The gold-insignia constable responsible for the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings understood the origin of the Chief Constable’s joy. Smiling, he clasped his hands and said, “Since the establishment of the Heaven Ranking, this is the most significant change ever. Even the elders of the political council likely did not anticipate this.”
Sima Shitou wore a headpiece and his hair was dark black tinged with yellow. Calm and composed, neither condescending nor timid, he said frankly, “The unexpected death of the Marquis of Pingjin at the hands of the demonic clans brings both fortune and misfortune to the imperial family. The misfortune is that in this fiercely competitive era, the aristocratic families have lost a pillar of strength. Without emerging talents, how can they face the ever-watchful Gao Lan of Northern Zhou in the future? Sects hold the idea of Central Plains without distinction between Jin and Zhou. It is highly unlikely that Su Wuming would intervene.”
“The fortune is that the major top aristocratic families all understand the current situation of the world and know that the most urgent matter for the Great Jin is to produce another Fashen cultivator. Therefore, they have relaxed their supervision over the imperial family, allowing Prince Qin to calmly refine the power of the people, establish his foundation, and strive for Fashen cultivation.”
Prince Qin was “The Eight Extremes Heaven Dragon,” Zhao Jingshi.
Among the aristocratic families of Great Jin, the half-step Fashen cultivators were only Sima Yin, head of the Sima Clan of Xiliang, Old Master Ruan of Langya, Prince Qin Zhao Jingshi, and the Chief Constable of the Six Bureaus, Sima Shi. Although it cannot be ruled out that current experts at the Zongshi or peak levels might surpass them and attain Fashen status—such as the various families’ external Jing peak experts like Wang Wenxian of the Zhou Commandery Wang Clan, Wang Siyuan of the Jiangdong Wang Clan, and Su Meng (Su Zi Yuan) of the Shen Du Su Clan—the most immediate hopes still rested on these four.
Among them:
Old Master Ruan was the oldest with the deepest cultivation, but he had lost his sharpness and lacked the determination to break through.
Sima Yin was currently the youngest half-step Fashen cultivator, with great potential, sharpness, and a perfect mindset. However, Han Guang, Gao Lan, and Su Wuming had all spent considerable time at this stage before advancing. He could not be an exception and thus lacked some depth in cultivation.
Sima Shi had been immersed in the half-step Fashen realm for many years, with superb martial cultivation. He was not old and had no weaknesses in any aspect. However, due to his humble origin, his initial cultivation techniques were subpar, forcing him to repeatedly seek better techniques to replace them. It was only after joining the Zhao Clan of Shen Du that he truly obtained a technique leading directly to Fashen cultivation. Although he did not necessarily regret his cultivation path, the hidden dangers of repeatedly changing his primary techniques always existed. He had to spend more effort and elevate his mental cultivation to a higher level to integrate and refine his foundation. Before that, he himself never dared to dream of attaining Fashen status.
Zhao Jingshi, although once defeated by the Demon Sage, left a mental flaw. He had spent thirty years guarding the imperial mausoleum before cutting off his mental affliction, crossing the third heavenly ladder. However, his ability to rise after falling meant his mind and willpower were undoubtedly among the best. This experience had become his most valuable “wealth.” Combined with his ability to refine the power of the people to compensate for his lack of cultivation, he was one of the most promising candidates to attain Fashen status within the next decade. Therefore, after weighing their options, the major top aristocratic families relaxed their supervision over the imperial family.
Upon hearing this, the gold-insignia constable smiled even more broadly: “Congratulations to Prince Qin, congratulations to the Emperor, congratulations to the Crown Prince, and congratulations to the Chief Constable.”
Sima Shi did not say much, leaned back slightly in his chair, and stopped discussing court matters. Tapping the armrest slowly, he said, “Lu Da Xiansheng of Huamei Villa has attained the Earth Immortal fruit and slightly exhibits legendary characteristics. There is no one in the world who can rival him. His position at the top of the Heaven Ranking is well-deserved.”
He began to re-rank the Heaven Ranking.
“Slightly exhibits legendary characteristics?” The gold-insignia constable looked puzzled. What was that? How did the Chief Constable know about it?
Sima Shi chuckled: “Those who understand will naturally grasp the terror behind these six words. Those who don’t won’t understand even if they rack their brains. If it weren’t for that undercover agent specially pointing it out, I myself wouldn’t have known that Lu Da Xiansheng had reached this level: ‘Only I Am Supreme, Mastery in the Finest Details, Only I Am Supreme, Mastery in the Finest Details…'”
“Was it him who said it?” The gold-insignia constable’s eyes lit up.
“Kuang Dao” Su Meng was favored by many Fashen experts and knew many secrets.
“Yes, he pointed this out, likely to stabilize the world’s situation and prevent those with ill intentions from acting recklessly.” Sima Shi, with his vast experience, immediately saw through Meng Qi’s intentions.
The gold-badged constable was momentarily stunned and sighed, “Master Lu Da has not been seen in the martial world for many years. It’s said he was heartbroken by his wife’s death, fell into depression, and his skills declined. Who would have thought he had actually advanced a step further? Truly lamentable…”
Sima Shi continued: “Gao Lan of Northern Zhou has ascended the throne, ruling over countless subjects. His Divine Body of the People will inevitably advance further. It is said that in the future, he may even reach the level of an Earth Immortal. Currently, the Human Emperor Sword has recognized him as its master and awakened to the Earth Immortal level, killing Da Man. He is responsible for at least eighty percent of that feat.”
“Below Lu Da Xiansheng, he is the most outstanding, thus ranked second on the Heaven Ranking. His nickname has been changed from ‘Mad King’ to ‘Mad Emperor.'”
Although the Heaven Ranking mainly considers achievements, if there is an insurmountable gap in cultivation levels between two individuals, it will still be a key factor in ranking to ensure relative fairness in the power rankings. Therefore, the gold-insignia constable was not surprised that Sima Shi ranked Gao Lan second. Even if Su Wuming suddenly broke through and achieved great feats, his achievements were astounding, but he ultimately lacked a divine weapon and offensive power at the Earth Immortal level.
At this point, Sima Shi paused slightly before continuing: “The demonic clans are no longer content with inaction. In recent years, they have repeatedly caused trouble. It is still necessary to include them on the Heaven Ranking so that the world knows they are not invincible and that there are still higher experts suppressing them, to prevent panic among the people.”
“Kong Que Yaowang Dali possesses the Five-Color Divine Light and wields the Demon-Subduing Spear, awakened to the Earth Immortal level. He should be ranked third on the Heaven Ranking.”
The gold-insignia constable quickly recorded this and smiled: “The Tianzhu Axe is missing, and G’uld’s true soul remains, probably unable to make the ranking?”
After Lu Da Xiansheng, naturally come the Fashen cultivators who are powerful due to their possession of peerless divine weapons.
Sima Shi nodded slightly, agreeing with his subordinate’s opinion, and continued: “Su Wuming of the Xi Jian Pavilion attained the ‘Supreme Dao Body’ with the first place on the Earth Ranking, possessing legendary characteristics and omnipresence. He has slain ‘Great Asura’ Meng Nan and the Kuí Bull Yaowang, defeated Du Shi Dharma King, severely injured Blood Sea Luosha, intercepted G’uld, and with the help of the monk Kong Wen, repelled Kong Que Yaowang. If he gives his all, he might defeat Mad Emperor and Kong Que Yaowang, but without actual combat records, he is temporarily ranked fourth on the Heaven Ranking.”
Possessing legendary characteristics and omnipresence? Although the gold-insignia constable knew of his achievements, he was hearing the specific details for the first time, and was both curious and surprised.
“Mo Shi Han Guang, the mythological ‘Heavenly Emperor,’ possesses both the Heavenly Emperor and Yama legacies. With extraordinary wisdom, he controls time and destruction. He has also gained something from the Ananda Pure Land behind the Shaolin Monastery, so he should be ranked fifth on the Heaven Ranking.” Sima Shi recalled the information provided by Meng Qi.
The gold-insignia constable was astonished: “The Ananda Pure Land behind the Shaolin Monastery?”
What was that?
“This is a special addition requested by ‘Kuang Dao’ Su Meng.” Sima Shi did not know the specific details, as the spy monk within Shaolin had not yet sent back any reports.
The gold-insignia constable shook his head in confusion but recorded it as instructed.
“Du Shi Dharma King has absorbed Bai Hu Yaowang, significantly increasing his strength, so he ranks sixth on the Heaven Ranking. ‘Sword Crazy’ He Qi, having achieved the Perfect Emptiness, teamed up with Gao Lan to kill Da Man, so he ranks seventh. Bai Ze Yaowang was originally at the peak of Earth Immortal, but after being suppressed for many years and severely injured by Su Wuming, his remaining strength is unpredictable, so he ranks eighth.” Sima Shi said while thinking, “Yun He Zhenren of the Wanxiang Sect is a talisman cultivator who has just attained Yang Shen, equivalent to Fashen. With the Hun Yuan Yi Qi Shang Qing Talisman in hand, he can instantly complete the Wanxiang Formation, so he ranks ninth. Blood Sea Luosha was severely injured by Su Wuming and has only recently entered Fashen cultivation, so he ranks tenth on the Heaven Ranking.”
“The Heaven Ranking still has around ten names, but it has already changed completely.” The gold-insignia constable sighed again. Compared to the previous list, this time there were five new faces, replacing half of the ranking!
Then, he put away the Heaven Ranking record and turned to the Earth Ranking: “Su Wuming has been promoted, Qiu Wansheng of the Sword-Hiding Pavilion has perished, the head of the Cao family has perished, and many Earth Ranking experts from the grasslands have also perished. ‘Cold Ice Fairy’ Ye Yuqi has crossed the third heavenly ladder. ‘Crippled Sword’ Nan Gong Hen has reached the peak of external Jing. ‘Never Seeing Peach Blossoms’ Li Sicong has mastered the Wusheng Sword. ‘Kuang Dao’ Su Meng and ‘Great Luo Girl’ Gu Xiaosang have advanced to Zongshi, so the Earth Ranking will also undergo significant changes…”
Sima Shi nodded: “Xuan Tianzong Shoujing ranks first on the Earth Ranking. Xiahou Yan of the Lulong Xiahou Clan, the Wheel-Turning Living Buddha, You Ming Emperor Jun, and Xuan Ji Zi of the Zhen Wu Sect rank second to fifth respectively. The following rankings each move up two places until ‘Overlord Spear’ Wang Xingkong, with ‘Cold Ice Fairy’ ranked below him at thirteenth.”
“Wang Xingkong, the ‘Overlord Spear,’ is the only half-step Fashen cultivator outside of Sima Shi.”
The gold-insignia constable quickly updated the rankings while listening to the Chief Constable’s assessment of their strengths.
After the half-step Law Body cultivators, the rankings advance by one position. Cui Qingyu has mastered the Supreme Sword, taking Ye Yuqi’s spot and ranking twenty-third. Hmm, “Mad Blade” Su Meng ranks twenty-fourth, placing ahead of Feng Dian Shen Shi. Sima Shi pondered slightly.
“Twenty-fourth?” The gold-insignia constable was shocked. He knew that Kuang Dao Su Meng had advanced to Zongshi and thought he could enter the top hundred of the Earth Ranking, but he never expected the Chief Constable to place him at twenty-fourth!
What did this mean? The top twenty-three were mostly leaders of top sects and major figures. When had ‘Kuang Dao’ Su Meng reached this level?
Sima Shi smiled: “According to reports from the Sword-Hiding Pavilion’s spies, Su Meng broke through the ranks of twenty to thirty Zongshi experts in front of three quasi-Fashen experts and three top twenty-four Earth Ranking experts wielding divine weapons, capturing Hasuwula, who ranked in the top fifty, and left calmly. Hmm, someone saw Hasuwula severely injured heading north, while ‘Kuang Dao’ Su Meng left unscathed.”
“By the way, he also captured the extremely evil Tian Mo.”
“This…” The gold-insignia constable felt that the world was beyond comprehension.
Less than four years ago, Su Meng was still a junior at the Qi-opening stage!
…
In Guangling of Jiangdong, Meng Qi arrived by boat.
Through the traces of the immortals, he arrived in Jiangdong and then proceeded to Changchuan, where he learned that Feng Yuanjing had been “abducted” by Duan Rui years ago and had not returned home for several years. Attempts to deduce their whereabouts were obstructed by high-level concealment techniques, leaving everything shrouded in mist and uncertainty.
At this time, Meng Qi recalled that the last time he was in Guangling, someone had given him a note saying that Wang Siyuan had gone to the back of Shaolin Monastery and entered the stone gate, so he speculated that it was Duan Rui, and Wang Siyuan used him to open the gate!
Therefore, Meng Qi sent a message to the Six Bureaus, letting everyone know that the Demon Sage had entered the Ananda Pure Land, hoping that Duan Rui would see it, consider it valuable, and jump out.
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