The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 752 The True Inheritance of the Mysterious Sect, A Fated Encounter (Seeking monthly votes~ Who is in the story?)
Half a month has passed since the Hidden Dragon Ranking was updated.

But the impact of this edition of the Hidden Dragon List is far from over.

All factions within the four realms of the dynasty obtained information about the Hidden Dragon Ranking immediately. However, some independent cultivators or powerful figures from other factions who were traveling did not learn about the specific details of the ranking at that time.

Although the Celestial Pivot Instrument can interact in real time, not all powerful individuals have the resources to support the consumption involved.

Even portable miniature spiritual devices consume enormous amounts of resources every time they are activated.

Even martial arts masters might not have the resources to be so extravagant.

To possess such an interactive spiritual instrument, one must either be a powerful being among the celestial beings or a core figure of a major power or a powerful background.

Under these circumstances, many people are somewhat delayed in receiving information from the Hidden Dragon List.

Thus, for a period of time after the Hidden Dragon Ranking was updated, information and rankings related to the list attracted heated discussions and debates.

"The true teachings of the Xuanmen, the realm of heaven and man!"

"Martial arts heavenly man, Chen Xuanli!"

"They came from behind and rose to become the second-ranked Hidden Dragon. The profound foundation of the Xuanmen sect is truly unfathomable."

"I thought it would be either Jiang Wuyai or Dugu Yiren, but I never expected someone else to appear out of nowhere."

"Breaking through? Not really! Since he appeared on the list, Chen Xuanli's ranking has remained relatively stable at tenth. Such a stable ranking suggests that his foundation has likely already reached the point of breaking through to the next level."

"Yes, they are all at the peak of their cultivation. It's just a matter of who can take that first step."

"That's true, but I really didn't expect it to be Chen Xuanli! Even if it wasn't Jiang Wuyai and Dugu Yiren, it should have been Lu Mengyao, Ruan Yushu, or someone like that."

"That's right? How do you know they haven't reached the Celestial Realm!?"

"You mean"

"It's just a guess, a guess, don't take it seriously, hahaha."

"Brother Li still knows how to joke, just like before."

"Yeah, just kidding. Hahahaha."

"."

The updated rankings on the Hidden Dragons List caused a great stir. Everyone had different thoughts; some studied them carefully, while others glanced at them.

But everyone knows that this year's Hidden Dragon Prodigies are the most impressive and powerful of all the previous generations.

Among the rising stars of their generation, two are martial arts prodigies, shining brightly in this world. Several other exceptional talents also have the potential to reach this level.

Such momentum is rarely matched by any of the previous hidden dragons.

Such fierce competition is exhilarating. Even the older generation of powerful figures, though past their prime, are still paying close attention to this matter.

"These prodigies are all hiding their talents quite well! Suddenly another martial arts master has emerged."

"Haha, Feng Lingyin is under some pressure."

"Him?" An elderly man stared intently, his expression grave. "Will he feel pressured?"

Before me stood a weathered old man, holding a chess piece in silence, seemingly lost in thought.

Yes, will Feng Ling feel pressured by him?

Let alone a newly promoted Celestial Being, even if several more were to appear, he probably wouldn't feel any pressure.

More than a decade ago, he was already a martial arts master, and now, he is not yet forty, far from the age of failing the exam.

Its natural beauty was dazzling, and among all the hidden dragons of the past, this was its most brilliant moment.

This
Is that really everything he has?
Nobody knows, perhaps they should
No one will know.

"Young Master." A woman with a beautiful face and dressed in dark blue robes walked up to Ji Changkong and handed him a Hidden Dragon Jade Stone.

Wow~
A light screen appeared, and Ji Changkong stared at the information on it, remaining silent for a long time.

"Wild Blade"

His smile was warm, but an indescribable coldness appeared on his handsome face. His eyes were deep and icy, like an ancient, still pool.

"Ning'er, it's time to go out for a walk."

"Yes, young master." The woman bowed respectfully, her sleeves, adorned with dark patterns, drooping slightly to conceal the short blade that was faintly visible at her waist.

The hairpin swayed, and a strange gemstone shone brightly.

Bi Cang territory, Bi Cang prefecture.

"This is Bicang Prefecture City!"

"It's so lively!"

"."

A group of young students were excitedly strolling through the streets of Bicang Prefecture.

"What a tall building! How many stories must it have!"

"I don't know, I feel like I'm over fifty."

"This isn't the highest yet, look there."

"Wow"

With the academy's assessment approaching, Bicang City, as the only assessment location within the Bicang region, has recently attracted a large number of young students.

The people of Bi Cang who walked the streets were not surprised by this scene.

As the central hub of Bicang, under the jurisdiction of the prefecture, those who can settle here are naturally extraordinary. They are knowledgeable and have seen similar things many times before.

Within the city of Bi Cang Prefecture, there were quite a few young students, all looking at Bi Cang Prefecture, the largest and most important city among the seventeen prefectures of Bi Cang, with curiosity and excitement.

Among the various groups of students on their tour, there was one group that had come from Canglong and, after many days, finally arrived at Bicang Prefecture.

Canglong Prefecture and Bi Cang Prefecture are far apart. If traveling by ordinary means, it would take at least one or two years to reach Bi Cang Prefecture City. However, with a spirit boat speeding by, the outcome is quite different.

These modes of transportation undoubtedly shorten the distance between states. However, they are not something that ordinary people can enjoy.

These students only experienced such a high-speed journey because of the special timing of the academy's assessment.

The students in the group looked excited and were in high spirits.

For almost all of them, this was the first time they had left home and traveled so far away. Everything was incredibly new and exciting to them.

Chen Zhaoheng followed in the group, looking around at everything with great curiosity. However, unlike most students, her expression remained calm and serene throughout.

"Look there!" a student exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention.

In the distance, a magnificent, palatial carriage gradually approached. The carriage was adorned with exquisite carvings, featuring intricate floral patterns and vibrant, dreamlike brocade.

Relying on its vast size and accompanied by solemnity, one can feel its immense power at a glance.

"It's a carriage from the Prince of Bicang's residence!"

Most of the students who come here are quite knowledgeable; some students recognized the unique engravings on the frame at a glance.

"The brocade and jade ornaments, the floral patterns, and the phoenix facing the sky indicate an important figure from the Prince's mansion." A student exclaimed softly, never expecting to encounter such a noble person from the Prince's mansion on his first visit to Bicang.

The Prince of Bicang's Mansion is a true behemoth. Granted fiefdoms by bloodline, its influence spans seventeen states, making it the undisputed overlord of the Bicang region.

The royal bloodline makes the Bicang Prince's Mansion even more prestigious. With the Bicang region as its center, its influence extends to dozens of prefectures.

Such power and resources far surpass what a single state can match.

For the students who traveled from afar from Canglong, the Bi Cang Prince's Mansion was a sacred benchmark in their hearts. Every single person in the Prince's Mansion was of unparalleled nobility.

Even among ordinary people, there are differences, and this applies to those of the same bloodline.

Amid the exclamations, Chen Zhaoheng slowly raised his eyes and looked over.

As the carriage approached, it stood solemnly, with maids standing around it, their hands clasped and their eyes focused.

Some students held their breath, no longer as carefree as before.

It wasn't just the students of Canglong Academy, but also everyone along the street; the same was true.

Chen Zhaoheng watched quietly with a serene expression as the carriage slowly drove by. Through the swaying gauze, it seemed as if a pair of bright eyes were curiously peering out.

Their eyes met, their gazes collided in mid-air, time...
It was as if the moment had frozen in time.

"Stop looking! It's Princess Bicang!"

As the vehicle drove by, people around whispered among themselves.

"Little Princess?" A student turned around, a hint of curiosity appearing in his longing expression.

The man glanced at him but didn't reply. Instead, he turned and chatted quietly with the person next to him.

The voice was so soft that it was barely audible to those around.

However, this one point alone has given the students of Canglong a lot to think about.

Some students witnessed the chassis of the luxury car and felt a longing for it, while others clearly recognized the diversity of the world.

The little princess in the prince's palace.

In the present era of Bi Cang, there is only one person who deserves such a title.

Under normal circumstances, they might still dream of passing the imperial academy entrance exams, diligently studying, and embarking on a stable path of cultivation. But if it were a young princess, then…
Even if they successfully graduate from the academy and acquire a foundation in literature and morality, they will probably still be far from being able to compare with the other party.

Although graduates of the academy have a high status, it depends on who they are compared to. For example, some collateral branches of the Prince's mansion, who are not very capable, may not be able to compare with graduates of the academy. But if they are from the direct line and are capable, they can't even catch up with them.

These differences are like a chasm, inherent from birth.

Born the same, yet born very different.

"The Prince's Mansion." Chen Zhaoheng's gaze was calm as he watched the carriage and its entourage disappear into the distance.

"So many students!"

Inside the magnificent car, a young girl peeked out from the window, peering curiously.

"Have we reached the academy for the assessment yet?" the girl thought to herself. "Time flies so fast."

Looking at the excited faces in the crowd, the girl's heart fluttered slightly. She thought of the pair of eyes she had accidentally met earlier; they seemed to be about the same age.

"That's wonderful," the girl said with envy. "Being able to be outside without any restrictions."

As she pondered, the girl wrinkled her delicate nose and furrowed her brows slightly.

"I really want to go out and have fun."

A light apricot-yellow dress fluttered gently, radiant and bright. Beneath her dark hair, the girl's face was flawless and delicate, as if it could be broken with a touch.

The mountains stretch endlessly, their ridges winding and twisting like dragons. The mountains are majestic, their layers upon layers exuding a sense of vastness and desolation.

Whoosh!
A figure flashed by, sweeping across a mountain.

"Mysterious Spirit Mountain Range".

Chen Ping'an's gaze was calm as he looked into the distance.

After leaving the Thunderous Lands, he went directly through the Thunderous Mountains and into the territory of Xuanling Prefecture. After passing through the Xuanling Mountains and then through another prefecture, he would reach Xuanling Heavy City.

He was traveling alone, so his schedule needed to be more flexible.

There's no need to worry about your companions; you can stop whenever you want or continue your journey whenever you want.

Although Chen Ping'an traveled by air, his overall progress was not fast. He focused primarily on cultivation throughout the journey.

Therefore, I would rather the process be slower than delay my spiritual practice.

Fortunately, his current speed is already above that of ordinary pseudo-celestial beings. Even so, his overall speed is not slower than when he traveled with Gu Qingchan.

He proceeded at a leisurely pace, intending to perfect the Seven Killing Heavenly Gang Fist before officially arriving at Xuanling Heavy City.

Although Xuanling's situation is complex, with his current strength, he doesn't really need to worry too much. However, given the relationship between Hengshan Sect and Wenxin Sword Pavilion, it's best to proceed with caution in some matters.

However, as long as he can perfect the Seven Killing Heavenly Fist before taking up his post, he can seize this opportunity to step into the realm of martial arts mastery.

Therefore, even if it were the Hengshan Sect or the Wenxin Sword Pavilion, he might not need to be too wary of them.

Furthermore, the Celestial Realm is no ordinary realm, and breaking through it could cause unpredictable fluctuations. To avoid any negative impact, breaking through on the way to Xuanling City is the most suitable option.

He had just taken up his post in Xuanling, and even if he were to be a hands-off manager, he might not have much free time for a while. Rather than being busy later, it would be better to get things done now.

Judging from the timeline, he has only been in this realm for a few days.

Whoosh!
Chen Ping'an soared through the sky, constantly changing his position amidst the changing mountain terrain.

With his current foundation, coupled with the Tai Xu Wind Control Step, although he cannot fly for a long time, the frequency of his rest is not that exaggerated.

As darkness fell, Chen Ping'an found a mountain peak and landed there.

With his current cultivation level, the darkness of night naturally wouldn't affect his journey. However, his break for meditation had arrived, and he needed to settle down and cultivate. Chen Ping'an found a spot on a mountainside, surrounded by lush green rocks, which was a good place for quiet cultivation.

Wow~
He gently raised his hand, and a stream of inspiration flowed out.

He has been studying the transmission of incantations for some time now. Although he still finds them obscure and difficult to understand, with mutual verification, he has undoubtedly become more proficient in some of the incantations he had previously learned from spiritual secret texts.

Since he was currently traveling in his true form, Chen Ping'an did not rashly use the Azure Flame Four Directions Command Flags, but merely set up some warning restrictions.

hum~
A spiritual light appeared, and Chen Ping'an slowly closed his eyes, cultivating amidst the mountain scenery.

+1!

For two consecutive days, Chen Ping'an spent his time in the Xuanling Mountains in this manner. He was getting closer and closer to Xuanling Heavy City, and also closer and closer to perfecting the Seven Killing Heavenly Gang Fist.

In the past two days, in addition to his gains in cultivation, he has also made significant progress in his research on the Blood Restriction of Ten Thousand Demons.

He succeeded on his first attempt at using the Blood Forbidden Technique!

By inscribing a blood oath within the opponent's spiritual core, one can control their life and death if the technique is successfully executed. It is an extremely sophisticated method of mastery.

The only shortcoming is the issue of duration.

The blood restriction inscribed will gradually fade over time. If the difference in cultivation levels between the two parties is average, it may only control the blood restriction for one or two days.

In addition, there are some stringent requirements.

At his current level, even with his full power, Chen Ping'an can only control the most ordinary Grandmasters. If he wants to become stronger, he can only sacrifice time.

But if it can only control things for a short while, then what's the point of this Blood Restriction Technique?
"It seems that this Blood Forbidden Technique still needs to be inscribed with the power of the soul. If it is replaced by spirituality, the effect will be much worse." Chen Ping'an quietly comprehended.

Although his spirituality was powerful and pure, it seemed to be incompatible with the Blood Restriction of Ten Thousand Demons.

The effectiveness will be significantly reduced, which is quite different from what the Demon Lord had used before.

"We still need to integrate and innovate, combining our insights to forge a method that suits us." Chen Ping'an said with anticipation.

Now that his first experiment has been successful, the day when he completely masters the Blood Restriction of Ten Thousand Demons is not far away.

Chen Ping'an had been cultivating for a long time, and by the time he completed this stage of cultivation, the night was deep and the moon was obscured. Apart from the occasional chirping of insects, the area around the mountains was extremely quiet.

"It's been a long time." Chen Ping'an sat cross-legged on the ground, feeling the scenery around him, and recalled the journey to Beicang.

"That's true." Chen Ping'an stood up with a smile.

On a whim, he decided to take a walk around.

There's no rush to take up his post in Xuanling; we can wait until he's mastered the Seven Killings Heavenly Gang Fist. As for the journey itself, there's no need to be too hasty.

If one were to cultivate in seclusion to break through to a higher realm, the Xuanling Mountains would naturally be the safest place. If one were to venture into a prefectural city, any unusual occurrences within would likely be difficult to conceal.

The Xuanling Mountains under the cover of night have a unique feel to them. If an ordinary person were here, looking at the endless mountain ranges around them, they would feel an indescribable loneliness and fear.

But for Chen Ping'an, this was a rare moment of tranquility after escaping the hustle and bustle of the world.

He wandered aimlessly around, not using any true essence or spiritual power, but relying solely on his physical strength and blood to leap and bound between the mountain peaks.

Even without any extraordinary abilities, his current level of physical strength is still incredibly impressive, thanks to the body tempering technique.

Chen Ping'an found it quite enjoyable to try acting solely with his physical strength for the first time.

His movements appeared extremely powerful, but in reality, they were completely silent, possessing a strange beauty that combined strength and lightness.

However, Chen Ping'an could still vaguely sense a lack of speed and agility in his physique.

"It has both offensive and defensive capabilities, but it still lacks a lot in terms of speed and agility."

As Chen Ping'an leaped through the air, he quietly comprehended the secrets.

There has never been an opportunity to act so recklessly, as in the capital.

It's late at night and quiet, with rolling mountains all around. It would be a shame not to take this opportunity.

Chen Ping'an moved like an arrow, his blood and energy surging, leaping dozens of feet in a single bound. In just a few moments, he appeared in the far distance.

Feeling lacking in speed and agility, Chen Ping'an intentionally trained these aspects during his leaps, striving to maintain lightness as much as possible.

With a barely audible sound, Chen Ping'an landed in a valley.

The valley is not large, and it looks rather long and narrow. The surrounding rocks are rugged and uneven.

Chen Ping'an glanced around slightly, preparing to leap up, but his expression suddenly changed.

"Isolation and alert?"

His expression hardened slightly, and his gaze fell on a jagged rock not far away.

He sensed that the rocks faintly retained a spiritual aura.

This aura was extremely obscure; it would be completely undetectable without careful sensing.

It's hard to say whether he was lucky or the other person was unlucky, but he landed right near these rocks.

If he were further away, he might not have noticed, but now...
Chen Ping'an looked down and clearly saw that it was a warning and restriction.

"Someone's here?" Chen Ping'an's eyes narrowed slightly, and he immediately became alert.

His spirituality quietly emerged, but he did not detect any trace of it.

With Chen Ping'an's current purity of spirituality, his sensory abilities alone are even above those of top-tier pseudo-celestial beings. Yet, even so, he was unable to detect any traces.

Clearly, the opponent's restrictive measures are extremely sophisticated; in addition to the warning restrictions, there must be other concealment restrictions as well.

"Should I leave now? Or..." Chen Ping'an's thoughts shifted as he stood still.

However, he quickly made a decision.

He thought of the secluded cave during his previous Xuanling trip, an experience that had greatly benefited him and brought him many gains.

Furthermore, what enabled him to make such a quick decision was that although the skill in creating this warning barrier was remarkable, upon closer examination, it was undoubtedly imprinted with spirituality.

The spiritual restriction—clearly, the one who set up this warning restriction has not yet entered the realm of celestial beings.

If that's the case, then the risk is controllable.

Given this situation, how could he not want to find out the truth?
If the opponent's method of setting up the restriction was driven by the power of the divine soul, then he would probably need to think for even longer. Although he was confident that he could contend with a martial arts master in his current state, he had never actually tried it before, and was simply acting out of curiosity, so he didn't want to act rashly.

Especially when you don't know what level the other person is at. Is he an ordinary celestial being, or something else?

In such circumstances, making a hasty decision carries extremely high risks.

But now that it's clear the other party hasn't yet reached the realm of celestial beings, the decision is much easier to make.

"Let's not alarm them for now. If everything is normal, then we'll leave. If there's any opportunity, then we'll each rely on our own abilities."

Given the precedent of the secluded cave dwelling and the Demon Lord's remnants, Chen Ping'an still held a certain expectation for such a thing.

If you do not take what Heaven offers, you will suffer the consequences.

Now that he's encountered this situation, and given that the risks are manageable, he naturally wants to take a look.

“However,” Chen Ping’an’s gaze narrowed slightly, and he gently raised his hand, revealing something in front of him: “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

His muscles and bones throbbed, his tendons and bones were being pulled apart, and his face was covered by a black iron mask. Chen Ping'an's aura and appearance quickly changed.

He was draped in a black robe, his hair was disheveled, and in the blink of an eye, he had changed his appearance.

If the Black Rock Old Monster of Hengshan Sect were here, he would find that the one who appeared here was none other than the old monster who had made a deal with him back then, the Ghost Bone Old Monster.

The outcome of this investigation is still uncertain. If any conflict arises, and he reveals his cultivation level, fails to capture everyone, and exposes his identity, that would be extremely undesirable.

Rather than doing that, it's better to prepare early.

Even if there are no complications and things don't go as planned, it's just an extra layer of work done for no reason, and there's no real loss.

Swish!
Chen Ping'an raised his hand slightly, and the Heavenly Meteor Frost Blade and the Star Sword were both put into his Thousand Machine Bag.

After doing all this, Chen Ping'an concealed his aura and carefully examined the surroundings.

The opponent's method of setting up the restrictions was extremely sophisticated; even if Chen Ping'an intended to investigate, he would have had difficulty detecting any traces. If he hadn't studied the inheritance of restrictions extensively in recent days, even with his abundant spiritual energy, it would have been extremely difficult for him to investigate.

Fortunately, thanks to his own accumulated knowledge and with conscious investigation, Chen Ping'an finally made some progress.

During the process, Chen Ping'an sensed every subtle detail around him, trying to deduce the exact number of people on the other side.

With his current cultivation and combat power, even if all the opponents were Grandmasters of the Wind and Cloud Realm, just a few of them would not pose any threat to him at all.

Three or four would be more like it, and we need to make sure that these Grandmasters are all among the top ranks.

Otherwise, even a grandmaster of the highest order would be no better than being a vegetable in front of him.

The Azure Sun Blood Refining Technique has reached its second refinement perfection, granting the user extraordinary bloodline, the powerful treasure Evil Extreme Eye, the Bloodthirsty Demon Jar, the top-tier divine weapon Withered Wood Staff, the Black Banner, the Azure Flame Four Directions Command Flag, and more.
The Dream Pearl has been initially refined.

He no longer knew just how strong he was!
If he hadn't yet witnessed the full power of the Celestial Being and lacked a clear understanding of his abilities, he probably would have already been itching for a fierce battle.

However, such thoughts are just that—thoughts.

Why take this risk and fight against the heavens when you could win by following the proper methods?

If it's not necessary, it's natural to use force to suppress others, which makes it seem more comfortable.

Otherwise, wouldn't it be a waste of the good intentions of this panel?

On the surface, one can compete with the best and fight against adversity, but ultimately, all one's confidence must be in one's own hands.

You can break through to a higher realm in the heat of battle, but you can't rely solely on breaking through to a higher realm!
Matters of life and death should be approached with utmost caution, not out of cowardice or lack of courage.

It is about respect for life.

Life is only once, so it should be cherished. Without this foundation, everything else will be nothing but empty talk.

When the body dies and the Tao vanishes, what benefit is there?
Only a gambler who has nothing will risk his life and death.

With so many resources already in place, and a continuous stream of wealth to come, what more could one ask for?
unless
Thinking of this, Chen Ping'an's gaze sharpened.

At this moment, he finally discovered the source of the restriction. His gaze fell upon a rock wall on one side. In his spiritual perception, a barely visible, intricately carved mark was visible on this rock wall.

A light, like that of ice crystals, surged and emitted a faint glow.

"This is it."

Chen Ping'an focused his mind and quietly approached.

There should be a passage behind this rock wall, but it is hidden by a barrier, making it difficult to detect.

The method of this restriction was extremely sophisticated. Even someone like Chen Ping'an had to consciously examine it repeatedly before he could find a trace of it.

If someone were to pass by unintentionally, even someone as powerful as a celestial being might not be able to detect it.

Just as Chen Ping'an was about to sneak in without alerting the restrictions,

The restrictive aura suddenly exploded, transforming into clusters of ice lotuses, emanating waves of icy chill that penetrated the body.

"not good!"

Chen Ping'an's expression changed, and without any further hesitation, he headed towards the space behind the rock wall.

His blood and qi surged, his robes billowed, and the icy chill was completely shut out.

This restrictive technique is more for warning and concealment than for offensive purposes. Even so, Chen Ping'an still felt a chilling coldness emanating from it.

Whoosh!
Chen Ping'an moved swiftly, his thoughts racing.

"The owner of this restriction is definitely not an ordinary grandmaster!"

hum~
A flash of light appeared, and a black banner materialized out of thin air, hovering around Chen Ping'an and protecting him firmly.

At the same time, he was already wearing a pair of black jade rings on his fingers, ready at any moment.

His brow shone brightly, reaching its peak, sensing everything around him.

Since it's about protection, it's definitely not just about being vigilant and covering up; there must be other methods involved.

What he needs to do now is to find the root of the problem as quickly as possible to prevent the other party from escaping.

The original intention was to investigate quietly, but unexpectedly, the other party discovered it ahead of time.

Clearly, the opponent's skill in the art of enchantment far exceeded his expectations.

The passage behind the rock wall was not long, and Chen Ping'an stopped abruptly before he reached the end.

At the same moment, a profound restriction was instantly triggered, and the spiritual light within the passage suddenly shone brightly, bursting out like dazzling stars and illuminating this dark passage.

Countless icy spikes, like meteors falling from the heavens, shimmered with a chilling blue light and pressed down simultaneously.

At the end of the passage, a barrier of ice instantly solidified, like an iceberg, standing in front of us, radiating a bone-chilling cold that made one feel disoriented.

call out!call out!call out!
Countless ice spikes fell, covering the ground. The sheer force of the attack was such that even a pseudo-celestial being would likely face unforeseen dangers.

　Who could be inside?
　　You should all be able to guess it, right?
　　
　
(End of this chapter)