Chapter 443 - 328: Ranked Tenth

Chapter 443: Chapter 328: Ranked Tenth

"As for whether you go or not, you’ll have to decide for yourself."

The Profound Turtle’s words were brief and to the point. After speaking, it said no more. After all, such a Supreme Treasure would undoubtedly shake the entire Celestial Slaughter Secret Realm. Countless prodigies would flock to contend for it, and the dangers involved were plain to see.

’Heavenly Dao Qi...’

Yu Changsheng fell into a long, deep thought, his eyes glinting mysteriously.

After weighing the pros and cons, he took a deep breath. A small smile formed in his mind; he had already made his decision.

Just then, Zhang Tianwen and the others came to their senses. He hesitated for a moment, looked at Yu Changsheng, and finally spoke.

"Right now, we’re the only ones left from the Wanxiang Sect in the entire Celestial Slaughter Secret Realm. Changsheng, if there’s something you want to do, you should go do it."

Zhang Tianwen smiled and glanced back at Shen Xingchen and Li Minghan. "As it happens, we have our own business to attend to. We want to strike out on our own and see if we can find any other opportunities."

Yu Changsheng was taken aback. His eyes darted between them as he swallowed hard, touched by their consideration. He finally nodded and spoke softly.

"All right, then. You all take care."

Yu Changsheng understood. Zhang Tianwen and the others were worried about becoming a burden if they stayed with him. They feared they would only get in his way, which was why they had taken the initiative to suggest parting ways.

Zhang Tianwen and the others knew full well that if Yu Changsheng were to contend for the Celestial Slaughter Golden Lotus, the enemies he would face would likely all be at the Golden Core Level.

While both Zhang Tianwen and Shen Xingchen could fight a Golden Core expert if they went all out, it would be pushing their limits. So, to avoid holding Yu Changsheng back, they had all agreed not to follow him. This would free him from having to worry about them, allowing him to act without restraint.

Yu Changsheng understood this as well, so he didn’t try to stop them. He bowed with a cupped fist, then nodded.

"Very well. Be careful on your own, and try to stay on this second level. When you feel it’s time, just teleport out of here."

"Okay. Go on and do what you must. Your safety is the most important thing."

Zhang Tianwen nodded with a smile.

Yu Changsheng said no more. He gave them one last, deep look, then turned, found his bearing, and transformed into a streak of light that shot into the distance, quickly vanishing over the horizon.

"Sigh."

Watching Yu Changsheng’s receding figure, Zhang Tianwen and Shen Xingchen exchanged a look, then shook their heads with wry smiles.

"Time flies... That kid, he hasn’t even been cultivating for that long. How did he get so fast? In such a short time, we’re the ones who can’t even keep up with him anymore."

Zhang Tianwen said, his voice thick with emotion and a hint of lament.

"Tell me about it. We need to work harder, too, so we don’t get left too far behind."

Shen Xingchen shook his head helplessly and let out a dry chuckle.

"Yes," Zhang Tianwen coughed lightly. "After the Celestial Slaughter Secret Realm is over, I’m going to attempt my breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm. I’ve been stuck at the Foundation Establishment Realm for a little too long."

"Oh?" Shen Xingchen raised an eyebrow, though he wasn’t surprised. He smiled. "So, you’re not interested in the Celestial Slaughter Golden Lotus?"

"Of course I am," Zhang Tianwen said, waving a hand dismissively and shrugging with a smile. "But what good would it do? A Supreme Treasure like that will draw countless contenders. Any Foundation Establishment cultivator who goes is just looking to die."

"Besides, Changsheng is going for it. If he’s fated to obtain it, what would we do? He needs it. You know his personality. If we went with him and he managed to get the Celestial Slaughter Golden Lotus, he’d probably feel obligated to share some with us."

Zhang Tianwen smiled, his Adam’s apple bobbing. His voice was low and resonant as he continued.

"We were already incredibly fortunate to get the Chi Mei’s finger. We can’t be shameless enough to ask for more. Improving our own strength is what matters most."

Hearing this, Shen Xingchen fell silent for a moment. After a while, he shook his head, smiled, and nodded. "You have a point. That’s true."

"Alright, don’t dwell on it. We’re all from the Wanxiang Sect. It’s a good thing that Changsheng is so powerful. Let’s just hope everything goes smoothly for him."

Li Minghan stepped forward at the right moment, patting their shoulders and chuckling. Deep in his eyes, a flicker of disappointment came and went, expertly concealed.

’I can’t let myself fall too far behind...’

...

Mountains, rivers, and forests blurred beneath him. With a placid expression, Yu Changsheng raced through the sky, a Heaven-reaching streak of light heading in the direction Zhao Xiaodong had indicated.

’The Celestial Slaughter Golden Lotus and the Heavenly Dao Qi... The emergence of such a Supreme Treasure is bound to attract the attention of every powerful expert in the Celestial Slaughter Secret Realm.’

’I was wondering why I hadn’t seen any of the Golden Core prodigies from the other major sects, aside from the members of Dark Stream and Blood Refiner. So this is where they’ve all been drawn to.’

As Yu Changsheng mulled this over, his gaze profound, the Evil Qi Token he carried suddenly vibrated, emitting a flash of intense heat.

"Entering the final week of the Celestial Slaughter Secret Realm."

"Now announcing the real-time Evil Qi Points ranking."

A vast, slightly mechanical voice, devoid of any emotion, emanated from the Evil Qi Token. Immediately after, the blood-red token trembled, and the information on its surface began to shift and flow rapidly.

Startled, Yu Changsheng focused his attention and gently immersed his Divine Sense into the token. Instantly, streams of information formed a list-like screen of light in his mind.

Evil Qi Ranking

First Place: Qiu Xing (Profound Yin Sect), 46,000 Evil Qi Points.

Second Place: Yama (Profound Yin Sect), 43,000 Evil Qi Points.

Third Place: He Bicheng (Profound Yin Sect), 40,000 Evil Qi Points.

Fourth Place: Wuya (Loose Cultivator), 36,000 Evil Qi Points.

Fifth Place: Wen Hanhai (Purple Rainbow Sect), 35,000 Evil Qi Points.

...

The lines of information poured into Yu Changsheng’s mind. He frowned slightly. The list only displayed the top one hundred names, not the complete ranking. The names in the top ten were specially bolded, standing out brilliantly on the list.

These top ten names were the focus of everyone’s attention in the Celestial Slaughter Secret Realm.

Seventh Place: Qian Chengren (Seven Stars Sect), 27,000 Evil Qi Points.

Eighth Place: Chen Haolan (Tyrant Emperor Sect), 23,000 Evil Qi Points.

Ninth Place: Wang Haiyang (Cang Lei Sect), 18,000 Evil Qi Points.

As Yu Changsheng’s brow furrowed, his gaze shifted downward. His expression flickered with surprise.

There, at the bottom of the top ten, his own name, Yu Changsheng, was shining brilliantly.

Tenth Place: Yu Changsheng (Wanxiang Sect), 12,000 Evil Qi Points.

Yu Changsheng only glanced at the rankings that followed, not paying them much mind.

’The Profound Yin Sect swept the top three spots. They really do have the strength to back up their arrogance.’

Yu Changsheng withdrew his Divine Sense and took a deep breath, secretly astonished. As he muttered to himself, information about the names on the list surfaced in his mind.

Those who made it into the top ten were, naturally, the top prodigies from the direct lineages of their respective sects. Although Yu Changsheng hadn’t met any of them personally, he had heard of them.

The most eye-catching among them was, of course, the first-ranked Qiu Xing. He was the head disciple of the Profound Yin Sect’s Evil Mountain Lineage and had already reached the Golden Core Realm a decade ago.

His cultivation had now reached the Mid-stage Golden Core. Even back in the Foundation Establishment Realm, he had possessed the ability to kill Golden Core cultivators, fighting above his realm. His current strength could only be described as even more terrifying and unfathomable.

Due to his vicious methods and uncanny Daoist Skills, he was feared by many and had earned the notorious reputation of "Senior Brother Evil Ghost."

As for the others on the list, few were at Foundation Establishment; most were Golden Core. However, even the few Foundation Establishment cultivators possessed combat strength comparable to the Golden Core Realm and could not be underestimated.

The three major sects occupied most of the top ten spots, a clear indicator of the disparity in their foundations.

’Surpassing them won’t be easy.’

Yu Changsheng thought to himself.