Chapter 332 - 329: 68th on the Celestial Pride List
Chapter 332: Chapter 329: 68th on the Celestial Pride List
"Thank you for your trouble, Steward Zhou."
Fang Han returned the courtesy, and they both sat down.
Steward Zhou Heng took out an ancient-looking Inheritance Jade Inkstone and said with a smile:
"True Inheritor Fang, please take out your Identity Token."
Fang Han took the Identity Token from his robes—it was warm and smooth like jade, engraved with the "Qingxuan" cloud pattern—and handed it over.
Steward Zhou Heng placed the token in the central groove of the Jade Inkstone. A faint light glowed at his fingertips as he skillfully manipulated it for a moment.
The Jade Inkstone let out a barely perceptible hum, and a stream of light flashed across its surface before vanishing.
"Sixth on the overall list. This month’s Contribution Point reward is twenty-three thousand. It has been transferred to your token. True Inheritor Fang, please verify it."
Steward Zhou Heng said as he handed the token back.
’23,000 Contribution Points. That’s four thousand more than last month when I was ranked eighth.’
The thought flashed through Fang Han’s mind as he took the token and infused a wisp of Inner Qi into it.
The token flickered faintly, displaying a line of numbers—50,000.
After spending some Contribution Points on elixirs last month, and adding the 23,000 he just received, his total now came to exactly 50,000.
"Fifty thousand Contribution Points..."
Fang Han’s heart stirred.
This amount meant he could now exchange them for four or five Middle Grade Cultivation Techniques for his family.
As for Top Grade Cultivation Techniques... his gaze swept over the token, and he shook his head inwardly.
A Top Grade Cultivation Technique that cost one thousand Contribution Points for personal use would require a hundred times that amount to be exchanged for family use—a staggering one hundred thousand.
Even at his current rate of earning over twenty thousand Contribution Points per month, this was an unbearably massive expense, far beyond what he could consider at this stage.
"True Inheritor Fang, your special resource allotment for this month is three bottles of Earth Spirit Pills."
Zhou Heng’s voice interrupted Fang Han’s thoughts.
He took three quaint Jade Bottles from the tray held by an accompanying disciple. The bottles were warm to the touch and inscribed with "Earth Spirit Pill" in ancient seal script.
"It’s actually Earth Spirit Pills this month!"
A flash of delight crossed Fang Han’s eyes as he accepted them with both hands.
These three bottles of Earth Spirit Pills had come at the perfect time.
In the Martial Dao, the further one progressed, the more immense the amount of Inner Qi required to advance even a single minor realm became.
It had been over a month since he broke through to the Fourth Grade. Although he had been cultivating diligently, he felt he was still some distance from the Middle Stage of Fourth Grade due to the vast amount of accumulation required.
The Medicinal Power of the Earth Spirit Pills was both immense and pure, which would help him accelerate his accumulation and shorten this process.
"It seems the Earth Spirit Pills were distributed at just the right time," Zhou Heng said with a smile, then stood up.
"The rewards have all been distributed. I won’t disturb your quiet cultivation any longer. Farewell."
"Take care, Steward Zhou."
Fang Han personally saw Steward Zhou to the courtyard gate, where they bowed with clasped hands and parted ways.
Returning to the courtyard, Fang Han wasted no more time. He took the Earth Spirit Pills and headed straight for his Quiet Chamber.
Sandalwood incense smoke curled languidly in the Quiet Chamber.
Fang Han sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion and uncorked one of the Jade Bottles. At once, a refreshing medicinal fragrance filled the air.
He poured an elixir into his palm. It was the size of a longan, its color a lustrous, jade-like white. Natural cloud-like patterns adorned its surface as if it contained a spiritual core. This was an Earth Spirit Pill.
He placed the elixir in his mouth.
The Earth Spirit Pill dissolved the moment it entered his mouth, instantly transforming into a warm current several times larger and purer than that of a True Spirit Pill, surging through his limbs and bones like a river bursting its banks.
The Medicinal Power was gentle yet torrential. Wherever it passed, his meridians felt as if they were being cleansed by the warm current, bringing waves of comfort.
Fang Han immediately focused his mind, circulating the Profound Wind Technique at full power to guide the immense Medicinal Power through a complete Circulation of the Heavens along his meridians.
Thanks to the purity of the Earth Spirit Pill’s Medicinal Power, it was much easier to refine than a True Spirit Pill. With just a little effort, it could be rapidly converted into pure Profound Wind Technique Inner Qi.
His Inner Qi grew at a visible rate, like a stream flowing into a great river, surging ceaselessly.
Time passed in silence.
Four hours later, the effects of the Earth Spirit Pill were completely absorbed and refined.
Fang Han slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a long, turbid breath. He could feel the Inner Qi in his body swelling and surging; it was a noticeable degree denser than before he took the pill.
The rate of increase was several times that of his normal cultivation!
"The Earth Spirit Pill truly lives up to its name."
Fang Han murmured to himself, feeling the surging Inner Qi within him. He now felt confident he could break through to the Middle Stage of Fourth Grade soon.
The next day, just as the sky was brightening, Qiu Lan arrived, respectfully presenting Fang Han with the new editions of the Celestial Pride List and the Martial Artist Ranking.
The books still gave off the faint scent of fresh ink.
Fang Han accepted the books. He took a sip of clear tea before slowly opening one.
His gaze fell directly on the Celestial Pride List, scanning from the bottom up.
Soon, his eyes locked onto the sixty-eighth position.
"Sixty-eighth: Fang Han (Qingxuan Sect)!"
His rank on the Celestial Pride List had actually leaped from eighty-first to sixty-eighth, a jump of thirteen places at once!
This increase even surpassed last month’s jump of eight places, and by a large margin.
’I actually jumped a full thirteen places...’
Fang Han’s brow twitched. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly understood.
’In last month’s encounter with Meng Xian, who was seventeenth on the Celestial Pride List, I had been forced to go all out, holding nothing back.’
’The Celestial Pride List’s evaluation system is mysterious. It must have accurately gauged the strength I displayed in that battle, leading to such a significant jump in rank.’
However, this wasn’t without its downsides.
While the huge jump in rank from going all out was gratifying, it also meant more of his trump cards were now exposed.
If he encountered a strong enemy again, they would surely assess him based on the strength of someone ranked sixty-eighth on the Celestial Pride List, making it difficult to catch them by surprise.
’But it’s only temporary.’
Calm returned to Fang Han’s eyes.
With the help of the Earth Spirit Pills, he should be able to break through to the Middle Stage of Fourth Grade very soon.
Once he broke through, his strength would soar once again.
At that time, anyone who tried to plot against him based solely on his current rank would pay a heavy price.
He closed the ranking book and placed it on the desk.
The most pressing matter now was to use the Earth Spirit Pills to break through to the Middle Stage of Fourth Grade as quickly as possible.
Only one’s own strength was the fundamental way to deal with all storms.
The faint morning light dispersed the thin mist in the mountains of the Qingxuan Sect, outlining the magnificent silhouettes of endless halls and pavilions against the rising sun.
The new editions of the Celestial Pride List and Martial Artist Ranking went on sale at Tingyu Hall.
The disciples who bought the books didn’t leave, instead finding a corner to start flipping through them immediately.
Before long, a low cry of surprise was heard.
"Sixty-eighth, Fang Han (Qingxuan Sect)!"
What had startled them was precisely Fang Han’s rank at number 68.
These cries of surprise were like a fuse, quickly igniting widespread attention.
Some disciples who hadn’t managed to buy a book couldn’t contain their curiosity and shamelessly crowded around those who had, reading along with them.
Seeing Fang Han’s new rank, they were all astonished.
News of Fang Han ranking 68th on the Celestial Pride List spread like wildfire, reaching the Twelve Courtyards and fanning out across the entire Sect.
"Sixty-eighth! Senior Brother Fang Han actually reached sixty-eighth!"
"He was eighty-first last month, and now he’s sixty-eighth! Heavens, that’s a full jump of thirteen places!"
"Thirteen places in one month... That’s simply unheard of!"
"Senior Brother Mo Chen was actually surpassed!"
"I thought Senior Brother Mo Chen had more combat experience and would be able to suppress Senior Brother Fang Han on the Celestial Pride List, but to think..."
Cries of amazement and discussion erupted in every corner, from the Martial Arts Arena and the Inheritance Hall to the Dining Hall and even the Disciple Residences.
Although the sect disciples had long since grown somewhat numb to Fang Han’s incredible promotion speed, this time, his jump of thirteen places, surpassing True Inheritor Mo Chen, was like cold water splashed into hot oil, creating a massive stir.
Countless gazes, both open and hidden, turned toward Courtyard 35 of the True Inheritance Courtyard, filled with an indescribable mix of complex emotions—awe, adoration, envy, and even a trace of wistful yearning for something unattainable.
Even some Stewards and Elders couldn’t help but pause when they heard the news, unconcealable astonishment flashing in their eyes.
When they discussed it over tea or after meals, they were generous with their praise.
When Elder Zhou Jin of the Law Enforcement Hall received the report from his subordinate, he was sitting at his desk processing documents.
Upon hearing the news, the tip of his brush froze on the paper for an instant before slowly descending. A barely perceptible smile touched his lips as he murmured:
"This boy... he truly is full of surprises, time and time again."
However, not everyone was pleased to see this.
In the Shen Courtyard, within the Dean’s Quiet Chamber, the sandalwood incense still burned, but the atmosphere was even more oppressive than usual.
Tu Baichuan’s gaunt figure was wrapped in the Dean’s robes. He stood with his back to the door, gazing out the window at several ancient trees in the courtyard that looked desolate in the autumn wind.
He was clutching a smooth Jade Pendant, his knuckles white from the force of his grip.
His trusted subordinate, Steward Zhao Kun, stood a few steps behind him with his hands lowered, not daring to breathe too loudly, as he finished softly reporting the outside discussions about Fang Han’s soaring rank.
After a long silence, Tu Baichuan finally spoke, his voice hoarse, deep, and tinged with regret:
"Sixty-eighth... Hmph. I truly misjudged him."
He didn’t turn around, simply pressing the Jade Pendant heavily against the windowsill, making a dull THUD.
"What a pity."
These last three words were almost inaudible, yet they contained an inexpressible blend of regret and simmering anger.
He waved his hand, and Zhao Kun, as if granted a pardon, bowed and quietly withdrew.
Meanwhile, in another solemn side hall of the Law Enforcement Hall.
Elder Yan Lv listened to his subordinate’s report with a deadpan expression. He gave only a cold grunt in response before waving the man away.
He continued to flip through the documents in his hands, seemingly as usual. But on closer inspection, one would notice his pace was a fraction slower than normal, and his eyes weren’t truly focused on the words.
Fang Han’s rapid rise, especially this significant jump in rank, undoubtedly put him—who had chosen to side with Chu Feng and had previously suppressed Fang Han—in an increasingly awkward position.
Although Fang Han had yet to make any direct move against him, the formless pressure brought about by this shift in power was what truly made him lose sleep and appetite.
He picked up the teacup beside him, but as the rim touched his lips, he realized the tea had already grown cool.
...
Several days passed quietly amid the sect’s fervent discussions and swirling undercurrents.
Fang Han remained in seclusion, paying no mind to the outside talk about him.
Early one morning, inside the Quiet Chamber of Courtyard 35 in the True Inheritance Courtyard.
The light inside the room was dim, with only a cool draft of air flowing through.
Fang Han sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion. From a Jade Bottle, he poured out a longan-sized, lustrous white elixir with a fragrant medicinal scent—an Earth Spirit Pill.
Without the slightest hesitation, he placed the elixir in his mouth.
The Earth Spirit Pill dissolved the moment it entered his mouth, instantly transforming into a warm current several times larger and purer than that of a True Spirit Pill. Like a gentle yet surging river, it rushed into his limbs and bones.
Wherever the Medicinal Power passed, his meridians felt as though they were being cleansed by divine nectar, bringing waves of comfort.
Fang Han immediately focused his entire mind. The Profound Wind Technique within him roared to life, following its cultivation path in a Circulation of the Heavens.
His Early Stage of Fourth Grade Inner Qi surged and flowed like a great river, continuously absorbing and refining the abundant Medicinal Power from the Earth Spirit Pill.
It converted the power into pure Profound Wind Technique Inner Qi, which flowed into his Qi Sea and then poured into the Zhubin Acupoint.
His consciousness sank into his body, clearly "seeing" the Zhubin Acupoint, which was already more than ninety-five percent full of Inner Qi.
After several consecutive days of cultivating with the aid of Earth Spirit Pills, his progress had been extremely fast. Inside the acupoint, a deep, almost black, cyan Inner Qi swirled, completely filling it save for the last tiny sliver. It was just shy of complete Perfection.
And once it reached Perfection, it would mean he could begin his push to the Middle Stage of Fourth Grade.