Chapter 74: Is that really true?
Chapter 74: Is that really true?
The atmosphere in the world of Tianyuan grew increasingly charged with excitement and anticipation as the names on the Golden List continued to be revealed.
As the names of the powerful individuals were announced, a tense calm before the storm seemed to settle over everyone. The various continents of Tianyuan could sense that a significant change was on the horizon. It wasn't long before the 7th rank was announced, and the whispers and discussions among the onlookers worldwide grew louder once again.
[Rank 7]
[Name: Xing Yue]
[Affiliation: Star Immortal Emperor Holy Land, 13th Ancestor]
[Cultivation: Peak Immortal Emperor]
[Reward: (Visible only to the ranked individual)]
...
[Rank 6]
[Name: Tian Lin]
[Affiliation: Blade Immortal Emperor Holy Land, 10th Ancestor]
[Cultivation: Peak Immortal Emperor]
[Reward: (Visible only to the ranked individual)]
...
[Rank 5]
[Name: Mo Ji]
[Affiliation: Demon Immortal Emperor Holy Land, 1st Ancestor]
[Cultivation: Peak Immortal Emperor]
[Reward: (Visible only to the ranked individual)]
...
[Rank 4]
[Name: Lin Jia]
[Affiliation: Lin Immortal Emperor Clan, Supreme Elder of the Lin Clan]
[Cultivation: Peak Immortal Emperor]
[Reward: (Visible only to the ranked individual)]
...
[Rank 3]
[Name: Feng Yang]
[Affiliation: Phoenix Immortal Emperor Dynasty, 114th Emperor]
[Cultivation: Peak Immortal Emperor]
[Reward: (Visible only to the ranked individual)]
At the Lin Clan, Lin Jia felt a twinge of dissatisfaction at being ranked below Feng Yang in this ranking. However, the reward he received was enough to soothe his disappointment slightly. Just as he was about to share the reward with his niece to celebrate this achievement, her startled voice rang out, "Uncle, look!"
Lin Jia, puzzled, turned to follow his niece's gaze. The moment he saw what she was looking at, he was utterly shocked.
Meanwhile, at the Phoenix Immortal Emperor Dynasty, Feng Yi smiled proudly as she saw her father secure victory. She spoke with admiration, "Father, you truly are strong."
"Of course I am," Feng Yang replied with a grin. As he inspected the reward he had just received, his joy grew even more when he saw what it contained—an item that he could pass on to his daughter to greatly enhance her strength. Suddenly, the sound of a teacup shattering echoed through the hall. When he looked over at Feng Yi, he saw her sitting still, her face filled with shock.
He quickly followed her gaze upward, and the moment he saw the name that appeared, it felt as though time had frozen in the entire world of Tianyuan.
Whispers and panic began to spread everywhere. Everyone was thinking, "This is insane! How could this name appear? It shouldn't be here at all!"
Lin Jia muttered, "Why... how are you on this list?"
Feng Yang and Feng Yi were silent, staring at the announced name in disbelief.
Feng Yi spoke up, "Even though I knew you weren't dead... has it only been a year?"
"Is it true..." Zi Hao murmured softly as all eyes turned to the sky.
[Rank 2]
[Name: Jiang Yun]
[Affiliation: Falling Heaven Blood Sect, Sect Master of the Falling Heaven Blood Sect]
[Cultivation: Peak Immortal Emperor]
[Reward: (Visible only to the ranked individual)]
The appearance of Jiang Yun at the 2nd position on the Golden List sent shockwaves throughout the world of Tianyuan. The entire realm fell into a stunned silence, unable to comprehend the unexpected revelation of this name.
At the Jiang Clan, Jiang Hao stood gazing at the sky, his mind in turmoil. Confusion and uncertainty clouded his thoughts, making it impossible for him to find answers. Wei Ning felt the same, as she watched Jiang Ting and Jiang Li discussing amongst themselves.
"Why does the name Jiang Yun feel so familiar?" Jiang Ting asked, puzzled.
"I feel the same way," Jiang Li added, agreeing with her.
In a dimly lit room, Jiang Feng sat in the darkness, his gaze fixed on the sky. Though outwardly calm, his mind was a swirl of confusion.
"That guy... wasn't he dead? This must just be someone with the same name, right... master?"
A voice echoed, "No... it's the same person you encountered before, without a doubt."
Jiang Feng was so shocked that he spat out blood. "Master..."
Meanwhile, the first to the ninth ancestors of the Jiang family sat in silence, their faces heavy with concern. They understood the severity of the situation but had no idea how to handle it. It was only a matter of time before Jiang Yun would come to them. Suddenly, the fifth ancestor spoke up.
"I have a plan..."
But before he could finish, the lights in the room abruptly went out, leaving the chamber in complete darkness and silence.
At the Lin Clan, Lin Jia noticed his niece, Lin Qingyi, smiling happily when she saw Jiang Yun's name appear on the Golden List. She couldn't hide her joy and excitement.
In the Black Sea, Ye Chen looked up at the sky with curiosity and turned to ask Long Xichao, "Master, I—" But before he could finish his question, a dark shadow suddenly attacked him without warning. Long Xichao, caught off guard, could only watch as Ye Chen fell unconscious, and he too succumbed to the same fate. The shadowy figure then vanished into the void, taking Ye Chen with him without a trace.
News about Jiang Yun began to spread rapidly, and his name became famous once again throughout the world of Tianyuan. Rumors of a conflict between the Jiang family and Jiang Yun, as well as his ruthless and merciless actions in slaughtering people indiscriminately and his deeds on the Flame Immortal Continent, spread everywhere.
Mo Ji, who was in the middle of using his reward, spoke up, "Who is this guy? Why have I never heard of him before?"
Long Wei, feeling dissatisfied, added, "Who is this bastard? How could he rank higher than me?"
He turned to command his subordinates, "Send people out to find out who Jiang Yun really is!"
A few dragon disciples came forward to receive the order, "Understood, sir," and quickly left.
Meanwhile, Feng Yang spoke with displeasure, "The first time I met him, he was only a peak Immortal Emperor. And now, in just a year and a few months, he's surpassed me? Don't you feel discouraged that someone with such extraordinary talent was born in the same era as you, my girl?"
Feng Yi, still puzzled by what had happened, tried to gather her thoughts and responded confidently, "Of course, Father... But I have my own talents too. Even if I'm weaker now, in the future, I will become the strongest in the world of Tianyuan."
Feng Yang smiled and nodded with satisfaction, "That's my daughter."
At the Falling Heaven Blood Sect, disciples and elders all spoke in unison with joy and pride.
"Truly worthy of being our Sect Master!"
One of the disciples added with confidence, "Those poor souls who happen to live in the same era as our Sect Master are truly unfortunate, hahaha!"
Chang Qian grinned widely and cheerfully suggested, "We should celebrate! Let's have a barbecue! Brother Gao, go get the grill, quickly!"
Chang Ming responded, "You really are... something else...."
Jiang Yun smiled faintly. Although he was a bit surprised that he wasn't ranked first, he didn't give it much thought. Jiang Yun stood smiling as he looked at the rewards he had received. One major problem he had encountered over time was that reaching the level of Immortal Emperor was no easy feat. He knew that to reach this level, one had to comprehend at least one of the world's laws, whether it was the Law of Fire, the Law of Water, the Law of Light, or others. But with his high comprehension ability, Jiang Yun had no trouble advancing and overcoming obstacles. However, many of his followers, except for Ba Zhi, Ming Hai, and Long Teng, still struggled to learn these laws. It would be impossible for him to personally assist each of them as he did with Mu Shuyuan, as he lacked knowledge of all the cultivation paths, and it would be too time-consuming. But Jiang Yun wasn't in a hurry because he had a plan in mind.
He made a deal with the Heavenly Dao, where he would obtain the Heavenly Dao of the fragmented world of Tianyuan where he once resided, or the small light spirit he had previously tormented, and gain access to the laws of all cultivation paths. This second option was the key to strengthening his followers and other disciples in the sect. Initially, Jiang Yun thought of buying various laws from the system, but upon seeing the astronomical prices, he changed his mind.
"System, cleanse it for me immediately," Jiang Yun commanded calmly.
The system responded quickly, "[On it, Host. Total cost: 100 trillion points, leaving 124 trillion points remaining.]"
Instantly, the Falling Heaven Blood Sect, which was still being developed into an Immortal Emperor-level weapon, released a powerful aura. The sect's area expanded as if it were becoming a small world of its own. Before long, the Falling Heaven Blood Sect had fully transformed into an Immortal Emperor weapon, and all the cultivation laws were purified by the system simultaneously.
Somewhere in the void, a small light spirit muttered, "Hmph... That brat knows too much."
Jiang Yun smiled with satisfaction. This operation saved him an enormous amount of resources, nearly 1,000 times what it would have cost otherwise. He turned to the disciples and elders of the sect.
"Before we celebrate, I want those who have reached the peak Semi-Emperor level to rise," he ordered.
Thousands of people immediately levitated into the air as commanded. Jiang Yun continued, "Alright, I will have the Guardian Elders teach you the laws so you can advance to the Immortal Emperor level. I will be away for a while."
The disciples and elders all bowed to Jiang Yun with utmost respect as he stepped into the void, preparing for the new adventure that awaited him.
Jiang Yun quickly left the sect, heading toward his intended destination. Meanwhile, in the world of Tianyuan, people were still reeling from the shock of Jiang Yun claiming the 2nd spot on the Golden List. But before the buzz could settle down, the announcement of the 1st rank appeared in the sky, plunging everything into silence once again.
[Rank 1]
[Name: Yong Xuan, the Eternal Immortal Emperor]
[Affiliation: Tianyuan Protection Alliance, One of the Four Leaders of the Tianyuan Protection Alliance]
[Cultivation: Demi-God]
[Reward: (Visible only to the ranked individual)]
The whispers and confusion that had erupted earlier died down once more. No one spoke a word. There was only silence and a growing sense of pressure in the atmosphere, making everyone acutely aware of the immense power of the individual who had claimed the top spot.