I Cheated While Cultivating

“Name: Zhou Heng

“Age: Eighteen years old

“Realm: Peak of the Seventh Rank

“Identity: The sixth generation true successor of Pure Yang Palace, disciple taken by Yan Shouyi’s generation, undoubtedly the reincarnation of a high power

“Combat record: …killed Liu He of the Heavenly Palace at the Secret Six Rank of the True Energy Realm… killed Qiu Yuanchang of the Heavenly Palace at the Secret Six Rank of the True Gang Realm… Although there are suspicions of possessing a treasure weapon that enhances strength, the feat of a seventh-ranked peak expert killing a secret sixth-ranked is extremely rare throughout the ages, and such strength should have approached the limit of the seventh rank. Since there was no fight with Fang Wen, he is ranked second.

“Title: Purple Lightning Thunder Blade, Demon-Slaying Blade, Evil-Suppressing Thunder Emissary, Purple Lightning Sword Immortal.

“Ranking: Second.”

This was the current human ranking’s description of Zhou Heng, the second place truly dazzling, dizzying many onlookers, and of course even more astonishing was the combat record.

Zhou Heng had actually killed Secret Six Ranks, and not just one but two, including a Secret Six Rank of the True Gang Realm!

One must know that under normal circumstances, although they are both Secret Six Rank, the strength of the True Gang Realm is more than ten times stronger than that of the True Energy Realm. How did Zhou Heng do it?

Seventh Rank killed the Secret Six Rank True Gang Realm!

Even with a treasure weapon at hand, it’s inconceivable. What kind of treasure weapon could give such a massive boost?

After all, a treasure weapon is only equivalent to a Secret Six Rank at best, and in the hands of a peak Seventh Rank, it can hardly exert all its power.

Therefore, under normal circumstances, even with a treasure weapon, a peak Seventh Rank expert could barely save their life against a Secret Six Rank True Energy Realm and certainly could not counter-kill.

How did Zhou Heng do it?

Is this still human?

Is this still the Seventh Rank?

Why is it that out of all martial artists at the Seventh Rank, it’s only you, Zhou Heng, that’s so outrageous??

If it weren’t for the fact that Fang Wen’s realm description has always been “like the Peak of the Seventh Rank” with no one able to gauge his strength’s ceiling, Zhou Heng would probably have become first on the human ranking already.

Such a combat record is truly inconceivable.

Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen also stared astounded, their expressions shocked as they looked at the human ranking’s description of Zhou Heng.

Such a record, they had not expected at all.

It’s too outrageous!

It’s too unbelievable.

“Has he… become so powerful??”

Cheng Jianjian stared at the description of the human ranking, slightly lost in thought; she suddenly thought back to when she had just met Zhou Heng over half a year ago.

At that time, Zhou Heng seemed to have not yet truly embarked on the Ninth Grade.

Now, how much time has passed?

He has become so formidable.

He has become a high-ranking expert at the peak of the Seventh Rank, renowned across the world and even capable of killing two Secret Six Rankers by himself.

Not to mention the ordinary martial artist who might spend decades or even a century going from unranked to Seventh Rank. Even among the top martial sects and grand families, progressing from unranked to the peak of the Seventh Rank typically requires twenty years of time.

Ordinarily, as long as one can step into the Ninth Rank before the age of twenty, they can be considered as a disciple with decent talent. If one can reach the Eighth Rank before the age of twenty, then they would be considered for key cultivation.

And a disciple who can reach the Seventh Rank before the age of twenty must be worthy of true succession, and is very likely to be taken as a personal disciple by a Fifth Rank sect master, or even a Fourth Rank supreme grandmaster.

This shows how difficult the path of the martial arts is. For the vast majority of martial artists, reaching the Seventh Rank is as hard as ascending to heaven.

How long has Zhou Heng taken?

Half a year?

Upon thinking this, Cheng Jianjian’s heart did not rise with joy but with worry, silently musing, “Such an abnormal progress in cultivation is definitely not normal. Even if he has carried over some measures from his previous life, which allow rapid progression, this is still too exaggerated.

“Could it be that the power of his previous life is gradually awakening, thereby quickly advancing his cultivation realm? If that’s the case, he should be struggling against the slowly awakening will of his previous life by now.

“Back when we were in Huangtong Mansion City, I failed to notice this. The places he took me to, the ones we experienced together before, was he trying to use those experiences to reinforce the memories of this life, to fight against the reviving will?”

Cheng Jianjian felt more and more likely this was the case, and piecing together her own deductions about Zhou Heng’s actions, suddenly “understood” everything.

Zhou Heng’s former life must have awakened within him. While gaining a large amount of martial knowledge and insights into realms, he also has to contend with the awakening powerful will.

In Cheng Jianjian’s view, Zhou Heng is likely to be tormented spiritually at all times, constantly facing the crisis of this life’s spiritual will being suppressed or even devoured.

Such a condition is extremely dangerous.

“I must break through to the Secret Six Rank as soon as possible,” Cheng Jianjian resolved, silently thinking: “Once I reach the level of the Secret Six Rank, I can master more and higher-level Northern Dipper inheritances, which I can use to help him suppress the gradually reviving will of his previous life.”

“Senior sister, Little Uncle-Master is so amazing, even Secret Six Rankers are no match for him,” Zhu Zhenzhen, oblivious to Cheng Jianjian’s thoughts, thought Zhou Heng was incredibly impressive.

Killing Secret Six Rankers at the peak of the Seventh Rank is an extremely rare feat throughout the ages, and it sounds very powerful.

“Yes, he is very powerful,” Cheng Jianjian replied with a wry smile, gently sighing, “But such strength may not be what he wishes for himself. Rapid power increases might also come with tremendous dangers, and then there’s the matter of the Heavenly Palace…”

At this, she paused, her gaze falling on the human ranking’s combat record, and her eyes grew colder, “However, for the Heavenly Palace to dare send a Secret Six Rank to assassinate my Little Uncle-Master, they are utterly brazen…”

She decided in her heart that in the future, upon encountering disciples from the Heavenly Palace, she would kill one whenever she sees one.

At the same time, Cheng Jianjian shifted her gaze to the adjacent Heavenly Ranking, looking directly at number one, and sure enough, she saw the latest combat record for Yan Shouyi.

“…Pure Yang Palace has always been protective of its own; Yan Shouyi was enraged this time by the Heavenly Palace sending a Secret Six Rank to attack Zhou Heng… He went alone to the Heavenly Palace… slashing off three of Chi Tian Shu’s heads as a warning…”

There were numerous descriptions and comments on this action by Yan Shouyi, but they could all be essentially summed up in one sentence.

The ranking of the Heavenly Ranking could actually be viewed from a different perspective.

First and the others.

After all, the leader of the ranking, Yan Shouyi, and the remaining nine are on entirely different levels of strength.

“Uncle-Master did it so well.” Cheng Jianjian’s pretty face revealed a trace of a smile, but at this moment, she also noticed the gazes and discussions about her from the surrounding people.

Her conversation with Zhu Zhenzhen just now had already revealed their identities.

Most of the people here observing the rankings had already guessed that she was the current Fourth on the Human Rankings, known as the “Celestial Fairy of Jade Heights” Cheng Jianjian.

Therefore, after giving the remaining list a brief scan, she quickly left with Zhu Zhenzhen in tow.

If they lingered, they were bound to be surrounded by people asking all sorts of questions.

— As long as one made it onto the Human Rankings, even if just in the eighty-ninth or ninetieth place, one could gain incredibly huge fame.

Not to mention Cheng Jianjian, who became one of the top ten upon her debut and was in the top three until recently. Although her ranking had fallen, she was still within the high position of the top four.

Once the people here came back to their senses, there would definitely be countless individuals looking for her.

Leaving was the best option.

After Cheng Jianjian and Zhu Zhenzhen left, the attention of the crowd watching the rankings refocused on the list, especially on the newly listed fifth and second places.

Zhou Yin and Zhou Heng.

Both surnamed Zhou.

“Hey, has anyone noticed that it’s such a coincidence this time, the two most noteworthy individuals both have the surname Zhou.”

“Yeah, it’s too coincidental, Zhou Heng and Zhou Yin. Is there some kind of relationship between them?”

“What relationship could there be? Zhou Heng is a sixth-generation true disciple from our Da Qi’s Pure Yang Palace, and Zhou Yin is the legitimate heir of the Lu Yang Zhou Family in Southern Jin. They have nothing to do with each other.”

“No, no, that’s not right, it’s wrong to say so. It’s true that Zhou Heng is a Genuine Disciple of Pure Yang Palace, but that’s just his sect identity. What about his family background? What family does he come from? Does anyone know?”

“I heard that Zhou Heng came from a mountain village under the jurisdiction of Huangtong Mansion City in Pingzhou. He’s truly a common man who rose from humble beginnings. You folks should stop fantasizing about him being a scion of a major family.”

“Right, right, Zhou Heng is an example for all of us ordinary people. Born humble, he was noticed by a great individual because of his effort, and thus soared to the skies. If he were a scion of a major family, why would he go to an ordinary martial arts school?”

“Wake up, the Human Rankings clearly state that Zhou Heng is undoubtedly the reincarnation of a powerful being. Goddamn common man, are you the reincarnation of a powerful being?”

The crowd actually began arguing.

Each sticking to their own opinions, unwilling to give in, the dispute was irreconcilable.

Fortunately, someone finally managed to steer the conversation back on track.

“Speaking of reincarnation of powerful beings, that Zhou Yin from the Lu Yang Zhou Family is also said to be the reincarnation of a saint. The similarities with Zhou Heng seem rather high.”

“Indeed, it’s too similar, and they’re both under twenty years old. Could there really be some relationship between them?”

“Could it be like this? Zhou Heng is actually a member of the Lu Yang Zhou Family, with shocking talent, but because he came from a collateral line, his talent and root bone were taken by the main line’s legitimate heirs and fused into Zhou Yin’s body. Zhou Heng’s parents could only take him far away from Da Qi to avoid misfortune?”

“You should be a storyteller, wasting your talents here. Are there such far-fetched stories? Besides, if Zhou Heng’s talent and root bone were taken, then how did he achieve his current success?”

“No matter what you say, I still feel that Zhou Heng and that Zhou Family from Southern Jin must be related. No matter how I look at it, it seems similar. Wait, could it be that this Zhou Yin is actually Southern Jin’s imitation based on the fame of Zhou Heng?”

“How could it be? After all, the Zhou Family of Lu Yang has been a top-tier major clan with a legacy spanning thousands of years; they really shouldn’t be doing such things.”

…

…

Not far from where the Shenwu Department had posted the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings.

An old man and a young man were slowly strolling towards it.

The younger one looked to be around eighteen or nineteen years old, with attractive features, a face like jade, dressed in a black brocade robe with gold patterns, a red jade belt around his waist, and a purple tower-shaped jade pendant hanging from his belt, the very picture of a graceful and outstanding young master in these turbid times.

Although his attire was somewhat dark and mysterious, he exuded a uniquely gentle and refined temperament that made him particularly comfortable to behold.

The elder waxed simple in a plain azure robe, his hair and beard both white, appearing to be in his sixties or seventies, yet his skin was smooth and ruddy, quite the picture of an old man with the complexion of a child. Especially his eyes, they were exceptionally bright, not at all reflecting his advanced age.

These two were Zhou Yin and his Taoist Protector, Zhou Danqing.

“My lord, if you wish to see this Da Qi Human Ranking, let this old servant copy it down for you,” Zhou Danqing said with a smile. “Why bother coming here and squeezing in with these commoners to view it?”

“I want to see how these people of Qi regard me,” Zhou Yin replied with a faint smile, his gaze directed towards the announcement board. “If I let you copy it, and then asked you about it, you would definitely omit any negative comments about me.”

“This…” Zhou Danqing looked down and sighed. “If there are indeed some nonsensical criticisms, they would not be worthy of your noble ears.”

“See, I knew it,” Zhou Yin laughed. “Rather than listening to praise, I’d prefer to hear the real voices of the Qi country’s common folk…”

He stopped speaking abruptly and came to a halt, his expression slightly stiffening and his eyebrows knitting together, his ears twitching as he looked towards a group of people in the crowd.

“This, this…” Zhou Danqing’s expression changed slightly, and he spoke in a low voice, “These people of Qi truly have some nerve. Who is this Zhou Heng to be compared with you?”

“No, this is the real voice,” Zhou Yin suddenly laughed again, continuing towards that direction, “I’ve heard of this Zhou Heng before, but he had never breached the top five of the Human Rankings before, so I didn’t pay much attention.

“Now listening to these people of Qi, he has killed two Secret Sixth Rank, climbing to the second place of the Human Ranking. Ha, some even say I am very much like him, thinking he might be from the Zhou family. Interesting, truly interesting.”

“From the Zhou family?” Zhou Danqing’s expression worsened as he snorted coldly. “That man is nothing more than a countryside bumpkin who’s come out of the mountains, how dare he bear the Zhou surname?”

“Danqing, why are you so agitated?” Zhou Yin looked at his protector and smiled. “You were not like this before.”

“I am outraged because your reputation has been tarnished, my lord,” Zhou Danqing retorted sharply, pointing towards the crowd. “Listen to what these people are saying; they dare to claim that you are imitating that Zhou Heng — copying his style.”

“Actually, they’re not entirely wrong; this Zhou Heng does have quite a few similarities with me,” Zhou Yin’s eyes narrowed slightly as he chuckled. “Certainly, a reincarnation of a great being, no doubt. I wonder who has reincarnated and to what extent they have awakened.”

“One would think they would not match up to you,” Zhou Danqing replied respectfully.

“That remains to be seen,” Zhou Yin shook his head and continued walking forward, looking at the descriptions on the Human Ranking. “This Human Ranking is better than the Dragon Tiger List; it details past achievements very clearly. He seems to have many contingencies left over from his past life… Hmm, not simple at all.”

“Perhaps it’s just the people of Qi boasting without cause,” Zhou Danqing remarked by his side.

“Danqing,” Zhou Yin turned to face Zhou Danqing, his tone both mocking and serious. “You are my Taoist Protector, but you are also an elder of the Zhou family. Is there something you want to tell me?”

“Excuse us, excuse us, please let us through,” a voice came from behind them at that moment, belonging to a young man leading a jujube red horse.

This young man, dressed in a Taoist robe, looked travel-worn, having clearly just arrived at the Imperial City. He glanced at Zhou Yin and Zhou Danqing and said, “Could you please make way? Excuse me, I’d like to have a look at the latest Human Rankings.”

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