The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 619 Further Strengthening, Public Opinion in the State (Seeking Monthly Tickets~)

"My lord, the information has been thoroughly investigated. The rumors circulating are a mixture of truth and falsehood. I have gathered information from various sources and compiled a report for your review." Xiong Sanrang stood respectfully before the carriage.

"Okay, got it."

From inside the vehicle came Chen Ping'an's calm voice, which contained an indescribable power within its calmness.

The item that Xiong Sanrang presented moved on its own without any wind and quickly disappeared into the frame of the vehicle.

Xiong Sanrang respectfully invited him with his hands clasped at his sides, his face showing reverence.

"lets go."

"Yes." Xiong Sanrang respectfully accepted the order and immediately directed the troops to set off.

Gathering information in this large city has taken up a lot of time. We need to speed things up now so as not to delay the important matters.

Inside the carriage, on a brocade couch and soft stool, Chen Ping'an sat cross-legged, holding the report presented by Xiong Sanrang.

Chen Ping'an quickly skimmed through the report, finishing the review in just a few glances.

Although the report contains a lot of information, it actually only mentions one thing.

Gu Qingcheng, the top-ranked rising star of the Canglong Prefecture and the leading figure of the Gu family, broke through the Yuheng Pass a few days ago and achieved the Yuheng Grandmaster realm!
This matter spread widely, originating in Canglong Prefecture City and rapidly spreading to other parts of the prefecture with the help of numerous forces.

The birth of a Grandmaster is a major event for any region within the state. But the emergence of a prodigy Grandmaster is an even bigger event for the Azure Dragon State.

Gu Qingcheng had been at the Xuan Guang High Realm for many years, and this breakthrough was somewhat unexpected, but also reasonable.

If it weren't for Chen Ping'an's appearance, Gu Qingcheng's talent would have been enough to suppress the Azure Dragon Prodigy for a generation.

Following Chen Ping'an, the valiant swordsman, another prodigy has emerged in Canglong Prefecture, poised to compete for a spot on the Great Qian Hidden Dragon Ranking.

If that were the case, it wouldn't be so bad. What really sparked heated discussion was the relationship between Chen Ping'an, the "Reckless Blade," and Gu Qingcheng.

The emergence of two prodigies and grandmasters within Canglong Prefecture is already astonishing, but what's more, the two are intricately connected.

Gu Qingcheng, the core legitimate daughter of the Gu family, is a proud woman of the modern era.

Chen Ping'an, a ruthless swordsman, is the son-in-law of the Gu family and the ideal husband of Gu Qingcheng.

More than half a year ago, the Gu family announced the engagement between the two. At that time, the news spread throughout several states and became one of the hottest topics of the day.

Now, Gu Qingcheng's breakthrough has made this a legendary tale.

It is foreseeable that, given time, this matter will become one of the most talked-about topics in the seventeen states of Bi Cang.

Mang Dao was skilled with a knife, while Gu Qingcheng was skilled with a sword. Together, they were masters of both swords and sabers.

The couple, known for their fierce and loving relationship, are a perfect match, one wielding a sword and the other a dagger. If they were to travel the world together in the future, they would surely make a name for themselves.

A man wielding a sword, a woman wielding a sword—such a couple is the envy of all.

Such comments are not uncommon.

However, opinions among the public vary, and there are probably quite a few people who are secretly discussing this matter.

However, Xiong Sanrang's report on organizing the display did not mention such remarks.

"It really is a breakthrough!" Chen Ping'an glanced at the report and then looked away.

Previously, Gu Qingcheng had mentioned in a letter that while strolling in the back garden, she saw the spirit flower blooming, its stamens trembling slightly, and she felt something and had a sudden realization.

I thought it was Lei Ming's polite way of declining his invitation, but it turned out to be true.

It didn't take long before he successfully broke through the barrier and entered the realm of the Jade Balance Grandmaster.

just
Chen Ping'an's gaze sharpened, a deep look appearing in the depths of his eyes.

"Grandmaster level, huh?"

Gu Qingcheng's matter did not delay Chen Ping'an's journey. Previously, due to receiving information, the team had made a brief stop in a major city, but as they continued to travel day and night at a faster pace, the slight delay was quickly made up for.

These days, Chen Ping'an sits in the carriage, focusing wholeheartedly on his arduous cultivation.

Besides practicing the Seven Killings Heavenly Fist and the Azure Sun Blood Refining Technique every day, he also refines divine weapons and studies the carving of demonic beasts.

It's worth mentioning that he had previously killed the Evil Duo and obtained many valuable items from them.

Both were renowned masters of the unorthodox path for many years, possessing combat prowess that touched the threshold of Grandmaster, and their wealth was considerable.

Chen Ping'an was quite lucky; the two of them had basically left their wealth and resources on their person during their escape.

Now, it has naturally fallen into Chen Ping'an's hands.

Besides the usual pills, spiritual items, and precious materials, Chen Ping'an also obtained many other good things from them.

Such as the iron ingot-shaped divine weapon used by the ugly woman, the patterned square cloth used by the skinny old ghost, the white bone claw sheath, and so on.

Besides these three divine weapons, the two also carried a small jar of black jade ointment, which could be used to treat external injuries. They also had a high-grade ore, entirely dark blue, emitting a cold, eerie light, and appearing extremely extraordinary.

With these numerous gains, Chen Ping'an's net worth also saw a certain increase.

Including the cash flow of the two individuals, Chen Ping'an currently has nearly 90,000 in cash at his disposal. If he were to sell off any unused resources, his cash flow could potentially reach 100,000.

Such a large cash flow is remarkable even among the most popular games.

Acquiring one or two top-tier divine weapons is not a difficult task.

If given the right channels, with Chen Ping'an's current wealth and resources, he might have the opportunity to scheme for valuable treasures.

However, while plans are important, whether they will actually succeed depends on timing and circumstances.

Some cultivation resources are secondary; the three newly acquired divine weapons are all powerful divine weapons, with varying grades, but without exception, they are still quite far from being considered high-quality weapons of their grade.

Of the three divine weapons, the highest grade is the iron ingot, followed by the white bone claw set, and then the patterned square cloth.

Iron ingots are a type of divine weapon used for suppression, which is what Chen Ping'an currently lacks.

The White Bone Claw Set is an offensive divine weapon, but it differs from direct combat, leaning towards a more unpredictable and elusive style.

The patterned square cloth has a somewhat restrictive feel, but it can also serve as a defensive weapon. It strikes a good balance between the two.

The appearance of these three powerful divine weapons actually enhanced Chen Ping'an's protective abilities.

With his current cultivation level, ordinary divine weapons are of little help to him, but powerful divine weapons still have some use. If properly matched, they can still unleash remarkable effects at certain times.

Chen Ping'an has no intention of selling these three divine weapons, and has begun to refine them over the past few days.

It is worth mentioning that the White Bone Claw Gauntlet can be paired with Chen Ping'an's existing Seven Luminaries Gauntlet. Although their divine abilities differ, they can be superimposed to a certain extent. According to Chen Ping'an's judgment, the two can be used together to unleash a power close to that of a top-tier divine weapon.

The patterned square cloth, the gray fine net, and the mysterious mirror, when combined and mixed together, can unleash considerable power.

In addition to restraint, it can also provide a degree of defense.

The black iron ingot and the four azure flame command flags can also work together to create a confinement domain and a suppressive space. They stir up spiritual energy and confuse the senses to enhance the suppressive effect. In addition, there is the magical azure flame that can compress and manipulate space.

It is worth mentioning that the changing positions of the Azure Flame Four Directions Command Flags can also be combined with the Hundred Illusions Divine Blade to launch surprise attacks and deliver terrifying killing power.

The Yin Wind Knee Pad can be used as a distraction.

The green bamboo tube, when used in conjunction with the Bloodthirsty Demons, serves to suppress and weaken the opponent. Even if it has no effect on the opponent, it can still distract them to some extent if they are strong enough.

Numerous divine weapons, working together, have endless uses.

Ok!

The phrase "its uses are endless" is often used, and it carries a sense of comfort to some extent.

Although Chen Ping'an possessed many divine weapons, he still gave off the impression of a ragtag army. Not to mention compared to those old monsters who had accumulated power for hundreds of years, even compared to the true disciples of sects and the prodigies of great clans, he seemed insignificant.

The equipment he wore was pieced together from various sources, lacking a coherent system. Many of his combat techniques were developed through his own trial and error.

Compared to those sect saints with orderly lineages, prodigies of great clans, and legitimate sons of prestigious families, they ultimately lacked some foundation.

However, even so, this situation represents a significant improvement for Chen Ping'an himself.

From being penniless to where he is today, he now possesses ten divine weapons.

This level of assembly isn't bad.

Moreover, he also possesses a powerful treasure, though he cannot use it for the time being.

But as long as you have this precious treasure, you'll eventually be able to use it.

Chen Ping'an's emotions changed, and he felt completely satisfied.

His gaze narrowed slightly, and a golden finger panel appeared in front of him.

Name: Chen Ping'an
Realm: Late stage of Jade Balance - Breakthrough to the third stage (Spiritual Pattern Condensation)
武学：青阳血炼法未入门（515/1920）颠鸾倒凤·阴阳枢入门（0/8640）、七杀天罡拳入门（758/1440）、霸刀大成（0/3200）、七绝神功圆满、万魔铸身诀圆满
A hint of joy appeared in Chen Ping'an's eyes.

He practiced both the Azure Sun Blood Refining Technique and the Seven Killings Heavenly Gang Fist simultaneously, and his progress was quite good and gratifying.

Ordinary cultivation methods cannot achieve this balance in parallel; only the Qingyang Blood Refining Method, which focuses on physical training, can achieve this level of mastery.

However, compared to the Seven Killing Heavenly Gang Fist, the Azure Yang Blood Refining Technique is significantly more difficult. He began cultivating the Azure Yang Blood Refining Technique long before the Seven Absolute Divine Skill was perfected, and the cultivation experience he has accumulated so far is still less than that of the Seven Killing Heavenly Gang Fist.

But in any case, being able to continue practicing in parallel is the best news.

As long as he has enough true dragon blood for blood refining, his cultivation will not stop.

"It is estimated that in another half month, I will be able to master the Seven Killing Heavenly Fist to the minor completion stage. At that time, I will definitely master two killing fist techniques in one fell swoop, further enhancing my combat power!"

With his current martial arts level, if he only cultivates the Seven Killing Heavenly Gang Fist to the minor level, it may not be able to break through his realm again, but the killing moves and secret techniques it contains will not change.

Even if those two deadly punches weren't his trump cards, they were still the ultimate methods of conventional killing.

His breakthrough speed was too fast, requiring him to constantly update his protective methods. The secret techniques he mastered for killing were also being updated far too frequently.

In this situation, he needs to constantly analyze himself, grasp the changes, and summarize his gains and losses in order to prepare for the next stage of the battle.

The idea that "one trick is enough to make a living" does hold some truth to some extent.

However, martial arts cultivation is all about change; nothing is immutable. When the levels of cultivation are equal, there is no absolute killing move.

Every martial arts practitioner is constantly progressing and learning. Even if limited by external resources, natural talent, or difficulty in breaking through realm barriers, the addition of external methods is a continuous process. Despite limited conditions, one's own understanding and insights are constantly evolving. The same moves, through continuous combat and battles, will always have flashes of inspiration, evolving into more complex variations.

In the path of martial arts, renewal is the only constant.

A practitioner who only understands strength but not intention will find it difficult to go far.

You can remain stagnant, but the outcome will tell you the answer. Chen Ping'an's cultivation breakthroughs are fast enough, so in the same amount of time, he should have to absorb and contemplate more than others.

Developing a unique system is not about empty talk, but about accumulating knowledge and skills in everyday life.

One step at a time, one gain at a time, one summary at a time, one reflection at a time—each step was so tedious, boring, and utterly dull.

But when the efforts are gradually gathered and a smooth path to the heavens is achieved, that will be the most dazzling thing in the world, unmatched by any other!

To paraphrase a light-hearted biographical novel, every moment of showing off is the result of countless hours of hard work and tears. Behind every display of pride lies a mountain of mundane moments.

The brilliance in public lies in the suffering behind the scenes.

Some people, by virtue of their natural talent, can do what others cannot, easily accomplishing things that others struggle to achieve even after practicing a hundred times.

But you're not the only one in this world with natural talent.

If one is content with the status quo, remains silent in this circle, and enjoys the flowers and applause, then one will inevitably lack the desire to strive for the next level.

The world is never short of geniuses!
It's often said that effort is useless, that talent is everything. But when talents are equal, does effort still matter?

Admittedly, practical spiritual practice is far less desirable than serendipitous opportunities.

But all opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared.

In the past, Chen Ping'an was able to seize the Demon Lord's Secret Treasure, the Illusionary Dream Pearl, the True Skill Scroll, and the Dual Cultivation Technique from the Heavenly Luo Saintess. This was inseparable from the word "fortune." However, this fortune also required the solid strength he had accumulated over the years to have the confidence to obtain it.

Inside the vehicle, Chen Ping'an's thoughts shifted as he continuously reviewed and reflected on the situation.

If a martial arts practitioner only possesses strength, then he is still far from reaching the peak.

The strongest people who reach the pinnacle are never those who simply accumulate strength or numerical values. Their success lies in their continuous exploration, cultivation, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Strength, intention, thought, state of mind.
The carriage moved slowly, passing through the great city of Guangyuan and the city of Canglong Prefecture, and then it arrived!

The city of Canglong was as bustling as ever.

As the central hub of a prefecture, Canglong Prefecture City enjoys the most favorable conditions. This favorable environment fosters a rich culture and leisure activities.

Compared to typical large cities, prefectural cities, and small towns, the atmosphere of public opinion within Canglong Prefecture is generally much more relaxed. Apart from a few taboo topics that are strictly forbidden to discuss, the control over other topics is usually much looser.

The story of Gu Qingcheng, the prodigy of the Gu family, breaking through the pass and becoming a grandmaster has become one of the most talked-about topics in Canglong Prefecture City recently, instantly igniting public opinion in the city.

"A twenty-seven-year-old Grandmaster Yuheng, with such talent, even if he can't compare to the old Mangdao, he's probably not far off!"

"Indeed! Back then, Fairy Gu, as a woman, overpowered Mang Dao. Now that she has broken through to the Grandmaster realm, is she going to recreate that scene?"

"That can't be! Mang Dao has made rapid progress and is still as fierce as ever. In the battle of Long'an, he even managed to kill a top-level grandmaster! Although there may have been some exaggeration in the process, his talent and combat strength are beyond doubt! Although Fairy Gu is strong, she has only just broken through to the next level."

"That's a misconception! Haven't you heard that there's a sequence to enlightenment? Now that Fairy Qingcheng has broken through her cultivation level, she's bound to be unstoppable. Although Mangdao broke through earlier, he might not be able to suppress Fairy Qingcheng indefinitely! Besides, back when Mangdao was among the top ten on the Dragon and Tiger Ranking, he was still inferior to Fairy Qingcheng. Doesn't that speak for itself? Fairy Qingcheng's power was probably not much weaker than a Grandmaster back then. Now that she's broken through, her combat strength is immeasurable. In this situation, do you think Fairy Qingcheng has any hope of suppressing Mangdao?!"

"Suppress the Mangdao?! That's a bit of an exaggeration!"

"That's not an exaggeration at all. Back then, Fairy Qingcheng, at the Profound Light Realm, was able to suppress Mangdao, who was ranked among the top ten on the Dragon-Tiger Ranking. Every one of the top ten on the Dragon-Tiger Ranking is comparable to a Grandmaster. The fact that Fairy Qingcheng was ranked above Mangdao means that her combat power at that time was comparable to a Grandmaster. Now that she has broken through to the Grandmaster Realm, condensed her martial will, and transformed her true qi into true essence, her combat power has greatly increased. I wouldn't be surprised if you said she was comparable to a senior Grandmaster at the mid-stage of the Jade Balance Realm. If she were to acquire some divine weapons and further improve her realm, would you be able to suppress Mangdao?"

"What you're saying...it does make some sense, but something just doesn't feel quite right!"

"Nothing's wrong! That's it!"

"I understand, you mean Fairy Gu can advance, but Mang Dao will stay where he is!?"

"What? It won't work!"

"It's possible, but isn't it a bit wishful thinking on your part to say it like that?"

"Whether it's wishful thinking or not, you'll find out when the time comes! The talent of the Fairy of Allure is beyond your imagination!"

"Brain-dead fans!"

"What did you say? Are you looking for trouble?"

"."

Within Canglong Prefecture, discussions were rife, with some expressing unconventional views in an attempt to attract attention, generate buzz, and create hype.

As for Gu Qingcheng's claim of suppressing Mang Dao, most people just listen and move on, not really agreeing with it. However, despite their disagreement, some individuals pretended not to understand and went to join the fun.

With the added fuel of those with ulterior motives, such remarks have become quite rampant.

"The fairy maiden is exceptionally talented. Once she breaks through to the Grandmaster realm, she will have the ability to fight across realms! When she advances further in the future, she will surely be unstoppable and surpass the brute force!"

"As a female swordswoman, Fairy Gu has mastered the Bright Moon Sword Technique to perfection. Her combat prowess far surpasses that of a swordsman like Mang Dao! Just you wait and see, once their cultivation levels are equal, Mang Dao will definitely be no match for Fairy Gu!"

"What did the swordsman do to you? How can you be inferior to a swordsman?!"

"Yes, how can it be inferior? The sword is the most courageous of all weapons, fierce and ruthless in killing, and unstoppable. How can it be inferior to the saber?!"

"The sword is still the king of all weapons! Isn't it a hundred times stronger than the saber!?"

"What did you say!?"

I say a sword is a hundred times stronger than a knife!

"Do you dare to duel?!"

"."

Whether it was someone deliberately stirring things up, the topic gradually veered off course and fell into a conflict between weapons.

Under these circumstances, more people participated in the heated discussion, causing the topic to explode.

Opinions swirled about which blade was stronger and which sword was sharper, completely forgetting the original purpose. Chen Ping'an and Gu Qingcheng, the "wild blade," became representatives of the blade and the sword, respectively, and were seen as opposing and vying for supremacy by the crowd.

Each side has a large number of supporters who place their hopes on being able to gain the upper hand over the other.

Among these supporters, some simply believe one side is stronger, some are die-hard fans of one side, and others are involved simply because of the conflict between the two sides.

In the realm of public opinion, chaos abounds, with all sorts of opinions emerging one after another, including absurd statements that any discerning person could immediately recognize as riddled with errors.

However, the topic has been discussed to this extent.

Does it matter whether it's right or wrong?
Under the influence of public opinion, even the most fallacious arguments can be presented as a coherent and logical explanation.

Throughout the city, in taverns, alleyways, and elegant restaurants, the air was filled with discussions.

Different social circles and levels lead to vastly different topics of discussion, stances, and angles of approach.

Despite their differences, the competition between them was fierce.

From the very beginning, Gu Qingcheng and Mang Dao, the sword and the knife, have sparked countless topics and led to numerous points of contention.

The reasons for the arguments vary greatly. Some argue for their own beliefs and understanding, some for their own dignity and self-respect, and some simply act impulsively, wanting to determine who is right or wrong.

More often than not, it's a matter of herd mentality; people stand in the middle, listening to both sides, and siding with whichever side has the most people. A large portion of them, after initially siding with one side, quickly switch sides and support the other once they hear a point of discussion that aligns with their own interests.

Everyone held their own opinions, and when a wise person stepped forward, they were immediately drowned out by the overwhelming volume of voices.

For example, as previously stated, if the two were at the same cultivation level, Mang Dao would definitely be no match for Gu Qingcheng. However, some have pointed out that while this is true, achieving the same cultivation level is far from easy. Mang Dao's breakthrough was incredibly fast, making it difficult for Gu Qingcheng to replicate his achievement.

The discussion was originally intended to be a reasonable one, but it was completely veered off course by various comments, such as: Why is a sword better than a knife? In what way is a knife inferior to a sword?! In my opinion, swords are trash. Swords are trash? What kind of brain do you have? I think knives are trash! and so on.

The attacks even escalated from the swords and knives themselves to personal attacks against swordsmen and knife-wielders, with various accusations and slanders being commonplace. Later, these attacks even resorted to force, completely disrupting public opinion.

Some people spoke rationally, trying to salvage the situation, but ultimately suffered greatly and were implicated.

Over time, more and more people began to stand by and watch, and the public opinion situation completely deteriorated.

"The swordsman is invincible in the world, looking down on all other weapons! Swords and such are just flashy and useless."

"Swordsmen are dazzling and elegant, the king of all weapons. How dare a mere knife-wielder try to take advantage of this?!"

"If your swordsmanship is so strong, then why is Gu Qingcheng inferior to Mang Dao?!"

"You think you can get away with anything better than a wild sword? Wait a few years and see what you think then!"

"We're no match for them now, and we'll have to wait a few more years. Do you want to see what you're saying?!"

"Who says we're inferior now? My Qingcheng is the strongest in the Azure Dragon Realm! As for the Savage Blade and the like, step aside!"

"Outrageous! Completely illogical! Can't you open your eyes and look at reality?!"

"The reality is that the Fairy of Allure had already perfected a supreme sword technique when she was still in the Profound Light Realm! Look at Mang Dao, he's only perfected one top-tier divine skill so far, and that's just a movement technique. He hasn't even mastered swordsmanship yet! How can he compare to the Fairy of Allure!?"

"Mang Dao's talent is exceptional, rarely seen in the world. Ignorant child, how laughable!"

"So...why is his swordsmanship only at a minor level?!"

"Small accomplishment! Small accomplishment is enough! A small accomplishment level of swordsmanship is enough to suppress Gu Qingcheng. Tell me, isn't that swordsmanship strong? Is the swordsman stronger or the saber stronger!?"

"This is sophistry! Utterly absurd!"

"You're the ones who are absurd!"

"Get lost, you're worse than a roadside dog!"

"Even a dog with a broken spine dares to bark and howl!"

"You're asking for it! Do you dare to fight?!"

"Come on then! Let's make this clear beforehand, life or death is no object!"

"Who's afraid of who! Don't come crying and begging me for your life later!"

"You're dreaming! Look at yourself in the mirror and see what you're made of! I could take on ten of you by myself!"

Ten! That's bullshit!

"Enough talk, come on!"

"."

After several days of fermentation, the topic has become increasingly explosive, but the waters have also become increasingly murky.

The public discourse was incredibly chaotic. A cacophony of opinions emerged, a battleground of opposing viewpoints, with countless individuals involved.

Amidst this prevailing public opinion, Chen Ping'an rode in a carriage and entered Canglong Prefecture City.

(End of this chapter)