Chapter 364 - 361: Third on the General Ranking
Chapter 364: Chapter 361: Third on the General Ranking
’Even though it took several months just to reach the Entry Level, overall, directly cultivating a Grandmaster Level Technique is undoubtedly the most efficient path.’
Back when he began his Body Hardening Technique, Fang Han had considered two paths: directly cultivating a Grandmaster Level Body Hardening Technique, or starting with a Low Grade one and gradually progressing until he could switch to the Grandmaster Level version.
He had chosen the former, believing it to be more efficient. Now, it seemed his choice was undoubtedly the correct one.
In just a few months, he had already attained a physical defense that an ordinary Late-Stage Fourth Grade Martial Artist would find difficult to breach.
Had he chosen the latter path—starting with a Low Grade Body Hardening Technique as a foundation and gradually transitioning—the time required would likely not have been a few months, but dozens.
He could infer as much from the time it had taken him to advance his swordsmanship: from Low Grade to Middle Grade, from Middle Grade to Top Grade, and from Top Grade to top-level.
’It seems the most effective way to utilize my Talent is to cultivate High-grade Cultivation Methods!’
A realization dawned on Fang Han.
To maximize his absurdly amplified Talent, the best approach was to directly cultivate High-grade Cultivation Methods. He shouldn’t be like an ordinary disciple, lowering the difficulty by starting with Low-grade techniques and then gradually progressing to High-grade ones.
Although the latter approach was far less difficult, it took much longer and was suitable for disciples of ordinary aptitude, not for a disciple with "Talent" like him.
...
On the last day of the month, the sky above the Qingxuan Sect was clear. The late winter wind still carried a biting chill, but a hint of spring could already be detected in the air.
In the plaza of the Overall Martial Arts Stele, many disciples had gathered early.
They stood in small groups, talking in low voices, either waiting to be tested or watching others.
The last day of each month was when Sect Disciples tested their strength and updated their rankings. This day was especially important for those eager to secure a larger resource allocation for the following month.
"I hear many people have improved their strength this month and are planning to challenge for higher ranks."
"Well, we had a two-month gap because of the New Year. It’s normal for people to have made significant progress."
"Do you guys think Senior Brother Fang will come to test this month?"
"I’ll bet you anything, Senior Brother Fang will definitely be here!"
"So sure? Senior Brother Fang hasn’t tested at the Overall Martial Arts Stele for several months."
"Of course! Senior Brother Fang’s rank on the Celestial Pride List rose again this month, surpassing Fifth Senior Sister. But his rank on the overall list is still below hers. He’ll definitely come to raise his overall ranking!"
...
At the mention of Fang Han, the gazes of a few disciples drifted unconsciously toward the plaza’s entrance, their eyes filled with a mix of admiration and anticipation.
In the Celestial Pride List update at the beginning of the month, Fang Han had jumped from sixty-eighth to fifty-fifth, a rise of thirteen places at once, surpassing Fifth Senior Sister Su Yuwei, who was at sixty-third.
But on the sect’s overall list, Fang Han’s rank was still behind Fifth Senior Sister’s, which was why he was certain to come and test at the Overall Martial Arts Stele.
Just then, a slight commotion arose at the entrance to the plaza.
"Senior Brother Fang is here!"
Someone cried out in a low voice, and everyone’s gaze snapped in that direction.
A figure in a cyan robe walked over with a composed gait, a longsword hanging from his waist, his expression calm.
It was Fang Han.
He wore the same silver-striped cyan robe exclusive to True Disciples, his long hair tied up with a wooden hairpin, his gaze as tranquil as still water.
As he walked past, the disciples whose eyes fell upon him all felt an inexplicable, formless pressure.
It was as if they weren’t facing a peer, but a sharp sword that had sheathed its edge, yet remained terrifyingly potent.
The long line of disciples waiting to test spontaneously parted to the sides the moment they saw Fang Han, opening a clear path straight to the Martial Arts Stele.
Fang Han paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the disciples who had made way for him.
There was no reluctance in their eyes; instead, they held an almost instinctual reverence and anticipation—
as if letting him test first was the most natural thing in the world.
He did not refuse. He gave a slight nod and said in a calm voice,
"Thank you."
He wouldn’t have minded waiting, but he understood that refusing this "preferential treatment" would only make these disciples uneasy, making them think they had done something wrong.
After all, unlike his previous life, this was not a world that valued equality for all. It was a world where the law of the jungle was openly acknowledged, a world where the strong were revered.
"Senior Brother Fang, you’re too polite! It’s our pleasure, really!"
Hearing this, the disciples’ faces immediately showed flattered expressions, and they waved their hands repeatedly.
Fang Han strode toward the Martial Arts Stele.
The plaza fell silent in an instant, all eyes converging on him.
No one spoke. No one even dared to breathe too loudly. Only the faint whistling of the wind sweeping across the plaza could be heard.
Fang Han came to a halt about ten feet before the stele and looked up at its surface.
The white jade-like body of the stele shimmered with a gentle luster. At the very top, names glowed brightly one after another.
Tenth: Yang Zhe.
Ninth: Wang Miao.
Eighth: Liu Ruyan.
Seventh: Mo Chen.
Sixth: Fang Han.
Fifth: Su Yuwei.
Fourth: Chen Wuhen.
Third: Kuang Tu.
Second: Yun Muyao.
First: Luo Yuntian.
His gaze lingered for a moment on his own name in sixth place.
This ranking was the result of his test at the end of October last year.
Back then, his cultivation was only at the Early Stage of Fourth Grade.
Now, three months later, his cultivation had advanced to the Late Stage of Fourth Grade, and his strength had naturally grown by leaps and bounds.
Originally, he had wanted to hide some of his strength as a trump card, but in his battle with Duan Wuya, he had already revealed it all.
Since that was the case, there was no longer any need to hold back.
Aside from the 100,000-jin of brute force he had yet to reveal, he could display the full extent of his other abilities.
Fang Han slowly raised his hand and placed it on the hilt of his sword.
*CLANG—*
With a clear, resonant ring, the Cloud Splitting Sword left its sheath.
The dark cyan blade shimmered with a restrained light in the morning sun. Wherever its edge pointed, the very air seemed to stagnate.
He did not strike immediately. Instead, he stood still for a moment as the aura around him slowly began to rise.
His Late-Stage Fourth Grade Inner Qi, like a slumbering river, awakened and surged within his body.
The aura was not wild; it could even be described as reserved. Yet, the immense and sharp power contained within that restraint made every disciple in the plaza feel a suffocating pressure.
He was merely standing there, merely holding a sword, yet it was as if he had merged with the heavens and the earth, and also as if he could tear them asunder at any moment.
"Such... such a powerful aura..."
Someone swallowed hard, their voice almost too low to be heard.
Most others, however, simply widened their eyes, staring intently at the figure, afraid of missing even a single instant.
Fang Han moved.
He executed a simple thrust.
The Cloud Splitting Sword transformed into an extremely condensed, cyan rainbow of light. As its tip passed, the air let out a faint, yet piercing, tearing sound.
The sound wasn’t loud, but it seemed to pierce directly into the depths of everyone’s soul, making their scalps tingle and goosebumps rise on their skin.
*HISS—BOOM!!*
The instant the sword tip touched the stele’s surface, the highly condensed Sword Momentum and immense Inner Qi erupted.
Following the sharp, strange noise was a muffled explosion like a clap of thunder.
The entire Overall Martial Arts Stele burst into brilliant light. Its surface trembled violently as ripple-like waves of energy spread out frantically.
The light was so intense that it was impossible to look at directly; everyone had to squint their eyes just to make out the stele’s surface.
Fang Han’s name suddenly lit up!
The number representing his rank in front of it began to jump wildly!
Six!
The number blurred and leaped up in an instant!
Five!
The light stabilized for a moment, then blurred once more!
Four!
This time, without even a moment’s pause, the number brazenly shot past!
Three!
The light finally settled, and the number came to a firm stop at the "three" position.
Third on the overall list!
Fang Han’s name now stood above Su Yuwei, Chen Wuhen, and Kuang Tu, second only to Luo Yuntian and Yun Muyao!
The plaza fell deathly silent.
Everyone stared at the brilliantly glowing name on the White Jade Stele, at the number three, speechless for a long time.
After a moment, the dead silence was broken by a suppressed cry of astonishment.
"Th-Third?!"
"Senior Brother Fang actually shot up to third place?!"
"Not only did he surpass Senior Sister Su Yuwei, he even surpassed Senior Brother Chen Wuhen and Senior Brother Kuang Tu!"
Cries of shock, gasps of admiration, and all sorts of discussions flooded the plaza in an instant, like water from an opened floodgate.
They had predicted that Fang Han’s overall ranking would surpass Su Yuwei’s, rising to fifth place.
But they never imagined he would be even more formidable than they expected. He didn’t just surpass Su Yuwei; he also leaped past Chen Wuhen and Kuang Tu, claiming third place directly.
Above him now were only First Senior Brother Luo Yuntian and Second Senior Sister Yun Muyao.
Looking at Fang Han, they felt the staggering awe of witnessing a legend in the making.
"Say... what do you think Senior Brother Fang’s rank on the Celestial Pride List could be now?"
Someone suddenly asked a crucial question.
The moment this question was raised, the discussions in the plaza grew even more fervent.
"Senior Brother Kuang Tu is thirty-eighth on the Celestial Pride List! Since Senior Brother Fang’s overall rank has surpassed Senior Brother Kuang Tu’s, doesn’t that mean his rank on the Celestial Pride List must be at least thirty-eighth?"
"Thirty-eighth on the Celestial Pride List? How old is Senior Brother Fang? Twenty? To have a rank like that at twenty years old... that’s... that’s just too..."
Excitement and anticipation gleamed in everyone’s eyes.
’Third on the overall list.’
Fang Han slowly sheathed his sword. The soft *CLINK* of the Cloud Splitting Sword returning to its scabbard was exceptionally clear in the silent plaza.
He looked up at his name on the stele’s surface.
Third.
This result not only exceeded the disciples’ expectations but also somewhat surprised him.
After all, in that last strike, he hadn’t used the 100,000 jin of physical strength he’d gained after reaching the Entry Level with his Xuanwu True Skill.
He had still held back and not used his full power.
And yet, even under those circumstances, his rank had still shot up to third.
’If I had used my full strength...’
The thought flashed through Fang Han’s mind.
If he had held nothing back and struck with all his power, how high could his overall ranking have gone?