The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 674 Martial Arts Advancement, Trip to the Gu Family

Chapter 674 Martial Arts Advancement, Trip to the Gu Family (Long Chapter, Requesting Monthly Tickets~)

As the central hub of a state, Canglong State City is vast and bustling with activity.

A carriage adorned with black jade patterns drove through the core urban area of Canglong Prefecture, attracting the respectful gazes of the crowd.

The black-patterned jade ornaments and the specially made carriage frame of the Zhenfu Division's chief are extremely rare, even in the Canglong Prefecture City where dignitaries gather.

Inside the vehicle, Chen Ping'an sat upright, the words of Zhang Tianyuan, the Xuanhuang Absolute Sword, before his departure echoing in his mind.

"The Garrison Command has its own arrangements?"

Zhang Tianyuan's words, though simple, carried a subtle implication.

Unlike typical words of consolation following impeachment, these words carried a double meaning and a deeper significance.

Is this impeachment going unpunished?

Chen Ping'an had a guess in his mind.

Zhang Tianyuan gave him a certain signal, but it was somewhat vague. He left the rest of the information blank, leaving it for him to figure out on his own.

It can be linked forwards and backwards. It has supporting arguments both upwards and downwards.

Those who are obsessed with power will inevitably have their imaginations run wild when faced with such a situation. They may even feel tormented and, unable to get a clear answer for a long time, will be unable to help but ask for confirmation.

Zhang Tianyuan's actions likely had this intention as well. He might even want to use this opportunity to see what kind of person this renowned prodigy really was and, at the appropriate time, do him a favor.

However, it is clear that Zhang Tianyuan's move is destined to fail.

The agonizing anxiety and restless thoughts that gnaw at your heartstrings will never be present in Chen Ping'an's life.

He remained quite indifferent to the matter.

Regardless of Zhang Tianyuan's hint, he had already made plans for the so-called impeachment.

With his confidence in his own hands, he naturally didn't care about such things at all.

Whether the Zhenfu Division advances or retreats, he has his own strategy in mind.

If the Qiankun Division goes too far, he wouldn't mind using his knife to further enhance the power of the Mangdao.

Let the Qiankun Division know what it means to be reckless and act without considering the consequences!
This was a plan Chen Ping'an had made long before returning to Canglong. However, judging from Zhang Tianyuan's reaction, things shouldn't have ended up like this.

If his prediction is correct, the Canglong Prefecture Garrison Command will likely defend the Qiankun Division in this impeachment.

As for the source, it should not be within the Canglong Prefecture Garrison Command, but rather...
Northern Border Garrison!
If the Canglong Prefecture Garrison Command had intended to protect him from the beginning, his resignation from Leiming and his return to Canglong would not have been so hasty. However, judging from the recent order, his future situation was not clear. In this resignation from the position of Inspector General of the Leiming Garrison Command, the Canglong Prefecture Garrison Command has still given him some face.

Although there was a clear stance, the situation didn't escalate into something too embarrassing.

Upon returning to Canglong, Zhang Tianyuan's tone didn't sound like words of comfort or punishment, but rather suggested that he should observe the situation calmly, remain patient, and wait patiently.

Furthermore, the attitude of Wu Xifu, the special envoy to the north, also illustrates this point to some extent.

Phrases like praising someone or asking if they would be willing to be transferred to the Northern Garrison Command are all rather subtle expressions of their attitude.

Therefore, Chen Ping'an can basically get a clear answer to the follow-up of this matter.

However, this is just his conjecture, and there may be new variables, or his conjecture may be completely wrong.

However, Chen Ping'an remained remarkably calm about the matter.

This confidence stems not only from his methods, but also from...
hum~
Chen Ping'an's eyes flashed, and a golden finger panel appeared in front of him.

Name: Chen Ping'an
Realm: Late stage of Jade Balance - Breakthrough three stages (Nurturing the Divine Soul)
武学：青阳血炼法入门（0/5760）颠鸾倒凤·阴阳枢入门（0/8640）、太虚御风步小成（0/5760）七杀天罡拳小成（3155/3840）、霸刀圆满、七绝神功圆满、万魔铸身诀圆满
“3155 points.” Chen Ping’an’s gaze narrowed slightly.

His departure from Lei Ming and return to Canglong this time wasn't particularly fast. Through his cultivation journey, aided by the power of the Snow Spirit Leaf, his Seven Kill Heavenly Fist martial arts had progressed to this level.

With such progress, he is not far from mastering the Seven Killings Heavenly Fist.

Once he masters the Seven Killing Heavenly Fist, he will then master two more terrifying killing moves.

His combat prowess will undoubtedly see a significant boost. Furthermore, considering the benefits of higher cultivation levels, under favorable circumstances, then...
Chen Ping'an's gaze sharpened slightly, and a smile appeared on his face.

Previously, when his martial arts realm was still at the first stage of breaking through, he was able to stand on equal footing with Leng Ding Qing Fan, the Grand Elder of the Canglong Prefecture's Zhenfu Division and a pseudo-Celestial Being, by relying on various means.

Leng Ding Qingfan didn't know if he had any more trump cards up his sleeve, but he did know that during the previous chase, he hadn't truly fought to the death or unleashed his peak combat power!
Unlike Leng Dingqingfan, as a martial arts practitioner who also focuses on physical training, his advantage lies in fighting for his life with injuries and maintaining endurance.

His confidence in long battles stemmed from his experience of refining his dual cultivation techniques and his near-perfect martial arts foundation.

The reason he fled during the previous fierce battle was not only because he was afraid of Leng Ding Qingfan, but more so because he was afraid of the other powerful figures in the state city.

Those pseudo-celestial beings, though they have their reservations, would probably not hesitate to use any means necessary to make a strong move if they encountered a suitable opportunity and could profit from it.

Now that Chen Ping'an had achieved his goal, there was no need for him to continue entangled with Leng Ding Qingfan. Alone and without an overwhelming advantage in combat strength, the sooner he left, the better.

Otherwise, even if he could defeat Leng Ding Qingfan in a fierce battle, he wouldn't be able to withstand the other opponents.

Like jackals and tigers, they lurked to one side, watching him intently.

Under such circumstances, the previous situation could have occurred.

This
That was Chen Ping'an back then.

Back then, Chen Ping'an was able to hold his own against a pseudo-celestial being, and even had a slight advantage, without the two sides considering their killing moves or secret techniques.

Compared to before, he has made great progress in martial arts, and his methods and secret techniques have been greatly enhanced.

As he left the city, his Qingyang Blood Refining Technique broke through. Using the true blood of the earth dragon as the refinement method, he completed the first refinement and touched upon the divine power of the bloodline and the power of the wilderness.

With a robust physique, combat power increases dramatically, and the ability to survive is greatly enhanced.

Upon returning to Leiming, his Taixu Wind-Riding Step and Overlord Blade techniques achieved breakthroughs, reaching the minor and perfect stages respectively. He also mastered the secret techniques Flowing Cloud and Overlord's Domain.

In addition to the enhancement of his killing techniques, his martial arts realm has also officially entered the second stage of breaking through to the next level, nourishing his divine soul.

A breakthrough in realm grants more secret techniques and enhanced abilities.
With all that he has accumulated, his combat power is now probably at an extremely terrifying level.

If, on this basis, his martial arts realm can advance even further, then...
He was confident he could suppress even a powerful pseudo-celestial being. If he could acquire some protective trump card, even a powerful pseudo-celestial being would only be able to flee in his presence.

This is one of the reasons why he has been able to remain calm and composed since returning to Canglong.

Some things you can do without, but you can't live without.

Although he didn't talk for long with Zhang Tianyuan and Wu Xifu during their previous conversations, this brief interaction provided him with more material and insights into the classification of pseudo-celestial beings.

So far, he has met three pseudo-celestial beings in person.

Old Man Qingfan, Zhang Tianyuan, and Wu Xifu.

In his perception, among the three, the old man Qingfan was probably the weakest. He used the old man's combat strength as the standard unit for pseudo-celestial beings.

As for Zhang Tianyuan of the Xuanhuang Absolute Sword, in terms of cultivation level and spiritual power, he should be roughly equal to Old Man Qingfan, at most slightly superior, but not by much difference. However, as a sword cultivator, the killing power of the Xuanhuang Absolute Sword is probably superior to that of Old Man Qingfan.

Although he hadn't truly sensed the opponent's combat prowess, Chen Ping'an vaguely deduced that Zhang Tianyuan should be able to suppress Old Man Qingfan. However, as fellow pseudo-celestial beings, defeating Old Man Qingfan wouldn't be so easy for him.

Especially when both sides are really angry, it becomes even less likely.

In battles between pseudo-celestial beings, there are instances where one gains the upper hand and achieves suppression, but it is extremely difficult to defeat the other in one fell swoop.

After all, none of those who achieve the status of a pseudo-celestial being are easy to deal with. They possess all the necessary skills, secret techniques, natural talent, and profound cultivation foundations. Even if you can exert suppression, it is wishful thinking to think you can defeat me.

In a battle between pseudo-celestial beings, if both are at the same level of combat power, unless one side holds back, it would take several days and nights to determine a winner.

This
It is a game between ordinary pseudo-heavenly beings.

If a pseudo-celestial being of a higher level were to participate, the battle would not be like this.

Of the three, only Wu Xifu evoked such feelings in Chen Ping'an.

As a special envoy of the Northern Garrison Command, Wu Xifu's arrival in Canglong under these circumstances indicates he is a formidable character. Based on my extremely brief prior assessment, Wu Xifu was definitely a pseudo-celestial being who had reached a powerful level.

Among pseudo-celestial beings, there is no absolute difference in their realms. At most, the difference lies in the slight variations in the flaws in their spiritual power when breaking through to a higher realm.

Some people are more complex, while others are more refined.

However, this level of difference is not enough to constitute a gap between different levels.

Therefore, almost everyone, at the beginning of breaking through to the next realm, belongs to the same level in terms of combat strength.

In other words, they are ordinary pseudo-celestial beings in the conventional sense.

Among pseudo-celestial beings at this level, combat strength varies, but since they belong to the same level, it is extremely difficult for them to truly defeat each other. At most, they can only achieve a level of suppression.

However, after breaking through to the pseudo-celestial realm, as time goes by and with different choices, the differences between them will gradually become apparent.

A false celestial being, with a flawed soul, has no hope of attaining the Great Dao in this life.

Some people, under such circumstances, will give up their pursuit of martial arts and instead devote their energy to all sorts of other things.

For example, traveling the world and enjoying life. Or, devoting oneself entirely to cultivating family lineage and passing on traditions.

Among these choices, there are also those who still pursue martial arts.

Although they cannot break through their cultivation level, this does not prevent them from accumulating resources and enhancing their killing methods by focusing on spiritual objects, skills, cultivation techniques, and secret techniques.

Some people lose their willpower and give up completely, some people stay true to their original aspirations and continue to improve, while many more people are a combination of both and drift with the tide.

As time takes its toll, more and more differences begin to emerge.

Some of the best among them will enter another class, namely, the pseudo-celestial beings who are powerful in the conventional sense.

Although pseudo-celestial beings of this level are also at the same realm, they exert tremendous suppressive power over ordinary pseudo-celestial beings. If the two were to fight, the former could defeat the latter. In some cases where the difference in level is significant, the former could even pose a fatal threat to the latter.

Strictly speaking, there aren't that many distinctions between the realms of pseudo-celestial beings.

Apart from a very small number of people, the differences in their levels of understanding, though different, are not significant.

However, there are still several detailed levels among pseudo-celestial beings in terms of combat strength.

Ordinary, powerful, top-notch.

These are the three levels of combat power among pseudo-celestial beings. Above these levels, there exists what is known as the ultimate pseudo-celestial being.

However, for the vast majority of pseudo-celestial beings, such an ultimate goal is merely a theory.

Even if one's skills reach an extremely terrifying level, one's realm is still limited. Even if one uses some extremely demanding secret techniques and external aids, it is only a possibility that one can achieve it.

Even among the most accomplished pseudo-celestial beings, there exists a clear distinction between them and true martial arts celestial beings.

The so-called ultimate pseudo-divine being is ultimately just a pseudo-divine being.

If it is a fake, how can it compete with the true Celestial Martial Lord!
According to Chen Ping'an's current assessment, his combat strength should be at the level of a powerful pseudo-celestial being. His exact position within this level is uncertain, but based on his performance in the previous battle against Leng Ding Qingfan, combined with his current progress, he should be firmly positioned at this level.

If his martial arts level could advance further, then perhaps he could take another step forward!
He can truly overpower powerful pseudo-celestial beings! With his combat prowess and skills, he may be able to reach the level of a top-tier pseudo-celestial being.

"It'll be here soon." Chen Ping'an's face showed hope, with a hint of anticipation.

With the help of the Snow Spirit Leaf, Chen Ping'an's cultivation is progressing very quickly, but it's a little regrettable that this period of time probably won't last long.

After so many days of cultivation, he had very few Snow Spirit Leaves left. There weren't many days left before they were completely used up.

If he no longer receives timely supplies, his cultivation speed will drop by one level.

This outcome was clearly unacceptable to Chen Ping'an.

However, after so much planning, he had developed his own ideas about how to obtain the Snow Spirit Leaf.

Now that Lei Ming has stepped down, he has some free time and can devote his energy to properly handling this matter.

Sometimes, having some free time isn't necessarily a bad thing.

It may seem like we've stopped moving forward, but in reality, it's the free time amidst the busyness that allows us to accumulate knowledge and experience more effectively.

Just as Chen Ping'an was pondering, the carriage drove on and finally came to a slow stop.

Canglong has arrived at his home.

Chen Ping'an had been to the Gu family more than once or twice, so he was quite familiar with the place. The Gu family had already learned of Chen Ping'an's return when he entered Canglong Prefecture City.

Now that he has come to visit, the Gu family was well prepared.

In the Gu family's elders' hall, Chen Ping'an also met these elders of the Gu family.

Most of the people present were familiar faces.

Elder Xuan, Elder Hua, Elder Yuan, Elder Heng, Elder Lan.
These familiar faces were prominently featured.

"Ping An greets all the elders and wishes them a smooth path in their martial arts journey and everlasting success."

Chen Ping'an smiled and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Ping An, please sit down."

"You must have had a long and tiring journey."

Compared to their previous meeting, Chen Ping'an's treatment this time was clearly much better.

He had barely finished his greetings when an elder smiled and extended his hand, inviting him to take a seat.

Chen Ping'an glanced over and noticed that a large chair had appeared on one side of the Gu family's elders' hall at some point.

"Ping An thanks all the elders. I am deeply grateful for their care and love."

Chen Ping'an smiled and said a few words, then sat down on the large chair without refusing.

I have to say, the feeling of sitting and talking here is quite different from the feeling of standing up on ordinary days.

After the initial greetings, a round of pleasantries was inevitable.

"Ping An, it's only been a few months, but you've already caused quite a stir again."

Hua Lao's eyes shone brightly as they fell upon Chen Ping'an.

"I am ashamed to receive such concern from my elders." Chen Ping'an said with a smile, "I didn't expect this trip to Leiming to cause such a big commotion."

When asked by his elders, Chen Ping'an smiled and explained a few words.

"You, you!" Old Lan clapped his hands from the side. "You're really making a ruckus."

What Chen Ping'an said was roughly the same as the information they had.

A journey through the Thunder Mountains, where a martial arts grandmaster was slain!

Chen Ping'an is no longer the junior he once was, but a true giant of the Azure Dragon Clan, on par with them.

With a cultivation level of the mid-stage of Jade Balance, he unleashed such combat power.

They were amazed by Chen Ping'an's talent, but after a period of buffer and preparation, their expressions were much more natural when they met him now.

Although many elders in the room still looked surprised, most of them were able to remain calm.

Having previously killed the Evil Duo, Chen Ping'an had already formed a basic assessment of his combat strength. His combat power was close to that of a Grandmaster, perhaps even approaching the level of a true Grandmaster.

Now, several months later, Chen Ping'an's combat strength has taken another two steps forward. Not only has he reached the same level as a martial arts grandmaster, but he has also reached the level where he can kill ordinary grandmasters.

This point undoubtedly surprised them.

Even with all that time spent building up, they remained the same. The only difference was that they managed to keep their emotions hidden, not revealing them too much.

"A hidden dragon among talents, you truly live up to your reputation!" Old Yuan, with his straightforward personality, laughed heartily: "Ping An, you have really brought honor to the Gu family."

"Elder Yuan, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise," Chen Ping'an replied modestly.

"No need to be so modest. With your mid-stage Jade Balance cultivation, you've killed a Martial Arts Grandmaster. Among all the people I know, you're unique!" Elder Yuan said generously. "You did a good job with Lei Ming, and I admire you. A true prodigy should show their brilliance and have an attitude of 'I am the only one who can do this.' What kind of prodigy is someone who's all cowering around? Don't worry, I will definitely find an explanation for your impeachment by the Qiankun Division this time."

Elder Yuan's words were quickly echoed by many elders in the room.

Martial artists are driven by ambition and live life to the fullest, and Chen Ping'an, practicing the Overlord Blade, naturally possesses this domineering and indomitable spirit. If not for a compatible personality, Chen Ping'an's progress in the Overlord Blade would not have been so rapid.

"By the way, Ping An, what level have you reached in your Overlord Blade cultivation?" Elder Heng asked curiously.

Without hesitation, Chen Ping'an replied, "It has reached the pinnacle of cultivation."

Elder Heng smiled and nodded, his progress as expected. But before he could finish nodding, Chen Ping'an's next words surprised him.

"We're just one step away from perfection! I have a feeling that as long as the opportunity is right, we can take that crucial step at any time."

"What?" One of the elders was startled. If it weren't for his exceptional hearing, he would have doubted that he had misheard.

This is about to be perfect!?
Chen Ping'an has only been practicing the Overlord Blade technique for a short time!

"Good! Good! Good!" Elder Yuan sat to the side and laughed, saying "good" three times in a row: "A genius in the way of the sword, a genius in the way of the sword! Giving you this Overlord Sword to cultivate is really the right choice."

"Incredible," sighed Old Hua, stroking his beard.

Sitting in his seat, Elder Lan exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, "A talent that shines brightly, an unparalleled appearance!"

Chen Ping'an sat in his seat, neither arrogant nor impatient, with a warm smile, watching the elders present with shock and admiration.

He has already perfected the Overlord Blade technique, and may use it to enhance his overt combat power in the future. This is laying the groundwork; its later reveal will be a natural progression. Even if the elders present heard this, they wouldn't be too shocked or surprised.

In addition, appropriately increasing his own leverage will help Gu Jia understand him better, which will benefit the relationship between the two parties.

Elder Xuan was radiant, his eyes shining brightly: "Ping An, your talent is truly astounding. Especially your aptitude in the art of the sword, it is simply unbelievable. In less than two years, you have cultivated the Overlord Blade to such a level. In this world, if we talk about swordsmanship and talent, among your contemporaries, only the Cloud Pavilion Swordsman Li Wangchen can barely surpass you! As for the others, I'm afraid they are no match for you!"

Li Wangchen, the swordsman of Yunlu, is a rising star among the prodigies of the Hidden Dragons. He ranked ninth on the Hidden Dragons list once and surpassed the Holy Maiden of Tianluo in the second update, ranking eighth, showing an extremely strong momentum.

On the path of the sword, there is an extremely dazzling beauty.

It is universally acknowledged that Li Wangchen is the number one swordsman of his generation!
Without a doubt, Elder Xuan gave Chen Ping'an a very high evaluation.

If others found out, they would inevitably feel dissatisfied, and might even criticize them.

But after Chen Ping'an revealed his talent in swordsmanship, Elder Xuan's words were quickly echoed by the crowd.

"Elder Xuan is right. Ping An's talent in swordsmanship is indeed incredible!"

"I had long suspected that Ping An was exceptionally talented, but I never imagined he was this outstanding!"

"His talent is brilliant, astonishing the world! He is the second best swordsman of his generation, which is simply unbelievable."

"."

Everyone praised it and echoed its sentiments; the hall of elders was filled with words of praise.

Chen Ping'an sat on the large chair with a smile on his face, but his eyes were so calm that they were chilling.

"Second in swordsmanship?"

The topic of the Hidden Dragon Ranking came up just recently, and Chen Ping'an had only just returned, so he probably hadn't had time to see the complete list yet.

With a gentle lift of his hand, Elder Hua revealed a piece of crystal-clear jade. A flash of light illuminated the hall of elders, casting a screen of light within.

"Ping An, this is the latest list of hidden talents. Take a look."

"Thank you very much, Elder Hua," Chen Ping'an said.

Although he saw the Hidden Dragon List from Wu Xifu, he only saw his own ranking. He had never actually seen the complete list.

Now that Mr. Hua is showing it to him, he calms down and watches quietly.

Seeing Chen Ping'an watching, the hall of elders also quieted down.

The Great Qian Dynasty Hidden Dragon Ranking is divided into two lists: the main list and the supplementary list. Each update includes not only the main list but also the supplementary list. Some prodigies who have reached the Grandmaster level possess exceptional talent, but whose cultivation and combat strength have not yet reached the threshold of the main Hidden Dragon Ranking, and are therefore included in the supplementary list as potential candidates for the main list.

Given Chen Ping'an's current situation, he doesn't really care about most of the geniuses on the main list of the Hidden Dragon Ranking. He's even less likely to care about those on the secondary list.

However, since Elder Hua had shown it, Chen Ping'an decided to take a look as well.

The halo shifted, the light screen changed, and the text kept jumping.

Chen Ping'an possessed abundant spirituality and astonishing eyesight, and quickly finished reading through the list of prodigies included in the Hidden Dragon Secondary Ranking.

"Alright, I take back what I just said. There are also some important ones on the secondary list," Chen Ping'an thought to himself, a smile on his face.

The Hidden Dragons Sub-Ranking List contains many outstanding talents, and Gu Qingcheng's name appears prominently on it.

He still cared a lot about his fiancée.

He looked at Gu Qingcheng's introduction very carefully, glancing at it several times.

"Gu Qingcheng, the prodigy of the Gu family in Canglong Prefecture, condensed a spiritual flower in Canglong Prefecture City and achieved the Jade Balance Grandmaster realm. She cultivates swordsmanship as a female swordswoman, and her supreme divine skill, Bright Moon Sword Technique, is suspected to have reached perfection. During her advancement celebration, she obtained the top-tier divine weapon, the Rainbow Sword. With the enhancement, she is suspected to possess the power of a senior grandmaster and once suppressed her peers in an entire prefecture. Since she began cultivating, she has rarely made a move. Many analyses are all speculations and lack concrete evidence. According to the analysis and judgment of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, she is expected to be able to ascend to the Hidden Dragon Ranking and become a prodigy on the main list."

"Is there any hope of making it onto the Hidden Dragon List?" Chen Ping'an's eyes flickered, his thoughts shifting.

The terrifying scene from the past flashed through my mind.

The Great Sun Golden Wheel, the Bright Moon Ancient Sword, and the Divine Firmament of Glowing Clouds
Chen Pingan shook his head slightly, putting aside his thoughts.

Chen Ping'an's actions naturally caught the attention of the Gu family elders.

Some elders wore a mocking expression, some felt relieved, and some remained expressionless.

Clearly, as the son-in-law of the Gu family and Gu Qingcheng's future husband, Chen Ping'an's actions were perfectly reasonable in their eyes, and there was nothing unusual about them.

"This young couple has a good relationship." Old Lan's eyes curved slightly, and he smiled sincerely.

Previously, on Xiaopan Mountain, during Gu Qingcheng's promotion celebration, the two stood together in each other's arms, like a divine couple, dressed in green robes and moon skirts, standing before everyone.

Such charm is captivating and enchanting.

She seemed to have returned to her old days, experiencing the sweet feeling of a young couple just getting to know each other.

In particular, the fact that Qingcheng, who was always aloof and cold, would obediently snuggle in Chen Ping'an's arms made her feel like she had fallen for him.

This wasn't part of their plan; it was entirely the couple's idea. Clearly, they have a sweet little secret that's unknown to outsiders.

And now, Chen Ping'an's reaction is clearly the same.

There are countless geniuses on the secondary ranking list, yet he glanced at her a few more times. If this isn't sweetness, what is it?!

Old Master Lan smiled, his eyes filled with kindness, and he felt gratified as he watched the sweet romance between the younger generation.

Gu Qingcheng is the most outstanding talent of the Gu family in this generation. Her marriage to Mang Dao is a union arranged by the families. However, if possible, she also hopes that the younger generation can live happily.

They can find their own happiness while forming an alliance through marriage.

Judging from their current reactions, they must have found it.

Old Lady Lan's gaze softened as images of her recent encounter with Gu Qingcheng surfaced in her mind.

At that time, the Hidden Dragon Ranking was updated. After she received the latest ranking, she personally delivered the list to Gu Qingcheng to share with her.

Back then, just like now, when looking at Chen Ping'an's ranking, Gu Qingcheng clearly glanced at it a few more times.

Throughout, Qingcheng maintained a cool and aloof demeanor, but her reaction the moment Chen Ping'an's name appeared betrayed everything.

"This young couple," Old Lan thought to himself with a chuckle, "they really do have a great understanding."

Chen Ping'an was unaware of what Elder Lan was thinking.

At this moment, he was looking at the rankings on the Hidden Dragon List.

One hundred and eight hidden dragon prodigies, each one a truly outstanding figure of their time.

However, whether something is absolutely stunning or not is relative.

At least for Chen Ping'an now, most of the people on this list are not impressive enough to impress him.

This update to the Hidden Dragon Ranking is quite different from the previous one.

In the previous ranking of the Hidden Dragons, there were a total of thirty-three geniuses who had officially entered the Grandmaster realm. In this ranking, the number of geniuses who have entered the Grandmaster realm has increased to thirty-five.

In other words, there are a total of thirty-five martial arts grandmasters on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

Oh, no, it should be thirty-four.

Among so many martial arts grandmasters, his ranking of thirty-seventh in the Hidden Dragon Realm with his mid-stage Jade Balance cultivation is truly exceptional.

The person standing in front of him, though not a grandmaster of martial arts, was at the peak of the mid-stage of the Jade Balance realm and possessed two supreme divine skills. His talent and skills were also extremely brilliant.

Only under such circumstances can we gain the upper hand over him in terms of our exposed combat strength.

As for the others, they were all martial arts grandmasters, whose differences in cultivation level determined their victory and advantage.

The prodigies on the Hidden Dragon Ranking are no ordinary people. Those who can reach the Grandmaster level in martial arts generally possess combat power that is close to or even surpasses that of top Grandmasters.

On the latest list, Chen Ping'an saw the name of an old acquaintance, Lan Yingjun.

Ranked seventy-ninth among the hidden dragons.

With this kind of ranking improvement, he's probably only slightly inferior to him.

"What kind of opportunity did this little girl get to advance so rapidly?" A similar thought flashed through Chen Ping'an's mind.

If he remembered correctly, Lan Yingjun practiced the Five Poisons Earthly Fiend Palm.

While the Five Poisons Earthly Fiend Palm is a formidable technique among supreme divine skills, it shouldn't be enough to sustain her progress to this level!

Clearly, there are things he doesn't know about this.

However, the world is vast and full of wonders.

Such situations are rare, but they do occur.

However, for Chen Ping'an, this person just happened to be someone he knew.

Besides Lan Yingjun, Chen Ping'an also saw Li Cangming of the Beihai Merchant Alliance, ranked twenty-seventh among the Hidden Dragons. He had cultivated a technique that touched upon the realm of True Skill Scrolls, possessing considerable combat strength. In addition, he had also cultivated several ordinary Supreme Divine Skills, making his combat prowess and talent both remarkable.

Chen Ping'an also gained some understanding of the Puppet Sect's secret teachings and the Thousand Machine Sect's twins.

In addition, he also looked at the list of prodigies from the Seven Stars Temple, Yun Wuche, the Daoist of Cloud Soaring, Ye Hanxing, the Holy Son of Tide, Chen Xuanli, the true disciple of the Xuanmen, and Chen Ping'an, and read the interpretation of their cultivation techniques and analysis of their combat strength on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

The top talents on this list are basically monopolized by powerful forces. They either come from major sects or prestigious families.

It is worth mentioning that Chen Ping'an also saw contemporary prodigies from the Five Families at the top of the list.

However, in terms of combat strength, he posed virtually no threat to Chen Ping'an, so he didn't pay much attention and simply continued reading as usual.

As these prodigies rose higher on the list, their fame and reputation grew.

People like Li Wangchen, the swordsman of Yunlu, and Yin Shangjin, the young master of the Blood Prison Sect, are among them.

It's worth mentioning that Chen Ping'an also saw the detailed records of the Heavenly Luo Saintess. Compared to before, the Heavenly Luo Saintess's ranking had dropped instead of rising, falling from eighth to ninth among the Hidden Dragons.

Following Li Wangchen, the swordsman of Yunlu, the detailed introduction in the list has not changed much compared to before, and his battle record is still based on his battle against the Black-Robed Old Monster outside the important town of Long'an.

"She's quite low-key," Chen Ping'an remarked.

However, the other party's low profile was in his best interest.

With the shared damage mechanism in place and the Illusionary Dream Contract intact, he was the one least willing to let anything happen to the Heavenly Luo Saintess. It's better to keep a low profile; at least it won't be too ostentatious and attract too much attention.

But it's a pity.
As the current Holy Maiden of the Tianluo Sect, Qu Feiyan, no matter how low-key she is, will inevitably attract a lot of attention.

Now, after the turmoil in Long'an, there are probably quite a few people eyeing the Holy Maiden of Tianluo.

They are all keeping a close eye on things, and any slight movement will likely be met with a violent counterattack in order to quell the unrest in Long'an and completely turn the tide in the struggle against evil forces.

Chen Ping'an saw the situation clearly. He had a lot of information and was able to deduce the Zhenfu Division's intentions.

He had been praying that nothing would happen to the Holy Maiden of Tianluo.

Otherwise, it's a small matter if it costs you your own life, but if it affects him, that would be a big deal.

Um.
If possible, it's best to avoid injury and stay safe and sound.

The changing light screen reflected in Chen Ping'an's mind, seemingly stirring his thoughts.

The nuptial ceremony, the exchange of wine, the cutting of the bridal ties, and the wedding night.

The young girl's face was flushed with a rosy glow, like peach blossoms in full bloom.

"My husband, I will give my life to you."

"I will certainly not fail my wife's trust!"

Amidst the bustling streets and alleys, two people walk hand in hand.

"Selling candied hawthorns!"

Amidst the hustle and bustle, street vendors called out their wares, and the girl's eyes shone brightly as she stared at him expectantly.

"My husband, I want to eat."

"How can a young girl be so greedy!"

"Hehe, I'm not a little girl anymore."

"."

Unable to resist her insistence, I bought her a string of candied hawthorns, which earned me that genuine, flawless smile.

"My lord, here's the first one for you." The girl's delicate hand held a string of candied hawthorns and offered it to him.

Looking at the girl in front of him, his heart seemed to be stirred by something.

He opened his mouth and leaned forward, wanting to put a candied hawthorn in his mouth, but the candied hawthorn in front of him disappeared without a trace, leaving only the girl's string of silvery laughter.

"Think beautifully!"

The girl skips and jumps, her innocent and carefree nature revealing her charming naiveté.

He looked at her, his smile undiminished.

Unaware that he was following, the girl turned around, her face beaming with a radiant smile, like a dreamlike starry river.

Back then, life was peaceful and serene.

A thousand years have passed, like a dream.

Life is like a dream, and dreams are like life.

All that came before has vanished like a mirage.

Until, inside the main hall, a thunderbolt ignited a fire in the earth, finally waking him from his dream, and all past feelings were gone.

perhaps
Life is a dream, and even if we fall into despair, it's not necessarily a bad thing!
If we wish to be together day and night, may our love last forever.

Chen Ping'an was slightly dazed as he looked at the light screen, traversing through the long years, and seemed to see that bright and beautiful figure, as romantic as ever.

May time never turn back, and may we grow old together with deep affection.

Looking back, a thousand years have passed!
Chen Ping'an's demeanor naturally caught the attention of the elders present. However, at this point, they were already among the top talents on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, so it was quite normal for Chen Ping'an to observe them more closely.

Furthermore, since the Holy Maiden of Tianluo had fought a major battle outside the important town of Long'an, it's perfectly normal for Chen Ping'an, as a witness, to pay more attention to her.

After all, experiencing something firsthand is completely different from hearing about it secondhand.

"Heavenly Net Saintess, Ninth Hidden Dragon!"

"Ping An, with your talent, you will reach this level sooner or later," Elder Hua encouraged from the side.

Chen Ping'an snapped out of his reverie, turned around, and cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Elder Hua."

Old Hua waved his hand dismissively. His interruption cleared Chen Ping'an's mind considerably.

He thought he had basically gotten rid of the influence of the illusions, but he never expected that these memories would still remain deep in his heart.

It seems that the impact of this thousand-year-old dream is even greater than he had anticipated.

"The Dream Pearl... Just what kind of treasure is this!?"

Chen Ping'an pondered intently, a serious look appearing in his eyes.

To outsiders, this was clearly a sign of Chen Ping'an's caution and respect for these top talents.

"It seems that Ping An has also felt the pressure after seeing these brilliant talents," Elder Lan thought to himself.

Having shaken off his unrealistic ideas, Chen Ping'an's thoughts became much clearer.

By reading about the detailed deeds of the Heavenly Luo Saintess, Chen Ping'an gained a deeper understanding of the limitations of the ranking on the Hidden Dragon List.

While the rankings on the Hidden Dragon Ranking are objective, they are limited by information, and therefore may not be accurate. For example, the recorded combat strength of the prodigies may not be their actual combat strength.

Perhaps this combat power was real in the past, but as time changes and years pass, the combat power of these prodigies will eventually change.

Some changes are revealed in a timely manner, becoming known to the outside world and updated on the Hidden Dragon List. Other changes, however, remain hidden, known only to one person.

Like the Holy Maiden of Heaven, and like himself.

As for the prodigies on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, he wondered if there were any more like them.
There should be.

The rankings on the Hidden Dragon List can be used as a reference, but they shouldn't be taken entirely at face value. If one believes them completely and uses them as a basis for inferences, it might one day become a source of trouble.

If someone like the Heavenly Net Saintess were to use the combat power on the Hidden Dragon Ranking as a reference to prepare countermeasures, she probably wouldn't even know how she died.

Even setting aside the present, during the previous battle in the secret realm, the Heavenly Luo Saintess's combat strength was significantly higher than that of the area outside Long'an Town.

As for now, it's immeasurable, far exceeding expectations.

It's always good to plan ahead and have a backup plan.

To anticipate the enemy's moves with leniency and to devise numerous strategies—this is the path to long-term spiritual cultivation.

"Having obtained so many secrets from the Purple-Eyed Demon Lord, he should be somewhere cultivating and digesting them right now."

Chen Ping'an guessed in his heart.

Thinking of the other party's situation, Chen Ping'an smiled knowingly.

However, he quickly realized something was wrong, his expression turned serious, and he looked down.

Speaking of which, seeing the ranking of the Heavenly Luo Saintess reminded Chen Ping'an of Gu Qingchan's previous agreement.

If you encounter the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Net, you can grant him one request. Also...
Chen Ping'an quickly composed himself and looked at the next prodigy.

Despite examining the details, Chen Ping'an's reading speed was by no means slow.

The contemporary secret master of Medicine King Valley, Lu Mengyao, the prodigy of the Ruan family, Ruan Yushu, the saintess of Snow God Palace, and Xuan Yue Li.
Upon seeing the group, Chen Ping'an couldn't help but pay closer attention to them.

The ranking on the Hidden Dragon List is just a reference; the opponent's true combat strength may not be as stated. If they are indeed hiding something, then their true strength is something he will definitely have to be wary of.

Chen Ping'an then read through the works of Taixu Sword Master Jiang Wuyai, Five Poison Saintess Dugu Yiren, and others.

Upon seeing Dugu Yiren, Elder Hua, who was standing nearby, began to introduce her.

The core reason for this update to the Power Rankings lies with Dugu Yiren. During her interaction with the Puppet Sect, she decisively defeated a senior pseudo-Celestial Realm expert.

"A body of extreme poison!" Upon reading the detailed records of Dugu Yiren, the Five Poison Saintess, Chen Ping'an became even more interested in her unique physique.

Under the influence of the poison, ordinary people can hardly touch it. In fact, let alone touching it, even being in the same space would likely be life-threatening.

According to the records on the Hidden Dragon List, with Dugu Yiren's current martial arts level, even ordinary martial arts grandmasters would find it difficult to resist the poison she inadvertently releases.

These toxins are simply terrifying.

"If we could make use of it and purify it a little, I wonder if this toxin could threaten the Celestials?" Chen Ping'an asked curiously.

After checking the list, I ended up wasting a lot of time.

Chen Ping'an had a general understanding of the 108 prodigies on the Hidden Dragon Ranking. He knew even more about the top-ranked prodigies.

In his view, all the top ten rising stars on the list, theoretically speaking, pose a significant threat to him. However, the specific degree of threat depends on each individual's level of concealment.

But among the crowd, there was one person who, without exception, posed a deadly threat without needing to hide anything.

Qianlong is number one, Tianjiu Daozi is number one, and Fenglingyin is number one.

As a true martial arts prodigy, Feng Lingyin possessed an almost dominant and intimidating aura. Faced with such a brilliant genius with unfathomable potential, even with his martial arts realm having reached the third stage of the breakthrough realm, Chen Ping'an lacked the confidence to contend with him. He didn't even have the confidence to protect his own life.

Unless he can advance his Azure Sun Blood Refining Technique to the second stage and achieve perfection, possessing an unparalleled physique and divine bloodline, he might have a slight chance of competing with his opponent.

However, as of now, he hasn't even gotten any of the demonic beast blood he needs for blood refining, let alone the second refining to perfection.

To contend with such a monstrous talent, he would need to truly reach the realm of martial arts prowess to have sufficient confidence.

And on this day, perhaps
It won't be too late.

Chen Ping'an spent a considerable amount of time in the Gu family's elders' hall. Besides reviewing the Hidden Dragon Ranking, he also received much praise and commendation.

In the latest ranking of the Hidden Dragons, the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion has updated its assessment of Chen Ping'an's potential. Before he falls off the list, he may have a chance to break into the top twelve.

Compared to the previous potential assessment, it has improved by three places, which is a significant improvement.

"Ping An, with your talent, you might break into the top 35 of the Hidden Dragon rankings when it updates next time! As a mid-stage Jade Balance cultivator, you'll overpower late-stage Jade Balance prodigies and amaze the world," an elder praised.

"I will do my best in peace." Chen Ping'an said humbly and politely.

Believe it or not, given his current situation, it's quite possible for him to achieve such a feat. To suppress a late-stage Jade Balance prodigy with his mid-stage Jade Balance realm.

Once he adjusts his outward cultivation level to the peak of the Jade Balance mid-stage, and then uses the perfected Overlord Blade, along with the Heavenly Meteor Frost Star Blade in its nascent form as a treasure, to unleash the Overlord's Domain, he may be able to unleash a dazzling strike that will leave everyone in awe.

"The power of a top-tier Grandmaster!" Chen Ping'an smiled.

Besides discussing the topic of the prodigy, he also talked with the elders of the Gu family about other topics.

For example, his current situation, the impeachment by the Qiankun Division, and subsequent job arrangements, etc.

His words contained many words of comfort.

Regarding this matter, Chen Ping'an reassured everyone that he was well-informed and would not become despondent or give up.

As they spoke, Chen Ping'an was in high spirits and radiant, which put everyone at ease.

I also gained a new understanding of Chen Ping'an's character.

When this topic came up, the group also mentioned the news of Li Wusheng's death.

"Li Wusheng is dead?" Chen Ping'an seemed to be hearing this for the first time, and was slightly surprised.

"Yes, he's dead." Elder Hua slowly spoke, explaining the reason: "He died in the previous battle of Canglong Night. The Zhenfu Division kept it a secret, so we didn't know at the time, but we understand now."

"The Seven Kill Fist Demon!" someone added, "He suppressed and killed Li Wusheng in the Azure Dragon Mansion."

Chen Pingan listened quietly, reacting as if he were hearing it for the first time.

No one seemed to notice anything amiss, and their conversation ranged from Li Wusheng's death to the now vacant position of deputy head.

Although there is no strict regulation on the number of deputy commanders within the Canglong Prefecture Garrison, under normal circumstances, the number of deputy commanders is unlikely to exceed this limit.

With Li Wusheng dead, the vacant position presents an opportunity for many.

"What a pity, Ping An. If you hadn't stepped down from Lei Ming this time, and instead seized the opportunity presented by the hidden dragon, you might have been able to advance even further!" Elder Yuan sighed.

Elder Heng and Elder Lan, who were standing to the side, also showed a slightly regretful expression.

Chen Ping remained silent.

"However, Ping An, don't be discouraged. With your talent, it's only a matter of time before you get promoted after a period of silence," Elder Hua comforted you. "It's good to rest for a while. You can put aside your miscellaneous things and focus on your cultivation."

"I understand," Chen Ping'an said calmly. "Thank you for your comfort, elder."

Chen Ping'an's calm and composed demeanor greatly pleased the elders of the Gu family.

He is neither arrogant nor impatient, polite and courteous, and acts with composure. He is indeed a rare and brilliant person in the world.

Just as the topic came up, Chen Ping'an mentioned his need for spiritual items for cultivation. Hearing that the Xuanling Auction was about to be held, he planned to take advantage of this free time to go to Xuanling Heavy City.

"Snow Spirit Leaf," Elder Hua pondered for a moment, "It would be good to go, perhaps there will be unexpected gains."

"It's good to try our luck," Elder Xuan said.

He was the one who mainly handled the purchase of Snow Spirit Leaves.

“However, if things don’t go smoothly, Ping An, don’t worry. The season for harvesting Snow Spirit Leaves is coming soon, and there will definitely be a supply then. Purchasing will be much easier than it is now.” Elder Xuan added to reassure him, “I will think of a way to purchase more later.”

Chen Ping'an thanked everyone for their kindness. However, he mentioned that he was now quite wealthy and asked the Gu family not to spend any money on him if he acquired anything, as he could buy it back at market price.

The crowd remained silent in the face of Chen Ping'an's words.

Before the matter actually happened, Chen Ping'an didn't say much.

The group chatted for a long time, creating a lively atmosphere. During the conversation, Chen Ping'an also learned that Wu Xifu, the special envoy from the Northern Border, had recently visited the Gu family patriarch.

"I didn't see it." Chen Ping'an's eyes flickered slightly as he processed the information.

Seeing that the conversation had gone on for quite some time and the time was almost up, and not wanting to keep everyone any longer, he suggested that he prepare to leave.

The Gu family members naturally did not permit it.

"Ping An, it's rare for you to return to Canglong. Stay a little longer this time and have a drink with us old folks," Elder Yuan invited.

Seeing the sincerity and earnestness of everyone's words, Chen Ping'an did not refuse.

"I dare not refuse the invitation from my elders. However, it has been quite some time since I last saw Miss Qingcheng in Canglong. I wonder if I have any questions?" Chen Ping'an greeted her politely, but his words were very clear.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions were amused, and they smiled broadly.

"It's to see Qingcheng, isn't it?" Old Lan said with a teasing smile. "It's us old folks who are being inconsiderate and have delayed your meeting."

"Hahaha"

The crowd burst into laughter, and the atmosphere was joyful.

"A day apart feels like three autumns, we understand."

"Go."

Some of the elders nodded in agreement, their faces beaming with joy.

"Thank you for your kindness, elders."

Chen Ping'an bowed respectfully and then left the Gu family's elders' hall.

Only the people remaining in the arena looked at each other and saw the genuine smiles on each other's faces.

Even the most upright and principled elders showed a slight smile at this moment.

"Love between younger generations"