My cultivation level increases by one year every day!

The next day.

The Qingyun Ranking was suddenly updated, contrary to the tradition of changing at the end of the month, attracting many disciples to stop and watch.

"It's not time yet, why is the Ranking List showing a change?"

"I looked at it from bottom to top, and it was the same people who made the list."

"No, look! Everyone's ranking has dropped by one!"

One of the disciples, being more observant, noticed, "Lear, who was previously ranked last, has fallen off the list!"

"Who is Fang Yuan? How come he's ranked third?"

"It seems the Qingyun Ranking only gained Fang Yuan in third place; the rankings of the others have all been moved down!"

The disciples looked up at the list, their eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty, all trying to guess Fang Yuan's identity.

This is the first time in so many years that they have seen the Qingyun Ranking adjusted in such an unconventional way, all for the sake of one person.

"Fang Yuan is not a disciple of our academy," a source in the know revealed.

"If he's not a disciple of the academy, how did he get on the Qingyun Ranking?" A disciple stared wide-eyed.

No one can answer this question for him.

Information is all about timeliness. The sons of some noble families learned of Fang Yuan's amazing achievements from their elders.

However, this does not mean they will publicize it extensively, as it would ultimately harm others and not benefit themselves, and might even inadvertently offend the Fang family of the capital.

Ranking List!

Fang Yuan!

These two words spread like wildfire throughout the Qingyun Academy, frequently mentioned by many instructors, disciples, and even elders.

Not long after.

The major aristocratic families in the capital, as well as high-ranking officials and dignitaries such as court officials.

The latest list of names on the Qingyun Ranking was laid out in front of them.

"He has already ranked third on the Qingyun Ranking before even entering the Qingyun Academy. The Palace Master has high hopes for him."

The patriarch of a prominent family in the capital city glanced at the Qingyun Ranking and couldn't help but sigh.

The same scene was playing out across the capital, and many heads of powerful families and sect leaders knew what it meant.

And so.

Fang Yuan's name, after defeating Fang Lian, once again came into the sights of the capital's high-ranking officials because of the Azure Cloud Ranking.

These high-ranking officials either possess vast wealth, command military power, or belong to a well-established martial arts family.

They were people who could influence the格局 (geju, overall situation/structure) of the Great Zhou Dynasty, but now they are being influenced by Fang Yuan instead.

"Immediately send someone to Qinghai City to establish contact with the local forces, or to recruit some of them as vassals!"

Almost every high-ranking official issued similar instructions, attempting to establish a presence in Qinghe City.

The reason is simple: the Qingyun Ranking represents the Qingyun Academy, and behind the Qingyun Academy is Li Chengxian.

"I remember, Lingkong was still in Liuyun County."

In the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, an elderly man, well past seventy, spoke slowly, his eyelids drooping, his face full of wrinkles and furrows.

He was very old, having lived for over nine hundred years, and was nearing the end of his life.

"Reporting to Father, Ling Kong is at the Liuyun Prefectural Governor's residence, which happens to be the city where Fang Yuan is located," a man who looked to be in his forties replied respectfully.

"Alright, tell him to keep a close eye on the Fang family's movements and seize any opportunities."

"I'm getting old now, and the future of the Ye family depends on you all..."

After saying that, the elderly man closed his eyes, and a deep snore came out, as if he had fallen asleep.

King's capital.

Inside the palace.

"Your Majesty, does the Imperial Preceptor have ulterior motives for valuing that young genius so highly?"

A middle-aged man dressed in a gold-embroidered python robe asked the question, his tone extremely respectful.

No, it won't.

Standing in front was a man dressed in a dragon robe, the supreme ruler of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the current Emperor Hongtai.

He stood upright, exuding an air of authority without needing to be angry, and said, "He only wants to return to the Qingyun Sect."

"Should we take this opportunity to recruit the Fang family?" Prince Li Yunrui nodded and asked.

"The timing isn't right yet."

Emperor Hongtai's gaze was deep, looking into the distance, making it difficult for anyone to see through his true thoughts.

At this moment, a eunuch came into the hall with hurried little steps and presented a secret order.

"A major event has occurred at Qingyun Academy; I must go there personally!"

After reading the letter, Emperor Hongtai's expression changed slightly. He immediately ordered his guards to prepare a carriage, which was to be pulled over by a nine-headed Foundation Establishment stage demon bird.

Thump...thump...thump...thump...

Suddenly, the Qingyun Academy rang out with a melodious and loud bell, which lasted for nine rings, echoing through the mountains and forests for a long time.

This signifies the most urgent order from Qingyun Academy: all disciples, instructors, and elders must assemble immediately.

"What terrible thing is going to happen?"

"I have been in the academy for more than three hundred years, and this is the first time I have heard the bell toll nine times. Something big must be happening."

"Hurry to the martial arts training ground below the Qingyun Palace!"

The bronze bell would only ring nine times when the academy was facing a life-or-death crisis.

Many disciples heading to the martial arts arena were filled with unease, pondering the potential crises along the way.

But after thinking it over and over, racking my brains, it seems unlikely.

The only thing that could pose a threat to Qingyun Academy is probably the royal family.

Meanwhile, Murong Jing and Li Chengze, who were still playing chess, were also startled by the nine chimes of the bell, and their expressions turned solemn.

Li Chengze was already a Foundation Establishment True Person, so he could fly away at an incredibly fast speed.

However, Murong Jing was only at the innate level of cultivation and could only use the treasures bestowed upon her by her master to fly through the air.

At this moment, the martial arts training square below the Qingyun Hall was bustling with people, standing in an orderly fashion. At the front were the elders, followed by the instructors, and then the disciples, densely packed together, with an estimated number of tens of thousands.

Among the crowd were many powerful individuals; there were already four or five hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators who had been revealed.

It should be noted that a Foundation Establishment cultivator can be an ancestor of a small family, while in an academy, they might just be a tutor.

The aura of those in the late Foundation Establishment stage was fewer in number, but there were still over a hundred, comparable to the elders of the Fang family.

The figures standing in front of the Azure Cloud Palace exuded even stronger auras, far exceeding the Foundation Establishment stage.

These people were all deputy palace masters of Qingyun Academy, holding extremely high positions, with He Yunsong standing in the center.

"Look, that's His Majesty's carriage!"

Some disciples heard the cry of the demonic bird, turned around and looked over, a look of shock on their faces.

"Even His Majesty has come. What on earth has happened?"

Now, the confusion between the disciples and elders deepened, their eyes fixed on the imposing chariot pulled by the demonic bird.

Before long, Emperor Hongtai stepped out of his carriage, his majestic gaze sweeping over the crowd, and no one dared to look him in the eye.

"Greetings, Father Emperor!"

The Ninth Prince, Li Chengze, was also in front of the Qingyun Palace, positioned slightly behind the other vice palace masters, as he came over to pay his respects.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Hongtai's aura was still very powerful, and Murong Jing and several deputy palace masters all stepped forward to pay their respects.

However, these individuals were of high status and position, so they did not need to kneel; they only needed to bow.

The scene was even more spectacular when tens of thousands of people in the martial arts square below knelt down in unison.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Greetings came from inside the Qingyun Palace, but only the voices could be heard, not the people, which made Emperor Hongtai slightly displeased.

But seeing the person coming out of the hall, he still had a smile on his face and quickly helped him up, saying, "Grand Preceptor, there's no need for such formalities."

"Everyone, an elder from the Qingyun Sect will be arriving shortly!"

Li Chengxian stood on the high platform, and his voice, though not very loud, was clearly audible to everyone.

"I knew it! The bronze bell tolled nine times; it turns out it was our sect's True Lord arriving!"

The elders and disciples below were all in an uproar...