I Can Fix My Talent in Hundred Lives

Chapter 568 - 462: Mortal Limits

The emergence of Qing Stone Dragon, the old rankings are replaced by new ones.

In the blink of fifteen years, the Jianghu of Southern Heaven Domain has changed completely.

At the West Market Street Corner, the "Welcoming Guest Tower" tea house remains bustling with noise, but the shopkeeper of the past has been replaced by his son, and the columns of the tea house bear a few more mottled marks of age.

On the stage at the center of the hall, an old man in a blue cloth long robe sits solemnly, with a pitch-black koumu plank shining in front of him. He is none other than Zhang Tiezui, a storyteller who has roamed the Jianghu for decades.

Compared to fifteen years ago, Zhang Tiezui appears more aged, slightly hunched, with hair and beard as white as snow, and wrinkles around his eyes deep as ravines. Yet, his eyes remain bright and sharp, revealing his keen insight into Jianghu.

The little girl who used to braid her hair into two buns and support the comedy act with a wooden tray has grown into a graceful woman, married to a chivalrous wandering hero, now a wife and mother.

Today, Zhang Tiezui is left alone guarding this stage, using his hoarse yet still resonant voice to narrate the changes in Jianghu.

"Pa!"

The koumu plank fell with a heavy sound, instantly quelling the noise within the tea house, halting the cracking of sunflower seeds and setting down of tea cups, all eyes focused on the stage.

Zhang Tiezui cleared his hoarse throat and slowly spoke:

"Honored guests, today we will not talk about old stories, but discuss the most heated topic in Jianghu — the three rankings of Heaven, Earth, and People! You must have heard of them, haven’t you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of agreement rose within the tea house, one after another.

"Old Zhang, you’re kidding! The three rankings of Heaven, Earth, and People are the current trend in Jianghu. Who hasn’t heard?"

"Even the village warriors can name them! It’s the rule set by the Cyan Dragon Association, who dares to disregard it?"

Zhang Tiezui stroked his snowy beard, his eyes gleaming with approval:

"Indeed! These three rankings were introduced by the Cyan Dragon Association over the past decade, reshaping the landscape of Jianghu in Southern Heaven Domain!"

He paused, then raised his voice:

"The first ranking is the Heaven List, commonly known in Jianghu as the Grandmaster List!"

"On this list are all the grandmaster-level experts from Southern Heaven who have mastered the inner perspective, each a top existence capable of stabilizing a region!"

"The second ranking, the Earth List! This list collects the strong figures across Jianghu who have achieved Great Success in the outer perspective. Though they have not reached grandmaster status, they are transcendent and unique."

"Each is capable of leading a region, establishing sects, their skills allowing them to traverse Jianghu freely!"

"As for the last ranking, the People List! It’s the most competitive and most attention-grabbing! It records Jianghu’s heroes under thirty years old."

"These individuals are exceptionally talented with limitless potential. Today they might just be in the initial realm of outer perspective, but tomorrow they could ascend to the Earth List or even challenge the Heaven List. Each update of the list stirs a wave in Jianghu!"

"Once these three major lists appear, the entire Jianghu becomes tumultuous!"

Zhang Tiezui spoke passionately:

"In Jianghu, how can one ignore fame and fortune? Those who make the list become famous globally, admired by thousands of Jianghu people."

A scholar unfamiliar with Jianghu matters couldn’t help but ask:

"Old Zhang, the Cyan Dragon Association can manage this fame and fortune in Jianghu, introduce the three major lists, yet remain standing tall, is no one dissatisfied?"

Zhang Tiezui heard this, chuckled lightly, his eyes showing a hint of awe: "Dissatisfied? Of course, there are! But those dissatisfied have all turned to dust!"

"The reason is actually very simple!" He slowly said, "The current top of the Heaven List is none other than the Cyan Dragon Association’s Dragon Head — Li Changkong!"

As the name "Li Changkong" was mentioned, the tea house quieted down a bit, even the breathing turned subtle.

After a moment, someone whispered, "It’s that ’Demon Lord’!"

Zhang Tiezui’s voice carried a tremor, a reverence for absolute power:

"Who else could it be?"

"’The Demon Lord Descends’, ’Invincible in the Mortal Realm’, ’Supreme Grandmaster’, ’The First Under Martial Saint’, ’Sweeps Through Eight Hundred Undefeated’... These are all titles bestowed upon him!"

"Since over ten years ago, when the Demon Lord first entered Jianghu, he swept through the regions with a thunderous force, challenging four major holy sites, slaying grandmasters, terrifying the world, no one dared to contest him!"

"Later, he founded the Cyan Dragon Association, ruling the regions. His farewell battle was a one-man victory, crushing the combined forces of five grandmasters!"

"Following this battle, the Demon Lord retreated to the mysterious Qing Stone Valley for recuperation, he has not taken action for many years."

Zhang Tiezui added:

"Yet, even without taking action, no one dares to provoke his resting tiger hairs! The Cyan Dragon Association can firmly sit on Jianghu’s top seat, controlling the three major lists, all relying on the Demon Lord as the Stabilizing Needle!"

The martial artists among the tea guests nodded in agreement, eyes full of recognition.

Under Li Changkong’s formidable power, Jianghu in the Southern Heaven Domain has long been thoroughly intimidated, no one dares to question the authority of the Cyan Dragon Association.

Zhang Tiezui once again raised his teacup, took a sip, moistening his throat:

"Since everyone knows about the three lists of Heaven, Earth, and People, surely the first on the Earth List, ’Hero King’, is not unfamiliar to you!"

"Hero King!"

These two words instantly stirred the atmosphere in the tea house, everyone echoed:

"Of course we know! Hero King Shen Chunqiu, he is a legendary figure in Jianghu!"

"Indeed!"

Zhang Tiezui nodded:

"Among the three lists of Heaven, Earth, and People, the People List is the most frequently contested, updated monthly, changing like flags on the city walls is common."

"The heroes on the Earth List also often clash over territories and resources, and the rankings change quite a bit."

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