Dragon and Tiger Rankings Update, Reactions Across the Province (Thanks to Daoist Friend for the Tip)

Thunderclap Valley Gu Family.

"How strange. Why wasn't Reckless Saber's name on it?"

The Gu Family's Little Pearl, Gu Jinyu, flipped through the booklet before her again and again, yet failed to find Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's name. She could not help feeling surprised.

In the previous Dragon and Tiger Rankings update, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had ranked ninth, causing quite a stir among many Grandmasters within the family. But why was he absent from the rankings this time?

Gu Jinyu's misty spiritual eyes gleamed with surprise.

Earlier, the clan elders had asked for her opinion. They had intended to betroth her to Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an as a Concubine Equal Wife and had asked what she thought.

Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an was young and accomplished, a truly exceptional hero. Naturally, she liked him.

But—

She had initially been willing to become a Concubine Equal Wife, yet after looking into the matter carefully, she changed her mind.

As a top power within Azure Dragon Province, Thunderclap Valley Gu Family's strength and foundations ran deeper than ordinary people could imagine.

An Equal Wife was certainly not bad, but how could she compare to the dignity of a Principal Wife?

Though both were marriages, the rites for a Principal Wife and an Equal Wife were vastly different.

She was the Gu Family Pearl, a noble daughter of a great clan. No matter which family's descendant within Azure Dragon Province she married, she would surely receive the position of Principal Wife.

Yet if she married Reckless Saber, she could only be a Concubine Equal Wife. Naturally, this left her resentful.

Though she had not openly rejected the family, she had made her meaning clear.

If it were the position of Principal Wife, she would have no complaints and would be willing to marry Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an for the sake of her family. But if it were as a Concubine Equal Wife, she asked the family to withdraw its order and reconsider carefully.

Previously, the Gu Family had intended to win over Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an and was willing to marry a noble daughter of the clan to him as his wife. The whole province had heard of this matter. With the Gu Family's jewel already before her, it was undoubtedly unlikely that Reckless Saber would promise another position of Principal Wife.

Thus, though she had not said it outright, her meaning had been crystal clear: this was a refusal.

In her view, that Gu Family daughter might be noble, but as the cherished daughter of the Gu Family, she was not necessarily inferior to her.

No matter how thirsty the Gu Family was for talent, could they really marry off Gu Qingcheng!?

How was this Possible!

Aside from Gu Qingcheng, although two other direct-line daughters of the Gu Family ranked among the rising heavenly talents, in a few years, once she had fully matured, she was confident she would not be inferior to them. She might even surpass them.

Under such circumstances, how could she possibly be willing to become a Concubine Equal Wife?

Later, though the family came to persuade her once, for some reason there was no further movement afterward. Perhaps the family had also realized the impropriety of it and developed other considerations.

Still, since the family had mentioned the matter, whenever she had spare time, she would think of that figure in North Azure Stronghold.

Talent, character, ability, appearance—he had everything she desired. He was the ideal husband of her dreams.

If only it had been the position of Principal Wife.

A young girl in love sometimes indulged in fantasies.

The moment the Dragon and Tiger Rankings were updated today, she immediately obtained a copy to look through it. She had originally wanted to see Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's ranking, but to her surprise, he was not on the list.

Wei River, Mu Family.

"What? Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an isn't among the Dragon and Tiger Rankings!"

"What happened!?"

"Did something happen to him!?"

"..."

The Mu Family's clan elders all looked at the Dragon and Tiger Rankings before them with agitated, incredulous expressions.

By now, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's name no longer represented him alone. It also represented the honor, disgrace, rise, and fall of their Mu Family.

With the relationship between the clan's cherished daughter, Mu Wanjun, and Reckless Saber, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's ninth-place ranking on the Dragon and Tiger Rankings had been an immense deterrent and boon to the Mu Family's standing in Wei River County and even several surrounding counties.

Recently, the Mu Family's prestige had faintly surpassed that of the Wei River Liu Family. Their being called the foremost aristocratic family of Wei River owed much to Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an.

Even though Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an himself had clearly done nothing at all!

At times, the value of a martial arts master did not lie in what he had done, but in the deterrence he represented!

A martial arts master's influence on a family's prestige was far, far greater than ordinary people imagined.

Sometimes, merely knowing that he was there was more useful than any other deterrence.

But now—

Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had fallen off the rankings!?

Ordinarily, there were only two possibilities when a Dragon and Tiger expert fell off the list. One was that his strength was insufficient and he had been challenged off it. This often happened near the bottom of the Dragon and Tiger Rankings. But for Chen Ping'an, it was basically impossible. He ranked ninth, and even if someone successfully challenged him, he would certainly still remain on the list.

The other possibility was that he had died midway through!

This—

Such a matter was simply too earthshaking. It undoubtedly caused a collective upheaval among the Mu Family's upper echelon.

Compared to the uproar within the Mu Family, Mu Wanjun's eyes gleamed with a strange color, as though she had thought of another possibility.

"Ping'an."

Wei River Town Pacification Office.

"He's not on the list?" Fan Zhengheng looked astonished, suspicion filling his eyes.

In this Dragon and Tiger Rankings update, there had not been many changes among those listed. Yet the Reckless Saber he cared about most was absent from the rankings.

This matter—

He had known Chen Ping'an for quite some time and believed he understood him to a degree. Reckless Saber acted decisively and struck with fierce resolve. Once he had made a decision, there was absolutely no possibility of changing it. Such a temperament could deliver a final blow amid chaos, but if he encountered a powerful opponent, then...

"Could he have kicked an iron plate!?" Fan Zhengheng's mood shifted as wild thoughts raced through his mind. "Was he brutally suppressed!?"

If Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had truly died, it would once again rewrite the situation in Wei River County, with consequences that would be immensely far-reaching.

The Wei River Mu Family owed more than half of its current standing to Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an. One aspect was the combat strength Reckless Saber had displayed; another was his future potential. Because of their connection with Reckless Saber, many first-rate powers from other counties had been willing to befriend the Mu Family.

Wei River, Universe Control Division garrison.

"Send a letter to the State Universe Control Division. Find out as quickly as possible why Reckless Saber fell off the rankings!" Feng Chengxiu reacted immediately upon seeing the Dragon and Tiger Rankings.

Previously, he had coordinated the Universe Control Division's Reconnaissance Team and overseen the investigation into the death of Cao Yingxiong, the former Silver Gong Universe Control Envoy of the Wei River Universe Control Division. But after nearly two years of investigation, there had been no substantive progress. They had previously suspected the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, but once the investigation reached a certain stage, all leads had been cut off.

Half a year ago, after deliberation by the State Universe Control Division, he had been appointed Silver Gong Universe Control Envoy of the Wei River Universe Control Division. Since the area was close to the Dragon Peace Trade Route and his responsibilities included monitoring its outer perimeter, the Province Town Pacification Office had specially approved an effective promotion of half a rank in both position and treatment.

Overall, it had been a transfer at the same rank, and he had settled down in Wei River County.

Precisely because of this, he paid extreme attention to any possible changes in Wei River County's situation. Moreover, it was not only Wei River County. Since he oversaw the outer perimeter of the trade route, he naturally had to deal with North Azure Stronghold. Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an held the post of North Azure Deputy Garrison Commander, so his rise and fall could not have had little impact on him.

"Reckless Saber..." Feng Chengxiu's eyes were like those of a hawk as he gazed at the scenery beyond the window.

At Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an's current age, falling off the Dragon and Tiger Rankings nearly announced the conclusion that he had died. Yet for some reason, Feng Chengxiu vaguely felt that things might not be so simple!

"Reckless Saber's name isn't there. Did he fall off the rankings!?"

Within North Azure Stronghold, Wang Lingzhi had just finished reading through the Dragon and Tiger Rankings. His face was delighted, and he looked somewhat excited.

Reckless Saber had ranked ninth on the Dragon and Tiger Rankings. His name was absent from this edition, and his fate was self-evident!

"Experts in the provincial city are as numerous as clouds. He went to the provincial city and still showed no restraint, remaining as flamboyant as ever. How could he possibly keep having such good fortune!"

"Wonderful!" Having figured out the links in the chain, Wang Lingzhi immediately felt thoroughly satisfied.

He had already entered the Grandmaster Realm, and his cultivation met the promotion requirements for Division Head Candidate. All he lacked were merits and seniority.

He had come to North Azure Stronghold precisely to make up for those lacking merits and seniority, seeking a future as a Division Head Candidate.

After more than a month of fighting day and night, he had led the entire Reconnaissance Team in working with all parties in North Azure. By drawing silk from cocoons and analyzing layer by layer, the investigation had basically reached a conclusion.

He had also found a lead regarding the true culprit behind Xue Kunsheng's murder. The current clues indicated that this matter was likely inseparable from the evil path power known as the Evil Extremity Path.

Like the Rising Dragon Path, the Evil Extremity Path was an extremely well-known evil path power within Azure Dragon Province. It had previously taken part in the North Azure Rebellion. This move was likely part of an even deeper calculation and arrangement.

If he could solve this case and earn merit, then the final weakness in his merits and seniority would be completely filled.

And now, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had died, leaving the position of North Azure Stronghold's top authority vacant.

Heaven's timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony—everything was in place!

"Heaven is truly helping me!" Wang Lingzhi fantasized inwardly, his expression excited.

He was in North Azure, with sufficient cultivation and merit. Reckless Saber was dead, so who else could become North Azure Stronghold's new top authority but him!

Of course, if he took command, he would not merely serve as North Azure Deputy Garrison Commander, but as North Azure Garrison Commander—a genuine Division Head Candidate post!

The North Azure Garrison Commander presided over a major stronghold; he was a true regional lord. That was far more comfortable than serving as a Division Head Candidate with middling authority in the Province Town Pacification Office. If he obtained the position of North Azure Garrison Commander, then although he would be a newly promoted Division Head Candidate, his actual authority would exceed that of some Senior Division Head Candidates. It would be overtaking around a bend, putting him ahead of them.

"Sort through the clues as quickly as possible and arrange the plan. Strive to solve this case within a month!" Wang Lingzhi suppressed his excitement, preparing to seize victory in one burst of momentum!

Now, everything was ready except the east wind!

As long as he solved this case, with the Wang Family's support, the position of North Azure Garrison Commander would be as easy as taking something from his pocket. It could belong to no one but him!

The news of the Dragon and Tiger Rankings update drew the attention not only of Wang Lingzhi but also of many forces within North Azure Stronghold. Naturally, quite a few people had noticed that Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had not appeared on the rankings.

Representatives of various powers, such as Zhu Jiuhuan and Gu Hongxiu, had all paid attention to this matter.

Each person reacted differently and had their own calculations. Gu Hongxiu, the Gu Family's representative in North Azure, could not help feeling somewhat fortunate that she had sent a letter earlier, advising the family to temporarily shelve the proposal of an Equal Wife and adjust according to later developments.

Previously, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had slain Azure Dragon Special Envoy Qi Guangshan and then gone alone to Azure Dragon Province City.

Now that something had happened to Reckless Saber, it was likely inseparable from that matter. In secret, forces such as the Shadowless Saber Sect surely had a hand in fanning the flames. There might even be the shadows of the Xue and Wang Families behind it.

Looking at it now, her timely decision to send that letter had undoubtedly been the correct choice.

"Anything too rigid is easily broken!" Gu Hongxiu's expression turned contemplative as memories surged up. She recalled the evaluation a Top Grandmaster from Azure Spirit Province had given Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an not long ago.

Reckless Saber bared his sharp edge and acted wildly and arrogantly. He might face the danger of being too rigid and easily broken! If he could not overcome such a disposition, he would find it difficult to become a Grandmaster within thirty years!

The prophecy had come true!

Looking at it now, not to mention thirty years—even in this lifetime, Reckless Saber could never become a Grandmaster!

Dead and removed from the rankings, his path had been completely severed! How could he advance any further!?

It was not only the powers within North Azure Stronghold. Many of Chen Ping'an's subordinates in the North Azure Town Pacification Office, including Ma Yuanbang and Liu Gongxi, also had shifting thoughts and differing feelings after seeing the newest Dragon and Tiger Rankings. Many found the matter difficult to accept at first. They thought of another possibility, only to quickly dismiss it.

"My lord." Xiong Sanrang's face was ashen, his heart bitter.

Northern Land Swordsman Guan Dongxiang was not quite so dramatic. He merely felt some regret.

Yu Jinjue of the Inspection Office fell silent for a long while upon seeing the rankings, before finally sighing softly. In the past, on behalf of her master Flame Saber, she had delivered a birthday invitation and invited Lord Chen to attend in person. Now, Flame Saber's birthday was approaching, but Lord Chen was...

The Dragon and Tiger Rankings update and Reckless Saber's removal from the list had been noticed not only in North Azure Stronghold, but also by many powers in Dragon Peace Stronghold, South Spirit Stronghold, and even Azure Spirit Province.

Though there were many possible explanations, without exception, they all believed Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had most likely died on the spot! The reason behind such a result was likely inseparable from the matter involving Qi Guangshan.

Slaying an Azure Dragon Special Envoy in public—Reckless Saber truly had dared to imagine it!

Anything too rigid is easily broken, anything too rigid is easily broken! The ancients truly did not deceive us!

Compared to the reactions across Azure Dragon Province and other provinces, the reaction within Azure Dragon Province City was undoubtedly the opposite extreme.

"The Dragon and Tiger Rankings have been updated, and Reckless Saber isn't listed! Then there is no longer any need to debate whether he broke through to Grandmaster."

"Rubbish! It stopped being debatable long ago. So many Grandmasters came forward to witness it—what is there left to debate!"

"A twenty-four-year-old Jade Balance Grandmaster! Who could have imagined it!"

"Exactly! What kind of concept is that! Reaching the Inner Energy Third Stage at that age already makes one a provincial heavenly talent! No one would even dare dream of becoming a Jade Balance Grandmaster!"

"How exactly did he cultivate!"

"Though all are born human, they could not be more different!"

"You seem to have overlooked one fact. Aside from cultivating quickly, Reckless Saber's combat talent is also monstrously exceptional! At the Profound Light Realm, he could already slay Grandmasters against the odds! After becoming a Grandmaster, he even slew a Jade Balance Middle Stage Grandmaster against the odds!"

"Hiss—what a monstrous heavenly talent! A truly monstrous heavenly talent!"

"A heavenly talent who appears once in two thousand years! Across the dynasty's vast territory, he would still be one of the few!"

"..."

The moment news spread that Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had reached the Jade Balance Grandmaster Realm and slain Blood Bat Wei Yiqi, a Jade Balance Middle Stage Grandmaster, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an was no longer merely a heavenly talent in the eyes of the overwhelming majority of people and powers. He was an ultimate figure truly capable of contending with old generation experts!

Though only twenty-four years old, he was undoubtedly already a giant-like figure Within Azure Dragon Province! Given time, he might even become an ultimate figure Within Azure Dragon Province, or even throughout the Northern Territory!

Truly standing above the clouds, looking down upon all living beings!

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Wang Siyuan's emotions had somewhat collapsed, and he was nearly hysterical. At this moment, he no longer retained even a trace of his former gentle young master bearing.

He had personally attempted to break through to Grandmaster, so he understood very clearly how difficult a breakthrough was. The Jade Balance Barrier had stopped countless heavenly talents and outstanding individuals!

His failed breakthrough had left his foundation unharmed, which already placed him above an unknown number of heavenly talents and talented individuals.

Yet this small achievement of his seemed exceptionally laughable before Reckless Saber.

He had poured out his heart's blood, polished himself carefully, and made painstaking preparations. With Breakthrough Secret Medicine and spiritual materials to assist him, his final result had still been failure. Reckless Saber, meanwhile, had broken through in the midst of a life-and-death battle. The entire process had flowed as naturally as water reaching a canal, as simple as eating and drinking.

"A twenty-four-year-old Jade Balance Grandmaster! A twenty-four-year-old Jade Balance Grandmaster, hahaha..." Wang Siyuan laughed madly in utter loss of composure.

Thinking of the marriage alliance rumors from not long ago, his heart turned to ashes.

"Reckless Saber! Reckless Saber!" Mu Chenjie's face was pale, his lips trembling as he nearly failed to remain standing.

Reckless Saber's monstrous talent and breakthrough to Grandmaster were one matter. More importantly, recalling the marriage alliance rumors from before, perhaps the Gu Family had made its decision long ago...

"Qingcheng..." Mu Chenjie only felt his dream shatter.

Mu Qingyao stood at a distance, looking at her brother, who had nearly collapsed into a daze, unsure how to comfort him.

Reckless Saber was an unparalleled heavenly talent, extraordinary and monstrous. Yet her brother had unexpectedly become a victim of this affair. Perhaps... he did not even count as a victim.

After all, he had no standing whatsoever!

The Gu Family's Alluring Fairy was free to marry whomever she wished; that was the Gu Family's freedom! They did not need to explain themselves to anyone.

Setting aside her brother's position, the Gu Family's choice was undoubtedly correct!

Reckless Saber was peerless, and the Gu Family's Qingcheng was breathtaking. Together, they were pearls joined with jade!

In the Xue Family's rear courtyard, Xue Zirou lightly moved her fingertips, twining strands of hair around them, her expression absent.

The Crouching Dragon Invitation, slaying a Grandmaster against the odds!

Breaking through amid battle, becoming a Grandmaster!

A life-and-death challenge, suppressing and killing Blood Bat Wei Yiqi!

Every single one of these events had brought her far too much shock.

Before meeting Reckless Saber, she had never imagined that there could be a man so dazzling!

Though there were Hidden Dragon Heavenly Talents, they were no more than flowers in mist and moons in water—visible, yet impossible to truly grasp. But Reckless Saber...

He had been so real! So real that, that night, he had stood right before her!

Xue Zirou's thoughts drifted far away, toward some unknown place.

"A twenty-four-year-old Jade Balance Grandmaster—is he even human!?" Xue Guangyu's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.

He had always considered himself exceptionally talented. At a young age, his cultivation had reached the peak of the Profound Light Middle Stage, and his combat power rivaled the Profound Light High Realm. He was the Xue Family's second greatest heavenly talent of the current generation.

Yet now, upon hearing of Reckless Saber, beyond his amazement and shock, he finally understood what it meant for there to be heavens beyond heavens and people beyond people. Compared with the other man, he was like rotten wood felled in the forest—simply beyond carving.

Not only was he older, his cultivation was also far inferior!

Recalling his evaluation of Reckless Saber when they had first met outside Azure Dragon Province City, he immediately felt incomparably ashamed.

Fear hardship, act with slackness, and be content with pleasure—there was not a single redeeming quality in any of it. How could someone like that ever achieve anything!?

Xue Guangyu only felt his face burning hot, muttering without knowing what to say.

News of Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an was not merely being watched among the younger generation and their peers. By now, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an could no longer be regarded as a junior. The moment he slew Blood Bat Wei Yiqi, he had become a Grandmaster powerhouse capable of influencing part of the situation!

Though Reckless Saber was a newly promoted Grandmaster, his combat strength was not the slightest bit inferior to the stronger Veteran Grandmasters! While he was indeed still not among the small group of strongest people below the Top Grandmasters, he was also a notable figure among Jade Balance Middle Stage Grandmasters!

Every faction was conducting detailed research and discussion concerning Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an. Transcendent powers Within Azure Dragon Province such as the Wang Family and the Xue Family had likewise convened internal Clan Elder Meetings to deliberate over their stance.

The Xue Family, in particular, had overturned its previous decision and elevated the matter from the level of a Clan Elder Meeting to that of the Elder Council. They reopened discussions concerning Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an!

It was not only families and sects. The Province Town Pacification Office and the State Universe Control Division had both adjusted their respective stances on the matter.

Within the Province Town Pacification Office, the unfavorable remarks aimed at Chen Ping'an had been swept away in only a few days. In their place, every office and department was discussing this rising giant prodigy within the Province Town Pacification Office.

Given Reckless Saber's current combat strength and accomplishments, even without considering his talent and potential, the Province Town Pacification Office was bound to make a decision and respond.

Quite a few people who had previously belonged to Wei Yiqi's faction were like homeless dogs, trembling through their days in fear of being implicated.

But those who had previously formed good ties with Chen Ping'an and befriended him were filled with excitement, their hopes for the future Ignited.

For instance, Qi Deliang, who had crossed paths with Chen Ping'an once over the matter of guarding his saber; and Yu Zhanhong, who belonged to the Gu Family faction and had interacted with Chen Ping'an many times.

Yet amid his excitement, Yu Zhanhong was filled with regret. Logically speaking, he had known Chen Ping'an the longest and had dealt with him the most. Within the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office, they should have had the closest relationship.

But now, that position had clearly been snatched away by Zhong Zeyu.

He regretted it—regretted that when the situation had still been unclear, he had failed to seize the chance to build a firmer and friendlier relationship with Chen Ping'an.

Now that the situation was clear, it was too late to say anything!

Compared to Yu Zhanhong's regret, Zhong Zeyu was undoubtedly left with nothing but excitement upon hearing the news.

He had truly latched onto a powerful backer!

Just before Chen Ping'an broke through, he had still been drinking and reminiscing warmly with him. Now Chen Ping'an had broken through to Grandmaster, displaying unimaginable combat strength, and his status within the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office had soared in a straight line.

Without question, as one of the few people within the Province Town Pacification Office who was on good terms with Chen Ping'an, he too would receive an unimaginable wave of lavish benefits.

When one person attained the Dao, even the chickens and dogs ascended to heaven!

It was no empty saying!

Compared with Zhong Zeyu's excitement, Tong Guan, who was in the Azure Dragon Province Universe Control Division, could only Complain Bitterly, consumed with regret.

Back when Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an had first begun to distinguish himself, he had already shown the bearing of a Grandmaster!

In Tong Guan's view, Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an might one day luckily break into the Grandmaster realm and be Ranked with him, but that day was something that would come who knew how many years later.

Even if Chen Ping'an broke through, he would merely be Ranked with him. Tong Guan was alone and belonged to the State Universe Control Division, so he might not necessarily fear Chen Ping'an.

With all these thoughts in mind, though he had taken Chen Ping'an seriously, he had remained determined to retaliate.

Now, it seemed—

He had made far too many mistakes before!

Either he should not have retaliated at all, or, if he did retaliate, he should have used thunderous methods and, At All Costs, strangled Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an in the cradle.

But thinking of it now was no more than wisdom after the fact.

By ordinary standards, the importance he had attached to the matter In the past had already been sufficiently high. His scheme to kill the man and pierce the heart had also been an Overt Scheme that could be called unsolvable.

But who could have imagined that Reckless Saber's talent would be So Strong, every step of his cultivation far exceeding Tong Guan's expectations.

Moreover, no matter how carefully he calculated, he had never calculated that Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an would break through so quickly, or that his combat strength would be So Strong!

The instant he broke through, he was already able to slay Blood Bat Wei Yiqi!

If Chen Ping'an could slay Blood Bat Wei Yiqi, then he could slay Tong Guan as well! Unless Tong Guan could reach the Jade Balance Middle Stage, even if the Celestial Boy Art reached perfection, it would still be of no use!

His regrets came too late!

Tong Guan seemed shrouded beneath a layer of gloom, sighing again and again.

He wondered whether Reckless Saber would spare him if he begged for mercy now!

No matter how clamorous the news outside became or how people reacted, Chen Ping'an, the focus of attention and center of public discussion, was currently at home, diligently Went into seclusion.

Naturally, the reason he gave to the outside world was that he had just broken through and was eager to consolidate his realm. With that reason, no matter how eager the outside world was, no one would come disturb him.

To disturb someone while they were consolidating their realm was not to make friends—it was to make enemies.

Even the Gu Family did not dare rashly disturb Chen Ping'an at this critical juncture. They merely told him to seek out Gu Qingchan after he had consolidated his realm.

In truth, Chen Ping'an's breakthrough this time was merely a fabricated display. He had only used the Golden Finger Panel to reveal more of his strength to the outside world. With the Golden Finger Panel's aid, he did not need to worry about anyone seeing through it.

Besides, Even if he had truly broken through, with the Golden Finger Panel's aid, every breakthrough was practically perfect and his foundation was deep and solid. There was no need to consolidate his realm at all.

His so-called seclusion and consolidation of his realm were mainly for cultivating the Seven Absolute Divine Skill.

Just right, he had this opportunity, and no one would disturb him. Naturally, he had to make use of it. Moreover, it would make the events after his breakthrough seem all the more natural and reasonable.

While Chen Ping'an was in seclusion cultivating, news concerning him was also conveyed to the Northern Border Pacification Bureau through an exceptionally special method of communication.