A cold, almost imperceptible glint flashed in Chu Feng’s eyes at the thought.

He would never allow someone he held a grudge against, a person with such immense potential, to develop unchecked.

’It seems I’ve been far too ’lenient’ until now.’

Chu Feng’s voice was as placid as ever, but it carried a chilling frost.

"This disciple has a rebellious nature. If we let him grow powerful, I fear it will be no blessing for the Sect."

Song Xiang’s heart shuddered. He knew Chu Feng was truly enraged and quickly said, "Senior Brother is absolutely right. We must make plans early and not let him continue to develop so smoothly."

Chu Feng nodded slightly and mused aloud.

"Suppressing him must be done at the right time. We can’t give anyone leverage, especially not that old geezer Elder Chen Xuan... The urgent matter now is to monitor his movements."

He looked at Song Xiang and ordered.

"Have the people you arranged keep a close eye on him. His daily cultivation routine, who he interacts with, whether he’ll be taking on any Sect missions soon... I want to know all of it."

"Yes, Senior Brother! I have already given the orders. I will ensure we watch Fang Han’s every move," Song Xiang quickly promised.

"Mm." Chu Feng waved his hand. "Go. Report back immediately if there’s any news."

"I’ll take my leave, then." Song Xiang bowed and exited the study.

...

「The fifteenth of the first month. The first day after the holiday break.」

Inside the great hall of the Inheritance Hall. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The disciples took their seats in their usual order, but many couldn’t help but let their gazes drift toward the calm, cyan-robed figure near the front—Fang Han.

Yesterday, Fang Han had surpassed Yun Qianyue to become the new number one in the Sub-Branch, which had completely shocked them.

Even now, traces of that shock remained.

Steward Wu Hao stood at the front of the hall, his expression as stern as ever, and began calling names from the register for disciples to come forward and receive their monthly benefits and ranking rewards.

"First place, Fang Han."

When this name was clearly announced, a momentary silence fell over the hall, as if the very air had frozen for an instant.

Countless gazes instantly focused on him, a mixture of shock, awe, and curiosity... All these emotions converged on Fang Han as he slowly rose to his feet.

Fang Han’s expression was calm, as if he had done nothing more than a trivial, insignificant thing, and he walked to the front with steady steps.

"Congratulations on reaching first place in the Sub-Branch."

Steward Wu Hao took Fang Han’s Identity Jade Token and swiped it over an inkstone-like device, which flashed with a faint light.

As he handed it back to Fang Han, his perpetually stern face seemed to soften by an almost imperceptible degree, and a flash of admiration crossed the depths of his eyes.

"But don’t get arrogant or impatient. The overall ranking of the Twelve Courtyards should be your next goal."

"Thank you for your guidance, Steward. I will remember it."

Fang Han received the Jade Token with both hands, bowed, and stepped back.

He channeled a bit of Inner Qi, and a glance at his Jade Token showed the number had changed from "160" to "490."

The basic monthly benefit was 30 points, and the reward for first place was 300 points, for a total income of 330 points.

’490 points...’

It wasn’t a small amount of Contribution Points, but compared to the at least one thousand points needed to exchange for even the most ordinary Top Grade Sword Technique, there was still a shortfall of more than five hundred points.

And he also needed to set aside some Contribution Points to buy the Elixirs required for his monthly cultivation.

’Looks like I have to earn Contribution Points as quickly as possible,’ he thought to himself.

It would be best if he could do missions and gather a thousand Contribution Points before he perfected his Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship.

If time was tight, he might have to borrow some from someone he knew to avoid delaying his future cultivation.

After the rewards had been distributed to all the disciples, Elder Chen Xuan slowly walked forward, his gaze sweeping across the entire hall.

He didn’t begin the lesson immediately, but instead said in a deep voice.

"The festival has passed, and a new year has begun. It has been nearly a year since your entry."

"The path of the Martial Dao is like rowing a boat upstream; if you don’t advance, you fall back. I hope you will all cultivate diligently without pause. Do not waste your time. Make a name for yourselves on the overall list as soon as possible and bolster the prestige of our Sub-Branch!"

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a power that chilled the heart and reached every disciple’s ear.

"We will follow the Elder’s teachings!" all the disciples responded in unison.

"All of you, follow me!"

Elder Chen Xuan nodded slightly, then turned and, to everyone’s surprise, led the way out of the hall.

The stewards followed closely behind.

The disciples looked at each other, all somewhat confused. Where was the Elder taking them?

But no one dared to ask. They could only rise with their doubts, follow behind the stewards, and walk out of the Inheritance Hall.

The group passed through the familiar bluestone paths of the Sub-Branch, but they didn’t head towards any of the halls. Instead, they walked toward the area outside the Sub-Branch.

"Where is the Elder taking us?" a disciple couldn’t help but whisper to his companion.

"I don’t know either..."

"Could he be taking us to the Twelve Courtyards’ overall list?"

"It looks like it from the direction... I heard that according to past custom, after a full year of entry, our rankings are merged into the Twelve Courtyards’ overall list..."

Within the group, some of the more well-informed or perceptive disciples quietly exchanged their thoughts, their voices tinged with irrepressible excitement and curiosity.

Fang Han walked side-by-side with Xiao Chen, who whispered, "Looks like we’re going to the Overall Martial Arts Stele."

A flicker of understanding crossed Fang Han’s eyes, and he nodded.

He had also heard about this.

In the Qingxuan Sect’s Twelve Courtyards, new disciples are only ranked within their own courtyard for the first year. Starting from the second year, they are all integrated into the overall list to compete with disciples from all Twelve Courtyards.

The overall ranking not only concerned one’s reputation but was also related to the distribution of higher-level resources and the degree of importance the Sect placed on you.

After walking for about a quarter of an hour, the crowd arrived at an enormous, wide-open plaza.

The plaza was paved with single slabs of White Jade Stone, the ground so polished it reflected like a mirror. Its vastness was far beyond what the Sub-Branch’s plaza could compare to.

In the center of the plaza stood a behemoth!

It was a gigantic stone stele, over a hundred feet tall, its entire body a pure, white jade color.

Densely packed upon the stele’s surface were countless names, stretching from top to bottom, numbering well over a thousand!

In front of each name was a number representing its rank.

This was the Overall Martial Arts Stele, shared by all Twelve Courtyards of the Qingxuan Sect!

Elder Chen Xuan turned to face the disciples and announced in a clear voice.

"This is the location of the Overall Martial Arts Stele."

"From this day forward, your rankings will be entered onto this overall list. You will compete with all disciples from the Twelve Courtyards. Those who rank in the top one hundred will receive an additional monthly reward from the Sect."

His gaze swept over the crowd, pausing for a moment on a few individuals, particularly Fang Han, Yun Qianyue, and Li Feng.

"Now, step forward according to your Sub-Branch ranking, test your strength, and leave your name on this stele!"

Everyone’s gaze simultaneously turned to Fang Han, wanting to see what rank he could achieve on his first time on the list.

Fang Han took a deep breath and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, walked with steady steps toward the massive Overall Martial Arts Stele.

Fang Han’s gaze swept over the face of the stele.

The names at the top were, without a doubt, the senior brothers and sisters who were ranked on the Celestial Pride List.

Chu Feng, with whom he had a terrible relationship, was ranked ninth.

Fang Han’s eyes narrowed slightly before he regained his composure.

He raised his hand and, in a blank area at the bottom of the stele, neatly wrote his name—Fang Han.

Once written, the characters flickered faintly before sinking into the stele, as if devoured and absorbed by the stone.

The next moment, he took several steps back, focusing his mind and calming his breath.

"SHIING!"

The Cyan Blade Sword was unsheathed!

The full power of his Seventh Grade Inner Qi Realm cultivation erupted without reservation, and vast Inner Qi poured into the sword’s blade.

He unleashed his Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship, which was at the Great Success Level and approaching Perfection. The Sword Momentum stirred the air, causing it to issue a low whine.

His figure blurred, transforming into a faint cyan afterimage. The light from his sword was like a flash of lightning tearing through the sky as he fiercely struck at the massive stele’s face!

"BOOOM—!!!"

A deep rumble exploded as the Overall Martial Arts Stele radiated light.

Violent ripples spread across the stele’s surface, like a deep pool into which a huge boulder had been thrown.

Fang Han’s name suddenly lit up, and the number representing his rank began to jump wildly!

The ranks in the hundreds flashed by, the speed not slowing in the slightest.

Seven hundred, five hundred, three hundred...

The numbers jumped so fast it was dazzling, drawing a continuous stream of suppressed gasps from the watching Sub-Branch disciples.

Finally, under countless nervous gazes, the jumping number abruptly froze—

One hundred and nineteen!

The light gradually faded, and Fang Han’s name remained at the 119th position on the overall list!

"One hundred and nineteen?!"

"He shot straight to 119th on his first time taking the overall list test! This..."

On his very first test for the overall list, he had charged directly into the top 120, not far from the top 100 who could receive monthly Sect rewards!

The entire plaza was dead silent for an instant, then erupted in a massive uproar!

The faces of the Sub-Branch disciples were filled with shock.

Xiao Chen pumped his fist fiercely, his excitement plain to see.

Above Yun Qianyue’s purple veil, the pupils of her bright eyes contracted slightly, and the fingers hidden in her sleeves unconsciously curled tight.

Li Feng stood with his saber cradled in his arms, his gaze as sharp as a hawk’s. He stared intently at the rank, the muscles on his cold face tensed.

Elder Chen Xuan’s hand, which was stroking his beard, paused for a moment. An irrepressible look of surprise and satisfaction erupted in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth uncontrollably curled up into a slight smile.

To reach such a height on his first test, only a dozen or so ranks away from the top 100 who could receive extra rewards—this far exceeded his best expectations!

Fang Han slowly sheathed his sword, his breathing steady.

He glanced up at the number "119" on the stele’s face, then his gaze moved higher, sweeping over the name ranked ninth. His expression was as calm as still water, showing no trace of complacency. Instead, it held an even deeper gravity.

’Even though my rank on the overall list is quite high now, the gap between me and my enemy, Chu Feng, is still enormous.’

’This is no time for complacency!’

Elder Chen Xuan’s gaze swept over the crowd and finally rested on Yun Qianyue, to whom he gave a slight nod.

Yun Qianyue’s purple veil fluttered as she slowly stepped forward.

Her posture was elegant and her steps composed. Arriving before the stele, she extended a slender, jade-like finger and neatly wrote her name in the blank space at the bottom of the white surface.

The characters were cool and sharp, just like her.

After writing, she took a few steps back. She didn’t immediately draw her sword, but instead closed her eyes slightly, as if regulating her breath and focusing her spirit.

A few breaths later, her eyes snapped open, and it was as if cold stars had suddenly appeared within them.

"SHIING—!"

Her longsword left its sheath. The blade shimmered with a luster like autumn water, and the temperature of the surrounding air seemed to drop a few degrees.

With a flick of her wrist, the sword’s light unfurled. It wasn’t swift and ferocious, but carried a Realm of smooth, fluid, and natural grace.

As the Sword Techniques flowed, a faint mist seemed to rise and swirl around the blade, refracting a subtle, rainbow-colored halo that was both beautiful and deadly.

It was, shockingly, her Middle Grade Sword Technique which had already reached the Realm of Perfection!

"CHSS!"

The tip of her sword tapped the stele’s face, letting out a crisp and focused sound.

The Overall Martial Arts Stele lit up once more, ripples spreading across its surface.

The number before Yun Qianyue’s name began to flash rapidly before slowly settling—

Two hundred and one!

Seeing this rank, a wave of low discussion rose from the crowd.

"201st place! She’s only one rank away from the top two hundred!"

"To charge into this rank on her first time on the list... in any of the past few years, that would be an absolutely top-level achievement. It’s sure to attract a lot of attention!"

"A pity that there’s an even bigger monster like Fang Han, who on his first try is already not far from the top one hundred!"