Chapter 93

The next morning, when Gu Yang saw Qian Xiyun and Lily, they both looked at him with strange expressions.

Qian Xiyun hesitated, wanting to ask something but not daring to. Her attitude towards him was clearly more respectful and fearful.

Compared to Gu Yang, her cultivation was not particularly high, but she lived next door to him, separated by only a wall. She could sense any movement on the other side.

Last night, every so often, she could clearly feel Gu Yang's true essence rising, and the oppressive aura that came with it almost made her unable to breathe.

Eleven times in total.

It was terrifying!

It kept her from getting any rest all night.

She didn't know what had happened to Gu Yang, but for his strength to increase so dramatically in just one night was astonishing.

Thinking back to how he had already caused several shocking events in the martial world right after he debuted, she felt that his background was becoming even more mysterious.

As for Lily, she was a mix of excitement and reverence. As a sorceress, her divine sense was extremely powerful, and she understood the changes in Gu Yang in great detail.

To her, it seemed that the phoenix bloodline within the Holy Messenger was awakening.

The lofty and supreme power of the phoenix divine flame, which she had felt when she ascended to the eighth rank of sorceress from the divine statue, was unmistakable.

The Holy Messenger must be a deity sent to the human world. Once his power is fully restored, he will be able to purify this corrupt world with the pure divine flame.

...

Gu Yang was already used to such looks.

He knew that when his true essence increased, there would inevitably be some commotion, which he couldn't control.

Su Qingzhi, Ling Ling, and Xu Ruomei had all reacted similarly, and he was used to it.

Anyway, as long as his strength increased quickly enough, it wouldn't be a problem even if this matter became public.

"Let's go."

He called out and led the way out of the inn.

Qian Xiyun and Lily quickly followed, mounted their horses, and headed towards Zhongzhou City.

Half a day later, Zhongzhou City was in sight.

"Brother Gu, wait a moment."

Suddenly, Qian Xiyun pulled her horse to a stop.

Gu Yang stopped as well and asked, "What's wrong?"

Qian Xiyun took out two items from her chest and said, "To be honest, I can't come up with three million taels in cash. This is the transfer deed of my sister's business in Jingzhou, and this is the seal of the president of the business. From now on, you are the owner of this business."

"If you go to Jingzhou and find the chief manager, Yu Shaokang, he will assist you in managing the business. How you handle it from now on is up to you. This business is worth about three to five million taels."

Gu Yang didn't hesitate and took the two items.

Qian Xiyun continued, "When we arrive in Zhongzhou City, if you encounter any danger, you can leave on your own. Don't take risks for my sake."

Gu Yang looked into her eyes and smiled, "Don't worry, I value my life very much and won't take risks for others."

Qian Xiyun turned to Lily and said, "When we arrive in Zhongzhou City, you should go with Master Gu. You've helped me a lot over the past two years. I owe you a favor."

Lily held her hand, her expression somewhat sad, and said only two words, "Take care."

"Let's go."

Qian Xiyun tugged the reins and led the way towards the city gate.

It seemed she had already foreseen the great danger of this journey but was determined to go, not wanting to involve others.

Gu Yang couldn't help but feel a sense of respect.

There were still good people in this world.

...

At the Zhongzhou City gate.

A young man in his thirties, riding a snow-white, extremely majestic steed, was slowly riding alongside an old man on a green donkey.

The young man asked with a smile, "Senior Wu, how does my strength compare to those on the First Rank List?"

The old man on the green donkey was none other than Senior Wu, the inspector of the Red Mansion. After leaving Pingjun, he had come to Pingzhou, where he had someone to investigate.

A few days ago, he encountered this persistent young man who wouldn't let go and insisted on getting an evaluation from him.

What could he say?

This young man was Chen Shilin, from one of the nine great surnames, the Chen family.

He was the youngest First Rank in the world today.

At the age of thirty-one, he reached the First Rank, and now he was thirty-three.

However, his luck was not good. He only reached the Second Rank at the age of twenty-one and missed the list of outstanding young talents.

On the Hidden Dragon List, he was always suppressed, ranking second from the age of twenty-one to thirty, for a total of nine years.

Finally, at the age of thirty-one, he achieved the First Rank, surpassing those who had once ranked above him.

Senior Wu said helplessly, "With your talent, if you weren't so eager for quick success, you would have a chance to make it to the First Rank List in the future."

Chen Shilin still pressed, "Senior, do you mean I am far from those on the First Rank List?"

Senior Wu, tired of being pestered and unwilling to lie to him, finally said, "Do you want to hear the truth?"

"Of course."

Senior Wu said, "Among First Rank martial artists, the strength can vary greatly. They can be roughly divided into four categories."

"The first category is ordinary First Rank, whose cultivation methods can only reach the First Rank, and their martial techniques are not particularly outstanding. Those who have just broken through to the First Rank also fall into this category."

"The second category is the strong among the First Rank, who cultivate methods that can reach the Divine Skill Realm and have very powerful martial techniques."

"The third category is the peak of the First Rank. Their cultivation has reached the pinnacle, and their martial techniques have reached a level of mastery."

"The fourth category is the absolute strong on the First Rank List."

After hearing this, Chen Shilin's smile faded. After a while, he said, "Why are those on the First Rank List even above the peak of the First Rank?"

Senior Wu said, "The strong on the First Rank List cultivate world-class cultivation methods. These divine skills are mostly passed down from ancient times, and once cultivated, they have various miraculous effects. Their combat power far exceeds the peak of the First Rank."

"Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages. Those who cultivate world-class cultivation methods find it more difficult to break through to the Divine Skill Realm. Look at the First Rank List; it hasn't changed in ten years. The last time someone on the First Rank List broke through to the Divine Skill Realm was twenty years ago."

Chen Shilin felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, and he became somewhat dejected.

He had broken through to the First Rank two years ago. According to Senior Wu's classification, he was still in the first category, mainly because his cultivation was still shallow. The distance to the First Rank List was still very far.

Sigh, at this rate, when would he make it to the First Rank List?

No, whether he could make it to the First Rank List was also a question.

Although he cultivated a world-class cultivation method passed down from his family, he had taken a shortcut to break through to the First Rank so quickly.

Thinking about this, he felt his life had become somewhat bleak.

Could it be that he would never make it to the First Rank List in his lifetime?

Senior Wu, noticing a First Rank nearby, pointed to a man and said, "That one, Xing Kun from the Internal Guard, has been a First Rank for ten years. He cultivates the most common cultivation method in the military, the 'Mixed Essence Technique,' and his 'Blood Battle Saber Technique' has reached a level of mastery. He still belongs to the first category."

Then, he noticed another person and pointed to a window in the opposite teahouse, saying, "That one, Lin Liang, the second elder of the Lin family, has been a First Rank for twenty years. He cultivates the 'Canghai True Technique' of the Lin family and the 'Shadowless Sword Technique.' However, due to his talent, he can only reach the second category."

At this point, Senior Wu's old habit kicked in, and he entered a state of pointing out the strengths of others. He turned his head towards the city gate and saw a carriage with the Cao family's emblem.

He clearly sensed a terrifying power inside the carriage.

He said solemnly, "The person in the carriage should be Rugin from the Cao family. She is the attendant of the Spear God, and her cultivation is already close to the peak of the First Rank. In a few years, she will definitely enter the third category."

Senior Wu suddenly realized something was wrong.

Why were so many First Ranks from different forces appearing in Zhongzhou City?

Chen Shilin from the Chen family, Lin Liang from the Lin family in Jiangzhou, Rugin from the Cao family...

And Xing Kun from the Internal Guard, all gathered at the city gate of Zhongzhou City.

First Ranks are the pillars of their respective forces. Generally, unless there is a major event, they rarely travel in the martial world.

For First Ranks, cultivation is the most important thing.

Senior Wu suddenly had a strong premonition that something significant was about to happen here!

Suddenly, the sound of hooves came from outside the city gate.

He turned his head towards the city gate and soon saw three people leading horses into the city, one man and two women, all unfamiliar faces.

"It's him again!"

Senior Wu had a special skill for recognizing people and immediately recognized the man leading the way as Gu Yang, whom he had met a month ago.

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