Chapter 227 - 225: Ascending the Celestial List!
Outside the Liu Residence.
"Changming, you’re finally back. How are things?" Liu Ziwen came out to greet him.
"It should be no big problem." Song Changming dismounted and said.
"And who is this young girl?" Liu Ziwen noticed Su Qingqing sitting stiffly on the horse and asked with a pause.
"It’s a long story." Song Changming shook his head.
"An illegitimate daughter?" Liu Ziwen blurted out unexpectedly.
"Brother Liu, let’s talk inside." Song Changming said helplessly.
At this moment, Song Ping’an also came out, glanced at Su Qingqing, and then led the horse away.
Su Qingqing lowered her head and followed Song Changming into the courtyard.
Song Changming first exchanged pleasantries with Liu Dingsheng about Ping’an.
Hearing that Liu Yan’Er was safe and sound, he finally relaxed, with a relieved smile on his face.
Then, Song Changming explained the situation of the girl.
"So that’s how it is. I knew it, Brother Song, you’ve always been virtuous and focused on the martial arts path, you couldn’t possibly have an illegitimate daughter, hehe..." Liu Ziwen chuckled awkwardly.
"Ping’an, take her to the guest room to rest." Song Changming said.
However, Su Qingqing kept holding onto Song Changming’s sleeve and refused to let go.
She didn’t trust anyone here other than Song Changming.
This was one of the reasons why she insisted on following him.
Coming to a completely foreign country, only Song Changming could give her some sense of security.
"Forget it, I’ll take her. Ping’an, go buy her some clothes." With that, Song Changming simply took the girl’s hand and led her to his own courtyard.
"First, take a bath, then rest. That will be your room from now on."
Song Changming pointed to an empty room, and after settling the girl, he returned to his own room to rest.
Traveling outside, eating and sleeping rough, was ultimately not as comfortable as a soft bed at home.
After resting for a day.
The next day, Song Changming felt refreshed.
"Home is indeed more comfortable." Song Changming stretched lazily.
As soon as he pushed open the door, he saw the girl waiting outside early, looking a bit uneasy.
Today, the girl looked renewed. The tattered cloak she wore before was replaced by a rather simple and fresh dress adorned with various flowers.
The girl was slender, her hair slightly dry, her cheeks pale and lacking color.
After cleaning up, her delicate and small features were commendable.
The girl seemed somewhat unable to adapt to the dress, and she lowered her head, feeling restless.
The dress appeared a bit oversized, its hem almost dragging on the ground, not quite fitting her well.
"It’s quite nice," Song Changming commented.
Hearing Song Changming’s approval, the girl’s hands, which had been gripping the skirt tightly, relaxed slightly.
In the courtyard, Song Ping’an scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.
He had never bought girls’ dresses before and wasn’t familiar with the fit and size, so it wasn’t surprising that the clothes didn’t suit well.
"Ping’an, from now on, the tasks of serving tea, delivering water, laundry, and sweeping will be done by her," Song Changming said.
"This..." Song Ping’an was taken aback, not expecting his daily chores to be taken over by someone else.
"You just need to show her how to do it when the time comes," Song Changming said decisively.
"Alright, Brother Song," Song Ping’an said, not arguing further.
After that, Su Qingqing proved to be clever and capable. Many tasks, once explained, she picked up with ease and performed diligently and without complaint, making things convenient.
In fact, compared to the days spent living precariously near the Corpse Refining Sect members, the chores here with Song Changming were nothing.
For the first time, she experienced a sense of tranquility.
And so, she temporarily stayed by Song Changming’s side and settled in Wangyue County City.
Days passed, and as the Outer Realm Evil Cult members were defeated and fled without obstruction, the wild Fog Beasts in the heavy fog were also cleared on a large scale.
Consequently, the thick fog in Wangyue Prefecture began to recede like a tide.
With this matter resolved, the border of Da Han was temporarily restored to peace.
Several months passed.
Without external threats, internal conflicts rose again in Da Han.
Gu Wenhui, taking advantage of these months to prepare for battle, was the first to launch an offensive, making rapid advances and capturing three prefectures in a row.
Now occupying seventeen states and counties, spanning north and south Da Han, his momentum was strong.
However, this also incited hostility from the remaining two princes and other forces. The foreseeable future would involve forming alliances among various forces to collectively resist Gu Wenhui!
This was their only way out!
If Gu Wenhui successfully overcame this hurdle and maintained his position despite being attacked from multiple sides,
then he would indeed have the appearance of an emperor! Just like Li Jinyu predicted, the path of dominance would be unimpeded!
The times create legends, and Gu Wenhui was undoubtedly one of the central figures of this era, gathering the fortune of the world unto himself!
On this day.
The latest issue of the Jianghu Secret Chronicles was released by the Zhuji Pavilion as scheduled, causing a stir in the Da Han Martial Realm.
The reason being none other than the significant reshuffling of rankings on both the Celestial and Earth Lists.
Not only were the positions interchanged, but many new faces ascended the list, replacing the veteran martial artists of the past.
The upheaval was primarily due to the event of resisting foreign invaders that took place in Wangyue Prefecture over the past half-year.
This battle involved the entire Da Han Martial Realm, and even the hidden sects could not remain untouched.
Countless martial artists and strong individuals gathered at this site, showcasing their capabilities.
There were nameless figures who impressed everyone with their astounding strength and formidable fighting prowess.
Also, experienced veterans, even those who were once renowned on the Celestial List, faded into obscurity or even fell during this calamity, contributing to the major reordering of rankings.
Wangyue County City, Liu Residence.
Song Ping’an quickly entered the courtyard, excitedly saying, "Brother Song, there’s good news and bad news."
"Let’s hear the bad news first." Song Changming had just finished practicing his Sword Technique and was resting on the stone bench in the courtyard.
Beside him, Su Qingqing obediently handed over a towel to wipe his sweat, and poured him a bowl of tea to replenish fluids.
Then, she curiously looked at Song Ping’an.
She had been with Song Changming for several months and was no longer as timid and nervous as when she first arrived.
Appearance-wise, she no longer appeared malnourished with sallow skin and dry hair.
Song Changming did not treat her like some families might treat their lowly servants by providing only one meal a day.
He had no such dull rules, nor was he lacking in money to skimp on the girl’s little food expenses.
As a result, after a few months of care, the girl, being in her growth stage, quickly regained her complexion.
Now, her face was rosy, her delicate appearance still carrying a tender youthfulness, like a budding flower in spring.
The white dress she wore added to her ethereal aura.
In terms of looks and charm, she was indeed one of the finest at her age, standing out as someone not from an ordinary family.
"The bad news is that your first place on the Earth List is at risk!" Song Ping’an said seriously.
Song Changming understood and humorously replied, "Is the good news that I’ve moved up to the Celestial List?"
"Uh..." Song Ping’an was momentarily at a loss, awkwardly smiling, "Has Brother Song heard about this already?"
"No, just a guess." Song Changming replied, taking the Jianghu Secret Chronicles that Song Ping’an handed over and started to read.
Sure enough, in the Earth List of a hundred names, his name was gone.
Not only was he absent, but even the Young Master of Sword Cliff, who had maintained second place, was also missing.
Now, the first and second on the Earth List were two prominent young figures from the Jade Void Cave and the Golden Qilin Sect, respectively.
He continued to flip through the Celestial List of a hundred names.
His name prominently appeared in the eighty-fifth position, with Nan Chen Guang ranked at ninety-one.
The difference between the Celestial and Earth List is that the Celestial List solely considers pure strength and battle achievements, while the Earth List also weighs personal potential and the future heights one might reach in Martial Tao.
Placing Song Changming at eighty-fifth reflects the upper limits of a Martial Artist with Third Layer Qi Refining Cultivation.
Above Song Changming, all had Cultivation at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining or higher, and they were all eminent in the Jianghu with illustrious battle accomplishments.
In higher mid-range positions were the true experts from hidden major sects, mostly older generations of martial artists.
They were typically elders within major sects, reclusive masters, with Cultivation of Fifth Layer Qi Refining and above.
The Fairy Yuehan, previously seen ranked fifteenth on the Celestial List, was at the Sixth Layer Qi Refining.
And to enter the top ten of the Celestial List, the prerequisite was reaching the Seventh Layer Qi Refining!
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