Chapter 512 - 287: Unboxing (Part 2)
Chapter 512: Chapter 287: Unboxing (Part 2)
Faced with Wu Qianhuan’s question, Chu Qing could only smack his lips and say:
"I have gained some insights into martial arts and have delved into it a bit."
"..."
Wu Qianhuan frowned:
"Haven’t you gained a bit too much insight...?"
The words came from the heart; he would go into seclusion and his martial arts prowess would grow at an unreasonable rate.
Wu Qianhuan was quite competitive by nature, always surpassing Chu Qing since childhood.
Chu Qing returned to Celestial Dance City as the Night Emperor; she admitted she wasn’t a match for him, and after knowing the Night Emperor’s identity, she accepted reality.
She hurriedly ran to seek Moon-Pointing Profound Skill from Master Yetan, hoping to progress rapidly. Even if it didn’t rival Chu Qing, it shouldn’t trail too far behind...
Little did she expect, upon their first meeting, the gap was vast. In a short period, Chu Qing had already left her in the dust.
This was evident from his two confrontations with Prince Xue.
The first time he barely let Prince Xue escape, the second time Prince Xue didn’t leave a trace.
This made it hard for Wu Qianhuan not to feel defeated.
Chu Qing knew Wu Qianhuan well; without looking at her, just listening to her words, he understood her meaning and said with a faint smile:
"If you and I practice Celestial Bright Swordsmanship together, you might also progress rapidly."
"..."
Wu Qianhuan was silent for a moment, then glared at Chu Qing unhappily.
"What is Celestial Bright Swordsmanship?"
Gentle asked from the side:
"If I train with Third Brother, can I enhance my power too?"
"Can you teach me? How about the three of us practice together?"
"This..."
Chu Qing began to consider the feasibility.
"That’s nonsense! You really dare to think, huh!"
Wu Qianhuan quickly pulled Gentle’s hand:
"Be good, listen, don’t be fooled by your mischievous Third Brother. He’s up to no good."
"Huh?"
Gentle was baffled, not understanding why enhancing power meant being up to no good.
Chu Qing also realized, finding it both funny and frustrating.
This was largely due to his habitual thinking.
For every martial art, he instinctively considered multiple possibilities to thoroughly understand it or transform it entirely.
So when Gentle mentioned it, Chu Qing immediately thought about how to achieve it.
He did forget that practicing Celestial Bright Swordsmanship first requires genuine openness.
In Wu Qianhuan’s eyes, it indeed seemed like something unscrupulous.
Seeing the two were about to drag on this topic, Chu Qing promptly shifted the conversation:
"Have you had breakfast?"
"No, I came to call you for a meal."
Wu Qianhuan quickly took the opportunity to shift over.
Chu Qing nodded:
"Let me freshen up."
The two ladies waited outside, and soon Chu Qing came out, and the three headed to find Lan Shuyi.
But there was no need to look; early in the morning, Lan Shuyi was already waiting at the door.
After last night’s commotion, everyone at Ding’an Hall’s headquarters knew things had changed... but it’s unrealistic to expect the people below to be loyal to Wang Fang.
Seeing the upper echelons had already switched sides, their situation unchanged, they let things slide.
As for those truly loyal to Wang Fang... most were cleaned out last night.
Those who hadn’t returned needed Lan Shuyi and Can Jiusheng to handle themselves.
At breakfast, Chu Qing instructed Lan Shuyi with two tasks.
The first was to have him send a letter to Blazing Hall; the letter was written by Chu Qing, explaining the situation at Ding’an Hall and linking them together.
Issues Lan Shuyi couldn’t resolve could be assisted by Blazing Hall.
When Ding’an Hall’s situation stabilizes, intercommunication is naturally expected.
The second task was for Lan Shuyi to help Chu Qing find someone.
This person’s name was ’Wang Kuan.’
And the origin of this name came from the clues provided in a system treasure chest.
Honestly, when Chu Qing saw the name, he was dumbfounded.
In a vast world, among countless people, where would he find such an ordinary name?
Could it be the system felt the previous clues were too direct?
So this time, it gave him something more profound?
Regardless, this clue left Chu Qing puzzled...
Moreover, the system only provided a name; whether the person was male or female, young or old, fat or thin... it gave no introduction whatsoever.
Overall, this broken clue was almost useless.
But... whatever the case, it still had to be found.
He asked not only Lan Shuyi but also Beitang Zun to search in the letter.
Given how commonplace the name was, they were likely to find many people.
So, Chu Qing instructed:
"If you find someone with this name, if they check out as ordinary, don’t bother.
"But if there’s something special or suspicious...
"Then think of a way to notify me."
"Yes."
Lan Shuyi nodded and agreed, as for how he planned to notify Chu Qing, that was Lan Shuyi’s own matter.
After breakfast, the trio did not linger.
One reason was that Chu Qing had finished what needed doing at Ding’an Hall the previous night.
Another reason was the urgency of the Xiao Han Valley matter.
He couldn’t afford to waste time here.
After bidding farewell to Lan Shuyi, the three set off northward.
Along the way, words flowed if they spoke, silence if they didn’t.
They crossed mountains, passed through city after city, urged their horses and braved nights, until they reached the entrance to Celestial Sect, where they briefly paused.
Celestial Sect was located below Heaven-Reaching Ridge; to cross Heaven-Reaching Ridge, one must first pass Celestial Sect.
Hearing that the Third Young Master had arrived, the people of Celestial Sect came out to welcome them.
The current Sect Leader of Celestial Sect even invited Chu Qing to stay a few days... after some back-and-forth, Chu Qing ultimately politely declined.
He really didn’t have time to stay longer.
They had been traveling tirelessly and even spent the New Year on the road; where was the time to dwell at Celestial Sect?
But under their hospitality, it was inevitable he stayed for a night.
This was one of the rare nights Chu Qing stayed without incident.
Early next morning, the Sect Leader personally escorted Chu Qing and his companions to Heaven-Reaching Ridge.
The venerable Daoist had an aura of immortality and light, looking much more agreeable than the previous courier, Daoist Qingguan.
He looked up at the endless mountains ahead and spoke solemnly:
"Within Heaven-Reaching Ridge lies mysteries and illusions; once inside, holding a compass does little to help with direction.
"After entering, use a red cloth as a guide; when it runs out, travel by night and use the stars to navigate.
"As long as you head north, with your pace, you should be able to cross within seven days."
Chu Qing clasped his fists in gratitude, then led Wu Qianhuan and Gentle into the Heaven-Reaching Ridge.
Initially, it was manageable; though the vast expanse was covered in white snow, the trees were sparse, and the daylight bright, every now and then, they saw the markings left by those who previously traversed the path.
But as they delved deeper, the trees grew denser, and looking in all directions, they realized everywhere looked the same, in the forest, unsure where it ended.
Even climbing to the treetop and looking around, all they saw was a snowy landscape.
Looking back, no sight of Celestial Sect; looking forward, no sign of Lingbei.
It felt like being alone in the deep sea, profoundly aware of the vastness of the world and the smallness of humans... evoking a sense of powerlessness.
And the red cloth didn’t extend far.
Fortunately, with the Sect Leader’s advice, the trio traveled by night, using the stars to discern directions, preventing them from getting lost in these boundless mountains.
One night on their journey, they held torches while traveling.
Wu Qianhuan suddenly had a whimsical thought:
"In this wildness of Heaven-Reaching Ridge, who knows if our direction is right or wrong; if we accidentally lose our way and enter Ghost Emperor Palace.
"Do you think the Ghost Emperor would believe the three of us are there to challenge him?"
Chu Qing chuckled, about to say the Ghost Emperor wasn’t in the palace.
Suddenly, he furrowed his brows slightly, looking at the torch in his hand.
He noticed that the originally normal flame unexpectedly carried a subtle, dark green hue.