C5 Not Even the Human Emperor Body Was This Heaven-defying!
The revelation of fourth place is complete, and now, all eyes are on the coveted top three of the Heaven Ranking!
Across the Three Thousand Worlds and its myriad continents, anticipation buzzes in the air. Who could possibly surpass those with divine physiques like the Supreme Gaze and the Cyan Phoenix?
"The path to eternal life can lead to divinity! But how many gods truly roam among us?"
"It must be at least someone at the Eclosion Stage!"
"There's no way anyone could be more powerful than Qiuye, right?"
The world's uproar doesn't even cause a ripple in the golden Heaven Ranking, which suddenly intensifies with light.
That's the sign...
A new update is imminent!
Hearts across the lands are gripped with excitement...
On the Holy Continent, in the Land of Eternal Dusk, a lone bamboo boat glides across a vast blue lake.
Birds trace their flight over verdant mountains, sketching out a world of warriors.
On the boat, a figure in black, with hair as dark as his robes and a sword at his waist, fishes with a simple bamboo rod, without bait or line.
A man in white approaches over the water and asks, "Curious indeed, fishing without bait or line. Can you actually catch anything?"
"Have I not already made a catch?"
"Haha, are you referring to me? Hmph, I won't spar words with you. But look at the Heaven Ranking above—where do you think you'll place?"
"What's your guess?"
"You've barely joined the sect and already saved the Holy Continent from demonic peril. You've even vanquished the Great Cheng Dynasty, a rival to the Heavenly Sword Holy Land. Surely, such a formidable being must claim the top spot!" The man exclaims in awe.
He is Yaen Fei, an Inner Sect disciple, and the fisherman is none other than the Sect's Holy Son, Chu Shanjun!
For the sake of the people, he wields his sword against demons, stands alone against the storm, and shatters armies with his wrath. Yet, he can also sheathe his blade and quietly fish in the autumn river.
Such a man is without precedent.
Chu Shanjun simply responds with a calm "Oh."
Yaen Fei grows impatient, "What does 'Oh' mean? Are you agreeing or not? Talking to you is exhausting!"
Chu Shanjun states, "With the Heaven Ranking's arrival and a new era upon us, I naturally aspire to be the foremost name on that list."
Yaen Fei relaxes, "Exactly! You're the future sovereign everyone's counting on!
"Don't forget your fearsome potential! The Azure Dragon Divine Body, the Azure Phoenix's undying essence—they pale in comparison!"
"Ah, the ranking is changing again!"
Yaen Fei exclaims.
The Heaven Ranking, bathed in celestial light, updates once more!
Third place
Name: Chu Shanjun
Physique: Human Emperor Body
Evaluation: With a mortal's form, he has erected a monument to the Human Emperor and paved a path to the divine.
"This can't be!
"The Human Emperor Body is so transcendent, yet it's not first?!
"Immortal! To become an immortal!"
Yaen Fei shouts unrestrained.
Chu Shanjun remains composed, his expression neither joyous nor sorrowful.
He nods, "It appears I do have a rival—and a formidable one at that."
Yaen Fei inquires, "Everyone on the list is a genius among geniuses. Given your temperament, the rival you speak of must be the very pinnacle of the Heaven Ranking!"
Chu Shanjun squints slightly, looking up at the video playing above on the Heaven Ranking—
The video shows a world where the heavens and earth shift in mysterious ways. Dawn breaks with blinding brilliance, and rolling sands sweep across the land.
Suddenly, the earth cracks open with a terrifying fissure. In a flash, a blizzard engulfs the sky, and from the chasm, a golden light soars, exploding into a sunset that weaves a celestial chessboard across the heavens.
Amidst the glow, a white silhouette plucks stars for chess pieces, casually making his moves. With each gesture, the winds and clouds surge with awe-inspiring power!
...
The video concludes.
The glow of the Heaven Ranking illuminates the earth.
Those who witnessed the video remain captivated, their breath held in reverence.
What a profound shock it was!
Seeing that figure, one realizes that the likes of Qu Jiangxuan and Qiuye are mere trifles!
The crowd erupts in discussion, having thought the Cyan Phoenix was the pinnacle of awe, only to discover someone even more extraordinary!
The Human Emperor Body!
With the form of a mortal, one can attest to the grand way of immortals!
Just the name alone suggests a potential for ascension!
Immortality...
Such an elusive and distant concept!
Particularly in this era of dwindling fate and the twilight of spiritual energy!
It's been tens of thousands of years since immortals walked the earth!
And those connected to the divine are not to be underestimated.
Third on the Heaven Ranking is indeed a title befitting its holder!
Amidst the commotion, a white light swiftly descends upon the blue lake.
Third Place Reward
Taiyi's True Lightning Technique
Taiyi's True Lightning Technique: A long-lost immortal art, the signature move of the legendary Immortal Taiyi!
"My goodness, an Immortal Technique! I've only ever heard of such things in legends..."
Yaen Fei exclaimed, his voice tinged with extreme envy.
Chu Shanjun, already a formidable force, was now further empowered by the Immortal Technique, making him even more invincible. Who in the world could possibly stand against him?
Yaen Fei longed for the Great Dao reward himself, but alas, his skills fell short, and he had no chance of making it onto the leaderboard.
"Only the mightiest is worthy to be my adversary. I'm quite intrigued... who might that person be?" Chu Shanjun gazed into the heavens, pondering aloud.
Dong!
The bell tolled, heralding the announcement of the second-place winner!
Second Place
Name: Changying
Physique: Pure Body
Evaluation: Unblemished by the world's filth, transcending the mundane, on the path to becoming an immortal—none but her could claim such a destiny.
"Changying? That's Ruin Returning's Changying!"
"That's not just any name; it's a title passed down through generations!"
"To think that a descendant of an ancient immortal, hidden from the world for a million years, has emerged!"
"The Pure Body, the epitome of the Great Dao's perfection. If not for its rarity, with only one or two in existence, it would undoubtedly dominate the Three Thousand Worlds for eternity!"
"Look! The video is up!"
An excited voice rang out, directing everyone's attention to the Heaven Ranking, where the sound of tumultuous waves filled the air.
In the video, the vast ocean plummeted three thousand feet, like an enraged dragon overturning rivers and a fierce Jiao submerging the sea, threatening to engulf the world in an instant. The sensation of teetering on the brink of life and death in the abyssal depths sent shivers down everyone's spine.
This was Ruin Returning!
Upon the revelation of the name, the world gasped in awe.
The Pure Body was the legendary perfect physique, capable of effortless victory.
The mere mention of the name was enough to send chills down one's spine, let alone witnessing the video firsthand.
Not even the Vast Dragon Clan's Qu Jiangxuan and Xuan Tugu, nor the dual-pupiled Ye Yuan and the Human Emperor Chu Shanjun, could deny their inferiority when compared to the Pure Body—it was like comparing clouds to mud.
How could mere stars dare to vie with the luminous moon?
With even the secluded immortal clans making an appearance, no one could question the authority of the Heaven Ranking now.
In the Tian Continent, there lay a vast and enigmatic ocean known as Ruin Returning, into which all the world's rivers and seas converged.
"The Heaven Ranking has brought me both fame and trouble.
"After remaining hidden for a million years, we are now revealed to the world. Whether this is fortune or misfortune remains to be seen..."
A man of noble stature looked up at the sprawling Golden Ranking in the sky and let out a wry smile.
He was the Ruin Returning Master!
Turning slightly, he remarked, "Yet, what truly astonishes me is that your Pure Body isn't ranked first! Is there truly a physique in this world that surpasses yours?"
Standing behind him was a woman, her elegant white attire and flowing silver hair exuding a serene grace, her azure eyes cool and dignified.
Changying!
Before her, the rewards of the Heaven Ranking materialized, a bounty for Ruin Returning.
Second Place Reward
Heavenly Immortal Diagram
Heavenly Immortal Diagram: An immortal treasure born from the Heavenly Dao data, capable of encompassing myriad landscapes. Upon opening, it reveals the essence of Yin and Yang!
Even the well-versed Ruin Returning Master was inwardly astounded by such a reward. In an era long past, even among the gods of ancient times, this would have been a fiercely coveted prize!
A subtle smile graced Changying's lips, her demeanor tranquil and detached, befitting an immortal. Yet, she secretly wished it had been a simple pot of wine instead.
But such thoughts were not to be voiced. Should her master hear of them, who knows what reprimand she might face!
An Immortal Master must not indulge in the pleasures of wine!
The Ruin Returning Master spoke, "Though Ruin Returning has been revealed to the world, as a descendant of an ancient immortal, even ranked second, commoners would not dare covet you.
"However, I am curious as to what kind of extraordinary physique could surpass the Pure Body and claim the top spot!"
Even a reclusive sage, lofty in spirit and above petty rivalries, could not help but be taken aback by such an unexpected ranking.
"Master and I shall wait and see," Changying replied, her voice soft and her presence ethereal as the clouds, her curiosity piqued.
