Chapter 136: The Heaven and Earth Ranking List – Fifth Place

Little White Fox lifted its head and gently licked the edge of Li Hao’s palm, its eyes wide with委屈, gazing up at him with a pitiful expression.

Li Hao smiled. "Little White Fox, you can't go to the Martial Temple. If you stepped inside, you’d be cut down the moment you crossed the threshold."

The path of Demon Beast Soul Inheritance was much like that of the Human Race. Those with ancestral bloodlines inherited their power through their forebears. Those without lineage had no choice but to seek out a master from one of the Great Demon sects and receive their inheritance.

Thus, Demon Beasts also had their own factions, their own circles of power.

If Little White Fox were still staying at the Divine General’s Residence, Li Hao might have helped—sending it to Qingqiu Mountain, where fox spirits dwelled. Qingqiu Mountain was one of the Li Clan’s vassal territories.

The old Daoist who presided over Qingqiu Mountain was, in truth, a mighty fox spirit.

But long ago, a great war had ravaged Qingqiu Mountain. The fox lord had died in battle. Since then, no Four Foundations Realm Demon King had arisen. Unable to stand alone, the mountain had been forced to submit to the dominion of Emperor Yu’s celestial dynasty.

"Wait a little longer," Li Hao murmured, stroking the fox’s fur. "When I return, I’ll find an opportunity—maybe there’s a wild tomb beyond the border where a Demon King lies buried."

He continued, voice warm: "If it comes to it, give me some time. I’ll slaughter a Demon King for you one day, and you’ll inherit its soul."

The continuation of the Soul Realm was absolutely critical. His ability to fight across realms stemmed not from sheer strength, but from the Heavenly Soul Inheritance—allowing him to condense his spirit 360 times, far surpassing peers of his stage by several or even tenfold. Combined with the cumulative power gained through each subsequent level-up, this was the source of his dominance.

Hearing Li Hao’s words, Little White Fox nodded obediently, its fox-like grin lighting up its face.

Li Hao borrowed a pouch of silver coins from Song Qiumo, then set off with Ren Qianqian. He left Little White Fox behind at the camp, entrusting her care to Song Qiumo.

Ren Qianqian carried Li Hao’s sword, while Li Hao carried Ren Qianqian—not literally, of course. Using his Object Manipulation Force, he gently lifted her, and the two of them soared forward in a swift, silent glide from the camp.

Old Feng’s silhouette followed from afar, moving through the snowstorm with a presence as quiet as a shadow.

Li He, too, remained hidden in the distance, still fulfilling his duty as bodyguard—though now that he knew the truth, he understood the Young Master’s combat power was no longer beneath his own. Yet orders were orders.

...

Dayue City lay at the heart of Liang Prefecture’s northwestern region—a hub of transportation, unobstructed by mountains or forests, stretching across a vast, open plain. It was the nerve center of Liang Prefecture’s northwest axis.

Every month, countless merchant caravans and escort teams poured in.

Snow blanketed the earth in white, yet the endless winter wind had carved deep, dark furrows across the land—like black tears etched into the frozen ground by rolling cart wheels.

On the wide imperial road, carriages from all directions converged, flowing endlessly toward the imposing city gates.

"Madam," said a maid in plain clothing, wearing soft armor beneath, turning to the young woman beside her. "We’re approaching Dayue City."

The girl, dressed in white, her waist adorned with a side sword, lifted the curtain. She gazed out at the towering city wall—hundred-zhang high, dark and massive, like a mountain blocking the horizon.

"This city’s aura rivals that of Qingzhou," she murmured, her voice quiet.

She was Li Wushuang, daughter of Li Xuanli, who had recently arrived in Liang Prefecture.

After only a brief stay at the military camp, she had learned of the Master’s Gathering hosted by the Sky Mechanism Mountain cultivator. Without delay, she disguised herself, bringing two female military attendants as arranged by her father, and raced here through the night.

"This city is home to one of Liang Prefecture’s Seven Great Families—the third wealthiest household in the region. That’s why it’s so grand," her attendant explained.

Li Wushuang nodded slightly, but didn’t truly care. No family or noble house, no matter how illustrious, could compare to the majesty of the Divine General’s Residence.

Her gaze swept across the imperial road, over the snow-covered plains, and toward the distant mountains.

"If a battle against Demon Beasts were to break out here, it would be easy to gather armies. It’s deep within the heartland, and the beasts’ tracks would be hard to hide."

The maid smiled faintly. Of course—this was the daughter of a general. Her concerns were far different from those of ordinary noblewomen.

"Participating in this gathering could lay the foundation for my future breakthrough into the Human-Heaven Stage," Li Wushuang whispered, eyes gleaming. "It might even help me reach the Fifteen Li Stage, and push my position higher on the Qianlong Ranking."

The Heaven and Earth Ranking List was divided into two divisions: the Kunfeng Ranking for those under eighteen, and the Qianlong Ranking for those under twenty-two.

It was designed for the young elite.

The prodigies of noble families competed fiercely for positions on the Kunfeng Ranking.

But those who made it into the Qianlong Ranking were typically scions of the Divine General’s Residence, or top-tier sects—such as disciples of the Qian Dao Palace, Mount Wuliang, or the First-Class Clans.

To be ranked on the Heaven and Earth List meant you were among the most outstanding young talents of Emperor Yu’s dynasty.

The only criterion? Cultivation realm and real combat achievements.

Thus, many noble youths ventured into the Jianghu, slaying demons and evil spirits, earning reputations, all in hopes of catching the eye of the Heavenly Insight Tower and being listed.

Once ranked, one would receive invitations from powerful factions, gain access to resources, and have their cultivation path paved with ease—no more worrying about combat scriptures, tools, or rare materials. They could focus solely on cultivation.

Li Wushuang currently stood outside the top thirty of the Qianlong Ranking.

Those ahead of her, all within the top twenty-eight, were all Fifteen Li Stage prodigies—children of great masters, sword saints, or other elite figures.

Among them, Li Wushuang recognized several by name—some even by face.

The two at the very front, both in the Divine Travel Realm, were particularly notable.

One of them—ranked twenty-eighth—was Bian Ruxue, Li Hao’s fiancée.

She was slightly above Li Wushuang in rank, having climbed to this position after descending from the Sword Pavilion three months prior.

She had destroyed a Meh River stronghold and slain two Demon Beasts that had breached into the Divine Travel Realm—all in a single campaign.

Her record was extraordinary.

At just fourteen years old, breaking into the Qianlong Ranking was nothing short of stunning.

Even with a renowned master, many factions would still seek to cultivate ties with her—just to gain a favorable impression, to be seen in her presence.

The Heaven and Earth Ranking List was updated monthly.

Li Wushuang thought of the latest changes, and her mood grew complex.

When the newest list was released, all nineteen provinces trembled.

Though the great battle in Qingzhou had been deliberately concealed by the Divine General’s Residence, the number of witnesses was too great. The truth could not be hidden.

And the Heavenly Insight Tower—whose name meant they could peer into fate itself—claimed to know all things. They said even if a young hero once dug a bird’s nest on the frontier, they would know.

So how could such a massive clash go unnoticed?

With the update, one name rose to the top.

Fifth place.

Fourteen-year-old Li Hao—ranked fifth on the Qianlong Ranking.

When people saw the report, the entire world shook.

Especially when they read the realm description: Human-Heaven Stage.

Fourteen years old—already at the Human-Heaven Stage?

It was a shock that stunned even the most hardened cultivators.

No wonder he ranked fifth.

After all, the top ten of the Qianlong Ranking had always been reserved for those who had reached the Human-Heaven Stage.

There were prodigies from the True Immortal of Qian Dao Palace, disciples of the Buddha Master, the newly adopted apprentice of a wandering beggar, or even young True Dragons from the Divine General’s Residence.

The number of prodigies was endless, but the slots were few.

Only ten were chosen from the millions of martial practitioners across Emperor Yu’s realm.

In the Jianghu Rain Pavilion, some even predicted: Within two years, this boy will reach the top of the Qianlong Ranking—and remain there until he turns twenty-two, when he drops off the list.

A six-year reign at the peak.

It sounded outrageous—but with such a record-breaking cultivation speed, it wasn’t entirely unthinkable.

Li Wushuang had come to Dayue City to level up—not just to improve herself, but to catch up with that distant figure.

...

On the other side of Dayue City, another caravan approached.

"Look! We’re almost there!" A carriage curtain lifted, revealing youthful faces brimming with excitement.

"Yueyao, this Dayue City really is grand!" Lin Feifei, dressed in green, blinked with wonder. This was her first time in Liang Prefecture.

Because of its poor agricultural terrain, Liang Prefecture often relied on grain imports from other provinces. To her, it had always seemed like a remote, impoverished place.

And indeed, in the fiscal rankings of the nineteen provinces, Liang Prefecture ranked near the bottom.

"Hmm," Song Yueyao replied, her eyes alight with anticipation. She was eager for the upcoming gathering.

"Yueyao, did you hear? The Heavenly Gate Pass that Li Master resides over—it’s in Liang Prefecture, right?" Lin Feifei suddenly remembered something, her curiosity piqued.

Her geography wasn’t strong, so she wasn’t sure.

Song Yueyao’s eyes narrowed slightly. A flicker of something unreadable passed through them, her expression growing quiet.

"Yes."

"Then… after the event ends, should we go see him?" Lin Feifei blurted out.

Song Yueyao shook her head gently. She knew her friend’s impulsive nature all too well.

"The Heavenly Gate Pass is dangerous beyond measure. If we go, we’ll only trouble him. Grandfather said Aunt Qiumo has already gone to visit him. He should be safe."

"Oh," Lin Feifei sighed, disappointed. She muttered a few quiet complaints about Li Hao under her breath—soft as a mosquito’s buzz.

But she stopped there. Even in private, speaking ill of the Divine General who ruled an entire prefecture made her uneasy.

"This trip is for training," Song Yueyao said firmly. "We must focus. Once we reach the Fifteen Li Stage, then we can go looking for him."

Without reaching the Fifteen Li Stage, they couldn’t even fly through the air. Against a powerful Great Demon, they wouldn’t even be able to flee.

Lin Feifei nodded. She knew this Master-seeking gathering was more than just a chance to show off—it was a crucial stepping stone toward the Human-Heaven Stage.

Because that gate had to be crossed alone. No matter how many resources you had, stacking them up only got you so far.

The carriage curtain fell. The vehicle swayed forward, rolling toward the massive bronze city gate.

...

Beyond the city, a hundred miles out in the sky, a group of figures descended.

They landed silently in the wilderness, far from the imperial road—unseen by any.

At their head stood a young man in a purple-gold robe, tall and broad-shouldered. His face was handsome, but his jawline bore a long, thick beard. His eyes glowed with a deep, eerie purple light—unnerving, hypnotic.

"Master," said a gray-robed elder, bowing respectfully. His head bore a coiled serpent dragon horn, his neck marked with gray scales, his face sharp and cold.

"Front gate. We’re approaching Dayue City."

The purple-robed youth narrowed his eyes, gazing ahead. He licked his lips slowly.

"Looks like a fine plate for a feast."

He grinned. "Once we seize the city, we’ll coordinate with Father from within. Tear through the northwest. Combine with the others. The garrison won’t even know what hit them."

The elder smiled. "I hear they’re holding a grand gathering here. Masters from across the provinces have come. These are all fat, juicy prey. You can feast at your leisure."

"Filthy vermin," the youth sneered. "Crawling things that reach Human-Heaven Stage in just decades. Breeding like rats. Disgusting."

A flash of cruelty crossed his face.

The others around him said nothing—just smiled.

"Come. Let’s go explore the city first. Keep the army on standby. Wait for our signal. Once we break the city’s formation, we strike fast—minimizing casualties."

With that, he started forward.

"Master," the elder added quickly. "To enter the city, you must change clothes. And conceal your Divine Eyes."

The elder adjusted his own appearance—the serpent horn retracted into his hair, the gray scales fading from his neck, turning him into a normal old man.

"Such a hassle," the youth grumbled, frowning.

"The purple-gold robe is reserved for the Imperial Clan. Too conspicuous."

"Hmph. Damn vermin," the youth muttered, but his robes shifted subtly—turning yellow, plain and unassuming. His eyes, too, lost their purple glow, becoming black.

"Let’s go."

"Master, here’s your travel permit."

The elder handed over a token—its surface stained with dried blood.

...

Two figures soared through the air, landing on the imperial road just outside Dayue City. They stepped forward at a steady pace—Li Hao and Ren Qianqian.

Li Hao plucked a blade of grass from the roadside, idly swinging it as he walked. He hopped lightly over the icy, pitted snow paths left by cart wheels, avoiding the melted slush that would dirty his boots.

Ren Qianqian, sword in hand, followed closely. They leapt over muddy pits, dodging the worst of the mess, until they reached the city gate.

After paying the entry fee, they stepped onto the green stone path within.

"Looks like there are a lot of martial cultivators here," Li Hao remarked, scanning the area. He saw many auras—most in the Divine Travel Realm, a few in the Continuation of Soul Realm. Likely here for the spectacle.

The streets were packed—shops, taverns, and inns overflowing with people. The city was bustling, vibrant.

As they walked, Li Hao caught snippets of conversation.

"Did you hear? The one ranked fifth on the Qianlong Ranking—the youngest Master in history!"

"My father said that record was broken by a genius from the Li Clan decades ago. Now it’s been shattered again by another Li Clan prodigy."

"The Five Great God General Mansions—Li Clan must be number one, right?"

"Shh! Keep it quiet. I heard a secret—among the Five, the one with the weakest reputation is actually the most terrifying..."

The talk drifted off.

Li Hao was surprised. He knew the Qianlong Ranking was compiled by the Heavenly Insight Tower, updated monthly.

This year’s event, hosted by the Sky Mechanism Mountain cultivator, was actually run by a senior lord of the Heavenly Insight Tower.

He’d heard the Tower knew everything—its reports in the Listening to Rain Pavilion were filled with bizarre, detailed tales of Jianghu legends.

Even the intimate details of a master’s revenge—burning an entire family to the ground—were described as if the writer had been there.

And yes—there was even a story about a master’s secret romance with a young beauty, chronicled in the “Romantic Scrolls.”

But Li Hao had been told by Second Uncle that the Tower wasn’t just guessing. Behind its omniscience lay the shadow of the Imperial Court.

The Heavenly Insight Tower held immense prestige in the Jianghu—because it was one of the Court’s tools to extend its influence into the martial world.

That meant the true power of Emperor Yu’s dynasty was far greater than anyone imagined.

Was it because of that battle…?

Li Hao’s lips twitched slightly. He hadn’t expected to be ranked fifth.

But honestly, he didn’t care much for the list.

Most people craved fame and fortune. Fame brought wealth. Some sought only fame—just to be remembered, to be known by all.

But Li Hao? He wanted nothing of that.

He just wanted to live longer, live easier. To be a simple, carefree wanderer in this world.

Perhaps the most precious thing in life was simply being free.

"Come on," he said to Ren Qianqian. "Let’s go to the Martial Temple for Soul Inheritance."

Ren Qianqian’s eyes sparkled. She nodded eagerly.

Li Hao asked a passerby, learning that Dayue City had three Martial Temples. The largest was on the Chenghuang Street—right in the city center.

He led Ren Qianqian straight there.

Along the way, they passed many martial cultivators from across the provinces—mostly in small groups, led by elders.

Chenghuang Street was crowded. There was a Buddhist temple here too—many came to pray.

This temple was a subordinate of Mount Wuliang.

Li Hao glanced at it, then walked past without stopping.

He led Ren Qianqian straight to the central Martial Temple.

Outside, there was an incense altar—but fewer people were there than at the Buddhist temple.

Li Hao frowned slightly.

They bought a few taels of incense from the temple keeper, lit it, and offered prayers to the heroic soul within.

Afterward, he brought Ren Qianqian to the temple’s front gate and found the Temple Keeper.

The old man examined Ren Qianqian’s identity token, confirmed her father’s status, and verified she was indeed at the New Soul Succession Stage. He accepted the silver, recorded her name in the ledger, and granted her entry.

The heroic souls within the temple were half-asleep. Whether they would awaken for her—only time would tell.

Li Hao, bored, wandered around the temple grounds. He saw two temple keepers playing chess in the back courtyard.

He crouched down to watch.

Two terrible players.

After a few moves, Li Hao sighed, shook his head, and walked away.

The two young keepers exchanged a glance and smiled.

Just a playful youth, they thought. Doesn’t understand chess. No patience for the game.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end