Chapter 599: Chapter 381: Upgrade

"Kid, it’s something many people could only dream of for me to be curious enough to check your background. I have zero interest in even glancing at those mediocre talents. Checking up on you means I think highly of you," the old man said, raising an eyebrow.

Given his status and position, taking the initiative to check a student’s Cultivation progress was definitely doing them a huge favor. Little did he expect that the brat in front of him would actually be dissatisfied.

"But my teacher told me that taking the initiative to pry into someone’s Cultivation is highly impolite and offensive. In the Jianghu, many people die every year because of such things.

"My teacher said that if anyone tries to pry into our Cultivation like this, we should just fight back without holding back," Xu Yang said earnestly.

If the old man knew he had mastered the Dragon Symbols Heart Scripture and the Azure Dragon Dominating Body, given the elder’s experience and status, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. In fact, it could be highly beneficial. After all, he had obtained the complete Formless Thousand Illusion Skill precisely because of it. However, if he were to suddenly manifest a Spirit Bone and the old man noticed the clues, he truly wouldn’t know if it would be a blessing or a curse.

The old man paused, inevitably recalling his own youth. He, too, had hated it when seniors pried into his background. Even if they meant well, it still made him uncomfortable. After all, as a Martial Artist, who didn’t have a few secrets they wanted to keep hidden?

"To think I’ve become the very type of person I used to hate," he thought with a twinge of guilt.

A look of guilt appeared on the old man’s face. "Alright, I promise not to randomly pry into your background next time."

Overjoyed, Xu Yang hurriedly cupped his hands in a salute. "Senior is truly righteous and understanding. As a student, I am in complete awe of you."

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief. When he had said those earlier words, he was genuinely afraid the old man would backhand him. Clearly, this was a senior with a good temper.

"Save the flattery. I really shouldn’t have used my Cultivation to recklessly pry into your affairs, even out of concern. Tell me, what Cultivation Technique are you here to learn this time?" the old man asked with a chuckle.

Xu Yang quickly stepped forward and handed over his token. "This time, I want to learn the Perfection section of the Eight Ferocious Hidden Dragon Strength."

"The Eight Ferocious Hidden Dragon Strength? Wait here."

The old man took the token and stood up from his meditation cushion. This time, he didn’t take Xu Yang upstairs; instead, he began searching through the bookshelves on the second floor. Before long, he returned holding a thin booklet. It was none other than the Heart Method for the Perfection section of the Eight Ferocious Hidden Dragon Strength.

Xu Yang accepted it respectfully. "May I ask how I should address you, Senior? I feel it’s a bit impolite to just call you ’Senior’ every time."

"From now on, you may call me Elder Mu."

As the old man spoke, he sat back down on his cushion, closed his eyes, and paid no more attention to Xu Yang.

Holding the Heart Method for the Perfection section of the Eight Ferocious Hidden Dragon Strength, Xu Yang sat down a short distance away and began to calmly comprehend it.

***

"Eighty-fifth on the Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List..."

In Han Yingjie’s courtyard within the Lower Courtyard of the Celestial Strategy Academy, Han Yingjie’s expression changed drastically upon learning that Xu Yang had ranked eighty-fifth on the Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List.

"Damn it!"

Having clawed his way up from being a new student himself, he naturally knew what it meant to reach the Ninth Layer on a first attempt at the Battle Tower. It meant that within the Celestial Essence Second Layer Realm, apart from those dozen or so individuals, almost no one was a match for Xu Yang.

Had he not broken through to the Celestial Essence Third Layer two months ago, he would no longer be a match for Xu Yang. Back when he was in the Celestial Essence Second Layer, let alone the Ninth Layer, he hadn’t even managed to reach the Seventh Layer, nor had he ever made it onto the Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List. If they were in the same Realm, Xu Yang could easily kill him.

He hadn’t forgotten the time when he sent someone to warn Xu Yang after the incident with the Song Family. If Xu Yang’s Cultivation couldn’t catch up to his, then that incident would remain a trivial matter. However, once Xu Yang’s Cultivation surpassed his, it would become a massive problem.

He didn’t know what others would think, but if it were him, he would absolutely seek revenge.

He had never expected that the inconspicuous kid from the Purple Sun Sect—someone who seemingly had no hope of even breaking through to the Celestial Essence Realm—would come this far, entering the Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List on his first attempt at the Battle Tower and ranking eighty-fifth.

"Sir, their new student period has ended, and they’ll soon have to take on missions. Why don’t we..." His follower, Yin Jian, trailed off and made a throat-slitting gesture.

"Shut up!" Han Yingjie hastily scolded.

He naturally understood what Yin Jian meant, but this wasn’t the wilderness; this was the residential area for the geniuses of the Celestial Strategy Academy’s Lingyun List. There were experts everywhere. Regardless of his true thoughts, some things couldn’t be spoken aloud. If someone with ulterior motives overheard them, any mishap that befell Xu Yang would inevitably draw trouble to himself.

"Yes, yes. I spoke out of turn," Yin Jian hastily cupped his hands.

A sharp glint flashed in Han Yingjie’s eyes, but he said nothing more. He wasn’t sure if Xu Yang would seek revenge against him in the future, but one thing was certain: if he gave Xu Yang another six months to a year, he probably wouldn’t have the ability to kill him even if he wanted to.

In two or three years, Xu Yang would be able to slaughter him as easily as killing a chicken or butchering a dog.

***

At the Li Mansion!

"Is there still no news?" Li Lingdu asked, furrowing his brow.

Today was the day the newly enrolled students of the Celestial Strategy Academy would attempt the Battle Tower for the first time. His son, Li Chuyang, was among them, which was why he had been anxiously waiting for news.

"Uncle Li, there’s no need to worry. Junior Brother Li has already mastered the Three Yin Silver Palace Profound Gang True Technique. Based on his Combat Power, making it onto the Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List shouldn’t be a problem," Qi Xuancheng said with a smile.

"It’s difficult!" Li Lingdu shook his head.

He knew Qi Xuancheng was just flattering him. If his son, Li Chuyang, could easily enter the Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List, he wouldn’t be pacing around here waiting. Ranking thirtieth on the Lingyun List was decent, but to enter the Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List on a first attempt, one would need to be in the top twenty at the very least to even have a chance. Given another five or six years, Li Chuyang might have a shot at making the Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List.

"Sir, the results are out!"

Just then, the servant the Li Family had sent to await the news ran in from outside, his face flushed with excitement. "Young Master... Young Master made it to the Seventh Layer!"

His voice trembled with excitement, as back in the day, when Li Lingdu attempted the Battle Tower for the first time, he had failed at the Fifth Layer.

"Excellent!" Li Lingdu couldn’t hold back a booming shout, leaping to his feet in a thrill.

He had assumed Li Chuyang would only reach the Sixth Layer at best. He hadn’t expected him to make it to the Seventh Layer.

"Did he make it onto the Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List?" Reaching the Seventh Layer meant there was a chance to enter the list.

The servant shook his head. "No, but they said he was extremely close. Several people who were ranked in the twenties on the Lingyun List stopped at the sixth layer. If the Lingyun List were still being updated, the Young Master would rank around the top twenty."

"Being a little short is fine. Since he made it to the Seventh Layer, as long as he cultivates calmly for another month or two, he’ll definitely enter the Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List," Li Lingdu said, his face brimming with joy. As a former student of the Celestial Strategy Academy himself, he naturally understood the potential that reaching the Seventh Layer on a first attempt signified.

"Congratulations, Uncle Li. Junior Brother Li has truly amazed everyone with a single brilliant feat," Qi Xuancheng said with a smile, cupping his hands.

"I just hope he remains humble and patient," Li Lingdu replied, unable to conceal his smile.

"Junior Brother Li isn’t the type to lack a sense of propriety," Qi Xuancheng said, turning to the servant. "Do you know which layer Xu Yang from the Purple Sun Sect reached? Has he been trampled underfoot by Junior Brother Li yet?"

At this, the servant’s face immediately lit up. "I know! The Young Master’s fellow disciple is truly incredible. He broke the Lingyun List rankings once again. Although he was only ranked nineteenth previously, he actually forced his way into the Ninth Layer! He’s ranked eighty-fifth on the Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List, instantly becoming a genius second only to Sun Tao, who’s ranked fourteenth..."

Unaware of the animosity Qi Xuancheng and Li Chuyang harbored toward Xu Yang, the servant spared no words of praise, completely failing to notice Qi Xuancheng’s expression growing uglier by the second.

"Eighty-fifth? He reached the Ninth Layer? How is that possible?" Qi Xuancheng was utterly incredulous. Even though he wasn’t a student at the Celestial Strategy Academy, he knew how difficult it was to reach the Ninth Layer. To achieve a rank of eighty-fifth on a very first attempt at the tower was unbelievable.

"It’s absolutely true. That’s the news coming out of the Celestial Strategy Academy," the servant nodded.

Li Lingdu’s voice deepened. "Is this Xu Yang the same one who beat Lin Jingyu to death, had a conflict with Ah Yang, and is close with Jiang Fan?"

Qi Xuancheng nodded. "That’s him. I never expected him to get this strong and achieve a rank of eighty-fifth. Logically speaking, without any faction backing him, his Cultivation shouldn’t be improving this rapidly."

"Tell me in detail about this Xu Yang and his style of doing things," Li Lingdu said in a low voice. He hadn’t paid much attention to Xu Yang before, but now that Xu Yang had displayed such talent, he was forced to take the boy seriously.

***

"Elder Mu, this student shall take his leave!"

As evening approached, Xu Yang stood up from his meditation cushion and walked respectfully over to Elder Mu. Over the course of the afternoon, he had largely comprehended the Perfection section of the Eight Ferocious Hidden Dragon Strength. All that remained was actual practice.

"Go on!" Elder Mu took back the Secret Manual and gave a slight nod.

After leaving the Hidden Skills Hall, Xu Yang headed to the dining hall, planning to eat dinner before returning to his courtyard.

Inside the dining hall, nearly all the chatter was about today’s attempts at the Battle Tower. After listening carefully for a while, Xu Yang learned that his ranking hadn’t changed. No one who went after him had made it onto the Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List. Although a few dark horses had emerged, none of them had affected the list’s rankings. It was said that the most dazzling performance came from Li Chuyang, who had reached the Seventh Layer and narrowly missed entering the Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List.

After eating, Xu Yang returned to his courtyard, sorted through all of his medicinal herbs, and applied the Yunling Technique. By then, the sky had already grown dark. He entered his Quiet Chamber, locked the door behind him, and took out all of his Spirit Medicines from the cabinet. Sitting down on his meditation cushion, he summoned his panel.

[Root Bone: 100]

[Martial Arts Longevity Points: 3896]

After putting in so much effort, it was finally time for his Spirit Bone to manifest.

Xu Yang stripped off his shirt, revealing his solid, well-built muscles. Without beginning his cultivation, he simply sat there and started to adjust his condition. His Essence, Qi, and Spirit gradually recovered to their peak state.

As time flowed by, heaven and earth descended into total silence. The lights in this residential area for the Celestial Strategy Academy’s Lingyun List geniuses gradually went out.

Just past midnight, a faint light flickered before his eyes as the panel popped up.

[Ranked 85th on the Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List, Points +50]

[Obtained the Perfection section of the Eight Ferocious Hidden Dragon Strength, Points +100]

[Martial Arts Longevity Points: 4046]

"It’s only fifty!"

The points rewarded for his Celestial Strategy Wind and Cloud List ranking made him frown. Logically, the reward for ranking eighty-fifth shouldn’t have been so meager. The only explanation was that the panel judged the drawbacks of this ranking to outweigh the benefits, resulting in such a low amount of points.

"Is someone harboring malicious intentions toward me because of this ranking?" he thought.

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. Suppressing his turbulent emotions, Xu Yang held his breath and focused his mind. The most pressing matter right now was to upgrade and manifest his Spirit Bone.

In the next moment, he issued the command without hesitation.

"Root Bone, upgrade!"

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