Chapter 26: Recognition of Strength, News of Yun Qian

Seeing Huo Qing’s travel-worn appearance, Jiang Moying’s cold expression softened slightly. However, her scrutinizing gaze continued to linger on him.

"Huo Qing, I wonder if you are at the early or middle stage of the Heavenly Spirit Realm? Our current mission may involve encountering spirit beasts, and if your strength is insufficient, I fear it will be difficult for you to even protect yourself," Jiang Moying said coolly.

Huo Qing, who was greeting the other two, paused, then gave a faint smile. "I have not reached the Heavenly Spirit Realm. However, I believe strength is not measured solely by cultivation level, so I consider myself qualified for this task."

Silence fell abruptly over the area. The three of them froze, their brows knitting together.

"Pfft..."

A mocking laugh broke the silence. Jiang Moying stepped forward, her face full of disdain. "Huo Qing, I don't mean to discourage you, but the Heavenly Origin Spirit-Nurturing Fruit Tree we are retrieving possesses a form of spiritual backlash that manifests during transport. Someone with Heavenly Spirit Realm strength can easily resist it, but if one is below that level, it becomes extremely difficult."

The other two looked at Huo Qing with strange expressions, implying that he might not even be capable of the simplest transport work.

Huo Qing looked at the three of them, who had fallen silent, and gave a faint smile. "Is Heavenly Spirit Realm strength a prerequisite? If so, why don't you come and test my capabilities yourself?"

As his voice fell, Huo Qing’s figure suddenly vanished from where he stood.

"What?!" Jiang Moying’s brow tightened as she watched him disappear.

"Stop playing tricks! I refuse to believe that someone at the Earth Spirit Realm can harm me!" Jiang Moying sneered. A flash of light emanated from her hand as a silver longsword materialized.

"Firefly Slash!"

She channeled her spiritual energy into the blade, causing it to ripple with light. A fierce surge of power swept outward, followed by a violent eruption of sword energy. However, in the next instant, her body stiffened. She sensed an extreme sense of danger emanating from behind her.

She turned slowly, only to find that Huo Qing had arrived behind her at some point, with the tip of an unadorned sword pressed against her throat. The sharpness was so intense that it had already pricked a tiny drop of blood from her skin.

"How is this possible?!" Jiang Moying stared at Huo Qing in disbelief, fear surging through her like a tidal wave.

"Hiss..."

Behind them, Gu Shiya and Ling Fengbo gasped. They exchanged a glance, both seeing a flicker of shock in the other’s eyes. The speed Huo Qing had displayed, along with that terrifying strike, left them feeling a sense of threat. Gu Shiya, in particular, wore a grave expression; as someone in the early Heavenly Spirit Realm herself, she realized she would have fared no better.

"It seems we misjudged you," Gu Shiya and Ling Fengbo said with a bitter smile, extending their hands.

Huo Qing smiled back. "It’s fine. As teammates, it is only natural for you to be concerned about my strength. But now, I trust you believe in me?"

Gu Shiya smiled sweetly. "I certainly do. In fact, I am now quite relieved. You are stronger than the average early-stage Heavenly Spirit Realm cultivator. If we were to compare, I suspect only Ling Fengbo might have a slight edge over you."

Huo Qing nodded with a smile. Ling Fengbo laughed honestly and shook hands with Huo Qing.

"In that case, let us depart immediately."

The four of them leaped onto the massive back of the Ancient Sky-Piercing Eagle and sat cross-legged. The eagle spread its vast wings, tearing through the clouds with a piercing cry as it surged forward.

"The distance from here to Linwu Prefecture is vast. Even at the speed of the Ancient Sky-Piercing Eagle, it will take three days to arrive," Gu Shiya said. During the flight, she did not cultivate, choosing instead to explain the precautions for the journey.

Huo Qing stopped his cultivation to listen attentively.

"The Spirit Rock region in Linwu Prefecture is rife with bandits. We must not act recklessly just because we are disciples of the Canglan Sword Sect. Once we secure the spirit tree, we must leave immediately," Gu Shiya said, looking around with a stern expression.

The three of them nodded. The Canglan Sword Sect dominated the Eastern Continent, directly or indirectly governing over a hundred prefectures, which is why tasks from the Mission Hall were often located in these areas. In the past, even if disciples failed their missions, the sheer influence of the Canglan Sword Sect ensured they were rarely in mortal danger.

This time, however, was an exception. Linwu Prefecture was too far from the sect. As the saying goes, "The heavens are high and the emperor is far away"—the reputation of the Canglan Sword Sect was significantly diminished there, leading to several uncertainties for this mission.

After hearing these key points, Huo Qing dismissed the matter and returned to his cultivation. Beside him, Gu Shiya finished her cycle and looked at Huo Qing, her heart still harboring a trace of shock.

"Huo Qing might be one of the top three talents among this year's new recruits at the Canglan Sword Sect," Ling Fengbo remarked, clicking his tongue as he watched Huo Qing. Even in his own year, he had been a top recruit, but he had never encountered someone as inscrutable as Huo Qing.

"Earth Spirit Realm cultivation, yet such terrifying strength. Perhaps it has to do with his Qi Reservoir," Gu Shiya suggested.

"The Qi Reservoir? I heard that there is a specially admitted student this year with a Seven-Pattern Qi Reservoir. They say that as soon as such a talent appeared, they were scrambled for by the top brass, eventually being taken as a personal disciple by the Three Sword Sovereigns," Gu Shiya said, her eyes filled with deep wonder. "A Seven-Pattern Qi Reservoir—what a monstrous talent. It hasn't appeared on the Eastern Continent for nearly ten thousand years. Perhaps he will one day reach the Supreme Realm."

"I think his name is... Yun Qian?"

*Boom!*

As soon as she finished speaking, a violent burst of spiritual energy erupted. The two looked over in astonishment to see that Huo Qing had opened his eyes, staring at them with an intense gaze.

"Yun Qian... you truly are extraordinary. However, only someone like you is worthy of being my rival," Huo Qing muttered to himself.

...

On the third day.

"We've arrived!" Gu Shiya’s excited voice rang out. The group looked ahead to see a massive gap in the vast, endless mountain range. The Ancient Sky-Piercing Eagle let out a clear cry as it tilted its head.

The group felt a jolt as the eagle began to descend slowly onto a wide expanse of land. At the edge of an endless, lush sea of forest stood a towering stone tablet reaching toward the clouds. Carved into its surface were the words: "Linwu Prefecture."

Gu Shiya lifted her chin and smiled. "We’ve finally arrived. Let’s head to the location of the Heavenly Origin Spirit-Nurturing Fruit Tree immediately!"

"Agreed!" The three nodded and surged forward.