Chapter 129.1: Replacing Tian Xin as Number One on the Divine Strength Rankings! (I)

A crowd trailed behind Lu Changsheng as he made his way to the Martial Pavilion in Beiling City.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from within the crowd. "Congratulations to Mr. Dao on slaying Tian Xin, seizing first place on the Divine Strength Rankings, and dominating the Northern Region Battlefield!"

The rest of the martial artists all followed in unison to congratulate Lu Changsheng as well.

Slaying Tian Xin and taking first place on the Divine Strength Rankings was a great honor. Even though the Divine Strength Rankings had not yet been officially updated, once the next update came, Dao Shi'er would certainly claim the top spot.

This excited the martial artists in Beiling City beyond comparison. Some of them even had flushed faces from the sheer exhilaration. Who could have imagined that a martial artist of the Da Yu Dynasty would slay Tian Xin and seize the number one position on the Divine Strength Rankings?

Before, they wouldn't even dare to think about it. However, it had become a reality.

Lu Changsheng walked into the Martial Pavilion and faced the Martial Pavilion's martial artist.

"I do not have Tian Xin's head. I wonder if it still counts as having slain Tian Xin?" Lu Changsheng said slowly.

"It counts!” the martial artist replied. "Mr. Dao, you killed Tian Xin in full view of everyone, so of course, it counts. For killing Tian Xin, you have obtained fifty thousand minor merits!"

Fifty thousand minor merits added to the previous thirty thousand from killing Sheng Yuanyi made eighty thousand minor merits in total. To exchange for even the lowest Divine Fortification Realm martial art, Lu Changsheng would still need at least twenty thousand more minor merits.

Of course, to him, twenty thousand minor merits were nothing. At most, he would just kill a few more northern barbarians on the Northern Region Battlefield.

"By the way, do you recognize this token?" Lu Changsheng asked, pulling out the token he had found in the pit where Tian Xin was obliterated.

The Martial Pavilion martial artist's gaze grew serious. "The Northern Region Heavenly Sect? This is a disciple token of the Northern Region Heavenly Sect.

"If you obtained this from Tian Xin, then it means that Tian Xin had already become their disciple."

"A disciple of the Northern Region Heavenly Sect?"

Lu Changsheng scrutinized the Martial Pavilion martial artist. He seemed extremely tense about the Northern Region Heavenly Sect.

"Now that Tian Xin is dead, will the Northern Region Heavenly Sect intervene in the Northern Region Battlefield?" Lu Changsheng asked.

"No, they should not go that far. The Northern Region Heavenly Sect stands apart from worldly affairs and has never involved itself in conflicts between dynasties and nations.

"It's just that becoming a disciple of the Northern Region Heavenly Sect is extremely difficult. People previously thought that Tian Xin had become one of their disciples, but it was merely speculation.

"Now that this token has appeared, it seems that Tian Xin really did join the Northern Region Heavenly Sect. Had he not died, the Northern Barbarian Kingdom would have turned him into a terrifying expert."

Lu Changsheng nodded. In all honesty, Tian Xin's innate talent alone would have granted him a formidable future, with or without the Northern Region Heavenly Sect. The Divine Fortification Realm wouldn't have been his limit. Unfortunately, Tian Xin's future no longer existed, even though he had astonishing talent.

Lu Changsheng returned to his small courtyard, making a mental note to inquire further about the Northern Region Heavenly Sect when he could.

He was still twenty thousand minor merits short of the one hundred thousand minor merits needed to exchange for a Divine Fortification Realm martial art.

Hence, he spent the next day deep in the Northern Region Battlefield. However, his gains weren't that big.

The number of northern barbarians had dropped dramatically, and it was as if they no longer dared to enter the Northern Region Battlefield. In the next several days, fewer and fewer northern barbarians entered the Northern Region Battlefield.

Lu Changsheng would have to spend more than ten full days to gather the remaining twenty thousand minor merits.

Lu Changsheng's curiosity was piqued.

What is going on? Are the northern barbarians preparing to abandon the Northern Region Battlefield?

Tian Xin's death left the northern barbarians without anyone capable of contending with Dao Shi'er. Meanwhile, by relying on Wind Sense Intent, Lu Changsheng could dominate the Northern Region Battlefield. For the northern barbarians, entering the battlefield was the same as courting death.

Most likely, the northern barbarians had admitted defeat. And conceding on the Northern Region Battlefield also means that they are no longer marching south. In other words, the Da Yu Dynasty had won this battle.

Of course, this was only Lu Changsheng's speculation. As long as the northern barbarians had yet to withdraw their army, victory could not truly be declared.

Eventually, Lu Changsheng accumulated a total of one hundred thousand minor merits. He then made his way to the Martial Pavilion to exchange them for a Divine Fortification Realm martial art.

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Along the way, many people took the initiative to greet Lu Changsheng.

"Greetings, Mr. Dao."

"My respects, Mr. Dao."

Lu Changsheng could feel their sincere reverence in their gazes. This was not surprising, as he was now number one on the Divine Strength Rankings. Almost everyone knew this, even if the official update of the Divine Strength Rankings had yet to happen.

Half a month later, the rankings would be updated. By then, the name Dao Shi'er would truly spread far and wide.

When Lu Changsheng arrived at the Martial Pavilion, he approached the same Martial Pavilion martial artist.

"I have one hundred thousand minor merits. I may exchange them for a Divine Fortification Realm martial art, correct?" Lu Changsheng inquired.

The Martial Pavilion martial artist respectfully replied, "Certainly. You can exchange them for a Divine Fortification Realm martial art. However, as you are the first martial artist in the Martial Pavilion to reach one hundred thousand minor merits, our Deputy Chief wishes to meet you.

"If you still wish to exchange for a Divine Fortification Realm martial art after that meeting, we will proceed with the exchange for you."

Lu Changsheng raised his brow slightly.

The Deputy Chief?

He knew that the Martial Pavilion in Beiling City was being managed by the Deputy Chief, who was said to be a Divine Fortification expert.

"Very well. Take me to him."

Lu Changsheng followed the Martial Pavilion martial artist to the second floor of the Martial Pavilion, which was much quieter than the first floor.

Lu Changsheng was led to a secluded room to wait. In no time, a middle-aged man with a smile on his face entered the room.

"I am Xiao Tianhuan, the Deputy Chief of the Martial Pavilion," Xiao Tianhuan said politely.

"Deputy Chief Xiao. You wish to see me, but to what end?" Lu Changsheng asked.

"Mr. Dao is too courteous. Frankly, I invited Mr. Dao here because I have a piece of good news. Please take a look."

Xiao Tianhuan handed over a sheet of paper that was densely filled with information.

"

Hmm?

"

Lu Changsheng squinted as he perused the document. The information on the paper was entirely about him.

Zhuang Shisan. Lu Changsheng. Even Dao Shi'er. Every incident was recorded clearly. Evidently, the Martial Pavilion knew of Lu Changsheng's true identity. Whether Dao Shi'er, Zhuang Shisan, or even Lu Shisan, the Martial Pavilion was aware that they were all the same person.

Lu Changsheng raised his head to look calmly at Xiao Tianhuan. He was not surprised. Others wouldn't be able to uncover his background, but the Martial Pavilion certainly could, as it most likely had the Da Yu Dynasty backing them.

After a while, Lu Changsheng spoke in a slow and calm tone. "Deputy Chief Xiao, I am Dao Shi'er, Lu Changsheng, and Zhuang Shisan. But what about it?"

With his current level of strength, there was no longer any need to hide a few identities. This was a trivial matter.

"Mr. Dao... no, rather, Mr. Lu. Please do not be angry. The Martial Pavilion's investigation into you carried no ill intent. On the contrary, we wish to present you with a huge opportunity.

"With talent such as yours, are you truly satisfied with merely exchanging for an ordinary Divine Fortification Realm martial art? Martial arts are foundational, but a top-tier or even supreme martial art can shape an unparalleled foundation.

"The deeper one's foundation, the farther one can go. If Mr. Lu agrees, we can send you to the Northern Region Heavenly Sect and have you become one of its disciples.

"There, all divine arts and secret techniques will be at your disposal."

Lu Changsheng's eyes narrowed. "The Northern Region Heavenly Sect..."