Chapter 136: Heaven and Earth List Part Five
Chapter 136: Heaven and Earth List Part Five
The Little White Fox raised its head, licking the edge of Li Hao's palm, looking at him with a wronged expression.
Li Hao smiled. The Little White Fox definitely couldn't go to the Martial Temple; otherwise, it would be killed as soon as it stepped in.
The path of Demons' Soul Continuation was similar to that of humans.
Those with a lineage would continue their ancestors' Demons' Soul Continuation.
Those without a lineage could only seek to be taken in by other Great Demons and receive their lineage.
Therefore, Demons had their own circles and powers.
If they were still living in the Divine General Manor, Li Hao could help the Little White Fox by sending it to Qingqiu Mountain, where the Fox Clan resided.
Qingqiu Mountain was one of the forces that depended on the Li Family.
The old Daoist on Qingqiu Mountain, who specialized in Bone Measurement, was a great fox demon.
However, Qingqiu Mountain had experienced a great battle a thousand years ago, resulting in the death of the Fox Lord. For many years, it had not produced a Fourth Establishment Realm Demon King, and thus had to submit to the Dayu Divine Dynasty.
"Be patient. When I return, I'll look for an opportunity to see if there are any wild graves of Demon Kings outside this Border Pass."
Li Hao stroked the Little White Fox and said, "If that doesn't work, give me some time. In the future, I'll find you a Demon King to Soul Continuation for you."
The Soul Continuation Realm was crucial. His ability to fight beyond his realm mainly came from the Heaven and Earth Soul Continuation, allowing him to Soul Condensation 360 times, far exceeding the same realm by four to five times, or even ten times.
Combined with the improvements in various realms, this cumulative power was what gave him his strength.
The Little White Fox, hearing Li Hao's words, nodded obediently and smiled like a fox.
Li Hao borrowed a bag of silver from Song Qiumo and set out with Ren Qianqian.
The Little White Fox stayed in the camp, entrusted to Song Qiumo for care.
Ren Qianqian helped Li Hao carry his sword, while Li Hao carried Ren Qianqian...
However, this "carrying" was done using Object Control, with the two of them flying out of the camp, one in front of the other.
Old Feng followed at a distance, his footsteps silent in the wind and snow.
Li He still chose to follow Li Hao from a distance, continuing to serve as his protector.
Even though he now knew that this young master's combat power was no less than his own, orders were orders.
...
...
Daiyue City was located in the northwest center of Liangzhou.
Here, the roads were well-connected, and outside the city, there were no mountains or forests, just a vast plain, making it the northwest axis of Liangzhou.
Bounty teams and merchant caravans came here every month, countless in number.
Winter snow covered the ground, turning the world a uniform white, but the wheels of carts left deep, dark black tracks on the earth.
On the road outside the city, one carriage after another rushed in from all directions, traveling on the wide official road, entering the majestic city.
"Miss, Daiyue City is just ahead."
In a simple, unadorned carriage, a servant dressed in plain clothes, wearing soft armor underneath, said to the girl beside her.
The girl, wearing a white robe and a sword at her waist, like the snow outside, lifted the curtain and looked out, seeing the hundred-meter-high city wall, towering like a dark mountain at the end of her vision.
"The atmosphere of Daiyue City is no less imposing than Qingzhou City."
The girl gazed intently and said softly.
She was Li Wushuang, who had come to Liangzhou with her father.
She hadn't stayed long in the military camp when she heard about the Grand Master Gathering held by the Tianji Mountain people. She immediately disguised herself and, accompanied by two female attendants arranged by her father Li Xuanli, set out at night.
"There is one of the seven major families of Liangzhou, and the third wealthiest person, living here, so the city has such grandeur."
The female attendant explained to her.
Li Wushuang nodded slightly but wasn't particularly impressed.
Any family or wealthy household paled in comparison to the illustrious and noble Divine General Manor.
Her gaze swept over the official road and the snow-covered plain, and the distant mountains at the edge of her vision. She murmured to herself:
"If a battle were to take place here against the Monsters, it could gather a large army. Being in the heart of the region, the Demons' traces would be hard to hide."
The servant smiled slightly, recognizing the mindset of a general's daughter, which was different from that of an ordinary young lady from a noble family.
"This visit to seek Dao will lay the foundation for my future entry into the Tianren Realm, and it will also be beneficial for breaking through to the Fifteen Li Realm. It might even allow me to make further progress on the Qianlong List!"
Li Wushuang's eyes sparkled.
The Heaven and Earth List is divided into two rankings: the Kunfeng List, which does not allow entries over 18 years old, and the Qianlong List, which does not allow entries over 22 years old. The Heaven and Earth List is primarily designed for young talents. The prodigies from noble families mainly compete for the Kunfeng List, while those who make it to the Qianlong List are mostly descendants of the Divine General Manor or top-tier forces such as the Qian Dao Palace, Wuliang Mountain, and other first-rate sects.
Making it onto the Heaven and Earth List means you are one of the most outstanding young talents of the Dayu Divine Dynasty. The sole criterion for entry is the evaluation of one's cultivation realm and actual combat achievements.
Therefore, many young nobles venture into the martial world, performing righteous deeds, slaying demons, and gaining fame, all in the hope of being noticed and listed on the Heaven and Earth List.
Once on the list, they will receive invitations from various forces, gaining access to numerous resources that smooth their path of cultivation. They no longer need to worry about cultivation techniques, resources, or weapons, and can focus solely on advancing their cultivation.
Li Wushuang currently ranks beyond the top 30 on the Qianlong List.
From 28th place and above, all are geniuses at the Fifteenth Li Realm. They come from various forces, often being direct disciples of top-tier experts like Sword Saints or Blade Saints. Many of these names Li Wushuang recognizes, and some are even acquaintances. For example, one of the two Divine Wanderer Realm geniuses ahead of her is Bian Ruxue, the fiancée of Li Hao, who ranks 28th.
Though they are both at the Divine Wanderer Realm, she ranks slightly lower.
Bian Ruxue's inclusion on the list is due to her activities over the past three months. After descending from the Sword Hut, she destroyed a Mourning River and slew two Divine Wanderer Realm demons that had crossed the border, earning her a notable combat record and a higher ranking.
Entering the Qianlong List at the age of 14 is considered an extraordinary feat.
Even with a renowned master, many forces would still be willing to form alliances or curry favor, as even a small favor or recognition is valuable.
The Heaven and Earth List is updated monthly, and Li Wushuang's thoughts on the recent changes are complex.
When the latest rankings were announced, it sent shockwaves through the young martial artists of the Nineteen Provinces.
Although the great battle in Qingzhou was intentionally covered up by the Divine General Manor, there were too many witnesses, and the news couldn't be contained. Moreover, the Tianji Tower, which claims to know the secrets of the world, would be aware of even a young hero's minor deeds, let alone such a significant battle.
With the update of the Heaven and Earth List, a name naturally appeared on the list.
Ranking fifth.
A 14-year-old ranking fifth on the Qianlong List.
Li Hao.
Upon seeing this information and ranking, all the forces that follow the Heaven and Earth List were shaken, especially by the description of the young man's realm, which had reached the Tianren Realm!
A 14-year-old at the Tianren Realm was a breathtaking achievement.
No wonder he could rank fifth on the Qianlong List.
It's important to note that the top ten spots on the Qianlong List have historically been contested only by those at the Tianren Realm, such as the disciples of the True Person of Qian Dao Palace, the direct disciples of a Buddhist Master, a newly recruited disciple of a wandering old beggar, or a young True Dragon from the Divine General Manor.
There are too many monsters and too few spots.
These are ten slots chosen from the countless martial artists of the Dayu Divine Dynasty.
When the rankings were announced, someone at the Jianghu Yanyu Tower predicted that within two years, this young man would climb to the top of the Qianlong List and remain there until he ages out at 22.
Ruling the Qianlong List for six years!
This prediction, though bold, seemed plausible given his record-breaking cultivation speed.
Li Wushuang came to Daiyue City to improve and primarily to catch up to that figure.
...
...
At another city gate of Daiyue City, a convoy of carriages approached.
"Quick, look! We're almost there!"
The carriage curtains were lifted, and young faces peered out, full of lively energy.
"Yueyao, this Daiyue City is quite impressive."
Inside the carriage, Lin Feifei, dressed in a green robe, her eyes wide with wonder, was amazed. This was her first time in Liangzhou, and due to its geographical conditions, it was not suitable for farming, often relying on food transported from other provinces. In her impression, this was a poor place.
In the fiscal taxation of the Nineteen Provinces, Liangzhou indeed ranks among the lowest.
"Hmm."
Song Yueyao nodded slightly, her eyes gleaming with a hint of anticipation for the upcoming grand gathering.
"Yueyao, I heard that the Heavenly Gate Pass, which Master Li oversees, is in Liangzhou?"
Lin Feifei suddenly remembered something and asked curiously.
Her knowledge of geography was not great, so she was a bit unsure.
Song Yueyao's eyes narrowed, the light in them dimming somewhat as her expression turned somber. "Yes, that's correct."
"Then, after the grand gathering, should we go and see him?" Lin Feifei suggested spontaneously.
Song Yueyao shook her head slightly, understanding her friend's nature. "The Heavenly Gate Pass is perilous and unpredictable. If we go, we'll only cause him trouble. Grandfather said Aunt Qiumo will visit him, so he should be fine."
"Oh."
Lin Feifei, seeing her friend's reaction, could only reluctantly give up. She muttered a few words in support of Li Hao, her voice barely audible. She knew that even if no one heard her, criticizing a provincial god-general, even in whispers, made her a bit nervous.
"This time, we're here to study and improve. We need to focus. Once we reach the Fifteen Li Realm, we can visit him then."
Song Yueyao said.
Until they reached the Fifteen Li Realm, they couldn't even fly, and encountering powerful demons would mean they couldn't escape.
Lin Feifei nodded slightly, understanding that the Grandmaster Dao Gathering was crucial for their future, laying the foundation for their eventual ascension to the Tianren Realm.
After all, the Tianren Realm was a threshold they had to cross on their own. No matter how many resources they had, they could only reach the Fifteen Li Realm.
The carriage curtain fell, and the carriage swayed as it moved toward the massive bronze city gate.
...
...
A hundred miles outside Daiyue City, in the high sky.
Several figures swooped down and landed in a remote wilderness, far from the main road, unnoticed by anyone.
Leading them was a young man in a Purple-Gold Robe, tall and robust, with a handsome face but a long, thick beard on his chin. His eyes, glowing with a mesmerizing purple-gold light, were particularly striking.
"Young Master, we're approaching Daiyue City."
A Gray-robed Elder respectfully said.
He had Dragon Horns coiling around his head, gray scales on his neck, and a sharp, pointed face that exuded a chilling aura.
"It looks like a nice plate of food."
The young man in the Purple-Gold Robe, his eyes glowing purple, focused his gaze and licked his lips slightly.
"Once we take this city, we'll coordinate with Father and those others to tear through this northwest region. The garrison here in Liangzhou won't stand a chance!"
The Gray-robed Elder smiled. "I've heard they're hosting a grand gathering here, with Grandmasters from various provinces arriving. These will be rich and succulent meals for you, Young Master."
"These insects, reaching the Tianren Realm after just a few decades of cultivation, and breeding so quickly, are truly revolting!"
The young man in the Purple-Gold Robe spat out, a look of savagery crossing his face.
The others beside him smiled but remained silent.
"Let's go into the city and have some fun. Keep the army on standby and ready to move at our signal. Once we break the city's defensive array, we'll take it in one fell swoop, minimizing casualties."
The young man in the Purple-Gold Robe said, walking forward.
"Young Master, to enter the city, you need to change your clothes and conceal your Divine Eyes", the Gray-robed Elder hurriedly said.
His own Dragon Horns retracted into his hair, and the gray scales on his neck vanished, making him look like a normal old man.
"This is such a hassle."
The young man in the Purple-Gold Robe frowned, clearly displeased.
"The Purple-Gold Robe is a symbol of the Imperial Clan among humans and would attract too much attention", the Gray-robed Elder said respectfully.
"Hmph, damn insects!"
The young man in the Purple-Gold Robe, though clearly unhappy, changed his attire to a simple yellow robe and his eyes to black.
"Let's go."
"Young Master, here is the command token."
The Gray-robed Elder handed over a token stained with blood.
...
...
Two figures flew in and landed on the main road outside Daiyue City, then walked slowly toward the city. They were Li Hao and Ren Qianqian.
Li Hao idly plucked a blade of grass from the roadside, twirling it in his hand as he jumped over the ruts and melted snow on the road, careful not to dirty his boots.
Ren Qianqian, carrying her sword, followed closely behind. They occasionally hopped over puddles, finally reaching the city gates.
They paid the silver entrance fee and entered the city, stepping onto the cobblestone streets.
"Indeed, there are quite a few martial artists here."
Li Hao surveyed the surroundings. Along the way, he detected the auras of many martial artists, most of whom were at the Divine Wanderer Realm, with a few at the Soul Continuation Realm. They seemed to have gathered here for the excitement.
The city was bustling with activity, with people crowding the shops and taverns, making it incredibly lively.
As Li Hao walked, he overheard various conversations. Some were discussing the Grand Master Gathering, others were gossiping about a particular grandmaster, and to his surprise, he even heard his own name mentioned.
"Have you heard? The fifth place on the Qianlong List is the youngest grandmaster in history!"
"My father told me that a prodigy from the Li Family broke this record over a decade ago. I never expected it to be broken again by someone from the Li Family."
"Among the Five Divine General Manors, the Li Family should be the top, right?"
"Shh, keep your voice down. Let me tell you a secret. My friend said that the Wang Family, the least known of the Five Divine General Manors, is actually the most terrifying..."
...
The conversation gradually veered off track.
Li Hao was somewhat surprised. He knew about the Qianlong List, which was compiled by the Tianji Tower and updated monthly. The people inviting grandmasters to Tianji Mountain for the Grand Master Gathering were from the Tianji Tower.
It was said that the Tianji Tower knew everything about the world. Most of the intriguing stories Li Hao had read in the Rain Listening Pavilion were written by the Tianji Tower, including detailed accounts of a grandmaster's revenge and the annihilation of an entire family. Even the romantic affairs of a grandmaster with a young beauty were documented in the List of Amour.
However, Li Hao had heard from his Second Uncle that the Tianji Tower's extensive knowledge wasn't just fabricated. In fact, it had the backing of the imperial court. The Tianji Tower's high prestige in the martial world was one of the ways the imperial court exerted influence over it.
This revealed just how formidable the Dayu Dynasty's actual power was.
Was it because of that battle... Li Hao's lips curled slightly. He hadn't expected to enter the Qianlong List because of it.
He didn't pay much attention to the list. Most people competed for fame and fortune, as fame brought wealth. There were also a few who simply sought recognition, wanting to be remembered by the world, recognized wherever they went, and mourned even after death.
But Li Hao had no interest in either. He just wanted to live longer, more comfortably, and be an ordinary guest, enjoying a carefree life.
The most precious thing in life, perhaps, was living freely.
"Let's go, I'll take you to the Martial Temple for Soul Continuation."
Li Hao said to Ren Qianqian.
Ren Qianqian's eyes lit up, and she nodded, following him closely.
Li Hao casually stopped a passerby to ask and learned that Daiyue City had three Martial Temples, the largest of which was located on the main street in the city center.
Li Hao immediately took Ren Qianqian there.
On the way, they encountered many martial artists from various regions, most of whom were in small groups led by an elder.
The main street was extremely lively, with a Buddhist temple where many people came to burn incense and pray. This temple was also under the jurisdiction of Wuliang Mountain, a subordinate force of the mountain.
Li Hao glanced at it but had no intention of praying. He led Ren Qianqian straight to the Martial Temple at the center of the street.
Outside the Martial Temple was an incense altar, but the number of people burning incense here was slightly fewer than at the Buddhist temple.
Li Hao frowned slightly, then went up with Ren Qianqian, spending a few taels of silver to buy incense. They lit it and paid their respects to the Heroic Souls in the Martial Temple.
After the ritual, Li Hao took Ren Qianqian to the front of the Martial Temple and found the Temple Keeper.
The elderly Temple Keeper examined Ren Qianqian's credentials, verified her father's identity, and confirmed that she had just entered the Soul Continuation Realm. He then accepted the silver, recorded her name, and allowed her to enter the Martial Temple.
The Heroic Souls in the Martial Temple were in a semi-slumbering state. Whether they could be moved depended on each individual's ability.
With nothing to do, Li Hao wandered around the Martial Temple. He saw two Temple Keepers playing chess on an empty plot behind the temple and squatted down to watch.
Two lousy players.
After a couple of moves, Li Hao lost interest, shook his head, and turned to leave.
The two young Temple Keepers just exchanged a smile, thinking he was just a young man who didn't understand chess and lacked the patience to watch.
(End of Chapter)
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