Chapter 244: Rising Talent, Gale Wind Rankings
Chapter 244: Rising Talent, Gale Wind Rankings
Northern Capital Prefecture.
Located in the heart of the Northern Province, the Northern Capital Prefecture was an expansive and imposing stronghold, permanently garrisoned by elite troops.
Beyond the borders, one could witness tens of thousands of elite soldiers, their blood boiling with fervor, divided into various military formations. Each soldier practiced their drills, holding spears, marching in unison, thrusting and stabbing, their battle cries merging into a unified chorus.
"Heaven Array! Attack!"
An unknown commander issued the order, and the soldiers responded with precise and uniform movements. They formed square formations, with officers positioned at the center, their powerful blood force shaking the very fabric of heaven and earth. A formidable military might emerged, connecting each soldier, as they attacked in unison, their combined will harnessed the power of heaven and earth, capable of destroying cities and splitting the earth.)
The Earth Array was a defensive formation, capable of suppressing the energy of the land's veins. Even a Martial Saint who had exchanged blood would struggle to shake the mountains and rivers with their own strength. However, with tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers forming an array, they could gradually suppress and attack, eventually leading to their downfall.
The Human Array was for combat against humans. Within the formation, one could isolate and seal off heaven and earth. Even an unparalleled grandmaster, once trapped inside, could only rely on their physical strength to fight, unable to harness the power of heaven and earth or unleash their intent.
Beyond the training grounds.
At the rear stood grand and majestic buildings, their presence awe-inspiring.
In the central mansion, a man clad in a crimson python robe sat behind a desk, his countenance stern yet commanding respect. His aura was restrained yet profound, as if capable of stabilizing mountains and rivers, unmoved even by the collapse of heaven and earth.
Northern Capital King Yuan Hong! Renowned as one of the greatest Northern Capital Kings, he was the closest to the first king. With his martial prowess, he could dominate the world, and with his command of countless elite troops, he could defend the borderlands, making him one of the strongest of his generation.
"The remnants of the Heaven Corpse Sect are colluding with the Heaven Demon Sect, and they have connections with foreign tribes beyond the border..."
Yuan Hong set down the letter in his hand and turned his gaze towards a massive map in the hall. This map not only encompassed all eleven states of the Cold Northern Circuit but also clearly depicted many details beyond the border.
"If they make a move, the most likely target would be the Ice State."
Yuan Hong pondered.
The Ice State was the territory of the Ice Absolute Palace, adjacent to the Amethyst State governed by the Seven Mysteries Sect. For now, he had no intention of interfering in these areas. If the foreign tribes beyond the border made any moves, the Ice State would serve as a strategic choke point, and the Amethyst State as a buffer zone.
Unifying the Cold Northern Circuit was no easy task. It wasn't enough to merely defeat and drive out major sects like the Vast Horizon Sect and the Azure Lotus Sect. True unification required suppression, division, and appeasement, gradually weakening their influence.
As Yuan Hong contemplated.
Suddenly, a figure appeared silently before his desk, bowing respectfully and handing him a piece of intelligence.
"Amethyst Province intelligence."
"Hmm."
Yuan Hong nodded slightly, not immediately taking the report but continuing to study the map of the eleven states of the Cold Northern Circuit. After a while, he finally extended his finger and took the intelligence report.
"The Rising Talent List of the Horizon Sea Pavilion has shown some results, attracting the attention of the younger generation from various sects, who are now competing with each other."
"The Seven Mysteries Sect is indeed willing to yield, even giving up the Cloud Veil Heavenly Ladder."
A man in white emerged from behind Yuan Hong and spoke softly.
Yuan Hong nodded, unperturbed. "The Seven Mysteries Sect only wants to stay in their corner of the world, especially after Qin Mengjun's failure to exchange blood. They retreated from the Amethyst State and the Jade State, unwilling to get involved in conflicts."
The man in white agreed. "Our assessment of the Seven Mysteries Sect is correct. They are the least likely sect to cause trouble in the eleven states of the Cold Northern Circuit. Once the Northern Capital Prefecture's grand plan is realized, they will make the right choice... If the sects in the Cold Northern Circuit were all like the Seven Mysteries Sect, perhaps the King would have already dominated the entire region."
Yuan Hong calmly replied, "It's not that easy. Even though these sects are content to guard their territories, it's not simple to unify them all. Moreover, there are still the Heaven Corpse Sect and the Heaven Demon Sect, as well as the foreign tribes beyond the border, which are major concerns."
As he spoke, he unfolded the intelligence report in his hand and began reading.
"Song's talent and aptitude are both good. It's fortunate for Song to have Zuo Qianqiu as a peer, constantly reminding and refining himself. His path to becoming a grandmaster will be smoother..."
Yuan Hong paused as he noticed something in the report.
"What is it?" asked the man in white.
Yuan Hong held the report, paused for a moment, then handed it to the man in white. "Leng Wensong, when did someone in the Cold Northern Circuit cultivate the Heaven-Earth Dao?"
Leng Wensong took the report and glanced at it. A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes. "There are many who cultivate the Heaven-Earth Dao, but the one who cultivated the Heaven-Earth Realm was eighty-seven years ago."
"It's been a long time."
Yuan Hong sighed. "After eighty-seven years, another cultivator emerges, and the number of daring cultivators is few."
Leng Wensong remained calm. "Since the court lost the illustrated map, over the years, the number of grandmasters who have cultivated the Heaven-Earth Dao is scarce, and those who have cultivated the Heaven-Earth Realm are also few. These young cultivators follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, like moths to a flame."
"Yuan Ying Song chuckled as he held a letter over the candle flame, igniting it. "Who knows, perhaps amidst this chaotic world, someone will truly walk this path and redefine the heavens and earth."
Leng Wensong shook his head slightly.
It wasn't that easy.
Everyone knew that the founding emperor had cultivated the Heaven-Earth Concept, but the specifics of his cultivation were unknown. It was nearly impossible for later generations to replicate his achievement, but the Heaven-Earth Concept was indeed one of the most powerful martial arts paths. Cultivating it to the Grand Mastery level and manifesting the Heaven-Earth Domain would make one a formidable force across the lands. However, this path was equally challenging, and few succeeded.
...
Horizon Sea Pavilion.
As one of the major sects in the eleven states of the Cold Northern Circuit, its mountain gate was situated in the center of a lake. Calling it a lake might not be entirely accurate, as it was rather large, almost the size of an entire prefecture, spanning several thousand li in diameter.
Horizon Sea Pavilion, located in the middle of this vast lake, also occupied a significant area. It was an island in the lake, filled with numerous buildings, giving off a transcendent and ethereal atmosphere from afar.
At this moment, inside one of the pavilions.
Hai Qianyuan, the sect leader, stood there in a blue robe, holding a stack of handwritten manuscripts.
"Well, let's finalize the next issue of the Gale Wind Rankings for now. As for the Rising Talent List, we'll wait for the specific information from the Cloud Veil Heavenly Ladder to be transmitted and then discuss it further. What do you all think?"
He held the manuscripts and spoke calmly to those in the room.
The determination of the Cold Northern Circuit's Gale Wind Rankings was no ordinary task. Everyone on the list could fearlessly face Grand Masters. Gathering the necessary information was not easy, and it required careful deliberation before finalizing the rankings. In comparison, the Rising Talent List was much simpler.
"Sect Leader, the information from the Cloud Veil Heavenly Ladder should arrive today. Should we wait a bit longer?"
Someone hesitated and asked Hai Qianyuan.
Logically, the information from the Cloud Veil Heavenly Ladder should have arrived yesterday, but for some unknown reason, it hadn't arrived yet today.
Hai Qianyuan shook his head slightly and said, "The Rising Talent List and the Gale Wind Rankings don't really intersect... Well, those who make it onto the Rising Talent List are indeed potential candidates for the Gale Wind Rankings."
Hai Yi thought for a moment and said, "Let's put aside others for now, but Zuo Qianqiu is extraordinary. He cultivates the Heaven Sword, and he also possesses the Mystic Heaven Sword Chart. With the Heaven Sword's activation, they complement each other perfectly. If, during this Cloud Veil Heavenly Ladder, he suppresses all the Heaven's Pride with his Heaven Sword, and if he gains further insights into the Heaven Sword, then after stepping into the Six Viscera Realm, his place on the Gale Wind Rankings will be well-deserved."
"What you say makes sense."
Hai Qianyuan smiled faintly and said, "Zuo Qianqiu is only twenty-seven years old now. He shouldn't be in a rush to enter the Six Viscera Realm. Even if he does enter the Six Viscera Realm and manages to join the Gale Wind Rankings, it won't be a matter of just one or two years."
Hearing this, Hai Yi couldn't help but laugh. "I forgot about his age."
At that moment, someone beside them spoke up. "Even if Zuo Qianqiu advances further with the Heaven Sword and activates the Mystic Heaven Sword Chart, his offensive capabilities will barely reach the standards of the Gale Wind Rankings. In other aspects, there's still a significant gap. It's possible that in three to five years, he'll make it onto the rankings, but currently, he's still some distance away from that level."
The others nodded in agreement.
Being first on the Rising Talent List, Zuo Qianqiu was indeed exceptional, but the Rising Talent List and the Gale Wind Rankings were two different concepts. The Gale Wind Rankings featured the Heaven's Pride of past generations, individuals who were once worthy of being on the Rising Talent List.
For instance, Luo Mo, the Crimson Blood Hand, who was previously ranked 30th, had dropped two spots and was now at 32nd place, barely hanging onto his position on the Gale Wind Rankings. Yet, he still couldn't suppress Zuo Qianqiu, who had fully unleashed the power of the Mystic Heaven Sword Chart. If not for the timely arrival of Zuo Qianqiu's Heaven Sword Sect elders, after a dozen or so more exchanges, Zuo Qianqiu might have lost his life.
Such a gap couldn't be easily bridged.
"Then it's settled. The next issue of the Gale Wind Rankings is finalized, and we'll wait a bit longer for the Rising Talent List."
Hai Qianyuan confirmed and handed the manuscripts to the person beside him.
The person respectfully acknowledged and took the manuscripts, then left the room with them.
Just then, a 'coo-coo' sound came from outside the pavilion.
The people in the room were about to leave, but upon hearing this noise, they paused.
"It seems so."
Hai Qianyuan smiled faintly and walked to the window. He took a scroll from a part-bird creature and handed it to Hai Yi beside him. "You all take a look and discuss it."
"Yes."
Hai Yi took the scroll and glanced at it. He was about to pass it to the others when, in the next moment, he paused, his expression filled with astonishment. He took the scroll back and examined it carefully once more.
In the 1619th book, he read without a single mistake!
"This..."
Hai Qianyuan noticed Hai Yi's reaction and was slightly puzzled. What had happened? Hai Yi was momentarily speechless, quickly flipping through a few more pages, his expression still filled with disbelief.
Title: The Shocking Revelation
In the bustling streets of the state capital of Jade Province, various vendors shouted their wares, creating a lively atmosphere. At a bookstore, a sign hung outside, announcing the arrival of the third edition of the Rising Talent List.
"The third edition is here?" someone asked.
"Probably not much different from the last one," another person remarked, shaking their head as they passed by the bookstore.
The bookstore owner, standing at the intersection, smiled and said, "This edition of the Rising Talent List is a game-changer. You'll miss out on the latest news if you don't buy it."
"You said the same thing last time," a customer retorted, giving the bookstore owner a sideways glance.
The previous edition had been promoted in the same way, but the changes within were minimal, with hardly any significant updates.
"I sell books with integrity," the bookstore owner assured.
He pointed to a nearby teahouse, where a commotion had just erupted. A voice from the teahouse called out, "Come, the latest edition has begun! You really shouldn't miss out on this!"
The crowd in front of the bookstore exchanged glances, and someone handed over some silver coins, saying, "Fine, I'll trust you one more time."
Soon, they obtained a copy of the re-edited Rising Talent List.
As they flipped through the pages, the first thing that caught their eye was not the familiar three-character name, but a two-character one.
'Chen Mu' - True Disciple of Spirit Profound Peak in Seven Mysteries Sect, Jade Province. Possessing heavenly talent, he quickly grasped various Firmament Concepts. Emerging from a remote area, he consecutively comprehended Wind, Thunder, Fire, and Mountain Firmament Concepts. Later, he joined the Spirit Profound Peak of the Seven Mysteries Sect, comprehending the Heavenly Firmament Concept. At Cloud Pass, he guarded the town and slew numerous demons. In the desert, he encountered remnants of the Heaven Demon Sect and Heaven Corpse Sect, who attempted to assassinate him. He calmly retreated, killing an unknown number of Grand Demons. At the Cloud Veil Heavenly Ladder, he cultivated the second step of the Heaven-Earth Concept, easily defeating Zuo Qianqiu with a single finger. He claimed the top spot among the Rising Talents of the Cold Northern Circuit!
Talent Assessment: Top-notch.
Aptitude Assessment: Top-notch.
Strength Assessment: Top-notch.
Additional Notes: Possessing heavenly talent, he reached the second step of the Heaven-Earth Concept at the age of two. In the Cold Northern Circuit, spanning eighty-seven years, he became the unparalleled talent in cultivating the Heaven-Earth Martial Dao. The only one to be listed as a 'Rising Talent' before the age of thirty, he ranked twenty-seventh on the Wind and Cloud Rankings!
The buyer was stunned as they read this page.
At that moment, a crowd gathered around, trying to catch a glimpse of the book he had purchased. But he quickly closed it, not allowing anyone to see.
"The Wind and Cloud Rankings? The Wind and Cloud Rankings!" someone exclaimed.
Just then, a person rushed over from a distance, shouting even before they arrived.
"Yes," the bookstore owner replied with a smile, producing another copy of the book.
The person didn't wait and threw silver coins at the owner, snatching the book. They flipped through to the last few pages, where a familiar name was prominently listed!
The Wind and Cloud Rankings - 27th Place,
Chen Mu!
Background: Chen Mu, from Sandy Province's Sandy County. Formerly a low-ranking officer, he served as the head of nine patrol squads.
... Comprehended the Heaven-Earth Wheel Seal, cultivating the Heaven-Earth Firmament Concept. His movement technique was unknown, and other techniques were not disclosed. With a single strike of the Heaven-Earth Wheel Seal, he shattered Zuo Qianqiu's Mystic Heaven Sword Chart and a hundred sword intents. Although he had not yet reached the Six Viscera Realm, his strength was undeniable, placing him among the Wind and Cloud Rankings!
(End of Chapter)
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