Free Web NovelChapter 213: Chapter 212: Rank 57
"Sister!"
Yun Qianyue cried out in delight.
Yun Muyao nodded slightly to Yun Qianyue, signaling for her to be patient. Her gaze then shifted to Elder Yan Lv, her tone calm yet carrying an intangible pressure.
"Elder Yan, I heard my younger sister was baselessly insulted and even brought to the Law Enforcement Hall. I came to have a look."
"I was just outside and heard the Elder’s judgment... For someone who provoked and insulted a fellow disciple without cause, and even struck first, isn’t the punishment a bit too light? And you’re punishing someone for acting in self-defense?"
Upon seeing Yun Muyao, the muscles on Elder Yan Lv’s rigid face twitched. He hurriedly stood up, forcing a rather unnatural smile.
"Ah, it’s Niece Yun. About this matter... this old man has already investigated. Zhao Kun was indeed in the wrong, but Fang Han also went too far, therefore..."
Yun Muyao cut him off directly, her voice still cold but now laced with a piercing chill.
"Went too far? Elder Yan, if it were up to me, anyone who dared to insult my sister with such filth would get off easy just by having their tongue cut out!"
"Fang Han merely injured him. He was already showing mercy and consideration for their bond as fellow sect members!"
"Could it be that with this judgment, you think my sister, Yun Muyao’s sister, can be insulted by anyone at will?"
Her words were extremely blunt, laced with a clear hint of interrogation.
Sweat instantly beaded on Elder Yan Lv’s forehead.
Yun Muyao wasn’t just the Sect’s second senior sister; she was a genius ranked eighteenth on the Celestial Pride List. Her status was transcendent, and her connections were vast.
Even Chu Feng, another Celestial Pride True Inheritor, was far from her equal. She was absolutely not someone a common Law Enforcement Hall Elder like him could afford to offend.
He cursed Zhao Kun and Chu Feng in his heart for causing him so much trouble, but he had no choice but to force a placating smile.
"Niece Yun, you overstate things. This old man was thoughtless, and the punishment was indeed skewed."
He quickly changed his tune, his tone becoming resolute.
"I will re-judge! Zhao Kun, for unprovoked provocation, insulting a fellow disciple, and striking first, your crimes are compounded! You are fined one year’s worth of Sect contributions and will be confined for one month of self-reflection after your injuries heal!"
"Fang Han acted in self-defense. Given the extenuating circumstances, he will not be punished!"
Hearing this, Zhao Kun looked as if he’d been struck by lightning. His face went deathly pale, and he opened his mouth to speak.
But after meeting Yun Muyao’s icy gaze, he swallowed his words, his eyes filled with terror and despair.
"So, is Niece Yun satisfied now?"
Elder Yan Lv looked cautiously at Yun Muyao.
Yun Muyao shot Zhao Kun a faint glance, said no more, and turned to Fang Han and Yun Qianyue.
"Let’s go."
The three of them did not linger, turning and leaving the Law Enforcement Hall.
As they walked out of the Law Enforcement Hall, sunlight once again fell upon them.
Fang Han stopped and gave Yun Qianyue a solemn clasped-fist salute.
"Today’s incident happened because of me, and I am deeply ashamed that you were dragged into it and insulted. I apologize."
"There’s no need. It wasn’t your fault. It was Zhao Kun and the person behind him who were despicable."
Yun Qianyue shook her head gently. The voice from beneath her violet veil was still cool, but it held no hint of blame.
"Are you two heading to the Martial Arts Stele?"
Seeing that her sister held no resentment, the expression under Yun Muyao’s white veil softened slightly as she asked.
"Yes," Yun Qianyue nodded.
"I have nothing else to do. Let’s go together."
Yun Muyao said, seemingly casually.
And so, the three of them headed to the Overall Martial Arts Stele plaza together.
With Yun Muyao—eighteenth on the Celestial Pride List and the Sect’s second senior sister—accompanying them, disciples everywhere made way and bowed, casting reverent gazes. No one dared to approach and disturb them.
When they arrived before the massive Overall Martial Arts Stele, the plaza was filled with disciples, but upon seeing Yun Muyao, they all subconsciously quieted down.
"Qianyue, you go first."
Yun Muyao said to her sister.
Yun Qianyue nodded slightly and stepped forward for her test.
A moment later, the light settled—Rank 192!
Compared to last month’s rank of 196, she had climbed four spots.
For disciples in the top 200 of the overall list, this was a decent improvement.
Next, it was Fang Han’s turn.
Countless gazes instantly focused on him, filled with curiosity and anticipation.
Those who recognized Fang Han and knew he had just tested last month were especially expectant, eager to see how much his rank would rise this time.
Fang Han held his breath and focused his mind. The Cyan Blade Sword left its sheath!
His Early Stage of Sixth Grade Inner Qi erupted without reservation as he unleashed the Master Level Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword with his full power.
The sword light was like a rainbow tearing through the sky. Carrying a sharp intent that could rip anything apart, it struck the stele’s surface fiercely.
"BOOM!!"
The Martial Arts Stele burst into brilliant light, vibrating violently.
After Fang Han’s name, the number began to jump frantically!
Eighty-seven... eighty... seventy... sixty... fifty-seven...
Finally, under the gazes of countless utterly shocked onlookers, the number suddenly froze—
Fifty-seventh!
The entire plaza fell into a deathly silence!
Jumping a full 30 ranks at once—such an improvement was simply outrageous.
Those who knew Fang Han had just tested last month were even more dumbfounded, unable to believe their eyes.
In one month, he had climbed thirty ranks, from eighty-seventh to fifty-seventh!
What kind of terrifying speed of improvement was this?!
"He jumped a full 30 ranks?!"
Above Yun Qianyue’s violet veil, her bright eyes suddenly constricted, her pupils filled with utter shock.
Last month, Fang Han’s eight-rank improvement had already amazed her. But this time... it was simply unheard of.
’I underestimated him!’
Even Yun Muyao, who was always so cold and composed, showed an unconcealable look of surprise on her beautiful face for the first time.
She considered her own Talent to be outstanding, but even when she had risen from the Sub-Branch back then, she had never experienced such an exaggerated rate of advancement.
Climbing thirty ranks in a single month, and within the fiercely competitive top 100 of the overall list at that!
This Fang Han’s potential was far greater than she had previously estimated.
"Rank 57..."
Fang Han slowly sheathed his sword. Looking at the number "fifty-seven" on the stele’s surface, he felt a little surprised himself.
He knew his strength had greatly increased and that his rank would surely rise, but he hadn’t expected to shoot all the way to 57th in one go.
He could only say that the Cultivation efficiency from the combination of sixty-four times the Root Bone Talent and sixty-four times the Swordsmanship Talent was truly beyond imagination.
His gaze moved upward, sweeping over the names at the top of the ranks, finally pausing for a moment on the ninth position.
There was still a gap between him and Chu Feng, but it had closed significantly.
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes before he returned to his calm demeanor, turned, and left the plaza with Yun Qianyue and Yun Muyao.
Behind them, a huge uproar of discussion surged like a tide, continuing for a long time without ceasing.
...
They walked some distance along the bluestone path, leaving the clamor of the plaza far behind. The surroundings gradually quieted, leaving only the RUSTLE of wind through bamboo leaves.
Fang Han stopped and clasped his fist in salute to the Yun Sisters beside him.
"Senior Sister Yun, I have some Cultivation insights I need to go back and sort through, so I’ll take my leave now."
The sisters Yun Muyao and Yun Qianyue had just reunited and would surely have private matters to discuss. It wasn’t appropriate for an outsider like him to be present, so he tactfully took his leave.
"As you wish, Junior Brother Fang."
Yun Muyao’s gaze, as placid as water, lingered on Fang Han’s face for a moment before she gave a slight nod.
Fang Han saluted again, then nodded to Yun Qianyue.
He then turned and walked with steady steps toward the Sub-Branch, his back soon disappearing around a bend in the winding path.
"How has your Cultivation been recently?"
Seeing Fang Han’s figure recede into the distance, Yun Muyao turned her gaze to Yun Qianyue beside her and asked.
"I’ve accumulated enough Cultivation and have touched the bottleneck to the Seventh Grade. I just don’t know how long it will take to break through."
Yun Qianyue took a soft breath, her violet veil fluttering slightly as she spoke.
"The path of cultivation requires a balance of tension and relaxation. Things will fall into place naturally, so there’s no need to be anxious."
Yun Muyao’s tone was steady, carrying a reassuring certainty.
"Your foundation is solid and your comprehension is good. Breaking through is inevitable; it won’t take too long."
"The transition from the Eighth Grade to the Seventh Grade is a crucial point for the accumulation and qualitative change of Inner Qi. Rushing will only lead to problems. A steady and stable approach is the correct path."
"I understand, Sister," Yun Qianyue replied, then changed the subject, her tone tinged with concern.
"Sister, what have you been busy with lately? I feel like I haven’t seen you in quite a while."
"I just returned yesterday after leaving the Sect to complete an assigned mission."
Yun Muyao said.
"Sister, why don’t you come with me to the Sub-Branch and give me some pointers on my Swordsmanship practice?"
Yun Qianyue suggested.
"Not today. I still have some things to take care of. I’ll come guide your Swordsmanship another day. I’m leaving first."
Yun Muyao said, shaking her head.
With that, her aqua-blue figure became a streak of light, disappearing into the distance after a few leaps. She was heading toward the True Inheritance Courtyard.
Yun Qianyue stared in the direction her sister had disappeared, standing stunned for a moment, a little puzzled.
...
True Inheritance Courtyard, Chu Feng’s Villa.
The vermilion-lacquered courtyard gates were shut tight, and the courtyard was silent.
Suddenly, an aqua-blue figure appeared like a phantom before the gates. It was Yun Muyao.
The gentleness she had when speaking with Yun Qianyue was gone, replaced by a frosty expression. Her eyes were as cold as ten-thousand-year-old mysterious ice.
She drew the sword from her waist and made a phantom slash toward the heavy courtyard gates!
"SHIIING—!"
A strand of pale blue Sword Qi, condensed to the extreme and thin as a cicada’s wing, materialized from thin air. Carrying a bone-chilling cold and a sharpness that could tear through anything, it silently swept across the gates.
"CRACK... BOOM!"
The heavy wooden gates split in the middle. The top half crashed inward, smashing onto the ground with a dull, heavy THUD and sending up a cloud of dust.
Yun Muyao’s graceful steps moved lightly as she walked over the rubble and straight into the courtyard.
"Who dares to be so insolent here!" fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Hearing the commotion, Chu Feng’s figure flashed as he darted out from the study.
When he saw the shattered gates and Yun Muyao standing proudly in the courtyard, his expression changed drastically. A flash of shock and anger in his eyes was quickly replaced by deep apprehension.
He suppressed his fury and clasped his fist in salute.
"Senior Sister Yun? What is the meaning of this? Why have you forced your way into my residence?"
He tried his best to keep his voice steady, but the slight tremor at the end of his words betrayed his inner turmoil.
Yun Muyao was ranked eighteenth on the Celestial Pride List. Her strength was far beyond what he, who was near the bottom of the list, could ever hope to match.
"Control your dog. If you can’t, and it bothers someone it shouldn’t, the next thing to be shattered won’t be this gate."
Yun Muyao’s gaze was like two ice picks stabbing straight at Chu Feng, her voice devoid of any emotion.
"Senior Sister Yun, what are you talking about? I don’t know how one of my subordinates has offended you. Please enlighten me!"
Chu Feng’s heart went cold, but his face showed a look of confusion.
