Chapter 702 280: Spear Intent

"Sir."

A steward approached quietly. "Sir," he reported in a low voice, "Brother Zhong Yu has come to visit. He is waiting in the reception hall."

Lu Chenming's brow twitched, and he nodded. "Please have Brother Zhong wait a moment. I'll be right there."

He turned to Lu Yan in the courtyard and instructed, "Yan, continue your cultivation on your own. Don't slack off."

"Yes, Father," Lu Yan replied respectfully, lowering his fist.

Lu Chenming straightened his robes, then turned and walked towards the reception hall.

Inside the reception hall, Zhong Yu was already seated. Steam curled up from the Spirit Tea a maid had served him.

He wasn't wearing his True Disciple robes today, just a simple set of dark, everyday clothes.

"Brother Zhong, what an honor. Forgive me for not coming out to meet you," Lu Chenming said with a smile as he entered, clasping his hands in greeting.

Zhong Yu stood to return the gesture. The two exchanged a few pleasantries before sitting down.

He didn't beat around the bush. After a sip of tea, he got straight to the point. "Junior Brother Lu, I've come today to give you something."

"Something for me?" Lu Chenming asked, his curiosity piqued.

Without another word, Zhong Yu flicked his sleeve, and a Cold Jade Box appeared on the table.

"This is a Concentration Pill."

Zhong Yu gently opened the lid, revealing a lustrous, pure white elixir. "It's made with a Centennial Ice Soul as its core," he explained, "supplemented with various Treasure Medicines that nourish the Divine Soul and refined using a Sect Secret Technique. Its purpose is to temper one's will and nourish the Divine Sense."

Lu Chenming's breath caught the moment he saw the Concentration Pill, and a fervent glint flashed in his eyes.

"This is… for me?"

He suppressed the wild pounding of his heart as he sought confirmation.

"That's right."

Zhong Yu confirmed, his gaze calm as he looked at Lu Chenming. "Junior Brother Lu, you've tried and failed to break through to the True Essence Realm several times. Your foundation is actually more than sufficient. What you're missing is that final push—condensing your Martial Dao Will to sense and open your Sea of Will. The pure, spiritual energy of the Ice Soul within this pill can help you condense your Martial Dao Will much faster."

A fire ignited in Lu Chenming's heart. Zhong Yu's words had struck right at the heart of his problem.

He had been stuck at Astral Force Perfection for years, and his True Astral was already honed to a state of profound completeness. His Martial Dao Will was just now beginning to condense. With this pill, he could undoubtedly break through to the True Essence Realm much faster.

But doubt immediately rose in his mind. 'Why would Zhong Yu give me such a precious treasure?'

'Though we're both from the Nine Heavens Lineage, our relationship isn't so close that he'd gift me something this valuable so freely.'

Seemingly sensing his hesitation, Zhong Yu said coolly, "I redeemed this from the Sect's Secret Vault using my authority in the Dubhe Pavilion. The Vein Master also approved of this."

He paused, his tone deepening. "Junior Brother Lu, if you can use this pill to break through to the True Essence Realm, you won't just reclaim your lost seat as a True Disciple. You'll also earn your rightful place in the Dubhe Pavilion, at the Human Position. When that happens, the voice and power of our Nine Heavens Lineage in the pavilion will grow stronger."

Lu Chenming nodded in silence.

The Dubhe Pavilion was the Sect's true center of power, and the number of seats a lineage held within it directly determined their future share of resources and their overall influence.

The Nine Heavens Lineage was already powerful, but adding another True Essence Realm expert to their ranks in the pavilion was undeniably a good thing.

'I'm the weapon they've chosen,' he realized. 'And the target is Chen Qing—and the True Martial Lineage behind him.'

Whether for the sake of the Nine Heavens Lineage's collective interests or Zhong Yu's personal agenda, it was obvious they wanted him to break through quickly. They wanted him to once again become a key chess piece for suppressing Chen Qing and counterbalancing the True Martial Lineage.

Having understood this, Lu Chenming looked up at Zhong Yu, his tone probing. "I am deeply grateful for such a generous gift, Brother Zhong. It seems your prejudice against this Junior Brother Chen… runs unusually deep."

He paused for a moment before continuing, as if casually, "Is it because of those two from Xu Wang Mountain who used to be close with Senior Sister Ruan? Or… is it because Junior Brother Chen himself has grown close to her?"

Zhong Yu's face instantly turned cold at his words, though he quickly regained his composure. His tone, however, became icy. "Don't ask questions you shouldn't be asking."

In front of Ruan Lingxiu, he always maintained a suave, nonchalant demeanor. He knew he could never afford to lose his composure or appear petty in front of the woman he wanted.

Zhong Yu's visit served both public and private interests.

It was for the good of the Nine Heavens Lineage, a way to suppress Chen Qing, and an investment to win the loyalty of a fellow disciple with untapped potential like Lu Chenming. He was killing three birds with one stone.

Lu Chenming didn't press the matter. He declared solemnly, "Rest assured, Brother Zhong. I know what's important. I will not disappoint you or the Vein Master. I will adjust my state and break through to the True Essence Realm as soon as I can!"

He had been steeped in Astral Force Perfection for far too long, accumulating a vast reserve of insight and power.

He even had a strong premonition. 'I might just beat Chen Qing to the punch, taking that crucial step first and ascending to the True Essence Realm!'

"Excellent," Zhong Yu nodded. "A single setback means nothing. It's not yet clear who will have the last laugh."

Seeing Lu Chenming's resolve, Zhong Yu gave a slight nod and rose to his feet. "I hope you achieve your goal soon."

With that said, he took his leave and departed.

...

The night was dark and deep. On True Martial Peak, faint currents of air swirled within Chen Qing's small courtyard.

He sat cross-legged in his Quiet Chamber, eyes lightly shut. The Spell of the *Primordial Five Elements True Astral* surged through him like a great river, ceaselessly drawing in the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi and refining it into pure, dense True Astral.

He practiced his Spear Technique and the True Martial Seal by day, and cultivated the *Primordial Five Elements True Astral* by night.

Suns rose and moons set. Time flew by.

The new buds on the old courtyard tree gradually unfurled, casting a dense green shade.

Two months passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the autumn air was crisp and the sky was clear.

Chen Qing stood in the courtyard holding the dark, dragon-patterned Profound Dragon Spear. He did not move, but simply stood still, concentrating his spirit.

[True Martial Demon-Vanquishing Spear Perfection (19999/20000)]

Gradually, the aura around his body began to change.

His normally restrained vital energy and True Astral began to slowly rise, as if pulled by an unseen force.

An indescribably profound presence emanated from him.

He moved.

The Profound Dragon Spear let out a low, joyful hum, as though a slumbering True Dragon was awakening.

There were no complicated moves, just a simple, straight thrust—True Martial Abyss!

But this thrust was completely different from any before!

The instant he thrust the spear, the surrounding air seemed to solidify. The fallen leaves in the courtyard stirred without a breeze, slowly circling around him.

A faint, visible light coated the shaft of the spear. This was not the glow of True Astral, but a purer power—one that held will and spirit!

Spear Intent!

True Martial Demon-Vanquishing Spear Intent!

BOOM!

It wasn't a physical sound, but an explosion that seemed to detonate directly within one's Heart and Spirit.

The four maids watched from the side. To them, it was as if a towering, illusory figure had appeared before their eyes. It wore Profound Armor, stood atop a tortoise and a serpent, and wielded a Divine Spear. Its gaze was like lightning as it scanned the world for all evil. The sheer, awe-inspiring Righteous Qi shook their Hearts and Spirits so violently they almost fell to their knees.

As Chen Qing executed his Spear Technique, it was no longer a mere combination of skill and strength. Every single move now carried the weight of his Spear Intent.

The wind from his spear howled, faintly echoing with the sound of thunder, as a dazzling Righteous Qi filled the courtyard.

When Chen Qing finally stilled his spear and stood tall, the immense Spear Intent slowly receded back into his body. Yet, his entire bearing had completely changed.

[Heaven Rewards Diligence; Success Is Certain]

[True Martial Seal Extreme Realm]

[True Martial Demon-Vanquishing Spear Extreme Realm]

[Spear Intent: True Martial Spear Intent]

He gazed at the panel, his heart stirring.

.....