Chapter 157: Rising Stars List Turnover

Sheng Yuanyao did not know what family law she had violated; she went to the garden in pure innocence, nothing beyond friendship occurred, so it did not count as premarital scandal.

Her lips merely accidentally brushed against someone's, and no one knew.

Nor did she violate the family law's requirement of honesty; she said she was going out to play, and she did go out to play.

Old Sheng was using public power to settle a private grudge, claiming she broke the family law without specifying which clause; at worst, she would just find an excuse to lie when asking for leave next time.

Sheng Yuanyao was actually more concerned with compiling the Great Qian Heroes List; this not only meant eating melons with public funds, but also meant she could boldly pick melons from other people's melon fields.

For instance, she openly requested an audience with the Imperial Preceptor.

Ye Tinglan indeed received her: "I heard Yuan Yao has taken up a new post; how do you have time to come to my place?"

"It is precisely regarding the Rising Stars List that I seek the Imperial Preceptor... Last time with the Rising Stars List, I intended to include Miss Qingli, but Miss Qingli herself said she did not plan to be on the list. At that time, she probably did not wish to reveal her identity; otherwise, since the Holy Land heir was protecting Shen Tang, others would immediately see that Shen Tang's identity was problematic... Now that everyone has left, the matter has faded. If I omit Qingli's past of protecting Shen Tang from the list, can Qingli be included?"

Ye Tinglan nodded slightly: "I had no intention of hiding Qingli. It was indeed inconvenient for her to be on the list back then because of Princess Chao Huang; she should also experience the challenges and trials of the Rising Stars List. If Editor Sheng believes Qingli is qualified to be on the list, then let her be."

"When I first met Miss Qingli, she was at the upper stage of fifth grade. Shortly after, she seemed to break through to fourth grade. Now several months have passed; I wonder if she has made further progress?"

Ye Tinglan thought inwardly that his disciple was in seclusion and unreachable; otherwise, he too would have asked. She had only broken through to fourth grade not long ago; how had she reached the threshold of third grade and needed seclusion?

But then again, Qingli's train of thought was unique; her so-called seclusion did not necessarily mean sitting motionless in a sealed room; it could be training in an uninhabited ruin. If no one could see her, that counted as seclusion. Furthermore, her so-called "for the sake of breaking through to third grade" did not necessarily mean at the threshold; the entire path of fourth grade was, for her, called "for the sake of third grade."

That was very Qingli.

Anyway, after so much time, the mid-stage of fourth grade should be present, so he said directly: "Count her as mid-stage fourth grade."

Sheng Yuanyao seemed to smile: "Mid-stage fourth grade, and a direct heir of the Holy Land... The Imperial Preceptor also said she needs to undergo challenges and trials. Dare you let her directly replace Ye Wufeng's position?"

Ye Tinglan looked Sheng Yuanyao up and down thoughtfully; why did it feel like you held some malice toward my obedient disciple?

The true master of the Holy Land indeed did not care if her disciple experienced the Rising Stars challenge; what she cared about was that if her disciple suddenly took first place, people would scold the Holy Land for manipulating the list, unfairly smearing themselves with mud. So she said: "Editor Sheng..."

"Ah?"

"What consideration leads you to want Qingli to take first place?"

"Because I think Lu Xingzhou will sooner or later sit in first place. Let Qingli be there and clash with him; let's see what he does."

Ye Tinglan: "... Just for such a boring reason?"

Sheng Yuanyao widened her eyes: "Such a good melon!"

The Imperial Preceptor was indeed not a kindred spirit; perhaps Pei Green Tea would want to eat this melon. No, wait, did Pei Green Tea know Du Gu Qingli?

Poor Melon Girl still did not know the origin of how Pei Chuyun and Lu Xingzhou met; otherwise, she would probably have destroyed Little Bai Mao.

Ye Tinglan clearly could not understand such a boring reason and said indifferently: "First place is inappropriate; top three should be sufficient."

Sheng Yuanyao felt somewhat regretful but said cheerfully: "Fine, then second place."

Ye Tinglan asked casually: "What about Lu Xingzhou and his disciple?"

"Lu Xingzhou is seventh. It is better for A Nuo not to be on the list; protecting children is everyone's responsibility."

Ye Tinglan thought for a while, then nodded: "Fine. By the way, I have a piece of news here that you can also write into the character biography."

Sheng Yuanyao paused: "What news?"

"I have a friend, Lady Ye, who says she intends to help Lu Xingzhou treat his leg... Thus it is predictable; this person can be expected to reach a high position on the next list."

Sheng Yuanyao's heart stirred.

She recalled what Lu Xingzhou had said to her before: he needed a respectable reason to stand up, such as being treated by a high-grade alchemist or furthering his studies at the Alchemy Academy. But the latter was clearly inferior to the former; further studies could only prove an increase in medical technique, not necessarily that suitable heavenly treasures existed to treat his ten-year-old broken leg. If a high-grade alchemist helped, then resources would not be a problem.

Who was this Lady Ye? It was as if sleep had brought a pillow; what a good person.

Sheng Yuanyao was very enthusiastic about this new job, full of energy; after asking the Imperial Preceptor, she went to ask Lu Xingzhou.

This was the first time recently she had sought Lu Xingzhou for official business, rather than making excuses just because she wanted to see him.

"Your Shen Tang broke through, right?" Even mentioning Shen Tang carried no vinegar; official business occupied more of her thoughts.

"Mm." Lu Xingzhou found her manner somewhat amusing: "What is it?"

"She has reached third grade. Should we have her directly join the Heroes List instead of staying on the Rising Stars List? Will that bring her trouble?"

This question made Lu Xingzhou consider for quite a while: "If she wishes to develop the Heavenly Sword Sect, as the Sect Master, a third-grade reputation and its deterrent power are essential. As for other matters, actually, as long as she maintains her attitude of not treating her leg, there should be no problem..."

Sheng Yuanyao was very satisfied and continued the interview: "Then, regarding the character biography, may I ask a few questions?"

Lu Xingzhou glanced at her sideways: "What?"

"She keeps her own guest scholar as a male concubine; can this be said?" Sheng Yuanyao spoke seriously: "By the way, may I ask if she has eaten meals cooked by a male concubine?"

Lu Xingzhou was at a loss between laughter and tears: "When will Editor Sheng invite me to a meal? The kind you cook yourself."

"No." Sheng Yuanyao said: "Someone's promise of something more delicate has not yet been fulfilled."

"Are you sure you want me to give it?" Lu Xingzhou stood up.

Sheng Yuanyao turned and ran: "No need, no need, I have a pile of things to do..."

Lu Xingzhou sat back down, examining her new hair tie.

That grass ring had obviously been replaced; only it was unknown whether she had lost it or put it away somewhere.

Sheng Yuanyao ran a few steps, saw Lu Xingzhou was not chasing, then stopped and looked back: "Lady Ye said she wants to help you treat your leg."

Lu Xingzhou paused, thinking: "I understand."

Sheng Yuanyao added: "Should your Green Tea be on the list this time?"

Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly: "Of course. Prime Minister Pei would very much hope to see his daughter on the list."

Sheng Yuanyao scratched her head, and suddenly a light lit up in her mind: "Hey, you are full of crooked ideas; how about becoming a deputy editor?"

"Then would that require an official post at the Demon Suppression Bureau?"

"Then being a consultant should be fine, right? How can you be someone's guest scholar but not a brother's consultant?"

"My surname is not Xue..." Lu Xingzhou thought for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "But we can try; it sounds quite fun."

Sheng Yuanyao was very happy: "Then does Consultant Lu have any creative proposals? Besides the time-limited one you mentioned before, that is too difficult; give me something else."

"Yes. Your list is too dry; why not add some commentary or something? It's all just gimmicks..."

"If you think you can do better, go ahead and try."

In mid-March, Sheng Yuanyao, the newly appointed editor-in-chief of the Great Qian Heroes List, who had spent half a month on research, released the new phase of the "Great Qian Heroes List." This radically different new version quickly captured everyone's attention, drawing interest even from other nations and the demon clans.

First, Shen Tang, formerly ranked thirtieth on the Rising Stars List and the Sect Master of the Heavenly Walking Sword Sect, broke through to third grade. No longer considered a rising star, she officially entered the bottom of the Heroes List to compete with heroes from across the land.

The editor thoughtfully added a comment: "Striking the water in mid-stream, the waves halt the flying boat."

This certainly did not come from Sheng Yuanyao; it was the creativity of the newly appointed advisor, and no one knew who that was.

Shen Tang is only twenty-three years old by nominal age this year, her birthday not yet passed. To boldly break through to the third grade at such an age, while not unprecedented, places her among extremely rare geniuses. Gu Zhaning did not show such performance in his day; the last one to break the third grade at this age was called Ye Tinglan.

Just this single matter was enough to spark worldwide discussion, yet the greatest change in this year's list was not here, but in the Rising Stars List.

Ye Wufeng, formerly first on the Rising Stars List, died at the hands of Lu Xingzhou and his master, and was removed from the list.

Qi Tuizhi, formerly second on the Rising Stars List and the young master of the Ling Tian Pavilion, advanced to first place.

The one who was third did not advance to second; he could not even keep third place.

The second spot went to a brand new figure who descended from nowhere: Du Gu Qingli, eighteen years old, mid-stage fourth grade, the direct disciple of the Heavenly Yao Holy Land and the only disciple of the number one under heaven, Ye Tinglan.

The editor's comment: "Frosty sky and frozen moon reflect upon the cold river."

The third spot also went to a brand new figure who descended from nowhere: Pei Chuyun, daughter of the Pei family of Hedong, eighteen years old, lower-stage fourth grade.

The editor's comment: "Returning to the Jianghu for the first time, her name crowns the capital."

This line was not written by Lu Xingzhou; Sheng Yuanyao refused to let Lu Xingzhou write it. As a result, the editorial staff added it with great enthusiasm, and it still sounded very good, which angered the editor-in-chief, my lord, quite a bit.

Pei Chuyun had long been upper-stage fourth grade, but unfortunately, without revealing her true skill, she could only be listed as lower-stage fourth grade. Under normal circumstances, a lower-stage fourth grade cultivator could not be ranked in this position, but the advisor believed she was qualified, the editor-in-chief hoped she would get beaten up, and the final approving leader, Old Sheng, wanted to give the Pei family some face. Under this consensus, she was placed here.

Just these two descended figures were enough to shock everyone into silence, yet there was a third descended figure.

Lu Xingzhou, a guest elder of the Heavenly Walking Sword Sect who was originally only on the Alchemist Supplementary List and had never made the main Rising Stars List, boldly seized the position formerly held by the seventh on the Rising Stars List, dropping to eighth due to the two figures who descended ahead of him.

This number made a certain advisor very satisfied, but he did not dare to add a comment for himself.

The editor-in-chief, my lord, personally wrote the red comment: "On the path, the man is like jade; among young masters, he is unmatched in the world."

With the comments, the list's fun and readability increased by several orders of magnitude. Those who loved to gossip read it with great enthusiasm, unable to take their eyes off it, while serious people could only suck in a cold breath looking at such a drastically changed list.

Three descended figures all made the top ten; two are eighteen years old, one is twenty.

Add Shen Tang from before, who is also so young... Is this a gathering of monsters on one list?

This is still with A-Nuo hidden away; if A-Nuo were on the list, it would be even more ridiculously changed, as if the era had shifted. Even without A-Nuo, the discussion level of this list has already reached a world-shaking scale.

Generally, such a situation would be called a "Year of Rising Winds" by diviners, often symbolizing the beginning of some upheaval; and within the wind and clouds, there is often a core, known as the Eye of the Convergence of Wind and Clouds.

At least in Ye Tinglan's eyes, this core is basically locked onto Lu Xingzhou, because almost all the figures in the upheaval can be linked to him.

And if judged carefully, this "Year of Rising Winds" is not this year, but began last year or even the year before.

In the winter of the year before last, Lu Xingzhou left the Yan Luo Hall on a snowy night; this was the moment the wind rose.

In late autumn and early winter of last year, Lu Xingzhou met Shen Tang; this was the day of convergence.

Thus, this year's Rising Stars List is swept by wind and clouds, causing the whole world to tremble.

(End of this chapter)