71: Chapter 71 Dragon and Tiger List

A peaceful night.

Chen Fan woke up feeling refreshed. The lingering warmth remained by his side, but the beauty was already gone.

He sat up, feeling clear-headed and refreshed, and even the pain in his back seemed to have diminished significantly.

A simple breakfast: rice porridge cooked by Lin Wan herself, served with a dish of homemade pickles.

Nuannuan was already awake, sitting on Chen Fan's lap, waving her chubby little hands and babbling as she tried to grab the chopsticks in his hand.

Chen Fan was not annoyed; he just patiently mashed the egg custard with a spoon and fed it to his daughter one small mouthful at a time.

Lin Wan sat opposite him, watching quietly, having forgotten to continue the needlework in her hands.

The sunlight was just right; the years were peaceful.

Is this what a home is?

In Chen Fan's heart, a feeling like never before emerged.

Just then, the courtyard gate was gently knocked upon.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Lin Wan got up to open the door.

Standing outside was a young Junior Brother wearing the uniform of a Longxing Sect Disciple, his face showing a hint of respect.

"May I ask, is Senior Brother Chen here?"

Chen Fan walked out, holding his daughter.

Upon seeing Chen Fan, the Junior Brother immediately cupped his hands in a salute.

"Senior Brother Chen, Master requests your presence."

Master Liu Cang is looking for him?

Chen Fan felt slightly surprised, but still nodded.

"Understood, I will be there shortly."

The Junior Brother acknowledged the order and left.

Chen Fan handed Nuannuan to Lin Wan and reached out to smooth a stray lock of hair at her temple.

"I am going out for a moment, I will be back soon."

Lin Wan held their daughter and nodded, saying nothing, though the heart that had just settled down was once again suspended in worry.

Chen Fan turned and walked towards the headquarters of the Longxing Sect.

The main headquarters of the Longxing Sect occupied a large estate in the south of the city, complete with pavilions, towers, a martial arts arena, stables, and an escort agency.

Disciples came and went, some in a hurry, others in groups of three or five, filled with the unique vitality of a Jianghu School.

The livelihoods of Jianghu Schools generally consisted of running martial arts academies to collect tuition fees and providing escort services.

For those higher up, it meant guarding homes for wealthy families or serving as honored guests.

All Jianghu Schools were like this, and the Longxing Sect was naturally no exception.

And most of the time, conflicts between Jianghu Schools were over these livelihoods.

After all, even great heroes need to eat.

This was the reality of the Jianghu at the bottom of this world.

Chen Fan, familiar with the path, arrived at a quiet courtyard in the back.

This was Master Liu Cang's residence.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Master Liu Cang sitting by a stone table, drinking sullenly by himself.

"Master."

Chen Fan stepped forward to salute.

Master Liu Cang looked up, examined him for a moment, and squeezed a smile onto his weathered face.

"You're here. Sit."

He pointed to the stone stool opposite him.

"How is your injury?"

"It is no longer a serious issue."

Master Liu Cang nodded and took another gulp of wine, as if just chatting.

"Is everything at home... alright?"

"Everything is fine," Chen Fan answered calmly.

"That is good, that is good." Master Liu Cang seemed to heave a sigh of relief. He put down the wine pot and looked at Chen Fan, "Between a husband and wife, arguments in bed are resolved in bed. Your wife is a good woman; in the future, do not let her down again."

Chen Fan remained silent.

Master Liu Cang sighed and finally brought up the main topic.

"I called you here because there is a major matter I need to discuss with you."

His expression became serious.

"After the New Year, the Righteous Alliance is going to host a major event."

"They are setting up a fighting ring in Jian Prefecture to invite heroes from all over the world to compete."

Jian Prefecture?

Chen Fan had some impression of this place name; it was the most martial-focused state in the Great Shang Dynasty, filled with sword-wielding Sects.

"Compete for what?"

"The hero ranking list." Master Liu Cang's breathing became a bit heavier, "To determine the ten strongest people under the age of thirty in the current world!"

"This hero ranking list is held every ten years, and each time, it is enough to stir up the entire Jianghu."

"Anyone who can make it onto the list is a world-renowned figure. The Sect they belong to will also rise in status, gaining significant influence within the Righteous Alliance."

Master Liu Cang paused here, his eyes burning as he stared at Chen Fan.

"Most importantly, anyone who enters the top ten, besides obtaining massive amounts of resources to Cultivate, will have a tremendous Opportunity."

"They can enter the Holy Land of the Heavenly Pool to receive personal martial arts guidance from Alliance Leader Xue for one month."

Alliance Leader Xue.

The number one person in the current Martial Forest.

To receive his personal guidance is a stroke of fortune any Martial Artist would dream of.

Chen Fan's heart, however, remained calm.

Heavenly Pool?

He thought of that pure-hearted youth, Zhang Shan, whom he had corrupted.

What is the point of going to such a place?

It is far less interesting than staying home and taking care of the child.

Master Liu Cang did not notice Chen Fan's distraction; he remained immersed in his vision of the future, his voice filled with a hint of excitement.

"Nickname, you have the best talent among all my Disciples."

"Although you are currently only at the eighth rank, I believe that as long as you are given time and resources, before next spring, you might have a chance to make a Breakthrough to the seventh rank!"

"Once you reach the seventh rank, with your talent combined with the movement techniques of our Longxing Sect, you might just be able to secure a spot on that hero ranking list!"

"As long as you can make the list, even if it is just tenth place!"

Master Liu Cang slammed his hand on the table.

"Our Longxing Sect will be able to firmly establish itself in Yanzhou, and perhaps... go even further!"

He had said so much, and finally, his true intentions were revealed.

Chen Fan understood.

This was Master drawing a big picture for him, wanting him to risk his life.

But right now, he just wanted to lay flat.

"Master..." Chen Fan just wanted to refuse.

But Master Liu Cang raised his hand, interrupting him.

He stood up, walked to Chen Fan's side, and pressed his hand heavily onto his shoulder.

That hand was rough, powerful, and carried an expectation that could not be refused.

"Nickname."

"Next year, I hope you will go."

Chen Fan: "..."

What else could he say? Refusing was probably not an option.

Chen Fan looked at Master Liu Cang's eyes filled with expectation, and in the end, could only nod.

"This Disciple accepts the order. However, regarding whether I can make the list, I ask Master not to hold too high expectations. Heroes under the heavens are as numerous as carp crossing the river; even if this Disciple achieves a Breakthrough to the seventh rank, it is not guaranteed." Chen Fan said slowly.

He felt that this cheap Master was a bit too idealistic.

Seventh-rank Martial Artists are a dime a dozen, aren't they?

Although it is restricted to those under thirty, those who meet this condition are still as numerous as cow hairs.

Master Liu Cang heard this and smiled, saying: "Rest assured, true martial arts Geniuses will not come to compete for this hero ranking list; their goal is the Dragon and Tiger Ranking!"

"Dragon and Tiger Ranking? What is the Dragon and Tiger Ranking?" Chen Fan asked curiously.

"The Dragon and Tiger Ranking is known as the number one ranking under the heavens. Only those under twenty-five can participate, and everyone on the list is a Dragon or Phoenix among men."

"You must know that back in the day, even Alliance Leader Xue was only ranked second on the Dragon and Tiger Ranking..."

Master Liu Cang spoke with extreme longing.

Chen Fan listened and finally understood.

So, this Dragon and Tiger Ranking was the true hero ranking.

And that hero ranking list could at best be considered an unofficial ranking.