Chen Ping'an stood with his sword sheathed, silently closing his eyes.
After a full fifteen minutes, Chen Ping'an suddenly opened his eyes.
"Breakthrough!"
Whoosh~
The panel that appeared in the Void Realm, the experience value behind Flying Star Swordplay began to churn wildly, finally transforming into specks of starlight.
A large amount of starlight entered his glabella, and various insights emerged in Chen Ping'an's mind.
These were all about the profound uses of Flying Star Swordplay.
When the sword struck directly, Internal Energy erupted, driving the intent of a flying star with vibrational force.
When the long sword lifted, it used the solid and ethereal nature of Internal Energy to break through the opponent's hard hand!
When the sword body swung, drawing circles and arcs, it used the meaning of roundness to execute an attack.
...
All of this transpired in just over ten breaths of time.
Flying Star Swordplay, Major Achievement!
Pure Qi of Heaven and Earth spontaneously emerged within Chen Ping'an's body, and his Internal Energy, which was already at Perfection and reached its peak, began to surge wildly, rushing directly towards the location of the Heavenly Gate.
The Heavenly Gate was like a solid barrier, blocking the many Internal Energy streams. But as the Internal Energy grew increasingly abundant, constantly compressing and penetrating, this barrier also began to loosen.
Finally, at a certain moment!
Boom!
Chen Ping'an only felt his mind become clear.
The Heavenly Gate opened again!
Between heaven and earth, a Heavenly Dew descended.
Chen Ping'an's spirit ascended, merging with the Heavenly Dew.
Buzz~
A faint light emitted, and within the utterly dark, mystical space, the first light arrived.
Profound Light, born!
Spirit Illumination Initial Stage!
Chen Ping'an kept his eyes tightly closed, unmoving. But the faintly trembling muscles and sinews on his body indicated that he was experiencing an unimaginable scene.
Tianlin Descends Peak, nectar nourishes!
As the nectar continuously appeared, that faint Profound Light also began to gradually grow stronger.
This was to absorb spiritual energy and refine evil Qi to strengthen the Profound Light!
Finally, at a certain moment, the Profound Light gradually formed, like a golden flame.
Profound Light Seed, formed!
At this point, Chen Ping'an finally broke into the Profound Light Realm!
Name: Chen Ping'an
Realm: Profound Light - Spirit Illumination Initial Stage
Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Perfection, Flying Locust Stone Perfection, Gongmen Thirteen Blades Perfection, Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Perfection, Golden Bell Cover Perfection, Swift Wind Saber Technique Perfection, Eight Steps Catching Cicadas Perfection, Flying Star Swordplay Major Achievement (0/400), Great Vajra Palm Minor Achievement (136/160)
...
"Profound Light Realm, achieved!"
Chen Ping'an opened his eyes, incredibly excited.
Stepping from the Inner Qi Realm directly into the Profound Light Realm, this step had blocked how many geniuses and prodigies. Yet, he had effortlessly taken it with such ease.
The Profound Light Realm, looking across the entire Canglong Province, was also the Realm of a master! If in Weishui County, no matter which force one went to, he would be revered as an honored guest!
If Chen Ping'an's Profound Light Realm cultivation was revealed, a Family like the Mu Family of the Weishui Four Great Families would probably immediately offer their legitimate daughter with both hands to win him over, fearing that he would hesitate and refuse.
Not only was it the Profound Light Realm, but it was also the manifestation of Chen Ping'an's charm in stepping into the Profound Light Realm at such a young age.
"Rising Star Rankings of Canglong Province, there are a hundred Prodigies on the list, among whom only twenty-seven have entered the Profound Light Realm!"
Chen Ping'an recalled the rankings of the latest New Talent Rankings.
Twenty-seven!
This meant that if Chen Ping'an made the list, the worst-case scenario would be the twenty-eighth place on the New Talent Rankings.
In the face of this ranking, Liu Ziming's title as the number one Prodigy of Wei River of the Liu Family undoubtedly seemed somewhat laughable!
As for Mu Feiyu of the Mu Family...?
He had just entered the Inner Qi Third Level and had not even stepped onto the New Talent Rankings yet.
Comparing Mu Feiyu to him undoubtedly seemed even more laughable!
"Prodigy?"
Chen Ping'an smiled and said nothing.
"Profound Light Realm, ah..."
Buzz~
A faint golden light flashed across Chen Ping'an's body.
Entering the Profound Light Realm, breaking swords with bare hands, was not an exaggeration.
...
Tonight's Drunken Immortal Pavilion was exceptionally lively. As the most high-end and luxurious restaurant in Baishi City, the Drunken Immortal Pavilion's prices had always been known for being high.
But tonight, the entire Drunken Immortal Pavilion had been booked out.
Wealthy patrons who frequently visited the Drunken Immortal Pavilion were stopped at the entrance and informed that the Drunken Immortal Pavilion had been booked.
Most of the wealthy patrons obediently cooperated and left.
But there were also some arrogant patrons, relying on their deep pockets, who looked displeased and wanted to force their way in.
"I just came out to have a drink, it's not like I'll take up an extra chair if I go in!"
However, as soon as the patron reached the entrance and saw the scene inside, he broke out in a cold sweat.
"This, this, this..."
"Guest, are you not forcing your way in anymore?"
A young waiter said with a smile.
The patron didn't even utter a sound, trembling as he scurried away.
The first floor of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion was filled with various people, bearing the insignia of different forces, subtly confronting each other.
The Three Great Families, the Chamber of Commerce Alliance... including the Zhenfu Division, all were present.
Who wouldn't tremble at such a scene!
The reason these people were here was because the Baishi City Garrison Command had specially arranged a banquet at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion to welcome the New Vice Commander.
...
The largest private room on the top floor of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion was full of people.
Chen Ping'an naturally sat in the main seat, looking at the various forces below.
Tonight was the second night after he officially took office. The Zhenfu Division's efficiency was quite high; on his first day in office, they had promptly sent invitations to all forces and arranged the relevant details early on.
At this time, the atmosphere in the private room was quite good, with various forces smiling and toasting Chen Ping'an.
"Lord Chen, your arrival here is truly a blessing for our Baishi City. Come, I'll toast you."
A representative from the Chu Family walked up to Chen Ping'an, smiling as he offered a toast.
"Elder Chu, you are too kind."
Chen Ping'an smiled kindly and accepted the toast from the Chu Family representative.
"Lord Chen, come, I'll toast you too!"
A representative from the He Family also stood up and toasted with a smile.
Chen Ping'an acted amicably, smiling and returning the toast.
The atmosphere on the scene was harmonious.
However, the expressions of Cheng Renjing and others sitting beside Chen Ping'an were somewhat grim.
They were going too far!
Looking around the room, among the various forces, not a single Gang Leader or Family Head had personally attended! In fact, not even the Deputy Gang Leaders or influential Elders had come!
For instance, the Chu Family had only sent an Elder with a nominal position. Cheng Renjing knew very well that this person's ranking within the Chu Family didn't even make it into the top ten.
For example, the Shaxie Alliance sent an ordinary Elder, whose power and status likewise didn't make it into the top ten.
Other Families like the Song Family, the He Family, the Crocodile Gang, and the Iron Fist Gang were all in similar situations.
The Baishi City Garrison Command's Deputy Commander, a dignified second-in-command's welcoming banquet, and the Three Great Families, the Chamber of Commerce Alliance, and the Four Great Gangs only sent these people as representatives?
During the banquet, they even implicitly interacted with Deputy Commander as equals!
This was simply too much of an insult!
The most crucial thing was that the Liusha Gang, one of the Four Great Gangs, hadn't even sent anyone yet!
Where does this put our Zhenfu Division!
Cheng Renjing was fuming with anger, absolutely enraged.
He glanced at Deputy Commander sitting at the head of the table, and found that he was chatting and laughing with everyone, showing no signs of anything amiss.
Sir!
These forces are humiliating you, haven't you noticed?
Cheng Renjing glanced at a few colleagues beside him and found that most of them had the same expression as him. Some, in addition to anger, already showed faint disappointment in their hearts.
The title of Deputy Commander, in this situation, represented not only himself but also their Baishi City Garrison Command.
The Baishi City Garrison Command, in terms of righteous justification, governed all the various forces, big and small, within Baishi City.
Logically speaking, when a Zhenfu Division Deputy Commander took office, it would be perfectly normal for the Family Heads, Gang Leaders, and Alliance Masters of all forces to personally attend the welcoming banquet!
The fact that these forces sent such people as representatives now made their intent to humiliate abundantly clear!
You are indeed the Zhenfu Division's Deputy Commander!
But within our forces, you are only fit to dine with those ranked outside the top ten, not even considered core high-level personnel!
Cheng Renjing was indignant, a knot of frustration in his chest that he wanted to vent. But looking at the representatives of the various forces sitting in the room, he shivered all over.
If we truly fall out with these forces, our Zhenfu Division might not even be able to maintain the little dignity it currently has!
If our Zhenfu Division were a bit stronger...
Yes, the matter of the previous Deputy Commander hasn't been long ago...
He's new here, what can he do!?
Cheng Renjing lowered his head, as if resigned to his fate.