The night was as dark as ink, enveloping a hilly area in the eastern part of Qingyang Prefecture.
Three dark figures swept across the mountain path like ghosts, their speed astonishing.
The leader had a sinister face and a chilling aura about him; he was Liu Han, Elder of the Nether Pavilion.
He was followed by two Deacon, both of whom were at the Fourth Grade Late Stage.
" Elder Liu, the Azure Profound Sect Sect's Spirit Iron is just ten miles ahead."
A Deacon spoke in a low voice, his gaze fixed on the distant, faintly visible mountain silhouette.
Liu Han nodded slightly, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his cold eyes.
"A swift and decisive victory, leaving no survivors."
The three of them moved again, rushing towards the iron mine.
However--
Just as they were about to reach the iron ore mine.
Several figures emerged from the darkness like ghosts, blocking their path.
The leader was dressed in a dark blue Elder's robe, with a slightly plump face and calm eyes, standing with his hands behind his back.
It was Elder Cheng Zhou Azure Profound Sect.
Liu Han's steps abruptly halted, his pupils contracting slightly.
" Cheng Zhou?"
His voice was deep, carrying a hint of undisguised surprise.
" Liu Han."
Cheng Zhou spoke slowly, his voice flat and devoid of any emotion.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Liu Han's face instantly turned extremely ugly.
The Azure Profound Sect had been prepared for this.
--
At the same time, in the western part of Qingyang Prefecture, in a dense mountain forest.
Five figures were silently approaching a hidden valley.
That place is an important medicinal herb field of the Azure Profound Sect.
The leader was another Elder of the Nether Pavilion, named Chen Li.
He was followed by four Deacon, all of whom were skilled fighters of the Fourth Grade.
However, the moment they stepped into the valley—
They were greeted by several figures emerging from the shadows.
The leader was Zhao Ming, Elder of the Azure Profound Sect.
" Chen Li."
Zhao Ming stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the astonished face, his voice calm.
"What are you trying to do, coming to my Azure Profound Sect's medicinal herb field so late at night?"
Chen Li's face was ashen. The Azure Profound Sect was well-prepared, and this attack had undoubtedly failed.
--
In the southern part of Qingyang Prefecture, there is a sizable market town.
This place is an important trading location between the Azure Profound Sect and various forces within the county, and is guarded year-round by more than ten Deacon and disciples.
In the darkness of night, eight dark figures silently approached the market.
The leader was a Fourth Grade Late Stage, limit-level Deacon from the Nether Pavilion, named Wu Heng.
He was ordered to lead a raid on the market, slaughter the guards and Deacon stationed there, and plunder its valuables.
However, just as they reached the edge of the market—
A figure appeared before them like a ghost.
The man was dressed in the robes of True Disciple of the Azure Profound Sect, with a handsome face and a calm, composed aura.
It was Luo Yuntian.
"People from the Nether Pavilion?"
Luo Yuntian spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but carrying a chilling sense of oppression.
Wu Heng's pupils suddenly contracted.
When he was ordered to attack the market, he received information that only ordinary Deacon and servants were stationed there, and there were no experts.
But the person in front of him was clearly Luo Yuntian, who ranked seventh on the Prodigy Ranking. Facing him, he had no chance of winning.
--
That night, six Azure Profound Sect properties within Qingyang Prefecture were simultaneously attacked.
But Azure Profound Sect had already taken precautions at every location.
The six groups of people dispatched by the Nether Pavilion returned empty-handed and fled in panic.
The news quickly spread throughout Qingyang Prefecture.
--
The following morning, at Vajra Temple.
An elderly monk in a gray robe sat cross-legged in Quiet Room, holding a string of prayer beads in his hand, his eyes slightly closed.
A soft knock came from the door.
"Come in."
The old monk slowly opened his eyes, a peaceful light flashing in his aged gaze.
A middle-aged monk strode in and bowed in greeting.
"Uncle-Master, news came last night that the Nether Pavilion sent people to attack several properties of the Azure Profound Sect, but the Azure Profound Sect was prepared, and the Nether Pavilion failed."
The old monk raised an eyebrow slightly.
Do you know the reason?
"This disciple has already sent people to investigate."
The middle-aged monk paused for a moment, then continued.
"According to the investigation, this incident was caused by Elder Yin Wugou of the Nether Pavilion, who disregarded the rules and personally intercepted and killed Azure Profound Sect Fang Han, True Disciple the Azure Profound Sect."
" The Azure Profound Sect was furious and ambushed and killed Yin Wugou. The Nether Pavilion retaliated, but because the Azure Profound Sect was prepared, they suffered a crushing defeat."
The old monk remained silent for a moment, a thoughtful look flashing in his aged eyes.
" Fang Han..."
He murmured the name.
He had heard of the young prodigy who killed You Xin and forced the Nether Pavilion to send Elder to intercept and kill him.
"Pass down the order."
The old monk spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.
"Inform all Elder within the sect who are out in the field that they must not break the rules and attack Azure Profound Sect disciples, especially Fang Han."
"Yes."
The middle-aged monk bowed in response, then turned and withdrew.
--
Hundred Flower Valley.
Inside an elegant and refined attic, a woman, still possessing a captivating charm, reclines on a soft couch.
She is Liu Yan, the deputy valley master of Hundred Flower Valley, known as " Madam Liu ".
A young female disciple strode in and bowed respectfully.
"Uncle-Master Liu, the news from last night..."
She gave a detailed report of the information she had gathered.
After listening quietly, a thoughtful glint flashed in Madam Liu's watery eyes.
" Yin Wugou broke the rules, and the Azure Profound Sect surrounded and killed him. The Nether Pavilion retaliated, but the Azure Profound Sect was prepared..."
She shook her head slightly, a playful smile curving her lips.
"It seems that the Azure Profound Sect Fang Han."
"Uncle-Master, what do you mean?"
The young female disciple asked tentatively.
"Pass down the order."
Madam Liu sat up straight, her voice languid yet clear.
"Tell the Elder in the sect to behave themselves and not to attack the Azure Profound Sect disciples, especially that Fang Han."
" The Azure Profound Sect's stance this time is very clear: whoever breaks the rules must die."
The young female disciple's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly replied.
"Yes."
--
Tyrant Blade Sect, Lingyun Sword Sect, Rain Listening Tower...
Almost simultaneously, the various strongholds within the Prefecture City received the same message.
After learning the details, the leaders of those factions made the same decision.
The Elder of the sect are forbidden from attacking Azure Profound Sect disciples, especially Fang Han.
Yin Wugou's death was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, and the ripples it created were spreading rapidly.
--
End of the month.
As dawn broke, many disciples had already gathered in the plaza where the Azure Profound Sect's General Ranking Martial Dao Stele was located.
Today is the last day of the month, the day when disciples test their strength and refresh their rankings.
A morning breeze swept across the square, carrying the fresh scent of mountain plants and trees, dispelling the early summer heat.
Do you think Fang Han will come for the test today?
A young disciple spoke in a low voice, glancing occasionally toward the entrance to the plaza.
"I'll definitely come."
Another disciple chimed in, his tone resolute.
" Fang Han was able to kill You Xin, who was ranked one place higher than Senior Brother Luo on the Prodigy Ranking, so his strength must already be above Senior Brother Luo's. Now that he is ranked below Senior Brother Luo on the General Ranking, he will definitely come to test himself."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Fang Han's strength should already be above Senior Brother Luo's. Now that the end of the month is approaching, Fang Han will definitely come to improve his ranking on the General Ranking, since the ranking is linked to contribution points.
"They're here! They're here!"
Someone in the crowd whispered, and everyone's eyes turned to the entrance of the square.
A figure in a green robe was walking over unhurriedly.
With the Cloud- Cloudsplitter Sword hanging at his waist and a calm expression, it was Fang Han.
The crowd parted automatically to make way, and the disciples whose eyes were fixed on Fang Han all felt an invisible pressure.
That was the aura of Upper Third Grade martial artist; though not deliberately released, it existed naturally.
Fang Han nodded slightly, in response to the respectful gazes.
He walked to a spot about ten feet in Martial Dao Stele, slowly raised his hand, and placed it on the hilt of his sword.
"Clang--!"
The Cloudsplitter Sword was drawn.
The Dark Cyan blade shimmered with a restrained luster in the morning light, and the air seemed to freeze slightly where the blade pointed.
He didn't gather momentum, nor did he rely on luck; he simply thrust out his sword.
This sword strike was extremely casual.
It wasn't as if they were testing rankings, but simply practicing their swordsmanship casually in the courtyard.
However, at the very moment the sword was thrust out—
Where the sword tip passed, a thin crack, over ten feet long, silently split open in the air.
The fine marks were as clear as a knife blade slicing through paper, and they lingered for a long time.
"Swoosh--Boom!"
The moment the sword tip touched the surface of the monument, a highly concentrated Sword Intent and Internal Qi erupted.
After the sharp, unusual sound came a muffled, thunderous explosion.
The General Ranking Martial Dao Stele shone brightly, its surface trembled violently, and ripples of energy spread wildly.
Fang Han's name suddenly lit up!
The numbers preceding it, representing the ranking, started to jump!
three!
The numbers blurred, but the leap forward was instantaneous!
two!
The light stabilized for a moment, then blurred again!
one!
The light finally settled, and the number remained firmly in the position of "one".
Number one on the General Ranking!
Fang Han's name has surpassed Luo Yuntian's, reaching the top of the Azure Profound Sect's General Ranking!
Seeing this change, the disciples in the square were not surprised, after all, You Xin, who was ranked higher than Luo Yuntian on the Prodigy Ranking, had died at Fang Han's hands.
But he was still deeply shocked, after all, Fang Han had only Beginner stage for a little over two years and had already reached the top of the General Ranking.
There was a sense of awe and wonder in witnessing a legend firsthand.
"That's too powerful..."
One of the disciples muttered to himself, his voice filled with complex emotions.
"After just over two years of Beginner stage, I'm already number one on the General Ranking!"
Just how strong is Fang Han now?
No one can answer this question.
Everyone could only gaze at the figure in the green robe, at that still calm face, and feel an overwhelming sense of awe.
Fang Han sheathed his sword, and the Cloudsplitter Sword made a soft "clang" sound as it returned to its sheath.
He looked up at his name on the monument, his eyes showing no emotion.
First.
He had already anticipated this outcome.
He didn't even use his full strength in that last sword strike.
He turned around and, amidst the shocked gazes, strode out of the square.
The crowd automatically parted to make way for him as he walked away.
The figure in the green robe quickly disappeared around the bend in the mountain path at the end of the square.
--
The True Transmission Courtyard, Luo Yuntian's villa.
The courtyard was simply furnished with a stone table, a few stone benches, and a clump of Emerald Bamboo growing in the corner. That was all.
Luo Yuntian had just finished his cultivation and was resting in the courtyard.
Hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate, followed by the voice of a servant.
"Senior brother, Fang Han went to the General Ranking test today, and his ranking... rose to first place."
Luo Yuntian paused slightly, but he didn't look up; he remained silent for a moment.
Then, he stood up and stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back.
His gaze drifted to the lush green forest beyond the courtyard wall, and a faint, complex expression appeared on his face.
First.
The position he held for so many years has now been surpassed by someone who came after him.
But in his eyes, there was no surprise, only an indescribable... calmness.
Because he had anticipated this.
From the Fang Han killed You Xin, he knew that his junior brother's strength was already above his own.
Reaching the top of the General Ranking was only a natural outcome.
"First..."
He repeated those two words in a low voice.
A sudden, intense light ignited in those calm eyes.
That light was called resentment.
He turned and strode towards the Quiet Room.
Behind him, the attendant paused slightly, then quickly followed.
"Senior brother, what's wrong with you...?"
"Cultivation."
Luo Yuntian did not turn around; his voice was steady, yet carried an unprecedented firmness.
The door to the Quiet Room slowly closed.
It shuts out all the noise and hustle and bustle of the outside world.