Chapter 254 - 132: Top of the Hero Ranking

Liang Cheng slowly let out a long breath. He glanced at Chen Xuanfeng on the high platform, then turned and stepped off the stage.

First on the Hero Ranking. Secured.

"Are there any other challengers?"

The crowd below was silent.

In a corner, Fu Qingyun nearly ground his teeth to dust, his eyes filled with jealousy as he stared fixedly at Liang Cheng. When Liang Cheng seemed to sense his gaze and looked over, Fu Qingyun quickly lowered his head.

Seeing that no one else was coming forward to challenge, the Main Courtyard Steward swept his gaze over the many disciples below and began to announce the results of the competition and their respective rewards.

Finally, his gaze landed on the tall, straight figure of Liang Cheng, and he announced in a loud voice:

"Disciple Liang Cheng, in this mid-month competition, you have outmatched your peers to claim the top position on the Hero Ranking."

"In accordance with the Main Courtyard’s regulations, you will enjoy the following benefits—"

"One, your monthly stipend of Contribution Points will be increased to five thousand."

"Two, you will receive three bottles of Earth Spirit Pills and ten portions of Essence Quenching Liquid."

With each item announced, a low murmur of amazement rose from the crowd. These resources were enough to make any True Essence Realm disciple’s eyes burn with envy.

The gray-robed Steward paused briefly, then raised his voice. "Three, for reaching the top of the Hero Ranking for the first time, you are granted the privilege of cultivating in the Profound Spirit Secret Realm for a period of one month!"

"The Profound Spirit Secret Realm?"

Liang Cheng was a bit surprised to hear this. Chen Xuanfeng hadn’t mentioned any of this before. Just then, Ye Zhiqiu came to his side.

"The Profound Spirit Secret Realm has a massive Array carved into it. The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi inside is frighteningly dense—several times thicker than in the outside world!"

"I didn’t mention it before because I never thought you’d actually take first place. Little Junior Brother, you have to seize this chance. One month inside is probably equivalent to half a year of hard cultivation outside. This is a massive opportunity!"

At this, Ye Zhiqiu sighed.

"But I never got to experience it myself. I broke through to the True Gang Realm before I had the chance, so I don’t qualify for this kind of reward anymore. After you’ve experienced it, you have to tell me what it’s like."

Liang Cheng nodded slightly at his words. Then, with a calm expression, he bowed to the Steward. "This disciple accepts. Thank you for the Main Courtyard’s generous gift."

"I hope you will cherish this opportunity, cultivate diligently without pause, and not disappoint the Main Courtyard’s investment in you."

With that, the gray-robed Steward handed Liang Cheng a Token that faintly glowed with a silver light.

"In three days, bring this Token to the entrance of the Profound Spirit Secret Realm in the back mountains. The Array Guardian Elder will be there to receive you and let you in."

"Yes."

***

「Instructor Hall.」

Chen Xuanfeng couldn’t have been more satisfied with Liang Cheng’s performance.

"Your Mountain-Breaking Saber has reached the Minor Success Realm?"

Liang Cheng nodded.

Chen Xuanfeng could no longer hold back and burst out laughing.

"Good! Your talent is truly monstrous. You have a firm disposition, so I, your master, won’t say much more. Adjust your condition. The Profound Spirit Secret Realm... I hope it will have a pleasant surprise for you."

Liang Cheng nodded in understanding, then took his leave. He returned to Building C-42, sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing, and strove to reach his peak condition.

「Three days later. Morning.」

Following the instructions, Liang Cheng arrived deep in the back mountains of the Main Courtyard.

Here, Cloud Mist swirled around ancient, towering trees. Ordinary disciples were forbidden from entering without permission.

Liang Cheng passed through a stretch of forest that felt like a Maze Array. The view suddenly opened up, revealing the entrance to a valley shrouded in a faint curtain of light.

An old man in simple cloth robes with a white beard and hair sat cross-legged at the valley entrance, seeming to blend in with the surrounding rocks. Liang Cheng stepped forward and respectfully presented the Silver Token.

The old man didn’t even raise his eyelids. He extended a withered finger and tapped lightly on the curtain of light.

HUMMM—

The curtain of light rippled like water, and an opening just large enough for one person to pass through appeared. Pure, dense Spiritual Qi rushed out from the gap, invigorating Liang Cheng’s spirit.

"The term is one month. You will automatically be sent out when the time is up. During this period, you are not to harm a single blade of grass or tree in the Secret Realm. You are not to enter the core restricted area. Violators will be severely punished."

The old man’s voice was flat.

"This disciple understands."

Liang Cheng took a deep breath and stepped into the curtain of light.

The scene before him changed.

Inside the valley, the sky was a clear, deep blue. Most astonishing of all was the Spiritual Qi that filled the air. It was so dense it had almost materialized into a tangible, pale white mist that flowed slowly.

With every breath Liang Cheng took, he could feel a cool, pure energy surging through his limbs and bones.

A few simple stone houses were scattered throughout the valley.

Liang Cheng looked around. The stone houses were all much the same, so he chose one. The furnishings inside were simple, consisting of only a cattail mat, but it was exceptionally clean.

He set down his belongings, calmed his mind, and sat cross-legged on the cattail mat. Then, he began to circulate the Broken Wave Technique.

The moment he activated the Cultivation Technique, the dense, almost liquid Spiritual Qi in the surroundings seemed to be drawn to him, frantically gathering around his body.

The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, which normally required slow Refining in the outside world, was now being absorbed and converted with effortless ease, as if it were water flowing into a channel. The efficiency had increased by severalfold!

Coupled with the Crossing the Sea True Intent Fragment he possessed, his Cultivation now felt like a fish in water.

’What an incredibly potent cultivation environment!’

Liang Cheng was utterly shaken.

’No wonder the Main Courtyard disciples care so much about their rank on the Hero Ranking. A single day of cultivation here is probably truly equivalent to several days of hard work outside.’

’If I hadn’t fought with all my might on the stage, defeated Li Zhan, and seized this top position, how could I have ever gotten such an opportunity?’

’The Main Courtyard’s resources are abundant, but they are only given to the strongest and most talented disciples.’

’The path of the Martial Dao is truly like rowing a boat upstream; if you don’t advance, you fall behind.’

’Resources, opportunities... you have to fight for them, seize them for yourself!’

As this thought arose, the already firm martial heart within him grew even more fiery, even more distinct.

’Fight!’

’Fight against my peers, fight for a place on the rankings, fight against heaven and earth!’

’Only by fighting for more resources and climbing to a higher position can I touch a stronger Martial Dao!’

He gathered his thoughts and wasted no more of this precious time.

He activated the Mixed Element Gang Body and the Broken Wave Technique simultaneously. One tempered his physique and Gang Qi, while the other condensed the tides of his True Essence.

A faint golden luster emerged on the surface of his skin, shimmering in concert with the milky-white Spiritual Mist around him.

His internal True Essence flowed ceaselessly like the Yangtze River. With every completed Circulation, he could feel a distinct increase in its power.

When he was hungry, he ate the dry rations he had brought. When he was thirsty, he drank from the clear, sweet Spiritual Spring outside the stone house.

Aside from necessary rest, he poured all of his time into Cultivation.

Time flew by as he was lost in his single-minded Cultivation.