Chapter 22

In the main hall, everyone was stunned.

Their eyes were filled with shock.

Before they could recover, Bai Zhantang continued on his own.

"As if sensing the Eastern Sect Leader's astonishment, the black-robed woman sneered, then, under the incredulous gazes of the Sun-Moon Cult disciples, her eyes shot out two sword beams nearly solidified into substance!"

"Puch! Facing the instant-arriving sword beams, the Eastern Sect Leader barely raised his cultivation to resist before spitting out a mouthful of blood and being blasted backward!"

Sssss!!!

Another round of sharp intakes of breath echoed.

But now, Bai Zhantang, his throat dry, gave no one time to marvel.

Instead, he pinched his voice, mimicking a woman's tone.

"Boring! You're unworthy of this name, and even less worthy of the Great Dragon Chief!"

"Don't ever show affection again like this! He—you're only fit to look up to!"

"Remember my name: Qinglong Society, May, Li Canghai!"

As the last word ended.

On everyone's faces was a mix of sighs and complex expressions.

Bam!

The wooden clapper struck the table.

Bai Zhantang rose and bowed to the crowd.

"This episode is done!"

"Thank you, esteemed audience!"

With that said.

Bai Zhantang resumed his activities.

Meanwhile, those in the main hall began discussing Li Canghai and the Qinglong Society, one after another.

And also Ximen Wudi, who had no role in the story yet was the protagonist.

Yet they did not know.

The real Ximen Wudi, whom they revered as an idol, was right now in this inn.

Even sharing the same main hall as them, eating!

"This girl is becoming more and more unrestrained."

Thinking of what Bai Zhantang had just told.

Ximen Wudi chuckled and shook his head.

Then, as if sensing something,

he turned his head, eyes half-lidded, gazing at the void.

There, the Heavenly Dao Golden List, spanning the void, shook violently twice.

Then it burst forth with brilliant golden light.

In an instant.

Every person in the Nine Provinces looked up simultaneously.

【Nine Provinces Combat Ceiling List—Rank 15: Zhang Sanfeng, Cultivation: Peak Land Immortal.】

【Identity: Founding Patriarch of the Wu Dangpai in the Great Ming Empire.】

【Zhang Sanfeng, also known as Zhang Sanfeng, Master of the Wu Dangqixia, hailed as the greatest martial artist of the Great Ming Wu Lin, a legendary martial arts master renowned across the land.】

【He was born with extraordinary talent, radiated righteous energy, was calm and composed, possessed an ethereal aura of Daoist transcendence, and was the unrivaled martial genius of his age.】

【Once inspired by the tortoise and snake mountains before the Zhenwu Divine Statue, he created the famed Zhenwu Seven-Cut Array, later invented Taiji Quan and Taiji Jian, greatly expanding the Wu Dangpai's fame, spreading its renown far and wide, earning the reverence of heroes from both orthodox and outlaw circles.】

【Most importantly, his insight was astonishing: relying solely on one-third of the Nine Yang Divine Art and years of Dao comprehension, he has now reached the ultimate realm of "formless surpassing form," merely one step away from the Heavenly Being Realm.】

【Heavenly Dao Evaluation: Martial Genius, Insight Terrifying— barring unforeseen events, the Mythical Realm is attainable!】

【Heavenly Dao Reward: Taiji Profundity (the higher one's insight, the greater the gain).】

017—The Great Ming Martial World in Uproar, Abbot Kongwen's Thoughts! (Request flowers, request tips)

"Taiji Profundity?"

"This reward truly suits him."

"I suppose he won't take long to take that final step."

Watching the Heavenly Dao reward displayed on the Golden List,

Ximen Wudi calmly wiped his mouth.

He thought to himself.

A thoughtful glint flashed in his deep eyes.

"How is this possible?!!"

"Zhang Zhenren is the greatest martial artist of our Great Ming Wu Lin—surely he should be in the top three, how could he not even make the top ten?!"

In the inn's main hall,

many spectators cried out in shock.

Their faces all showed disbelief.

You have to know.

Not just in the Great Ming,

even across the entire Nine Provinces, Zhang Zhenren's name was thunderously famous!

Yet now.

The Heavenly Dao Golden List had actually ranked him fifteenth.

For them, who had always blindly worshipped Zhang Zhenren, how could they possibly accept this all at once?!

It wasn't just them.

At this moment.

Great Ming, within the Forbidden Purple City.

Staring at the three bold characters "Zhang Sanfeng" gleaming on the Heavenly Dao Golden List.

Zhu Houzhao, who reigned as Emperor of Ming, likewise wore a stunned expression.

Because.

Since some unknown point in time.

Throughout the entire Great Ming imperial court, the saying had circulated: "In the south, Yunzhou Shaolin is revered; in the north, Wu Dang is honored."

Among them.

Although Yunzhou Shaolin was still ranked ahead of Wu Dang.

This Yunzhou Shaolin, however, represented the Shaolin Temple developed over several hundred years!

And Wu Dang, on the other hand, referred to none other than Zhang Sanfeng alone!

Or rather, it was not Wu Dang that made Zhang Sanfeng, but Zhang Sanfeng who made Wu Dang!

One man, an entire sect!

From this, one could see.

Just how exaggerated Zhang Sanfeng's prestige within Great Ming truly was!

And yet, such an existence.

In the end, hadn't even been placed within the top ten of the Nine Provinces Combat Power Ceiling List.

How could this not shock people?

How could this not leave people in disbelief?

"Old Wei, tell me, is there any possibility... I'm only saying possibility, mind you, that this Heavenly Dao Golden List got it wrong?"

He drew in two deep breaths.

Having fully steadied his emotions, Zhu Houzhao said in a low voice without turning his head.

Clearly.

Even up until this moment.

In his heart, there was still a faint trace of disbelief.

"This list is generated by the Heavenly Dao; I presume it should not be in error."