Chapter 183: Chapter 182: Middle Stage of Seventh Grade, 95th on the Overall Ranking

Just a short while later—

CRACK!

A crisp cracking sound echoed from deep within his body!

The bottleneck to the Middle Stage of the Seventh Grade was broken!

The immense Inner Qi that had been building up for so long instantly shattered all obstacles, pouring wildly into the newly opened Fengshi Acupoint with unprecedented exuberance.

In that instant, the aura around Fang Han surged dramatically!

Qi Sea, Guanyuan, Mingmen, Central Mansion, Weijing, Shenshu, Laogong, and Fengshi—eight acupoints were now fully connected, forming a more complex and vast circulatory system for his Inner Qi.

The speed and volume of his Inner Qi increased sharply. It grew deeper and more refined in color, and the sense of power it generated as it flowed far surpassed that of the Early Stage of the Seventh Grade.

And with the opening of the Fengshi Acupoint, a new Divine Treasure ability was unlocked—"Light as a Feather"!

Fang Han felt a faint warmth spread through his body as an indescribable lightness seeped into his bones and fascia. It was as if an invisible weight had been lifted, or as if he had been infused with the Spiritual Energy of the wind.

He moved slightly, subconsciously, and felt as if his body had become several pounds lighter. His control over his own body had reached a whole new level.

Unlocking this Divine Treasure would significantly enhance a Martial Artist’s agility and explosive power, especially beneficial for leaping, dodging, and bursts of speed.

Combined with his Great Success Level Wind Shadow Step, this would undoubtedly take his Body Technique to the next level.

’Middle Stage of the Seventh Grade... I made it!’

Fang Han slowly opened his eyes. A sharp glint of light flashed in their depths before quickly disappearing.

He gently clenched his fist, feeling the increasingly vast and surging Inner Qi within him, as well as the unprecedented lightness of his body. A slight smile curved his lips.

On the last day of the month, he had successfully broken through to the Middle Stage of the Seventh Grade, his strength taking another step forward.

’Perfect timing!’

Fang Han took a deep breath, suppressing the joy of his breakthrough.

Today was the last day of the month. He had to complete the test today and raise his rank into the top one hundred to be eligible for tomorrow’s rewards.

Without further delay, he grabbed his Cyan Blade Sword, pushed open the door, and shot off like a pale cyan gust of wind, speeding toward the plaza where the Overall Martial Arts Stele was located.

As he executed his Great Success Level Wind Shadow Step, his speed was far greater than before, leaving only a faint afterimage and the whisper of wind in his wake.

Qingxuan Sect, Overall Martial Arts Stele Plaza.

The morning sun carried a hint of warmth, casting its light on the mirror-smooth White Jade Floor.

The massive Martial Arts Stele stood in the center of the plaza, its surface covered with over a thousand quietly ranked names, a silent testament to competition and hierarchy.

Because it was the last day of the month, the plaza was much livelier than usual.

Many disciples had gathered here, wanting to make a final push at the end of the month to improve their rankings on the overall list.

The sounds of conversation, the clash of Qi Force, and the dull hum of the Martial Arts Stele being struck were incessant.

’I wonder how high my rank will go.’

Dressed in a blue Disciple’s Robe, Fang Han strode calmly across the plaza and got in line before the Martial Arts Stele.

His gaze swept over the stele’s surface, finally resting on his own name at rank 105.

Having broken through to the Middle Stage of the Seventh Grade, his strength had greatly increased, and he was confident his rank would definitely enter the top one hundred.

He just didn’t know how high his final rank would be.

There were many disciples waiting in line, but Fang Han wasn’t impatient. He stood quietly to the side with his eyes slightly closed, secretly regulating his breathing to fully stabilize his newly achieved Middle Stage Seventh Grade Cultivation, his aura becoming as solid as a mountain.

About half an hour later, it was finally his turn.

Fang Han stepped forward slowly, stopping about ten feet from the massive stele.

Some of the disciples who hadn’t left yet cast curious and appraising glances his way.

Most who came to test at this time were those who had improved their strength and intended to challenge for a higher rank.

Watching other disciples compete for rankings was also a source of entertainment and gossip.

SHING!

Without any unnecessary movements, Fang Han took a deep breath, a sharp glint of light flashing in his eyes before vanishing.

The Cyan Blade Sword flew from its sheath, its body shimmering with a pale cyan luster. The immense Inner Qi of a Middle Stage Seventh Grade cultivator surged from his eight acupoints and was poured into the blade without reservation.

At the same time, the Heart Method of the Perfection Level Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship began to circulate naturally, and his complete comprehension of Wind Momentum was instantly raised to its peak.

BZZZZ—

The sword’s blade trembled lightly, emitting a strange resonance.

Within a radius of several dozen feet around Fang Han, the airflow seemed to answer the call of an unseen king, crazily converging on and compressing around the longsword in his hand!

The air around the blade became highly distorted, even forming two visible, semi-transparent, pale cyan blades of air. Their edges were sharp, and they emitted a low, dangerous hiss.

The Perfection Sword Momentum and the Middle Stage Seventh Grade Inner Qi merged perfectly, creating a sense of pressure that far exceeded his test a few days ago.

WHOOSH!

With a flick of his wrist, Fang Han’s Cyan Blade Sword transformed into a streak of cyan lightning that tore through the sky, its speed surpassing the limits of visual perception.

Carrying a terrifying intent to pierce everything and tear all things asunder, it struck brazenly at the smooth face of the Martial Arts Stele!

This strike was no simple thrust. The trajectory of the sword light carried a perfect, effortless rhythm, as if it had merged with the path of the wind—unpredictable and mysterious, yet condensing power to its absolute peak.

TSSS—BOOM!!

The moment the sword tip touched the stele’s surface, there was first an extremely piercing sound, immediately followed by an explosive boom like a clap of thunder!

The Overall Martial Arts Stele shone with an exceptionally bright light. Its surface trembled violently as ripple-like waves of energy spread out with unprecedented magnitude, as if the entire massive stele was shuddering and groaning.

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

One hundred and five... one hundred... ninety-eight... ninety-six...

The numbers jumped at a dizzying speed, breaking through the top one hundred barrier in an instant!

Finally, under the gazes of countless shocked, stunned, and disbelieving eyes, the jumping number abruptly froze—

Ninety-five!

The light gradually faded, and the Martial Arts Stele returned to its calm state.

Not only had Fang Han’s name forcibly knocked the disciple at rank one hundred out of the top echelon, but it had also continued to climb, settling at the ninety-fifth position.

The entire plaza fell into a strange, deathly silence.

You could hear a pin drop.

Everyone stared fixedly at the newly updated ranking on the stele, their faces etched with utter shock.

Those ranked in the top one hundred were all the cream of the crop among the disciples of the Twelve Courtyards. Every single one of them was powerful and had a profound foundation.

Shaking their rankings was extremely difficult; the top one hundred had not seen any changes for some time.

But today, an unfamiliar name had not only brazenly stormed into the top one hundred, but it hadn’t landed at the bottom either. It had shot straight to ninety-fifth place in one go!

This was like dropping a giant boulder into a calm lake!

"Ninety-fifth... Fang Han? Who is this Fang Han?!"

"He shot straight to ninety-fifth! Heavens, which courtyard’s hidden expert is this?"

"He looks young... Could he be a disciple who just joined last year? No way!"

Following the dead silence, a wave of noise erupted. The sounds of discussion, gasps of astonishment, and sharp intakes of breath mingled together as everyone’s gaze focused on Fang Han, who stood calmly with his sword sheathed.

After the shock came intense curiosity.

Many began to ask around, trying to find out just who this suddenly risen "Fang Han" was.

Soon, some well-informed individuals, or those who recognized Fang Han, began to spread the news in low voices.

"He’s a disciple from the Sub-Branch! He only joined last year!"

"What? A disciple for only a year?! He reached the Middle Stage of the Seventh Grade in just over a year? And he broke into the top one hundred on the overall list?"

"A monster... He’s an absolute monster!"

However, when news spread that Fang Han was on bad terms with Chu Feng, a True Inheritor on the Celestial Pride List, the fiery atmosphere in the plaza was doused as if with a basin of cold water, cooling rapidly.

The expressions of those disciples who had been thinking of befriending him, or even approaching him to talk, instantly became quite a sight to behold.

Surprise, pity, apprehension, and withdrawal... all sorts of emotions flickered across their faces.

"To think he actually offended Senior Brother Chu Feng..."

"What a pity. With such talent, if only he could have made friends..."

"Forget it, forget it. Senior Brother Chu Feng is on the Celestial Pride List and has a boundless future. Offending him for this is not worth the price."

"Let’s go, let’s go. This is a place of trouble."

Amidst the low murmurs, the surrounding crowd unconsciously spread out a little. People exchanged knowing glances, and when they looked at Fang Han again, the eagerness in their eyes was gone, replaced by a deliberate distance and the indifference of self-preservation.

A disciple in the top one hundred was certainly worth befriending, but the risk of offending a deep-rooted True Inheritor Senior Brother from the Celestial Pride List far outweighed the potential benefits.

It was a calculation most of those present made in an instant.

’Ninety-fifth place!’

Fang Han took in the surrounding reactions, his expression devoid of joy or sorrow, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

He looked up, his calm gaze fixed on the number "ninety-five" on the stele. Deep in his eyes, a faint trace of satisfaction flickered past.

Ninety-fifth place. Not only had he successfully entered the top one hundred, but he wasn’t just scraping by at the bottom. This rank was slightly better than he had expected.

’Tomorrow is the day the Contribution Points are distributed...’

Anticipation grew in Fang Han’s heart.

Everyone in the top one hundred on the overall list received a reward. The one hundredth place got five hundred Contribution Points. He wondered how many Contribution Points ninety-fifth place would receive.

As for the Contribution Points needed to exchange for a Top Grade Sword Technique, this would surely be enough.

He didn’t linger in the plaza. Sheathing his sword, he turned and parted the crowd, walking away with a steady gait, completely unconcerned by the surrounding gossip and stares.

His figure, seen from behind, appeared tall and solitary in the sunlight.

...

Sub-Branch, the Dean’s study.

Elder Chen Xuan held a newly delivered report in his hand, which clearly recorded the news of Fang Han’s test at the Overall Martial Arts Stele and his rank rising to ninety-fifth.

He stood stroking his beard by the window, gazing at the deepening twilight outside, a pleased and gratified smile spreading uncontrollably across his face.

"Good! Good lad! You truly haven’t disappointed me!"

He murmured to himself, his eyes filled with admiration.

He had long expected that Fang Han would break into the top one hundred on the overall list. With the terrifying Talent Fang Han had shown, it was practically a certainty.

But he had never expected this day to come so quickly!

From rank one hundred nineteen on his first test to ninety-five now, only half a month had passed!

In half a month, he had jumped twenty-four places, a leap that included crossing the great threshold into the top one hundred.

Such a rate of progress was simply unheard-of.

"Middle Stage of the Seventh Grade, Sword Technique Perfection... This boy has once again exceeded my expectations."

Elder Chen Xuan murmured, the importance he placed on Fang Han rising yet another level in his mind.

With a disciple like this, how could the Sub-Branch not prosper? How could the Qingxuan Sect not grow strong?

It was as if he could already see a new star slowly rising within the Qingxuan Sect, its light destined to illuminate the entire Qingyang County!