NOVEL WEB Chapter 0714: The List of Outstanding Talents
Chen Yu's slaying of the Purple-clothed Demon He Yunwang spread throughout the Cultivation Spirit Hall.
However, the number of people discussing this was limited; a few days later, the topic gradually faded.
This was entirely because the "Heavenly Pride Ranking Battle" was imminent, with many renowned geniuses from the Southern Domain appearing one after another, and the topic was unceasing.
"A few days ago, in the Black Abyss, Shangguan Feiyun of the Sky Dragon Spear fought the 'Poison Scorpion Gang'. Alone, he annihilated them completely. I think Shangguan Feiyun, though currently ranked twenty-first, has a good chance to break into the top ten or even higher this time..."
"I'm not so sure. Didn't they say that when Shangguan Feiyun left the Black Abyss, he encountered an unknown challenger? The two exchanged a hundred moves, and the fight ended in a draw. In this era, the Great Yu Realm is teeming with talent. This Heavenly Pride Ranking Battle is going to be fierce."
"I think the top five could include the Thunder Prince 'Duan Xiao' from Canglei Palace, 'Guan Aoxue' from the Absolute Sword Sect ... 'Luo Qiumei' from Heavenly Jade Sect also has a chance."
"The most formidable has to be from the Four-Star Hegemony of the Southern Domain, the 'Fallen Moon Venerable' of the Evil Moon Sect!"
Chen Yu had only surged into the tail end of the "Heavenly Pride List," relatively speaking, people were more focused on the ranks ahead.
"The Heavenly Pride Ranking Battle, huh?"
These days, wherever Chen Yu went, the topic most people talked about was related to the Heavenly Pride Ranking Battle.
He knew that in six months, there would be a Heavenly Pride Ranking Battle, a grand event for the entire Southern Domain, and crucial for the future of the Southern Domain.
After the ranking battle, the "Heavenly Pride List" would be completely updated, and those who made it onto the list would be entered into the annals of the Great Yu Realm's Southern Domain.
Chen Yu had come from Kunyun Realm to this place; he naturally understood that the overall level of cultivators in the Great Yu Realm surpassed that of the Kunyun Realm.
As for the extent of the grotesque genius among those atop the Great Yu Realm, Chen Yu had yet to find out.
Listening to the discussions of the people around, he faintly felt his blood boil.
"I wonder how many ranks I can advance into the 'Heavenly Pride List' with my current strength?"
Chen Yu couldn't help but be curious.
With six more months until the Heavenly Pride Ranking Battle, Chen Yu decided to continue his adventurous exploits.
Visiting the jester's shop, he purchased a flying artifact and then left the Cultivation Spirit Hall.
"The 'Heavenly Pride List'?"
The jester watched Chen Yu leave, murmuring expressionlessly, seemingly uninterested.
...
Carefree Palace.
A range of steep peaks soared above the cloud tops.
Above the Yunhai, at the peak of the mountains, numerous ancient and tranquil palaces and halls could be seen, nestled as if in a realm beyond the mundane world.
Atop one peak gathered around a dozen disciples, all of whom possessed the cultivation of the Sky Sea Realm.
In the center of the disciples was a phantom metallic cage with roiling clouds inside and numerous green-light cranes like arrows swiftly flitting back and forth.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Suddenly, a figure clad in blue appeared inside, his long hair flowing and his face handsome. His movement technique was elegant and carefree, and within a few flashes, several identical figures appeared inside the cage, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion.
The cranes attacked from all directions but failed to harm the handsome man even slightly.
"How impressive, truly worthy of being 'Senior Brother Li Wenyi'!"
"Senior Brother Li's 'Leisurely Step' must have reached the sixth layer of the Great Success Realm by now, the Heavenly Lock Immortal Crane Formation can do nothing against him."
The surrounding disciples all stared at the handsome man, filled with admiration and adoration.
"Wenyi, break the formation!"
Not far away, Elder Mu, who was controlling the formation, suddenly shouted.
"Yes!"
The handsome man, Li Wenyi, suddenly held a long sword in his hand, his gaze instantly turning sharp, and a brisk green Sword Qi filled the entire formation.
Swoosh, swoosh—
Inside the formation, the green Sword Qi shifted and swirled like wind and clouds, showing infinite variations, piercing through countless illusory green-light cranes and breaking them at their weak points.
After a moment, all the green-light cranes within the formation had been slain.
The handsome man slowly descended, sheathing his sword, and his fierce aura quickly dissipated, revealing a gentle smile.
Several female disciples were instantly captivated, their eyes fixed and hearts skipping beats.
"Not bad, it seems your three years of trials outside weren't in vain."
The white-bearded elder showed a hint of approval and nodded.
"May I ask, Master, with Yun Yi's current strength, how high could he rank in the Heavenly Pride Ranking Battle?"
Li Wenyi asked resolutely and politely.
The white-bearded elder fell silent, and suddenly everything around grew quiet.
In reality, with his experience, it was also difficult to make a judgement.
After all, the Southern Domain was vast, with countless geniuses, too many variables, while the "Heavenly Pride List" had only a hundred slots.
Just then, the winds picked up, and the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi roared crazily.
Out from the void stepped an old man with white crane-like hair and a youthful face; his hands were clasped behind him, surrounded by drifting green light, his long white beard and hair fluttering slightly as if a celestial being had descended to earth.
"Salutations to the Palace Master!"
All present, including the elder, bowed in respect.
"Top thirty, you have a spot!"
The Sovereign of Carefree Palace declared.
"What? With Li Wenyi's strength, he can only make it to the top thirty?"
"What the Palace Master says must be correct!"
A few disciples quietly discussed this.
The person in question, Li Wenyi's expression did not change much.
"I bestow upon you the supreme-grade Spiritual Artifact, the 'Qinghua Sword', strive for the top twenty!"
The Sovereign of Carefree Palace spoke again, waving his sleeve, and a stream of blue light flew out. Invisible Sword Intent vibrated in all directions, drawing everyone's attention.
Swish!
Li Wenyi leaped forward in a single step, his bearing leisurely and graceful as he took hold of it, bowing slightly, "Thank you, Sovereign, for granting me the sword!"
Suddenly,
from another direction, an elegantly dressed middle-aged man hurriedly flew in, his invisible authority intimidating the surrounding disciples.
"Why is Elder Mu in such a hurry?"
The Sovereign of Carefree Palace slowly spoke.
"Sovereign, a few days ago, a person named 'Chen Yu' entered the 'Ranking of Outstanding Heroes.'"
The elegantly dressed middle-aged man solemnly said.
"Chen Yu?"
The Sovereign of Carefree Palace thought for a moment, just then recalling the name.
Among the many disciples present, a dignified and elegant classical lady suddenly paled, her eyes becoming unfocused.
Moments later, her eyes regained their brightness, but now they flickered with a cold light, like a dark pond.
This person was Fang Yanling, who, after returning to the Carefree Palace from the Blood Star Realm, had learned of her brother Fang Yan Yu's death.
And the last person to have been in contact with Fang Yan Yu was none other than Chen Yu...
"Disperse, we will train again tomorrow."
The white-bearded elder by the side immediately spoke up, sending the disciples away.
"I checked this Chen Yu's information," continued the elegant man. "In the Black Demon Valley examination, he made a name for himself and climbed onto the ranking list after a few years. Yet his past origins are unclear, as if he suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I suspect..."
"He's most likely the one who took the Blood Star Holy Pill from Fang Yan Yu and Fang Yanling. With such an achievement, it is only natural."
The Sovereign of Carefree Palace's expression subtly changed as the atmosphere of Heaven and Earth suddenly grew oppressive.
"This young man has just broken through to the Sky Sea Realm, the Blood Star Holy Pill must still be in his possession!"
"For detailed planning, we need to gather the elders and discuss..."
...
Li Wenyi walked slowly down the path, muttering to himself, "Chen Yu... who is he?"
Though he did not know, since the other party was listed in the 'Ranking of Outstanding Heroes,' they were bound to meet in the ranking battles.
"Top twenty?"
Li Wenyi looked at the Qinghua Sword in his hand and smiled faintly, "During the training just now, I didn't give it my all. Originally, I was confident I could break into the top twenty. With this fine sword, my goal is now the top ten!"
Half a year later,
a dilapidated little boat entered Canglin Mountain Abyss.
"Ah, Clown Brother's skills are unquestionable, but his aesthetic sense is really not commendable!"
Inside the boat, Chen Yu shook his head and sighed.
This broken boat, which he had bought for thirty thousand mid-grade essence stones from Clown, was faultless in performance and quality, but its appearance... there was too much to criticise, and he didn't know where to begin.
Soon, the boat entered Black Demon Valley.
Putting away his flying instrument, Chen Yu walked into the valley and took the opportunity to visit the Yang Family.
Years had passed, and the several menial disciples from the Yang Family had all entered the outer valley. Yang Fenghou's strength in the outer valley was quite decent, but a bit of luck was needed to advance to the inner valley.
Chen Yu, having been out for more than half a year, had accumulated many miscellaneous items. Now, seeing them again, he gave some to the people of the Yang Family.
Among them, Yang Fenghou took away the best few rare materials, full of confidence as if he saw the hope of entering the inner valley.
"Brother Chen, I heard that you killed He Yunwang a while ago and later confronted Qian Xianghua, ranked eighty-six on the 'Ranking of Outstanding Heroes.' You're definitely participating in the upcoming ranking battles, though it's a pity I won't be able to witness your elegance."
Yang Yuhuan looked at Chen Yu and slowly spoke, her eyes filled with both joy and sorrow.
Joy for Chen Yu's brilliance, and sorrow because he was becoming more and more distant from her.
"Who knows, maybe the ranking battle will be filled with strong fighters, and I'll be knocked off the 'Ranking of Outstanding Heroes.'"
Chen Yu joked.
At this, Yang Fenghou, who had felt somewhat cheerful, also lowered his head.
Recalling the past, they had come to Black Demon Valley with Chen Yu, but now, after several years, they were still struggling at the bottom while Chen Yu had made it onto the Southern Domain 'Ranking of Outstanding Heroes,' standing on the same stage with the strongest geniuses of the entire Southern Domain.
Suddenly, several figures swept over from the distance above.
Within the Black Demon Valley, only the elders and true disciples were permitted to fly.
As they flew past, one of them suddenly stopped.
This person was clad in black armor and wore an evil smile, showing off two tiger teeth, his demeanor provocative: "You seem to be aware of your own limits. Wouldn't it be better not to embarrass yourself outright?"
"Shen Ji!"
Yang Fenghou looked up at this person and shuddered, stepping back half a step.
"Little Demon King Shen Ji!"
Many nearby started exclaiming in excitement, yet they kept their distance out of fear.
Little Demon King Shen Ji, a disciple of the Demon Valley Master, blatantly bullied others in the Demon Valley, disregarding disciples from other valleys as well.
Although domineering, Shen Ji's strength and talent were indeed astonishing, with few peers.
Three months ago, Shen Ji had challenged a genius ranked thirty-fifth on the 'Ranking of Outstanding Heroes' and defeated him in just five moves, taking over his ranking.
"This is my own business. don't trouble yourself."
Chen Yu responded calmly.
He knew Shen Ji was domineering and did not wish to argue.
"It's normal for us all in Black Demon Valley to look out for each other, right?"
Shen––Ji's smile deepened, "For instance, five months ago when I was helping Senior Sister Tu Zhixiang train, she was too weak. I hadn't even used my full strength when she already fell to the ground, utterly boring."