Chapter 145
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Chapter 145: Champion of the Heavenly Dragon List
The Dragon and Tiger Rankings, a grand event held once every five years on the Tianwu Continent, symbolizes the strength and talent of the human race’s younger generation. Those who secure a place on these rankings are destined to be the future leaders of humanity, their significance self-evident.
This month, under the blazing sun, Tianwu City, nestled in the heart of the central region of the Tianwu Continent, was more vibrant and bustling than ever. Spiritual energy surged through the streets, cultivators thronged the avenues, and the city was alive with excitement.
The Dragon and Tiger Rankings were held to the east of Tianwu City, adjacent to the majestic Canglan Mountain. The cultivators’ prowess transcended the mountain’s rugged terrain, leveraging the landscape to enhance the grandeur and intensity of the competition.
The clash of the human race’s young prodigies, representing their lineage’s might, had to be spectacular and awe-inspiring, sufficient to deter adversaries and amplify their renown.
The battleground for the Dragon and Tiger Rankings was set amidst the clouds, ten thousand miles above the ground. Cultivators had erected floating cloud platforms, with towering trees whose branches cascaded down from the heavens. Spectators on Canglan Mountain, bathed in sunlight, could clearly observe the cultivators’ elegance and grasp the profundity of the Great Path.
The atmosphere on Canglan Mountain was electric, with onlookers leaning against dark railings, their eyes fixed on the central cloud platform where the contest for the top spot on the Heavenly Dragon List was unfolding.
The Heavenly Dragon List’s top position was contested by young cultivators who had achieved the Heaven Origin realm before turning twenty-five. To stand on this stage and enter Canglan Mountain, their talent had to surpass their peers, and their hands were undoubtedly stained with blood, their resolve and power formidable.
The Earthly Tiger List’s competition had concluded, with the victor being Shadow from the Eastern Region, who had placed third on the Young Tiger List but fell to Ming He’s sharp long sword. Though defeated, he gained clarity of heart and purified his spiritual platform.
Now clad in blood-red attire, Shadow stood on the slopes of Canglan Mountain, enveloped in drifting clouds and leaves, watching the battle above. He lamented Ming He’s absence, certain that had she been present, she would have claimed the Earthly Tiger List’s top spot, just as she had four years prior.
His path of killing was ignited by the alien race and illuminated by Ming He. He vividly remembered her standing in blue clothes, her sword at her side, her crescent eyes conveying her words.
Ming He had said, "If you are that star." Even steeped in blood and brutality, he could still shine brightly in the clear sky. She believed he could be a star, and now he had fulfilled that belief.
He had joined the armored guards, traversing the five regions, his blood-stained dagger cutting down many foes from the alien race. He now stood at the crossroads of the Tianwu Continent’s tides, a blade cultivator who embraced the path of killing, directing his blade solely against the alien race and his enemies.
He had mastered control over his weapon, all thanks to Ming He. Such a person could never be part of the demon race.
Shadow’s eyes were resolute as he clenched his fists, determined to express his stance boldly upon entering the Imperial Palace, despite the royal side’s pressure and fury.
Cultivators at the Dragon and Tiger Rankings were entitled to meet the powerful figures in the Imperial Palace. He intended to inform them that Ming He was not part of the demon race and would never collude with the Black Wind Alliance or the alien race. The Imperial Palace should not be hunting her, nor should the human race be pursuing her.
Finally, the battle for the Heavenly Dragon List’s champion concluded. The victor was a young man in sky-blue warrior attire named Xia Bufan, at the sixth stage of the Heaven Origin realm. He was the chief disciple of the Shanhai Sect in the central region and the biological brother of Xia Fengye.
"Bang!" Opposite Xia Bufan stood a physically imposing young cultivator, a practitioner of body cultivation who needed no weapon, as he himself was a weapon. Despite his robust physique and solid defense, he was no match for the sharpness of Xia Bufan’s long sword. As he turned to defend, Xia Bufan found an opening and struck with a backward thrust, sending his opponent off the platform and securing his victory.
"Good!"
A thunderous cheer erupted from the corner of Canglan Mountain where the disciples of the Shanhai Sect were seated, their faces alight with pride.
That was the chief disciple of the Shanhai Sect, their Senior Brother, and naturally, it was a cause for celebration.
Xia Fengye watched from the crowd as her elder brother decisively won with a single sword strike, a faint smile gracing her face.
Before participating in the Dragon and Tiger Rankings, she couldn’t suppress her cultivation and now barely reached the initial stage of the Heaven Origin realm, making it impossible for her to secure a ranking.
The referee, clad in a ceremonial robe, glanced towards the distant clouds and, with a spirited expression, turned his gaze to Xia Bufan, his voice resonating throughout Canglan Mountain: "The disciple of the body cultivation path from the Western Region, Lian Wugou, has lost, placing second on the Heavenly Dragon List. The chief disciple of the Shanhai Sect, Xia Bufan…"
He intended to announce Xia Bufan’s victory to claim the top position, but before he could finish, a bright and ethereal voice came from beyond the mountains, "There are still participants who have not entered the competition for first place. How can the outcome be determined?"
The voice floated down from the heavens, not loud but exceptionally clear, imbued with a resonance that shook the soul, making it impossible to ignore.
Shadow’s expression shifted slightly, then brightened as he felt thrilled to hear that voice—just like Ming He. Even having only seen her twice was enough for him to remember the appearance, voice, and presence of this Sword Cultivator in Blue.
It was just as striking as Nineteen was to Ming He.
But the human race was still hunting her. Was it really safe for her to be here?
Worry flickered on Shadow’s face, but he raised his head again to look towards the swirling clouds, where the spiritual energy surged fiercely. The flowing clouds met the azure sky, forming a majestic path through the clouds, with brilliant light clustering in that place, proclaiming the arrival of someone unique.
It seemed like a favor from the heavens and the earth.
As the crowd looked on, they saw a massive beast, as big as a small mountain, frolicking among the clouds, with a single leg, dark fur, and a shape resembling a bull, its roar echoing like thunder as it joyfully tread the cloud path laid out by the heavens and earth, fierce, bloody, and wild.
Its appearance was enough to send a chill down one’s spine.
Witnessing such a beast… some cultivators’ eyes flickered, and their thoughts sparked with speculation.
As they drew closer, they noticed a person standing atop the beast, dressed in white with black accents, hair tied high, and possessing refined features and a spirited expression. With a smile on her lips and bright eyes, her face seemed very familiar.
Some cultivators displayed puzzled expressions, falling into deep thought.
As the creature landed on the platform, the earth shook.
The young woman standing on the beast’s head laughed brightly, surveying the surroundings. She then spoke clearly, "My name is Ming He, and I am here to compete in the Dragon and Tiger Rankings."
Ming He didn’t care about the storm her words would stir; she stood tall atop the beast, her right hand resting on the Jing Ying Sword, poised to strike, her expression relaxed and smiling.
Fortunately, she arrived just in time.
Ming He sighed in relief inwardly. After breaking through to the seventh stage of the Heaven Origin realm, she had secluded herself in Zichan Cave to consolidate her knowledge, immersing herself in training to the point of missing the start of the Dragon and Tiger Rankings.
However, this timing was also good, saving her from unnecessary battles.
"Ming He? Is that really her?"
"Is she the long-voice guardian of the demon race that possesses the body?"
"The Imperial Palace issued a warrant for her capture; how dare she appear here?"
"Besides, her cultivation… Wasn’t it said that her spiritual ocean was imperfect? How did she break through to the seventh stage of the Heaven Origin realm?"
Indeed, she had reached the seventh stage of the Heaven Origin realm.
All the cultivators present, whether they were young disciples competing for rankings or sect leaders overlooking the match from the mountain path, now gazed at Ming He, whose vibrant aura filled the air, falling into silence.
Even the young man lazily resting amidst the verdant trees at the top of Canglan Mountain straightened his posture, looking at Ming He with serious eyes.
For there was not only her cultivation at the seventh stage of the Heaven Origin realm but also the Born Sword Bone and the Clear Heart of the Sword.
Of course, she had long known about these two.
What she didn’t know was that Ming He had also comprehended the fifth stage of Swordsmanship, the realm of sword spirit.
She had hoped that Ming He would grasp the realm of sword spirit, and now that she had, it was almost too much to believe.
Such a prodigious talent—her breath caught slightly, and a faint smile graced her lips.
Though her complexion was pale, her smile was gentle, revealing an exceptionally remarkable beauty that seemed to conceal its brilliance.
“A demon race spy, daring to come to our human race’s grand event?”
“Indeed, this is simply outrageous!”
After a moment, one cultivator reacted, gripping his sword with a furious expression and glaring at Ming He. Others silently contemplated the massive beast beneath her feet, lost in thought.
Ming He, unfazed, lightly raised her chin and cast a deep glance toward the mountain peak. She casually retrieved a golden disciple token from her storage ring and addressed the skeptical gazes of the crowd with calm authority:
“Whoever holds this token may participate in the ranking battles of the Dragon and Tiger Rankings. This is a rule set by the Imperial Palace and the Domain Lord’s mansion; is it no longer valid?"
She lowered her gaze, her right hand idly caressing the storage ring, her smile carrying a hint of recklessness.
Ever since she had reshaped her bones, she had felt as though this world belonged to her. Whatever she wished to do became a matter of course, and with a mere thought, the storage ring buried in the pit had broken free and appeared in her hand in an instant.
Following her will!
Ming He exhaled, unperturbed by the silence of the cultivators below. She knew her golden token from the Domain Lord’s mansion in the Eastern Region represented not only the recognition of the Domain Lord but also the trust and delegation of the Azure Dragon Spirit.
That was a divine beast that had once accompanied the Sword Master in battles across the battlefield of the heavens. Though the Azure Dragon Spirit was now but a remnant spirit, stripped of memory and cultivation, no one dared to underestimate it.
“Ming He may compete for the top position.” A gentle voice drifted from the mountain peak, carried by the wind, echoing throughout Canglan Mountain.
At that moment, both high-ranking and low-ranking cultivators exchanged uneasy glances.
The presence atop the mountain hailed from the Imperial Palace, a figure of immense status and power.
The meaning of allowing Ming He to compete for the top position was far more profound than simply admitting her into battle.
With her cultivation at the seventh stage of the Heaven Origin realm, she would have to surpass Xia Bufan, especially since Ming He was a genius capable of fighting beyond her rank.
The disciples of the Shanhai Sect glanced at their chief brother, their expressions tinged with worry. It seemed the top position on the Heavenly Dragon List might soon belong to Ming He.
On the arena.
“Friend Ming He, I am not your match.” Xia Bufan bowed respectfully, acknowledging his defeat.
Cultivators in matches rarely surrendered easily; even when outmatched, they seldom yielded without a fight.
And Xia Bufan was a sword cultivator, no less.
The audience erupted into murmurs, with the disciples of the Shanhai Sect showing the greatest surprise and confusion.
Xia Fengye, however, smiled faintly, her grip tightening on her sword as she sensed the approach of a great battle.
"Friend Ming He, may you be invincible in battle.” May you achieve all you desire.
Xia Bufan turned and leaped off the arena, standing beside his sister as they exchanged a bright-eyed smile.
Ming He was stunningly talented, Ming He was exceptional, and Ming He was peerless in the world.
Though they might not measure up, they still stood firm.
But what of the Domain Lord… could she still handle it?
"The top of the Heavenly Dragon List, Ming He!" The referee’s clear voice rang through the skies without a hint of hesitation.
Of course, this was precisely the situation they had orchestrated.
Ming He watched Xia Bufan’s retreating figure with a complex expression, then unsheathed her sword, pointing it toward the Earth Emperor realm expert on the mountain peak. “According to the rules, the top of the Heavenly Dragon List may choose an Earth Emperor realm expert for guidance."
All the swords of the sword cultivators on Canglan Mountain trembled as Ming He drew the Jing Ying Sword, their colors shifting in awe, for this was the aura only possessed at the realm of sword spirit.
The realm of sword spirit, the fifth stage of Swordsmanship.
Before they could fully grasp this fact, they heard Ming He’s words, which were framed as guidance but were unmistakably a challenge.
She intended to challenge an Earth Emperor realm expert!
This rule had indeed existed, though it had been established many years ago. As the heavens and earth’s causal connections strengthened and fortunes waned, the gaps between cultivators’ realms had widened. A Heaven Origin realm cultivator could hardly match an Earth Emperor realm expert, let alone exchange blows, leading to the rule’s cancellation by the Imperial Palace.
Now that Ming He invoked it, they remembered that it still lingered in the annals of history.
But which Earth Emperor realm expert would she challenge?
Cultivators glanced at Liu Yu, who stood casually leaning against the dark railing, her expression unreadable.
Jiang An had died at Ming He’s hands, and Liu Yu had always harbored a deep-seated desire to strike her down. Yet today, from the moment Ming He appeared, she had remained silent. Why?
Why? Another Earth Emperor realm expert pondered the same question, hidden in the discreet shade of the drooping green trees.
In the next moment, all eyes turned to him, a mix of curiosity and confusion, and some cultivators whispered, “Of course.”
Because Ming He finally spoke.
She said, “I want to challenge you, Senior Gong Shu,” the vice Sect Master of the Shanhai Sect.
This was not merely a challenge; it was a declaration, a bid to establish her name and clear her reputation.
Ming He flicked the sword tip, sending a cold gleam soaring, standing tall and unwavering in the center of the arena, her expression a subtle blend of amusement and determination.
The swords of Canglan Mountain trembled once more.
