Chapter 274: Chapter 273: Surpassing Chu Feng in the General Ranking
After breakfast, Fang Han fastened the Flowing Wind Sword to his waist. With steady steps, he left his villa and headed for the plaza where the Overall Martial Arts Stele was located.
"Senior Brother Fang."
"True Inheritor Fang."
The bluestone paths were already bustling with disciples in the early morning.
Upon seeing Fang Han, disciples, whether they knew him or not, all stopped to bow respectfully, their gazes filled with awe and curiosity.
Many disciples even began to follow him subconsciously, having clearly guessed the purpose of his trip.
"Is Senior Brother Fang going to test himself at the Overall Martial Arts Stele?"
"He must be. After all, today is the last day of the month!"
"Do you guys think Senior Brother Fang can surpass Senior Brother Chu Feng this time?"
"I think it’s possible. Ever since he got on the overall list, Senior Brother Fang’s rank has jumped significantly every month. Last month he was number 10. It’s very likely he’ll surpass Senior Brother Chu Feng, who’s at number nine, this month."
"I don’t think so. Don’t forget, Senior Brother Fang is ranked 100th on the Celestial Pride List, while Senior Brother Chu Feng is 96th."
"It might seem like only four places, but the gap between each rank on the Celestial Pride List is huge. I doubt Senior Brother Fang can surpass him in just one month."
Low-voiced discussions spread through the crowd like a tide. Some were optimistic about Fang Han, while others believed Chu Feng’s foundation was deeper.
Many more remained neutral, taking a wait-and-see approach, hoping for a fierce struggle to spice up their tedious cultivation lives.
Ignoring the murmurs, Fang Han acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing. His expression was calm and unflustered, and his pace never faltered as he walked straight to the massive White Jade Plaza.
A large crowd of disciples had already gathered in the plaza, even more than usual for this time of the month. There were even a few Stewards present.
They must have all heard the news and come to watch.
When Fang Han arrived, the crowd automatically parted to form a path. All eyes locked onto him, filled with a complex mix of anticipation, curiosity, and scrutiny.
Fang Han paid no mind to his surroundings, striding forward to stand before the colossal Overall Martial Arts Stele.
His gaze swept over his own name on the stele’s surface. The number "Tenth" was clearly visible after it. Further up, at the "Ninth" position, was that name—Chu Feng.
Fang Han slowly closed his eyes, regulating his breathing to bring himself to his peak state.
A few breaths later, his eyes snapped open, a sharp light bursting from their depths!
CLANG!
The Flowing Wind Sword sang as it left its sheath. Infused with Inner Qi, its dark cyan blade flowed with a restrained yet dangerous light.
The vast Inner Qi of the Middle Stage of Fifth Grade, bordering on the Late Stage, was poured into the blade without reservation!
The profound meaning of the Minor Achievement Level Nine Swords of Sky Splitting erupted forth, stirring the Heaven and Earth Qi around him.
Forty percent of his Wind Momentum was pushed to its absolute limit. Air currents madly converged and compressed around the blade, emitting a low, pleasant hum as the very air at the sword’s tip began to distort.
A terrifying Sword Momentum, sharp and peerless, as if it could tear the heavens asunder, radiated out from him. The disciples standing too close felt their skin prickle and their breath catch in their throats.
SHIIING—BOOM!!!
With no complex opening stance, Fang Han flicked his wrist. The Flowing Wind Sword transformed into a faint cyan thread, condensed to the extreme, that seemed capable of piercing through the void itself.
Moving faster than the naked eye could follow, it stabbed fiercely at the stele’s smooth surface!
The instant the sword tip touched the stele, the highly condensed Sword Momentum and vast Inner Qi exploded outward.
A sharp, piercing screech was followed by a muffled detonation, like a clap of thunder from the ninth heaven.
The entire Overall Martial Arts Stele erupted in brilliant light, instantly illuminating the plaza. Its surface trembled violently as ripple-like waves of energy spread out like a frantic tide.
The body of the stele emitted a deeper, more immense hum than ever before. The sheer power was terrifying.
Fang Han’s name suddenly lit up, and the number representing his rank began to flicker wildly!
Ten... The number paused for a moment, as if it had met some unseen resistance.
Everyone in the crowd felt their hearts leap into their throats. They held their breath, staring intently at the flickering number.
The next moment, the number leaped upward—
Nine!
The light gradually faded, and the Martial Arts Stele returned to normal.
Fang Han’s name now rested firmly in the "Ninth" position on the overall list.
He had pushed Chu Feng, the original ninth place, down to tenth!
After a moment of dead silence, the entire plaza erupted.
"Ninth place! Senior Brother Fang really surpassed Senior Brother Chu Feng!"
"Haha, I knew Senior Brother Fang could do it!"
...
Cries of shock, praise, and discussion mingled together, creating a wave of sound that nearly overwhelmed the plaza.
Countless gazes once again focused on Fang Han, who stood calmly with his sword sheathed, their eyes filled with awe and fervor.
’Surpassing Chu Feng... I did it!’
Fang Han slowly sheathed his sword, seemingly oblivious to the enormous uproar behind him.
He looked up, glancing at his own name on the stele, newly updated to the "Ninth" position.
The goal he had set last month was now achieved.
’I wonder if my Celestial Pride List rank will...’
Fang Han couldn’t help but think of the Celestial Pride List.
He had already surpassed Chu Feng in the overall rankings, but he wondered if his rank on the Celestial Pride List would also rise above his rival’s.
Compared to the Overall Martial Arts Stele, the Celestial Pride List focused more on actual combat ability. Although he was confident his combat prowess was no weaker than Chu Feng’s, having the strength didn’t automatically guarantee a spot on the list.
One needed to fight others and have a corresponding battle record to be ranked.
Take Su Yu, for example, whom he had fought before. By his estimation, Su Yu’s strength was definitely enough to be on the Celestial Pride List.
The only reason Su Yu wasn’t on the list was the lack of a sufficient battle record.
Su Yu probably challenged me precisely to get that battle record and make a run at the Celestial Pride List.
Not thinking about it any further, Fang Han turned, parted the still-frenzied crowd, and departed with steady steps.
Behind him, the great clamor and discussion surged like a tide, rapidly spreading throughout the entire Qingxuan Sect and reaching every corner of the Sect at astonishing speed.
Within the Twelve Courtyards, in the dining hall, outside the Inheritance Hall, on the cultivation grounds... all the disciples who heard the news were abuzz with discussion.
"Senior Brother Chu Feng dropped to tenth! Senior Brother Fang really surpassed him!"
"Now things are getting interesting. Given the grudge between Senior Brother Fang and Senior Brother Chu Feng, there’s no way Senior Brother Chu Feng will take this lying down."
"Senior Brother Fang’s momentum is just too fierce. At this rate, it’s hard to imagine how far he’ll go."
"Tsk, tsk. Senior Brother Chu Feng has really lost a lot of face this time. He suppressed Senior Brother Fang quite a bit back then, but now he’s been overtaken..."
Their words were inevitably tinged with mockery and ridicule for Chu Feng.
After all, the grudge between Fang Han and Chu Feng was no secret within the Sect.
Now that Fang Han had surpassed him in such a dominant fashion, many disciples who had once favored Chu Feng, or who had been dissatisfied with his style, felt a strange sense of vindication.
"Do you guys think Senior Brother Fang’s ranking on the Celestial Pride List will also surpass Senior Brother Chu Feng’s?"
"That... seems unlikely, doesn’t it? The Celestial Pride List is ranked based on actual combat ability, not just Power of Attack."
"True, it’s probably not possible for Senior Brother Fang to surpass Senior Brother Chu Feng on the Celestial Pride List right now. But with his growth rate, it’s only a matter of time!"
Other disciples’ thoughts turned to the upcoming update of the Celestial Pride List at the beginning of next month.
「Inside the study of Chu Feng’s Villa, in the True Inheritance Courtyard.」
BANG!
With a dull thud, a high-quality rosewood tea table was shattered by a palm strike, sending splinters flying.
Chu Feng stood before the window with his hands clasped behind his back. His posture was rigid, and his face was so dark it looked like water could drip from it. Rage and shame warred in his eyes, threatening to erupt.
He had already received the news: in the Overall Martial Arts Stele test, Fang Han’s rank had risen to ninth, pushing him down to tenth!
Although he had long anticipated that, given Fang Han’s rate of progress, being surpassed was only a matter of time.
But when the day finally arrived, especially in such a public manner, he was still overcome by an indescribable sense of humiliation.
It felt as if he had been slapped hard across the face in public, and the sting was searing.
...
Inside the study, Chu Chong stood with his hands at his sides, not daring to breathe too loudly. A fine sheen of cold sweat broke out on his forehead as he cursed his luck internally.
He knew his cousin was on the verge of a volcanic eruption, and any tiny spark could set him off.
"Ninth... what a ’ninth’!"
Chu Feng squeezed the words out through gritted teeth, his voice hoarse and cold, carrying a rage suppressed to its absolute limit.
His chest heaved violently. The image of Fang Han’s calm, almost indifferent face flashed in his mind, and an intense killing intent bit at his heart like a venomous snake.
He had just finished his cultivation and had been in a rather good mood, but he hadn’t expected to be met with such a heavy blow!
Fang Han had actually surpassed him on the overall list!
This was no different from being slapped viciously across the face in public!
Thinking of how he had suppressed Fang Han in the past, he imagined how ridiculous he must look to outsiders now.
A potent mix of humiliation and jealousy gnawed at his heart like a viper.
"Cousin, calm down! Fang Han just got lucky on the Martial Arts Stele by relying on his Swordsmanship! When it comes to real combat strength, he’s definitely no match for you!"
Chu Chong quickly looked up and tried to placate him.
"Shut up!"
Chu Feng whipped his head around, his gaze like two ice picks stabbing straight at Chu Chong, who trembled and quickly lowered his head again.
"Get out!"
Chu Feng roared.
"Yes... Yes!"
As if granted amnesty, Chu Chong scrambled out of the study.
Inside the study, only Chu Feng remained. His heavy, ragged breaths were exceptionally clear in the silence.
He walked to the window and stared out at the heavy darkness, his eyes terrifyingly grim.
"Fang Han... Fang Han..."
He repeated the name over and over, as if chewing on it, and a tangible killing intent began to fill the room.
Fang Han’s existence had become a crack in his Martial Dao heart. If he didn’t utterly crush Fang Han, or even erase him completely, his thoughts would never be clear, and his cultivation would likely stagnate.
’You think this counts as a win? The Overall Martial Arts Stele only tests Power of Attack. The rankings on the Celestial Pride List are the true measure of strength. It’s far too early for you to think you can surpass me!’
He clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking with a sharp POP.
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