Chapter 711 - 283: Void (3)

"Not bad. I made some progress." Chen Qing nodded, his expression unchanging.

’Right, Elder Xiang is a man of high status and authority. He should know that woman’s identity.’

An idea struck him, and he asked, feigning casualness, "By the way, Elder Xiang, I met someone inside named Xu Min. She helped me resolve a small problem. Her Cultivation seems profound. I was wondering which senior of the sect she might be? Why have I never heard of her?"

"Xu Min!?"

The smile on Elder Xiang’s face instantly froze, and his expression became extremely peculiar.

He scrutinized Chen Qing from head to toe. "You... you interacted with her? She spoke to you first?"

"It was just a chance encounter. We only exchanged a few words, nothing more." Chen Qing replied truthfully, though he grew more confused inwardly. Elder Xiang’s reaction was far too strong.

’That woman seemed quite easy to get along with, not like a bad person.’

"That’s good, that’s good."

Hearing this, Elder Xiang seemed to breathe a small sigh of relief. He then waved his hand dismissively, his tone clearly urging him to leave. "If there’s nothing else, you should head back. As for Xu Min... don’t ask any more questions, and don’t mention her to outsiders. It won’t do you any good."

Seeing Elder Xiang’s secretive and reluctant demeanor, Chen Qing knew he wouldn’t get any more answers. He could only suppress his questions, cup his fist, and say, "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Elder."

Afterward, Chen Qing returned to his small courtyard on True Martial Peak and sat alone in the Quiet Chamber.

He focused his Heart and Spirit, and the words of the *Taixu Scripture (Part 1)* slowly flowed through his mind like golden stars.

"The Void is the boundless universe, the beginning of all phenomena..."

The scripture’s opening expounded on the grand concept of the Way of the Void. It was a Supreme Technique for merging one’s spiritual will with the boundless Void, absorbing its infinite power into oneself.

Chen Qing studied it carefully, growing more and more shocked.

This first volume not only detailed the complete Technique for tempering and purifying True Essence step-by-step, starting from the Early-stage True Essence Realm all the way to completing Six Times of Tempering, but it also contained profound and abstruse methods for Refining Spirit and Condensing Intent.

’Six Times of Tempering...’

Chen Qing’s eyes burned with intensity.

The core of Cultivation in the True Essence Realm lay in the number of times one’s True Essence was tempered.

The more times it was tempered, the purer and more condensed the True Essence became. Its power would be greater, its potential higher, and the foundation for breaking through to higher Realms in the future would be more solid.

For most cultivators, completing Nine Times of Tempering was already a stroke of incredible luck. To complete ten temperings, like Luo Zhixian, was exceptionally rare in the True Essence Realm.

’However, I haven’t even reached the True Essence Realm yet. How can I even talk about tempering?’

Chen Qing quickly calmed down.

The *Taixu Scripture* was a fundamental law for after the True Essence Realm. To him now, it was like a flower in the mirror or the moon in the water—visible, but untouchable for the time being.

Some of the profound Techniques within it for tempering the Sea of Will and utilizing Divine Sense required the support of True Essence to even begin attempting.

’I have to take this one step at a time.’ Chen Qing’s mind cleared.

The most urgent task was to convert his abundant True Astral into the higher-grade True Essence as quickly as possible and officially step into the True Essence Realm!

Given that he cultivated the Primordial Five Elements True Astral, the True Essence he would temper from it would surely be extraordinary.

From that day on, Chen Qing entered a state of almost fanatical, arduous cultivation.

By day, he practiced his Spear Technique in the courtyard.

The other eight stances of the Ten Extremes Spear Technique progressed rapidly under the blessing of his Heaven Rewards Diligence Fate Plate and Luo Zhixian’s careful guidance.

He no longer sought quick success. Instead, he calmed his heart to carefully comprehend the unique artistic conception of each spear stance, trying to understand their differences and potential connections to lay the most solid foundation for his future "Melted Intent."

At night, he would sit cross-legged in the Quiet Chamber, circulating the *Primordial Five Elements True Astral* with all his might.

Within his Dantian Sea of Qi, the Five-Colored True Astral surged like five raging rivers, constantly being compressed and purified.

Elixirs were consumed like candy, transforming into pure medicinal power that nourished his meridians and Dantian.

Occasionally, he would take his fishing rod and stroll to the edge of the Emerald Waves Pool.

Time flowed by like water, passing quietly.

The leaves of the old tree in the courtyard gradually turned from deep green to the golden yellow of autumn. Finally, after a few bleak autumn winds, they fluttered down, leaving only bare branches stubbornly pointing to the sky.

The sky grew distant, the air crisp and cold.

Before he knew it, three months had rushed by.

On this day, the first light snow of winter began to fall.

White snowflakes silently covered the layered peaks of True Martial Peak, blanketing Chen Qing’s small courtyard in a thin layer of silver.

Inside the Quiet Chamber, Chen Qing slowly finished his practice and opened his eyes. A sharp light was contained within them, and his aura was as solid and stable as a mountain.

With a thought, the panel in his mind quietly appeared.

[Heaven Rewards Diligence; success is inevitable]

[Seventh Layer of Primordial Five Elements True Astral (29,058/30,000)]

[Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body - Fourth Layer (11,247/15,000)]

Looking at the data on the panel, Chen Qing took a deep breath.

Three months of arduous cultivation had yielded remarkable results.

His *Primordial Five Elements True Astral* had reached the verge of Perfection in the Seventh Layer. He was just one step away from reaching the True Essence Realm!

Thanks to the residual essence of the Fish King and his continuous arduous cultivation, his *Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body* had also progressed nicely. His Flesh Body’s strength and defense had risen to another level, bringing him closer and closer to the Fifth Layer.