Daqian Martial Saint

”Ping’an...”

Mu Wanjun gently set the booklet down. Her beautiful eyes, clear as autumn pools, slowly closed. Her lashes trembled, casting faint shadows upon her eyelids.

As she recalled the Rising Star Chart she had just been perusing, Mu Wanjun’s heart trembled, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

Just a short while ago, she was still worried about the review of Chen Ping’an’s appointment. Now, not only had the matter of the review suddenly vanished into thin air, but the Rising Star Chart had also been updated. Chen Ping’an’s rank had skyrocketed to fifth, placing him among the prodigies of Canglong!

Such talent, even across the whole of Canglong State, was among the absolute elite!

The young man she met beneath the moon in Jiming Lane had, without her even realizing it, grown to such heights.

She still remembered him vividly—a young man so humble and polite, neither servile nor overbearing. Who could have known, at their first meeting, that he would one day reach such a point? The naive little sprout had finally become a towering tree, its canopy blotting out the sky!

...

Within Weishui County City, the discussions surrounding Chen Ping’an hadn’t died down. In fact, they were only growing more intense.

The Rising Star Chart was updated simultaneously across the entire Canglong State. Compared to the fervor in Weishui County City, the name ”Mang Blade Chen Ping’an” generated somewhat less buzz in the other counties.

Across the entire Canglong State, the most talked-about figure was Little Five Poison Lan Yingjun. She had gone from a complete unknown to a rising star, soaring past the Xue Family’s own prodigy to claim third place on the Rising Star Chart! During the turmoil in Beicang, she had displayed pinnacle-level combat strength. The tale of her saving her master, Lan Yingying of the Five Poison Earth Fiend Palm, from the clutches of a Dragon Tiger Peak master was already becoming a legend. Moreover, her challenges to numerous other prodigies, with herself as the wager, had also stirred up considerable discussion.

The second most-discussed person was Wang Siyuan, the prodigy of the Wang Family of Canglong City. Even with Little Five Poison Lan Yingjun displaying such peerless combat strength, Wang Siyuan remained firmly in second place on the Rising Star Chart. His reputation had soared, especially since he had recently mastered a top-level Attack Divine Skill.

The third most-discussed was the Gu Family’s prodigy, Gu Qingcheng, who had held the top spot on the Rising Star Chart for a long time, ever since she first appeared on it. That she remained unshakably at number one, even after Lan Yingjun and Wang Siyuan revealed such strength, gave everyone pause to consider her true power. Some speculated that Gu Qingcheng might already possess the strength of a master on the Dragon and Tiger Chart!

The buzz around Mang Blade Chen Ping’an ranked fourth, beneath those three prodigies. The main topic of discussion wasn’t his exceptional talent, but rather the fact that he had killed Tong Jin of the Qiankun Bureau in front of the Five Peaks Mountain Town Pacification Bureau. The second-most discussed topic was the death of Soul-breaking Saber Li Pingjiang.

The discussion was especially feverish around Earth Fire County. Soul-breaking Saber Li Pingjiang, a disciple of the Seven Extremes Elder, had made quite a name for himself in the region.

And it was highly likely that an expert of his caliber had died at the hands of Chen Ping’an!

...

「Canglong State City, the Wang Family Estate.」

A young nobleman, as refined as polished jade, stood quietly within an elegant waterside pavilion. He was dressed in a simple yet tasteful brocade robe, its sleeves and hems fluttering as gracefully as flowing clouds.

’Qingcheng! Even after I mastered a top-level Attack Divine Skill, the Thunderclap Cloud Palm... I still can’t surpass you?’

Wang Siyuan’s gaze was deep, as if looking past the scenery before him toward something far away. His thoughts, like swirling autumn leaves, drifted aimlessly in the serene pavilion.

Before Gu Qingcheng had appeared on the chart, he had been number one on the Rising Star Chart for his generation. But ever since she made her debut, he had never been able to reclaim that top spot.

Through a stroke of fortune, he had mastered the top-level Attack Divine Skill, the Thunderclap Cloud Palm, and his combat strength had soared. Before the Rising Star Chart was updated, he had been certain he could reclaim the number one spot. But he had never expected...

The top of the Rising Star Chart was still Gu Qingcheng!

To this day, Wang Siyuan could not forget that breathtaking, fleeting glimpse he had of her one night.

The fair lady leaned against a railing, gazing at the moon, looking as if she might ride the wind and be gone at any moment. She wore robes whiter than snow, her skin was like luminous crystal, and her hair was as black as ink. She was like a fairy descended from the Moon Palace, completely untouched by the dust of the mortal world.

Gu Qingcheng. Her name meant ”city-toppling,” and she was true to it—a peerless beauty capable of overthrowing kingdoms.

’To have a woman like that by your side... one could die without any regrets.’ A flicker of adoration, almost imperceptible, crossed Wang Siyuan’s face.

After a long moment, Wang Siyuan gently shook his head and gave a self-deprecating smile.

’If not for that certain Prince, there might have been a chance for him and Gu Qingcheng. But as it is now... it’s destined to be impossible.’

That performance of ”Phoenix Seeking Phoenix” had plunged countless young, brilliant men across Canglong Province who adored Gu Qingcheng into despair. It was also what made him bury this wisp of admiration deep in his heart, never to speak of it aloud.

Prince Bicang, Ji Changkong!

...

「Canglong State City, the Gu Family Estate.」

The latest update to the Rising Star Chart naturally sparked discussion among the many disciples of the Gu Family, from both the direct lineage and the branch families.

”Quick, look! Seventh Sister is still number one on the new Rising Star Chart!”

”Let me see, let me see... It really is Seventh Sister! Seventh Sister is amazing!”

”Of course! Who in our generation can possibly compare to Qingcheng’s talent?”

”...”

This latest edition of the Rising Star Chart not only caused a stir among the younger generation of the Gu Family, but also among the Stewards and other managers of notable status. As they talked, a palpable sense of pride filled the air. Someone suggested they should go congratulate Miss Qi on securing the number one spot on the Rising Star Chart, a sentiment that was met with widespread agreement.

A senior Steward of the Gu Family, his eyes slightly closed, said simply,

”There’s no need. Miss Qi wouldn’t care about it.”