Chapter 58

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Chapter 58: Are You Ji Ning?

Everyone’s eyes lit up.

This was indeed a good solution.

Calculating the fate of the ancient divine clans was immensely demanding, but Ji Mingyue merely stood at the Divine Catastrophe stage, involving minimal karmic entanglement—absolutely feasible to deduce.

Ye Xu studied Ji Mingyue with surprise: bright eyes and white teeth, undoubtedly a beauty in the making.

Most importantly, she was clever.

If she survived one year later, it meant the ancient divine clans could likely escape that calamity, and the price she’d pay wouldn’t be as steep as two immortal artifacts.

"Naturally possible."

A deep and knowing smile spread across Ye Xu’s face as he glanced at Ji Mingyue.

Trying to gain an advantage over me? Not so simple.

"System, determine Ji Mingyue’s status one year from now: alive or dead, and her exact circumstances."

Instantly, Ye Xu expended sixty thousand heavenly secrets points, revealing Ji Mingyue’s future state within his mind.

"Six divine weapons of the great sage."

Armed with the answer, Ye Xu declared the price.

"Hiss…"

Pained hisses resonated through Heaven’s Secret Pavilion; these visitors had been fleeced not long ago and now faced another toll.

But for the sake of their clan, they had no choice.

A few breaths later, they handed over the payment.

Ye Xu beamed with satisfaction.

This single deal had earned him sevenfold profit.

"One year from now, you’ll not only be alive and well, you will have already ascended to godhood." Ye Xu gazed lightly at Ji Mingyue. "Moreover, your name will appear on the Yuan Realm Talents List."

"Huff…"

At these words, the crowd collectively released a sigh of relief.

Ji Mingyue’s survival meant the Ji clan likely endured, granting them a strong chance to survive as well.

"Bear in mind: this represents only the most probable outcome of the future." Ye Xu poured cold water on their relief, his tone detached. "The future remains fluid—any single action could alter its course."

Just as Heaven’s Secret Pavilion itself existed: without it, Qin Haishan could never have ascended to godhood, nor could he have perished at the very moment he did.

Ye Xu had rewritten the fates of many.

In short, he had reshaped the future of the Southern Wilderness—even the Yuan Realm itself.

"I understand, honored Senior." Ji Mingyue bowed her head. The impermanence of the future made Ye Xu’s single insight a powerful comfort.

"Senior, will the Yuan Realm Talents List be unveiled one year from now?"

Zhu Wuque and Ji Ning, however, seized upon a crucial detail in Ye Xu’s words.

The Yuan Realm Talents List!

Ye Xu smiled. "The Talents List changes constantly. As soon as any cultivator surpasses those already listed, their name immediately appears."

"So Ji Mingyue may not have been on the list when it was first announced," he concluded.

Ji Ning made a guess. "Senior, are you planning to announce the Yuan Realm Talents List soon?"

"That’s right."

A satisfied smile spread across Ye Xu’s face. With 1.5 million heavenly secrets points to his name, he was rich and imposing enough to begin preparations for the Yuan Realm Talents List. Not just that—he intended to compile an Emperor List, a quasi-emperor list, a great sage list, and more.

Ning Xuan turned to Ye Xu with hopeful eyes. "Senior, since we’ll soon return to Godfall Ridge, may we get a sneak peek of the list?"

"Don’t worry."

Ye Xu responded calmly. "It’ll be out within ten days."

His tone shifted playfully. "However… wanting a sneak peek comes at a price."

"… "

Speechlessness fell over the group. How could someone so revered be so greedy for wealth?

Ye Xu gazed at the six young talents and chuckled softly. "I know that despite all being named on the Talents List, none of you truly accept each other’s ranking."

"Coincidentally, the City Lord of Linglong has set up an arena. It presents a perfect chance for you six to compete—and validate my list."

Ever the diplomat, Ning Xuan hurriedly spoke up. "Senior’s abilities encompass heaven and earth. The Talents List in the Southern Wilderness must be flawless! Not a trace of doubt remains in any of us."

Zhu Wuque sniggered. "Ning Xuan, why pretend? Though you won’t say it aloud, you believe neither Ji Ning nor Ji Mingyue deserve to be ranked above you. I feel exactly the same."

His gaze grew sharper. "Why do you three deserve the top spots at all?"

A slight frown touched Ning Xuan’s brow. "Do you seek a fight, Zhu Wuque?"

"Just looking for a friendly exchange," Zhu Wuque countered coldly.

Ji Ning turned expressionlessly to the youths from the Tian Wu divine clan and the Lu Wu divine clan. "Brothers, do you also wish to cross swords with me?"

They nodded. "We do."

"Good!"

Ji Ning strode boldly out of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. "Since we are to spar, let us follow Senior’s instruction and compete publicly—for all the world to see. This will prove both the authenticity of the Talents List in the Southern Wilderness and Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s authority."

A silent laugh rumbled within Ji Zhe—Ji Ning had hit the mark perfectly. Wasn’t establishing Heaven’s Secret Pavilion’s authority precisely why Ye Xu planned the Talents List? It was a gesture of goodwill from the ancient Ji clan.

"Hmph!"

Ning Xuan grunted coldly—he had pondered the same move, yet Ji Ning had voiced it first.

"Senior, we will take our leave now."

The youths departed Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, leaving only the Saint Kings.

Ye Xu glanced at those remaining. "Are you people not leaving either?"

Ye Xu glanced at the few people.

"It’s time to leave now."

Everyone exchanged reluctant glances and unwillingly departed from Heaven’s Secret Pavilion.

"It’s time to assemble the Yuan Realm Talents List."

Ye Xu’s mind stirred.

Presently, due to the Ten Saints’ heavenly tribulation, nearly every major force in the Yuan Realm had sent representatives rushing to Linglong City, transforming it into a bustling holy land.

And Heaven’s Secret Pavilion was the focal point.

Once the Talents List was revealed, it would spread to every corner of the Yuan Realm in the shortest possible time.

The name of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion would resound throughout the entire Yuan Realm.

…

The group arrived at the battle platform where a crowd of cultivators remained gathered, engaged in endless discussions.

"Clear the way!"

Ji Ning shouted.

Many turned to look, saw a young lad, and promptly ignored him. They resumed pointing at names on the Talents List and arguing.

Clang!

Suddenly, a sword cry rang out. Ji Ning stood amidst the crowd like a divine sword, sharp sword intent radiating from his body. Cultivators within several hundred feet felt extreme discomfort, pierced by an icy, bone-chilling sword aura akin to a winter gale.

Every gaze converged on Ji Ning.

"I am Ji Ning. I wish to borrow this platform. Please make way!" Ji Ning spoke humbly and politely, his aura sharp yet his demeanor respectful.

After all, this was Linglong City, the territory of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. He dared not cause trouble.

"What terrifying sword intent!"

"So young, yet he’s mastered sword intent! He must hail from a great sect, his future boundless."

Many voices expressed envy.

"Wait…"

Suddenly, someone snapped to attention, eyes wide in disbelief as they stared at Ji Ning. "You’re the Ji Ning ranked first on the Talents List?"

"That’s me."

Ji Ning nodded. The feeling of being revered by the masses was indeed deeply satisfying.

Zhu Wuque and Ning Xuan snorted coldly, visibly displeased.

"Lord Ji, this platform is reserved for talents on the Talents List and their peers. Stepping onto it signifies accepting challenges. Is someone challenging you?"

Someone grasped this implication and immediately asked.

"Correct."

Ji Ning stated frankly. "If challenged, I naturally cannot refuse."

"This Talents List was decreed by the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. Yet, most remain skeptical and doubt the senior’s judgment. Today, I intend to prove the list’s veracity."

"Hahaha! Good!"

"The Talents List has been out for days. Today I finally meet a real person!"

A rough, primal voice boomed from afar. A young man with a close-cropped haircut, clad in coarse linen, laughed heartily.

He was wild in demeanor, ordinary in appearance, yet exuded an untamed ferocity like a bolting wild horse — forthright and bold.

"Who are you, sir?"

Ji Ning frowned, puzzled.

The young man in linen made no effort to conceal his cultivation. Ji Ning could tell at a glance he was also a cultivator at the perfected Divine Catastrophe stage.

Moreover, the young man in linen’s life force was vigorous, even surpassing Ji Ning’s own.

The Talents List was still new; cultivators hailed mostly from Godfall Ridge, with few from the Southern Wilderness. Thus, few knew each other personally.

The one thing Ji Ning could confirm was that this young man in linen was also ranked on the Talents List.

"I am Chen Longxiang, forty-first on the Talents List."

The young man in linen clasped his fists in greeting. "I arrived in Linglong City two days ago, waiting for Talents List cultivators to appear. I didn’t expect to meet Brother Ji."

"It’s not just me."

Ji Ning smiled gently, gesturing towards Ji Mingyue and the others as he introduced, "This is Ji Mingyue…"

"Oh…"

Chen Longxiang looked astonished. "I hadn’t expected six at once! First, second, third, fourth—all arrived. And two more top twenty fellows."

"A pleasure, truly…"