C2 The First Round of the List of Aptitude:
Ding!
The crisp sound of a chess piece landing echoed through the air.
Ye Yuan shook his head slightly before picking up another white piece and setting it on the board, muttering to himself.
"The Vast Dragon Clan may be the foremost in name, but they barely catch my eye.
"The Azure Phoenix Clan lacks any notable figures.
"These ancient great clans have stood the test of time, yet they've fallen into decline. But my Azure Cloud Holy Land, we are of ancient imperial lineage!
"The depth of an Emperor Clan's heritage is incomparable to any ancient clan. The double-pupiled are destined to top the Heaven Ranking!
"Being double-pupiled is to walk an invincible path...
One by one, the white pieces continued to fall, as Ye Yuan strategized like a general commanding his troops, until at last, he placed the black piece that represented himself.
...
The Heaven Ranking had descended, stirring more than just the visible excitement—beneath the surface, a tumultuous undercurrent was brewing, reaching depths untouchable by the masses.
Across the land...
People gazed up at the golden scroll spanning the sky, their hearts brimming with anticipation and fervor. Some longed to see their names inscribed, others looked on with envy, and many were simply there for the spectacle.
At that moment...
A celestial voice boomed once more across the mortal realm:
"The first round, the Talent List...
"Begins!"
The voice of the heavens surged like a mighty river, echoing with the force of crashing waves, resonating through the cosmos.
This was the will of the Dao itself!
The proclamation reached every ear.
Even those recluses in deep meditation could sense it with clarity!
In that instant...
The world trembled with excitement!
Thud—
The tolling of a bell resonated.
The sound gripped the hearts of the multitude.
Heads lifted, expressions varied, and the powerful from all corners held their breath in suspense!
The Heaven Ranking unveiled its tenth!
Before the watchful eyes of the crowd, the golden scroll began to reveal characters in deep black:
Tenth Place
Name: Mu Shuangling
Physique: Supreme Mystery Sword Physique
Evaluation: Wielding the Supreme Mystery Heavenly Sword, he inherits the divine prowess of the ancients, his blade capable of cleaving through legions!
Tenth place, Mu Shuangling!
The release of the Heaven Ranking's list sent shockwaves throughout the realm.
Everyone knew Mu Shuangling as the youngest and most formidable Sword Master!
Yet he was only ranked tenth!
To many, he was undeniably a contender for the top three!
"That's the Heavenly Sword!"
"How could he rank so low?!"
"Quiet! Just watch!"
Someone's shrill cry cut through the murmurs, drawing all eyes back to the Heaven Ranking.
As the text on the golden list faded, a white frame materialized, revealing a dynamic image of a young man.
Clad in opulent garments, his proud demeanor was unmistakable, even if his features remained somewhat obscured. With every gesture, a tempest of sword light roared to life!
His sword qi thundered like a tempest, his ferocious presence upheaving the very elements, splitting the earth, collapsing the heavens—it was as if the apocalypse had dawned!
The Heavenly Sword, Mu Shuangling!
"Can the Heaven Ranking actually display the visage of those listed?"
"Such fearsome sword qi—I'm in awe!"
"How can such a formidable figure only be tenth? Can this be real?"
The crowd buzzed with speculation.
At the Heavenly Sword Holy Land:
"Tenth? It can't be!"
"With the Sword Master's strength, how could he possibly be at the bottom?!"
"Can we trust the accuracy of the Heaven Ranking?"
Mu Shuangling's complexion paled, his fingers clenched tightly. Surrounded by voices expressing their astonishment, he fixated on the Heaven Ranking. His earlier satisfaction and haughty pride were doused by this cold reality.
His gaze darkened, his emotions in turmoil, causing significant unrest within his spirit. He raised his hand, lightly covering his abdomen, where within his dantian, a storm seemed to rage.
"How could this...
"My aim was first place, yet here I am at the bottom!"
Mu Shuangling's brow furrowed deeply, his eyes filled with a chilling intensity.
Just then, the Heaven Ranking shifted once more, commencing the distribution of rewards!
Heaven Ranking's Tenth Reward:
The Shaking Spirit Heavenly Sword!
A beam of white light descended from the heavens, touching down upon the earth.
The reward had arrived!
The descending radiance, rich with spiritual energy, not only replenished the world's spiritual qi but also allowed onlookers to partake in its bounty, prompting breakthroughs among many.
"Such potent spiritual energy!"
"The Shaking Spirit Heavenly Sword, one of the nine legendary ancient blades!"
"A divine weapon indeed!"
As the crowd's chatter swelled, the reward, now a beam of light, soared toward the Heavenly Sword Holy Land.
But then!
A streak of azure light abruptly intercepted the reward!
It took the form of a scarlet python, its roar echoing to the heavens.
The python surged from the earth, racing toward the white light, intent on seizing the reward!
"Someone's trying to steal the reward!"
"The red python... It's the Python Clan's doing!"
"How dare they? Are rewards up for grabs now? I want in!"
"This is an affront to the rules!"
...
Some voiced their indignation, others saw a chance to stir trouble, but the majority condemned the Python Clan's lack of honor.
This clan has always lurked in the shadows, so much so that even when the Heaven Ranking was revealed, they remained unseen, preferring to skulk in the darkness, awaiting their chance to pilfer the rewards!
"Such treasures are highly coveted by my Python Clan!"
"Strike first, strike hard!"
A man adorned with a snake crown and clad in a crimson robe let out a sinister chuckle, his narrow eyes gleaming with sly triumph.
The Chief of the Python Clan!
Convinced of his clan's secret and powerful techniques, and unafraid of pursuit, he was tempted by the grand prize and chose to risk it all to claim the Great Dao reward!
"Insolent Python, you've got some nerve!" Mu Shuangling bellowed, ready to mete out punishment.
But in that moment!
The sky thundered ominously.
A sword descended from the heavens, its qi furious, stirring up a tempest across a million miles.
Its target was none other than the Python Clan Chief!
"By the gods, it's the Great Dao reward!"
"The Heaven Shaking Sword!"
"Such fearsome sword qi, such a formidable Heavenly Sword!"
Panic seized everyone.
"Pfft!"
The Python Clan Chief coughed up blood.
The sword hadn't even reached him, yet its qi had already ravaged his insides!
Boom!
The sword qi tore through him, and his body burst apart.
In a mere instant, a Mahayana Stage expert was reduced to dust!
The Mahayana Stage, where just a bit more effort could lead to ascension!
This display cast a deep shadow over all present, quelling any restless spirits. Those who still harbored such thoughts now forcefully buried them deep within.
"This is the true power of the Heavenly Sword!"
After the Heavenly Sword claimed the life of the Python Clan Chief, it descended upon the Holy Land. Mu Shuangling was utterly astounded, murmuring to himself, his gaze filled with awe.
This was the mightiest sword he had ever witnessed! A mere wisp of its qi could slay a Mahayana sage; if its full power were unleashed, could it not shatter the very heavens and earth?
Though his own ranking was less than desired, the reward brought Mu Shuangling a measure of solace.
Vast Dragon Clan.
"Mu Shuangling, a mere martial warrior, has made a name for himself by making it onto the list, even if it's lower than anticipated."
"How can the mortal realm's forces even begin to compare with our ancient and noble clan!"
"Our Young Master will surely rank among the top three!"
"In all the world, who can rival the Vast Dragon Divine Body!"
The Vast Dragon Clan's subjects buzzed with speculation, many ministers already rehearsing their flattery, eager to catch the Young Master's eye with their praise.
The Young Master was destined for the top!
Qu Jiangxuan straightened slightly, his expression one of haughty indifference. Mu Shuangling, a swordsman, was expectedly at the bottom of the rankings.
So who would be next?
Certainly not him!
His eyes roved with keen interest.
Xuan Tugu, however, furrowed her brow in concern.
Mu Shuangling was no weakling!
At his birth, his sword qi had drawn upon the forces of heaven and earth, a phenomenon even the Vast Dragon Clan had felt!
Only tenth place for him?
If that was the benchmark, Qu Jiangxuan's ranking was now unpredictable...
Unease crept over the old woman.
Just then!
The Vast Dragon Clan erupted with exclamations as the ninth place was announced on the Heaven Ranking!
Ninth place!
Name: Qu Jiangxuan
Physique: Vast Dragon Divine Body
Evaluation: Divine Physique, 60% Ancestral Dragon Bloodline, Dragon Awakens, Shrouding the Heavens!
The clamor ceased abruptly.
The entire Vast Dragon Clan fell into a stunned silence...
Simultaneously, the Heaven Ranking was revealed to the world.
"Damn, 60% Ancestral Dragon bloodline awakened, and he's only ninth?! Consider that the current Vast Dragon King, with just a 20% awakening, has already attained sainthood!"
"Is this some kind of joke? The Vast Dragon Clan's young master is the strongest of his generation!"
"Could there be an error in his ranking?"
Countless onlookers were thrown into an uproar!
Astonishment!
Utter disbelief!
More shocking than Qu Jiangxuan's Divine Physique was his unexpected ranking.
Ninth place?
How could that be?
Yet there it was, on the Heaven Ranking, four bold characters shining with a golden light as vast as the sea, exuding an undeniable majesty.
