The Great Martial Saint!

Northern border of the Great Qian Dynasty, Xinglan Prefecture, Northern Border Garrison Command.

The buildings stand like a vast sky, with palaces and pavilions clustered together. The eaves of the buildings soar like stars reaching for the moon, creating a magnificent and awe-inspiring scene.

"Fu Baisheng broke through the pass and reached the realm; the 'Wild Blade' ranks second among the heroes."

A deep, resonant voice echoed from within a golden palace.

"Comparable to the power of gods and men."

Inside the golden palace, the voice seemed to pause for a moment before rising in a powerful tone.

"Summon the deputy commanders, the acting commanders of the territories, and all directly subordinate agencies. Discuss and approve the assignments of the Mangdao officers! Also, present this year's list of notable figures to the garrison commander for his review!"

"Yes, Your Excellency."

A flash of light appeared, and a sudden burst of inspiration stirred within the golden palace, which returned to its previous silence. But soon after, another message arrived, reporting on events in the northern states.

The Northern Border Garrison Command has subordinate agencies directly controlling the territory, including Observation and Disposal Commissioners, Patrol Commissioners, Defense Commissioners, and Pacification Commissioners. Even if there is no directly controlled territory, there will be a Local Customs Commissioner to oversee the local customs.

Even so, with layers of review, there is a large amount of official business to be handled every day in the vast northern border.

In fact, if it weren't for the incident involving the Mang Dao, which attracted the personal attention of the town magistrate, he might not have spent so much energy on the Fengyun Ranking.

Even a prodigy like Mang Dao might receive some preferential treatment, but it would never be this bad.

but.
Even the smallest matter that Zhen Shi is concerned about is enough for him to treat with utmost care and do his best!
The Zhe family of the Northern Border has a long and distinguished history, making them a renowned family throughout the land.

In the southern border, the Ruan family.

"The winds of change are blowing?"

The Lady of the Ruan family gently raised her hand, and her clear eyes fell upon the list of influential figures.

Her gaze swept over the list, specifically noting that Fu Baisheng, the second most powerful and skilled individual who had disappeared from the list after reaching the Celestial Realm. Her eyes then fell upon the second most powerful and skilled individual, Chen Ping'an, the valiant swordsman.

In an instant, she chuckled, shifted her gaze, and glanced at the first in the wind and clouds, the Moon Shadow Divine Arrow, and the Flower Like the Moon. The clear light dimmed, and the light screen immediately dissipated.

Fu Baisheng, through the art of mechanical manipulation, has cultivated to the level of a Celestial Being. His future is promising, with the possibility of entering the Three Realms and achieving the great cultivation of a Celestial Being.

But at her current level, let alone Fu Baisheng, who has the potential to become a Grand Cultivator, even a Grand Cultivator at the height of his power and at the peak of his strength would not be worth her lowering her eyes to.

As an unparalleled being who once used her musical powers to suppress and kill Great Celestials of the Four Realms, there are few things that can truly interest her now.

The reason she lowered her eyes slightly during this change of events was simply because, when Yu Shu was being chosen for marriage within the clan, Mang Dao happened to be on the list of candidates.

She appeared on the list as the third recommended candidate. She reviewed all the information in detail. Along with the other recommended candidates, she had intended to let Yu Shu choose, but in the end, looking at the carefree girl, she changed her mind.

Given her status, if she intended to arrange a marriage for Yu Shu, there were men with higher cultivation levels and even greater talent and backgrounds than Chen Ping'an. However, if possible, she wanted to find someone of similar age for Yu Shu, preferably a peer from the same generation of Hidden Dragons, so that they could have more topics to discuss.

In this way, things might be more interesting after marriage.

After careful consideration, Chen Ping'an might be a good candidate.

but
The specifics depend on Yu Shu's intentions.

Ruan Luoyang had a serene and elegant demeanor. Dressed in a simple white dress, she looked like a fairy in the clouds, amidst the morning mist and flowing clouds, pure and beautiful.

In fact, the best candidate in her mind was Feng Lingyin.

Tianjiu Daozi, born with a Daoist physique, is a perfect match for Yushu. It's just a pity that Tianjiu Sect would never agree to having the current Daoist come to the Ruan family as a son-in-law.

Even her reputation couldn't bring this to fruition.

Aside from Feng Lingyin, the top figures among the contemporary hidden talents were all roughly the same to her. As for the Cloud Pavilion Swordsman, Li Wangchen, he was also quite good. However, unlike the Mang Dao, his family background was impeccable and traceable.

Furthermore, Mang Dao rose from humble beginnings and has no family background to rely on. Even if he marries into the Ruan family in the future, he will never dare to bully Yu Shu.

But realistically speaking, given the power and prestige of the Ruan family, how many people in this era would dare to bully Yu Shu?

Even Feng Lingyin would probably have to think twice before coming!

However, there were many candidates recommended by the clan for Yu Shu's marriage, and Mang Dao was just one of them. It was only a possibility; the final decision depended on Yu Shu's wishes, and it wasn't a done deal. Therefore, she merely glanced at them briefly, without paying much attention.

Having reached her current level, she has encountered countless geniuses along the way. Although this Mang Dao is excellent, in her eyes, he is not among the top tier.

As a woman of exceptional beauty and talent in her youth, she carries considerable weight in this matter.

She rose to fame at a young age, becoming renowned throughout the Southern Territory. Through continuous cultivation, she became invincible and a leading figure of her time.

Even today, her good name is still widely known in the capital city and among the royal family and nobility.

but.
In her youth, she met the man who could make her heart flutter and fill her life with joy during the most powerless period of her life.

even.
Ruan Luoyang's eyes trembled slightly as she recalled the past. Even now, the memory of that figure was enough to make her heart flutter and feel as joyful as a young girl.

He was the most outstanding and brilliant genius she had ever seen in her life. Proud as she was, she had also tied her heart tightly to him in her youth.

Even in the many years that followed, her cultivation and suppression of her contemporaries were largely driven by the desire to catch up with him.

Ruan Luoyang's clear eyes trembled, as if she could see through the long river of time and see that figure that made her heart flutter.

With violet eyes like stars, an eerie expression, and casually draped black hair, she exudes a lazy and carefree aura. A slight upturn at the corners of her mouth reveals a wicked smile that captivates, stirs the heart, and makes one yearn to fall for her.

A glimmer of light shone in Ruan Luoyang's clear eyes, and a gentle smile appeared on her elegant expression. It was the joyful exuberance of a young girl, shining like the warm sun on her youthful years.

But gradually, all the light in Ruan Luoyang's clear eyes dimmed, and her many thoughts, like a kite with a broken string, turned into a soft sigh.

Those who were once gone are gone, like stars dimmed in the distance.

He perished on that night more than seven hundred years ago.

She visited that battlefield on the day he died.

Looking at him lying half-submerged in the dust, his body soaked in blood, it seemed as if one could see his past years in his gaze.

Her face was streaked with tears, her heart was ashen, devoid of both sorrow and joy.

In that battle, she was determined to die, but the honor of her family and the fate of her clan for ten thousand years were all her own choices.

Faced with the royal family's fury and the dynasty's wrath, she finally...
I am ashamed of my own conscience.

Today, more than seven hundred years later, she has also taken that step, reaching the same level as him and experiencing the same scenery he once experienced. But the old friend is no longer here. What is the meaning of all this?
Now, her only thoughts are her family and Yu Shu. If these two things are fulfilled, she will not regret meeting him again in the netherworld.

Ruan Luoyang's eyelashes trembled slightly. She gently raised her hand to smooth her hair, her fair wrist and warm cheeks complementing each other beautifully, creating a halo of light.

She was both lucky and unlucky in her youth.

One glimpse, and you're doomed for life.

Among the countless geniuses in the world, who can compare to him?

It wasn't just his natural talent and intelligence, but also his unparalleled charm, charisma, and romantic nature.

No wonder countless women fell for him; even royal princesses and noble daughters were captivated by him.

She was fortunate to have experienced the most beautiful things in the world. Unfortunately, after him, life lost its joy and luster.

All that light died more than seven hundred years ago.

Her life has already ended like this. I only hope that Yushu will not follow in her footsteps.

She did everything in her power to protect Yu Shu, hoping she would live a peaceful and fulfilling life.

Years ago, for the sake of her family, she gave up the ties of her life and her youth.

If there truly were such a man in the world, capable of stirring Yu Shu's heart.

So what if Yushu marries out?

It's a pity.
There is no flower in the world that is similar to him, and among the thousands of men in the world, who can compare to him?
His stunning beauty alone was enough to shake the world. Even someone as gifted as Feng Lingyin could only barely catch a glimpse of him. As for the others, they were nothing more than grains of rice and fireflies!

If he were still alive, he would probably be...
The supreme ruler of the demonic path, the head of the six sects!
The so-called private appointments and secret pregnancies were nothing more than pretexts to threaten the dynasty's rule and seize the opportunity to retaliate.

With his looks, if he were granted another thousand years, one day...
He shall be the ruler of the world!
The prodigy Chen Ping'an, known as the "Hidden Dragon Prodigy," ranked second among the top talents, causing quite a stir within the dynasty. However, compared to Fu Baisheng's breakthrough, his fame was less than expected.

Even so, the various factions in the North still paid considerable attention to it.

"The second strongest in the world?! With the power of a Grandmaster, comparable to that of a Celestial!"

"Slaying a top-tier pseudo-Celestial Being with a sword? Hmm, that's a bit less impressive than Fu Baisheng's performance, but since Fu Baisheng failed to make the list and I'm ranked second, I'm still qualified!"

"Hidden Dragon is tenth, Wind and Cloud is second. I don't know whether to say that Mang Dao is unfortunate or lucky. If it were a normal year, his combat power would have ranked first in Hidden Dragon! Even if a Celestial Being made it onto the list, he would still rank second in Hidden Dragon. That would be second in both lists. But looking at Hidden Dragon today... it's hard to say."

"No need to think twice. In this era of great fortune, hidden talents are vying for supremacy, the most in three thousand years. These prodigies at the top of the list, in ordinary times, wouldn't each of them be the number one hidden talent!"

"Hahaha, absolutely, absolutely. To compete with such a prodigy makes even the previous generations of rising stars feel somewhat ashamed!"

"Competing against each other is fine, but what I fear most is that this generation of rising stars will grow up and make the former top talents of the rising stars grow older, which would truly make them ashamed!"

"Martial arts masters have a lifespan of a thousand years. Within three hundred years, they will be considered equals of their generation. There is nothing to be ashamed of in defeating them in competition with their contemporaries!"

"That being said, the difference in time is an objective fact. How can anyone not mind such a reason?"

"."

The popularity rankings are always a lively event. This one, in particular, was updated again shortly after its initial release, generating even more buzz than usual.

Unlike other ranking lists, the Popularity Rankings are not updated regularly; their updates depend entirely on changes in the list's information. Sometimes, they are updated several times within six months. Other times, they are not updated for several years.

Amidst the uproar, the Bicang County Prince's Mansion, as the overlord of the Bicang region, was obviously aware of the news that Mang Dao ranked second in Fengyun, had slain the elder of the Wenxin Sword Pavilion, and was a top-tier pseudo-celestial being, Qiu Siping.

"Comparable to celestial beings? This monstrous blade is truly unbelievable."

"Under normal circumstances, I probably wouldn't have had the luxury of personally making the trip to try and win them over. Even if I couldn't get them on the sidelines, I absolutely couldn't afford to antagonize them. But now..."

"The struggle for the throne is escalating, and we have now reached a critical juncture. In this situation, there is no room for complacency! The matter of the 'Mang Dao' must be put on hold for now! Everything must be prioritized for the greater good!"

“Yi Bo, look, he’s risen again, he’s second now.”

Inside the pavilion in the back garden, a young girl with smiling eyes pointed to the list in front of her.

"Yes, second place." The old man had a slightly flat nose and wore a tall hat.

"Hee hee~"

The young girl wore an apricot-yellow dress, radiating youthful energy, with bright, sparkling eyes.

She and Mangdao had a private agreement, a promise that in crucial moments, Mangdao would not need to take action, but would need to express his stance and provide verbal support.

In this situation, the more powerful and influential the Mangdao (莽刀) is, the better.

As the girl was thinking, the old man's expression changed slightly, and soon a woman in a cloud-blue dress with fair skin walked in.

"Sister Shulan." The girl's eyes lit up, and she immediately stood up to greet her.

Princess Ji Shulan of Bicang is currently one of the most popular candidates to succeed to the throne in the Bicang County Prince's Mansion.

"Little Qingyu, what are you busy with?"

The woman's skin glowed with a fluorescent light, with a faint hint of light pink.

She saw that Master Yi first greeted her with a smile, and then she noticed the light screen appearing in the pavilion.

"It's the Popularity Ranking."

Ji Shulan's eyes lit up slightly as she saw the information on the list.

"Chen Ping'an, the second most powerful figure, has achieved such success at only twenty-eight years old. He is truly an incredible prodigy."

"Yes," the girl replied, "It's really good, but it's a bit bullying."

"Bullying someone?" Ji Shulan's eyes narrowed as she looked at the girl with interest. "What? Did he bully our little Qingyu? Tell your sister, and I'll help you get revenge."

"No need." The girl seemed to remember something, and her face flushed slightly. "It's nothing serious."

"Oh?" Ji Shulan's gaze fell upon him, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "You really don't need your sister's help?"

"No, no." The girl shook her head hurriedly, shaking it like a rattle-drum.

"Then forget it~" Ji Shulan's voice rose slightly at the end, her interest undiminished: "Alright, it's been a long time since I've seen you. Tell me, did you gain anything from your trip to Xuanling this time?"

"Okay~" The girl quickly changed the subject, and then began to talk about Xuanling with a smile.

Seeing this, Ji Shulan's expression became intrigued, and the light in her eyes seemed to brighten even more.

"Chen Ping'an"

On the same day the popularity rankings were updated, Chen Ping'an also saw the latest rankings in the Zhenfu Division's office.

However, he only glanced at it and quickly forgot about it.

Compared to Fengyun No. 2, he was more concerned about Fengyun No. 1, Hua Ruyue.

This Hua Yue Niang, Hua Niangzi, her combat power is too incredible. Even he, who is usually incredulous, couldn't help but exclaim whether the other party was cheating.

Even though we're all adults, and we almost got taken advantage of by the other party, who can understand this kind of experience?
Having always been one to cross borders and fight back, it was almost crossed over by others; such a disparity is truly unsettling.

Even after so much time has passed, it remains a vivid memory for him.

If he hadn't now experienced firsthand that he truly possessed the power to fight across borders, his worldview would probably have been completely reshaped.

"Hua Ruyue, Hua Yue Niang! Next time we meet, I'll definitely test your strength again to get what I want."

Chen Ping'an's eyes flickered slightly, his thoughts settled, and he quickly immersed himself in cultivation.

The Thunderous Blade Technique is nearing completion. (End of Chapter)