The Great Martial Saint!

"The popularity rankings have been updated!?"

"Another new Grandmaster of the Wind and Cloud?"

"No! It's the Mangdao! The Mangdao's ranking has changed!"

"Bang Dao!? Wasn't he just ranked a few times already!?"

"hiss"

The updated Daqian Fengyun Ranking has captured the attention of countless people.

As the most prestigious ranking list at the Grandmaster level within the dynasty, every update of the Great Qian Ranking attracts the attention of countless people.

There are even many renowned martial arts masters!

These Grandmasters are renowned for their exceptional talent and combat prowess, far surpassing their peers. As long as they aren't too old, almost every one of them has the potential to ascend to the Celestial Realm.

Given this situation, how could any party not take it seriously?

Beihai Business Alliance, Duobao Chamber of Commerce.

"The popularity rankings have been updated?" A languid voice rang out, tinged with a seductive tone.

"Let me see who's on the list?"

Beneath the curtains and gauze canopy, a voluptuous and graceful figure slowly rose from the soft couch, exuding a languid charm, like a beautiful painting slowly unfolding.

"Mangdao?"

There was a hint of surprise in his voice, as if he hadn't expected this outcome.

Beihai Chamber of Commerce, Vientiane Chamber of Commerce.

"The popularity rankings have been updated!? The rankings for the 'Wild Blade' have changed!?"

"Northern Mountain Prefecture slays a pseudo-Celestial Tribulation cultivator!? Returns with the head of a demonic beast? Combat strength questionable."

"Comparable to top-tier pseudo-celestial beings!? With its trump cards, it might be able to suppress top-tier pseudo-celestial beings!"

"."

Beihai Chamber of Commerce, Jiuchen Chamber of Commerce.

"The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's evaluation of the Wild Blade is actually so high!?"

"Truly unbelievable. Top ten in the Hidden Dragon Ranking, top ten in the Wind and Cloud Ranking!"

"Top ten on both lists—such talent is truly rare. It's just a pity that this generation, the most fortunate in three thousand years, no matter how high their ranking on the Wind and Cloud List, can't ultimately rival the celestial beings!"

"That being said, Mang Dao's talent should not be underestimated. Given time, he will surely reach the Celestial Realm!"

"We will continue to monitor this matter, but the most urgent task is still to focus on Cangming's cultivation. Regardless of his foundation, if Cangming ascends to the Celestial Realm, then in the Merchant Alliance's recruitment of a son-in-law a little over a year from now, given Cangming's talent of less than a hundred years, he should be given preferential treatment in terms of comprehensive evaluation and resources. At that time, with the assistance of my Nine Stars Secret Technique to protect his precious treasures, spiritual objects, and sea beasts and spirit pets, Cangming's chances will be quite good!"

By the way, how's the taming of that fourth-tier Haretooth Beast going?

"Everything is going smoothly. We just need to wait for Cangming to break through his cultivation realm, then we will use the secret contract to form an alliance with him and make him our guardian force!"

"Very good!"

"."

Similar situations frequently occur within the Beihai Business Alliance as the popularity rankings are updated.

To be precise, not only the Beihai Merchant Alliance, but all forces within the dynasty have given considerable attention to the newly updated Ranking of Heroes.

"Top Ten in the Storm, This Wild Blade"

"His talent is extraordinary. Looking at the present generation, among the prodigies of his generation, perhaps only Li Wangchen's talent can surpass Mang Dao's. The rest of them probably have no chance at all."

"To reach the top ten in the world solely through swordsmanship, this Mang Dao is truly incredible."

"."

News of the updated popularity rankings also circulated within Beishan Pass. Compared to other places, Beishan Pass had a larger number of cultivators, a more intense competitive atmosphere, and more lively discussions among them.

"Chief Chen!"

"Returning with the bones and face of the evil eagle, it truly deserves this ranking."

"Among the many pseudo-Celestials in Beishan, Lord Chen's combat strength is probably second to none. Below the Celestials, Lord Chen is in a class of his own!"

"That is indeed the case."

"The rankings acknowledge this, so it seems that when Lord Chen killed Evil Eagle Boneface, he didn't rely on any life-saving secrets, but acted solely on his own combat strength!"

"Among the many pseudo-celestial beings in Beishan, perhaps only An Qingyang, the Imperial Envoy, can surpass Lord Chen!"

"That's right!"

"Speaking of which, Lord Chen is a deputy garrison commander. Is it really appropriate to compare him to An Gongfeng?"

“That’s normal! How many years has Lord Chen been cultivating?! His talent is exceptional and dazzling. This alone is enough to convince everyone.”

"That's true."

"."

Amidst the commotion, the major forces stationed in Beishan naturally learned of the latest news regarding the update of the Grandmaster Ranking long ago.

"interesting."

Gu Yueqian glanced at the information on the light screen in front of him, a playful smile appearing on his face.

Lei Xiaotian, having finished reviewing the latest issue of the Grandmaster Ranking in Jinglei Pavilion, remained calm and exuded an imposing aura.

Compared to Chen Ping'an's current position, his ranking on the popularity list is not surprising.

He was more concerned about Chen Ping'an's current age than the popularity rankings.

"Overpowering the power of a pseudo-celestial being?"

At the Fang family residence in Beishan, Fang Chengping looked at the information on the popularity rankings, chuckled twice, and quickly dispelled the light screen.

Suppressing the pseudo-celestial beings to the extreme is the only way!
As of now, only he knows about this matter.

It's a rare commodity, so it's worth hoarding.

"The Seventh in the Storm Riders?"

Hou Xibai glanced at the list once and then looked away.

Compared to the ranking of the Mangdao, he is now more concerned about himself.

After half a month, his plans were almost complete. Perhaps.
You can go and give it a try.

Ying Congyun stood by the window with his hands behind his back, while the man in animal skin beside him reported Chen Ping'an's latest ranking on the popularity list.

"My lord, the seventh-ranked Mangdao Fengyun, according to the Tianji Tower's assessment, possesses the power to suppress even the top-tier pseudo-Celestial Beings." The man, dressed in animal skins, had his chest exposed like a mountain.

"Okay." Ying Congyun nodded lightly, remaining noncommittal about the latest ranking of Mangdao.

Compared to the ranking of the Mangdao, what he is most concerned about now is the Netherworld Secret Realm, which is expected to open at some point in the near future.

It might take a year, a few months, or even tomorrow, news will arrive that strange phenomena have appeared in the Netherworld Secret Realm and the realm is about to open.

The secret realm holds countless opportunities, providing him with a chance and hope to advance to the second realm.

After achieving the status of a celestial being, he increasingly felt the decline and weakness in his own cultivation.

Who would have known that he was once a prodigy, but having reached the Celestial Realm, his potential was exhausted. If he wanted to advance further, he could only rely on spiritual objects and opportunities.

His talent was not comparable to Hou Xibai's, and without special opportunities, he might have ended his life there.

Looking back on half a lifetime, there are differences even among those with natural talents.

Some young people achieved great success and were called geniuses, becoming famous throughout the county after they grew up.

However, once one reaches the Xuan Guang realm, their innate talent and potential are exhausted. Without the right opportunity, they will find it difficult to advance to the Grandmaster level throughout their lives.

Some are called prodigies, ambitious and striving forward, until they become masters, only then do they realize how vast the world is.

The Grandmaster is like a bottleneck to the heavens, holding him back from the brink of ecstasy and death.

There are those who rival prodigies, possessing unparalleled elegance and surpassing their contemporaries, but only upon reaching the Grandmaster level do they realize what the true barrier is!

The passes are as formidable as natural barriers, and the illusions of inner demons are even more difficult to cross.

One can only dream of becoming a celestial being, standing atop the clouds, overlooking the world.

Once you enter the realm of Heaven and Man, you feel the vastness of the world, but who can know that you are merely entering a cage?

He was once full of vigor and ambition, but as time went by and he grew old, he finally realized that there are always people more capable than him and mountains beyond mountains.

Even if one attains the status of a celestial being, what then?

There's always another mountain higher!

From his perspective, towering mountains and sheer barriers stretched before him.
So what!
I would not regret it even until death, so why should I say anything now?

What do those who are exceptionally talented and wealthy have to do with him?
What he sought was to fight with all his might for that sliver of hope!
"The Netherworld Secret Realm"

Ying Congyun looked calmly into the distance, as if he were seeing a vast world.

How fortunate he is to have made it into this group!

"The Seventh in the Storm Riders?"

With a gentle wave of his hand, Yu Minglong caused the light screen in front of him to instantly dissipate.

Yu Minglong rose from the large chair, exuding an air of authority. From his vantage point, he could see most of Beishan Pass through the window of the pavilion.

"All sides are in turmoil, and the weather is ever-changing, but the power of this North Mountain remains."
Ultimately, it's in my hands! *Boom!*
Yu Minglong exuded an imposing aura, subtly conveying a sense of pride and dominance over the mountains.

Compared to the situation in Beishan, the people in Canglong Prefecture, Xuanling Prefecture, and other places had long heard about Mang Dao's killing of Xie Ying Gumian. They were all surprised and shocked by this sudden change in the political landscape.

"Slay the false celestial being again!?"

"Evil Eagle Bone Face? Northern Mountain Tribulation Cultivator? This is..."

"Second only to the top-tier pseudo-celestial beings, this..."

"How is this possible!?"

"Wild Blade"

The garrison commanders from all sides of Xuanling were astonished and deeply shocked.

Cao Penghai sat upright on the large rock chair, his face filled with shock for a long time, unable to recover.

At the top floor of the Xuanling Mountain mansion, Master Hua, dressed in a plain robe, looked at the list of information in front of him with a moved expression.

"This savage knife"
How could the border crossing be so fast?!

Given Mang Dao's current combat strength, even he himself would probably find it difficult to say whether he could be his opponent.

The Evil Eagle Bone Face was quite famous, and he had heard of him before. His combat strength was formidable, second only to top-tier pseudo-celestial beings. For the Savage Blade to be able to cut down the Evil Eagle Bone Face, his combat strength was absolutely extraordinary.

Although he is a top-tier pseudo-celestial being with abundant wealth and numerous trump cards, he is not lacking in items that can save his life.

But even when faced with the prodigy Mang Dao, he was still deeply impressed.

Xuanling City, the azure dragon's stronghold.

Shen Huiqing wore a light-colored long dress, looking elegant and serene, with her almond-shaped eyes sparkling like stars.

"grown ups."

With their brilliant talents and mature demeanor, they will shine brightly on any stage.

"Young Master Chen."

Lady Biluo wore a green gauze dress, beneath which her legs were long and slender, like jade.

She stared at the list for a long time.

Her charming and graceful face now held a different kind of flutter.

She would never forget that day when a handsome young man stood by the lake, radiating golden light.

"Those who are born in the clouds will never know the abundant vitality of a tender sprout breaking through the soil. To be born in such a humble position and to be placed on the same level as those born in the clouds, I think the life of the elders is more worthy of being remembered."

"Being born from the dust is never a mistake; forgetting is!"

"."

On that day, she seemed to see an umbrella held up amidst the dust and mud, in the pouring rain.

Her clear eyes were filled with tears, which soaked her clothes, but she was unaware of it.

"I wish you, young master, to ascend to the heavens and achieve lasting success in martial arts."

Lady Biluo, with sparkling eyes, offered her heartfelt wishes.

hum~
A glint of light flashed in her eyes, revealing a solid foundation in her Dao, and her spiritual power shone even brighter.

"The seventh in the Wind and Cloud! Slaying the powerful pseudo-Celestial Being!?"

Canglongzhou, Min Xiaolin, and Zhang Tianyuan stared at the list in front of them in silence for a long time.

Zhang Tianyuan, in particular, was filled with astonishment and shock in his dark yellow eyes.

To be fair, although he is a sword cultivator, his combat strength is only about the same as that of the Evil Eagle Bone Face. Even if he is slightly stronger, it probably won't have any impact whatsoever.

Chen Ping'an was able to sever the evil eagle's bone face, so wouldn't that mean...?
Zhang Tianyuan's eyes flickered, not daring to think too deeply.

At that moment, he seemed to be back on that day when he stood by the desk and saw the name that had been submitted.

It is proposed that the former deputy garrison commander of Beicang be appointed, and Chen Ping'an, the garrison commander of the important town of Beicang, be appointed. We respectfully request the approval of the Commander and request your decision.

Time flies like water, and several years have passed in the blink of an eye. Who could have known that the person who was once a junior in the eyes of everyone would have reached such heights?

life.

Zhang Tianyuan was in a state of complex emotion, and for a moment he felt a sense of indescribable unease.

"This world"
"Such a talented person exists?!"

Seeing it evokes shame, embarrassment, and surprise, yet it is just right.
He's right beside us.

Life is unpredictable, time turns, and things change.
That's the norm.

Min Xiaolin stood aside, his expression shaken, and all his words turned into a sigh of regret.

Life has five flavors; how many can one truly experience?
Amidst the discussions and uproar, Chen Ping'an, sitting in his office, learned from his subordinate Han Zhiqing about the latest ranking changes on the Fengyun Grandmaster Ranking.

"The Seventh in the Storm Riders?"

Chen Ping'an smiled and then looked away.

This ranking update was largely expected. It's neither particularly high nor low, dropping from fifteenth to seventh place.

Even across the entire dynasty and its vast territory, among the renowned grandmasters, there are very few who can slay someone like the Evil Eagle Bone Face.

Judging from his ranking, there are about six people who can reach this level.

As for him...?

It's best not to get involved with this fake grandmaster.

Others can take it seriously, but he can just look at it and forget about it.

Chen Ping'an stared intently as he scrolled up the list, from seventh to sixth place in the Fengyun rankings, and then jumped to second place, Qian Gong Ji Qiao, Fu Baisheng.

then
First in the winds and clouds, the Moon Shadow Divine Arrow, Flowers Like the Moon.

This female grandmaster has held the number one position on the popularity list ever since she first appeared on it.

It is foreseeable that if she does not ascend to the celestial realm, this position will belong to her for a very long time.

Chen Ping'an stared intently at Hua Ruyue's ranking information for a long time.

This legendary figure, known as the Moon Shadow Arrow, left an extremely deep impression on him.

So profoundly that even now, I can't help but recall the scene from that day.

Chen Ping'an stared intently for a long time before finally looking back at the rankings and seeing his record on the list.

Chen Ping'an, the valiant swordsman, is from the northern border of the Great Qian Dynasty, in the Azure Dragon Prefecture. He is 28 years old, has slain the Northern Mountain Tribulation Cultivator, the Evil Eagle Bone Face, and ranks seventh on the Wind and Cloud List!

His gaze shifted downwards and landed on the twenty-eight-year-old.

Yes!

He is already twenty-eight years old.

Not long ago, he officially celebrated his birthday, turning twenty-eight.

Since that day, he has been practicing external martial arts for nine years!
Nine years have passed, and I have gone from an unknown person to where I am today.

He cultivated Iron Shirt, initially mastered martial arts, learned the Gale Blade Technique, and began to develop his Qi and blood. He then cultivated internal energy and profound light, mastered the Great Vajra Palm, the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill, the Three-Part Human Calamity Finger, and the Soul-Severing Blade Technique.
Cultivating to the Grandmaster level, entering the Jade Balance Realm, mastering the Myriad Demons Body Forging Technique, the Overlord Blade, and the Seven Absolute Divine Skills, one becomes a Great Grandmaster and enters the Celestial Realm.
He merged the blood of ten thousand demons, created the Seven Absolute Forbidden Techniques, cultivated the True Cultivation Scroll, comprehended the workings of heaven and earth, refined his own body, created the Three-Part Return to Origin True Scroll, and so on until today.
Countless thoughts surged forth, and scenes from the past floated into his mind. At this moment, a strange flutter arose in Chen Ping'an's heart.

The spirit platform between the eyebrows, the rainbow bridge between the soul, the soul is stirred, and the spiritual light shines.

click!
A thin membrane gently shattered, revealing a brilliant light, and a spiritual bridge connecting the inside and outside, creating a magnificent spectacle.

hum~
A screen of light appeared, reflected in the void, and information was presented upon it.

Name: Chen Ping'an
Realm: Celestial Realm 2 - Rainbow Penetration Realm (Six Stages)
武学：青阳血炼法小成（12158/15360）颠鸾倒凤·阴阳枢入门（1435/8640）、三分归元真卷小成（0/15360）、无相自在法（残篇）未入门（237/1920）广寒剑法（残篇）大成（0/19200）、狂雷刀法大成（4758/14400）、太虚御风步圆满、七绝禁法圆满、霸刀圆满、万魔铸身诀圆满
Secret Techniques: Soul Suppression Technique, Soul Guiding Technique, Butterfly Dream Bewitching Technique, Illusionary Eye

"Guan Hong, sixth dan!"

Chen Ping'an suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with sharp light.

I never imagined that a simple visit to the rankings would evoke such insights.

A glimmer of inspiration arises, propelling one forward in cultivation!

He had already faintly touched the sixth level of the Piercing Rainbow Realm in his previous cultivation.

Now, with renewed vigor, we've broken through that thin layer of paper and truly taken a step forward.

Those who are celestial beings perceive and understand the universe.

The path to spiritual cultivation is often hidden in the ordinary.

Some people hone their skills and break through bottlenecks and obstacles on the brink of life and death.

Some people observe the mountains and seas, watch the tides and admire the moon, and find a glimmer of inspiration.

There are various kinds of spiritual practices, too numerous to mention.

Today, however, he experienced it firsthand.

Chen Ping'an's gaze sharpened, and the light screen in front of him immediately dissipated.

He lowered his eyes and saw the invitation card placed next to the desk.

The invitation is dark gold-flecked, covered with a plain silk fabric with an ice-crack pattern, and the inner pages are cloud-red with gilded sword patterns.

The fourth-tier treasure material and fire-elemental essence were the turning point in Chen Ping'an's plans, stemming from this invitation. (End of Chapter)