Daqian Martial Saint

‘Even before Breaking Realm, I had the confidence that my combat strength was on par with the Mid-Jade Balance Stage! Now that I’ve broken through the pass, formed a Spirit Fruit Embryo, and cultivated a Top Divine Skill for a Body Technique… by a conservative estimate…’

Chen Ping’an synthesized the available information, silently assessing his own combat standing.

Come to think of it, he had already cultivated five Divine Skills without realizing it, two of which were Top Divine Skills!

‘I should rank within the ‘formidable’ category, and I might even be faintly approaching the top level!’

Compared to Chen Ping’an’s current combat strength, his ability to survive was undoubtedly a cut above. Especially now that he had obtained a Top Divine Skill for a Body Technique, he could advance to attack or retreat to flee! Combined with his incredibly formidable defensive capabilities, his survivability was simply unparalleled!

Even if a Top Grandmaster were standing before him, Chen Ping’an wouldn’t be intimidated in the slightest!

‘But…’ A glint flashed in Chen Ping’an’s eyes. ‘It’s best not to encounter one if I don’t have to. Although they most likely couldn’t breach my defenses, being on the receiving end of a one-sided beating is ultimately no fun!’

‘Besides, my knowledge of Top Grandmasters is limited to what I’ve read in biographical booklets. What a real Top Grandmaster is truly capable of is still unknown! They might have some trump card! If they could break through my defenses directly, then I’d be in trouble!’

According to the Grandmaster biographies in Canglong Province, a Top Grandmaster would possess at least one Divine Weapon. Those with deeper foundations might even have two!

With the aid of a Divine Weapon, even though Chen Ping’an was formidable, if he were to face a Top Grandmaster head-on, he might not be able to defend against them!

According to the conventions of Daqian, the Early Jade Balance Stage is generally referred to as an ordinary Grandmaster. Although there are subdivisions like “average,” “formidable,” and “top-level” within this stage, these classifications only apply among peers of the Same Realm.

The Mid-Jade Balance Stage is generally called a Veteran Grandmaster or a Senior Grandmaster! This stage also has its own “average,” “formidable,” and “top-level” divisions. If one’s Martial Arts Realm reaches Jade Balance Middle Stage Perfection and they possess top-level combat strength, they can be called a Top Grandmaster! Such an existence would command awe throughout Canglong Province, their influence radiating to the surrounding regions!

If a power could produce such a figure, it would be considered a First-class Influence throughout all of Canglong Province!

Even for powers as strong as the Gu Family, Wang Family, and Xue Family, a single Top Grandmaster is enough to be the cornerstone of the family, safeguarding their interests!

After becoming a Top Grandmaster, if one could take another great step forward, break through the pass, and enter the Late Jade Balance Stage… that would make them a Peer of the Jade Balance Realm. Such an existence is also known as…

A Grandmaster!

If a Grandmaster were to emerge within a faction, that faction would leap to become a top-tier power in Canglong Province! Its influence within Canglong Province would be second only to the Qiankun Bureau, the Garrison Commandant’s Office, and the three great Noble Families of Canglong Province!

A Grandmaster of this caliber is an absolute top-tier Giant in any province. No matter which faction they join, they would be treated as a guest of honor!

Even in the Northern Realm, they are profoundly respected and admired by the masses!

He had now stepped into the Mid-Jade Balance Stage, his combat power greatly enhanced. He had significant ability to protect himself even before a Top Grandmaster. One could say he was high-spirited and full of vigor.

But there is always a higher mountain to climb, always someone stronger. With his current strength, if he were to face a Grandmaster of that level, he would likely be out of his depth, his fate uncertain!

‘A Grandmaster…’ A look of longing and anticipation appeared on Chen Ping’an’s face.

A Grandmaster lives for five hundred years! They watch as the world’s tides turn and its fortunes rise and fall!

If one could achieve the Realm of Grandmaster, they could go anywhere in this vast world! What an incomparably liberating feeling that would be!

According to legend, the Garrison Commander of Long’an Town is a genuine Grandmaster of that rank!

The longing on Chen Ping’an’s face lasted only a moment before his expression returned to normal. With his current progress in the Martial Dao, as long as he continued his Cultivation step-by-step, he would sooner or later be able to enter the Realm of Grandmaster!

And…

That day would not be too far away!

The time it took for this breakthrough was far longer than Chen Ping’an had imagined. Before he knew it, the sky outside had brightened considerably. It was time to set off.

With a slight change in expression, Chen Ping’an stood up and walked out of his room. At his current Realm, a single sleepless night had no effect on him whatsoever.

“Move out! Let’s go!”

At the resounding command, the cavalrymen assembled and left the posthouse in a great procession.

From late last night until now, the group had rested for only two or three hours at most. But for this reinforcement mission, speed was of the essence, so travel was naturally the priority. For them, however, while this amount of rest wasn’t ample, it was sufficient!

…

Luohua Ridge was located within Weishui County, near the border of Earth Fire and Li Yang counties. On one side of Luohua Ridge was a mountain path. While not the only route from Weishui County to the border, it was the most direct.

Luohua Ridge was covered in dense forest, teeming with insects and beasts. Hidden within the woods were more than a dozen people, their auras concealed. With ferocious expressions and vicious eyes, they stared motionlessly at the rugged, winding mountain path below. None of them spoke; they simply waited in silence.

Seven or eight days ago, they had caused a major disturbance in Li Yang County. Taking advantage of the death of the Li Yang Commander-in-Chief, they had infiltrated a small city and carried out a great slaughter. They managed to withdraw successfully before reinforcements from the Li Yang Garrison Commandant’s Office could arrive.

According to their usual practice, they would be allowed a short rest after completing an operation. But times were difficult now, and the Ten Thousand Demons’ stronghold was heavily besieged by the Garrison Commandant’s Office. Under these circumstances, their mission was naturally not over.