I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 156 Ranking
Chen Ming could tell that Su Zhining's fighting spirit was much higher than yesterday.

Last night, she initially approached it with a competitive mindset, only becoming serious later on. Today is different; she's already in battle mode.

He asked again, "Just like yesterday, you're not using your internal energy?"

"Yes."

At this moment, Su Zhining's heart was filled only with pure fighting spirit.

Before last night, she had never been defeated by a martial artist of the same level. Her master once said that she was still lacking in some aspects and could not be considered invincible among the younger generation.

She was actually a little resentful, but she was indifferent by nature and wouldn't argue.

She never imagined that she would lose in swordsmanship to Chen Ming, whom she had previously looked down upon. His cultivation level was even a level lower than hers.

Su Zhining experienced her first defeat in her life, a defeat that was truly unforgettable.

She pondered for a whole night and day, repeatedly recalling that battle. Finally, she figured out the flaw in Chen Ming's swordsmanship, and so she came to challenge him again.

Chen Ming drew the "Mingfeng Sword" he had just obtained and said, "Then let's go."

It's a good opportunity to test the power of the "Phoenix Cry Sword" on her.

"Divine weapon?"

When Su Zhining heard him draw his sword, she heard a clear and melodious sword sound that was somewhat awe-inspiring. Looking closely, she could vaguely feel the pressure emanating from the sword's edge, and she knew that this was a divine weapon.

She was not surprised but delighted. This way, she wouldn't have to worry about accidentally breaking his sword during the duel. She could then do as she pleased.

"Look at the sword!"

She struck first, her move "Morning Glow Across a Thousand Miles" setting the stage for the battle.

……

Before they knew it, the two had fought for over a hundred moves.

Su Zhining became much more cautious, guarding herself flawlessly. With her focused on defense, it would be difficult for Chen Ming to break through her defenses in a short time.

He had already guessed her intention: to play defense and counterattack. She wanted to wait until he became agitated before launching a counterattack.

That's underestimating him.

As Chen Ming fought on, his pride was aroused, and he decided to defeat her fair and square. His thirty-six moves of the Vermilion Bird Sword Technique, like mercury spilling onto the ground, gradually cracked open Su Zhining's turtle shell.

After a hundred moves, Su Zhining gradually found herself struggling to hold on, and eventually began to sway precariously.

The 130th move.

Whoosh.

Su Zhining's sword technique finally showed a slight flaw, and a wisp of sword energy cut off a lock of her hair, causing her to fall gracefully to the ground.

She lowered her longsword, looking at the strand of hair that had fallen to the ground, and a strong sense of frustration welled up in her heart.

Chen Ming defeated her in the most magnificent and grand manner, dominating her from beginning to end without revealing a single flaw.

This kind of defeat filled her with a sense of powerlessness.

Su Zhining knew very well that although she said she wouldn't use her inner energy, her cultivation level was undeniable, and she had the advantage in every aspect.

And so, she still lost.

If Chen Ming had also broken through to the fourth rank, she definitely wouldn't have been able to hold out for so long.

"I lost."

Her voice was tinged with bitterness when she said those words.

As Chen Ming watched her figure disappear from the spot, he suddenly felt a little guilty. Was he being too cruel?

Judging from how much she was discouraged, she seemed to be questioning the meaning of life.

He still remembered the first time he met her; beneath her aloof demeanor lay absolute confidence and pride in her own abilities.

As Chen Ming sheathed his sword, his gaze swept across to the rooftop diagonally opposite, where it was completely empty.

Just now, he had a vague feeling that someone was standing in that spot.

It seems they've left.

He gently stroked the "Mingfeng Sword" in his hand, his eyes filled with deep affection, as if he were caressing a lover.

No wonder there are swordsmen in novels who cherish their swords as if they were their lives. A good sword is truly crucial for a martial artist.

He felt like someone who was used to driving a beat-up 1.3T car was suddenly driving a fast electric car that could go 100 meters in two or three seconds. It was incredibly exhilarating.

He can never go back.

"What kind of junk did I use before?"

This "Singing Phoenix Sword" was truly a perfect match for him, allowing him to experience a state of oneness with the sword.

Yu Haitang's gift is truly too precious.

So, what does she want to get from herself?

What secrets are hidden within this "Blazing Sun Divine Skill"?

Chen Ming became even more curious.

……

In the following days, Chen Ming continued his undefeated record, defeating Ji Qianxing and Jiang Shihua, and became the undisputed sixth man of the younger generation in Jiangzhou.

With the "Phoenix Cry Sword," he became even more formidable, and no one could pose the slightest threat to him anymore. This was because he played with such composure. In the last two or three days, fewer people came to watch the competition.

Surprisingly, Fan Dongsheng came from behind and never lost again, even defeating Jiang Shihua, tying Ji Qianxing with a record of two losses. The three of them secured the top three spots.

The last two spots were decided on the very last day. One was Jiang Shihua, who had lost three times, and the other was Li Yuqi, who had also lost three times.

When the final battle ended, enthusiastic applause rang out.

The competition for the "Qingyun Ranking" lasted for ten days. Almost everyone competed against forty-nine other people.

Such high-intensity, high-frequency exchanges in such a short period of time have transformed the skills of many individuals. Fan Dongsheng is the best example.

Of course, there was an unexpected turn of events; Luo Xu withdrew from the competition after losing to Chen Ming.

Many people say that he withdrew from the competition because he couldn't accept the reality of losing to Chen Ming.

Chen Ming knew that he had forcibly broken through his cultivation level, which led to him going into qi deviation.

"Congratulations! Your names will be recorded on the Azure Cloud Ranking. Your fame will be passed down to future generations."

The short, stout Master Chu said to Chen Ming and the other four with a kind expression, "According to the rules of this establishment, you may go up to the second floor and choose a martial art. Now, go."

At this moment, only the five of them and Lord Chu were inside the main hall; everyone else was outside.

Jiang Shihua and the others couldn't wait to go up the stairs. Chen Ming stayed at the back and watched them go up to the second floor. He turned around and asked, "May I ask, Master, how is Luo Xu's injury?"

Chu Louzhu smiled and said, "He left a couple of days ago, and his injuries are not serious."

Chen Ming got the answer he wanted, bowed, and headed towards the stairs.

He had a premonition that Luo Xu would definitely come looking for him again.

……

Chen Ming went up to the second floor and saw rows of bookshelves filled with books. The bookshelves were also categorized, such as knives, guns, swords, hidden weapons, and martial arts techniques.

At the top of the stairs stood an elderly man with white hair and beard, his face kind. He said to him, "You have one hour to choose a cultivation method or martial art. Once you have chosen, you cannot go back on your decision."

"Yes, senior."

Chen Ming wasn't in a hurry. He went to the last shelf, which was labeled "Sword Techniques".

He stared at the long bookshelf, which held at least hundreds, if not thousands, of books. He couldn't help but gasp. Just the sheer number of sword techniques alone was astounding; the sheer depth of the World's Number One Pavilion was truly astounding.

He casually flipped through a few books, and they were mostly second-rate sword techniques. Any one of them could easily cause a lot of people to fight tooth and nail.

He flipped through the book for a while and accidentally came across a familiar sword manual, the Vermilion Bird Sword Technique.

"It really did originate from here."

Chen Ming suddenly realized that this confirmed an idea he had been having.

When he was looking at the lists on the first floor that day, he found Shang Jianfei's name on one of the Qingyun Lists, and he was only ranked second at the time.

After Shang Jianfei made it onto the Qingyun Ranking, he came here and chose the Vermilion Bird Sword Technique, which was then passed on to him.

"It seems that the number one restaurant in the world does not have any restrictions on its secrets."

That alone is quite impressive.

Chen Ming searched for a while longer but didn't find any top-tier sword techniques. Knowing that level of sword techniques wouldn't be kept on the second floor, he couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.

So he went to the bookshelf with the hidden weapons.

There are far fewer secret manuals on the bookshelves here, only a few dozen.

He glanced through it and found that it didn't exceed the power of the throwing knife techniques he had already mastered, so he gave up.

Finally, he went to the row of cultivation techniques and picked out a second-rate technique called "Returning to Origin Technique". It could only be cultivated to the fourth grade at most, but the internal energy cultivated was balanced and peaceful, and it would be easy to switch to other techniques.

Chen Ming planned to teach it to Wu Bofu and Liu Zhongda.

……

After Chen Ming and the other four made their choices, they went downstairs.

Upon arriving at the main hall on the first floor, he noticed a new list on the wall—the newly released Qingyun Ranking—with his name ranked sixth.

It seems he can't shake off the reputation of being the sixth man.

Putting aside their strength, the five individuals mentioned earlier all come from powerful organizations. Based on their demonstrated talent, they are undoubtedly key figures being groomed by their respective organizations.

Even if he breaks through to the fourth rank, he most likely won't challenge the five of them. He'll pick on the weakest link. In Jiangzhou City, there are quite a few martial artists stuck at the fourth rank, unable to break through to the third. He can just go after them then.

"Brother Chen, congratulations."

When Chen Ming walked out of the gate of the No. 1 Restaurant in the world, the first person to greet him was Jiang Yingxue.

There were a lot of people outside today. Besides her, Zhou Weihao and his two companions, Li Jinchuan and several fellow disciples were also there, along with Zhao Xiyan and a few others. They all walked over at almost the same time.

Jiang Yingxue came over to congratulate Chen Ming first, before going to find her brother. Jiang Shihua's face darkened when he saw this; if there weren't so many people present, he would have definitely started cursing.

"Brother Chen, this is my martial uncle, my senior brother."

Li Jinchuan walked over and introduced his fellow disciples with a somewhat awkward expression.

Chen Ming understands young people; everyone has been young once. He smiled and said, "When Jin Chuan was in Qingfeng City, he always lived at my house. He was like a younger brother to me."

This indicates their relationship.

Li Jinchuan's fellow disciples were very enthusiastic and even invited him to visit Baiyu Sect.

He naturally agreed.

Then, Zhao Xiyan came over, accompanied by a man in his thirties. He immediately said, "Xiyan has good taste; your swordsmanship is not bad."

(End of this chapter)