Chapter 697 - 279: Dubhe (Part 2)

"Simply act according to the Sect’s rules." Luo Zhixian had no objection.

Once the Dubhe Pavilion opened, everyone within the Sect would be mobilized. This was an established rule.

Jiang Lishan nodded. "Then it is settled. Everyone, return and make your preparations."

Everyone answered in unison.

They all understood what the opening of the Dubhe Pavilion meant for the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect.

.....

「Three days later. Outer Peak, Steward Hall.」

The atmosphere in the hall was solemn. Elder Wu Hanhai sat bolt upright, a thick dossier spread open before him. He was reporting to Li Yu-jun, the Vein Master of the Nine Heavens Lineage, who sat in the seat of honor.

The reopening of the Dubhe Pavilion was a matter of great importance, affecting the Sect’s future and the allocation of its resources. Even a True Essence Realm Elder such as himself could only follow orders. Holding a Human Position, he was only qualified to listen and receive commands, with no power to influence decisions.

"Reporting, Vein Master."

Wu Hanhai’s voice was steady. "According to the preliminary draft, there are six individuals for the Dubhe Position, nineteen for the Earth Balance Position, and the rest in the Human Position... for a total of seventy-one people. This list encompasses all qualified Elders and Stewards from the Sect’s Four Veins and thirty-six peaks. We have even included those from the Hidden Peak whose Cultivation is up to par and are under two hundred years of age."

Li Yu-jun gave a slight nod, her expression unreadable.

This list practically outlined the core power structure built upon the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect’s last two centuries of foundation. Aside from those whose lifespans exceeded two hundred years and were nearing their end, the very essence of the Sect was here.

Her gaze swept over the list. "Are all the current True Disciples included?" she asked slowly.

"Yes."

Wu Hanhai responded, "Nan Zhuoran is listed for the Earth Balance Position. The other True Disciples are all in the Human Position. However..."

He trailed off, a hint of hesitation on his face as his finger tapped lightly on a name in the dossier. "This Chen Qing..."

At the mention of this name, Wu Hanhai’s feelings were complicated.

He had previously worked with Lu Chenming to suppress Chen Qing over the Prison Peak Guardian assignment, back when Chen Qing had not yet been promoted to True Disciple.

But times had changed. Chen Qing was now not only the tenth-ranked True Disciple but had also been accepted as a Named Disciple by Luo Zhixian. His status was a world away from what it once was.

He didn’t dare decide on his own whether to include Chen Qing in the Dubhe Pavilion, afraid that one misstep would offend the Peak Master of Ten Thousand Laws Peak.

"Chen Qing?"

Li Yu-jun raised her eyes slightly. "A boy who hasn’t even reached the True Essence Realm. Do you think he’s qualified to enter the Dubhe Pavilion?"

Wu Hanhai mulled it over for a long moment, choosing his words with care. "According to Sect custom, a position in the Dubhe Pavilion requires at least a True Essence Realm Cultivation to be accepted by all. Although Nephew Chen is exceptionally talented, holds the rank of a True Disciple, and is Peak Master Luo’s esteemed pupil, his Cultivation is ultimately a hard requirement... In this subordinate’s humble opinion, perhaps... it would be more prudent for him not to join for the time being?"

As he spoke, he surreptitiously watched Li Yu-jun’s expression, trying to fathom the Vein Master’s thoughts.

After all, the Peak Master of Ten Thousand Laws Peak was not only profoundly powerful but also hailed from the same lineage as the Vein Master. Their relationship was not a distant one.

’Isn’t his inclusion just a matter of a single word from her?’

Upon hearing this, Li Yu-jun said coolly, "A boy who hasn’t even reached the True Essence Realm? If we were to let him step into the Dubhe Pavilion now, wouldn’t we become a laughingstock for the entire Sect? If outsiders were to learn of it, they would think that I, Li Yu-jun, or perhaps he, Luo Zhixian, were abusing our authority for personal gain and disregarding the laws of the Sect."

Her words were merciless and could even be considered an explicit directive.

Even though Chen Qing was a True Disciple with Luo Zhixian backing him, faced with the Sect’s ironclad laws and the strict threshold of power, none of that was reason enough to make an exception.

The Dubhe Pavilion was the Sect’s highest decision-making body. To join its ranks and truly touch the core of the Sect’s power, one had to rely on concrete strength and contributions, not the prestige of one’s master.

Understanding dawned on Wu Hanhai. He quickly clasped his fist and said in a firm tone, "Vein Master, your foresight is profound, and your words are absolutely correct! It was this subordinate who was inconsiderate. I know what to do now."

’The Vein Master’s meaning is clear. Chen Qing’s current strength isn’t enough to enter the Dubhe Pavilion. Even a Human Position requires a True Essence Realm Cultivation.’

Li Yu-jun gave a slight nod and said no more, her gaze falling back upon the long list.

The conversation just now had been merely a brief interlude.

......

After returning to his small courtyard on True Martial Peak, Chen Qing went straight to the Grotto Heaven the very next day.

Within the Grotto Heaven, Primordial Qi surged like a vast, majestic tide.

Chen Qing sat cross-legged and sank his consciousness into his body. He fully activated the Primordial Five Elements True Astral spell, greedily absorbing the incomparably pure Primordial Qi.

After leaving the Grotto Heaven, he entered seclusion for several more days in the Quiet Chamber of his residence to thoroughly consolidate his gains. He tempered the surging True Astral, making it more condensed and well-integrated.

[Heaven Rewards Diligence; Success is Inevitable]

[True Martial Demon-Vanquishing Spear Perfection (17841/20000)]

[Seventh Layer of Primordial Five Elements True Astral (7387/30000)]

[Fourth Layer of Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body (2183/15000)]

[Biluo Jinghong Spear Minor Achievement (165/3000)]

[True Martial Seal Perfection (19121/20000)]

’At this rate, I can cultivate the True Martial Seal and the True Martial Demon-Vanquishing Spear to the Extreme Realm within two months. Then I’ll be able to condense my very own True Martial Spear Intent!’

Chen Qing looked at the panel and mused, ’As for my Cultivation... with my monthly sessions in the Grotto Heaven, supplemented by Elixirs and daily bitter training, there’s a great chance I can break through to the True Essence Realm within six months!’

If word of this speed got out, it would be enough to shock the vast majority of the Sect.

After all, accumulating Cultivation wasn’t difficult for many people, provided they had vast resources. The true difficulty lay in overcoming bottlenecks and consolidating one’s foundation.

On this day, just as Chen Qing finished his Cultivation, a disciple from the Steward Hall arrived and respectfully presented him with a Jade Token.

"Brother Chen, the Contribution Points for your trip to Dongji City and the subsequent missions have been calculated. The total is twenty-eight thousand, seven hundred points. Please verify."