Chapter 717 - 285: Challenge 3

"Excellent! Excellent! The Nine Heavens Lineage has gained another pillar!"

Everyone chimed in with congratulations, and the atmosphere was electric.

Lu Chenming walked out of the secluded chamber. Though his robes were soaked with sweat and he looked a bit disheveled, he was glowing with renewed vigor and in high spirits. He returned the greetings of each of his seniors, his heart pounding with an excitement he could hardly contain.

Before long, Zhong Yu and Yanchi arrived, having heard the news.

"Junior Brother Lu, congratulations! Now that you’ve broken through, the sky’s the limit!"

Zhong Yu smiled and patted Lu Chenming’s shoulder.

His gaze swept over the crowd that had come to offer congratulations. His voice rose a notch as he said pointedly, "This way, not only can you take back everything that belongs to you, but our Nine Heavens Lineage will also gain another Human Position in the Dubhe Pavilion. And more importantly... among the current generation’s True Disciples, the Nine Heavens Lineage will once again hold four seats!"

At these words, all the masters from the Nine Heavens Lineage perked up, their eyes shining with excitement.

Reclaiming four seats meant that the Nine Heavens Lineage had once again gained an absolute advantage in the competition among the younger generation!

Upon hearing this, Lu Chenming took a deep breath, his chest swelling with an immense sense of accomplishment.

He had waited for this day for far too long.

Losing the True Disciple seat was not just a personal disgrace, but also a loss for the Nine Heavens Lineage.

Now, he finally had the power to take it back with his own hands.

Just then, a steward from the Nine Heavens Lineage hurried over.

"Brother Lu, the Vein Master has heard of your successful breakthrough. She has ordered me to come and invite you to see her at Tingtiao Pavilion."

Lu Chenming’s interest was piqued. Suppressing his eagerness to immediately issue a challenge, he nodded and said, "Thank you, Steward. Please lead the way."

’For Vein Master Li Yu-jun to summon me at this moment, there must be a profound reason.’

He followed the steward and soon arrived at a quiet and elegant courtyard on the rear mountain of Nine Heavens Peak—Tingtiao Pavilion.

The pavilion was near a cliff, earning its name from the sound of the wind rustling through the pines, which resembled the crashing of waves.

Stepping into the main hall of the pavilion, he saw the Vein Master of the Nine Heavens Lineage, Li Yu-jun, sitting in the seat of honor. She held a cup of tea, her expression tranquil.

"Disciple Lu Chenming pays my respects to the Vein Master!" Lu Chenming hurried forward and bowed deeply, his tone reverent.

Li Yu-jun set down her teacup. Her gaze fell upon Lu Chenming as she nodded slightly. "Dispense with the pleasantries. Very good. Your foundation is stable and your Saber Intent is refined. This breakthrough was a natural result of your efforts, with no signs of instability. It’s clear your groundwork is deep."

Receiving praise from the Vein Master herself, Lu Chenming was thrilled. He cupped his fists again. "It is all thanks to the Sect’s nurturing and the guidance of you, Vein Master, and all my mentors. I did not dare to slack off."

Li Yu-jun hummed softly in acknowledgment. With a flick of her sleeve, two jade bottles of a simple, classical design drifted gently in front of Lu Chenming.

"You have just entered the True Essence Realm, so you need to stabilize your cultivation. Your Sea of Will also needs nurturing. This bottle of Essence Stabilizing Pills will help you consolidate your foundation. The other bottle contains Spirit Nourishing Pills, which can help you strengthen your will and nurture your Divine Sense. I trust you will make good use of them."

Lu Chenming accepted the jade bottles with both hands, his heart jolting in surprise.

’The Essence Stabilizing Pills are one thing,’ he thought. ’They’re a common elixir for consolidating one’s cultivation in the True Essence Realm. But the Spirit Nourishing Pills are exceptionally precious. They are specifically for nourishing and strengthening one’s Divine Sense and Sea of Will, which is a massive aid for comprehending Martial Arts and refining one’s will at this realm. They’re the kind of treasure that is often impossible to find, even if one has the money.’

’As expected of the Vein Master, her gifts are truly extraordinary!’

He immediately bowed deeply, his voice filled with sincerity. "Disciple Lu Chenming thanks the Vein Master for this generous gift! I will not disappoint your expectations. I will cultivate diligently and ceaselessly to bring glory to the name of our Jiuxiao!"

Li Yu-jun waved her hand, her tone as placid as before. "Now that you have broken through to the True Essence Realm, according to Sect rules, you qualify for a Human Position in the Dubhe Pavilion. The next time the Dubhe Pavilion convenes, you may enter to receive directives and participate in its councils."

’Dubhe Pavilion!’

Another tremor ran through Lu Chenming as a wave of indescribable excitement and pride washed over him.

’I’ve finally stepped into the Sect’s true inner circle!’

’A fixed quota of extra resources every month, access to the Sect’s secrets, the ability to trade for rare treasures unobtainable in the outside world... ’

’And in contrast, that Chen Qing... even though he’s a True Disciple, his cultivation isn’t high enough, so he’s still shut out of the Dubhe Pavilion, unable to enjoy this preferential access to core resources.’

"Yes! I understand! I will do my utmost to serve you, Vein Master, and the Nine Heavens Lineage!" Lu Chenming said in a low, determined voice.

Li Yu-jun was quite pleased with his attitude. She nodded slightly. "You may go."

"As you command!"

Lu Chenming bowed once more, then carefully cradled the two bottles of elixirs and exited Tingtiao Pavilion.

.....

「Two days later, in a small courtyard on True Martial Peak.」

The rare winter sun shone down, dispelling some of the chill.

The four women—Qing Dai, Su Wen, Perilla, and Bai Zhi—were gathered around the stone table in the courtyard, conversing in low voices.

"I heard that during the last Dubhe Pavilion council, another huge cache of resources was allocated, prioritized for its members."

Perilla’s voice was tinged with envy. "Just the Elders at the Earth Balance Position get an extra monthly resource allocation of up to three thousand contribution points, to say nothing of all the good things in the secret vaults."

Su Wen nodded lightly, her expression growing solemn. "Mm, the Sect is showing great resolve this time. This level of resource prioritization is unprecedented. It’s said to be in preparation for a possible large-scale counterattack from the Demon Sect. The news from the Soul-Breaking Gorge front isn’t optimistic. The Demon Sect’s activities are growing more frequent, and there have even been sightings of a few old demons who have long been in hiding."

Qing Dai sighed, a worried look on her face. "The Demon Sect is making an aggressive push, and they’re even colluding with overseas powers. No wonder the Sect had to activate the Dubhe Pavilion and consolidate its strength. It’s just... Brother Chen..."

She didn’t finish, but the other women all understood what she meant.

Since Chen Qing couldn’t enter the Dubhe Pavilion, he had already fallen a step behind. He was at a disadvantage in terms of both resources and information.

Just then, a knock came at the courtyard gate.

The four women fell silent, exchanging a glance.

Bai Zhi stood up, smoothed out her clothes, and walked briskly to the gate. Instead of opening it immediately, she asked softly through the door, "Who is it?"

A somewhat detached male voice replied, "A steward from the main peak’s Seven-Star Platform."

Only then did Bai Zhi pull the gate open a crack.

Outside stood a middle-aged man dressed in the uniform of a main peak steward. His gaze was calm and his aura restrained; his cultivation was clearly not weak.

"Who are you? This is the residence of True Disciple Chen. No unauthorized visitors," Bai Zhi said, blocking the entrance. Her tone was cautious, yet she maintained the requisite courtesy.

The steward said flatly, "I am a steward from the main peak’s Seven-Star Platform, here on the order of Brother Lu Chenming. Brother Lu has successfully broken through and entered the True Essence Realm. As per Sect regulations, he wishes to challenge True Disciple Chen Qing to contend for the seat."

As he spoke, he produced a letter with a flick of his wrist and handed it over.

"This is the letter of challenge. Please deliver it to True Disciple Chen. According to the rules, True Disciple Chen must answer the challenge at the Seven-Star Platform within ten days. If he is in seclusion, this may be postponed for up to three months. Otherwise, he will be considered to have forfeited."