Chapter 4: The Shattered Barrier

The cause? The Mysterious Rankings had shifted.

This ranking, established by the Heavenly Dao itself, was accessible to all cultivators who imprinted their spiritual sense on a jade slip, sensing its profound existence. No one knew why the Heavenly Dao created it (Zong Ji: To let the protagonist show off), but it existed as naturally as breathing or eating—its presence justified by its very being.

For Xuanshu’s cultivators, the Mysterious Rankings were as commonplace as daily meals, the ultimate symbol of strength. Being listed was an honor, the most authoritative measure of prowess.

Today, a name had rocketed to the top, sending the continent into a frenzy.

The rankings were based on overall strength. Merely reaching Saint-tier wouldn’t catapult someone to first place; one would trail behind seasoned predecessors. The vast gap between each origin star made cross-tier leaps rare, so the list was often seen as a star-level ranking.

Thus, the only explanation was that someone had broken through to Saint-tier, Second Star.

For millennia, no one in Xuanshu had surpassed Saint-tier, First Star. Despite abundant spiritual energy and countless geniuses, an invisible barrier blocked all progress, trapping everyone at First Star for life.

The continent’s five living Saints, each nearly a thousand years old, had spent lifetimes trying to breach this barrier, only to fail, leaving many in awe and pity.

Now, a once-in-a-millennium genius had not only reached Saint-tier but silently shattered the barrier. How could this not stir hearts?

The younger generation was formidable.

Zong Ji was already a frequent name on Xuanshu’s jade slips, renowned as the leader of the younger generation. Now, joining the top-tier experts, his fame shook the world.

From elderly matrons to three-year-olds, everyone knew Zong Ji’s name. In teahouses and taverns, eight out of ten storytellers praised him as a descended immortal.

A universal idol, nothing less.

With two of the five Saints nearing their end, the news of someone breaking the barrier brought tears of joy. Casting aside canes and leaping with excitement, they prepared generous gifts, eager to visit Tai Xu Sect and learn from this prodigy.

Xuanshu was relatively peaceful. Ten thousand years ago, the great war between humans, demons, and devils depleted all sides, leading to a truce. Each retreated to recover, occasionally clashing but avoiding major conflicts. Though devil sects and demon towers emerged, they dared not act as arrogantly as in the past, lest they incite the continent’s wrath.

Ten years ago, a mysterious organization called the “Dark Hall” arose, bridging the three races. Promoting peaceful coexistence and mutual progress, it fostered an unspoken truce, easing the prior hostility.

With humans claiming the Mysterious Rankings’ top spot and breaking the cultivation barrier, Xuanshu was poised for upheaval.

Zong Ji, retracting his chess pieces, had no intent to further trouble Mu Ye. He leisurely brushed nonexistent dust from his black robes, strolling back to the sect through swirling snow under Mu Ye’s complex gaze.

Turning, he met the fervent gazes of countless blue-and-white-robed Tai Xu disciples.

Having witnessed his sword qi, the silent sword cultivators’ eyes gleamed, eager to seek guidance and worship him.

Zong Ji was used to this. Their gazes were like those of lovesick admirers—no wonder sword cultivators had the highest bachelor rate.

Small scene, small scene.

His expression unchanged, heart steady, his dark-gold eyes clear and cold, Zong Ji’s gaze didn’t linger on anyone. Like snowmelt from a mountain, it flowed freely, refined and elegant.

“Congratulations, Senior Brother, on your breakthrough.”

Yan Si stepped forward from the crowd, his usually stern face betraying a hint of joy, reminiscent of their childhood.

“Thank you, Junior Brother Yan.”

Zong Ji had nearly arrived late, but thanks to his quick-witted junior, Mu Ye didn’t get to humiliate Tai Xu Sect. Otherwise, the sect leader would’ve knocked his head.

Yan Si was Zong Ji’s junior brother. Sect Leader Ming Xu Zi had taken only two disciples: Zong Ji, the eldest, and Yan Si, the last.

Initially, Ming Xu Zi planned for one disciple. Seeing Zong Ji’s exceptional talent and hints of a natural sword heart, he eagerly took the young boy to Hidden Sword Peak, hoping he’d inherit his legacy.

Ming Xu Zi, a top swordmaster, had a keen eye. After reaching Saint-tier, he returned to Tai Xu to retire, teach a disciple, and enjoy his later years.

But Zong Ji, despite his sword heart and ability to wield sword qi with a chess piece, faltered with a sword. After three years under Ming Xu Zi’s watchful eye, practicing an eighty-one-form sword art, he made no progress. Instead, he excelled with a fan, mastering side arts like drinking and flute-playing.

This drove Ming Xu Zi to despair, nearly balding from stress. To ensure his swordsmanship had a successor, he opened the sect again, taking Yan Si as his final disciple.

Knowing Zong Ji’s carefree nature, Ming Xu Zi was thrilled with Yan Si’s disciplined, serious demeanor, often tutoring him privately.

In contrast, Zong Ji was left to roam free.

Zong Ji: Perfect!
Freed from daily sword practice, he slept till noon, lounged on treetops, and lived leisurely, fishing one day, sunbathing the next.

Until one day, Ming Xu Zi discovered his hidden Tai Xi White wine, buried under a cypress outside his cave, was stolen.

Prime suspect: Zong Ji.

Everyone knew Zong Ji loved wine. During sword training, he’d pilfered plenty of Tai Xi White.

But recently, Ming Xu Zi had sent Zong Ji to Herb-Gathering Peak to pick herbs. Few disciples knew the wine’s exact location, so how could it vanish?

Zong Ji: Heh.
Thanks to his adorable junior brother.

When Yan Si joined at five or six, malnourished and barely reaching Zong Ji’s chest, his small face was stern, like a tiny adult. Zong Ji, only a year older, loved teasing him, delighting in breaking his composure.

Yet, despite Zong Ji’s relentless pranks, Yan Si adored him, following him around, calling “Senior Brother” endlessly, looking up to him.

Those years, Zong Ji and his little shadow caused chaos in Tai Xu Sect, leaving mysteries like midnight peak ghosts and missing chamber pots, all their doing.

Ming Xu Zi would never suspect his obedient junior disciple of digging up his prized Tai Xi White.

Naturally, all the wine ended up in Zong Ji’s stomach.

“I’m off to see Master. Want to come, Junior Brother?”

“Sure.”

Even as the plot progressed and Zong Ji roamed outside the sect or secluded himself, their bond remained strong, tinged with warmth in their silence.

New disciples, gazing at them with awe, could never imagine the stern Hidden Sword Peak Master, who looked like everyone owed him millions, had such a lively side.

But Yan Si was growing too serious, resembling Ming Xu Zi’s stern face. Gotta talk to him soon, or his wrinkles will match Master’s.

With a flick of his sleeve, Zong Ji’s vast spiritual energy enveloped them, teleporting from the sect gate to the main peak miles away in milliseconds.

“You brat!”

Zong Ji hadn’t hidden his spiritual fluctuations, so Ming Xu Zi sensed him instantly. Brandishing his cane, he chased his eldest disciple, striking without mercy, leaving Zong Ji’s head throbbing.

Expecting praise and hugs, Zong Ji: ???

Fresh from five years of seclusion, caught off-guard and struck, he remembered—

Before retreating, he’d pulled off a big stunt.

With Yan Si, he’d sneaked to Hidden Sword Peak and dug up all of Ming Xu Zi’s hidden Tai Xi White. XD