Chapter 28: Diligent and Motivated Zhou Xianming

Chapter 28 Diligent and Ambitious Zhou Xianming

The storm had just cleared, and peaceful days flowed like water.

With the help of the bodhi pearl, An Jing's body was filled with a large amount of pure Yang energy, and coupled with his extraordinary talent, his Cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.

In the Jianghu, Cultivation is divided into nine Ranks.

Ranks Nine to Six are called the Lower Three Ranks. Those who Cultivate at this Realm are the small fries and minions of the Jianghu, such as Cao Gang members, ordinary constables, some镖师 from escort agencies, and young juniors. They all fall into this category.

These people have a certain amount of Internal Energy, and compared to ordinary people, they do have some strength, but in the vast and boundless Jianghu, they are not worth mentioning.

Wang Zhiping and Wang He were among them.

These kinds of people are the most numerous and the most pitiful in the Jianghu.

Ranks Six to Three are called the Middle Three Ranks. Experts at this Realm of Internal Energy mostly possess decades of Internal Energy and are skilled in some well-known martial arts. They are the backbone of the entire Jianghu.

They are also the main targets for various Gangs, retainers, and major forces to recruit. Some of them have a considerable reputation in the Jianghu, are respectfully called experts by younger generations, and are respected and admired.

Cao Anmin and Liu Haoping are among the best of them. Such figures are already renowned experts in the eyes of ordinary people, rarely seen, but in the eyes of true experts, they are merely pawns, disposable at any time.

Finally, there are the Upper Three Ranks.

Such people, in the eyes of those who have spent many years in the Jianghu, are the true experts.

If someone jokingly calls those in the Middle Three Ranks experts, then those in the Upper Three Ranks are experts among experts.

To become an expert in the Upper Three Ranks, almost all three conditions must be met.

First, one must at least possess a Mind-Cultivation Technique of Xuanwu Rank or above. Mind-Cultivation Technique Ranks, from low to high, are also divided from Rank Nine to Rank One. Above Rank One are Earth, Xuanwu, Zhenwu, and Heavenly.

A Mind-Cultivation Technique is a person's foundation, like the quality of water in a bowl. Even if the ancient well is deep and the cup is good, without a clear spring water or sweet wine, it would be a pity. And this is just one condition.

The second condition is to possess a one-in-a-thousand bone structure. Not many people have this bone structure, but if one searches carefully, they can still be found.

The last condition is to have persistent perseverance and daily dedication.

Even with the best bone structure and the best martial arts in the world, if there is no continuous Cultivation, it is useless. Therefore, Heart-Nature is also extremely important.

An Jing possessed the Earth Book, and his innate talent was extremely high. He Cultivated diligently for ten years to reach the First Rank of Cultivation.

And from First Rank to Grandmaster is an insurmountable chasm.

Not to mention the difficulty of the final Three Flowers Gathering at the Top, just the effort of condensing the Human Flower, Earth Flower Realm, and Heavenly Flower requires great effort and cost.

An Jing had only recently condensed the Human Flower, and it would still take some time to condense the Earth Flower Realm.

On a leisurely afternoon, the faint sunlight passed through the leaves, scattering onto the ground, forming dappled tree shadows.

Zhao Qingmei carried two small wooden stools and followed An Jing into the teahouse. The couple ordered a single cup of tea. Neither spoke, finding a corner to sit down. This harmonious couple was like a ray of sunshine, warming the afternoon in the teahouse.

"Half a month has passed, and that swordsman still hasn't appeared. In my opinion, he must have been afraid of Tie Yunshan and fled."

"Who is Tie Yunshan? That's the Flying Arrow Under the Moon, the seventy-third ranked expert on the Jianghu dragon and tiger rankings."

"That swordsman's strength isn't bad either. I saw his sword momentum was condensed and didn't scatter, he's also an expert."

"What do you know? Who is behind Tie Yunshan? That's the thriving Cao Gang. Who isn't afraid?"

Inside the teahouse, discussions were bustling, freely talking about matters in the Jianghu.

"Why hasn't Zhou Xianming arrived today?"

Zhao Qingmei glanced outside and chuckled, "Yesterday, he talked about the Human Sect of Beyond the Heavens. I really want to listen carefully."

These past few days, Zhao Qingmei also had nothing to do, so she followed An Jing to the teahouse to listen to stories. Zhou Xianming happened to be talking about the Demonic Cult of Beyond the Heavens, and she was quite curious how Zhou Xianming would talk about her Demonic Cult.

An Jing said irritably, "He's all talk. If a Demonic Cult fiend stood in front of him, it would scare his third leg into trembling."

"You're spouting nonsense!"

Zhao Qingmei playfully glared at An Jing.

"Everyone, I've kept you waiting."

Just then, Zhou Xianming walked out from the back room, his face flushed with health. He cupped his hands to everyone and said, "Thank you all for your patronage during this period. Recently, some changes have occurred, and I, Zhou, intend to stop telling stories. I hope you all understand."

"Mr. Zhou, what's going on?"

"We haven't had enough."

"Exactly, why aren't you telling stories anymore?"

Although the storyteller's job was not fixed, and other storytellers often came to take advantage, most people in the teahouse felt that Zhou Xianming's stories were the most exciting and enjoyable.

But Zhou Xianming said he wouldn't tell stories anymore, and his attitude seemed very firm, as if he had already made up his mind.

Everyone looked disappointed, then continued to drink tea and discuss daily gossip and rumors.

At this moment, Zhou Xianming walked over. An Jing asked curiously, "Old Zhou, what's going on?"

"I'm not telling stories anymore. I plan to work hard and resume the Imperial Examination!"

Zhou Xianming said with a serious face.

"Imperial Examination?"

"This year's provincial Imperial Examination is about to begin. I want to participate in this grand competition and strive to win first place." Zhou Xianming's eyes held a hint of hope.

"You're not right!"

An Jing looked at the diligently ambitious Zhou Xianming and calmly analyzed.

A person who can say that scholars should listen to music in Brothels is actually going to work hard and make great efforts to take the Imperial Examination. Do you believe it?

An Jing certainly didn't believe it.

Zhou Xianming immediately stomped his foot anxiously and said, "Little Dr. An, why do you say that? How is it that in your eyes, I, Zhou, am an unmotivated, unlearned, and unenterprising person?"

"Yes."

An Jing nodded, his face serious.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xianming's face darkened.

Zhao Qingmei poked An Jing with her elbow and said, "Husband, how can you discourage him like that? I think it's a good thing that Mr. Zhou wants to take the Imperial Examination."

An Jing said irritably, "Madam, this old fellow is not a good person. Don't let his appearance deceive you—"

"Madam An is absolutely right." Zhou Xianming quickly interrupted An Jing, then showed a troubled expression: "Madam An, actually, I have an impolite request, I don't know—"

"I knew it."

An Jing sneered, interrupting Zhou Xianming, and said, "I knew you were waiting here, Brother Zhou. Tell me, are you going to borrow money to go to the Brothel to listen to music?"

"Nonsense, utter fabrication!"

Zhou Xianming's face flushed red, as if his secret had been exposed.

"Old Zhou, just admit it."

Zhou Xianming said angrily, "You're slandering me with malicious words! I'm borrowing money clearly for the Imperial Examination. I, Zhou, have already given Miss Li Yue my word that if I pass this time, I will definitely come back to redeem her."

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