Chapter 681: Inner Sect Disciple’s Invitation
Xiao Chen started thinking about some things. In the previous month, Yun Feiyu suddenly rushed back to the sect ahead of schedule due to the summons of the true inheritors.
He wondered if the true inheritors’ appearance here had anything to do with this and if it had anything to do with Yun Feiyu’s decision to give up on one three-thousand-point mission and miss out on the top rank on the Contribution Ranking.
Clearly, there was a considerable benefit involved. Unfortunately, Xiao Chen was alone and did not have a force backing him. He felt curious, but he could not mingle with these true inheritors.
High in the skies above the hall, four of the other true inheritors of the Supreme Sky Sect watched as Yun Feiyu left with that group of true inheritors. Their expressions seemed grave.
Xiao Chen would recognize two out of these four people—Chen Xiao and Wang Cheng. Of which, Xiao Chen had some friendship with Chen Xiao.
Wang Cheng said to a black-clad youth on the right, “Senior Brother Hu, it looks like Hua Tianhe and his group have sought out Yun Feiyu. We are in trouble this time.”
The black-clad man with the family name Hu sighed softly. “Without a doubt, the strongest person in the inner sect is Yun Feiyu. Within a year, at most, he will become a true inheritor. With his help, the balance of strength between Hua Tianhe and our group will be broken.”
“Should we seek out someone from the inner sect as well?” the only girl of the four, a graceful girl, suggested softly.
The black-clad man smiled bitterly. “It is easy to say that. We are aiming to kill a peak Rank 8 Spirit Beast. No matter how many weaklings come, they would only be sending themselves to death. They might even mess things up.”
The others thought about what he said and agreed. Just the aura of a peak Rank 8 Spirit Beast would scare some people. When the time came, these people might get flustered. If they had to split their attention, to take care of these people, they might as well not have them.
Just at this moment, Chen Xiao thought of someone. He said, “I know a person. Perhaps he can help us. Although his cultivation is low, he has a strong physical body. Furthermore, he has consumed Monarch Blood Grass and would not fear the aura of a peak Rank 8 Spirit Beast.”
“Who?”
The other three were all interested and could not help turning to look at Chen Xiao simultaneously. They usually spent their time bitterly cultivating or braving dangers outside. So they did not know much about the inner sect disciples.
—
“Spirit Gathering Pearls…Spirit Gathering Pearls…I still have too few!” Xiao Chen muttered after collecting his stipend and remuneration.
As the top ranker of the Contribution Ranking, he received one million Superior Grade Spirit Stones, one hundred Inferior Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls, and ten Medial Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls.
To Xiao Chen, who had hit a bottleneck, Superior Grade Spirit Stones and Inferior Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls would not be of much help. No matter how many of them there were, they would be useless.
Compared to Inferior Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls, Medial Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls were much more precious. Not only would these require higher-quality Spirit Stones, but they would also exhaust even more of a Martial Sage’s Source Energy.
Regular Martial Sages would not be able to refine Medial Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls. Only a Superior Grade Martial Sage or a peak Martial Sage could easily refine Medial Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls.
Superior Grade Martial Sages or peak Martial Sages were the mainstays of a Rank 9 sect. There would not be too many of them in a sect.
After these Martial Sages reached this level, they would not have much time to refine Medial Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls. They would spend most of their time comprehending the Dao, to see if they could break through to Martial Emperor before the end of their lifespan.
Their primary duties would be holding down the fort, ensuring the stability of the Supreme Sky Province, and preventing strong Spirit Beasts, loose cultivators, and Demonic Calamities from wreaking havoc.
It would be terrific if these Martial Sages refined a hundred Medial Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls—which would not even be enough to split among the nine true inheritors, not to mention the thousands of inner sect disciples.
From this fact, it was easy to imagine how precious a Medial Grade Spirit Gathering Pearl was. Trying to buy one with Spirit Stones outside the sect would require paying a sky-high price.
“I need to get the top rank again. Twenty Medial Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls would be enough for my breakthrough.”
A resolute look flashed in Xiao Chen’s eyes. Despite the threat of Yun Feiyu, he did not care. He, Xiao Chen, had never been afraid of competition.
When Xiao Chen returned to his courtyard, he was surprised to find four figures chatting leisurely outside his door. The aura from each of them was unfathomable.
These people had incredibly strong cultivations. Even though their auras were withdrawn, they could not be underestimated. Clearly, they were extraordinary.
A strange light flashed in Xiao Chen’s eyes as he arrived before the four people. He performed a cupped-fist salute and said, “Xiao Chen greets the four Senior Brothers and Sister.”
This was the etiquette to adhere to in this sect. When one met with a true inheritor, they had to show their respect. According to the rules, one had to perform not only a cupped-fist salute but also a bow to show their respect.
However, Xiao Chen had his pride. Although the four were strong, they were not at a level that he would bow to.
When Wang Cheng saw Xiao Chen, a brilliant light flashed in his eyes. He smiled and said, “Junior Brother Chen, after you’ve spoken so much about this person’s achievements, it turns out to be him.”
Wang Cheng had met Xiao Chen two months ago. At that time, Xiao Chen was an early-stage Inferior Grade Martial Monarch. Furthermore, his Quintessence was not stable and pure.
The only thing that stood out was Xiao Chen’s strong physical body. He was able to clash head-on with the battle realm’s Situ Gang, but that was all.
Xiao Chen’s improvements did not look like much, either. The Spiritual Energy was very dense in the Kunlun Realm. Furthermore, he had Spirit Gathering Pearls available for him to make breakthroughs.
Logically speaking, an ordinary genius would be able to advance to Medial Grade Martial Monarch in two months’ time. However, Xiao Chen was still an Inferior Grade Martial Monarch. It could only be said that he did not have much talent for cultivating.
Thus, Wang Cheng did not think much of Xiao Chen. He only shook his head and did not say more.
The only girl of the four also frowned slightly. She said, “Junior Brother Chen, even if this person used the Monarch Blood Grass and half a drop of Dragon Marrow, his cultivation is too low. He probably would not even be able to break the defense of a peak Rank 8 Spirit Beast.”
However, the black-clad youth, who was the leader, stared at Xiao Chen without saying anything. His black eyes flickered with spots of light as if he had discovered something but did not dare to believe it.
Xiao Chen felt confused when he heard all this. What peak Rank 8 Spirit Beast? What low cultivation? What does all this have to do with me?
Since the other party did not explain, Xiao Chen did not ask. He only waited calmly for them to speak further.
Suddenly, the black-clad youth, who had been silent all this time, said, “Xiao Chen, if I am not wrong, while you are an Inferior Grade Martial Monarch, you have refined your Quintessence twice, right?”
The moment the black-clad youth said that, the other three were startled. They looked at Xiao Chen again, this time with expressions of disbelief.
If one refined their Quintessence once before consuming the Quintessence Gathering Pill, the heart-wrenching pain that resulted could be fatal.
Since the ancient times, many people had dared to try refining their Quintessence twice. However, the number of people who could actually endure to the end were few. Furthermore, the future of these people had been bright; they ended up becoming heroes of their time.
Since the other party could tell, Xiao Chen had nothing to hide. So he gently nodded in admission.
“So that is why.” The black-clad youth smiled faintly and said, “In that case, based on your cultivation, you should be as strong as a regular peak Medial Grade Martial Monarch. Adding in your strong physical body, you should be able to fight a Superior Grade Martial Monarch.”
Wang Cheng revealed doubt in his eyes. Still disbelieving, he asked, “Junior Brother Xiao, would you mind if I test you?”
The black-clad youth entered deep thought. Then, he nodded and said, “Junior Brother Xiao Chen, if you can take a blow from Wang Cheng, we will give you a great opportunity.”
Xiao Chen had both the cultivation and a strong physical body. Nevertheless, the crux of the matter lay in how much strength he could bring out.
Of the four people, Chen Xiao winked at Xiao Chen slightly, urging him to grasp this chance well.
Regardless of whether there was an opportunity for him or not, Xiao Chen would face this blow seriously. He had heard of the true inheritors’ fame and had long wanted to test himself against them.
“Junior Brother Xiao, I will only use thirty percent of my strength in this blow. As long as you do not go flying, I will consider it a pass,” Wang Cheng said thoughtfully as he looked at Xiao Chen.
Wang Cheng was a late-stage Superior Grade Martial Monarch and had consumed the Quintessence Gathering Pill thrice. Furthermore, he had taken the valuable Superior Grade Quintessence Gathering Pill all three times.
After refining his Quintessence three times, Wang Cheng’s Quintessence reached a very intense level. The purity of his Quintessence was even scarier.
Even though Wang Cheng would exert only thirty percent of his strength, the Quintessence used would be equal to that of a Medial Grade Martial Monarch.
However, Wang Cheng’s requirements were not high. He only asked that Xiao Chen not get knocked off his feet. Being push back a few steps was still acceptable.
Xiao Chen held some anticipation in his heart. He nodded gravely and said, “Senior Brother Wang, please make your move!”
“Here I come!”
Wang Cheng did not seem to go through any process of gathering power. He merely waved his hand, and his aura erupted out. He released a jade-colored glow from his palm.
Then, he shot forward like an arrow tearing through the obstructing air ahead of him. His motion created two painfully strong gusts of wind that blew on Xiao Chen’s face and sent both their clothes fluttering.
Wang Cheng moved as fast as lightning. In half a breath, he arrived before Xiao Chen. Then, he sent his glowing right palm at Xiao Chen’s chest.
Xiao Chen made a quick decision in the time it took for a spark to fly. He gave up on a pure defense and took a step forward instead, merging his Quintessence and Vital Qi together.
Then, he sent a similar palm strike forward before everyone’s shocked gazes.
The other three true inheritors were quite surprised. They had not expected Xiao Chen to be so bold. He chose to attack Wang Cheng instead of simply defending.
“Boom!”
The two palms clashed, and a loud explosion resounded. A hundred-meter-long crack appeared in the ground under the two. The other three true inheritors quickly moved aside.
A horrifying force blasted out from the palms, forming visible and chaotic shock waves that immediately knocked Xiao Chen back.
However, this was not all. The true inheritor Wang Cheng flew back like an arrow. The shock wave knocked him back a hundred meters before he landed on the ground heavily.
Wang Cheng’s Qi and blood surged. He circulated his Quintessence with all his might. His Quintessence swelled like a vast river, gushing without end. Finally, he suppressed all the Quintessence and Vital Qi that infiltrated his body.
Xiao Chen was in a slightly sorrier state. After getting knocked back a hundred meters, he did not suppress the Quintessence surging in his body after he landed, vomiting a mouthful of blood.
However, Xiao Chen had a strong physical body. Furthermore, Wang Cheng did not use any Martial Technique nor had he used a killing blow. So Xiao Chen suffered only a light injury.
Chen Xiao smiled faintly and said, “Senior Brother Hu, how are we going to grade this? Both of them were knocked back.”
The black-clad youth seemed very pleased. He laughed loudly, “How should we grade this? Just ask Wang Cheng. See if he is not embarrassed to say that he won.”
Wang Cheng was certainly chagrined as a true inheritor. An Inferior Grade Martial Monarch had knocked him back. Although he used only thirty percent of his strength, he had already humiliated himself enough.
He smiled bitterly and said, “Please don’t mock me. I really embarrassed myself this time. However, we have indeed found a treasure.”
That girl’s eyes lit up, and she smiled as she looked at Xiao Chen with satisfaction.
The black-clad youth walked over to Xiao Chen, taking big strides, and handed Xiao Chen a jade bottle. “There are ten Medial Grade Spirit Gathering Pearls here. Use them tonight to advance to Medial Grade Martial Monarch. We will come and look for you tomorrow.”
