Chapter 718 - 286: True Essence

Qing Dai accepted the challenge letter, feeling a crushing weight in her hand.

The other young women immediately gathered around. Su Wen’s delicate brows knitted together. "This Brother Lu... he just broke through to the True Essence Realm. His aura probably hasn’t even fully stabilized, yet he’s already this desperate to issue a challenge?"

Her voice was laced with a hint of worry.

Perilla, who had a more fiery temper, stomped her foot. "Isn’t this just blatant bullying? Brother Chen hasn’t even reached the True Essence Realm yet. He, a True Essence Realm expert, is challenging someone at the Astral Force Realm... How is he supposed to fend that off?"

Her words voiced the worry they all shared, and the air instantly grew heavy.

All Sect Disciples under the age of sixty were eligible to contend for the position of a True Disciple.

This was also a rule Within the Sect.

Bai Zhi looked at the silent Qing Dai. "Sister Qing Dai, now... what should we do?"

In that moment, all eyes focused on Qing Dai.

The faint winter sun filtered through the bare branches, illuminating her beautiful face, now clouded with worry.

She took a deep breath, trying her best to keep her voice steady. "Don’t panic. Brother Chen is at a critical juncture in his secluded cultivation. He absolutely cannot be disturbed right now."

"We’ll decide what to do about everything after he emerges from his cultivation. Our task right now is to guard this courtyard and ensure that nothing affects his seclusion."

Seeing Qing Dai so calm, Perilla, Bai Zhi, and the others felt as if they had found their pillar of support. Their anxiousness subsided slightly, and they all nodded.

"Sister Qing Dai is right."

Su Wen said softly, "Brother Chen gave us specific instructions before he went into seclusion, which shows how crucial this is. We just need to do our part and wait quietly for him to emerge."

Despite their words, the intangible pressure had already made itself felt.

The women dispersed, but they were no longer in the mood for the idle chatter from before.

....

「Jade Emperor Peak, Rain Listening Pavilion.」

This was Huo Qiushui’s private retreat, built on the edge of a cliff overlooking a churning sea of clouds.

The pavilion’s interior was simple: a table, two chairs, and a censer emitting a light fragrance. There were no other decorations, giving it an elegant and ethereal air.

Ruan Lingxiu and Huo Qiushui sat opposite each other.

Ruan Lingxiu wore a moon-white, unadorned dress under a sheer, light-blue outer robe. Her cloud-like hair was coiled simply, held in place by a single Jade Hairpin.

Huo Qiushui, in contrast, wore ice-blue Martial Attire suited for movement, looking sharp and capable.

"Lu Chenming’s momentum is at its peak now that he has broken through."

Huo Qiushui set down her teacup, her voice clear and crisp. "He’s challenging Chen Qing with the intent of reclaiming his seat."

Ruan Lingxiu took a deep breath before speaking slowly, "The way I see it, this challenge is likely just the first step. Given his current state, once he stabilizes his foundation in the True Essence Realm, his next move will probably be to challenge me."

Her tone was calm, but it held a hint of imperceptible gravity.

Although she had already completed the Secondary True Essence Refining and her Realm was stable, Lu Chenming had newly comprehended Saber Intent, revealing his sharp edge. Moreover, the Nine Heavens True Astral was known for its domineering power.

Once he solidified his Realm, he would absolutely have the strength to fight her on the back of that Saber Intent.

"You’ll need to pay attention to Lu Chenming’s movements from now on."

Huo Qiushui nodded slightly. "Though Chen Qing is exceptionally talented and possesses a Body Refining Secret Technique, he still hasn’t reached the True Essence Realm. With one at a disadvantage and the other at an advantage, it’s almost certain Lu Chenming will reclaim his position as a True Disciple this time."

"Yes."

Ruan Lingxiu nodded lightly. Lu Chenming’s powerful return made her feel a genuine sense of urgency.

Her position as the ninth True Disciple seemed secure, but in a Sect where geniuses appeared one after another, it could change hands at any moment.

If she didn’t make any progress soon, she would become the tenth True Disciple and take on the role of the Defender.

After a moment of silence, Ruan Lingxiu asked, "Senior Sister, has your cultivation been going smoothly recently? Have you made any progress with your True Essence Refining?"

Hearing this, Huo Qiushui shook her head. "Progress is slow. After the Four Times of Tempering, the difficulty of completing each subsequent tempering doubles. It requires more accumulation, more comprehension, and a greater tempering of the will. Based on my estimates and my own foundation, reaching Nine Times of Tempering will likely be my limit."

True Essence Refining grew more difficult the further one progressed into the Late Stage. It was impossible to succeed without great perseverance and great fortuitous opportunities.

Ruan Lingxiu seemed lost in thought, then asked with a touch of curiosity, "Senior Sister, I heard that our First Senior Brother had a fateful encounter in his early years and obtained Ancestor Pan Wu’s Intention inheritance and refining insights. Could it be... that he really has a chance to complete the legendary eleven times of tempering?"

Ancestor Pan Wu was the seventh Sect Leader of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect and came from the Nine Heavens Lineage. He was a peerless genius, the likes of which are rarely seen in a generation.

Relying on the Sect’s fundamental text, the *Nine Heavens Thunder-Attracting Skill*, and his own astonishing comprehension and perseverance, he managed to forcefully push his True Essence Refining to eleven times!

In the thousands of years of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect’s history, besides the Sect Founding Ancestor, he was in a league of his own.

The fact that Nan Zhuoran was able to gain the Ancestor’s recognition and receive his Intention and inheritance caused a massive stir Within the Sect at the time.

A look of deep emotion crossed Huo Qiushui’s eyes. "Our First Senior Brother is a heaven-sent genius, beyond our comprehension. Since he was able to gain Ancestor Pan Wu’s approval and obtain his subsequent refining insights and comprehensions, I imagine... he should have a chance to complete the eleven times of tempering."

She paused, her tone carrying a sigh for something unattainable. "Eleven times of tempering... what kind of Realm is that? It’s truly difficult to imagine."

Eleven times of tempering... The sheer depth of one’s foundation and purity of one’s True Essence would be almost beyond the comprehension of anyone in the same generation.

As long as Nan Zhuoran could complete it smoothly step-by-step, it would be like witnessing the return of Ancestor Pan Wu’s Feng Hua. In the future, his claim to the position of Sect Leader would be virtually unshakeable.

Of course, this didn’t mean it was guaranteed just by having the Technique. It involved perseverance, comprehension, foundational depth, and even a sliver of luck—not a single element could be missing.