Moreover, what's even more noteworthy is that the announcement of the Heavenly Ranking caused a stir at both Shaolin and Wudang. According to insiders, Wudang's purpose was to punish the traitor Shi He, while Shaolin's was to punish the four traitorous Arhats, Dragon, Tiger, Leopard, and Elephant. Of course, publicly, neither Shaolin nor Wudang acknowledged this.
Later, even those martial arts practitioners who were initially skeptical began to believe it after seeing the reactions of Shaolin and Wudang. This made the Tiger Ranking even more lively.
Who's number one on the Tiger List? Ximen Chuixue? Just a pretty boy, anyone can play the cold-blooded card. Come on, let's fight first! As a result, challengers came in droves every day, killing so many that Ximen Chuixue's hands were sore. His reputation plummeted. In the eyes of ordinary people, those four words were practically synonymous with the legendary King Yama.
Meanwhile, Lin Yang, along with Jin Jiuling and a large number of newly trained cannon fodder, had arrived at the starting point of the Great Golden Roc Dynasty storyline. Lin Yang speculated that the plot had likely already begun. This was because Dugu Yihe, the leader of the Emei Sect, had recently left Emei for Shanxi.
In Lin Yang's memory, the plot was roughly that Huo Xiu, as one of the three loyal ministers entrusted with the care of the young emperor by the Golden Roc Dynasty, secretly devised a conspiracy because of the wealth left by the dynasty.
Later, they successfully exploited Lu Xiaofeng's curiosity and meddlesome nature to eliminate the remaining two regents: Dugu Yihe, the leader of the Emei Sect, and Yan Tieshan from Shaanxi.
But at the last moment, he accidentally exposed his identity, ultimately leading to his demise. Who knows how things would unfold in today's world?
...
"Hey, Mr. Huo, it's so much quieter here. You have no idea how annoyed I've been lately." After saying that, Lu Xiaofeng opened a jar of wine without saying another word and started drinking.
As soon as the jar was opened, a delicate and mellow aroma wafted out. At first glance, the wine was remarkably clear, not cloudy at all. In ancient times, this would have been considered a rare and superior product.
In no time, without even taking a breath, Lu Xiaofeng finished the entire small jar of wine. It must be said that this was a testament to his considerable internal strength; he didn't even pause for a breath throughout the entire process. Only someone of Lu Xiaofeng's formidable skill could possess such an ability.
"Good wine, really good wine! Old Huo, another jar, no, several more jars!" Lu Xiaofeng said generously.
Hearing this, Huo Xiu smiled even more broadly. "Don't worry, knowing you were coming, I've specially prepared a lot of fine wine. Look, all of this is for you." As he spoke, Huo Xiu pointed to the dozens of jars of fine wine piled up to the side.
Seeing this, Lu Xiaofeng grinned happily, and then took big gulps of water.
"Hey, isn't this the legendary Lu Xiaoji, ranked tenth on the Heavenly Ranking? If someone knew that you even used your internal energy to drink, wouldn't that damage your image, great master?" Hua Manlou slowly walked over and said with a smile.
Hua Manlou seemed to be in high spirits at this moment, and from a great distance, he started joking with Lu Xiaofeng.
"You, Hua Manlou, how dare you mock me? Don't you know that I am already a renowned master on the Heavenly Ranking?" After saying this, Lu Xiaofeng couldn't help but laugh at himself.
To be honest, he used to be a rather carefree person, enjoying traveling, indulging in delicious food and wine, and making friends all over the world. His life used to be incredibly comfortable.
But ever since that damned Dragon and Tiger Ranking came out, Lu Xiaofeng has felt completely unwell. To be honest, Lu Xiaofeng himself was also very surprised by this heavenly ranking.
On one hand, so many masters have suddenly appeared in the world, especially that nameless old man who claims to be the best in the world. If the Heavenly Ranking is true, this person is too terrifying.
The Invisible Man, the Red Shoes, Gong Jiu, and the Honest Monk—if all of this is true, it can only mean that this person is truly extraordinary. The title of "Number One Under Heaven" is truly well-deserved.
What's even more outrageous is that someone like me was actually listed on the Heavenly Ranking. This is simply bullying honest people.
A few days ago, while having vegetarian food at Master Bitter Gourd's place, I ran into Daoist Mu. Daoist Mu looked at his fingers strangely and said something about how the "Spirit Rhinoceros Finger" was famous throughout the world, and he really wanted to try it out. If I hadn't run away quickly, Daoist Mu might have actually drawn his sword.
Moreover, it is said that even Ye Gucheng, the Lord of Baiyun City, once publicly expressed that he really wanted to see his Lingxi Finger.
These weren't the worst things. The worst thing was that a few days ago, when I encountered that cold-blooded pretty boy, Ximen Chuixue, he drew his sword without saying a word. If I hadn't reacted quickly, and if Ximen Chuixue hadn't shown any murderous intent at the time, I might have lost my life.
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Chapter Twenty-Eight: Every villain has superb acting skills. Huo Xiu, you're too exaggerated!
"Haha, what an amazing expert on the Heavenly Ranking! Has that expert become even more carefree since being on the Heavenly Ranking? Why do you look so exhausted?" Hua Manlou said with a laugh.
To be honest, the information revealed on the Heavenly Ranking was indeed terrifying. However, for some reason, Hua Manlou felt inexplicably happy after seeing Lu Xiaofeng. Perhaps, this was what true friendship was.
Moreover, the reason why Hua Manlou kept joking was because he was so happy that he had to share it with his good friends.
"Hey, Qitong, what's wrong with you today? Why are you suddenly in such a high spirit?" Lu Xiaofeng asked curiously.
"My eyes have recovered, I can see again," Hua Manlou said calmly.
Although Hua Manlou had been overjoyed since his eyesight was restored, his words at this moment were so calm. In an instant, the Hua Manlou who was calm, optimistic, never complaining, and full of love for life returned.
"What? Congratulations, really congratulations. I knew you looked a little different today, now I see." Lu Xiaofeng said happily and somewhat surprised.
Lu Xiaofeng was naturally happy that his friend's eyesight had returned. However, he was also somewhat surprised. Over the years, with the Hua family's wealth, what kind of famous doctors hadn't they consulted? What kind of medicinal herbs hadn't they tried? Yet, nothing had worked.
Fortunately, Hua Manlou was optimistic by nature and never said anything. Therefore, Lu Xiaofeng was somewhat surprised to hear this news. Of course, he was also very curious.
Although Lu Xiaofeng didn't ask, with Hua Manlou's wisdom, how could he not guess what he was thinking at that moment? He immediately smiled and said, "It's the Imperial Advisor who has made a move."
Upon hearing this, Lu Xiaofeng's expression changed several times. In his eyes, this Imperial Preceptor was no good person. Putting aside everything else, just ranking himself tenth on the Heavenly Ranking was something no good person would do.
Even Huo Xiu, standing to the side, had a glint in his eyes when he heard the words "Imperial Preceptor," which then disappeared, well hidden.
"So it was him. No wonder," Lu Xiaofeng murmured.
In recent days, in addition to the pills that increase one's power, Lin Yang has also refined many other pills with different functions.
For example, kidney tonics, kidney tonics, kidney tonics. Of course, the names can't be so crude and vulgar, otherwise, how would those face-conscious literati take them?
But in essence, nothing has changed; it's still a kidney tonic. It's just that the effect is very good; after taking it, things like "old trees blossoming" and "three times a night" become very normal.
After all, doing big things definitely requires a lot of money. Putting everything else aside, these incredibly magical little pills alone earned Lin Yang a lot of money from the big shots in the capital. In addition, they also made these big shots very cooperative.
Otherwise, why would they cooperate so readily with Lin Yang? Whatever he says, goes? After all, even if they did manage to create an elixir of immortality, it would belong solely to the emperor.
"Ah, Imperial Advisor, the Imperial Advisor is truly amazing. Putting everything else aside, just this scroll of the Dragon and Tiger List has opened my eyes to a whole new world." Lu Xiaofeng shook his head and said.
"Haha, shouldn't I thank Brother Lu for the praise?" Lin Yang said with a smile from a distance.
After saying that, he took a step and arrived several feet away. A few breaths later, without Lin Yang making any move, he went directly to the table and sat down quietly.
Upon seeing this, Lu Xiaofeng's eyes widened in surprise, and then he said, "This, could it be the legendary shrinking of the earth into an inch? Is there really such a thing as supernatural power, or is there really such a thing as an immortal? No, that's not right, it should be the martial arts that have evolved from the ultimate cultivation of martial arts."
"Well said, Lu Xiaofeng. You're not wrong. After all, what's the difference between martial arts reaching its peak and being an immortal or a god?" Lin Yang said with a smile.
At the same time, he secretly glanced at Lu Xiaofeng. Above his head was a deep, second-tier red aura, with a trace of third-tier yellow aura within. Only a protagonist like him could have such a yellow aura in such a low-level world.