Chapter 341: Upper Three Ranks

"Elder, when I was leaving the capital, I happened to meet Brother Jiang."

"I mentioned Elder He."

"He said that in all the world, only Elder He is recognized as the supreme master of external martial arts."

"Gu Changsheng was there too, and he strongly agreed with that statement."

Li Rui spoke with a cheerful smile.

When He Qianian heard he was named the greatest external martial artist—endorsed by Jiang Linxian and Gu Changsheng—his expression immediately softened.

"They really said that?"

Li Rui patted his chest: "Absolutely true!"

Given his relationship with both of them, he effectively held the final authority on interpretation.

Of course, it was just made up.

He had indeed mentioned He Qianian to Gu Changsheng and Jiang Linxian; both admired He Qianian's character and praised him highly, but when it came to martial arts, they both fell silent.

According to Gu Changsheng's account.

Originally, in this year's Wu Ping evaluation, He Qianian had been poised to shed his perennial last-place ranking.

But in the end, Gu Changsheng uttered a single sentence that sealed his fate—he was ranked first again.

He Qianian smiled: "Gu Jianzheng is just giving me face. His external martial arts far surpass mine—I'm no match. The world is full of strong men; what merit do I have?"

Whoever ranks at the top of the Wu Ping evaluation is never merely an external martial artist—they all cultivate internal qi as well, excelling in both at the highest level.

Li Rui walked over to the stone table in the small courtyard.

He poured He Qianian a cup of cold tea.

"Elder, have some tea."

He Qianian nodded in satisfaction.

Such perceptive juniors are rare these days. He glared at Xiao Yu beside him: "Blockhead, learn from this."

Xiao Yu, standing by the door, cried out in protest at this unjust misfortune.

But he could only meekly accept it.

To others, he was a Xiantian master, acting head of the Qianhe Martial Arts Hall, a respectable man known for his composure, his authority within the hall rivaling even He Qianian's.

But before He Qianian, he was forever just a disciple—obedient and humble.

Seeing Xiao Yu's demeanor, He Qianian grew angrier: "Get out, get out, you're an eyesore."

Xiao Yu felt deeply frustrated.

He retreated carefully, making sure to shut the door behind him.

He Qianian took a sip of tea, sat down, and gazed at Li Rui with a smiling eye: "You've caused quite a stir in the capital, boy. You've got some talent."

He himself was originally from the capital.

Though he hadn't moved about there for years, he knew everything that mattered.

Li Rui: "Just minor mischief."

He Qianian snorted:

"You've stirred things up all the way to His Majesty's court—that's hardly minor mischief."

"Good. It's fine for young people to be lively."

He changed tone: "A golden scale isn't meant for a pond. You'll surpass me eventually. This small Yunzhou won't hold you. I say you'll buy a house in the capital before long."

"Start planning ahead. When I returned to the capital this time, damn it, house prices had skyrocketed—those greedy brokers."

Li Rui was speechless: "Elder, you're joking."

He wasn't being humble.

Who in the world dares claim they'll surely become a Land Immortal?

Life is unpredictable—even the brightest prodigies can fall. Nothing is certain or inevitable—only what's truly in hand is real.

Even with his external advantage, he always acted within the rules.

The rules, to him, meant acting recklessly only within the bounds he could control.

He Qianian continued: "Land Immortals are divided into three ranks: Third Rank penetrates the mysterious, Second Rank commands celestial phenomena, First Rank is the Land Immortal."

"I don't know where this trend came from, but when I step out, people call me Land Immortal—it's mortifying."

"In my view, it's all just self-glorification. The martial world has grown increasingly foul and murky—nothing like the clarity of my youth. No one's martial skill has improved, but their flattery has grown stronger with each generation."

Li Rui's expression sharpened.

Talking about Land Immortals—this was a rare opportunity. He naturally paid full attention.

The book didn't contain any of this.

He Qianian went on, speaking to himself: "I told you before that Xiantian has a fourth stage. There are only a handful of First Ranks in the world. If you can return to the Dao Embryo, perhaps you truly can become a genuine Land Immortal."

Dao Embryo!

Once, Li Rui had regarded the Dao Embryo as a vague legend, but now that he had entered Xiantian, he took it seriously.

Naturally, he grew more attentive.

Seeing Li Rui's changed expression, He Qianian's lips curled slightly:

"Among the world's masters, especially those of the upper three ranks, most prioritize internal over external cultivation."

"True qi is indeed a fine thing."

"Unfortunately, I lack the fortune—I'm terrible at nurturing qi, never managed to condense it into form, so I took another path: entering the Dao through external martial arts. To my surprise, I actually reached the upper three ranks."

"But I've also hit a dead end."

"Had I understood the Dao Embryo's mystery earlier, I might have reached Second Rank—or even First."

Li Rui was secretly astonished.

He never imagined He Qianian had entered Third Rank without condensing qi into form.

It was utterly miraculous.

Only a genius of extraordinary talent had even a slim chance.

He Qianian's attainment was already a once-in-a-millennium miracle.

Li Rui promptly praised: "Elder, you are a true genius."

He Qianian rolled his eyes: "Genius? I trained hard for a hundred years, and still get chased around by that Jiang kid."

Then,

as if remembering something, he chuckled and looked at Li Rui:

"I have a personal journal here. If you're willing, you can take a look."

Saying this,

he turned and went into the room, returning shortly with a small, crumpled, torn-covered booklet in hand.

"Take it."

He shoved it unceremoniously into Li Rui's hands.

Li Rui hurriedly said: "This is your life's work—I'm unworthy to receive it."

He Qianian frowned: "I told you to take it—take it."

Seeing this, Li Rui had no choice but to accept it.

Afterward,

He Qianian spoke at length with Li Rui, sharing many details about the Xiantian realm. Clearly, he truly believed Li Rui could reach the legendary Dao Embryo state.

They talked until evening.

Only then did He Qianian reluctantly shoo him away.

Watching Li Rui depart,

he smiled faintly, chuckling to himself.

"Li boy, hurry up. I can't beat Jiang Linxian—but if I train someone who can, isn't that still my greatness?"

Unlike other masters,

He Qianian had no proper sect, because he never condensed qi into form.

He ate from a hundred tables, practiced a hundred fists.

So when he came to Yunzhou at Yuan Marquis's invitation, he broke tradition by opening a martial arts hall instead of founding a sect—that was why.

One mistake, one slip, one internal error, one look!

In his view, whoever he taught boxing to became his disciple.

Li Rui now held his journal—he was his disciple.

He Qianian rubbed his hands together.

He was already eager to see that scene.

Li Rui returned to his room in the Canjun Mansion.

A single green lamp.

The candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows on the wall.

"A martial artist strikes down the heavens, treads upon the earth—his training is in fists, feet, sinews, and bones—this is the foundation, never forget. Who says external martial arts cannot reach Xiantian? I have done it. The world's words cannot be trusted."

"Perhaps I've taken the wrong path—is Third Rank truly the end of external martial arts?"

"No, there is another path."

"Dao Embryo. Yes, the Dao Embryo."

A small booklet.

The upper pages were filled with tiny, densely packed characters written by He Qianian, clearly not penned in a single day.

They were all He Qianian's martial insights gathered over a century.

Li Rui grew more and more astonished as he read.

Though it is said the master leads you through the door, cultivation depends on the individual.

But you still need a master to guide you—this little handbook by He Qianian was no less valuable than a top-tier cultivation technique.

It could spare Li Rui countless detours.

Especially in the realm of external martial arts, it held immense value for reference.

Li Rui became utterly absorbed in reading.

"Could I truly be a Primordial Dao Embryo?"

"Big brother, the Purple Gold Palace is growing bolder—it dares to stick its hands into our Peacekeeping Guard."

"A few days ago, a few lads ran away."

"Turns out they defected to the Purple Gold Palace!"

Ning Zhongtian cursed under his breath.

In the military, deserters were already shameful enough—but when they joined a heretical sect, it was utterly disgraceful.

Worse still, those two were Ning Zhongtian's own men.

He was furious.

Li Rui's gaze turned sharp: "Fourth brother, have you uncovered the Purple Gold Palace's origins?"

Ning Zhongtian shook his head:

"It's strange—the Purple Gold Palace is like a bixie, taking in but giving nothing out. No one ever comes out to move about; they're all holed up in the Ten Thousand Mountains with no trace to follow."

"Big brother, why the sudden interest?"

Li Rui: "This afternoon, General Nie came to see me."

Ning Zhongtian was startled.

"Even General Nie is concerned about the Purple Gold Palace?"

In his view, though the Purple Gold Palace had stirred gossip in the city, it involved only low-ranking martialists—eighth or ninth grade at best. High-ranking figures would never care.

He never imagined.

It had drawn Nie Siming's attention.

Li Rui shook his head: "No—it was the Marquis."

Ning Zhongtian's scalp prickled.

Has it escalated this much?

"Even the Marquis asked about it?"

Li Rui nodded: "Yes. The Marquis specifically sent word to General Nie, ordering our Peacekeeping Guard and nearby guard battalions to thoroughly investigate the Purple Gold Palace—and if necessary, launch a siege and exterminate it."

Ning Zhongtian hissed softly.

The matter was growing larger by the moment.

Li Rui: "Keep sending out scouts, but don't act rashly."

He always preferred handling big matters with caution—when someone as powerful as Yuan Dingting took notice of the Purple Gold Palace, it was certainly no ordinary affair.

Of course.

Since Yuan Dingting had assigned this task, it was actually simpler.

Nie Siming wasn't some idle overseer like him—he'd handle it personally.

Li Rui only needed to carry out his duties methodically.

The rest required no concern.

"Understood."

Ning Zhongtian nodded, then turned and left.

Li Rui fell into thought, but soon sat cross-legged on the cushion again, resuming his cultivation.

Of all things in the world, cultivation mattered most.

Never neglect it.

Though he was now a Primordial martialist, the path of martial arts was never something achieved overnight—it demanded perseverance.

Even at the Primordial stage, this held true.

Haven't you seen how Primordial Masters never leave their quarters, always sealing themselves away?

Isn't that precisely because they're devoted to martial study?

To seek immortality, you must first survive in this world and secure sufficient resources.

Your own strength is your greatest asset.

Everything else is but fleeting clouds.

(End of Chapter)