Overdraw the future and become a peerless martial god

Chapter 72 Chu Yun's Letter
He did not answer immediately, but slowly walked down to the central courtyard. The wind ruffled his white hair, revealing the faint lightning patterns, and his long robe fluttered in the wind.

He stopped, turned around, and looked calmly at Han Xu and the others present. He extended his right hand, put his thumb and forefinger together, and slowly made the number "eight".

“Eighth rank,” he said calmly.

The sound landed like a morning bell or evening drum, simple and plain, yet it resounded in everyone's hearts like a thunderclap.

A moment of silence fell over the courtyard, as if even the wind had stopped.

"Eighth rank..." Han Xu murmured repeatedly, momentarily unsure whether to be shocked or horrified, "It really is the eighth rank?"

"How...how is this possible..." Duan Wuyai subconsciously took a half step back, his Adam's apple bobbing, filled with surprise and doubt.

But before they could voice their questions, lightning suddenly appeared in Chu Ning's palm.

"Fuck-"

A bolt of purple lightning suddenly shot out from his fingertips, soaring into the sky and piercing through layers of morning mist, its thunderous roar echoing across the heavens.

Before anyone could react, an overwhelming pressure suddenly exploded.

"Bang!!"

Chu Ning flicked his fingertips, and the purple lightning bolt shot straight down, winding and swiftly moving along the blue brick ground in the center of the courtyard, roaring like a thunder dragon moving on the ground.

With a loud "crack," the ancient tree in the center of the courtyard was struck by lightning in the next instant. Its trunk was charred and cracked, splitting open inch by inch. Its branches and leaves instantly turned to ash, and the entire ancient tree collapsed with a crash, turning into charred ashes.

The sword at Duan Wuyai's waist suddenly hummed softly, and its scabbard cracked open three inches on its own in the absence of wind, revealing its sharp edge, as if submitting to a stronger will.

The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder and the acrid smell of burning. Even Lin Yue, who was usually calm and composed, couldn't help but gasp and feel a chill run down his spine.

Elder Han Xu's eyes widened, then reddened, and he clasped his hands in a deep bow: "The power of the Master is beyond our comprehension. We... are convinced!"

As soon as he spoke, the elders stood up, clasped their hands in greeting, and bowed in unison: "Congratulations, Master! You have reached the eighth rank! Your talent is astonishing, and you have restored the prestige of the sect!"

What is the eighth rank? It is the pinnacle of power, capable of sweeping away the forces of an entire prefecture. With just one person and one sword, one can transform an entire county.

Since its founding, the Benlei Martial Arts School has never produced an eighth-grade expert, but now...

Seeing their shocked expressions, Chu Ning's smile deepened, and she slowly added:
"Anyone below the seventh rank can be killed with a single move."

"Even a low-ranking seventh-grade soldier can put up a fight."

These words, once spoken, caused an uproar like a thunderclap.

"call--"

Someone let out a soft sigh, and immediately afterward, the atmosphere in the entire hall changed.

The elders exchanged glances, speechless. They finally understood why Chu Ning had been able to pull the Benlei Martial Arts School out of its predicament in just a few days and even achieve legendary status in a single battle.

He didn't rely on chance or luck, but on true, absolute strength.

At this moment, all the doubts and reservations that had remained were completely put aside.

Han Xu's eyes were filled with excitement. He bowed deeply and said solemnly, "The master's ability is a great honor for our Benlei Martial Arts School!"

Duan Wuyai followed closely behind: "From now on, whatever orders the Benlei Martial Arts School gives, I, Duan, will obey without hesitation, even at the cost of my life!"

The elders all rose and bowed, their expressions shifting from shock to admiration, and from admiration to reverence, completely submitting to Chu Ning.

Chu Ning looked around, the smile on his face gradually fading, leaving only a calm and composed aura as deep as a mountain and as vast as the sea.

"This battle is not only to settle scores with the Wang family, but also to vindicate Benlei."

"If anyone dares to provoke the Benlei Martial Arts School while I am away..."

Chu Ning spoke in a low voice, yet each word was sharp and carried a thunderous power: "You only need to tell him that I, Chu Ning, have returned."

The surroundings were deathly silent, yet everyone felt a surge of emotion.

A true eighth-rank expert, a master who killed Wang Lin and the Wang family, Chu Ning, who can say "I can fight a seventh-rank expert".

Benlei Martial Arts School is no longer what it used to be. They have finally found their true backbone.

Just as Elder Han Xu was about to persuade him to set off for the Qingyun Arena, he heard the neighing of warhorses outside, and a dark figure swiftly swept in.

"Report——!"

Another black-armored guard entered, panting heavily, kicking up dust, his voice urgent:

"Group 10 has completed three matches, leaving you with four matches backlogged, Your Excellency!"

Chu Ning stepped off the stone platform, his cloak billowing behind him, his gaze sharp as lightning: "Understood."

Everyone was startled by these words, as if thunder had struck their ears.

A moment later, another figure arrived on horseback, his voice preceding his arrival:
“Report——!!!”

"Jiang Rushuang, the young master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, with a cultivation level of the lower ninth rank, killed Wei Tianqi of the Heavenly Radiance Sect, despite being of a higher cultivation level! Wei Tianqi, with a cultivation level of the peak of the ninth rank, was defeated in a single move!"

There was an uproar in the hall.

"A low-ranking ninth-grade warrior defeating a peak-level opponent?!"

"Isn't that the same method used by the Inspector General?!"

Before the commotion had subsided, another messenger tumbled to the ground, his face covered in blood and dust, and hoarsely shouted:

"Wang Chen of the Wang family is ruthless in the Qingyun Arena! With a mid-level ninth-grade cultivation, he consecutively killed Li Tianyi, a mid-level eighth-grade cultivator! His move, 'Three Waves of Blood,' combines the Heaven-Burning Force, alarming several sects!"

The hall erupted in uproar!

"Wang Chen?! A remnant of the Wang family?"

"Slayed eight rank-eight in a row? The Wang family members who participated in the Qingyun Arena have not yet been eliminated."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ning's eyes instantly turned cold.

"Elder Han..." Chu Ning finally spoke, "I can't wait any longer."

Han Xu sighed, knowing that this moment had finally arrived.

"I entrust the Benlei Martial Arts School to you. During my absence, I will follow your instructions regarding my training, affairs, and everything else."

"Go ahead with peace of mind." Han Xu patted his shoulder, his gaze steady. "You single-handedly built up the martial arts school, so we old bones naturally dare not let you down."

Chu Ning bowed deeply and was about to turn and leave when suddenly a disciple rushed over, holding up a letter: "Elder Han, a letter, a letter has arrived, it's...it's from Miss Chu Yun!"

Chu Ning turned around abruptly, his gaze fixed on the letter.

Han Xu took the letter, unfolded it, and immediately beamed with joy: "Great, it's her handwriting!"

He quickly handed the letter to Chu Ning, "Look, it's for you."

Chu Ning accepted it with both hands, her hands trembling slightly.

He took a deep breath and unfolded the letter.

[Ning-ge'er: By the time you read this letter, your older sister should have already settled down with Uncle Lei in a relatively peaceful small town. Don't worry too much, Uncle Lei has been protecting me all along. It's just that this time, your older sister can no longer wait for you to return, nor can she say goodbye to you in person. My heart is filled with reluctance, and I can only express it in these few lines on paper.]

These days, I've been watching you silently. You're no longer the impulsive, hot-blooded young boy you once were. You've walked the path your parents couldn't finish in your own way, and you've brought a ray of light to our long-broken family.

Brother Ning, your older sister is really proud.

Growth is a lonely process, like a tree; the higher you grow, the closer you get to the heights where the wind whistles. But remember, no matter how high you fly or how far you go, never forget the roots you planted in the beginning.

When you're tired and weary, go home and rest. There's always someone there, keeping a light on for you. If you're willing, your older sister will be your safest haven.

—Chu Yun

(End of this chapter)