My cultivation level increases by one year every day!

Qingyun Academy.

Located in a place of outstanding natural beauty, it is built on the highest peak of the Daluo Mountains. It is shrouded in mist all year round, and at times, the melodious sounds of silk and bamboo instruments can be heard.

Flying is prohibited within the academy grounds.

But in an instant, a streak of azure light flashed across the mountain gate of Qingyun Academy, and the disciples guarding the gate had to bow their heads in greeting.

"Greetings, Palace Master He!"

"I've met you, teacher."

The blue light finally landed outside a grand hall on the mountain. He hurriedly walked into the hall, and the elders and disciples along the way bowed to him.

He Yunsong held a high position and prestige within the academy, and his influence was widespread.

After all, the Palace Master holds multiple positions and spends many years in deep cultivation. Basically, all matters, big and small, are handled by this second-in-command who also takes charge of the overall situation.

His complexion was very bad, which made all the elders tremble with fear, wondering who had angered this important figure.

"Looks like that kid didn't come back with you?"

Inside the main hall, an old man in blue robes sat cross-legged, his robes adorned with three flowing clouds.

Unlike He Yunsong, these three clouds were all swirling together.

Throughout the entire Qingyun Academy, only one person could wear such attire.

Li Chengxian, the current Grand Preceptor of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the Master of Qingyun Academy!

"I went there on behalf of the academy with all my sincerity, but they didn't even look at me. They're so arrogant."

After bowing slightly in greeting, He Yunsong recounted his experience at the Fang family's residence, directly expressing his dissatisfaction.

"Geniuses are bound to be a little arrogant; it's only human nature," Li Chengxian said calmly.

"Moreover, he has participated in the sect's disciple trials and has a high level of vision. Don't compare him to the so-called prodigies of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

He Yunsong was still indignant, saying, "A genius who hasn't grown up can't be considered a strong person."

Li Chengxian shook his head slightly. "When you went to the Fang family, you didn't bring your own emotions with you, did you?"

"I know my limits. Before I left, I left myself room to maneuver. He can come anytime."

He Yunsong poured himself a cup of tea. He hadn't even had a sip of water on his way there and back.

"After the sect elders arrive, I will personally go to the Fang family," Li Chengxian said.

"What!" He Yunsong exclaimed in surprise and disbelief, "You're going there yourself?"

Outsiders may not know, but He Yunsong is very clear about how much power this person in front of him possesses.

Li Chengxian was nominally the Grand Preceptor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, but in reality, even the current emperor could not command him.

If someone asks for a favor, it's more about discussion; he was one of the people who truly stood at the pinnacle of power in the dynasty.

"Isn't this taking it too seriously?" He Yunsong asked uncertainly.

Li Chengxian did not answer, but said, "Place Fang Yuan's name in third place on the Qingyun Ranking."

He came from the Qingyun Sect and had seen countless geniuses.

However, in the long history, there has only been one instance of someone at the Innate Realm defeating a Foundation Establishment True Person!

The one now is the sect leader of a major sect, standing at the pinnacle of the land of a hundred kingdoms, looking down upon all living beings.

If he wants to return to the sect, he must seize this opportunity!

"Palace Master, all those who can make it onto the Azure Cloud Ranking are the most outstanding disciples in the academy, who have been stagnant at the Foundation Establishment Realm for a long time."

He Yunsong said with difficulty, "Fang Yuan has only just broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage and is not even a disciple of the academy, yet he's entered the Azure Cloud Ranking and placed in such a high position. Isn't that against the rules?"

Li Chengxian gave He Yunsong a deep look, his expression calm, and said indifferently:

"Since the establishment of Qingyun Academy, the Qingyun Ranking has not only been used to rank the academy's disciples, but also to recognize the talents of the world."

"Fang Yuan was able to defeat a Foundation Establishment cultivator while only at the Innate Realm. Now that he has broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, what level of strength will he have reached?"

"To be honest, I think even ranking him third is too low."

The Qingyun Ranking was created by the Qingyun Academy, but it is open to all geniuses within the Great Zhou Dynasty. Anyone who meets the requirements can be listed.

However, due to the stringent requirements for being listed, almost only disciples of the academy can be included.

This is quite normal; any famous genius joins Qingyun Academy early on, thus falling into a vicious cycle.

Therefore, as time goes by, many people have forgotten the original purpose of the list, that one rule.

"I'll arrange it right away!"

He Yunsong had no more worries. The Palace Master had personally spoken, so who could question him?

However, once such a list is published, it will likely cause a huge reaction in the capital, and may even affect the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.

After all, the Qingyun Ranking is the most authoritative list among young talents, and it can roughly predict the rise and fall of the next generation.

Those who consistently rank in the top ten of the Azure Cloud Ranking will become important figures in the Great Zhou Dynasty, provided they graduate successfully.

Even more so, some joined the Qingyun Sect, soaring to new heights and gaining a broader perspective.

And now the top two on the Qingyun Ranking.

The first one is none other than the Ninth Prince, Li Chengze.

The second is Murong Jing from the Murong family.

Murong Jing has successfully joined the Qingyun Sect, her status has risen, she has transcended the worldly affairs of the dynasty, and her identity is noble.

As for the Ninth Prince Li Chengze, he will also become a disciple of the Qingyun Sect after the sect elders come to guide him.

After a while, these two names will be removed from the list.

at the same time.

On a mountain peak near Qingyun Academy, melodious sounds of zithers and bamboo flutes drifted through the air, where the spiritual energy was abundant, and white cranes could be seen spreading their wings from time to time.

Two people sat on either side of the chessboard, chatting idly as they placed their pieces.

The man was very handsome, dressed in a yellow python robe, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and exuded a noble air in every gesture.

"Looking across Qingyun Academy, and even the Great Zhou Dynasty, there are probably no ones who are qualified to sit and discuss the Dao with the two of us." His words carried a hint of arrogance.

"We are all disciples of the Qingyun Sect. After we go to the sect, we should still look out for each other and help each other."

Li Chengze placed a black piece on the chessboard, a warm smile on his face.

Opposite him was a woman, dressed in a white dress, with a face as exquisite as a painting, like a finely crafted work of art.

With a cool and aloof demeanor, she slowly said, "That's natural."

"I heard that your fiancé, with his Innate Realm cultivation, defeated Fang Lian, who was at the Foundation Establishment Realm. That's truly astonishing."

Changing the subject, Ninth Prince Li Chengze mentioned Fang Yuan, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Currently, most of the Wangdu Fang family members who participated in the ancestral worship ceremony have not yet returned home, and news of Wang Lian's defeat has already reached the ears of the Wangdu high-ranking officials.

"I know, he was a genius."

Murong Jing pursed her red lips slightly, and a beautiful face seemed to appear before her eyes, causing her to reveal a rare smile.

"It's a pity that he hasn't broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage yet, so I can't fight him."

The Ninth Prince, Li Chengze, uttered a rather provocative remark.

He knew that his father intended to bring him and Murong Jing together, to facilitate a marriage alliance between the two families and consolidate the royal family's position.

But he never expected that the only woman in the Great Zhou Dynasty who was worthy of him would look down on him.

Although he didn't particularly like Murong Jing, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable.

"He damaged his foundation during the Qingyun Sect trial. Even if he breaks through to the Foundation Establishment stage, he will still have flaws and his future achievements will not be great," Li Chengze said confidently.

"Life is unpredictable; we can't see it clearly or guess what's going on." Murong Jing shook her head slightly.

Murong Jing has always been averse to arranged marriages between families; she only wants to control her own future.

Fang Yuan had helped her during the Qingyun Sect trial, which left a deep impression on her.

Unfortunately, he still failed the trial and even suffered serious injuries, leaving the stage in despair.

Murong Jing didn't know the reason, and she didn't want to know.

When she returned, she did not take the initiative to cancel the engagement, not because the other party originally liked her that much; their feelings for her were far from sufficient.

Mainly, she wanted to maintain the engagement, using it as a shield to some extent.

Given her current status and position, there will likely be many who want to marry into her family or pursue her.

Bound by this marriage contract, her family cannot force her, much less make her marry Fang Yuan immediately; they might even actively interfere.

"As always, you stand out among many geniuses." Murong Jing recalled the various trials.

She never expected that Fang Yuan, severely injured and half-crippled, would make a comeback and shine as brightly as ever...