Chapter 165: Chapter 165: Strength Assessment
+1!
As a line of Experience Points flashed before his eyes, Chen Ping’an stopped practicing his Step Technique, a look of delight on his face.
’I’ve accumulated enough Cultivation Experience!’
Now...
’Breakthrough!’
A familiar sensation washed over him once more. Chen Ping’an slowly closed his eyes, feeling the insights and experience welling up within him.
When he opened his eyes again, his Eight Steps Chasing Cicada had reached the Perfection Realm!
Name: Chen Ping’an
Realm: Inner Qi - Celestial Rain Falling on the Crown
Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Shirt Perfection, Flying Locust Stone Perfection, Public Door Thirteen Blades Perfect, Thirteen Grand Protectors Cross Training Perfect, Golden Bell Shield Perfection, Gale Blade Technique Perfection, Eight Steps Chasing Cicada Perfection, Flying Star Swordsmanship (Entry Level) (48/60), Great Vajra Palm (Entry Level) (45/60)
...
’Eight Steps Chasing Cicada, Perfection!’
A sharp light glinted in Chen Ping’an’s eyes as he carefully sensed the changes within his body.
With another superior cultivation method reaching Perfection, he could be considered a veteran Martial Arts Master in the Celestial Rain Descending Realm!
Combined with his other superior cultivation methods at the Perfection Level, his overall strength was formidable. While he couldn’t claim to be completely unrivaled in the Inner Qi Realm, he wasn’t far from it.
After all his Cultivation, looking across the entire Inner Qi Realm, there were likely very few who could pose a true threat to his life.
’I wonder how my current combat prowess compares to Liu Ziming?’
Chen Ping’an assessed his own standing in terms of combat strength.
Liu Ziming, the number one prodigy of Weishui County City. Among the younger generation under thirty in the city, he was practically in a league of his own, undefeated.
According to the latest issue of the Rising Star Chart, his rank had climbed two spots to eighty-sixth place!
His latest achievement was fighting two Martial Arts Masters at the Third Stage of Inner Qi—the Celestial Rain Falling on the Crown—to a standstill!
Rumor had it that he cultivated a top-level superior cultivation method, along with several ordinary ones. His Inner Qi was profound, and his combat power far exceeded others of the Same Realm! Furthermore, he possessed the Treasure Artifact, the Abyssal Rainbow Sword!
After a moment of thought, Chen Ping’an couldn’t help but shake his head and let out a chuckle.
’Trying to compare our strength based on a few short lines on a list is a bit ridiculous. The only way to truly know who’s stronger is to fight!’
’At my current Martial Arts Realm, it’s hard to say if I could beat Liu Ziming, especially since he has the power of a Treasure Artifact. But if my Martial Arts Realm could advance one more step, and I break through to the Celestial Rain Descending Realm Perfection...’
’Then...’
’...with the perfect experience from my Golden Finger Panel, as long as we’re in the Same Realm, Liu Ziming won’t be my match unless he has some hidden trump card that allows him to fight across realms!’
’Regardless of who is stronger between me and Liu Ziming, one thing is certain: among the entire younger generation of Weishui County City, I can crush anyone else! Even the likes of Mu Feiyu would be no match for me!’
Making the comparison brought a sense of satisfaction to Chen Ping’an.
After long periods of arduous, solitary cultivation, it was good to make a comparison and feel a sense of accomplishment.
That was the only way to endure such bitter training for the long term!
’In another two or three days, my Great Vajra Palm and Flying Star Swordsmanship should both reach the Minor Success Realm. At that time, my Martial Arts Realm will break through again!’
’I wonder... if the me from two or three days from now were to get on the Rising Star Chart, what rank would I achieve?’
...
「Early the next morning」
As Chen Ping’an was preparing to head to the South City Prison, a constable approached him from outside the gate. It looked as if he had been waiting for a long time.
"Lord Chen, Lord Mu, the Chief of the Patrol Office, has a matter to discuss with you."
Oh?
’Mu Wanjun is looking for me?’
’Did she find out about what’s been happening? Is the Mu Family preparing to retaliate?’
Chen Ping’an speculated inwardly. Looking at the messenger constable, he said, "Lead the way!"
"Yes, sir."
The constable replied respectfully and began to lead the way for Chen Ping’an, his back bowed.
’Truthfully, there was no need for a guide; it wasn’t as if he didn’t know the way. Still, having a constable respectfully leading the way ahead of him gave him a certain amount of prestige.’
Under the varied gazes of the other constables, Chen Ping’an stepped through the main gate of the South Town Garrison Command.
"I hear Lord Chen has been having a tough time lately!"
"What happened? Did something go wrong?"
"It seems to be about the Outer City Garrison Command’s inspection team. They apparently dug up a lot of dirt at the South City Prison. It looks like Lord Chen is implicated somehow."
"Ah... Lord Chen was already kept on provisionally, pending observation. If this mess gets added on top, does that mean Lord Chen is going to be..."
"Shh! Quiet down! It’s enough that you know!"
"..."
Chen Ping’an’s hearing was extraordinary; every single word from the constables at the gate reached his ears without fail.
He didn’t bother listening any further. ’It would just be more of the same, anyway.’
...
"Ping’an, you’re here!"
Looking up to see Chen Ping’an enter, Mu Wanjun stood up from her chair and invited him in with a smile.
"Come, have a seat. We can talk after you sit down!"
Chen Ping’an didn’t stand on ceremony, sitting down with a bold and confident posture.
At the side, a maid named Xiaodie poured tea for them.
Chen Ping’an glanced at Mu Wanjun and noticed that her complexion was rosy and her spirit was exceptionally high.
He sensed something unusual about her with a brief scan, but he didn’t point it out.
"Ping’an, I’ve already heard about the situation at the South City Prison. The Fang Family has really gone too far this time!"
Mu Wanjun stated her position right from the start, her voice filled with righteous indignation.
"My apologies, Ping’an. I had a sudden insight a few days ago and went into secluded Cultivation. I only just came out yesterday. I’m sorry I couldn’t offer my help in time and that you had to suffer!"
Mu Wanjun explained.
Seeing that Mu Wanjun had brought up her seclusion, Chen Ping’an took the opportunity to ask, "Lord Mu, does this mean...?"
Mu Wanjun smiled faintly. "That’s right, Ping’an. Some time ago, I was severely injured and faced a life-and-death crisis. But every loss brings a gain. After my injuries recovered, I had an insight, and as of yesterday, I successfully broke through to the Second Stage of Inner Qi, the Realm of Purification and Rejuvenation!"
Chen Ping’an feigned astonishment and exclaimed, "Congratulations, Lord Mu! My heartfelt congratulations!"
Joy bloomed in Mu Wanjun’s heart as well.
"Ping’an, it’s just the two of us right now. There’s no need to call me ’Lord Mu.’ Just call me Wan Jun."
Chen Ping’an took her advice.
"Alright, Wan Jun. About the Fang Family’s repeated retaliations... why hasn’t the Mu Family... reacted yet?"
Chen Ping’an showed his confusion at the appropriate moment.
Seeing Chen Ping’an’s question, Mu Wanjun began to explain.
It turned out that the previous confrontation between the Mu Family and the Fang Family had more or less ended in failure for the Mu.
Well, to say the Mu Family was completely defeated wouldn’t be accurate either. Overall, the Mu Family did manage to secure some minor benefits, but their losses were also significant.
In the end, through the tacit restraint of both Noble Families, the conflict was considered halted.
Chen Ping’an had already seen one of the outcomes: Fang Rui’s release from the South City Prison.
Although the confrontation between the two Noble Families had stopped, the Fang Family’s petty maneuvers had not.
In certain areas, the Fang Family used their previous grievances as a pretext to start retaliating.
In terms of the degree of their retaliation, they went a little too far!
However, due to their prior defeat, the Mu Family was unwilling to get into another direct conflict with the Fang Family so soon. As long as the Fang Family didn’t go overboard, the Mu Family would exercise restraint for the time being.
In the eyes of the Mu Family, incidents like the repeated troubles at the South City Prison were not considered excessive and fell within a tolerable range.
After listening to Mu Wanjun’s explanation, Chen Ping’an’s face was expressionless.
"I see. Thank you for clearing up my confusion, Wan Jun."
’In the Mu Family’s eyes, these things were tolerable. But for him, as an individual, this string of messy incidents was already affecting his life.’
Chen Ping’an looked at Mu Wanjun, waiting for her answer.
"Ping’an, rest assured. Now that I know about this, I can’t make promises about other places, but as for what’s happening at the South City Prison, I will definitely give you a satisfactory resolution!"
