Chapter 72: Chapter 68: Formidable

That cry of “a worthy successor has appeared” was like a spark in a pan of hot oil, instantly setting the deathly silent Zhou Institute ablaze.

“Tran… Transmutation Force! Brother Chen is a Transmutation Force master!”

It was unclear who, but someone hoarsely shouted this fact, their voice trembling with disbelief.

Gasps of shock rose and fell, and the faces of all the disciples were etched with utter shock and disbelief.

The color had yet to return to Sun Shun’s face, and a storm raged in his heart. He stared intently at Chen Qing, as if seeing this junior brother for the very first time.

The new disciples, like Bai Rui, were so excited they trembled all over. Their gazes toward Chen Qing were filled with an almost fanatical worship.

Luo Qian had lowered the hand covering her mouth, her eyes wide as if she were in a dream.

Zhengzi Bridge’s eyes were also filled with disbelief, as if he still hadn’t processed what had happened.

This was Chen Qing, the one who usually buried his head in bitter training, the one with an average Root Bone. He had quietly, without a word, stepped into the Transmutation Force Realm!

The value of such a young Transmutation Force master was simply immeasurable!

Liu Nianbo was even more dumbfounded, as if struck by lightning. That Chen Qing had actually managed to withstand two of his father’s moves.

And the strength his opponent had displayed! It was precisely the Transmutation Force he had always dreamed of achieving.

This peer, who just a few months ago was merely a Third-Class Martial Scholar, had silently surpassed him and even… reached the same level as his father?!

“Good, excellent!”

Zhou Liang shot to his feet. An unprecedented light erupted from his cloudy eyes, as if he had instantly become ten years younger.

Relief and wild joy churned in his eyes.

Zhou Yu looked at Chen Qing, her eyes filled with surprise, excitement, and a profound sense of relief.

The gloom that had hung over the Zhou Institute recently, the heavy weight on her father’s brow—it all seemed to be swept away by Chen Qing’s breakthrough.

Zhou Liang asked, “How did you break through to Transmutation Force?”

Chen Qing cupped his fist and said, “This disciple trained bitterly at home. Thanks to the Treasure Medicine gifted by Master, I was able to open the Baihui and Yongquan acupoints and decided to attempt Breaking Through. I never expected that by a stroke of luck, I would shatter my shackles and fortunately reach Transmutation Force.”

’A stroke of luck?!’

Hearing Chen Qing’s words, the corner of Liu Ze’s mouth couldn’t help but twitch.

Breaking through to Manifest Force by a stroke of luck might be possible, but Transmutation Force? He didn’t believe a single word of that, anyway.

“It is a possibility.”

Zhou Liang walked over to Chen Qing’s side and began to analyze the situation for him, his voice laced with irrepressible joy. “It must be that you’ve always been diligent and unceasing in your training, building an incredibly solid foundation. After such long accumulation, a breakthrough with a little bit of luck…”

He could barely hide the smile on his face.

For the entire Zhou Institute, Chen Qing’s breakthrough was a Stabilizing Needle.

A young Transmutation Force master in his prime overseeing things was enough to make any covetous party think twice.

Zhou Liang asked with concern, “Now that you’ve broken through to Transmutation Force, do you want to hold a celebratory ceremony?”

His tone was inquisitive.

Chen Qing cupped his fist and replied, “This disciple’s foundation is still shallow. For now, I’d rather not.”

’There’s no real benefit to such an event, and it would only attract more attention.’

’It’s best to be moderate in all things.’

“As you wish.”

Zhou Liang nodded, then added a solemn warning, “You have just broken through to Transmutation Force. Your control over your Power will inevitably be unfamiliar. You should focus on consolidating your foundation and avoid getting into fights easily.”

“This disciple understands,” Chen Qing replied respectfully.

Zhou Liang nodded and turned to Liu Ze. “Brother Liu, let’s end today’s sparring here. We should go find Brother Shen now.”

He couldn’t wait to share this happy news with Shen Zhenzhong.

A whirlwind of feelings churned inside Liu Ze, a mix of envy and bitterness. Though completely unwilling, he had no choice but to nod.

Then, the two of them left the Zhou Institute together.

“Congratulations, Junior Brother Chen!”

Liu Xiaolou and Qi Wenhao were the first to come forward, cupping their fists in congratulation.

Their relationship with Chen Qing in the institute had been casual, but now that he had broken through to Transmutation Force, this was a chance to build goodwill.

Chen Qing returned the gesture with his own cupped fist. “Thank you.”

Zhengzi Bridge, having come to his senses, also hurried forward, repeatedly saying, “Congratulations, Junior Brother Chen!”

’I need to figure out what kind of generous gift to prepare.’

A Transmutation Force master was a top-tier expert in Gaolin County.

Since the passing of his great-grandfather, the Zheng Family had many Dark Energy Experts, but not a single one at the Transmutation Force level.

In Gaolin County, aside from the Five Great Races, Transmutation Force masters among the other families were exceedingly rare.

As long as a family had a Transmutation Force master presiding over it, they were guaranteed a spot in the first tier right below the Five Great Races.

His father had always placed his hopes on him, but only he himself knew how slim those hopes truly were.

At this moment, regret churned within Luo Qian.

’If only I had swallowed my pride back then and taken the initiative to befriend Chen Qing… a sliver of opportunity might have been in my grasp.’

She understood the weight of a Transmutation Force master better than most people present. As soon as someone broke through to Transmutation Force, the Five Great Races would spare no effort, no expense, to win them over.

And those minor wealthy merchants would resort to any means necessary to latch onto a Transmutation Force master.

Winning over a Transmutation Force master, and a young one at that, would be enough for her to stand out in the Luo Family and gain significant influence.

’But now… it’s too late for any of that! We both came from poor backgrounds. Qin Lie went mad, yet Chen Qing became a great Transmutation Force master!’

’And I even prided myself on being a good judge of character.’

The more Luo Qian thought about it, the more her guts twisted with regret.

She subconsciously scanned her surroundings, afraid that someone might see her embarrassment, only to find that no one was paying her any attention at all.

Liu Nianbo’s composure had long since vanished, replaced by a powerful sense of loss that washed over him.

’If we had actually fought just now, I probably would have been utterly humiliated in public.’

He forced a smile, walked over to Chen Qing to offer a “Congratulations,” then hastily left with the disciples from the Liu Institute.

All the disciples present were shaken to their core.

The resentment and jealousy that had been lurking within them now completely vanished.

The Transmutation Force Realm was simply too distant a goal for ordinary disciples like them.

Hadn’t even a genius like Gao Sheng been beaten bloody by the high wall of Transmutation Force?

One could only imagine the difficulty.

“Congratulations, congratulations!”

Sun Shun came forward, genuinely happy for Chen Qing, yet also filled with emotion.

He still remembered the day Chen Qing first arrived at the Zhou Institute. It was the dead of winter, and the boy was so hungry from practicing his punches that he almost fainted. Master had told him to bring the boy two steamed buns… Who could have imagined that the shivering youth from back then would now be a Transmutation Force master?

Just then, Zhou Yu announced in a clear voice, “Alright, everyone, back to your training!”

The disciples finally snapped out of it as if waking from a dream. They began to pack up their equipment, but the sound of hushed whispers still lingered in the courtyard.

Before they knew it, the sun was setting in the west, and the disciples of the Martial Arts Hall gradually dispersed.

Chen Qing wiped the sweat from his brow and was about to leave.

Zhou Yu walked up to him and said in a low voice, “Junior Brother Chen, come with me for a moment.”

Chen Qing followed Zhou Yu to the rear courtyard.

“Wait here a moment.”

Zhou Yu said, then turned and went inside. She soon returned holding two brocade boxes. “This is a three-year-old Three Yang Grass Treasure Medicine. It has the effect of nourishing the five viscera and can also stabilize your qi and blood. Take it.”

Chen Qing was slightly taken aback. “This is…”

’A three-year-old Treasure Medicine should be even more valuable than that Silver Shuttle.’

Zhou Yu smiled faintly. “This is from my father. I don’t have this kind of wealth.”

Chen Qing understood. If such a precious Treasure Medicine were given to him in public, it would indeed stir up unnecessary trouble.

Chen Qing cupped his fist solemnly. “Thank you, Senior Sister.”

Zhou Yu instructed, “Junior Brother, your foundation has just been established. You must not leave behind any hidden dangers due to haste or carelessness. As for how to use this medicine, you can grind it into a powder, decoct it for one hour, and take it once every seven days. This way, the medicinal power will dissolve slowly and provide gentle nourishment, which is the most appropriate method.”

Chen Qing nodded. “Yes, I’ll remember that.”

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep