Bearing of an Outer Sect Disciple

Beneath the Cultivation Ranking, discussion buzzed without end. Many looked at Yang Chen standing beneath the Testing Stele with both envy and jealousy.

Only Yang Chen had tested his punching force just now, so the change on the rankings naturally had to do with him.

It might have been only a humble ninety-ninth place, but this was a ranking for all newcomers across the entire Nineteen Peaks. Squeezing into the top hundred among more than six thousand people was, in itself, no small achievement.

Looking at the cultivation beside the name at the bottom of the rankings, countless people could only feel a deep sense of helplessness.

It had been nearly four months since they entered the sect, yet many were still going around in circles at the Qi Martial First Level. How could they even dream of making the rankings?

Among the several hundred new disciples in Area 8, only eleven or twelve had made the list. This meant Yang Chen had already become one of the foremost among Area 8's new disciples.

"Ninety-ninth place—not bad."

Yang Chen looked at the rankings, a smile appearing on his face. Now that he had made the list, he could be considered somewhat famous.

In life, people sought fame and wealth. Even in this world where martial arts flourished, fame and profit were still eagerly pursued.

He left with a smile on his face. Many watched his departing back, unable to hide the disappointment in their hearts.

"He made the rankings..."

Elsewhere, Wang Feng wore a rare frown.

Before Yang Chen made the rankings, Wang Feng could demand the fifteen spirit crystals without any psychological burden. But now that Yang Chen had made the list, even if he was at the very bottom, he was worth taking seriously.

"Was this a meteoric rise, or merely a flash in the pan?"

He could no longer see through Yang Chen. Over the past two months, flashes in the pan had been everywhere, which was understandable—after all, not everyone had wealth wrapped around their waist.

But Yang Chen was different. More than a hundred spirit crystals had passed through Wang Feng's hands on his behalf, and there was still no sign of decline. Who could guarantee that Yang Chen would not continue advancing with undiminished vigor?

After thinking it over, Wang Feng hurried to his elder brother's residence.

Seeing him return so soon, Wang Kui snapped impatiently, "What are you here for again?"

"Big Brother, Yang Chen made the rankings. Forget about those fifteen spirit crystals."

Wang Kui's expression sharpened as he probed, "His first time making the list?"

"That's right. He's currently ninety-ninth. There's something strange about this guy. I'd rather take a small loss than gamble over a mere fifteen spirit crystals."

"That settles it. I have something else to do."

With that, Wang Feng rushed off in a flurry, leaving Wang Kui sitting there with a thoughtful expression, lost in who knew what.

"The bearing of an Outer Sect disciple!"

Wang Kui shook his head. He was confident that he too could enter the Outer Sect, but he did not want to offend another Outer Sect disciple over this—especially when his younger brother already had some friendship with Yang Chen.

He took out the Sound Transmission Bamboo and said blandly, "Brother Zhou, find someone else."

"Look, someone else from Area 8 has made the rankings!"

As mealtime approached, many people returned after completing their tasks. Those who kept an eye on the Cultivation Ranking immediately noticed that another newcomer had made the list.

The news gradually spread...

"Someone from Area 8 made the rankings?"

Zhu Xi, returning from the herb garden, could not help but tense when he heard the discussions.

He often kept an eye on the Cultivation Ranking as well, and had already resolved that he had to make the list at least once within the year. To that end, he had even sent word to Fulong County, asking an uncle from his clan who traveled far and wide in trade to send him two hundred spirit crystals.

With ample spirit crystals supporting him, he had already broken through to the Qi Martial Fourth Level. He did not plan to compete this month, but starting next month, he too would charge at the rankings.

He had thought the rankings were gradually stabilizing, yet someone from Area 8 had unexpectedly made the list again.

Driven by curiosity, he came to the square and looked up...

"Old Yang!?"

Zhu Xi gaped, rubbing his eyes again and again, thinking he had seen wrong.

"You sly old Yang, you hid yourself well!"

Zhu Xi was both annoyed and amused, and immediately decided that Yang Chen had to treat him to a grand feast.

He turned and hurried toward the residences, intending to see whether Yang Chen was around. But the moment he turned, he nearly collided with someone.

When he saw who it was, he hurriedly said, "Senior Sister Xu, sorry, sorry."

"It's fine."

Xu Qingqing's voice was still gentle, yet it carried the same cool aloofness that kept people a thousand miles away.

Zhu Xi had long heard of Xu Qingqing's character. He did not dare entertain any improper thoughts toward her, and left with an apologetic smile.

Xu Qingqing stared at the name at the bottom of the rankings before soon walking toward the dining hall.

"Old Yang! You kept this from me too bitterly!"

When Zhu Xi reached the residences, he found Yang Chen's door slightly ajar and knew he was inside.

"Old Zhu, what did I keep from you?"

Yang Chen was just about to leave for a meal when he heard Zhu Xi's voice.

Zhu Xi said resentfully, "I saw your name on the Cultivation Ranking."

"I just made the list. I was about to tell you."

Zhu Xi sighed and stared at Yang Chen like a resentful wife. "Why does this leave such a bad taste in my heart?"

Yang Chen asked cautiously, "You're not jealous of me, are you?"

"Seems like I really am, a little..."

Yang Chen was helpless and could only promise to treat him to a lavish meal. Only then did Zhu Xi beam with delight.

This time, both of them went up to the second floor. Zhu Xi had eaten there before, though not often. Yang Chen had not come often either; later on, he mostly fended for himself over by the spirit fields.

That meal alone cost Yang Chen one spirit crystal.

After eating, Zhu Xi went back to cultivate. Yang Chen making the rankings had truly spurred him on.

Yang Chen did not wait long before Wang Feng arrived.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Yang! You made the rankings today; the Outer Sect is within sight!"

Yang Chen humbly waved a hand and asked with a smile, "What brings Senior Brother here?"

"Nothing major. Someone was plotting against you, and I stopped him." Wang Feng sat down without ceremony and poured himself a cup of tea. "His name is Zhou Tao, the younger brother of Zhou Han, the overseer of the mining area."

Yang Chen's heart tightened. Zhu Xi had indeed been right—Zhou Tao really had been setting his sights on him behind the scenes. He cupped his fists and said, "Thank you for looking after me, Senior Brother Wang."

"Why be so formal?" Wang Feng feigned anger. "You and I hit it off at first sight, and Junior Brother has repeatedly supported my business. Of course I had to help with such a small matter."

Having lived two lives, Yang Chen would not be moved by Wang Feng's words alone. He merely smiled. "Senior Brother is too modest. I'll surely have to trouble you often in the future."

"Easy enough, easy enough!"

Having achieved his purpose, Wang Feng did not stay long and left at an unhurried pace.

"Zhou Tao!"

Yang Chen murmured the name, committing it to memory.

Since Wang Feng knew Zhou Tao's name, there could be no mistake about this matter. If an opportunity arose in the future, Yang Chen would not mind teaching him a small lesson.

Before dawn the next day, Yang Chen came beneath the Cultivation Ranking. Seeing that his name was still in ninety-ninth place, he left in satisfaction.

After returning to the spirit fields, Yang Chen continued cultivating diligently. He still lived there most of the time, returning only once every three or four days.

Before he knew it, Yang Chen had already been at the Sun Moon Sword Sect for four months.

It was the end-of-month review again. After completing his task, Yang Chen returned to the residential area.

If there was one liveliest place at the end of every month, it was undoubtedly the Cultivation Rankings Board.

By the time Yang Chen returned, the area outside the Cultivation Rankings Board was already packed three layers deep, three layers thick.

"Making the rankings is too difficult! I've cultivated bitterly for four months and am only at the Qi Martial Third Level, yet even the last place on the rankings is at the Qi Martial Fifth Level."

"Forget the Rankings Board. I only hope to break through to the Blood Martial Realm within two years. Then I might still have a sliver of a chance to advance into the Outer Sect."

"I'm so envious of those people on the rankings. They receive extra resources every month. It's only because my family is poor—when it comes to talent, I'm not inferior to anyone!"

Amid the crowd's discussions, someone suddenly said in a low voice, "Look, Senior Brother Huang is here!"