Chapter 174 - 172: Listed Among the Names
In this ranking list, he was ranked at the bottom, at ninety-first place.
Besides his name in bold, there were numerous annotations regarding his inclusion on the list.
The annotations detailed his noteworthy achievements along his path of growth, with the most remarkable being his recent heroics in saving Donglai County City.
It was precisely this event that facilitated his smooth entry onto the list.
Among them, the Qi Refining strength he demonstrated when facing off against Xue Boyan was certainly key to this listing.
The value of defeating Xue Boyan was higher than Song Changming had anticipated.
Moreover, possessing Qi Refining strength was a stringent criterion for ranking on the Earth List.
At least, as Song Changming observed, without exception, all on the Earth List were Qi Refining martial artists.
Song Changming being placed at the bottom of the list did not leave him feeling disgruntled.
Whether it was his current level of Qi Refining cultivation or his personal battle achievements, compared to others on the list, he indeed had no particular advantage, so being placed afterwards was reasonable.
Yet, regardless, this freshly published list, though not on par with the Celestial List, was still highly prestigious.
Song Changming’s inclusion on the list was enough to demonstrate his potential and strength, sufficient to enter the view of people across the world.
Thus, it was not limited to Donglai Prefecture alone.
As expected, after the delivery of the Jianghu Secret Chronicles, many turned their attention to the events in Donglai Prefecture, the Earth List, and this figure Song Changming.
In the Prince’s Mansion of Northern Hengyang County City.
The Second Prince, Chu Jing, looked at the Secret Chronicles in his hand, his face extremely dismal, throwing it angrily to the ground.
"How ridiculous! This Zhuji Pavilion!!"
He almost wanted to immediately order an attack on this so-called Hidden Sect, so that Zhuji Pavilion would not dare to speak such nonsense and offend him again!
"Great King, calm down. Zhuji Pavilion cannot be moved. Right now, we must be wary of counterattacks from Nanyang," a strategist advised promptly.
He did not want the Second Prince’s anger to cause the large foundation he built to collapse prematurely.
Chu Jing sat back on the throne, silent and speechless, as the atmosphere became increasingly somber.
After a long while, Chu Jing finally calmed himself and said, "We can’t move Zhuji Pavilion, but what about that ’Dragon Saber’ who ruined my plans and killed my Grand General Xue? How can I forgive him?"
"Great King, please reconsider. Presently, Donglai Prefecture must be heavily defended. If we rashly send people again, I worry we will suffer further losses..." Another advisor quickly counseled.
In fact, there was one thing he kept in his heart unspoken.
This Donglai Dragon Blade Guest, although a mere Jianghu wanderer, possessed extremely high Martial Tao cultivation; even Xue Boyan was no match for him, and he made it onto the Earth List.
Besides, the opponent remained in the southern counties. If they truly want to deal with him, it’s genuinely difficult.
"This must calm me! That must make me reconsider! Is it possible that the mighty generals under my command are all fake? Even without elite generals, those Jianghu guests I recruited are really all useless?"
Chu Jing grew angry again, pacing while shouting.
It was clear this setback had truly shaken him.
"I have made up my mind. No soldiers beyond what’s planned will be moved, but I will send Jianghu guests to capture that Dragon Blade Guest. I must see what kind of figure dares to defy me!"
Chu Jing, with a wave of his sleeve, made a firm decision not to allow any more words from his advisors.
Seeing this, the strategists could only remain silent in resignation.
The failure of the plan to capture Donglai Prefecture was a foregone conclusion. In their view, they shouldn’t be reacting emotionally against a Jianghu individual irrelevant to the battle outcome, thus wasting efforts.
As for Song Changming, discussions could certainly be postponed.
Meanwhile, in another county city within Hengyang Prefecture, inside a three-courtyard mansion, a young woman in a floral dress was also perusing the delivered Secret Chronicles.
Her gaze lingered momentarily on Song Changming’s entry, the last position on the Earth List.
"Song, Guard Captain..." The woman blinked her eyes, emotions surging, a look of reminiscence appearing in her gaze.
The woman was none other than Xiao Shuyun.
Now, Xiao Shuyun was no longer the young girl of the past, appearing dazzling and elegant, mature like a ripe peach.
Song Changming’s achievements today did not surprise her at all.
Back then, she believed wholeheartedly in Song Changming’s boundless potential, considering him a genius of the age.
Now, it was just Song Changming realizing his potential.
In the future, it would be inevitable for Song Changming to have a place on the Celestial List.
"Miss, the third young master has called for you to discuss important matters." Outside the courtyard, Min’Er approached and said.
"I understand. Please ask third brother to wait a moment." Xiao Shuyun composed herself, closed the booklet in her hand, and nodded.
The look of reminiscence in her eyes quickly disappeared, replaced by the cold and noble aura radiating from within, as if she were a different person.
Song Changming was no longer the small Patrol Captain of yesteryear, and neither was Xiao Shuyun the obscure fourth young lady she once was.
...
Mid-June.
That night, at midnight.
Song Changming sat alone in the yard, drinking a pot of clear wine under the bright moon, waiting for the appointed time to arrive.
Until he finished another cup, new information appeared on the panel.
The annual evaluation he had awaited for so long had finally arrived.
Unlike in previous years, he attached more importance to this year’s evaluation.
This was because, throughout this year, whether in cultivation, achievements, or reputation, he had gained significantly.
He had also participated in major events.
No surprise, this year might possibly be the highest evaluation year since he began practicing martial arts.
Shortly, his expectations were confirmed by the panel.
[Annual Evaluation: The Best Year.]
The comprehensive keyword for the year given by the panel was indeed the ’Best Year’ he desired.
[In terms of Martial Arts: This year, your Martial Tao cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, reaching Qi Refining cultivation, mastering the Ninth Grade Wind Dragon Divine Saber Technique, Great Strength Bull Demon Skill reached the Ninth Extreme Realm...]
[In terms of Achievements: This year, you completed several exhilarating battles, achieving a new high in kill count, defeating the martial genius Li Pu, defeating Invincible General Xue Boyan...]
[In terms of Relationships: Gained the favor of ruler Gu Wenhui, unlocked the relationship with the Second Prince Chu Jing (currently antagonistic), unlocked the relationship with Mr. Jin Yu of Zhuji Pavilion (currently initial admiration)...]
[In terms of Power and Reputation: This year, you gradually started gaining fame across the world...]
[In terms of Family: Father passed away, family members dwindled...]
[Completed Events: 1, Participated in the Dragon Calamity Event, obtained the Dragon Transformation Pearl! 2, Completed the County City Rescue event, the ultimate display of personal heroism!]
[Please select your annual rewards.]
[1, Life Span +5000. 2, Life Span -2000, obtain the related green physical trait ’Light as Wind’. 3, Life Span -2000, upgrade an existing physical trait (Sword Practitioner, Strong). 4, Consume Life Span -500, Attribute Points +5.]
[Note: You may choose two out of four options as rewards.]
"Four options, and I can choose two rewards!"
Song Changming was somewhat surprised, feeling the qualitative change brought by the improved evaluation.
Having always been limited to choosing one reward, this time another option was available.
Upon a quick glance over the four reward options, he promptly made his decision.
He chose the rarer, high-evaluation physical trait-related rewards.
One was to directly acquire a new physical trait of green grade.
The other was to upgrade his previously acquired physical traits.
"I never imagined my previous physical traits could be upgraded..."
The only aspect causing him a bit of pain was the fact these two rewards required him to sacrifice a total of four thousand Life Span.
This was no small amount.
Converting it, it equaled losing over ten years, almost eleven years of lifespan, in exchange for these two physical trait-related rewards.
The cost was considerable!
It was only because Song Changming could accumulate Life Span daily, otherwise, others offered this opportunity may not be willing to exchange such a significant amount of Life Span for talent and aptitude enhancement.
After all, nearly eleven years of life; just how many spans of eleven years can one wantonly squander in a lifetime...