abcnovels
Chapter 80: Golden List of Geniuses
Chapter 80: Golden List of Geniuses
Chapter 80: Golden List of Geniuses
[Rank 10]
Name: Void Emperor Kong Lin
Affiliation: Fallen Heavenly Blood Sect, Lord of the Peak of the Void
Cultivation Level: Supreme Immortal Emperor
Reward: (Visible only to the rank holder)
[Rank 9]
Name: Time Emperor Shi Guang
Affiliation: Fallen Heavenly Blood Sect, Lord of the Peak of Time
Cultivation Level: Supreme Immortal Emperor
Reward: (Visible only to the rank holder)
As the Golden List announced the names of Shi Guang and Kong Lin, the world of Tianyuan was shaken. News spread like wildfire that the two had joined the Fallen Heavenly Blood Sect, a powerful and mysterious sect feared by many. The revelation that these two legendary figures, ranked 9th and 10th on the list, had chosen to align with this notorious sect sent waves of anxiety and panic throughout Tianyuan.
The Fallen Heavenly Blood Sect was known for its terrifying strength and elusive nature, and with the addition of Shi Guang and Kong Lin, the world felt the looming threat even more. Many factions expressed outrage, calling for a coalition to eliminate the Fallen Heavenly Blood Sect, labeling it as a danger to Tianyuan and accusing it of being in league with otherworldly forces.
Efforts to organize a united front against the sect began immediately. However, when the time came for the grand meeting, the leading factions such as the Tianyuan Protectorate Alliance, the Immortal Phoenix Emperor Dynasty, the Immortal Demon Emperor Sacred Land, the Holy Sword Emperor Sect, and the Lin Immortal Emperor Clan, along with other major forces, were notably absent. The smaller factions, hoping to rally the giants of Tianyuan, were left disappointed as none of the major powers showed any interest in challenging the Fallen Heavenly Blood Sect.
The truth was that the larger forces understood the risks of confronting the sect. They knew that even the combined might of several factions would likely be crushed by Jiang Yun, the sect master, alone, let alone his powerful followers. They also realized that trusting one another in such a battle was nearly impossible.
With no one willing to face the challenge, the Fallen Heavenly Blood Sect remained unchallenged, and the attempted coalition fell apart before it could even begin.
Meanwhile, within the Fallen Heavenly Blood Sect, disciples whispered among themselves, laughing at the failed efforts of those who dared oppose their master.
Jiang Yun, the sect master, directed his protectors to begin selecting new members from the families of Shi Guang and Kong Lin. The selection process was not solely based on strength or spiritual power but also on mental resilience and the ability to cultivate. Those who met the criteria were invited to join the sect, while those who didn't would be relocated to the Immortal Cloud Continent, where they could live peacefully like other disciples' families.
Once the selection was completed, Jiang Yun vanished into the void, reappearing in a dark cave. The atmosphere inside was heavy with fear and despair. In the center of the cave, a man was bound tightly, trembling as Jiang Yun approached. This man was Ye Chen, once a junior disciple to Jiang Yun.
"My dear junior disciple... It's been a long time," Jiang Yun greeted, his voice bright and friendly, though the expression on Ye Chen's face was one of sheer terror.
Suddenly, the voice of Jiang Yun's system chimed in:
[Host... If I had fur, it would be standing on end right now. Your smile and tone just gave me goosebumps, and I don't even have skin.]
Jiang Yun ignored the system's complaint, splitting its presence into eight parts with a wave of his hand. The system protested in panic:
[Aaah! Host, calm down! Please, calm down!]
But Jiang Yun paid it no mind. He focused on Ye Chen, pulling a spiritual ring from the man's finger—Ye Chen was too terrified to resist. The ring now in Jiang Yun's possession, he created a clone of himself and summoned forth the spirit of Long Xie Chao from within the ring. Her spirit floated in the air, confused and speechless, as she tried to grasp what was happening.
In an instant, her spirit merged with the prepared body, and soon after, her physical form began to rebuild. Long Xie Chao's cultivation surged rapidly, reaching the Heavenly Immortal level in moments. However, despite her newfound strength, her heart and mind were overwhelmed with confusion.
When she finally regained her senses, she tried to speak, her voice trembling. "This life of mine... belongs to..."
Before she could finish, countless needles appeared from a tower nearby and impaled her body. Her body was dragged into the tower, her eyes filled with despair. She tried to plead for mercy, but Jiang Yun's cold, emotionless gaze showed no interest in her fate. His serene smile remained, his eyes void of compassion, indifferent to her suffering.
"Well then... it's time to start collecting the interest on what you owe me," Jiang Yun said, his tone now tinged with malice. As he spoke, Ye Chen, still bound in the cave, felt an overwhelming surge of despair. In desperation, he bit down on his tongue, blood pouring from his mouth as he attempted to take his own life.
Ye Chen thought to himself, filled with agony, "I won't let this demon have the satisfaction... Never!"
But before he could succeed, Jiang Yun's cold voice cut through the air.
"Heal."
Ye Chen, who was on the brink of death from excessive blood loss, was stunned when he saw the bleeding from his tongue stop, and his wounds begin to heal instantly. He could feel spiritual energy filling his body. The pain that should have led him to death vanished without a trace.
Jiang Yun looked at Ye Chen with cold eyes, but they were filled with superiority. "Calm down, Ye Chen... You know you've surpassed the Emperor level. Even if your physical body dies, your soul won't just disappear. And I certainly wouldn't let you die that easily."
Ye Chen froze, his face turning pale. He had forgotten that even if his body perished, as long as his soul remained intact without being destroyed, he could not escape the torment awaiting him.
"I... I'm sorry, senior brother!" Ye Chen shouted in panic.
Jiang Yun smiled, glancing at Ye Chen's information with interest.
Name: Ye Chen
Identity: Son of Destiny, Disciple of the Sacred Immortal Demon Emperor Land
Affiliation: Sacred Immortal Demon Emperor Land
Cultivation Level: Mid-stage True Immortal
Body: Sacred Immortal Emperor Bone, Sacred Immortal Emperor Dragon Body, Eternal Immortal Demon Emperor Body
Special Professions: –
Skills: (Ultimate Skill: Eternal Demon Blood) (Ultimate Skill: Azure Dragon Spear) (Ultimate Skill: Demon Palm) (Ultimate Skill: Eternal Devour) (Ultimate Skill: Sacred Dragon Body) (Dao-level Skill: Sky Roaring Dragon) (Dao-level Skill: Earth Splitting Fist) (Dao-level Skill: The Spear is the World) (Dao-level Skill: Sacred Fist) ...... (Emperor-level Skill: Nine Swords)
Weapons: Dragon Spirit Cauldron (Emperor Immortal level), Golden Heaven Dragon Armor (Immortal level), 99 Explosive Talismans (Immortal level), 2 Fire Dragon Spears (Immortal level)
Luck: Gold (20,000,000,000)
Jiang Yun smirked. "You truly live up to expectations, Ye Chen... As a reward for helping develop that bone into an Immortal Emperor Sacred Bone, I'll give you a gift."
Ye Chen shuddered; Jiang Yun's words did nothing to ease his fear. The terrifying smile on Jiang Yun's face grew colder, fading into something far more menacing.
Just as Jiang Yun was about to begin some kind of process, the system's voice echoed in his mind.
[(,,? _ ?,,) Now that's the host I know!]
"Are you mocking me?" Jiang Yun responded mentally, amused.
[Just a coincidence, Host... (,,? ? ?,,) ?] the system replied in an innocent tone.
Jiang Yun exhaled softly. "Never mind... Prepare the materials. I'm ready to start."
[Understood, Host!] the system replied promptly.
Jiang Yun smiled slightly as darkness began to envelop the area. Suddenly, the sound of agonizing screams echoed through the air, growing louder and more relentless. The endless pain and torment had begun.
At that very moment, a voice boomed across the entire world of Tianyuan, reverberating through the skies and the earth. The voice announced what everyone had eagerly awaited—the list of the top 20 geniuses, those under the age of 40 who were the strongest in the realm. This news spread to every corner of the land, causing people to pause whatever they were doing and gaze up at the sky in anticipation.
Conversations sparked among the crowd scattered throughout various regions.
"Who do you think will be on the list?" one voice asked excitedly.
"I'm sure Jiang Yun will be number one," another replied confidently.
"As for second place, I think it'll be Lord Feng Yi."
Another disagreed. "I agree with number one, but I believe second place should be Lin Qingyi."
The people exchanged their thoughts energetically, each voicing their support for different contenders they believed deserved to be on the Golden List. However, in their minds, Jiang Yun was undoubtedly number one, with no one daring to question or dispute this fact.
Meanwhile, in the Immortal Phoenix Emperor Dynasty, Feng Yang playfully asked his daughter:
"Where do you think you'll rank, little one?"
Feng Yi, a graceful and determined woman, thought for a moment before answering with confidence, "Second place."
Feng Yang chuckled. "Then the reward..."
Feng Yi turned to him with a matching smile. "Are you trying to take the prize from your own daughter?"
Before their playful banter could continue, the announcement rang out again, this time for the 20th-ranked genius.
[Rank 20]
Name: Du Teng
Affiliation: Fallen Heavenly Blood Sect, Disciple of the Peak of Wood
Cultivation Level: Low-tier Immortal Emperor
Reward: (Visible only to the rank holder)
The excited chatter of moments ago fell into stunned silence. Everyone was shocked to see Du Teng's name on the Golden List. The silence was palpable as people struggled to process this unexpected information.
"Is this real...?"
"This is madness..."
"Another Immortal Emperor under 40... No, not just any..."
Feng Yang, looking at the 20th rank, remarked, "It seems not even 19th place is possible for you now."
Feng Yi, still dazed, could not respond. "......"
The world of Tianyuan, once filled with excitement and eager discussions, now stood in shocked silence. The tension in the air grew thick as all eyes remained fixed on the Golden List, waiting for the next name to be revealed.