Daqian Martial Saint

The next day, Chen Ping’an left the inn, escorted by an elite retinue from the Garrison Commandant’s Office.

He vaulted onto his horse, and the group galloped away at full speed, leaving a trail of dust in their wake.

Their goal: reach Weishui County City before sunset.

At the very moment Chen Ping’an departed, the latest issue of the Canglong Province Rising Star Chart was distributed from Canglong State City, just in time to arrive in Weishui County City.

The Rising Star Chart was updated every three months, with each new issue bringing changes. As it featured the many prodigies of Canglong Province, the various powers within Weishui County City naturally followed it with great interest.

Even before the chart was officially released for public sale, these influential families had already obtained the latest issue’s contents through their own channels.

The Mu Family.

"The new Rising Star Chart is out! I wonder if Feiyu made the list!?"

A Mu Family Clan Elder, suppressing his excitement, quickly opened the book containing the Rising Star Chart’s rankings. He didn’t start from the beginning, but flipped straight to the end.

Mu Feiyu had only just broken into the Third Stage of Inner Qi, the Celestial Rain Falling Realm. To expect a high rank on the chart would be a complete fantasy. The elder, at least, was self-aware enough to know that.

’One hundredth place, Earth Fire County City...’ He started his search from the very bottom of the list, at rank one hundred, but didn’t see Mu Feiyu’s name.

’Could he be ranked higher?’ The Mu Family elder felt a flicker of excitement. He turned back a page and looked at the entry for ninety-ninth place.

’Ninety-ninth is... Huh!? Not Feiyu!’ The Mu Clan Elder’s heart skipped a beat. He glanced at the next page, scanning the key information, but still couldn’t find the name he was looking for.

Then... he flipped back several more pages in succession, but there was still no sign of Mu Feiyu.

’Feiyu... he didn’t make the list?’ The elder’s heart sank.

The Mu Family had spared no effort or expense in cultivating Mu Feiyu, helping him break through to the Third Stage of Inner Qi before he turned thirty. They had been certain he would make it onto this issue of the Rising Star Chart, but unexpectedly, it seemed he had fallen just short.

’He didn’t make the chart? Where did Feiyu fall short? His cultivation technique? His combat record!?’ the white-haired Mu Clan Elder wondered, his mind in turmoil. His hand continued to absentmindedly turn the pages.

Suddenly... his gaze froze.

’This is...’

He thought he must have misread it. He blinked and looked again. This time, his eyes were glued to the page.

The text at the top of the page read: "Weishui County City, Weishui Garrison, Chen Ping’an, Rising Star Chart Rank 91! Major Combat Record: Single-handedly suppressed White Stone City..."

...

Liu Family, Main Hall.

"Ziming, congratulations on your improvement!"

Liu Family Patriarch Liu Mingyu sat in a grand armchair, stroking his beard as he gazed at Liu Ziming with a look of deep satisfaction.

"That’s right, Ziming! You’re ranked 73rd on the new Rising Star Chart! That’s a jump of 13 places! You truly are the pride of the Liu Family!"

"Ziming, to have reached Celestial Rain Falling Realm Perfection at your age... you are truly worthy of the title ’prodigy’!"

"Indeed! You have already reached Perfection in the Inner Qi Realm. Once your enlightenment is sufficient, you will break through to the Profound Light Realm. When that time comes... you will be among the absolute top prodigies in all of Canglong Province!"

"Exactly!"

"..."

In the main hall, besides Liu Mingyu, several Liu Family Clan Elders were also present. At this moment, all of them were beaming, their excitement palpable.

Liu Ziming’s advancement on the Rising Star Chart was a victory not just for him, but for the entire Liu Family!

As Clan Elders of the Liu Family, they shared in his glory. Most importantly, this achievement would surely elevate the Liu Family’s power and prestige in Weishui County City to new heights.

A flourishing new generation and a generation with no worthy successors are two entirely different prospects!

Inside the main hall, Liu Ziming’s father, Liu Yuanhong, stood silently, watching his brilliant son. His own face held a barely concealed excitement.

Among his brothers in the Liu Family, he was not particularly outstanding; even now, he had yet to break through to the Profound Light Realm. His standing in the family was not strong, weak even. He had thought that was all his life would amount to, but he never imagined he would father such a prodigy—a true genius!

At only twenty-eight, his cultivation had already reached Celestial Rain Falling Realm Perfection. Moreover, he had mastered several superior cultivation methods. His talent in both Magical Combat and general cultivation was breathtaking.

More importantly, Liu Ziming still had two years. In that time, his cultivation could very well advance further. If he were to have a sudden epiphany and break through to the Profound Light Realm, then...

...his future accomplishments would be simply unimaginable!

Liu Ziming stood in the center of the hall, listening quietly to the praise without a change in expression. He was strikingly handsome, with sharp features and an air of exceptionality. At his waist hung a Treasure Sword—the Abyssal Rainbow Sword, a Genuine Treasure Artifact that even most experts in the Profound Light Realm would struggle to acquire.

"Elders, you are too kind." Liu Ziming’s tone wasn’t cold, but it held little warmth.

Seeing Liu Ziming’s humble demeanor, neither arrogant nor complacent in his success, Liu Mingyu was extremely pleased.

’Now that is the bearing of a true Sword Master!’

’Someone who can only wield a sword but lacks the proper disposition of a Sword Master is destined to never go far!’

"Did that young brat from the Mu Family make it onto the Rising Star Chart?" Liu Mingyu asked, his thoughts suddenly turning from Liu Ziming to Mu Feiyu, whose breakthrough to the Third Stage of Inner Qi had caused quite a stir in Weishui County City.

"Oh, right, let me check," one of the Clan Elders said, tapping his forehead as if he’d just remembered.

They had been so overjoyed at seeing Liu Ziming ranked 73rd that they hadn’t bothered to read any further down the list. Now that Liu Mingyu brought it up, they realized they should check the lower rankings.

The Mu Family’s strength was not to be underestimated; among the Four Great Noble Families, they were second only to the Liu Family. If Mu Feiyu had truly made the Rising Star Chart, the resulting boost to the Mu Family’s prestige would not be good news for the Lius.

The elder began flipping toward the back of the book. He moved quickly through the higher ranks, but his pace slowed as he neared the end of the list. With each page he turned, he checked to see if Mu Feiyu’s name was there.

When he reached the ninety-first rank, he froze.

"What is it?" another elder asked curiously. Not waiting for a reply, he leaned in to look. His pupils contracted, and a look of shock crossed his face.

"Chen Ping’an, Rising Star Chart Rank 91! Major Combat Record..."

"What? Chen Ping’an is on the Rising Star Chart?"

"Even though Chen Ping’an has reached the Third Stage of Inner Qi, I don’t think he’s ever fought another Martial Arts Master from the Third Stage!"

"Exactly! Even if he made the chart, he shouldn’t have been ranked as high as 91st!"

"Agreed. Isn’t that ranking a bit high? Quick, look at the combat record! What’s their justification for it!?"

"..."

The news that Chen Ping’an had not only made the Rising Star Chart but was ranked 91st surprised many in the Liu Family.

’Chen Ping’an...’

Liu Ziming stood in the middle of the hall, his hand resting on his Abyssal Rainbow Sword, a faint glint in his eyes.