Most of them hailed from the Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves. Only about twenty percent came from the Seventy-Two Blessed Lands, while the smaller Immortal Sects and lone cultivators accounted for only a sparse few. This was to be expected. In the pursuit of immortal cultivation, one covets wealth, companions, mystical methods, and sacred territories. In all four of these aspects, the Cave Heaven level Immortal Sects far surpassed their Blessed Land level counterparts, let alone the smaller sects and lone cultivators, whom they utterly crushed. Take the Sanqing Heavenly Cave, for example. Although it was nearly annihilated by the Demon Race, even in its decline, it still controlled three Blessed Land level minor worlds. A starved camel is still bigger than a horse; what common Blessed Land would dare to challenge the Sanqing Heavenly Cave?
The Venerable List, which also ranked the top one hundred experts, saw more than eighty percent of its spots occupied by the Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves. Far fewer came from Blessed Land forces, and only a handful were lone cultivators. The situation was even more skewed for the Great Ability List. Of its top one hundred, ninety-two seats were claimed by the Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves, with Blessed Land forces holding the remaining eight. Not a single cultivator from a small Immortal Sect or any lone cultivator made the cut.
However, the rankings stopped there. Above the Great Ability level were the experts of the Saint Manifestation Stage, who held absolute top-tier status even within the major Cave Heaven forces. Most Sect Masters and Leaders of these powers were at this level, possessing truly immense authority and might. So, what about a Saint Manifestation List? Such a ranking would inevitably be contentious and offend powerful figures, so it was better not to create one at all.
Moreover, there was the matter of settling disputes. If anyone objected to their rank on the Golden Core Ranking or the Venerable List, they could simply fight it out in the Phoenix Perch Building’s Void Battlefield, letting strength decide the outcome. Even for the Great Ability List, it wasn’t impossible to arrange a confrontation if someone truly felt slighted.
But a Saint Manifestation List was a different story entirely. If those experts had a grievance and came to blows, the entire Phoenix Perch Building would likely be demolished. After all, beings of the Saint Manifestation Stage greatly valued the Power of Faith from the masses. To maintain their public image and the dignity of a Saint, they would fight with everything they had. The wrath of a Saint was truly unimaginable.
The Venerable List and the Great Ability List were far too distant for Wang Xiu. His gaze turned to the Golden Core Ranking, where a woman’s name was conspicuously written at the very top.
[Saintess of Mount Shu—Li Xuanying]
[Pinnacle of the Golden Core Stage’s Ninth Heaven, born with a Sacred Body. At the age of sixteen, she mastered Mount Shu’s Holy Artifact, the ’Replica Sun and Moon Golden Wheel,’ making her invincible within her realm and balanced in both offense and defense.]
[She once single-handedly slew a Seventh Heaven Nascent Soul Stage demonic dragon and has cut down ordinary Venerables as if they were nothing, proving that a woman can be as heroic as any man.]
It was also worth mentioning that this young lady was featured on the Nanzhou List of Beauties, a true combination of peerless beauty and strength.
Second on the Golden Core Ranking:
[Longhu Saint Heir—Zhang Yuge]
[Pinnacle of the Golden Core Stage’s Ninth Heaven. He has awakened the Thunder Spirit Body and mastered the Holy Artifact ’Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Seal’, allowing him to summon the power of the Five Divine Beasts and obliterate everything with thunder.]
[He once single-handedly fought a Nascent Soul Sixth Heaven Demon Cultivator Venerable, annihilating him to dust with the Five Thunder Righteous Law.]
Third on the Golden Core Ranking:
[Shan Hai Saint Heir—Zhuge Changsheng]
[Pinnacle of the Golden Core Stage’s Ninth Heaven. A direct descendant of the reclusive Zhuge family, he joined the Shan Hai Cave Heaven, mastering the strengths of both lineages. He possesses the strongest Formation skills of the younger generation.]
[He improved upon his self-created ’Mountain River Eight Formations,’ which contains sixty-four stances and thousands of profound variations.]
[Stepping into his formation renders him innately undefeatable.]
[He once protected an entire city by himself, holding back a tide of tens of thousands of Devil Beasts, and coordinated with reinforcements to trap and kill a Sixth Heaven Nascent Soul Stage Demon Venerable.]
It had to be said that those who secured a spot on the Nanzhou Golden Core Ranking were indeed exceptional prodigies. The top three, in particular, were monstrously talented. The Saintess of Mount Shu at the top of the list was unbelievably strong, having slain a powerful enemy across one major realm and seven minor realms. Even Wang Xiu wasn’t completely confident he could replicate such a feat with ease.
Indeed. I must not underestimate the heroes of this world. I need to become even stronger.
He continued down the list. When he reached twelfth place, Wang Xiu finally saw a disciple from the Sanqing Immortal Sect.
[Pure Yang Warlord—Xiang Tiange]
[First True Disciple of the Sanqing Immortal Sect’s Physical Sect. Born with the Pure Yang Battle Body, he cultivates the ultimate techniques ’Heavenly Body Immortal Physique’ and ’World-Shaking Nine Dragons Fist’!]
[Fearless and brave, he once single-handedly faced a Fourth Heaven Nascent Soul Stage Ox Demon Venerable. He fought through a bloody battle, achieving a breakthrough mid-fight.]
[After a fierce battle that lasted a day and a night, he beat the Ox Demon to death with his bare fists.] Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on Novᴇ(l)Fɪre .ɴᴇt
[Comprehensive Assessment: With his Pure Yang Battle Body, he possesses the infinite potential to grow stronger through battle. Given time, he is expected to challenge for the top ten of the Golden Core Ranking.]
Hmm. As expected from a list compiled by our own sect. This comprehensive assessment is quite subtle, yet very encouraging!
"Look, quickly!" As Wang Xiu was engrossed in the list, Li Longhao’s voice rang out beside him. "I found my cousin! Heavenly Timing Sword Lord, Li Zuiyue, ranked seventeenth on the Golden Core Ranking!"
Wang Xiu shifted his gaze to the list. Sure enough, stylishly written at the seventeenth position was the name Li Zuiyue.
[Heavenly Timing Sword Lord—Li Zuiyue]
[First True Disciple of the Sanqing Immortal Sect’s Sword Sect. Born with Sword Eyes and Sword Bone, he is proficient in the Sword Control Technique and has mastered the Superior Spirit Instrument, the Heavenly Timing Sword Box, which contains twenty-four Seasonal Divine Swords!]
[He once used his Twelve-Sword Flight technique to cross realms and slay a Nascent Soul Stage Silver Moon Wolf Devil, saving tens of thousands of common people.]
[Comprehensive Assessment: He can contend with ordinary Third Heaven Nascent Soul Venerables. If he can cultivate the Heavenly Timing Sword Scripture to the point of commanding eighteen or more swords in flight, he has a chance to break into the top ten of the Golden Core Ranking.]
Evidently, the assessments on the Golden Core Ranking were relatively objective. Li Zuiyue’s "Heavenly Timing Sword Scripture" was an ultimate technique of the Sword Sect, immensely powerful and holding considerable potential. If he could achieve the Eighteen-Sword Flight while still in the Golden Core Stage, he would have a shot at the top ten. And if he could cultivate it to its pinnacle, the Twenty-Four-Sword Flight...