Top-Tier Perception Starts From Basic Fist Techniques

Chapter 181.2: Lu Changshengs Mind Space Reaches One-Hundred Li! (II)

Another major force within the Ancient Region, the Flying Goose Tower, had also begun closely monitoring the discussion surrounding Lu Changsheng.

The Flying Goose Tower was a unique organization within the Ancient Region. It dealt primarily in intelligence and maintained ties with both the Immortal Dao and the Martial Dao. Although the organization had created many different kinds of rankings, it was most famous for the Foundation Establishment Candidate List and the Dao Foundation Candidate List.

Those two ranking systems were meant for the finest geniuses of the current generation. Whether they were prodigies of the Immortal Dao or the Martial Dao, nearly all of them appeared on one list or the other.

Deep within the tower, a debate was underway over whether the two ranking systems should be merged, as several elders voiced their objections to the Vice Tower Master.

"Vice Tower Master, merging the Foundation Establishment Candidate List with the Dao Foundation Candidate List would be extremely difficult."

"We already wield enormous influence through both lists separately. Why merge them now? I deem it unnecessary."

"Martial artists and Immortal Masters barely understand each other's cultivation systems, so combining the ranking systems makes no sense. If unfamiliar names appear on the list, names people may never even encounter in their lifetimes, what value would the ranking even have?"

The Vice Tower Master, clad in black, calmly listened to the elders' objections.

The Flying Goose Tower had always been an organization shrouded in mystery. Although rumors spoke of a Tower Master, they rarely showed themselves. Nearly all affairs within the tower were handled personally by the Vice Tower Master.

When the room finally settled down, the Vice Tower Master spoke slowly. "When I say we should merge the two systems, I don't mean literally throwing all martial artists and Immortal Masters into a single ordered list. What I mean is selecting a true number one from both lists. A single cultivator who stands at the peak of both lists. That is what I mean by merging them.

"As for the purpose, I'm certain all of you have already guessed, is influence. Influence is the foundation of everything this organization does. It is what our business runs on and what our power is built from. The Foundation Establishment Candidate List and the Dao Foundation Candidate already hold great authority in the Ancient Region, but not enough.

"In the past, merging them would have been pointless. The Foundation Establishment Candidate List would have dominated, and we'd have gained nothing. But now, with the rise of lu Changsheng, things are different."

"When the Dao Foundation Candidate List was recently updated, I overruled every objection and placed Lu Changsheng, a newly risen Divine Treasury martial artist, at the top of the list. That decision stirred tremendous controversy and brought the Flying Goose Tower a great deal of attention, did it not?

"And now, Immortal Master Ling Miao has pushed that controversy even further. By publicly declaring Lu Changsheng the greatest Divine Treasury martial artist of all time and claiming he could dominate both the Immortal Dao and Martial Dao, she has turned him into the center of attention across the entire Ancient Region.

"So if we merge the two lists now, the conflict between the Martial Dao and the Immortal Dao will only intensify. Both sides will fight fiercely for the title of true number one, and as a result, the entire Ancient Region will turn its attention toward the Flying Goose Tower. Then, our influence and authority will spread even further."

Having listened attentively to the explanation of the Vice Tower Master, the elders' eyes lit up. Indeed, they were dealing with an anomaly: a Divine Treasury martial artist capable of contending against Immortal Masters.

In the past, merging the two ranking systems would've been pointless, as the Immortal Masters would simply dominate the rankings without suspense. But now, with Lu Changsheng in the picture, the clash between the Martial Dao and the Immortal Dao would undoubtedly draw enormous attention throughout the Ancient Region. Even Dao Foundation martial artists and Dao Lords would pay close attention to such a conflict.

The elders found themselves wondering too: between Lu Changsheng and Yu Feixiao, who was truly stronger? Was Ling Miao correct when she said Lu Changsheng could dominate both the Immortal Dao and Martial Dao?

"Vice Tower Master, if we truly intend to merge the two lists and determine a true number one, we would need to gather the experts from both lists. That would mean bringing together two hundred supreme geniuses in the Ancient Region for a competition. I'm afraid something like that would be extremely difficult to pull off."

"Agreed. Some type of contest is needed. If we publish a merged list without anything to back it up, it would have no credibility."

"Even convincing the top ten from both lists to participate would be extremely difficult. Cultivators of their standing are arrogant, and they probably won't even acknowledge our organization."

The Vice Tower Master shook his head. "You're right. With our current influence, the disciples of the major sects would most likely ignore us. But there's no need to gather everyone. We only need to get Lu Changsheng and Yu Feixiao to agree to fight. A duel between those two would be enough to determine a true number one between the two lists.

"Make no mistake, the entire Ancient Region will pay attention to their duel. And with that, the influence of the Flying Goose Tower will naturally grow."

The elders exchanged glances before slowly nodding.

"But how do we persuade the two of them to agree to a battle?" one elder asked with a slight frown.

"Exactly. If either one refuses, the whole plan falls apart," another elder added.

The Vice Tower Master's lips curved into a faint smile. "Persuading them is simpler than it sounds. Give people what they want most and they'll come around. So whatever each of them needs right now, we'll provide. Add the lure of fame and profit on top of that, and you can be certain they'll agree to it."

He let his gaze move across the elders before continuing, "For now, focus on preparing for the publicity of this upcoming duel, but don't make any public announcements until both of them have agreed to it."

"Understood, Vice Tower Master."

The elders immediately filed out to make preparations. The Vice Tower Master watched them go, and when the last figure had disappeared, he softly murmured to himself, "Lu Changsheng, I'm truly grateful to you. Without you, the greatest Divine Treasury martial artist of all time, pushing this organization any further would've been an uphill battle. But now, there is hope."

***

Half a month had passed by. In the meantime, rumors spread that the Flying Goose Tower intended to merge the Dao Foundation Candidate List and the Foundation Establishment Candidate List into a single ranking system in order to determine the true number one individual of both the Martial Dao and the Immortal Dao.

It was an unconfirmed rumor, but there is no smoke without fire. Many martial artists and Immortal Masters were already buzzing with anticipation, more or less convinced that the rumors were true.

"Merging the Dao Foundation Candidate List and the Foundation Establishment Candidate List? Does that mean all the Divine Treasury martial artists and Immortal Masters on the two lists will have to face each other in real battle?"

"From what I've heard, only the number one cultivator from both lists need to fight. One fight for the number one spot."

"So it comes down to Lu Changsheng and Yu Feixiao, huh? Ling Miao called Lu Changsheng the greatest Divine Treasury of all time and even said he would dominate both the Immortal Dao and Martial Dao, but Yu Feixiao has stayed silent the entire time. If this rumor about the lists is true, we may finally see these two face each other in battle."

"I still find it hard to believe that a Divine Treasury martial artist could overpower that many supreme Immortal Masters, let alone dominate both the Immortal Dao and the Martial Dao. If the two ranking systems are merged, at least we'd be able to see for ourselves whether Lu Changsheng lives up to his reputation."

"Yeah. In any case, let's wait for the Flying Goose Tower to actually make an announcement."

The rumor kept spreading far and wide, with countless people trying to verify it. The Flying Goose Tower, however, confirmed nothing at all.