommittal smile and was about to speak when the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the pavilion. A disciple rushed to the door, bowed, and reported, "Brother Lu, Brother Zhong, news just in from the Celestial Treasure Tower... The disciple from Xu Wang Mountain, He Shuang, successfully challenged the tower half an hour ago and has reached the thirty-first floor!"

Hearing this, Lu Chenming’s brow furrowed slightly.

The thirty-first floor!

This was no longer just proof of a True Successor Candidate’s potential; this was a sign that she had truly reached the threshold of a True Disciple!

It was equal to the record he, Lu Chenming, had left in the Celestial Treasure Tower!