Chapter 193: Baihuo Sect Doctrine, Qianlong List Updated!

"Where did you hear this news?" Chen Mu asked in return.

Representing the Zhenwu Office, he was to travel to Wudicheng to attend the "Dragon-Tiger Wind and Cloud Gathering," and he had told no one.

Sikong Lei and Han Zhidong had also told no one.

"With Chen my lord's talent and strength, you will surely be invited by Wudicheng to attend the once-in-a-decade 'Dragon-Tiger Wind and Cloud Gathering.'"

Lu Ziyi's voice was soft.

"Thank you for the compliment," Chen Mu said calmly. "Miss Lu, please sit."

Chen Mu still held a favorable impression of Lu Ziyi.

Had she not risked her life to provide concrete evidence of Lin Kuan's collusion with bandits and his atrocities against the innocent, he would not have dismantled and captured that local tyrant so smoothly.

And Lu Ziyi's infiltration into Lin Kuan's troupe of courtesans, seeking revenge for her family's massacre at Lin Kuan's hands years ago—her patience and courage earned his admiration.

"Thank you, my lord."

Lu Ziyi sat beside the table, blinked her eyes, and spoke again, "Chen my lord, you're heading to Wudicheng by the Eastern Sea, aren't you?"

"Correct. I'm going to attend the 'Dragon-Tiger Wind and Cloud Gathering.'" Chen Mu did not conceal it.

"Then…"

Lu Ziyi looked up at Chen Mu, her gaze carrying a hint of pleading. "Might I be permitted to accompany you for part of the journey?"

Chen Mu was slightly surprised, but nodded nonetheless. "Very well. The journey is long; an extra companion won't hurt."

He paused, then asked, "Miss Lu, what brings you to Wudicheng?"

"I have some personal matters to attend to, and it happens to be along your route."

Lu Ziyi's reply was flawless; she shifted the topic, asking casually, "Chen my lord, with your heavenly talent—what are your thoughts on the many sects across the land? For instance, my own 'Holy… Baihuo Sect'?"

"Your Baihuo Sect?"

Chen Mu frowned slightly, thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I've heard of it vaguely. I know it's a quiet, mysterious sect, but I don't know much—no strong impression."

A faint glimmer flashed in Lu Ziyi's eyes. She leaned forward slightly, her tone carrying a subtle fervor: "The doctrine of the Baihuo Sect differs from that of the Mo Sect. We believe that pursuing individual strength and transcendence is the true meaning of life. Our core doctrine venerates 'Fire'—Fire, the origin-light of humanity, the dawn of civilization."

"Chen my lord, imagine—if fire had never driven away darkness, brought warmth, or turned raw food into cooked meals, perhaps humanity would still dwell in the depths of Shenshan forests, no different from beasts, eating raw flesh and drinking blood—how could we ever have achieved today's brilliant civilization?"

Her voice gradually gained the persuasive power of a preacher.

Chen Mu listened silently, not interrupting, until Lu Ziyi seemed ready to elaborate further—he raised his hand to stop her, his tone calm yet resolute.

"Miss Lu, that's enough."

He looked at her with clear eyes. "I've heard your philosophy. But my path, Chen Mu's Dao, lies in the sword in my hand, the knife in my grasp, in the clarity of my own heart—I will not cling to any sect, nor worship any vague, ethereal deity. This matter ends here."

Lu Ziyi saw his firm resolve, a flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes, but she quickly masked it, sighing softly. "I was too bold, Chen my lord. Your ambitions run high—you naturally won't be swayed by external things."

She rose to leave. At the door, as if remembering something, she turned back. "By the way, after dawn, the new 'Qianlong List' will be posted—Hero Hall will display it."

"With your achievements in capturing Lin Kuan, Xie Ning, and others, your ranking will surely change."

Chen Mu's gaze shifted slightly, and he nodded. "Thank you for the heads-up."

"Then I'll take my leave. We'll meet at the Dongcheng Gate tomorrow morning." Lu Ziyi smiled.

"Alright." Chen Mu replied.

After Lu Ziyi left, the room fell silent.

"This woman actually tried to recruit me into the Baihuo Sect?"

Chen Mu shook his head with a wry smile.

The Baihuo Sect's doctrine may be true, but every sect carries a tinge of madness.

Isn't it better to quietly collect cards and steadily improve my strength?

Join a sect?

Too much imagination!

…

The next morning, as dawn broke.

Chen Mu finished washing up, checked out of his room, and strolled to the Hero Hall in the center of Wulong Fucheng.

The first-floor hall, second-floor, and third-floor open areas were already crowded with martial artists, gathered in small groups, chatting eagerly, waiting with anticipation.

Each update of the Qianlong List was a major event in the Jianghu.

"I wonder how many new names will appear this time?"

"There'll be plenty who drop off too."

"Here it comes, here it comes."

"…"

At the precise hour of Chen, a Hero Hall official solemnly lowered a red scroll from the third-floor railing.

The crowd erupted in commotion; countless eyes instantly locked onto it, scanning from top to bottom for familiar names.

Chen Mu also looked up, his gaze swiftly sweeping the list.

107… not there.

90… not there.

80… still not there.

His gaze continued upward, finally settling on position seventy-seven.

【77th: Chen Mu】

【Nickname: Flame Sword Lord】

【Age: Seventeen】

【Identity: Ding Zi Inspector of the Great Zhou Imperial Court's Zhenwu Office】

【Realm: Fifth Stage of Heaven】

【Battle Record: Outside Nanyun Fucheng, successively killed two at Fourth Stage Innate perfection, one at Third Stage Innate perfection, one at First Stage Innate, and one at Eighth Stage Innate (injured, not yet healed)】

【At Linchang Fucheng, with Fifth Stage Innate, fought upward against Innate Perfection and won】

……

"Seventy-seventh?"

Chen Mu silently recited it to himself, a faint trace of satisfaction appearing on his face.

This ranking was a bit higher than he had expected.

After all, when he killed those Earth Altar Realm martial artists, he had disguised himself, so outsiders didn't know.

From this point one could also see that the Hidden Dragon List's ranking could not represent true strength.

Battle records could only serve as reference.

"It's Inspector Chen!"

"Ranked seventy-seventh! Heavens, he jumped straight up thirty places!"

"Remarkable! Truly remarkable! At such an age, with such strength, his future knows no bounds!"

"Congratulations, my lord! Congratulations, my lord!"

"……"

The surrounding crowd also noticed Chen Mu's presence, and immediately a chorus of sighs, exclamations, and well-wishes rose up.

Gaze after gaze converged on him, filled with reverence, envy, and the desire to make his acquaintance.

Chen Mu gave a slight nod to those around him, taking it as his response, and without lingering, turned and left the noisy Hero Tower.

……

When he arrived at the east city gate, Lu Ziyi was already waiting.

She wore a wide, flowing robe that concealed her slender, curvaceous figure, and a veiled hat that hid her stunningly beautiful face.

Even so, the unique aura about her still caused those entering and leaving the city gate to glance at her again and again.

"My lord Chen."

Seeing Chen Mu come out, Lu Ziyi's red lips parted slightly as she said softly, "Your Hidden Dragon ranking has risen into the top fifty, hasn't it?"

"No." Chen Mu replied calmly, "Only seventy-seventh."

"Huh?"