Chapter 262 - 260: The Title "Flame Fist

It had been a week since Yang Shen returned. Besides teaching his disciples and attending Cultivation classes, he focused on just one thing each day.

Digesting the Qi and Blood Value within his body.

To be precise, he had already started during those few days he was still drifting above the Vast Sea.

Ever since obtaining Fist Intent and the Buddha Sound Body Refining Technique, his speed of digesting Qi and Blood Value had always been terrifyingly fast. This was the first time he had ever encountered a situation where he couldn’t digest it all.

With his current physique, he could already turn up the Buddha Sound Body Refining Technique to 80% of its volume without affecting his normal life, on top of his diligent, daily Rising Sun Fist Training and personal Body Forging.

The Qi and Blood Value from that mass of Dragon Blood was a full 600 points. Moreover, Yang Shen hadn’t slacked on his own daily Cultivation. Just the morning before last, he had broken through the 2600 Qi and Blood Value threshold into the Late-stage Innate realm.

And he still hadn’t finished digesting the benefits from the Dragon Blood...

’This stuff is great... Next time I see Uncle and Yiming, I’ll have to get some more.’

’The middle dragon head looked like it was being bullied anyway...’

As it was a realm purely defined by the quantification of a person’s Qi and Blood Value, simply breaking through from the Mid-stage to the Late Stage didn’t bring any noticeable physical sensation.

But stepping into the Late-stage Innate meant Yang Shen could start planning his advancement to the True Gang Realm.

This was also why he wasn’t too keen on Fan Jing’s proposal.

He planned to step into the True Gang Realm before the end of the year and had already begun preparations.

Still, Fan Jing’s visit was useful. At least Yang Shen now had a grasp of the general situation, which also meant the merits from the Yanhua Military would be finalized soon.

’Huo Jun wouldn’t... hmm... at least he wouldn’t screw me over through conventional means.’

’As for "Yanhua’s Number One Genius"...’

’A person needs to feel like they deserve it.’

’I am the magnificent Jianghuai Champion Scholar, the King of Jiangti’s Freshmen, the Scourge of Rebel Species, the Sky-Burner of the Calamity Plague, the most personable master in the world of barbecue, a connoisseur of large figurines, and a noble night-prowler with a body chiseled like marble...’

’So what if I add "Qilin List Member" to the collection?’

’You have to get famous while you’re young. I’m still waiting for the next "Reputation Main Quest" to complete itself on the spot.’

’It’s not "Yanhua’s Strongest," just "Yanhua’s Number One Genius."’

’Anyway, I really haven’t seen anyone my age, or even a few years older or younger in my generation, who is stronger than me.’

Fan Jing’s mouth hung open for a long time.

"Late-stage Innate? You’re Late-stage Innate?"

The college entrance exam was in June, and Yang Shen was in Late-stage Marrow Refining then... Now it’s only late November.

’And he says he’s not using a hack?’

’No! He just never turned it off!’

Fan Jing sucked in a sharp breath. Originally, putting Yang Shen on the list was a bit of a stretch, a favor done to proactively build a new star. Now, it was purely official business!

If he doesn’t make the list, who does?

On the contrary, being able to comprehensively document Yang Shen on the Qilin List as early as possible had turned into an opportunity for them to expand their influence!

It would fully demonstrate how efficient and accurate their sources of information were!

Fan Jing pursed his lips for a moment, then finally said, "Could I make a call back to the company?"

About ten minutes later, Fan Jing returned, having temporarily dropped the subject of endorsements.

Instead, he said, "Qilin Media has full confidence in you and has even begun preparations. If you don’t mind, Yang, since this is your first time being listed, how about I take the liberty of conducting a short interview?"

Yang Shen smiled. "Sure, it’s just a chat anyway."

After that, Fan Jing subtly inquired about some matters regarding Harmony Island, as well as Yang Shen’s own Martial Arts direction and specialties.

’He used to be quite familiar with Yang Shen, but wasn’t this new version updated a bit too fast!’

Besides recording his basic information, there was another important purpose...

Determining his title on the Qilin List.

"Generally, we assign a title based on the individual’s characteristics, with their consent, of course. For example, Bright Moon Sword, Earth-Shattering Divine Fist, Celestial Spirit Sound, and so on..."

Fan Jing used some spilled tea to write two words on the table.

"I’ve distilled your essence a bit for you. What do you think of the title... ’Gun Lang’? It reflects your choice of Weapon and also makes it clear that you’re very young."

"This title isn’t permanent. Generally, the higher the rank, the more impressive the title. It can be changed later."

Yang Shen stared blankly for a moment. Seeing Fan Jing’s expression, he confirmed the man wasn’t joking.

’This is why... Martial Artists need to be more cultured.’

’Dung beetle? What the hell!’

’So you guys came up with Sword Monk too, huh?!’

"Is there a word limit?"

"Yes, generally no more than four words."

’Yang Shen felt a pang of regret. It seemed "the noble night-prowler with a body chiseled like marble" was out of the question.’

Yang Shen pondered for a moment, trying to find some inspiration. The three words "Lad of the Yang Family" popped into his head, but he immediately dismissed the idea.

’While that title would promote the Yang Family’s name, it wasn’t exactly awe-inspiring. I’m the Patriarch, not the Young Master...’

A moment later, he suddenly remembered something.

He remembered the name he had given his high-temperature fists back when he was on the Celestial Platform in Jinshui District.

Yang Shen smiled faintly, picked up his teacup, and skimmed the floating leaves off the surface.

"Let’s go with something simpler then."

"Just call me Flame Fist."

---

Carrying his unexpected prize, Fan Jing left the Yang Residence.

The Qilin List contained 100 people, all leading figures under the age of 30. Not every adjustment to the list was important.

But to debut on the list, and at the Late-stage Innate realm at only 18 years old, was an absolute media bombshell.

Even if Yang Shen could only be temporarily ranked 100th, replacing a few people who were removed for exceeding the age limit, it was still an explosive development.

As for the endorsement deals, Yang Shen’s answer was targeted: "Once you’ve actually secured a number of large endorsement contracts, it won’t be too late to come find me."

’A 10% commission was already one of the lowest in the industry. It was a good choice to part with some free money to save himself the effort.’

After seeing Fan Jing off, Yang Shen prepared to return to the back courtyard to continue guiding his family members in their practice of the Sun Wheel Body Refining Technique. This was his highest priority at the moment.

Cao Wei followed behind her revered master, the excitement on her young face refusing to subside.

"Revered Master, you’re going to be on the Qilin List?"

Yang Shen nodded calmly. "It seems so. But only at the bottom of the list."

"That’s still amazing! It’s the Qilin List! And you’re only 18!"

Although not everyone would subscribe to the 800-yuan Qilin Chronicles, the fame of the Qilin List itself far surpassed that of the magazine.

In most people’s minds, everyone on the list was a great hero, a great master, or a great celebrity.

It wasn’t that Cao Wei found it surprising that her master was on the list. It was more the surreal feeling of seeing someone so close to her enter a realm she had only ever fantasized about.

Yang Shen smiled, thinking about how this female disciple was the most hardworking in her daily Cultivation. Plus, for some strange reason, her "Quenching Body" had a very high degree of awakening.

So he patted Cao Wei’s shoulder and said, "Me getting on the Qilin List is a good thing, but it’s not much of a surprise."

"The real surprise would be if, one day, you, Yuan Rui... and even all of Yang’s Eight Disciples could enter the Qilin List."

Cao Wei froze.

’It was as if she could see her revered master’s profound approval, his earnest teachings, his warm expectations... and the names of their future children.’

’Just from that one pat on the shoulder, she would definitely be sleeping with her head turned to the left tonight.’

’To smell it while she slept!’

"This disciple will remember your words and will be diligent without fail!"

Yang Shen nodded, unaware that his female disciple’s thoughts had already gone off the rails again.

’On the time scale of the Immortal Race, how many people from the Yang Family get on this Qilin List in the future will be purely a matter of their own desire.’

’It’s not even certain if this list will have any meaning in the future.’

’Perhaps renaming it the "Yang Family List" would be more reasonable.’

’At that time, the title of "Yanhua’s Number One Genius" can also be changed.’

’"Yanhua’s Number One Clan" is the title they deserve.’

A thought struck Yang Shen. Maybe he could make more use of this Qilin List mechanism.

’At least for the next few years, it couldn’t hurt to build a good relationship with them.’

’In half a year at most, Xu Bamboo will also have a chance to make the list. In another year or so, Yang’s Eight Disciples might actually get on it!’

For the next few days, Yang Shen focused without distraction, immersing himself in his own Cultivation and the instruction of his family’s core members.

Meanwhile, Qilin Media moved quickly. In just a few days, they had finalized the redesign for the new monthly issue.

As the most widely circulated professional Martial Arts journal, they not only had a print version but also a digital one. The "Qilin List" even had its own dedicated webpage.

In late November, on the 20th to be exact.

The new Qilin List was officially released.

Countless teachers and students at Jiangti immediately noticed a strikingly unconventional name on the list!