Chapter 414 - 411: Sixth on the Celestial Pride List
Chapter 414: Chapter 411: Sixth on the Celestial Pride List
On the mountain peak, in the Sect Leader’s Hall.
Chen Tianyuan stood before the window with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the distant, gradually darkening sky.
Behind him, a Steward bowed as he reported the day’s events.
"Fang Han is now first on the overall ranking."
Chen Tianyuan slowly spoke, his voice calm, betraying no hint of joy or anger.
"Yes, Sect Leader," the Steward said respectfully. "True Inheritor Fang took the test today. With a single, effortless sword strike, he raised his rank from third to first."
Chen Tianyuan was silent for a moment, then a faint smile slowly appeared at the corners of his mouth.
The smile was exceptionally faint, yet it carried a touch of gratification and a hint of wistfulness.
"First on the overall ranking after just over two years in the Sect..."
He murmured to himself.
Such a growth rate was unprecedented in the several-hundred-year history of the Qingxuan Sect.
This boy’s future was limitless.
"What about Luo Yuntian? Has there been any reaction from him?"
He asked suddenly.
The Steward was slightly taken aback, then replied, "True Inheritor Luo... I heard that after he received the news, he went into seclusion to cultivate."
Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly.
A flicker of satisfaction passed through his gentle eyes.
Pressure breeds motivation.
If Luo Yuntian could advance further because of this, it would be a good thing for him and for the Sect.
"You may leave."
He waved his hand.
The Steward bowed and withdrew.
Only Chen Tianyuan remained in the hall.
He stood before the window, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze directed toward the True Inheritance Courtyard.
There resided the most outstanding disciple the Qingxuan Sect had seen in several hundred years.
...
「First day of the month. Early morning.」
The early summer morning breeze, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees, drifted into the Quiet Chamber through the open window lattice.
Fang Han sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his aura as tranquil as still water.
Within his body, the Cyan Profound Technique circulated slowly. A stream of cyan-gold Inner Qi flowed ceaselessly through his meridians. Every full revolution of the Circulation of the Heavens brought a subtle yet solid increase in his power.
After breaking through to the Third Grade, common sense dictated that one’s Cultivation speed would decrease drastically.
However, thanks to the threefold boost from switching to the Cyan Profound Technique, his Cultivation speed, compared to before his breakthrough, had not only avoided slowing down but had actually increased.
This was the importance of a High-grade Cultivation Method.
A soft knock came from the door.
"Senior Brother, Steward Zhou Heng is here to see you."
It was Qiu Lan’s voice, as respectful as ever.
Fang Han slowly opened his eyes. A faint cyan glint flashed in their depths and then vanished.
"Please have him wait in the living room."
He rose, straightened his robes, and pushed open the door to the Quiet Chamber.
Steward Zhou Heng was already waiting in the living room.
Upon seeing Fang Han enter, an enthusiastic smile immediately spread across his face. He stood up and cupped his fist, saying:
"True Inheritor Fang, congratulations on reaching the top of the overall ranking!"
His voice was filled with sincere congratulations, and his eyes were full of awe.
The young man before him had reached the pinnacle of the Qingxuan Sect’s overall ranking after just over two years in the Sect.
Such an achievement was unprecedented in the Sect’s several-hundred-year history.
"You’re too kind, Steward Zhou."
Fang Han returned the gesture, cupping his own fist, and motioned for him to sit.
A maid served fragrant tea and then withdrew.
Steward Zhou took an ancient-looking Inheritance Jade Inkstone from the tray held by an accompanying disciple and said with a smile:
"True Inheritor Fang, this month’s resource allocation has been finalized. I’ve come to deliver it to you. Please take out your Identity Token."
Fang Han took the Token from his robes and handed it over.
Steward Zhou took it, placed the Token in the central groove of the Jade Inkstone, and after a moment of practiced manipulation, his fingertips began to glow faintly.
The Jade Inkstone emitted a barely perceptible hum, and a shimmer of light flashed across its surface before vanishing.
"For ranking first on the overall list, this month’s Contribution Point reward is 35,000 points. It has been transferred to your Token. Please verify it, True Inheritor Fang."
Steward Zhou handed the Token back, his face wreathed in smiles.
’It’s already over 100,000 without me even realizing it.’
Fang Han took it and infused a wisp of Inner Qi into the Token. It flashed faintly, displaying a line of numbers—115,000.
Compared to third place on the overall ranking, the Contribution Point reward for first place had increased from 27,000 to 35,000, a full 8,000-point jump.
Combined with the 80,000 Contribution Points left over from last month, his total had now surpassed 100,000 without him noticing, reaching 115,000.
For an ordinary disciple, this was an unimaginably vast sum.
Even many Stewards might not be able to accumulate such a massive amount of Contribution Points over many years.
"True Inheritor Fang, here is this month’s special resource allocation."
Steward Zhou’s voice interrupted Fang Han’s thoughts.
He took five quaintly styled Jade Bottles from the tray held by the disciple behind him and placed them on the table.
Of the five Jade Bottles, three were a lustrous white, smooth and jade-like to the touch; these were Earth Spirit Pills. The other two were a dark gold color; these were Vajra Pills.
"For ranking first, this month’s special resource allocation is three bottles of Earth Spirit Pills and two bottles of Vajra Pills."
Steward Zhou explained, a hint of envy in his tone.
Even among the True Disciples, only the one at the very top of the list could enjoy such a resource allocation.
"Thank you for your trouble, Steward Zhou."
Fang Han put away the five Jade Bottles and thanked him solemnly.
Compared to third place, the special resource reward for first place had also increased, from four bottles to five.
Moreover, both types of special resources this month were extremely useful to him.
Earth Spirit Pills nurtured Inner Qi, while Vajra Pills strengthened the physical body. Both were indispensable and precious resources for Cultivation.
Furthermore, the quantity was substantial, enough to support his Cultivation for a good while.
"You’re too kind, True Inheritor Fang. It’s my duty."
Steward Zhou said with a smile. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he rose to take his leave.
Fang Han personally saw him to the courtyard gate. After watching Steward Zhou depart, he turned and returned to the Quiet Chamber.
He carefully put away the five bottles of Elixirs, then glanced at the number on his Identity Token: 115,000. A very faint smile touched his lips.
He used to have to pinch every penny when it came to Contribution Points, but now he had more than he could spend.
It seemed strength truly was the most important thing.
As long as one had enough strength, wealth would naturally follow in a steady stream.
—
「Second day of the month. The sky was just beginning to lighten.」
In the Quiet Chamber of Courtyard No. 35, Fang Han sat cross-legged, his aura tranquil and heavy.
A soft knock came from the door.
"Senior Brother, the new editions of the Celestial Pride List and the Martial Artist Ranking booklets have arrived."
Qiu Lan’s voice sounded from outside the door.
Fang Han slowly opened his eyes.
"Come in."
Qiu Lan pushed the door open and entered. She was holding a booklet that still gave off the faint scent of fresh ink. She respectfully placed it on the low table beside Fang Han, then bowed and withdrew.
Fang Han picked up the booklet and flipped to the Celestial Pride List section.
His gaze swept up from the bottom of the list.
The fifteenth spot was now occupied by someone else.
Fourteenth, thirteenth, twelfth...
Finally, in the sixth-place position, he saw that familiar name—
"Sixth Place: Fang Han (Qingxuan Sect)."
Sixth.
He closed the booklet, his expression calm, his eyes showing no ripple of emotion.
Having killed You Xin, it was only natural that he would take her place in the rankings.
It would have been strange if the ranking hadn’t changed.
Of course, this no longer represented his true strength.
When he killed You Xin, he hadn’t yet broken through to the Third Grade. Now that he had, his power had soared.
He set the booklet aside, rose to his feet, and walked out of the Quiet Chamber.
—
A large crowd had already gathered in front of Tingyu Hall.
The second day of each month, when the new editions of the Celestial Pride List and Martial Artist Ranking were released, was always a day when many disciples came to wait early.
Today was no exception.
"Here it comes! Here it comes!"
Someone in the crowd shouted, and all eyes snapped toward the hall’s interior.
Several servant disciples from Tingyu Hall walked out, carrying stacks of newly printed booklets. The scent of ink had not yet dissipated and wafted on the morning breeze.
The disciples who managed to buy a booklet eagerly flipped it open, their eyes falling directly on the Celestial Pride List page and scanning upwards from the bottom.
A moment later.
"Senior Brother Fang Han is sixth!"
"He’s really sixth!"
Cries of shock and a torrent of discussion instantly flooded the area in front of Tingyu Hall like an opened floodgate.
Hearing this, the disciples who hadn’t bought a booklet yet pushed forward even more anxiously.
"Let me see! Let me see!"
In the crowd, a disciple who had bought a booklet was surrounded. The thin volume in his hands seemed, at that moment, to be the most precious treasure in the world.
Everyone’s gaze fell upon that page. In the sixth-place position were the words—
Fang Han (Qingxuan Sect).
"Senior Brother Fang Han killed You Xin. It’s only right that he took her rank."
someone said in a low voice, their tone matter-of-fact.
"That may be true, but seeing it with my own eyes is still shocking."
another person added, their voice full of complex emotions.
"Sixth on the Celestial Pride List after just over two years in the Sect... That kind of speed is simply unheard of."
"In the several hundred years since our Qingxuan Sect was founded, has anyone like him ever appeared?"
Someone murmured to themselves, their eyes glinting with an indescribable light.
In that light was awe and admiration, but more than anything, there was pride.
Pride that their own Sect could produce such a genius.
—
「Within the commandery, at a military encampment.」
Inside a quiet and secluded courtyard, Yue Lingtian stood before a window with his hands clasped behind his back.
He was dressed in moon-white robes today, his long hair tied up with a Jade Hairpin. His features were handsome, his demeanor serene.
Outside the window, morning light spilled in, and the flowers and plants in the courtyard swayed gently in the breeze.
Faint footsteps sounded from behind him.
A young, armored general strode in, holding a thin booklet in his hands.
"Third Young Master, the new edition of the Celestial Pride List has arrived."
Yue Lingtian turned, took the booklet, and flipped it open.
His gaze swept up from the bottom.
Seventh, sixth—
His gaze lingered on the sixth-place position.
"Fang Han (Qingxuan Sect)."
He murmured the name, and a barely perceptible ripple disturbed his serene eyes.
Sixth.
Last month he was fifteenth, and this month he was already sixth. Such a growth rate was truly absurd.
He continued to look up the list.
Fifth: Xu Qing.
Fourth: Wu Xiang.
Third: Mad Saber.
Second: Liu Bai.
First: Yue Lingtian.
His gaze lingered for a moment on the single word "First."
Then, he closed the booklet and stood before the window, hands clasped behind his back.
Outside, the sunlight was perfect.
But an indescribable emotion welled up in his heart.
’Next month is my last month on the list, but I have a bad feeling...’
Yue Lingtian raised his head, his gaze turning in the direction of the Qingxuan Sect.
For the first time, a trace of solemnity appeared in his serene eyes.
Next month was his last month. After that, he would be removed from the list, and no matter how fierce the competition for the Celestial Pride List became, it would no longer have anything to do with him.
But at Fang Han’s rate of improvement, he might just be pushed from the top spot on the Celestial Pride List next month.
Although he was broad-minded, being replaced at the top during his final month on the list would inevitably leave him feeling disheartened.
"Third Young Master?"
Seeing Yue Lingtian in a daze, the young general behind him couldn’t help but ask.
"It’s nothing."
Yue Lingtian shook his head, his voice as placid as water.