C4 An Unusual Cute Girl!

Fourth Place

Name: Qiuye

Physique: Indestructible Azure Phoenix

Review: The Azure Phoenix soars across the four seas, its cry lifting the rosy clouds of heaven, heralding the opening of the gates to eternal life!

The announcement of the ranking sent shockwaves through the mortal realm once again!

The Azure Phoenix, a pure lineage within the Phoenix clan.

Qiuye's physique is 'indestructible,' synonymous with 'eternal life!'

As the populace reeled in astonishment, an image emerged on the Heaven Ranking: in a Wutong forest, under a vast sky, a multitude of stunning birds converged, their overlapping plumage forming a dense, colorful cloud that obscured the heavens.

Birds of all kinds flocked and sang, and as the world-shaking cry of the phoenix echoed, a noble and sacred azure phoenix burst forth from the forest, spiraling upwards with a resonant call, prompting all other birds to bow in reverence.

"My heavens, it's like all birds paying homage to the phoenix!"

"The Indestructible Azure Phoenix, this is the very path to everlasting life!"

"Countless heroes have lamented their fate on this path to immortality!"

"Such a defiance of the natural order, and yet only fourth place?"

"What more formidable prodigies lie above?"

The crowd was abuzz with commentary, caught in the awe of the phoenix's homage. They struggled to regain their composure as the very winds and clouds churned with the revelation.

The video faded, and text emerged to reveal the fourth-place reward:

Divine Phoenix Essence of the Dark Parasol

The spirit of the Dark Parasol, the cornerstone of immortality, the fundamental essence of the Great Dao of the Origin Phoenix!

"Just as the clan leader predicted, fourth place," Qiuye said, her slender hand brushing through her hair in the breeze, her shoulders lifted in a slight shrug, her lips curling into a half-spoiled, half-resigned smile.

Gu Chen let out a wry smile.

Knowing now his knack for 'cursing' outcomes, why hadn't he wished for first place?!

Yet, his heart swelled with joy, for the Divine Phoenix Essence of the Dark Parasol was a prize far surpassing the Ancestral Dragon's bone of Qu Jiangxuan! If the latter had a sixty percent chance of evolving into an Ancestral Dragon, they now had a ninety percent chance of evolving into an Origin Phoenix!

The Azure Phoenix Clan, long overshadowed by the Vast Dragon Clan, would surely rise to prominence with this heaven-blessed daughter leading them into a new era!

Vast Dragon Clan.

"What? That girl actually made it to fourth place!"

"The Indestructible Azure Phoenix, a physique that seeks the Dao of eternal life, has graced the Phoenix lineage!"

"Who would have thought Gu Chen, that sly old fox, had such a gem hidden away! It's a good thing the Heaven Ranking was revealed; otherwise, if that girl were to fully mature, she'd become a formidable threat!"

Xuan Tugu clenched her teeth, her eyes warping with a mix of rage, envy, and madness.

As descendants of the Ancestral Dragon and Origin Phoenix, the Vast Dragon Clan and Azure Phoenix Clan had been natural adversaries. With the decline of the Azure Phoenix Clan, the Vast Dragon Clan had reigned supreme for millennia.

But now...

Qiuye of the Azure Phoenix Clan had emerged!

Her fourth-place standing on the Heaven Ranking was a testament to her formidable physique and the looming threat it represented, not to mention the added boon of her reward!

Qu Jiangxuan's lips paled, his eyes growing vacant as decades of pride crumbled beneath the luminous names, scattering to the wind.

The surrounding clansmen were variously silent, sighing, or shaking their heads in disbelief.

"I cannot bear to see the Azure Phoenix Clan surpass the Vast Dragon Clan..."

"Qiuye... Azure Phoenix Clan..."

She whispered, a vicious, cunning glint crossing her eyes.

...

The descent of the Heaven Ranking stirred the Three Thousand Worlds, prompting beings to gaze upward in wonder, astonishment, and amazement.

Meanwhile, Xie Feng had left the nameless domain, his green robes billowing as he traversed the barren desert into the ordinary realm of Yuanzhou.

The border city was eternally desolate.

Here, among the lone smoke of dusk and a few teahouses, travelers found respite.

Xie Feng ordered a pot of tea and a basket of buns. The server swiftly brought the refreshments as a verdant phantom of a phoenix played across the sky, its auspicious presence bathing the world in light.

"The Heaven Ranking will surely unveil many hidden truths.

"Hermit cultivators, enigmatic forbidden lands, reclusive clans—within the Three Thousand Worlds, there will be figures beyond our imagination making the list.

"Could it be... myself?"

"Ah, I'd rather not be exposed. If only I could remain unnoticed a few more years..."

Xie Feng ruffled his hair in vexation.

With the announcement of the fourth name, he had already surmised his own place on the list!

After all, he possessed the Chaos Holy Body!

No being in the world could match the stature of a Saint!

Xie Feng peered at the few robust tea leaves floating in his bowl, lost in thought. He looked around; several patrons gazed skyward at a forty-five-degree angle. Though the Heaven Ranking was suspended high above, it was visible to all, even the common folk!

"Big brother~

"Excuse me, where can one find a place to earn silver without worry for food and drink?"

"I'm starving, but they say you need silver to get something to eat..."

Amidst his musings, a crisp voice rang out. Unbeknownst to Xie Feng, a dainty figure had silently appeared before him.

A cute girl!

Her petite frame was complemented by silver hair pulled back into an elegant, low ponytail, with neatly cut bangs and two strands deliberately left to flutter freely. One pinkish-white cat ear drooped while the other stood alert.

Could she be a little cat demon?

Xie Feng pondered, lifting his gaze to continue observing.

Dressed in a white vest paired with dark orange lantern pants, she seemed no older than twelve or thirteen. Her amber eyes were clear, yet now they seemed somewhat listless as she clutched her stomach in discomfort.

The girl cocked her head, her eyes sparkling as she blinked.

It appeared she was posing a genuine question.

The question was rather amusing, yet Xie Feng didn't laugh.

His face grew stern instead!

He had noticed a mighty destiny swirling around her!

With a tranquil heart, Xie Feng's sensing power quietly spread out. The girl before him slowly vanished from his sight, and suddenly, a resounding tiger's roar burst forth from within her, shaking his very soul!

A spectral white tiger emerged, its presence like a raging tide sweeping across the cosmos, churning the fate of all creation!

This was an ancient and powerful destiny!

The manifested tiger's might, capable of dominating both past and present, revealed the girl's extraordinary nature!

She was no kitten; she was a fierce tiger!

And yet...

It seemed as if formidable chains were restraining her!

Despite the white tiger's ferocious power, one could sense its underlying weakness, and a terrifying force seemed to be dragging it downwards.

Within the girl lay a sealed soul!

This was why, despite her significant destiny, her cultivation was only at the lowest Qi Refining Realm!

Xie Feng's brow furrowed.

He silently calculated the Heavenly Fortune but found it elusive!

A mighty celestial secret shrouded the girl's body!

Moreover!

The white tiger physique...

Could she be the legendary White Tiger, one of the four divine beasts?

Such a talent!

While Xie Feng was deep in thought, he noticed the girl eyeing the steamed bun, her mouth watering. Setting aside his queries, he chuckled and invited her to join him for a meal.

Her eyes brightened as she grabbed the bun and shyly took a bite. Suddenly, she cried out, "Oh no, I remember Auntie saying I shouldn't eat food from strangers!"

The girl spun in distress, "It's my fault for being so hungry. Auntie said if you eat someone's food, you must repay them."

Xie Feng reassured her, "Go ahead and eat!"

The girl responded, "Then I'll eat and work off the debt."

"Where could a little girl like you work?"

"I can follow you and help out with odd jobs. I may be small, but I'm strong."

Proving her point, she rolled up her sleeves, went to the edge of the shed, took a deep breath, and lifted the entire tea shed with her bare hands!

The sudden upheaval of the shed, with dirt and wood chips raining down, startled the patrons into jumping up. They were about to scold her, but seeing a young girl responsible, they muttered complaints and sat back down.

Xie Feng was torn between laughter and concern as he quickly instructed the impulsive girl to put the structure back in place.

"I'm the master of the Armillary Sphere Sect. If you come with me, you'll be doing menial tasks like fetching water and hauling stuff. Can you handle that, little girl?"

"It's just hard work, and I've got plenty of strength for that. You're the Sect Master of the Armillary Sphere, so I'll call you Master!"

Without waiting for a reply, the girl plopped down at the table and started devouring the buns with rightful abandon. She was famished, and in a flash, ten baskets of buns were empty, leaving the owner and customers staring in awe at her voracious appetite.

Xie Feng inquired, "What's your name?"

"Su Shang!"

With that, she turned and called out, "Boss, ten more baskets of buns, please. My master will pick up the tab!"

Xie Feng: …