Chapter 252 - 132: Top of the Hero Ranking

Instructor Hall.

Chen Xuanfeng was perusing a volume of Ancient Texts. He glanced up at them, his gaze lingering on Liang Cheng for a moment. Liang Cheng nodded.

Chen Xuanfeng smiled and said, "Your foundation is sound, and you’ve made some progress. Go on. The last monthly competition before the end of the year is approaching. Liang Cheng, you must not slack off."

"Yes."

Liang Cheng accepted the order respectfully.

The corners of Ye Zhiqiu’s mouth turned up. Now that he had entered the True Gang Realm, he no longer needed to participate in the monthly competitions and was automatically removed from the Hero Ranking.

"Zhiqiu!"

"Here!"

Ye Zhiqiu responded at once.

"You need to properly consolidate your cultivation. Now that you’re in the True Gang Realm, you should aim for a higher rank on the Dragon and Phoenix List. Don’t bring shame upon me."

Ye Zhiqiu’s head drooped, and he answered listlessly.

"Yes, Master."

Afterward, the two took their leave and went their separate ways.

After returning to his private courtyard, Liang Cheng retrieved an iron box containing the cowhide paper from a secret hiding place.

He pieced together the new fragment from Fu Chenzhou with the old cowhide paper. The map’s outline grew, its lines extending, but the key parts were still missing, shrouded in mystery.

’Still not enough.’

Liang Cheng studied it for a long while before shaking his head and carefully putting it away again.

’Since I have no leads, I’ll set it aside for now.’

A few days later, a piece of news reached the Main Courtyard through the alliance’s channels.

Fu Chenzhou, the Vice City Lord of Cyan Mist City, had mysteriously vanished from his residence. No traces could be found at the scene, and it had already become a cold case.

When the news reached Liang Cheng, he was practicing with his saber in the courtyard.

The cold gleam of his saber split the air.

The Saber Momentum in his hands didn’t falter in the slightest, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

A few more days passed. New notices were posted on the bulletin boards throughout the Main Courtyard, and the atmosphere among the Disciples quietly grew heated.

"The last monthly competition before the end of the year will be held in three days!"

"Senior Brother Liang broke into the top fifty in one go last time, but then he was absent for a few months. I wonder what will happen this time..."

Liang Cheng received the news and sat down on a stone bench in his courtyard, pouring himself a bowl of fresh water.

’The monthly competition...’

’I must advance further!’

’After all, my rank determines my benefits. How could I not compete?’

For some time after that, he no longer went out, focusing solely on his Cultivation. He completely stabilized the Third Layer of his Broken Wave Technique at the Great Success Realm, and the True Essence within his body became full and surging.

「The monthly competition arrived as scheduled.」

The Martial Arts Arena was abuzz with a clamoring crowd.

Xiao Qingxue, dressed in white like the snow, was the first to step onto the stage.

This time, she challenged a veteran Disciple ranked thirty-fifth on the Hero Ranking.

As her sword flashed, a biting chill emanated from it. Her Sword Intent was condensed and pure.

In just over thirty moves, she shattered her opponent’s defense with an exquisite, frost-based technique, then lightly tapped his chest with her sword tip for a clean and decisive victory.

Her rank shot up directly to thirty-fifth, drawing a wave of astonished gasps.

"It seems Junior Sister Xiao gained a great deal from her trip to Bibo City. Her Sword Intent has reached a new level."

People in the crowd discussed in low voices.

Immediately after, Qin Wentian also issued a challenge.

His Sword Qi was like a rainbow, pressing ever forward. After a bitter fight of nearly sixty moves, he finally defeated the opponent ranked forty-second, successfully claiming a spot in the top forty-two.

However, as he gazed at Xiao Qingxue’s cold, distant back, Qin Wentian’s grip on his sword tightened, and the fighting spirit in his eyes burned even brighter.

’It seems the tempering that comes from life-and-death situations is truly extraordinary. Should I also accept a mission from the Main Courtyard and venture out to seek my own opportunities?’

Their spectacular performances pushed the atmosphere in the arena to a fever pitch.

Following this, many other Disciples were eager to try their hand, challenging those ranked ahead of them.

Finally, when the Steward announced the start of the next round of challenges, Liang Cheng opened his eyes.

He didn’t look at the middle of the rankings. His gaze fell directly on the very top, on the name that currently held the number one spot on the Hero Ranking: Li Zhan.

Li Zhan came from a Martial Dao Family and was renowned for his fierce attacks and ferocious fighting style. He was one of the most outstanding experts at the True Essence Realm Peak and had held the top spot for nearly two years.

It was only Ye Zhiqiu’s recent, unexpected breakthrough to the True Gang Realm that had surpassed him, catching everyone by surprise.

Just then, Liang Cheng rose. Under the focused gaze of countless eyes, he walked step by step onto the central main arena platform.

"Disciple Liang Cheng challenges... Senior Brother Li Zhan!"

His voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried clearly throughout the entire arena.

The boisterous Martial Arts Arena fell silent for an instant, then erupted with an even greater roar!

"He’s challenging Senior Brother Li Zhan directly?!"

"He missed the last few monthly competitions while he was in seclusion, and he just got back from Bibo City, right? Senior Brother Li is recognized as the Disciple closest to reaching the True Gang Realm!"

"This is going to be a great show!"

An imposing figure, built like an iron pagoda, landed on the platform with a THUD. It was none other than Li Zhan.

His features were rugged and his eyes blazed like torches. Staring at Liang Cheng, he spoke in a voice that boomed like a great bell, "Liang Cheng? I heard you performed quite well in Bibo City, but this is the Main Courtyard’s arena. I’ll give you another chance!"

"Please enlighten me, Senior Brother."

Liang Cheng replied calmly, the Zhenxian Saber already in his hand.

"Enlighten me? I’ll show you what a true gap in power looks like!"

Li Zhan gave a savage sneer. Wasting no more words, the bluestone paving beneath his feet shattered as he shot forward like a cannonball!

He used no Weapons; his iron fists were his greatest assets. The wind from his punch was fierce and violent, letting out a sharp shriek as it tore through the air, aimed straight at Liang Cheng’s face.

Before the fist even arrived, the scorching, ferocious power at its forefront—a burst of True Essence—was already blasting toward his face!

Liang Cheng neither dodged nor evaded. With a mere thought, a faint golden shield—his Mixed Element Gang Body—instantly materialized around him.

CLANG!!!

Li Zhan’s iron fists slammed squarely into the Gang Shield, producing a deafening boom like the striking of a great bell!

The Protective Gang Shield of his Mixed Element Gang Body shuddered violently, golden ripples flowing frantically across its surface. It appeared unstable, but it tenaciously withstood the mountain-shattering, stone-splitting punch.

Li Zhan’s pupils contracted.

’That punch was enough to shatter the Protective Gang Qi of an ordinary cultivator at the True Essence Late Stage Realm, yet his opponent’s Gang Shield merely rippled?’

"Not bad! Now, take ten more of my fists!"