Chapter 228 - 226: Entering the Celestial List!
The ten supreme thrones, nine are occupied by peerless masters from hidden martial arts sects, contemporary representative figures, or sect leaders of said hidden sects.
Only one seat is occupied by a mysterious expert from the Chu Imperial Family.
This time the rankings on the Celestial List have shifted quite a bit, but those changes are mostly among the middle to lower ranks.
The top-ranking contemporary experts remain stable, particularly the top ten positions, which haven’t changed for twenty or thirty years.
Song Changming’s gaze fell on the top of the list.
Number one on the Celestial List, Sword Venerable Nan Wuji, with a Qi Refining Eighth Layer cultivation!
This is the only absolute top expert on the Celestial List who has reached the Qi Refining Eighth Layer.
Zhuji Pavilion describes him as having the highest Inner Qi cultivation under the heavens, unparalleled expertise in Sword Dao, and unparalleled overall power!
"So, the Qi Refining Eighth layer is the pinnacle of the Da Han Martial Tao..." Song Changming finished the cup of tea on the stone table, pondering.
Regarding Qi Refining, he is no longer unfamiliar.
It is said theoretically, a martial artist can gather up to nine Qi vortexes in their body, which amounts to the Ninth Realm of Qi Refining.
The reason it is theoretical is that achieving Qi Refining Ninth Realm Perfection is exceedingly difficult.
Throughout history, many have been amazed by the martial arts talents that emerged over Da Han’s millennia, but ultimately, martial artists who truly achieved Qi Refining Ninth Realm are as rare as phoenix feathers, few and far between!
The body’s capacity has its limits; the further one advances in Qi Refining, the harder it becomes to progress.
Whether it be a matter of innate talent, required cultivation resources, or even the environment and sites for cultivation, all are incredibly demanding.
Currently, Song Changming is at the Third Layer Qi Refining Realm, and he already feels the growing difficulties of Qi Refining.
Breaking through from the Third Layer to the Fourth Layer Qi Refining, wanting to gather the fourth Qi vortex, requires more effort than the previous condensation of three Qi vortexes combined!
Further advancement, as can be imagined, only multiplies in difficulty.
According to Zhuji Pavilion, the Sword Venerable might break through to the Ninth Realm of Qi Refining within his lifetime, becoming a top figure whose name shines throughout Da Han’s long history!
This is also why the Sword Cliff’s prestige can surpass all other hidden sects and become the holy land of Sword Dao in Da Han!
Song Changming temporarily set aside thoughts of achieving Qi Refining Perfection; it was far too distant for him.
"I wonder if the strength of Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivation would be adequate to safely cross the Outer Realm and reach the Ancient Abyss Country..." Song Changming thought to himself, his mind particularly focused on this.
"Celestial List..." Su Qingqing blinked.
"The so-called Celestial List is a list of the top hundred strongest martial artists under the heavens!" Song Ping’an explained with a hint of pride.
Regarding Song Changming’s entry into the Celestial List, as a follower, Song Ping’an felt a shared sense of achievement.
Just like when Song Changming first entered the Earth List, made a name and gained renown.
This entry into the Celestial List only intensified those feelings.
Yet Song Changming himself seemed relatively calm.
"One can’t say it like that; there are many hidden masters who keep a low profile, pursue the martial path in obscurity, uninterested in fame and wealth.
The martial artist rankings listed by Zhuji Pavilion are only for reference and not absolutely accurate." Song Changming shook his head and corrected.
He believed that within the hidden sects of the martial realm with thousands of years of heritage, there surely are more absolute masters than listed.
If all the martial artists across Da Han were compared, those at the Third Layer Qi Refining likely wouldn’t make it onto this Celestial List.
Even martial artists at the Fourth Layer Qi Refining might all be dropped from the list.
Like Song Changming, if not for repelling the Outer Realm Evil Cult Members’ invasion, he might still be on the Earth List, without such significant changes in ranking on both lists.
During that time, surely there were many martial art masters in secluded retreats or for other reasons, not showcasing their ultimate strength.
You should never underestimate the people under the heavens!
In his view, the title of Celestial List martial artists is more of an acknowledgment given by the world, a piece of honor, nothing more.
However, upon hearing this, the girl’s eyes shined brightly as she looked at Song Changming.
She already knew of Song Changming’s strength, and it should be considered quite strong within the Da Han Dynasty.
Now she finally understood Song Changming’s prowess concretely.
In the Da Han Martial Realm, he is one of the topmost experts!
Having such strength is enough to walk horizontally across Da Han without hesitation!
No one would foolishly provoke a Celestial List expert!
Su Qingqing felt a bit nervous but suddenly bowed in request to Song Changming, "Master, I, I want to learn martial arts from you!"
The girl stuttered a bit in her nervousness when speaking.
Over the past months, watching Song Changming guide Song Ping’an in martial arts, she had countless times wanted to ask him to teach her.
But she was too timid to speak up.
"Huh." Song Ping’an, on the side, didn’t expect Su Qingqing suddenly to make such a request, and looked towards Song Changming.
If it were any other household, such a small maid making such a request might be deemed absurd.
Some ill-tempered patriarchs might even get angry and punish the maid for not knowing her place.
Ordinary people rarely have the opportunity to learn martial arts, let alone these humble servants.
But Song Changming was an exception.
Song Ping’an initially was also a servant of the Song Family, yet Song Changming did not harshly treat him.
Not only teaching him martial arts, but also giving him a precious Dragon Transformation Pearl years ago.
Song Ping’an always remembered this kindness.
Thus, regarding the girl’s request, he felt Song Changming might not refuse.
"Yes, you may." Song Changming thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Teaching martial arts wasn’t a serious matter to him.
After observing these months, besides being timid, the girl’s character seemed fine.
He also knew the girl wanted to learn martial arts just to return to her parents, which was understandable.
Without strength, wanting to cross the Outer Realm and return to Ancient Abyss Country was just an impractical fantasy.
The girl obviously understood this, which is why she took the bold step to make such an excessive request today.
Prepared for refusal or even punishment, she was overwhelmed with joy upon hearing Song Changming readily agree.
Her dark eyes sparkled in the sunlight.
"Let me warn you first, the process of learning martial arts is not only grueling but requires immense determination and persistence, day after day, year after year of effort.
If you can’t manage that, then pursuing martial arts will be in vain, think it through..." Song Changming said.
"Yes! I will never give up!" Su Qingqing’s voice chimed gently yet clear with youthful determination.
Song Changming sensed some resolution in her tone and nodded.
"Then let’s start today, go change your clothes."
Practicing martial arts naturally couldn’t be done in a dress.
"Yes!" Su Qingqing imitated Song Ping’an’s usual tone and hurried back to her room.
Soon, she changed into simpler, more practical clothes, even tying her hair simply, adding a bit of vigor and seriousness to her demeanor.
On the first day, Song Changming only taught her some relatively simple Body Refining Posture Skill techniques.
As expected, given her physical traits, she barely managed to keep up for less than an hour before her body collapsed from exhaustion.
After nourishing herself in the recent months, if she were as frail as before, starting out would have been even more unbearable.
"Future training will be dozens or hundreds of times harder than today, willing to quit?" Song Changming asked again.
"No! Thank you for today’s instruction, Master!" Su Qingqing stood there, feeling a bit dizzy, her limbs disconnected, yet she gritted her teeth and spoke.
"Alright, go rest, even if you practice martial arts, there won’t be others doing your daily chores." Song Changming reminded her.
"Yes!" Su Qingqing’s small figure wobbled back to her room.
"Brother Song, Qingqing is not fragile, she can adapt." Song Ping’an remarked from the side.
Song Changming didn’t say much; only Su Qingqing’s evening meal included more meat.
The next day, Su Qingqing stood before Song Changming intact.
"Recovered quite quickly." Song Changming was slightly surprised by Su Qingqing’s full recovery by early morning.
After initially practicing the posture skills, her limbs were still functional.
This was remarkably difficult for ordinary people.
"As long as I eat enough, no matter how exhausted, I recover by the next day..." Su Qingqing said quietly.
This was a major ability that allowed her to survive for two years in the Outer Realm.
She could recover her energy quicker than others, even her small bruises healed fast.
Simply put, though weak, her life force was unexpectedly resilient.
"Perhaps there are special physical traits?" Song Changming speculated internally and glanced at Su Qingqing more intently.
...