Chapter 413 - 410: First on the Overall Ranking
The night was as black as ink, blanketing a stretch of hills in eastern Qingyang County.
Three black-clad figures flitted across the mountain path like phantoms, their speed astonishing.
The leader had a sinister face and an aura so cold it chilled to the bone. He was Liu Han, an Elder of the Netherworld Pavilion.
Following him were two Stewards, both at the Late Stage of Fourth Grade.
"Elder Liu, the Qingxuan Sect’s Spirit Iron mine is about three miles ahead."
A Steward spoke in a low voice, his gaze fixed on the faint outline of a mountain in the distance.
Liu Han gave a slight nod, a murderous glint flashing in his cold eyes.
"Make it quick. Leave no survivors."
The three figures moved again, darting toward the mine.
However—
Just as they were about to reach the mine.
Several figures emerged from the darkness like specters, blocking their path.
The leader, clad in the deep cyan Elder Robe, had a slightly chubby face and a calm gaze. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
It was Cheng Zhou, an Elder of the Qingxuan Sect.
Liu Han stopped short, his pupils contracting slightly.
"Cheng Zhou?"
His voice was low, laced with unconcealed surprise.
"Liu Han."
Cheng Zhou spoke slowly, his voice flat and emotionless.
"I’ve been waiting for you."
Liu Han’s expression turned ugly in an instant.
’The Qingxuan Sect was prepared.’
—
「At the same time, in a dense mountain forest in western Qingyang County.」
Five figures were stealthily approaching a hidden valley.
It was the location of one of the Qingxuan Sect’s important medicinal herb fields.
The leader was another Elder from the Netherworld Pavilion, Chen Li.
Following him were four Stewards, all of them skilled Fourth Grade experts.
But the moment they stepped into the valley—
They were met by several figures darting out from the shadows.
The leader was the Qingxuan Sect Elder, Zhao Ming.
"Chen Li."
Zhao Ming stood with his hands behind his back, his calm voice directed at the man’s astonished face.
"What do you think you’re doing, coming to my Qingxuan Sect’s herb fields in the middle of the night?"
Chen Li’s face was ashen. The Qingxuan Sect had been ready for them. The attack was undoubtedly a failure.
—
「In southern Qingyang County, a sizable marketplace.」
This was an important trading hub for the Qingxuan Sect and the other powers in the county, guarded year-round by over a dozen Steward Disciples.
Under the cover of night, eight dark figures stealthily approached the marketplace.
Their leader was a Steward from the Netherworld Pavilion at the Late-Stage Fourth Grade Limit named Wu Heng.
He was under orders to lead an attack on the marketplace, slaughter the Steward Disciples stationed there, and plunder its wealth.
However, just as they reached the edge of the marketplace—
A figure appeared before them like a phantom.
The man wore the True Inheritance Robe of the Qingxuan Sect. He was handsome, and his aura was as still as water.
It was Luo Yuntian.
"Men from the Netherworld Pavilion?"
Luo Yuntian spoke slowly. His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a heart-pounding pressure.
Wu Heng’s pupils shrank.
When he was ordered to attack the marketplace, the intel he received stated that only ordinary Steward Disciples were stationed here, with no experts present.
But the man before him was clearly Luo Yuntian, seventh on the Celestial Pride List. He stood no chance against him.
—
That night, six Qingxuan Sect properties within Qingyang County were attacked simultaneously.
But at every location, the Qingxuan Sect was prepared.
The six teams dispatched by the Netherworld Pavilion failed in their missions and fled in disarray.
News of the events quickly spread throughout Qingyang County.
—
「The next morning, at the Vajra Temple.」
An old monk in a gray robe sat cross-legged in a Quiet Chamber, a string of prayer beads in his hand, his eyes slightly closed.
A soft knock came from the door.
"Come in."
The old monk slowly opened his eyes, a serene light flashing within their ancient depths.
A middle-aged monk walked in briskly and bowed.
"Martial Uncle, news came in last night. The Netherworld Pavilion sent men to attack several Qingxuan Sect properties, but the Qingxuan Sect was prepared, and the Netherworld Pavilion’s attempts were unsuccessful."
The old monk raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Do we know why?"
"This disciple has already sent people to investigate."
The middle-aged monk paused before continuing.
"According to our investigation, the incident was triggered when Netherworld Pavilion Elder Yin Wugou ignored the rules and personally tried to assassinate the Qingxuan Sect’s True Inheritor, Fang Han."
"The Qingxuan Sect was enraged. They set an ambush and killed Yin Wugou. The Netherworld Pavilion retaliated, but because the Qingxuan Sect was prepared, they retreated in failure."
The old monk fell silent for a moment, a thoughtful look in his ancient eyes.
"Fang Han..."
He murmured the name.
Even he had heard of the young prodigy who had killed You Xin and forced the Netherworld Pavilion to go so far as to send an Elder to assassinate him.
"Send out the order."
The old monk spoke slowly, his voice calm yet filled with an undeniable authority.
"Inform all of our sect’s itinerant Elders that they are not to break the rules by attacking any Qingxuan Sect disciple, especially not Fang Han."
"Yes."
The middle-aged monk bowed in acknowledgment and retreated.
—
「Baihua Valley.」
Inside an elegant pavilion, a graceful, middle-aged woman reclined on a soft couch.
She was Liu Yan, the Vice Valley Master of Baihua Valley, also known as "Mistress Liu."
A young female disciple walked in quickly and bowed.
"Martial Aunt Liu, the news from last night..."
She gave a detailed report of the intelligence she had gathered.
Mistress Liu listened quietly, a thoughtful glint appearing in her limpid eyes.
"Yin Wugou broke the rules, so the Qingxuan Sect ambushed and killed him. The Netherworld Pavilion retaliated, but the Qingxuan Sect was prepared..."
She shook her head gently, a playful curve gracing her lips.
’It seems the Qingxuan Sect’s regard for Fang Han is anything but ordinary.’
"Martial Aunt, what do you mean?"
the young disciple asked tentatively.
"Send out the order."
Mistress Liu sat up straight, her voice lazy but clear.
"Have the sect’s Elders act with more propriety. They are not to attack any Qingxuan Sect disciples, especially not that Fang Han."
"The Qingxuan Sect’s stance is very clear this time: whoever breaks the rules will die."
The young disciple’s heart trembled, and she quickly responded.
"Yes."
—
The Overlord Blade Sect, the Lingyun Sword Sect, Tingyu Building...
At almost the same time, the headquarters of every major power in the Commandery City received the same news.
After learning the full story, the leaders of those powers all made the same decision.
They would restrain their Elders from attacking any Qingxuan Sect disciples, especially Fang Han.
Yin Wugou’s death was like a giant stone thrown into a calm lake, and the ripples were spreading rapidly.
—
「End of the month.」
At the faint light of dawn, a crowd of disciples had already gathered in the plaza where the Qingxuan Sect’s Overall Martial Arts Stele was located.
Today was the last day of the month, the day for disciples to test their strength and update their rankings.
The morning breeze swept across the plaza, carrying the fresh scent of mountain flora and dispelling the mild heat of early summer.
"Do you think Senior Brother Fang Han will come test his rank today?"
a young disciple asked in a low voice, his eyes darting toward the plaza entrance from time to time.
"Of course he will,"
another disciple replied with conviction.
"Senior Brother Fang Han killed You Xin, who was ranked one spot higher than Senior Brother Luo on the Celestial Pride List. His strength must already be greater than Senior Brother Luo’s. Since his rank on the overall list is still below Senior Brother Luo’s, he’ll definitely come test it."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Fang Han’s strength should already be above Senior Brother Luo’s. Now that it was the end of the month, he was bound to come and raise his rank on the overall list; after all, rankings were directly tied to Contribution Points.
"He’s here! He’s here!"
Someone in the crowd cried out, and all eyes snapped to the plaza’s entrance.
A figure in a cyan robe was approaching at a steady, unhurried pace.
With the Cloud Splitting Sword at his waist and a calm expression on his face, it was none other than Fang Han.
The crowd automatically parted to form a path. The disciples whose gazes fell upon Fang Han all felt an invisible pressure.
It was the oppressive might of an Upper Three Grades Martial Artist—unleashed intentionally, yet naturally present.
Fang Han gave a slight nod, acknowledging the respectful gazes.
He strode to a spot about ten feet from the Martial Arts Stele and stopped, slowly raising a hand to rest on his sword’s hilt.
"CLANG—!"
The Cloud Splitting Sword left its sheath.
Its dark cyan blade shimmered with a restrained light in the morning sun. Where its tip pointed, the very air seemed to freeze.
He didn’t build up Momentum, nor did he circulate his Inner Qi. He simply thrust the sword forward.
The strike was utterly casual.
It was as if he wasn’t testing his rank, but merely practicing his swordplay in a courtyard.
Yet, the moment the sword lanced out—
a fine, ten-foot-long tear silently ripped through the air where the tip passed.
The tear was as clean as a blade slicing through paper, and it lingered in the air.
"HISS—BOOM!"
The instant the sword tip touched the stele’s surface, the highly condensed Sword Momentum and Inner Qi exploded.
A piercing shriek was followed by a dull roar like a clap of thunder.
The Overall Martial Arts Stele erupted in a brilliant glow. Its surface trembled violently as ripple-like waves of energy spread out in a frenzy.
Fang Han’s name suddenly lit up!
The number in front of it, representing his rank, began to flicker!
Three!
The number blurred and leaped upward in an instant!
Two!
The light stabilized for a moment, then blurred once more!
One!
The light finally settled, and the number came to a firm rest at the "One" position.
First on the overall list!
Fang Han’s name now stood above Luo Yuntian’s, claiming the top spot on the Qingxuan Sect’s overall list!
The disciples in the plaza were not surprised by this change. After all, even You Xin, who had been ranked higher than Luo Yuntian on the Celestial Pride List, had died at Fang Han’s hands.
But they couldn’t help but feel shocked. Fang Han had only joined the sect a little over two years ago, yet he had already reached the top of the overall list.
It was the kind of shock that came from witnessing a legend in the making.
"He’s too strong..."
one disciple murmured, his voice filled with complex emotions.
"First on the overall list after just two years in the sect!"
"Just how strong is Senior Brother Fang Han now?"
No one could answer that question.
They could only gaze at the cyan-robed figure and his still-calm face, their hearts filling with endless awe.
Fang Han sheathed his sword. The Cloud Splitting Sword returned to its scabbard with a soft *CLANG*.
He glanced up at his name on the stele’s surface, not a ripple of emotion in his eyes.
’First place.’
He had long expected this result.
He hadn’t even used his full strength in that last strike.
He turned and, under the stunned gazes of the crowd, strode away from the plaza.
The crowd automatically parted a path, watching him walk further and further away.
The cyan-robed figure soon disappeared around a bend in the mountain path at the end of the plaza.
—
「True Inheritance Courtyard, Luo Yuntian’s private residence.」
The courtyard was sparsely furnished with only a stone table, a few stone stools, and a clump of green bamboo in the corner.
Luo Yuntian had just finished his Cultivation and was resting in the courtyard.
The sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate, followed by an attendant’s voice.
"Senior Brother, Senior Brother Fang Han went to test his rank on the overall list today. His rank... rose to first."
Luo Yuntian’s expression froze for a second. He didn’t look up, merely remaining silent for a moment.
Then, he stood up and clasped his hands behind his back in the middle of the courtyard.
As he gazed at the lush green forest beyond the courtyard walls, a faint, complex emotion appeared on his face.
’First place.’
The position he had held for so many years had now been surpassed by a newcomer.
But there was no surprise in his eyes, only an indescribable... calm.
Because he had already foreseen it.
From the moment Fang Han killed You Xin, he knew that this junior brother’s strength had already surpassed his own.
Topping the overall list was only a matter of course.
"First place..."
He repeated the words softly.
A brilliant light suddenly ignited in his calm eyes.
It was the light of unwillingness to be defeated.
He turned and strode toward his Quiet Chamber.
Behind him, the attendant froze for a moment, then hurried to follow.
"Senior Brother, you’re...?"
"Cultivation."
Luo Yuntian didn’t turn back. His voice was steady, but it carried a resolve he had never shown before.
The door to the Quiet Chamber slowly closed.
Shutting out all the clamor of the outside world.