Inside the Moon Pavilion academy hall, several Heaven Dou noble youths who were studying etiquette happened to glimpse the heavenly screen. Their previously upright and composed postures instantly grew restless, yet constrained by Moon Pavilion's rules, they did not dare make a loud commotion. They could only huddle together and whisper, their voices filled with excitement and amazement.
"It is Madam Tang! Madam actually made the ranking. As expected of the woman we admire, her talent and beauty are both top-tier!"
"I said long ago that Madam deserved such honor. The Noble Ring domain can cleanse the mind, and Madam herself is gentle and elegant. This Goddess Ranking position truly belongs to her!"
Several young nobles flushed slightly, recalling Tang Yuehua's gentle demeanor during her lessons. A trace of infatuation surfaced unconsciously in their eyes. To see the woman of their dreams enter the ranking was an immense joy to them.
A count's son dressed in embroidered robes tightened his grip on the folding fan in his hand, his fingertips turning faintly pale as he spoke with barely contained excitement.
"I had heard before that Madam comes from the Clear Sky Sect, a noble lady by birth. Though her martial soul cannot cultivate, she supported Moon Pavilion by her own strength and drew countless nobles to it. Making the ranking today only proves her extraordinary nature. From now on, I must come to Moon Pavilion more often to study and live up to Madam's teachings."
The surrounding youths echoed his words. What had once been somewhat dull etiquette lessons now felt especially meaningful. Everyone was filled with joy over Tang Yuehua's appearance on the ranking. Throughout Moon Pavilion, happiness and pride could be felt everywhere, yet its unique elegance was maintained without the slightest loss of composure.
Hidden within mist-shrouded mountains and forests, the Clear Sky Sect's council hall was even more lively.
Tang Xiao had originally been discussing how to respond to the continent's changing situation with the elders. His gaze swept the sky unintentionally, and the moment he saw the three characters "Tang Yuehua," his hand jerked. The teacup halted abruptly, and a few drops of warm tea splashed onto his green robe.
He did not notice at all. His rugged face was filled with surprise and relief. His throat bobbed several times as he spoke with barely restrained emotion. "Yuehua… Yuehua actually made the ranking as well!"
As his words fell, the elders in the council hall raised their heads toward the heavenly screen. Once they clearly saw the ranking information, their eyes lit up, and they nodded in praise.
The First Elder stroked his graying beard, approval evident in his eyes. "Yuehua has been clever and perceptive since childhood. Although her Noble Ring martial soul cannot condense soul power for cultivation, she awakened a rare innate domain capable of soothing hearts and nurturing temperament. Such an opportunity is not something ordinary people possess."
"Later, she left the sect and founded Moon Pavilion on her own. In just a few short years, it became renowned among Heaven Dou's noble circles. Not only did she carry out etiquette education with remarkable success, she also stabilized Moon Pavilion's position through skillful means, indirectly spreading the Clear Sky Sect's reputation. With such talent and ability, she deserves the twentieth position on the Goddess Ranking."
The Second Elder, usually steady in temperament, could not hide his smile. "In the past, many lamented the flaw in Yuehua's martial soul, thinking that without cultivation she could achieve nothing. Now it seems that even without soul power, she can carve out her own place on the continent."
"The Goddess Ranking evaluates talent, aptitude, appearance, and figure comprehensively. Yuehua is gentle in nature, elegant in bearing, fresh and refined in appearance, with a slender and striking figure. Combined with her unique refined aura, making the ranking is well deserved. This is not only Yuehua's honor, but the glory of our Clear Sky Sect as well!"
Several younger elders grew even more excited and spoke in turn. "The continent's situation is volatile now. The Dragon God has appeared, and two Dragon God guard Heavenly Path Academy."
"Although our Clear Sky Sect has deep foundations, we still need more exposure. Yuehua's appearance on the ranking allows all factions across the continent to know that the Clear Sky Sect not only possesses the formidable Clear Sky Hammer martial soul, but also such an exceptionally talented woman. This is also a good thing for the sect."
"Moreover, Grandfather has yet to return to the sect."
Tang Xiao looked at the ranking characters on the sky gradually dimming, relief filling his eyes as a faint smile unconsciously formed. "Since Yuehua left the sect, she has rarely returned. I was always worried she might suffer outside. Seeing her recognized by the continent now puts my mind at ease."
"Later, send some sect specialties to Moon Pavilion as congratulations."
The elders in the council hall all responded in agreement. The tension caused by the continent's upheaval eased considerably due to Tang Yuehua's ranking, replaced by a sense of relaxation and joy.
When the Clear Sky Sect disciples learned that Tang Yuehua had made the ranking, they erupted in cheers.
On the training grounds, disciples who had been cultivating stopped what they were doing and looked up at the sky. Discussions rose one after another. "It is Aunt Yuehua! Aunt actually made the ranking. That is amazing!"
"I heard that Aunt's Moon Pavilion is extremely famous in the Heaven Dou Empire. Many nobles compete to study etiquette there. Aunt not only has outstanding talent, her appearance is also stunning. Making the ranking is not surprising at all!"
"With such an outstanding senior like Aunt, we must cultivate even harder and not bring shame to the Clear Sky Sect!"
Pride filled the disciples' eyes. Their previously monotonous cultivation gained renewed motivation. The entire Clear Sky Sect was immersed in joy because of Tang Yuehua's appearance on the ranking.
Within the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial capital, news spread at lightning speed. In just a short while, Tang Yuehua's ranking had spread through every street and alley, especially within noble circles, where it caused a considerable stir.
Inside the largest tavern in the capital, several nobles dressed in luxurious robes sat together drinking wine. Upon catching sight of the ranking on the heavenly screen, they set down their cups one after another, their voices filled with excitement and admiration.
"It is Madam Tang! Madam Tang made the ranking! Goddess Ranking twentieth, truly well deserved!"
A middle-aged marquis lifted his wine cup and drained it in one go, infatuation evident in his eyes.
"Madam Tang is gentle in temperament and elegant in conduct. Every time I go to Moon Pavilion to study etiquette, my mood becomes peaceful. Her Noble Ring domain is even more miraculous, cleansing the mind and dispelling restlessness. Such a woman is already the goddess in our hearts. Making the ranking is only natural."
Beside him, a young count flushed slightly and spoke with a hint of shyness. "I have long admired Madam Tang, but her temperament is pure and aloof, and her talent outstanding. I never dared confess recklessly. Now that she has made the ranking, it only further proves her extraordinary nature. From now on, I must work even harder and strive to be worthy of Madam Tang's talent."
The other nobles in the tavern echoed these sentiments. Someone said, "Moon Pavilion has reached its current scale entirely due to Madam Tang's capable management. She not only excels in etiquette education, but also firmly established herself among Heaven Dou's noble circles. Such ability is far beyond that of ordinary women."
"Now that she has made the ranking, Moon Pavilion's prestige will surely rise even further. We should go support it more often."
For a time, the tavern was filled with praise for Tang Yuehua. Many nobles secretly planned to visit Moon Pavilion the very next day to offer congratulations, and to draw a little closer to her in the process.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bonus chapters every 100 Power Stone!
10, 20, 30 Advanced chapters in my Patreon!
patreon.com/hollyrisk