CHAPTER 161: THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE HEAVENLY RANKINGS

As the end of the year approached, although the cultivation world was ablaze with turmoil and chaos, the mountain gates across the land were still filled with the lively atmosphere of preparing for the new year.

Wang Sheng, who had the Sword-Pressing Stone on his back, had not notified anyone in advance that they were coming. Hence, no one came out to greet them when they made their way up the mountain.

Around this time of the year, Daoist sects would hold offerings to their forefathers and make sure that the spirit tablets connected to their Daoist heritage always had incense offerings.

Most Daoist sects revered the Three Pure Ones. Beneath the spirit tablets of the Three Pure Ones were the tablets of each sect's forefathers. Qing Yanzi, for one, would pay respects to Lu the Progenitor during the holidays, while the Shu Sword Sect made offerings to Qing Feng Zhenren.

Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan walked all the way to the Shu Sword Sect's mountain gate. The two disciples guarding the gate were momentarily stunned.

"Elder Fei Yu is back for the new year!" one of them immediately shouted toward the Daoist temple.

"What nonsense are you shouting—ahem! Elder Fei Yu brought his wife back for the new year!"

Wang Sheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Couldn't these cultivators, who were from the same generation, act a bit more composed like him?

Smiling faintly, Mu Wanxuan followed beside Wang Sheng. Since she was still absorbed in the view of the Cuiping Peak in the distance, she didn't seem to mind them in the slightest.

When they reached the entrance of the Daoist temple, several elders and over a dozen disciples had already come out to greet them. Wang Sheng stepped forward and gave the proper junior's salute. The elders returned the gesture, but none treated him as a junior.

After exchanging a few words, Wang Sheng explained his reason for coming and returned the Sword-Pressing Stone to the elder of the Shu Sword Sect. He then expressed his gratitude to the sect.

Since he still had a flight to catch that evening, he originally planned to hand over the Sword-Pressing Stone and leave. However, with the sword cultivators enthusiastically welcoming him, he had no choice but to stay for a cup of tea and chat for a while.

Unfortunately, Fei Lianzi wasn't around at the time. He had left the mountain to eliminate corrupt cultivators.

When the elders learned that Wang Sheng was returning home for the new year, they took the opportunity to give him a few reminders.

"You and Bu Yu are quite well known now. Though it is a good thing, it comes with drawbacks. If those corrupt cultivators learn about your family, they could try to threaten you through them. What would you do then?"

Wang Sheng frowned slightly. He had naturally considered this—it was the main reason he had not returned home since killing the Wood Yin God.

"I have a little something here," said a Daoist master. He stood up and pulled two small wooden swords from his sleeve.

They were only as long as a middle finger and had a few simple lines carved into them. Nevertheless, they constantly stirred primal qi and emanated a faint trace of the mysterious Dao Rhythm.

The Daoist master smiled. "Wear this on you and control it with the Sword-Controlling Art. It will completely conceal your aura. Apart from Golden Core Realm cultivators, no one should be able to see through it."

"Thank you so much, Senior." Wang Sheng accepted the wooden swords. Through the Sword-Controlling Art, he enveloped them with his spiritual consciousness.

The wooden sword trembled slightly, and its Dao Rhythm quietly dissipated.

He handed the other to Mu Wanxuan and had her deactivate her aura concealment technique. Her surroundings should have naturally revealed fluctuations of primal qi, yet nothing happened.

The little wooden swords were quite useful New Year's gifts. It gave them both an extra layer of protection that eliminated the need to remain in a passive state all the time.

The Daoist master chuckled. "Naturally, if you engage in combat, the wooden sword will lose its effect."

Afterward, a female Daoist master took out two masks. Smiling, she offered them to the two.

The Daoist masters of the Shu Sword Sect seem really afraid of being recognized in public...

Given how intense the battle between righteous and corrupt factions had become, though, it was definitely wise to have extra precautions while traveling.

Wang Sheng suddenly felt an urge to buy a batch of human-skin masks from the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect. Those corrupt cultivators were well-versed in the art of concealment—they were true masters of the craft.

Fortunately, Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan had come dressed in casual clothing. Otherwise, their martial aunts and uncles would surely have insisted on giving them a few new outfits.

The Shu Sword Sect elders also reminded Wang Sheng that even minimal disguises could prove useful—especially for his senior sister, who was simply too stunning. She would easily attract people to secretly take pictures.

When the two descended the mountain, a vehicle that the Special Investigation Unit had arranged was already waiting for them. On the way to the airport, Wang Sheng asked them to take a short detour and brought Mu Wanxuan to a local shopping mall.

To lower his senior sister's head-turning rate, a trendy oversized down jacket for the winter was essential. He also bought her a cartoon-themed hat to lower her "immortal aura index," and gave her a pair of sunglasses. Her new outfit should make it difficult for anyone to immediately recognize the famous Quiet Fairy.

Although Wang Sheng considered picking out a fiery red lipstick for her while passing the cosmetics aisle, he was afraid that his senior sister would slap him then and there. Hence, he reluctantly held back.

His disguise was much simpler. He bought a hooded sweatshirt, pulled the hood over his long hair, put on a pair of sunglasses, and relaxed completely. At that moment, no one would recognize him as one of the three sword cultivators who performed at the opening of the Immortal Dao Conference.

He also bought two pieces of clothing for his parents at the mall and, feeling a bit sentimental, picked up a few toys for his future younger sibling. He didn't even consider the label that said, "Recommended for ages three and above."

Mu Wanxuan also bought some nutritional and health supplements. When they checked out, she insisted on paying herself, leaving Wang Sheng a bit helpless.

As martial siblings, they shouldn't draw lines between each other. They could share priceless artifacts among themselves, yet they insisted on who'd get to spend a bit of money.

Wang Sheng had a few complaints about it.

Having established a good relationship with the Special Investigation Unit had made traveling much easier. He also benefited from his senior sister's presence, which led to their seats being upgraded to first class. Not only were they the last two to board the plane and the first two to disembark, but they were also guided down a special passageway to reduce the chance of being recognized.

When they landed, another vehicle that the Special Investigation Unit had arranged was already waiting. However, the members of the Special Investigation Unit only escorted them part of the way; they did not go anywhere near Wang Sheng's family.

The Special Investigation Unit looked after them the entire journey, making Wang Sheng feel somewhat emotional.

It was already past midnight. Not wanting to disturb a certain pregnant woman's rest, Wang Sheng didn't rush home. As Seed Formation Realm and Illusory Core Realm cultivators, they didn't have to deliberately sleep anyway.

Taking advantage of the night, Wang Sheng took his senior sister for a stroll through the familiar neighborhood, tracing the memories of his childhood with her. They visited the elementary school that he had once attended, climbed over the fence of his high school, walked a few laps around the playground, and talked about the reckless things that he had done in his youth.

Mu Wanxuan quietly listened the whole time. Although she tried her best to keep a calm expression, her junior brother's jokes constantly made her laugh.

By the time they reached the residential compound where Wang Sheng's parents currently lived, the eastern sky was already beginning to brighten.

Like a pair of thieves, Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan snuck up to the door of his parents' apartment with several large shopping bags. Upon quietly reaching the front door, Wang Sheng called his father.

The phone rang a few times.

—Little Sheng? What's going on? Why are you calling so early...

His father stopped to yawn.

—Don't worry, your mom's fine. We managed to give birth to you back then, didn't we? We've got experience now.

Wang Sheng chuckled. "Dad, I've come home with Mu Wanxuan. We're right outside; please open the door."

—Huh?

You're home? Which home? Hang on.

Wang Sheng immediately heard footsteps coming from the other end of the phone, followed by the sound of the lock opening. His father seemed to have opened the security door, yet the door remained closed on Wang Sheng's side.

—Ah, didn't I tell you, Little Sheng? We bought a new, bigger apartment. Your mom and I moved a while ago.

Wang Sheng was speechless.

Mu Wanxuan blinked, then burst out laughing.

Hearing the footsteps from behind the door in front of them, Wang Sheng quickly used his Seven-Star Footwork, dragging his senior sister away from the residential compound. As they jogged off into the cold wind, Wang Sheng couldn't help but laugh at the absurd situation.

***

After he left to cultivate, his parents' lives had become more and more comfortable. They had even upgraded their car and home.

Their new apartment was quite cozy, and it was in a bustling area. It naturally didn't come cheap.

Although Wang Sheng had a feeling that the Special Investigation Unit might have had a hand in his father's career advancement and salary increase, he didn't bring it up. As long as his parents could live peaceful, worry-free lives, their son didn't mind running errands for the Special Investigation Unit a few more times.

Wang Sheng's parents were just as welcoming toward Mu Wanxuan as the last time they were home. When the apartment was being renovated, they had already prepared a room for the two: a large bedroom with a street view.

No one would have expected that the renowned Quiet Fairy of the cultivation world, as soon as they arrived at her junior brother's home, would put on an apron and start bustling around the house. To ensure Wang Sheng's mom could rest properly, she took the initiative to handle all the household chores during their stay.

Wang Sheng remembered that his family had never really practiced making offerings during the New Year. Nevertheless, he saw a wooden board on the balcony. Next to it was a two-meter-wide scroll painting, which looked just like the ancestral memorial scrolls that his elders used to hang back in his hometown during the New Year.

Those scrolls usually listed the names of the family's ancestors, with lineages that could be traced back hundreds or even thousands of years to their earliest forefathers. Nowadays, though, fewer and fewer elders carried on this tradition, and the festive atmosphere of the New Year had gradually faded.

Wang Sheng leaned in. "Dad, are we going to hang up the ancestral tablets for the New Year?"

"Oh, not really," replied his father, whose hairline was rapidly catching up to Ma Zibin's, as he sat down with a plate of fruit. "These days, everyone's into worshiping various deities. Since you've all started cultivating now, chances are deities really do exist. A lot of people at our company are into this. Better to believe than not, right? We'll hang it up on New Year's Eve."

Various deities? Does he mean Daoist gods?

Wang Sheng was immediately intrigued. Just as he was about to open the scroll for a look, the phone in his pocket vibrated.

When he pulled it out, his spirits were swiftly lifted.

He had received a message from Mou Yue. It wasn't a New Year's greeting—it was just a website link, along with his exclusive access pass and key to it.

The link led to the official site of the Righteous-Qi Alliance, a digital hub built specifically for righteous cultivators.

Wang Sheng was quite familiar with it. In his previous life, he had only heard about it but had never been able to access it. Protected by multiple layers of cyber security from the Hua Republic's online police, it served as the "sanctum" of righteous qi and the official platform for promoting the cultivation world.

That night, the first Heavenly Rankings were announced!