Becoming a Saint Starting with the Chasing Wind Leg Technique

Chapter 143 Climbing the Rankings

The atmosphere of the end-of-month ranking battle in the Dingzi area of ​​the Pingtianmen branch was suddenly pushed to a new climax when a burly, towering figure stepped into the arena area.

Qian Rushan, the undisputed champion of this year's martial arts competition and a peerless genius nurtured by the Qian family of the inner city, has finally begun his first official attempt to climb the rankings within the Pingtianmen.

Despite bearing the halo of being the "first place in the competition," in the Pingtianmen's area of ​​registered disciples, which is full of hidden talents and has been cultivated by several generations of geniuses, his initial ranking was only twenty-first.

This is not a sign of disrespect, but rather a consequence of the rules, and a testament to the profound strength of Pingtianmen. Here, past glories are merely an entry ticket; the real contest has only just begun.

However, Qian Rushan used the fearsome "mountain-splitting axe" in his hand to declare to everyone that the title of leader was by no means a matter of luck.

His path of challenges was simple, brutal, yet filled with a suffocating sense of oppression.

The twenty-first opponent was an old disciple who had cultivated diligently for four years and had mastered his family's "Layered Wave Palm" technique to the point of perfection in the Body Refinement Realm. His palm force was layered and incredibly heavy.

Without wasting any words, Qian Rushan opened with a straightforward "Splitting Mount Hua"! The axe, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound that tore through the air, slashed down fiercely! His opponent unleashed both palms simultaneously, unleashing a surge of nine layers of power, attempting to overcome strength with softness.

However, in the face of absolute power, skill seems to lose its meaning.

With a loud "Boom!", a shockwave rolled out, and the old disciple let out a miserable groan as his palms were torn open. He was thrown off the stage by the immense force, his face filled with horror.

One move, and victory!

20th, 19th, 18th — Qian Rushan, like a tireless war beast, crushed his way up.

The opponents they encountered, starting from number eighteen, were almost all at the peak of the Body Refinement Realm!

They have immersed themselves in this realm for many years, possessing a solid foundation, refined combat skills, and unique abilities.

They may be agile, have amazing defenses, or use unpredictable attacks.

However, everything seemed fragile in the face of Qian Rushan's terrifying strength, which was like a volcanic eruption, and his unparalleled "Mountain-Splitting Axe Technique" that seemed capable of splitting mountains.

The eighteenth place was a master of the Flesh Refining Realm who was skilled in using the strange weapon "Mother and Daughter Mandarin Duck Axes". His figure was like a ghost. He tried to use skill to break through strength, but Qian Rushan forced him to open a flaw with a move called "Sweeping the Army" with a wide range. Then, he was smashed away with "Mount Tai Pressing Down".

The seventeenth place winner was a master of the "Iron Shirt" martial art, a peak-level expert in the Flesh Refining Realm. Confident in his unparalleled defense, he took three blows from Qian Rushan. However, he was so shocked that his blood and qi surged, and his bones felt like they were about to break. He finally couldn't hold on any longer during the fourth blow, vomiting blood and admitting defeat.

The sixteenth place winner was a Perfected Body Refinement Realm cultivator from a small family in the inner city. His swordsmanship was as fast as lightning. He tried to restrain the enemy with speed, but Qian Rushan used the even more violent and swift "Whirlwind Axe" to break through his sword net one after another. In the end, he was hit in the chest by the back of the axe, breaking several ribs and suffering a crushing defeat.

Unstoppable momentum, defeating strong opponents in succession!

Qian Rushan's performance shocked the entire Dingzi District and even alarmed the true veteran powerhouses deeper within.

"My God—this is a mountain of money! Are they even human? Those are all senior disciples at the peak of the Body Refining Realm!"

"The Mountain-Splitting Axe Technique in his hands is practically alive! That power, that aura—I feel he's even stronger than during the Grand Competition!"

"No wonder he won first place; his strength is simply unfathomable!"

"I heard he cultivates the Qian family's secret technique, the 'Melting Gold and Forging Bones Technique,' and it seems he's already mastered its essence. His physique and strength are practically those of a ferocious beast!"

Many geniuses who were in the same class as Qian Rushan but are now ranked in the dozens or even hundreds, such as Bai Yunfei and Nie Feng, had very mixed feelings as they looked at the invincible figure on the stage.

A mixture of admiration, envy, awe, and even a slight sense of powerlessness.

They once thought they could catch up with the best, but now it seems that the gap is wider and deeper than they imagined.

Money is like a mountain that keeps rising higher, making it something that people can only look up at.

Even the other members of the Four Heroes of the Inner City reacted differently upon hearing about Qian Rushan's achievements.

Lei Zhen, ranked fifth, was sweating profusely in his own martial arts school's training ground when he heard the report. His eyes burned with fighting spirit, and he slammed his fist heavily into the specially made iron stake in front of him, leaving a clear fist imprint: "Good! This is more interesting!"

Qian Rushan, it seems you haven't been idle either!

"Just wait, I'll soon break into the top twenty, and then we'll see who comes out on top!" He felt the pressure, which also fueled his fighting spirit.

Zhao Yuanqing, ranked third, was leisurely sipping tea in his courtyard. Upon hearing this, he merely smiled slightly and said to his cousin standing beside him, "Brother Rushan is exceptionally talented and resolute. His performance is to be expected. The sect's currents are just right for a dragon like him to thrive. It seems we also need to work harder, otherwise we might fall too far behind." His tone was gentle, yet carried an undeniable sense of urgency.

Li Qingmei, ranked fourth, was doing her makeup in front of the mirror when she heard the news from her maid. Her hand holding the jade comb paused slightly, and a strange light flashed in her beautiful eyes. She then regained her composure and said softly, "He is indeed a brute—but his strength is real."

Pingtianmen—it seems more interesting than I imagined. (He seemed lost in thought.)

Qian Rushan's rapid rise to power was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples to spread rapidly.

This even caused many people to temporarily forget the news of Song Jing defeating Nie Feng a few days earlier.

After all, one is the current champion proving himself on a higher platform, while the other is the fifteenth-ranked player defeating the fourteenth-ranked player; the level of shock brought by the two is completely different.

However, Qian Rushan's journey to the top of the list came to an abrupt end at the fifteenth position.

His eleventh opponent was also a Perfected Body Refinement Realm cultivator, but this person's aura was more profound and obscure, his combat experience was terrifyingly rich, and his "Blazing Fire Spear Technique" combined both strength and gentleness, with his use of power being exquisite.

Qian Rushan fought fiercely with him for nearly a hundred moves. Although he once gained the upper hand with his terrifying strength, his opponent was extremely resilient and always managed to launch a counterattack in the subtle gaps when his old strength was exhausted and his new strength had not yet been generated, thus wearing down his sharpness.

In the end, Qian Rushan made a careless move and was hit by his opponent's exquisite "borrowing force to strike" combined with close-range combat. His blood and qi were shaken and he exposed his weakness. Although he was not defeated, it was clear to everyone that he had lost the initiative. If the fight continued, the outcome would be uncertain and he would likely be injured.

Qian Rushan was quite straightforward. Realizing that he couldn't defeat his opponent quickly, he decisively put away his axe and admitted defeat, conserving his strength for another battle.

"Fifteenth place—Sun Tianba of the Sun family. I've noted it down." Qian Rushan glanced deeply at his opponent on the stage, whose breathing was still deep, and without saying anything more, turned and left the stage.

Although he was eliminated in 11 rounds, his outstanding record and the spirit of honorable defeat have made no one dare to underestimate this newly crowned champion.

Everyone knows that given time to adapt and mature, breaking into the top ten, or even challenging for a higher ranking, is only a matter of time.

After this battle, the strongman who defeated Qian Rushan and secured eleventh place, as well as those mysterious and powerful names ahead of him, once again became the focus of everyone's discussion.

In particular, Sun Tianba, the tenth-ranked member of the Sun family, who had already reached the peak of the Flesh Refining Realm and had one foot in the Bone Forging Realm, was even more renowned.

As for the top ten, those monsters who are rumored to have broken through to the Bone Forging Realm or possess the combat power of the Bone Forging Realm are even more awe-inspiring and seem unattainable.

Qian Rushan's ranking on the list was like a mirror, reflecting the unfathomable depths of the Pingtianmen's registered disciples area.

This also gave Song Jing a deeper understanding of the matter that "Captain Chen Yanzhou was able to use a personal favor to persuade Wang Xuanwu, a master of weapon forging in the Bone Forging Realm."

Those who can establish themselves in such places and even wield influence must possess strength and background far exceeding outsiders' imagination.

There were even rumors that the Commandant came from the outer gate of Pingtianmen and was "squeezed out" to this place for some reason. When these rumors were brought up again, they added a touch of mystery to the story.

Just as the news of Qian Rushan's attempt to top the list was causing a stir inside Pingtianmen, another, even more sordid and unsettling incident was rapidly brewing within the inner city.

The dispute between Qingyun Martial Arts School and Jinglei Martial Arts School over Xuan Tie Ore was originally a struggle for interests, and although intense, it was still within the rules of the martial arts world.

However, a sudden, despicable, and shameless message, like boiling oil poured into ice water, instantly ignited the conflict, pushing it into an irreconcilable and even highly insulting abyss.

According to multiple sources, during recent negotiations, Jing Lei Martial Arts School has made an outrageous and unreasonable demand. Not only does it want to redistribute the share of the Xuan Tie Mine and require Qing Yun Martial Arts School to give up most of its profits, but it also wants Li Ling Shuang, the grandniece of the Qing Yun Martial Arts School's master and an outstanding female disciple among the younger generation, to marry Lei Zhen, the eldest disciple of Jing Lei Martial Arts School, as a concubine!

The news caused an uproar in the inner city!

"What?! He wants Li Ling Shuang as a concubine? How dare Lei Zhen?!"

"Shameless! Utterly shameless! This isn't just about competing for resources; it's blatant humiliation and bullying!"

"Li Ling Shuang is the apple of Qingyun Martial Arts Academy's eye; her talent and temperament are both top-notch. To make her a concubine? Jing Lei Martial Arts Academy is going too far!"

"I heard it's because Lei Zhen saw Miss Li once by chance and was immediately captivated by her beauty, unable to forget her. This time, he's using this as an excuse to make his move, determined to win her over!"

"They're trying to get both people and money! Thunderclap Martial Arts School, what a vicious scheme, what arrogant arrogance!"

The entire Qingyun Martial Arts School was filled with indignation, grief, and anger.

The owner was so angry that he vomited blood on the spot and became bedridden.

Several elders, their beards and hair bristling, roared that they would fight Thunderclap Martial Arts School to the death.

The young disciples' eyes reddened, and they gripped their weapons tightly, wishing they could storm the Thunderclap Martial Arts School immediately.

Finally, the museum owner had no other choice but to offer a reward, saying he was willing to give up 30% of the black iron ore to hire a young expert to deal with Lei Zhen.

If a young disciple defeats Lei Zhen, they can give this expert 30% of the Xuan Tie ore, which is worth nearly 30,000 taels. Such a share is enough to allow a low-grade premium blood weapon to directly advance to a mid-grade premium blood weapon, or to upgrade a mid-grade premium blood weapon by more than half to a high grade.

Because Li Ling Shuang had wandered since childhood and had never received such kindness from him as the owner of the museum, she felt she owed him a great deal. That's why he was willing to sacrifice his life to protect his grandniece.

When Li Ling Shuang, who was at the center of the storm, first heard this absurd request, she stood there stunned, and then her pretty face drained of color, turning as pale as paper.

Boundless anger, humiliation, and a chilling fear instantly overwhelmed her.

She locked herself in her room and didn't eat or drink anything for a whole day.

No matter how much her senior and junior sisters called out to her, she remained silent.

Those once bright and lively eyes now held only an empty sorrow and a stubborn flame.

She knew that Lei Zhen was domineering, ruthless, and extremely lecherous; he was a man of his word.

If Qingyun Martial Arts Academy loses the "Autumn Begins Agreement" two months later, the consequences will be unimaginable.

At that time, not only will her sect's foundation be in danger, but her own fate will also fall into the hands of this demon.

Concubine?

That would be a humiliation more unbearable than death!

"Is there really no hope?" Li Ling Shuang leaned against the window, looking towards the majestic building of the Pingtianmen branch. Unexpectedly, a figure in a blue robe holding a gun and with calm eyes flashed through her mind.

Could he help her? But then, she shook her head bitterly.

The opponent is the Thunderclap Martial Arts School, one of the three major martial arts schools in the inner city, with monsters like Lei Zhen and Lei Ba.

Although Song Jing was incredibly talented and made rapid progress, he had only been a beginner for a short time. How could he possibly contend with such a behemoth?

How could I have dragged him into such a dangerous situation?

However, the news also reached the Pingtianmen branch at an extremely fast pace, reaching Song Jing, who was consolidating his ranking, digesting the gains from the battle, and also keeping an eye on the outside world.

Upon hearing the words "Li Ling Shuang," "concubine," and "Lei Zhen," Song Jing, who was wiping the "Crimson Starfire Spear," suddenly stopped.

He slowly raised his head, his face expressionless, but deep within his originally calm eyes, it seemed as if a storm was brewing and ice was freezing.

The surrounding air seemed to have cooled down because of the invisible chill emanating from him.

"The promise of the Beginning of Autumn — to become a concubine —" He repeated these words in a low voice, each word seeming to be squeezed out from a crack in the ice.

He remembered the girl's bright and sincere smile, the slightly flushed tips of her ears and the starlight in her eyes when she handed him the sachet, and the way she cheered him on on the training ground—

Furthermore, he would always find ways to give her elixirs and help her gather information, offering timely help in times of need. She always treated him like family.

Such a vibrant, proud, and loyal young man was treated like a commodity and begged for and insulted so wantonly.

"Click." His fingers gripped the gun barrel so tightly that they made a soft sound.

As if sensing the surging anger and murderous intent in its master's heart, the crimson gold and star silver patterns on the spearhead glowed slightly, shimmering with a cold and dangerous luster.

Originally, he planned to proceed step by step, continue his studies, strive for a top-ten ranking, accumulate contribution points, and steadily improve.

He kept the matter of Qingyun Martial Arts School in mind and planned to secretly help them as soon as possible.

But now, the actions of Jing Lei Martial Arts School and Lei Zhen have completely crossed the line.

This is no longer a simple conflict within the martial arts world.

This is an insult, a plunder, and a shameless act of bullying the weak!

Some things can be planned before acting.

Some people, however, must be responded to immediately—in the most direct and violent way!

Song Jing slowly stood up and steadily carried the Crimson Starfire Spear on his back.

He looked out of the T-junction and towards the inner city, his gaze sharp as a spear about to be drawn.

"Two months — until the beginning of autumn —"

He muttered to himself, his calm tone masking a volcano about to erupt.

"Lei Zhen—your wishful thinking is probably going to backfire."

"Some things are not for you to covet. Some people are not for you to insult."

"You will pay the price for this!"

.