Hidden Dragon Rankings Update, Gu Family Ancestor (Monthly Pass Request)

"Reckless Saber really was being overconfident!"

In Thunderous Roar Great City, within a magnificent tower, Gu Loping looked at the letter before him, a smile curling at the corner of his lips.

His Gu Family had operated in the Thunderclap Mountain Range for many years, with an intelligence network spread throughout. According to the latest news sent by the Gu Family, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had entered the depths of the Thunderclap Mountain Range while traveling to assume his post, while his escort party waited at the outskirts.

It had already been more than half a month since Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an entered the Thunderclap Mountain Range.

A journey to assume office that should have taken just over ten days had been forcibly delayed by more than half a month. Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an truly lived up to his name—utterly heedless and unrestrained in his actions!

"All the better. If he goes too far and draws Wu Benqing's suspicion, then we can join hands with our division and leave him nowhere to make trouble!"

"Chief Inspector!? Inspector of what? He came here to sit on the cold bench!"

"We'll give you plenty of face, and we won't short you on benefits, but you want to meddle in the core of our interests?

"Don't even dream of it!"

Gu Loping clenched his hand, and the letter before him turned into a ball of azure flame, burning away completely.

"The Hidden Dragon Rankings have been updated."

Wu Benqing sat in the large chair of the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office's public chamber, his expression calm and his gaze deep.

Half a year had passed. Counting the days, the Great Qian Hidden Dragon Rankings should indeed have been updated. He had already sent someone to purchase the newest edition.

Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had been transferred to the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office as Chief Inspector. Though Wu Benqing was the head of the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office, considering the chain of duties and reporting structure, he still needed to give Chen Ping'an some face.

Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an was tremendously famous and ranked on the Great Qian Hidden Dragon Rankings.

If he wanted to understand Chen Ping'an, then naturally he had to start with the latest edition of the Hidden Dragon Rankings. He had learned quite a bit of other related information, but since he had not personally seen Chen Ping'an, some of that information might be erroneous and affect his judgment.

The information on the Great Qian Hidden Dragon Rankings was compiled by the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, sorted to discard falsehood and preserve truth, then recorded and circulated throughout every territory.

Beyond the usual information, it also documented the peculiarities of cultivation arts, divine weapons and external objects, as well as the might of various moves.

There was also a series of detailed analyses.

During the Dragon Peace Turmoil, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had slain a Top Grandmaster with his saber, displaying extraordinarily formidable combat strength. Although many versions of the story circulated, there had never been an official unified analysis.

Many old-established Grandmasters held differing opinions regarding Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's combat strength. Some thought extremely highly of him, while others believed the information currently circulating had been excessively exaggerated.

For instance, they claimed that the reason Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had been able to slay a Top Grandmaster was largely due to the expenditure and cover provided by Rock Bear Beast Master Zhou Zhaowu, along with the Earth Splitting Rock Bear's restraint from the side. They said he had seized the right moment and used secret medicine and secret arts to forcibly raise his combat strength.

Only then could he accomplish such a feat.

As for Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's actual combat strength, it was likely only somewhat stronger than that of an ordinary Veteran Grandmaster. There was still a gap between him and the stronger Veteran Grandmasters, not to mention Top Grandmasters.

Though quite a few people opposed such claims, they still had a large number of supporters within the province. And those Grandmasters who objected did not all believe that Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an truly possessed the strength of a Top Grandmaster. They merely felt that the secret arts and techniques available to Chen Ping'an should also count toward his combat power, meaning he might be somewhat stronger than the current accounts suggested.

There was no end to such talk.

To most Grandmasters within the province, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an was certainly dazzling, but his age was there for all to see. He was not yet twenty-six—how could he possibly achieve what they had failed to touch in two hundred and sixty years!?

"Once Reckless Saber arrives, I'll need to learn more about him and determine the tone of our future dealings." Wu Benqing lightly tapped the table and closed his eyes.

Recently, the Northern Border Pacification Bureau had struck repeatedly, cracking down on a large batch of Demonic Heretics. The demons and monsters within the Thunderclap Mountain Range had become far more settled than before, allowing him to free up considerable energy for other matters.

The present Thunderous Roar Great City had reached a delicate balance among its various factions.

If Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's arrival was mishandled, it might break that balance.

As the head of the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office, he had to step forward at this moment and uphold the overall situation in Thunderous Roar Great City!

"Reckless Saber! I hope you can take the greater situation into account! Otherwise, if we tear off all pretense, it won't benefit anyone!"

In Thunderous Roar Great City stood a Jade Pavilion palace, lavishly decorated and exquisite beyond compare.

Gu Qingchan wore a pale-blue flowing immortal dress. Her icy sleeves draped down, her long skirt trailed across the ground, and she was peerless in grace and bearing.

"Chen Ping'an, you truly did not disappoint This Palace!"

Gu Qingchan's vermilion lips parted slightly. Her beautiful eyes shifted, her gaze rippling like a pool of clear spring water.

Before Gu Qingchan was a manifested jade stone, presently radiating a faint, lustrous glow.

Through the channels of the Wishful Treasure Pavilion, she had obtained the latest edition of the Hidden Dragon Rankings before anyone else in Thunderous Roar Great City.

And she had seen Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's newest ranking on the Hidden Dragon Rankings.

When they first met in Northern Cang, she had never expected that the boy from back then would have reached such heights today.

Azure Dragon Province City, Gu Family.

The Gu Family Elders sat within the Hall of Elders, looking at the jade stone light screen manifested before them.

Information appeared upon the light screen.

"Azure Dragon Province Territory, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an. Currently serves as Chief Inspector of the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office, Senior Division Head Candidate of the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office, listed for preparatory assessment as Deputy Division Head."

"He cultivates the Supreme Divine Skill Tyrant Saber, the top-tier divine skill Soaring Dragon Movement Technique, the divine skill Soul Severing Saber Technique, Great Vajra Palm, Flying Star Sword Technique, and other arts."

"His talent is monstrous. He once used the Profound Light Realm to slay a Grandmaster against the odds, then broke through to Grandmaster at Small Pan Mountain in Azure Dragon Province City. After breaking through, he slew Veteran Grandmaster Blood Bat Wei Yiqi against the odds at Small Pan Mountain!

"At the Dragon Peace Stronghold, during a martial contest, he suppressed several Grandmasters and defeated Kaiyang Great Compassion Hand Wu Xiutong.

"During the Dragon Peace Turmoil, he slew Evil Extremity Path Grandmaster Black Mountain with his saber. Using the Tyrant Saber secret skill, he killed Top Grandmaster Rotten Bone Granny. Joining forces with Azure Mist Sect Elder Du Moyuan, he killed demonic-path Grandmaster Blood Spirit Child."

"."

The information on the jade stone light screen was extraordinarily comprehensive. Beyond listing some of his achievements, it also gave a detailed analysis of Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's combat strength.

Nearly every recorded major battle came with corresponding annotations on his moves and methods used in battle.

The might of certain moves was likewise analyzed and judged.

For example, the Tyrant Saber he had previously displayed possessed formidable power even among Veteran Grandmasters under normal conditions. If he used the secret skill, Severing Earth Strike, then there was no doubt he had already entered the ranks of Top Grandmasters!

Furthermore, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's foundation was exceptionally robust, enough to support him using secret skills several times. In a formal battle, he was not as enduring as a Top Grandmaster, but in a short clash, he could absolutely be treated as a Top Grandmaster.

In comprehensive evaluation, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's combat strength approximated that of a Top Grandmaster. With secret skills, he was fully capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with a Top Grandmaster! Furthermore, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an possessed extremely high battle talent and danger perception. He was exceptionally skilled at seizing opportunities and weaknesses, and in chaotic battles, he might perform beyond his usual limits.

Furthermore, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an grew braver the more fiercely he fought and had a record of breaking through during battle. When facing adversity, he might display outstanding performance.

With Yuheng Early Stage Perfection, he possessed strength comparable to a Top Grandmaster. Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's talent was monstrous, and his aptitude and skills stood head and shoulders above the rest. Considering his age among the Hidden Dragon Rankings' heavenly talents, he undoubtedly belonged to the first rank.

His future prospects were worth anticipating!

After comparing combat strength and overall qualities, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an was ranked fifty-ninth on the Great Qian Hidden Dragon Rankings!

"Haha, Heaven blesses our Gu Family! Top sixty on the Hidden Dragon Rankings!" Yuan Lao, the most hot-tempered of them all, was the first unable to hold back. His face was full of delight.

"Fifty-ninth on the Hidden Dragon Rankings!" Lan Lao's face was also full of smiles.

"Being in the top sixty of the Hidden Dragon Rankings means possessing the strength of a Top Grandmaster. Though the analysis did not classify Ping'an as a true Top Grandmaster, it made a real adjustment in the rankings! Clearly, in the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's judgment, Ping'an's combat strength may be slightly inferior to a true Top Grandmaster, but in a life-and-death battle, with Ping'an's talent and skill, he would be in no way inferior to a true Top Grandmaster!" Heng Lao's white hair fell to his shoulders, and his face was piled high with smiles.

"Indeed! Since our Azure Dragon Gu Family established itself, including collateral relatives, there has never been anyone like Ping'an who reached the top sixty of the Hidden Dragon Rankings!" Hua Lao stroked his beard and could not help sighing in praise. "He truly possesses heaven-bestowed talent, unparalleled natural gifts!"

Everyone sighed in agreement with Hua Lao's words.

The Gu Family had been passed down for a thousand years, with countless descendants by blood, yet even including collateral relatives, not one had achieved such an accomplishment!

Three hundred years ago, the Gu Family son-in-law who had possessed the greatest chance of approaching such a ranking had died in the North Sea before he could truly grow, his death and Dao extinction forcing him from the stage in bleak silence.

"Not yet twenty-six, yet already possessing such achievements! If this continues, the road ahead will be nothing but smooth and broad!" one Gu Family Elder said joyfully.

The others all agreed.

At this moment, Old Xuan, one of the Gu Family faction leaders, was not present in the Hall of Elders.

In a great family like the Gu Family, though the Elders had withdrawn from the management of daily affairs, each had their own duties. They might not all have the time to come to the Hall of Elders for discussion.

"Everyone, Ping'an's talent shines brilliantly. Shouldn't we discuss providing him with greater resource support?" Lan Lao proposed.

After a moment of silence, an Elder quickly voiced his agreement.

"That is as it should be!"

"Once we have discussed this matter properly, we shall report it to the Ancestor and ask the Ancestor to decide!"

"Agreed!"

"."

The Gu Family Ancestor possessed unparalleled combat strength, but he had been a late bloomer. In his youth, he had never entered the Great Qian Hidden Dragon Rankings.

A talent like Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's was enough to make the Gu Family offer greater sincerity in resources, support, and cultivation.

Given time, he would become a pillar supporting the Gu Family's flourishing prosperity!

In the Gu Family's rear garden stood pavilions and towers.

Gu Qingcheng wore a white dress and sat playing the zither. Amid the unhurried music, there seemed to be a different state of mind.

A girl held a sword in her arms. Her features were delicate and lovely, and she now narrowed her pair of bright eyes slightly, her jade nose wrinkling as if she were intoxicated by the music.

Amid the lingering zither melody, it seemed as though Divine Firmament was being conceived.

The power of Divine Firmament exterminated all evils!

Borrowing it, one could slay a Celestial!

Azure Dragon Xue Family.

"Fifty-ninth on the Hidden Dragon Rankings!!!"

Xue Shijing's expression shook, his shock beyond words.

Though they had previously learned of Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's achievements, after analysis by the Xue Family Elders, they had concluded that Chen Ping'an did not possess the strength of a Top Grandmaster. Yet now, the ranking on the Hidden Dragon Rankings stated reality with incomparable clarity!

Under normal conditions, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an possessed strength close to that of a Top Grandmaster. In short exchanges, he could be treated as a Top Grandmaster.

But in a life-and-death battle, according to the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's judgment, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an could fully be treated as a Top Grandmaster!

This could be seen from the analysis of his combat strength and interpretation of his talent!

"How could it be so high!?"

A Xue Family Clan Elder showed confusion, his face full of doubt.

By this day, that junior whom they had once looked down upon was already standing above them!

The strength of a Top Grandmaster meant that among the many Clan Elders present, few would be Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's match!

Only a few years had passed, yet such earth-shaking changes had occurred. Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's talent truly was—

Azure Dragon Province, Wang Family.

"Reckless Saber!"

"Top sixty on the Hidden Dragon Rankings!"

"How could this be!?"

"Didn't they say he only exploited a loophole and killed a Top Grandmaster by relying on a sneak attack and the power of attrition!? Why did the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion rate Chen Ping'an so highly!?"

"His future prospects are worth anticipating! Among the one hundred and eight Hidden Dragon Heavenly Talents on the Hidden Dragon Rankings, fewer than twenty received such an evaluation!"

"Reckless Saber's momentum has already taken shape. Let us see how the Clan Elders choose!"

"Gu Family!"

"."

"Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an ranked fifty-ninth on the Hidden Dragon Rankings!?"

"How did he rise so quickly? Wasn't he still seventy-seventh before!? In only half a year, he climbed eighteen places!"

"It really is rather exaggerated! A leap of this kind in ranking is extraordinarily rare even over the past several decades! Only those monstrous heavenly talents near the top of the Hidden Dragon Rankings would show such performance!"

"The top sixty of the Hidden Dragon Rankings—that is a place only Top Grandmasters qualify to reach!"

"Yes, Top Grandmasters! Don't you know about Long'an!?"

"But wasn't that—"

"."

Within the province, countless Grandmasters discussed the matter while visiting friends and receiving guests.

Those who had previously doubted Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an now suffered a resounding slap to the face. With the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's certification and the Hidden Dragon Rankings' official announcement, who would still question Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's strength!?

Talk of good luck, good timing, and good teammates was nothing but empty noise!

Without absolute strength to suppress all else, where could the word luck possibly come from!?

"Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an, the Gu Family's son-in-law. The Gu Family's judgment is truly unfathomable—no wonder it is the foremost family in Azure Dragon Province Territory!"

"The Gu Family rejected a marriage alliance with the Azure Cang Prince Manor and chose to marry Gu Qingcheng to Reckless Saber. That truly was a brilliant move!"

"Only Ji Changkong of the Azure Cang Prince Manor is to be pitied. One song of Phoenix Seeking its Mate made every province aware, and now he has become a joke!"

"A joke!? The Azure Prince—who would dare laugh at him?"

"Haha, just joking! No matter what, the Gu Family's move truly contained deep meaning. We did not see it back then, but now the more we look, the more impressive it becomes."

"Indeed. The Azure Cang Prince's succession war has already drawn in far too many powers. Every faction is exerting its strength, and the Azure Cang Prince Manor has become a great whirlpool. The Gu Family chose not to get involved, undoubtedly making the correct choice. The Xue Family and Wang Family, on the other hand, are already trapped in the game and cannot control themselves! Compared side by side, superiority and inferiority are immediately clear!"

"Ah."

"Brother Ning, why such a sigh?"

"Do you think the Xue Family and Wang Family cannot see this clearly? But sometimes, not getting involved is itself a display of strength. When the great tide crushes down amid chaos, not everyone is qualified to watch from the sidelines!"

"You mean, the Gu Family Ancestor—"

"Shh, say no more. Let's change the subject!"

"Exactly, exactly!"

"."

The Great Qian Hidden Dragon Rankings were updated simultaneously across the dynasty's four territories. At almost the same time, every territory and province received news of the update.

Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's name naturally entered the eyes of countless Grandmasters. Due to his steady rise in ranking, even the truly top-tier powers took notice of him.

With every update of the Hidden Dragon Rankings, the people at the forefront were always the same. Other than rare changes caused when someone exceeded the age limit and had to leave the rankings, the rankings of those at the top usually changed very little.

Under normal circumstances, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's performance in this edition of the Hidden Dragon Rankings would have attracted even more attention and discussion. Yet this edition differed greatly from previous ones. Beyond Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an, there were other changes. Among them, two major changes drew widespread attention and pulled more of the truly top-tier powers' gaze away.

For a time, the topic of Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an rising eighteen places in a single edition received far less attention.

Without forces behind him fanning the flames and building momentum, he gradually faded into the crowd, becoming merely an ordinary Hidden Dragon Heavenly Talent!

Even so, the title of Hidden Dragon Heavenly Talent was incomparably glorious. Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's reputation still shook Azure Dragon Province and several neighboring provinces, drew intense attention from every force within the Azure Cang Prince Manor's sphere, and caught the notice of the Northern Territory's top powers. It also stirred some ripples throughout the dynasty's territory.

After this update of the Hidden Dragon Rankings, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's name formally entered the sight of every major force and was recorded upon their desks!