At the mountain peak, the Sect Master's Hall.
Chen Tianyuan his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the darkening horizon in the distance.
Behind him, a Deacon bowed and reported on the day's events.
" Fang Han is now number one on the General Ranking."
Chen Tianyuan spoke slowly, his voice calm and unreadable.
"Yes, Sect Master," the Deacon replied respectfully. "In today's test, True Disciple Fang easily rose from third to first place with a single sword strike."
Chen Tianyuan remained silent for a moment, then a smile slowly appeared on his lips.
The smile was faint, yet it carried a hint of relief and a touch of melancholy.
"After just over two years of Beginner stage, I'm number one on the General Ranking..."
He muttered to himself.
Such a growth rate is unprecedented in the hundreds of years of history of the Azure Profound Sect.
This child's future is limitless.
"Is there any response from Luo Yuntian?"
He suddenly asked.
The Deacon paused slightly, then said, "As for Luo True Disciple... I heard that after learning the news, he went into seclusion to cultivate."
Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly.
A hint of satisfaction flashed in those gentle eyes.
Pressure is a source of motivation.
If Luo Yuntian can advance further because of this, it will be a good thing for him and for the sect.
"Go down."
He waved.
The Deacon bowed and withdrew.
Chen Tianyuan remained in the hall.
He stood with his hands behind his back by the window, his gaze fixed on the direction of the True Transmission Courtyard.
There, he found the most outstanding disciple of the Azure Profound Sect in hundreds of years.
The first day of the month, early morning.
The early summer morning breeze, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees, drifted into the Quiet Room through the open window.
Fang Han sat cross-legged on the futon, his aura as calm and still as water.
The Azure Profound Art slowly circulated within his body, and the azure-gold Internal Qi flowed continuously through his meridians. With each cycle, it brought a subtle yet solid increase in strength.
After breaking through to the Third Grade, as is normal, the cultivation speed will slow down significantly.
However, the threefold improvement brought about by switching to the < Azure Profound Art > meant that his cultivation speed not only did not slow down compared to before breaking through to the Third Grade, but actually increased.
This illustrates the importance of a high-level cultivation technique.
A soft knock came from the door.
"Senior brother, Deacon Zhou Heng Deacon arrived."
Qui Lan's voice was as respectful as ever.
Fang Han slowly opened his eyes, a faint blue glint flashing in them before disappearing.
"Please ask him to wait in the Living Room."
He stood up, straightened his robes, and walked out of the Quiet Room.
Inside the Living Room, Deacon Zhou Heng was already waiting.
Upon seeing Fang Han enter, a warm smile immediately spread across his face, and he stood up, cupping his hands in greeting:
"Congratulations to Fang True Disciple for reaching the top of the General Ranking!"
His voice was filled with heartfelt congratulations, and his eyes were full of awe.
The young man before us has only Beginner stage a little over two years, yet he has already reached the top of the Azure Profound Sect's General Ranking.
Such an achievement is unprecedented in the sect's hundreds of years of history.
"You're too kind, Deacon Zhou."
Fang Han returned the greeting with a cupped hand, gesturing for him to sit down.
The Maid served fragrant tea and then withdrew.
Zhou Heng took out an ancient-looking " Transmission Jade Inkstone " from the tray of his accompanying disciple and smiled:
"Fang True Disciple, this month's resource allocation has been finalized and is here to distribute it to you. Please take out your Identity Token."
Fang Han took out the token from his pocket and handed it over.
Zhou Heng took the token, placed it in the central groove of the jade inkstone, and his fingertips emitted a faint light as he skillfully manipulated it for a moment.
The jade inkstone emitted a barely perceptible hum, and a fleeting glint of light flashed across its surface.
" General Ranking, your contribution points for this month are 35,000, which have been credited to your token. Fang True Disciple, please check."
Zhou Heng handed the token back with a broad smile.
'Without realizing it, it has already exceeded 100,000.'
Fang Han took it, and poured a wisp of his Internal Qi into it. The token flashed slightly, displaying a line of numbers: 115000.
Compared to the third- General Ranking, the contribution value reward for the top player on the General Ranking increased from 27,000 to 35,000, a significant increase of 8,000.
With the 80,000 contribution points remaining from last month, he now has over 100,000 contribution points, reaching 115,000.
This amount is an unimaginable fortune for ordinary disciples.
Even many Deacon may not be able to make such a huge contribution over many years.
"Fang True Disciple, this month's special resource quota is here."
Zhou Heng's voice interrupted Fang Han's thoughts.
He took five antique-style jade bottles from the tray of his accompanying disciple and placed them on the table.
Of the five jade bottles, three were pure white and smooth like Earth Spirit Pill; the other two were Dark Gold and were the Vajra Pill.
" General Ranking first overall, this month's special resource allocation includes three bottles of Earth Spirit Pill and two Vajra Pill."
Zhou Heng explained, his tone tinged with envy.
Such resource allocations are only available to the top-ranked disciple, even among the True Disciple disciples.
"Thank you for your Deacon, Steward Zhou."
Fang Han put away the five jade bottles and thanked them solemnly.
Compared to the third-ranked General Ranking, the special resource reward for the General Ranking has also been increased from 4 bottles to 5 bottles.
Moreover, both of this month's special resources are very useful to him.
Earth Spirit Pill enhance Internal Qi, Vajra Pill strengthen the body; both are invaluable resources indispensable for cultivation.
Moreover, the quantity was considerable, enough to sustain his cultivation for a considerable period of time.
"Fang True Disciple, you're too kind. It's nothing."
Zhou Heng smiled, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then got up to take his leave.
Fang Han personally escorted Zhou Heng to the courtyard gate, watched him leave, and then turned back to the Quiet Room.
He carefully put away the five bottles of Danyao, glanced at the number 115,000 on his Identity Token, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
In the past, we were very careful with our contribution points, but now we have more than we can spend.
Indeed, strength is the most important thing.
If you have enough strength, wealth will naturally follow.
--
On the second day of the lunar month, the sky was just beginning to lighten.
Quiet Room of the No. 35 Annex, Fang Han sat cross-legged, his aura deep and concentrated.
A soft knock came from the door.
"Senior brother, the latest editions of the Prodigy Ranking and Martial Artist Ranking have arrived."
Qui Lan's voice rang out from outside the door.
Fang Han slowly opened his eyes.
"Come in."
Qui Lan pushed open the door and entered, holding a book that still exuded a faint scent of ink in both hands. She respectfully placed it on the low table beside Fang Han, then bowed and withdrew.
Fang Han picked up the book and turned to the section on the Prodigy Ranking.
My gaze swept upwards.
The fifteenth position has been taken by someone else.
The fourteenth, the thirteenth, the twelfth...
Finally, in sixth place, he saw that familiar name—
Sixth place: Fang Han ( Azure Profound Sect ).
sixth.
He closed the book, his expression calm, his eyes showing no emotion.
Killing You Xin and taking her place in the You Xin was a perfectly logical thing to do.
It would be strange if the rankings didn't change.
Of course, this no longer represents his true strength.
When he killed You Xin, he had not yet broken through to the Third Grade, but now he has broken through to the Third Grade and his strength has greatly increased.
He put the books aside, got up, and left the Quiet Room.
--
The Rain Listening Hall was already crowded with people.
On the second day of each month, the new editions of the Prodigy Ranking and Martial Artist Ranking are released, and many disciples arrive early to wait.
Today is no exception.
"They're here! They're here!"
Someone in the crowd shouted, and everyone's eyes turned to the hall.
Several servants from the Rain Listening Hall carried out stacks of newly printed books; the scent of ink had not yet dissipated and wafted in the morning breeze.
The disciples who bought the book couldn't wait to open it, their eyes immediately landing on the page of the Prodigy Ranking, scanning it from bottom to top.
A moment later.
" Fang Han is sixth!"
"It really is sixth!"
Exclamations and various discussions flooded the area in the Rain Listening Hall like a burst dam.
Those disciples who hadn't yet bought the books rushed in even more anxiously upon hearing this.
"Let me see! Let me see!"
In the crowd, a disciple who had bought the book was surrounded in the center, and the thin book in his hand seemed to have become the most precious treasure in the world.
All eyes fell on that page; in the sixth position, five words were clearly printed—
Fang Han ( Azure Profound Sect ).
"It was only right that Fang Han killed You Xin and took her place in the You Xin."
Someone said in a low voice, with an air of matter-of-fact.
"That's true, but seeing it with your own eyes is still quite shocking."
Another person chimed in, their voice filled with complex emotions.
" Beginner stage a little over two years, he's already sixth on the Prodigy Ranking... This speed is simply unheard of."
"Our Azure Profound Sect has been established for hundreds of years, but has it ever produced such a figure?"
Someone muttered to themselves, their eyes gleaming with an indescribable light.
In that radiance, there was awe, admiration, and above all, pride.
I am proud that my sect has produced such a genius.
--
Within the county, a military base.
In a quiet courtyard, Yue Lingtian stood with his hands behind his back by the window.
Today he was dressed in a moon-white robe, his long hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, and he had a handsome face and a calm demeanor.
Outside the window, the morning light streamed in, and the flowers and plants in the yard swayed gently in the breeze.
I heard soft footsteps behind me.
A young general in armor strode in, carrying a thin book in his hands.
"Third Young Master, the latest Prodigy Ranking has arrived."
Yue Lingtian turned around, took the book, and opened it.
My gaze swept upwards.
Seventh, Sixth--
His gaze lingered on the sixth-place position.
Fang Han ( Azure Profound Sect ).
He murmured the name, a barely perceptible flicker of emotion flashing in his usually calm eyes.
sixth.
It was fifteenth last month, and it's already sixth this month. This growth rate is truly astonishing.
He continued looking up.
Fifth: Xu Qing.
Fourth: Wuxiang.
Third: Mad Blade.
Second: Liu Bai.
First: Yue Lingtian.
His gaze lingered on the word "first" for a moment.
Then, he closed the book and stood by the window with his hands behind his back.
Outside the window, the sun is shining brightly.
But a feeling he couldn't quite put into words welled up inside him.
"Next month is my last month, but I have a bad feeling about it..."
Yue Lingtian raised his head and looked in the direction of the Azure Profound Sect.
For the first time, a hint of seriousness appeared in those usually calm eyes.
Next month is his last month. After next month, he will be removed from the list, and no matter how fierce the competition on the Prodigy Ranking is, it will be irrelevant to him.
But with Fang Han's rate of improvement, he might be dethroned from the top of the Prodigy Ranking next month.
Despite his magnanimous nature, he would likely be quite upset if he were to be dethroned at the top of the list in the final month after the exams.
"Third Young Master?"
Seeing Yue Lingtian in a daze, the young general behind him couldn't help but ask him a question.
"It's nothing."
Yue Lingtian shook his head, his voice as calm as still water.