Chapter 708 - 282: Ten Absolutes (3)

Chen Qing slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them before vanishing. He felt the qi and blood surging within his body and his physique, which was now significantly stronger.

[Heaven Rewards Diligence: Success is certain]

[Fourth Layer of Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body (8183/15000)]

[Seventh Layer of Primordial Five Elements True Astral (17387/30000)]

Chen Qing was greatly surprised to see that the progress on his panel had increased by over a thousand points.

’The effects of this Fish King are truly extraordinary.’

’But on second thought, it makes sense. This is a Fish King, after all—one that is over forty years old.’

’There’s still some of the fish’s body left. I can consume it two more times, which means my progress can accelerate even further.’

Chen Qing calculated to himself.

Just then, a gentle knock came from the door, accompanied by Perilla’s concerned voice, "Brother Chen? Are... are you feeling better?"

Chen Qing took a deep breath, rose, and opened the door.

He saw Perilla standing delicately at the door, holding a White Jade porcelain bowl. The bowl contained a dark brown medicinal soup that gave off a faint, cool fragrance.

She seemed to have come in a hurry, having only casually thrown on an outer robe. Her hair was a bit of a mess, and her beautiful, limpid eyes gazed at Chen Qing, filled with worry and a hint of shyness.

The moonlight fell upon her, outlining her slender figure, which, along with the steaming bowl of medicinal soup in her hands, created a moving picture.

"Brother Chen, I saw your qi and blood surging so intensely just now, and I was really worried."

Perilla’s voice was as soft as a feather. "So I went and brewed a bowl of Qinghe Calming Soup. It’s meant to calm the heart and spirit. I thought it might help you settle some of the restlessness and stabilize your qi and blood."

Chen Qing saw the genuine concern in her eyes and smiled faintly. "Thank you. That’s very thoughtful of you."

He didn’t say anything more. After taking the medicinal soup, he turned, went back into his room, and shut the door again.

Perilla watched the door close again. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but ended up just gently biting her lower lip. A flicker of disappointment flashed in her eyes. She stood silently outside the door for a moment before turning to leave.

Back in his room, Chen Qing downed the bowl of medicinal soup.

A cool sensation slid down his throat, and it did indeed quell much of the last traces of restlessness within him.

Not long after, footsteps sounded outside the door again. This time, it was Bai Zhi.

"Brother Chen, I heard you were feeling unwell earlier. Are you alright now?"

Bai Zhi’s voice was exceptionally pleasant, with a crisp quality to it.

She did not enter, simply asking from outside the door.

Chen Qing opened the door to see Bai Zhi standing gracefully in the moonlight. "I’m fine now. Thank you for your concern."

Bai Zhi studied his complexion, and seeing that it had indeed returned to normal, she gave a slight nod. "As long as you’re alright."

She paused, seeming to want to say something more, but ultimately just said, "Well, rest well, Brother Chen."

Chen Qing nodded and immediately shut the door.

Once Bai Zhi’s footsteps had faded, Qing Dai slowly stepped out from the shadows of a nearby pillar on the veranda.

She wore only a gauze robe, casually draped, revealing one shoulder and outlining her enchanting curves.

She glanced in the direction Bai Zhi had gone, then at Chen Qing’s tightly shut door, and couldn’t help but shake her head helplessly. ’These little girls are certainly resourceful, aren’t they... Honestly... such a handful.’

Over the next two days, Chen Qing had Perilla carefully cook the Fish King’s flesh, which he then consumed daily.

The fish meat melted in his mouth, transforming into warm currents that surged through his limbs and torso. Not only did his True Astral steadily increase, but his qi and blood also swelled, and his Cultivation progress for the Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body advanced at a visible rate.

To his pleasant surprise, his already formidable Primordial Five Elements True Astral, cleansed by the Fish King’s Spiritual Qi, grew even purer and more condensed, making his foundation more solid and stable.

’The effect of this Fish King is no less than that of Grotto Heaven Hard Cultivation!’

Feeling the changes within his body, Chen Qing thought to himself, ’At this rate, my progress toward breaking through to the True Essence Realm can speed up quite a bit.’

「That day happened to be the beginning of a new month.」

Chen Qing, having adjusted his condition, arrived at the entrance of the main peak’s Grotto Heaven.

"Elder Xiang."

Chen Qing said, cupping his fist in salute to the old man guarding the entrance.

Now that the Dubhe Pavilion had opened, many hidden masters within the Sect had come to light. This Elder Xiang was ranked at the Earth Balance Position, which meant his Cultivation was at least at the Late-stage True Essence Realm, possibly even higher. His strength was unfathomable.

Elder Xiang wore his usual cheerful smile as he sized up Chen Qing. "Heard you caught a Fish King from the Emerald Waves Pool a couple of days ago, kid? Lucky you. Looks like your Cultivation has improved again."

"It was just a stroke of luck."

Chen Qing replied modestly, then added with a smile, "The Fish King was indeed exceptionally delicious. If I have such luck again, I will definitely save a portion for you, Elder."

"I’ll hold you to that."

Upon hearing this, the smile on Elder Xiang’s face grew even wider.

Whether or not the words could be fulfilled, they were pleasant to hear.

"Go on in. There aren’t many people today, so find a good spot."

"Thank you, Elder."

Chen Qing cupped his fist once more, then slowly stepped into the Grotto Heaven.

This was not his first time entering, so he was quite familiar with the environment within the Grotto Heaven.

He navigated the familiar path through the outer region, heading straight for the core area where the Primordial Qi was much denser.

Soon, he sat down cross-legged in an area where the Primordial Qi was so dense it had nearly condensed into a thin mist.

He focused his Heart and Spirit, and the Primordial Five Elements True Astral Spell slowly began to operate.

In that instant, the vast surrounding Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi seemed to have found an outlet, rushing toward him in a mad torrent, like a hundred rivers flowing to the sea!

The dense Primordial Qi formed a visible vortex that enveloped him completely. Pure energy flowed endlessly through the pores of his skin and into his meridians, where it was swiftly refined into pure True Astral.

As Chen Qing felt the True Astral rushing ceaselessly within him, his Heart and Spirit sank into the panel that only he could see.

[Heaven Rewards Diligence: Success is certain]

[Seventh Layer of Primordial Five Elements True Astral (18142/30000)]

Just one deep Cultivation Circulation, and the progress was already so significant, equivalent to several days of hard work in the outside world.

The climbing numbers on the panel reflected the astonishing efficiency of this Grotto Heaven Blessed Land.

’This Grotto Heaven is truly a wonderful place,’

Chen Qing slowly exhaled a turbid breath, his heart filled with emotion. ’The Primordial Qi is pure and abundant. A single day of Cultivation here is comparable to half a month’s work outside. If only I could stay here and cultivate all the time...’

His gaze drifted involuntarily toward the Grotto Heaven Core. There, the Primordial Qi had practically solidified into a swirling Spiritual Mist. It was said that not only was the Primordial Qi concentration in the core far greater than in the outer areas, but it could also directly nourish and temper a person’s Sea of Will and Divine Sense.

That was a true Cultivation Holy Land, a blessed land that all disciples of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect dreamed of.

Moreover, it was said that being inside the Grotto Heaven was also highly beneficial for breakthroughs, increasing the chances of success.

However, an effect like this was of little importance to Chen Qing.

He cast aside his distracting thoughts and closed his eyes once more. The Primordial Five Elements True Astral Spell resumed its circulation. The pores all over his body opened like bottomless pits, greedily absorbing the surrounding, nearly liquefied pure Primordial Qi.

Several more hours passed, and his Cultivation session was drawing to a close.

Chen Qing was immersed in the thrill of such rapid advancement when, at that very moment, disaster struck!