I Cheated While Cultivating

Fang Wen, the true inheritor of the Longevity Way, ranked first on the Celestial Man Ranking, known as the ‘Sword Eccentric.’

This was Zhou Heng’s impression of Fang Wen.

The description of Fang Wen on the Celestial Man Ranking says he has witnessed the practice of ancient Immortal Gods, comprehended three moves of the Immortal Sword that are profoundly mysterious, and unbeaten by anyone.

The artistic conception is lofty, directly pointing to the realm of the Fourth Rank Celestial Man.

Yet, on the record of his battles, there’s nothing particularly outstanding.

Apart from triumphing over the former number one on the Celestial Man Ranking, who was about to step onto the Secret Sixth Rank, and every second-ranked individual in the past six years, there wasn’t much else that was remarkable.

Even those so-called three moves of the Immortal Sword were only described in words; no one had actually seen him deploy them.

After learning the Sword Technique of Conviction, Zhou Heng didn’t think he would be weaker than him.

But now, listening to the meaning behind Yan Shouyi’s words, this ‘Sword Eccentric’ Fang Wen seemed to be extraordinary.

“He is indeed very special, not to be compared with the ordinary,” Yan Shouyi said with a smile: “Fang Wen was born with the bone of a Divine Sword and a natural sword heart. He is solely focused on the Sword Dao and does not practice other techniques.

“Speaking of which, he is quite the opposite of junior brother. You have learned a vast array of martial arts and have a broad knowledge, while he only knows swordsmanship and hasn’t even cultivated qinggong or inner strength.”

“What?” Zhou Heng was taken aback and puzzled, “Without cultivating inner strength, how did he reach the Peak of the Seventh Rank?”

“Who said he is at the Peak of the Seventh Rank?” Yan Shouyi looked at Zhou Heng with a half-smile and said, “Junior brother, think again, even the Celestial Man Ranking has never mentioned Fang Wen’s cultivation realm.”

“Could it be… he has blazed his own trail, establishing his own path?” Zhou Heng was truly shocked now and said with some uncertainty, “Is he not following the Immortal God Ninth Grade?”

If that were true, Fang Wen could no longer be described merely as a prodigy blessed by heaven.

He would be the unparalleled genius of the ages, the ancestral master who founded a new way, with a doctrine that could be passed down for thousands of generations!

“It’s not as exaggerated as forging a brand new path,” Yan Shouyi laughed softly and shook his head, “However, he is indeed not following the path of the Immortal God Ninth Grade.

“If we were to judge by the standards of the Immortal God Ninth Grade, he would only be considered the peak of the Ninth Grade, but although he hasn’t cultivated inner strength, he has developed a body full of Sword Qi through his swordsmanship. He hasn’t built an Inner Scene but has forged a Sword Soul.

“He just needs to use the Sword Soul to create a bridge that connects with the outside world, intertwine Sword Qi with the laws, then he can step onto the level of the Secret Sixth Rank. Most likely, he will directly bypass the True Energy Realm and enter the realm of True Gang.

“However, Sword Qi is different from Inner Qi, and Sword Soul is not the same as Inner Scene, so the usual methods of breaking through cannot be directly applied to him. He has to research and find the specific way on his own.”

“In that case, should this be considered a rather special foundational path?” Zhou Heng pondered and could not help but admire, “Such an astonishing talent; I’m quite looking forward to clashing with him now.”

Although establishing a sect and stepping onto the Secret Sixth Rank is also worthy of amazement, compared to creating a new cultivation path, it doesn’t seem quite as shocking.

At the same time, Zhou Heng also understood why Fang Wen, the first on the Celestial Man Ranking and who suppressed his generation, had not reached the realm of the Secret Sixth Rank after five or six years.

It was because he was seeking a way to break through on his unique path.

“Do you want to face him at the Morning Sun Wine Gathering?” Yan Shouyi said with a light laugh, “It may not be possible, after all, the Morning Sun Wine Gathering is a struggle between nations, and most of the time you should be working together.

“However, it’s also uncertain; in previous Morning Sun Wine Gatherings, there have been moments when martial artists from the same country compete to determine who is superior. The specifics will have to depend on the situation at the gathering.”

“Then at this Morning Sun Wine Gathering, who besides people from the Lu Yang Zhou Clan and the Taixu Viewpoint from Southern Jin, will be coming?” Zhou Heng inquired, as these would be his main competitors at the Morning Sun Wine Gathering, and he naturally wanted to find out the situation beforehand.

“This time, Southern Jin is quite arrogant and has only sent three people,” Yan Shouyi looked towards the south and said, “One person each from the Lu Yang Zhou Clan, the Taixu Viewpoint, and the Southern Jin Royal Family.”

“Our side has ten people,” Zhou Heng’s eyebrows raised slightly as he chuckled. “What confidence is this?”

“It seems that Southern Jin has incomparable confidence, believing that these three people are unmatched under the Secret Six Rank,” Yan Shouyi said with a smile. “They simply don’t take the younger generation of Da Qi seriously.”

“Either the people in Southern Jin have water in their brains, or the ability of these three is truly astonishing,” Zhou Heng mused and nodded. “I think the latter is more likely.”

“Yes, when I was in West Wasteland before, I also heard a few Celestial Men from Southern Jin mention it,” Yan Shouyi agreed nodding. “These three truly stand alone among the young generation of Southern Jin.

“Apart from these three, the strongest among the others can’t withstand a single move against them, there is simply no comparison, which is probably also the reason why Southern Jin only brought these three.”

“This does pique my interest,” Zhou Heng beamed. “I really want to see what abilities, what kind of strength these three possess.”

“Then junior brother, you must hurry up and get going,” Yan Shouyi said with a smile. “Jiang Jian and Zhenzhen, those two girls, have already gone ahead early.”

“Ah?” Zhou Heng was startled and asked in confusion, “Aren’t you going, senior brother?”

“What would I go for? I’m just in charge of sending out the invitations,” Yan Shouyi shook his head and then joked, “What business do I have at a competition of the younger generation?

“Not to brag, but if I were there, there would be no need to even hold the Chaoyang Wine Meeting.”

Zhou Heng knew the reason even though Yan Shouyi didn’t say it.

If Yan Shouyi, the unparalleled and invincible top Celestial Man, were there, no matter what advantage the young generation of Southern Jin got, they would pale in comparison to Yan Shouyi.

The Chaoyang Wine Meeting naturally wouldn’t need to continue.

—Although the Da Qi Celestial Rankings only list the Celestial Powers within Da Qi, this doesn’t mean that Yan Shouyi’s status as the world’s top is limited to Da Qi.

Three hundred years ago, before Yan Shouyi took over as the head of Pure Yang Palace, he traveled the world alone, challenging all with his sword, seeking defeat.

From the northern deserts to Wilderness God Mountain in the south, including the states of North Zhou and Da Qi, whether righteous or evil, whether human, demon, or the claimed descendants of the divine, none could stand as his enemy.

This was truly being invincible under the heavens.

…

Zhou Heng did not go through Purple Tenuity Palace when he went to Zhongzhou.

After all, having already reached the Jade Void Peak Golden Top, he certainly took the opportunity to catch another ride on Yan Shouyi’s “tailwind.”

With a wave of the Celestial Man’s sleeve, Zhou Heng immediately felt the light and shadow changing rapidly around him—the sensation of moving swiftly.

Finally, as his legs sank and his feet touched solid ground, he saw clearly the surroundings.

In front of him stood a massive stele inscribed with “Zhongzhou Border.”

This was the stele that demarcated the borders between Zhongzhou and the other states.

Once he crossed here, he would be entering the territory of Zhongzhou and could continue on his way to the Imperial City.

It was that swift.

Celestial Powers are indeed unimaginably strong, even in sending someone away—the span of a moment was enough to traverse over a million li, delivering him to Zhongzhou.

“Although I’m not truly at the Imperial City yet, it’s not far now. I remember there’s an entrance to Purple Tenuity Palace not far from the border of Zhongzhou, which comes in handy,” Zhou Heng thought to himself. He then summoned his jujube red horse, donned it with red lotus tack, mounted it, and galloped furiously towards the nearest entrance to Purple Tenuity Palace.

…

On the first day of the second month.

Snow blanketed the Imperial City.

This was Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen’s third day in Zhongzhou Imperial City.

Since they both held royal invitations and were true disciples of the Pure Yang Palace, they were afforded the highest quality lodging and meals the Imperial City could offer.

Even when traveling, maids followed them with brocade robes and mink coats at the ready for their use.

However, Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen had never made use of these.

They had come out early today.

Both were dressed in the Taoist robes of the Pure Yang Palace, draped in red cloaks they had brought from Taihua Mount, walking along the spacious Shenwu Street, drawing frequent glances from passersby.

They were both too attractive, too stunning.

Zhu Zhenzhen was somewhat less conspicuous; at only fourteen years of age, she was still a young girl. Although her features were indeed exceptional and delicate, her tender age mostly attracted feelings of her being cute and pretty.

Cheng Jianjian was different. Nineteen when she arrived, after spending over two years in the Demon Spirit World, she was now almost twenty-one, and her already incomparable beauty had become even more captivating.

Furthermore, having been revered as an Empress in the Demon Spirit World, a commander supreme and invincible, her brows carried a hint of heroic spirit, adding a unique charm.

Such beauties were indeed rare in the world, arresting the gaze of not only the common folk of the Imperial City but even princes and nobles.

Of course, those of some status knew of her identity and wouldn’t dare act inappropriately.

Cheng Jianjian, the third-ranked of the current martial artists’ ranking, acclaimed as the “Celestial of the Jade Clouds,” a true disciple of the Pure Yang Palace from Taihua Mount, the personal disciple of Qi Rui, the near Fourth-Rank great grandmaster and head of Jade Qiong Peak.

With such a status, even ordinary nobility couldn’t afford to provoke her.

Thus, Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen had been living rather peacefully these days, with no one troubling them.

They had left early today to go see the new update of the martial artists’ ranking at the front of the Shenwu Bureau.

“Senior Sister Cheng, do you think there will be any changes in the top ten of the martial artists’ ranking this time?” Zhu Zhenzhen still had the heart of a child, speaking while licking a candied haw she held in her hand.

“There shouldn’t be any major changes,” Cheng Jianjian, also holding a skewer of candied haws, replied after finishing one, “Recently, there don’t seem to have been any fights among the top ten. Although Feng Shaoe challenged our junior uncle, she was already ranked eleventh and lost, so it probably won’t affect the rankings.”

“But yesterday, when I was out buying wine, I heard something,” Zhu Zhenzhen took another lick of her candied haw, then lowered her voice, “The Zhou Yin who came from Southern Jin has defeated Cui Guanlan, I wonder if he will make it onto the rankings.”

“Zhou Yin challenged Cui Guanlan himself?” Cheng Jianjian frowned upon hearing this, as Cui Guanlan was also one of the ten from Da Qi attending the upcoming Chaoyang Banquet.

For him to be defeated before the Chaoyang Banquet had even begun was indeed a blow to morale if what Zhu Zhenzhen said was true.

But suddenly… Cheng Jianjian’s eyes narrowed, and her graceful hand reached out to pinch Zhu Zhenzhen’s ear, demanding sternly, “Zhenzhen, what did you just say? You went out to buy wine yesterday? You’re only fourteen, do you understand?”

“Ah??” Zhu Zhenzhen finally realized she had let something slip and quickly begged for mercy, “I..I just bought a little, a tiny little bit, please don’t be angry, Senior Sister, and don’t tell our master.”

Before leaving this time, You Ziheng had told Cheng Jianjian thousands of times to keep a close eye on Zhu Zhenzhen, to not let this girl take the chance to secretly drink.

Cheng Jianjian had always been vigilant over Zhu Zhenzhen, giving her no opportunity.

But yesterday, Cheng Jianjian suddenly had an epiphany about a sword technique and shut herself away for two hours to ponder it, not expecting Zhu Zhenzhen to take that chance to sneak out and buy wine.

“No, I must tell Uncle You about this.” Cheng Jianjian was staunch and unyielding, unmoved by Zhu Zhenzhen’s pleas and cute antics, “You’re only slightly older, yet you indulge in alcohol so much. What if you end up like Uncle You?”

“I’m not that young!” Zhu Zhenzhen puffed out her tiny chest, then a glint appeared in her large eyes as she giggled, “Sister, I’ll treat you to osmanthus sugar cakes later, how about that?”

“Alright.” Cheng Jianjian nodded in satisfaction, releasing Zhu Zhenzhen, and laughed, “And white jade soft candy too.”

“Deal!” Zhu Zhenzhen nodded, thinking she had successfully bribed Cheng Jianjian, and was instantly overjoyed. She pointed ahead and said, “Sister, look, so many people over there, surrounding a notice board; that should be where they post the Earth, Man, and Heaven rankings.”

“Hmm, let’s go have a look.” Cheng Jianjian nodded lightly.

As they approached, before they had a chance to check the changes on the rankings, they heard the crowd bustling with discussion.

“The changes in the top ten of the Man Ranking are quite significant, this Zhou Yin is really impressive.”

“This Zhou Yin actually came from Southern Jin in the south, and he’s so formidable, making a name for himself the moment he appeared by defeating ‘Celestial Man of the Cang Hai Sword’.”

“One battle to fame, straight to the fifth position on the Man Ranking, this must be a record, and he’s only nineteen years old.”

“You don’t know? Zhou Yin is no ordinary person. There is no Man Ranking in Southern Jin, but they have something similar called the Dragon Tiger Ranking, and he’s the second on it.”

“Zhou Yin comes from the Zhou family of Lu Yang, which has a deeper heritage than the Cui family from Fengzhou, where ‘Celestial Man of the Cang Hai Sword’ Cui Guanlan hails from.”

“Alas, we people of Da Qi are being outdone by someone from Southern Jin; it’s a loss of face.”

Hearing these discussions, Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen exchanged glances, both surprised in each other’s eyes. The rumor they had been discussing earlier turned out to be true.

Cui Guanlan had indeed been defeated by Zhou Yin, and they had already arrived at the Imperial City, having already crossed swords in secret.

This Zhou Yin was rumored to be the reincarnation of a saint, truly extraordinary, his strength not to be underestimated.

However, what exactly happened?

Both tried to move forward, wanting to read the specific description on the Man Ranking.

At this point, the topic of discussion among the people in front of them changed again.

“However, if we’re talking about the biggest change this time, it’s another Zhou, right?”

“Right, Zhou Heng, he’s too amazing, I almost doubt the authenticity of his achievements.”

“It’s outrageous, straight to the second position on the Man Ranking.”

“The most outrageous part is the record of his fights, look at that. If it wasn’t written on the Man Ranking, sanctioned by the Divine Martial Authority, I wouldn’t believe it.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen were both stunned, and they couldn’t help but wonder.

There’s another junior uncle?

Especially for Cheng Jianjian.

She had just parted ways with Zhou Heng not long ago.

What did Zhou Heng do?

To actually ascend to the second position on the Man Ranking!