Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Martial Arts Ranking
After returning, Shen Daoxing went straight into the Venerable Domain and asked the Blood Dragon about the secrets of the Divine Soul.
"The Divine Soul?"
The Blood Dragon said slowly, "To put it simply, the Divine Soul is a Martial Artist’s Spiritual Power. The stronger the Spiritual Power, the stronger the Divine Soul. You haven’t learned any Martial Techniques related to Spiritual Power, so even if you had caught that person, there would have been nothing you could do. What’s more, that person can project their Divine Soul, meaning their Spiritual Power must be at the twentieth rank or higher."
Hearing this, Shen Daoxing asked, a hint of confusion in his voice, "Twentieth rank?"
The Blood Dragon explained in detail, "That’s right. Spiritual Power ranks are different from a Martial Artist’s physical realms. A Martial Artist’s physical cultivation is divided into realms like the Acupoint Opening Realm, Bright Platform Realm, and Grotto Heaven Realm, but Spiritual Power is divided rank by rank. One rank is roughly equivalent to a single minor level within one of those realms."
"Twentieth-rank Spiritual Power is equivalent in strength to a Martial Artist at the peak of the Profound Platform Realm, or even one in the Grotto Heaven Realm."
Shen Daoxing couldn’t help but gasp.
’The person behind Shen Shaotian is actually that powerful?’
The Blood Dragon said gravely, "That person’s Divine Soul must have been severely wounded, which is why they didn’t act. Otherwise, you might not have survived."
Shen Daoxing asked, "Then what rank is my Spiritual Power at?"
The Blood Dragon said, "Originally, your Spiritual Power was at the first rank, just like an ordinary person’s. But after your Venerable Bloodline was extracted and reborn, it reached the ninth rank. I was planning on telling you about some Cultivation Techniques and Martial Techniques for Spiritual Power only after you broke through to the tenth rank."
"For a true expert, even if Spiritual Power isn’t their greatest strength, it can’t be a weakness."
Shen Daoxing nodded. "I understand."
’I never expected the person behind Shen Shaotian to be so terrifying. And what faction could it be, the one with the blood-red bat branded on their arm?’
The number of questions in Shen Daoxing’s mind grew.
But he knew that until he possessed absolute strength, he couldn’t afford to be reckless and expose himself.
...
「The next day, the sky was clear and bright.」
Outside the dilapidated courtyard gate, Shen Yuerou and Shen Changqing shouldered their travel bags.
Shen Yuerou looked back, unable to bear leaving.
Shen Changqing said in a low voice, "Silly girl, let’s go."
Shen Yuerou asked, "Grandpa, how can I help him?"
Shen Daoxing carried too many burdens, and she didn’t want to see him so weary.
Shen Changqing pondered for a moment before saying, "The only thing you can do for now is to not become his weakness."
Hearing this, Shen Yuerou fell silent.
Shen Changqing sighed. "Let’s go."
’My Venerable Supreme... Yuerou is leaving now.’
Shen Yuerou’s eyes reddened slightly. Then, she turned and followed Shen Changqing, leaving the dilapidated courtyard behind.
A true farewell doesn’t happen at a pavilion on an ancient road, nor does it come with an entreaty to "drink one more cup of wine." It’s simply when, on a morning just like any other, someone is left behind in yesterday.
When Shen Daoxing awoke from the Venerable Domain, he discovered that Shen Yuerou and Shen Changqing were already gone.
For some reason, Shen Daoxing’s heart suddenly felt empty.
Shen Daoxing glanced at the bright sunlight, tidied up a few things, and closed the door.
Outside the door, the instructors from the three major academies had been waiting for a long time.
It was clear they all held this prodigy in high regard.
Zhao Zicheng was the first to ask, "So, have you made your decision?"
Wang Hu and Liu City also looked on with anticipation.
Shen Daoxing took a deep breath and said, "I’ve decided to attend Celestial City Academy."
"HAHAHAHA!"
Wang Hu burst out laughing. "Joining Celestial City Academy is the wisest choice! I guarantee you won’t be disappointed."
Liu City shook his head. After all, Celestial City Academy was the number one academy in the Martial Kingdom. Although he had long suspected Shen Daoxing would choose it, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
Zhao Zicheng tried one last time. "Won’t you reconsider? While Celestial City Academy has many geniuses, the competition is also immense. The Royal Academy, however, can provide you with unimaginable resources..."
He valued Shen Daoxing’s future more than anyone else.
A Sword Dao genius who possessed the Venerable Bloodline Mark had a very high chance of making it onto the Martial Arts Ranking.
Wang Hu snorted, displeased. "Zhao, my Celestial City Academy has far more resources than the Royal Academy."
Shen Daoxing said, "I’ve thought it through."
"Sigh!"
Zhao Zicheng sighed. "If you ever change your mind and want to come to the Royal Academy, our doors will always be open."
Wang Hu said excitedly, "Excellent! We’ll set off for Celestial City Academy together tonight. The journey from here to the Royal City takes a month, which is perfect timing for the academy’s enrollment."
Shen Daoxing spoke up, "Wang, I’d like to travel to the Royal City on my own."
"You want to go by yourself?"
Hearing this, Wang Hu’s brow furrowed.
Baiyun City was located in a very remote place. The journey to the Royal City required passing through the Mist Forest, which was teeming with demonic beasts and extremely dangerous. Countless Martial Artists died there every year.
Shen Daoxing smiled. "That’s right. Don’t worry, Wang. I’ll arrive at the Royal City on time in one month."
"Alright."
Wang Hu warned him again, "Whatever you do, don’t take the path through the Mist Forest. There are Flying Boats in Li City. You can take one of those to get to the Royal City."
Shen Daoxing nodded. "I know."
"Young Master Shen!"
Just then, the Patriarch of the Li Family, Li Ye, walked over.
Li Ye took out a bottle of Elixirs and said with a smile, "This is a small token of the Li Family’s goodwill."
Three seventh-grade Nourishing Essence Pills were by no means a small token.
Shen Daoxing glanced at them but said nothing.
Li Ye explained, "You are, after all, a Martial Artist from our Baiyun City. We’re practically fellow townsmen. If you make a name for yourself in the future, it will bring honor to me, Li Ye, as well."
Shen Daoxing accepted the Elixirs. "In that case, I won’t refuse."
The three men took in the scene and couldn’t help but nod to themselves.
This Li Ye was quite clever, making a long-term investment with just three seventh-grade Nourishing Essence Pills.
Now that the Shen Family had completely fallen, and with the Zhang Family Patriarch being an unreliable opportunist, it was highly likely that the Li Family would rule Baiyun City in the future.
Shen Daoxing put away the Elixirs and cupped his fist to the four men. "The road ahead is long. Until we meet again."
"Farewell."
The four replied in kind.
Shen Daoxing left the dilapidated courtyard and strode out of Baiyun City, the place he had called home for sixteen years.
...
「In a quiet pavilion in Baiyun City.」
Shangguan Yiran held a cup of fragrant tea, her eyes fixed on the figure receding into the distance.
The figure looked lonely and desolate, as if carrying a mountain on its back, a sight that would stir pity in anyone’s heart.
Fu shook his head. "Commandery Princess, Shen Daoxing did indeed choose Celestial City Academy."
Shangguan Yiran asked, "What do you think of him?"
"This man’s bloodline mark is the legendary Venerable Bloodline, and his aptitude for the Sword Dao is indeed quite good. He comprehended Gale Sword Intent at sixteen, and in the future, he has a chance to become a reasonably well-known Swordsman. But..."
At this, Fu paused. "I still feel he is somewhat lacking. After all, Commandery Princess, you are ranked in the top ten of the Grotto Heaven Ranking. The two of you are from different worlds. What the Divine Calculator said back then might not be true. Most importantly, the Prince would never approve of him."
In the East Continent, every realm has its own ranking: the Enlightenment Ranking, the Profound Platform Ranking, and the Grotto Heaven Ranking. These three lists are collectively known as the Martial Arts Ranking.
Only the top fifty Martial Artists within a given realm can make it onto the list.
Across the dozens of major kingdoms and thirty or forty minor kingdoms of the East Continent, it is the lifelong dream of every disciple from a prominent family and every student from the great academies to make it onto the Martial Arts Ranking.
It could be said that every Martial Artist on those rankings is a true elite of their nation—a genius among geniuses, a prodigy among prodigies.
And yet, even now, in what could be considered the Martial Kingdom’s most prosperous era, only three of its Martial Artists have made it onto the Martial Arts Ranking.
Two entered the Profound Platform Ranking, and one entered the Grotto Heaven Ranking.
The one who had entered the Grotto Heaven Ranking was none other than Shangguan Yiran herself.
Shangguan Yiran’s father was the Martial Kingdom’s renowned King of Support, and his standards for choosing a son-in-law were exceptionally strict.
Shangguan Yiran let out a light laugh. "Fu, do you think I helped him that day because I’ve taken a fancy to him?"
Fu gave a dry laugh and said nothing.
"I was talking about his character."
Shangguan Yiran said softly, "People who value relationships and act with such loyalty are rare these days."
Fu sighed softly.
