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Chapter 548: The Reactions of All Parties
Chapter 548: The Reactions of All Parties
January 10th, 2025
Su Chen's performance today had brought considerable benefits to the Golden Bell Society.
Over the years, the Golden Bell Society had been cautious in issuing invitations.
To achieve good results, they even proactively sought out exceptional warriors.
However, their efforts in recent years had been in vain.
They had invited outstanding warriors, but the other five major powers had also brought forth impressive contenders.
Today, Su Chen's feat of reaching the highest point had broken the embarrassing record of the Golden Bell Society, where no one had surpassed the waterfall in the past fifteen years.
It was a commendable achievement, but it was also a blow to their reputation.
Before the competition began, Su Chen, who had come with their invitation, was ridiculed and mocked by the members of the Golden Bell Society.
Their words of sarcasm and jest were unheard of before.
But now, the person they had underestimated had achieved remarkable results, effectively slapping the Golden Bell Society in the face.
With so many witnesses around, the Golden Bell Society's judgment was put to the test.
They had clearly misjudged Su Chen's abilities.
Among them, Xu Qiming was the most embarrassed.
When Su Chen reached halfway up, some had already distanced themselves from him.
Those who had spoken on his behalf earlier had turned their backs on him.
Many even mocked him in return.
Xu Qiming became more silent than before, his face changing through various shades of red and blue.
As Su Chen reached the top, his face turned pale.
At the top of the Celestial Vortex Waterfall.
Su Chen stood in the river, gazing at the scene before him.
The Celestial Vortex Waterfall did not flow down from a single riverbed.
Instead, it originated from a cave.
Water gushed out from the cave, creating a powerful aura.
Although he wasn't suspended in mid-air, Su Chen still felt a tremendous amount of pressure.
Before coming here, Su Chen had heard that reaching the top of the waterfall would bring the greatest benefits.
As he climbed the waterfall, Su Chen triggered numerous mechanisms along the way.
Only by activating these mechanisms could he unlock the mysteries at the top.
After a moment's hesitation, Su Chen quickly stepped forward.
He approached the center where the torrent gushed out and triggered the final mechanism.
Suddenly, the gushing water parted, creating a hollow space.
It seemed to be inviting him to enter.
Without hesitation, Su Chen leaped into the opening.
As he entered, the hollow space closed behind him.
Today was the eighteenth day of the Celestial Vortex Waterfall training.
There were still others waiting to take the challenge.
However, the pressure on the subsequent participants would be even greater.
The onlookers surrounding the area had their own thoughts, but they didn't seem to be paying much attention to the competition.
Su Chen, however, was focused solely on his task.
Beyond the waterfall was a spacious cave.
Although there was no rushing water, the aura still assaulted him in waves.
Su Chen concentrated, not daring to relax for a moment.
The cave below had some depth.
He proceeded cautiously.
On the cave floor, Su Chen noticed numerous footprints, likely left by previous challengers.
As he ventured deeper, the footprints became sparser.
After passing through a narrow passage, he could no longer see any other footprints.
The powerful aura reached its peak, threatening to sweep away anyone who didn't stand firm.
The aura surged, relentlessly assaulting Su Chen's body.
Under such pressure, a fifth-stage warrior like Su Chen had to exert all his strength to barely maintain stability.
During this process, Su Chen's control over his body rapidly improved.
From the moment he started climbing the waterfall, he had been constantly familiarizing himself with his martial arts and practicing.
Upon entering the cave, he integrated all his knowledge and insights.
As he progressed, from his initial glimpse into the martial path to his current fifth-stage, memories flashed before his eyes.
All his past experiences and lessons were jumbled together, presenting themselves to him.
Su Chen stood in the cave, feeling the pressure of the aura.
In his mind, everything changed.
Every inch and every part of his body were under his utmost control.
He knew precisely where the aura was exerting pressure.
His command over his physical body seemed to have reached its pinnacle.
Every fraction was under his control.
When he opened his eyes again, Su Chen felt refreshed.
Unconsciously, he raised his hands and examined them.
There was a sense of unfamiliarity with his own body, a feeling that made Su Chen vaguely sense he had taken another step forward.
The Fifth Rank Intermediate Realm had advanced further, reaching the Fifth Rank Perfection Realm, and he was about to advance!
This unfamiliar feeling from his body made Su Chen understand the Transformation Realm even more.
Stepping into the Transformation Realm would undoubtedly be a significant transformation.
He was fortunate to have maintained a cautious attitude from beginning to end.
When facing various dangers and threats, he had never acted recklessly.
He wasn't arrogant enough to confront a Transformation Realm expert head-on.
Now, he was just one step away, the final step.
Once he took this step, he would truly enter the Transformation Realm.
Like a dragon diving into the deep abyss, a tiger entering the mountains, and an eagle soaring into the high heavens.
After reaching the Transformation Realm, he would no longer need to hide like he did today.
The true counterattack would begin from this point.
After regaining his composure, Su Chen tried to continue deeper.
But before he could go far, he had already reached the limit.
There was nothing extraordinary about this cave, but it could genuinely help him improve his martial arts prowess.
After taking a look around, Su Chen retraced his steps.
The return journey was relatively relaxed.
He just needed to stop resisting the pressure and let his aura push him along.
In less than a quarter of an hour, he was pushed out.
Avoiding the turbulent waters, Su Chen leaped down from the side.
It seemed he had spent quite some time inside.
Outside, dusk had already fallen.
Those who had participated in the training seemed to have finished.
But these people, one by one, didn't leave.
Seeing Su Chen emerge, many exchanged glances.
After a moment, someone started whispering.
At the same time, some finally began to leave.
It seemed they had been waiting here to see when Su Chen would come out.
Su Chen didn't pay them any mind; he could still rest here for the night and depart tomorrow.
As he prepared to leave, Su Chen called for his attendant, Tao Mu.
At this moment, some people around him started to approach him.
The three young men who had been with Su Chen on the viewing platform halfway up the mountain a couple of days ago had come to him.
"Brother Su, your abilities are extraordinary. May we have the honor of chatting and discussing with you?"
Recalling the previous day, when they learned that Su Chen had no background and that the Upper Invitation was unexpectedly obtained, their faces had changed rapidly.
When facing Su Chen, their expressions had instantly turned cold.
Now, they were enthusiastic again and wanted to befriend him.
In this world, one often witnessed the cold reality of life.
Night had fallen, and several taverns in Celestial Vortex Town had prepared banquets.
These banquets were routinely prepared annually.
After the training ended each year, they would organize a feast.
Regardless of whether anyone reached the highest rank or not, experiencing the journey was already a gain.
Using this banquet as an opportunity, everyone would forge closer relationships.
Young people could exchange ideas and engage in discussions.
More importantly, this banquet was a chance for the six powers to establish connections.
These six forces were entrenched in Celestial Vortex Town.
Their ability to stand firm here was primarily due to the backing of their respective powers.
However, if they only had the support of one or two powers, the risk would be too great.
If something went wrong one day, they would be quickly eliminated.
The six powers were all striving to establish connections with more forces and build better relationships with various sects.
Originally, Su Chen was a guest invited by the Golden Bell Society.
According to tradition, whoever invited a guest would be responsible for drawing them closer and fostering a deeper relationship, especially with those who performed exceptionally well.
Since they received more benefits, they would naturally be more grateful to the person who invited them.
Su Chen should indeed be grateful to the Golden Bell Society.
But all of this had been ruined by Xu Qiming.
At this moment, people from the other five powers were talking and interacting with Su Chen.
Only Xu Qiming and the Golden Bell Society remained silent.
This incident had further damaged their reputation.
After today's events, many started to believe that the Golden Bell Society was unlucky.
They were plagued by misfortune.
Anyone they invited would struggle to achieve good results.
If someone wanted to excel after being invited by them, they would have to create a fuss.
This rumor was clearly slanderous.
It was meant to subconsciously reject the Golden Bell Society among the influential powers.
If this scheme succeeded, the Golden Bell Society might be expelled from Celestial Vortex Town.
Su Chen wasn't one for socializing with these people.
But he wasn't the type to embarrass others in public either.
Tonight's banquet was merely a formality with people from various factions.
The previous teasing was something Su Chen would never hear again.
Whether it was the representatives from those factions or the participants of the training, everyone was polite, even after Su Chen mentioned his lack of backing.
They remained courteous despite knowing he wasn't from a major sect or a prestigious family.
When you display your abilities and talents, people will flock to you.
But when you don't reveal your strengths, their attitudes can quickly turn sour.
The banquet ended at the end of the hour of the dog.
Su Chen left with his attendant, Peachwood.
Peachwood, who had already shown his competence, became even more respectful after witnessing Su Chen's performance.
His words even carried a hint of anticipation.
Su Chen could sense it in their conversation.
Peachwood hoped that Su Chen would allow him to follow and serve by his side.
Without hesitation, Su Chen directly rejected him.
"The Celestial Vortex Waterfall, every three to five years, someone manages to traverse it.
My performance today isn't that extraordinary.
There are many powerful Transformation Realm experts and countless warriors capable of reaching that realm.
They simply haven't come to Celestial Vortex Town for training.
Following me might bring more danger and fewer benefits."
Hearing this, Peachwood responded seriously.
"Master, you make it sound easy, but the reality is far more challenging.
The Celestial Vortex Waterfall training is meant to aid warriors in advancing to the Transformation Realm.
However, not all warriors capable of reaching that realm can conquer the top of the waterfall.
Countless warriors who came here couldn't reach the summit, but many of them still advanced to the Transformation Realm."
Su Chen was surprised to learn that the Celestial Vortex Waterfall was even more difficult than he had imagined.
"To be honest, I've heard many people say that they performed poorly here, but within a year of returning, they advanced to the Transformation Realm.
Having the ability to reach the Transformation Realm doesn't guarantee conquering the Celestial Vortex Waterfall.
Those who truly reach the top of the waterfall have potential beyond just the Transformation Realm."
Peachwood's words revealed his primary reason for wanting to follow Su Chen.
Although he was an attendant, Su Chen could sense his exceptional abilities.
He was more capable than many other attendants.
"My life isn't as carefree as it seems.
I have numerous troubles, and if you follow me, your days might not be easy.
You might even put yourself in mortal danger."
Su Chen wasn't lying.
He indeed faced many problems.
He had hidden his mother and younger sister away.
If Peachwood followed him, he would also encounter these issues.
If Wuluan Mansion captured him, they would subject him to harsh interrogation.
"Master, rest assured. Since I'm willing to follow you, I've already considered the potential dangers.
Even if I lose my life, I'll have no regrets."
These words made it difficult for Su Chen to refuse.
Observing Peachwood, Su Chen acknowledged his abilities.
But he didn't need an attendant.
With his capabilities, he shouldn't settle for being an ordinary follower.
"How about this: if you truly have aspirations, I can point you in the right direction.
But it's not about becoming my attendant.
It's about taking on more challenging tasks, navigating and maneuvering among the major powers of Jin State."
Su Chen's words lit up Peachwood's eyes for a moment.
But soon after, doubt crept in.
"Master, you have such high regard for me, but I'm not sure if I can live up to your expectations."
"Don't worry, your abilities are more than sufficient.
However, this task isn't simple; it will require a lot of effort.
And the rewards are immense.
Often, a single reward can sustain you for a decade or two."
Su Chen's response clarified the challenges and hinted at the potential gains.
The mention of rewards particularly piqued Peachwood's interest.
It was natural for him to seek benefits in following Su Chen.
Desiring profit was only human.
Su Chen intended to send him to Duan Qinglang to join the intelligence-gathering team.
Peachwood was skilled at discerning matters.
His meticulous nature made him well-suited for this task.
(End of Chapter)
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