Chapter 292: The Most Handsome Guy in the Venue

"What, Lu is only twenty years old?"

"Of course, you probably won't know how monstrous he is; just half a year into college, he had all the senior fourth-years under his feet..."

"God..."

After Lu Xun had been away for a while, rumors of his deeds began to spread among the Eastern cultivators around the Heavenly Dao Tower.

This instantly made the foreigners exclaim in surprise repeatedly.

They hadn't paid much attention to Lu Xun's age before.

Now hearing that Lu Xun is actually only twenty years old, they were so shocked their eyeballs almost popped out.

"What's this? During the insect plague, Lu Xun single-handedly defended a city and even killed several fifth-realm demon tribesmen!"

"Oh my god~"

"Oh my gosh~"

"Could he be the reincarnation of the True Lord?"

The Eastern cultivators greatly enjoyed seeing the foreigners' startled reactions, and they recounted Lu Xun's heaven-defying deeds one by one.

The hall thus became filled with continual exclamations of surprise.

"Teacher, where is the overall ranking you mentioned before?"

On the flying vessel, Lu Xun asked curiously.

He remembered that when Fu Xue previously introduced the Heavenly Dao Tower, she also mentioned an overall ranking.

"At the North Pole, because the overall ranking exists, there are too many people challenging the tower; if you want to challenge it, choose a time when fewer people are around."

"Oh."

Lu Xun now understood why the two women had brought her to the South Pole.

"The tower-challenging mode of the overall ranking is different..."

Fu Yue briefly introduced the overall ranking to Lu Xun.

What the overall ranking looks at is mainly actual combat strength.

It corresponds to realms, with each realm having ten levels, adding up to exactly one hundred levels.

Just as the first ten levels correspond to the first realm, levels eleven to twenty correspond to the second realm.

When challenging the tower, one must start from the first level and go upward.

In terms of the guardians' strength and number, it is assumed they are each realm's peak.

Then the number doubles for each level.

In terms of difficulty, it is somewhat simpler than the tower-challenging mode set up specially for the Heavenly Dao Battlefield.

The Heavenly Dao Battlefield is for selecting true talents, so naturally it is made even more difficult.

Of course, the overall ranking is not simple either.

Because the guardians in the overall ranking are faceless persons specially created by the Heavenly Dao Tower after combining the methods and powers of many talents.

These faceless persons are not weak in combat; each one is extremely formidable.

The faceless persons' methods differ on each level, and occasionally some extremely troublesome ones appear.

Even some faceless persons possess the techniques of foreign races.

Although not simple, the rewards of the overall ranking are still quite good.

As for challenging the Heavenly Dao Tower by realm, only after clearing the tower does one receive rewards.

Besides the Heavenly Dao Blessing, the rewards also include a Heavenly Dao Talisman.

After finishing the introduction of the overall ranking, the flying vessel fell silent.

The two women were busy restoring themselves in preparation for the battle in the Heavenly Dao Battlefield.

Lu Xun was naturally also restoring himself.

Challenging the Heavenly Dao Tower consumes a huge amount.

The dark energy paid for challenging the tower is actually just a small part.

The main part is the dark energy needed for recovery after challenging the tower.

Going through level after level, more than half of one's internal true qi is consumed.

For cultivators at the fifth realm and above who wish to recover, the required dark energy must be calculated in cubic meters.

For cultivators of the sixth and seventh realms, the recovery demand is even greater.

The surface of Lan Xing actually has some free-floating dark energy, but it is far too little.

There is almost none in densely populated cities.

If one does not recover using their own dark energy but instead tries to absorb the free-floating dark energy, who knows how long it would take to recover.

When the flying vessel carrying Lu Xun and the two others rushed toward the South Heaven Gate, many people had already gathered here.

Many cultivators participating in the Heavenly Dao Battlefield have come.

The Heavenly Dao Battlefield requires a total of one thousand one hundred ten people.

The East occupies a little more than half.

"Has the battle roster come out yet?"

"Not yet; it is usually finalized only in the last hour."

This year's changes should not be big; many talents have deliberately stayed at the peak of the fifth realm in order to participate in the Heavenly Dao Battlefield.

"Too bad I can't make it into the top thousand; otherwise I'd definitely let those foreign races know how fearsome my Star-Shattering Fist is."

"Come on, your fist can't even break a mountain, yet you claim it can shatter stars."

At the South Heaven Gate, besides the combatants, there are also many cultivators coming to watch the spectacle.

The number of fifth-realm cultivators in the East is still not small.

Fifth Realm cultivators qualified for the Heavenly Dao Battlefield rarely appear in normal times.

Translation: "Fifth Realm cultivators qualified to participate in the Heavenly Dao Battlefield rarely show up in normal times."

Fifth Realm cultivators qualified for the Heavenly Dao Battlefield rarely appear in normal times.

Because these Fifth Realm cultivators mostly come from major families of the Sixth Realm or higher.

Translation: "Because these Fifth Realm cultivators mostly come from major clans of Six Realms or higher."

They don't need to develop family power like the Fifth Realm cultivators of the He family; they just need to focus entirely on cultivation.

Translation: "They don't need to develop clan power like the Fifth Realm cultivators of clans such as the He family; they just need to focus wholeheartedly on cultivation."

Families like the He family actually turn to developing family power only after their Fifth Realm cultivators have no hope of advancing, and they devote themselves to nurturing talented juniors.

Translation: "Such clans as the He family are actually those where the Fifth Realm cultivators have no hope of advancement, so they turn to developing clan power, fully supporting the growth of talented juniors."

"Upper Capital City is different; among its major families, half can produce cultivators qualified to fight."

Translation: "\"Shangjing City is different; in Shangjing City's major clans, half can produce cultivators qualified for battle. \""

"That's right, Upper Capital City is the true capital."

Translation: "\"That's right, Shangjing City is the true capital. \""

A group of cultivators gathered together, identifying those who would participate in the Heavenly Dao Battlefield.

Translation: "A group of cultivators gathered together, identifying those cultivators qualified for the Heavenly Dao Battlefield."

These cultivators came from all over the Eastern region, some of them from families in Upper Capital City.

Translation: "These cultivators came from all over the East, some of them from Shangjing City's clans."

In the capital, the threshold for Upper Capital City is the Sixth Realm.

Translation: "In the capital, the threshold for Shangjing City is the Six Realms."

Only families with a Sixth Realm cultivator are qualified to claim a place on the floating islands in the heavens.

Translation: "Only if a clan possesses a Six Realm cultivator does it qualify to occupy a place on the floating islands in the heavens."

"The people from Kunlun Hall have arrived."

Translation: "\"The people from Kunlun Hall have arrived. \""

"Those must be the people from Vermilion Bird Hall."

Translation: "\"Those must be the people from Vermilion Bird Hall. \""

Cultivators from the Four Palaces and Six Halls arrived one after another, drawing much attention.

Translation: "Cultivators from the Four Palaces and Six Halls arrived one after another, attracting much attention."

Among those qualified to fight, many come from these Four Palaces and Six Halls.

Translation: "Among those qualified to battle, many are from the Four Palaces and Six Halls."

"Look, it's the people from Penglai and Fangzhang."

Translation: "\"Look, it's the people from Penglai and Fangzhang. \""

At that moment, another group of people came up.

Translation: "At that moment, another group of people came up."

Penglai Island, Fangzhang Island.

Translation: "Penglai Island, Fangzhang Island."

More precisely, they are the Penglai Secret Realm and the Fangzhang Secret Realm.

Translation: "More precisely, they are the Penglai Secret Realm and the Fangzhang Secret Realm."

Among the many forces in the East, the Four Palaces and Six Halls are the most renowned and the largest.

Translation: "Among the many forces in the East, the Four Palaces and Six Halls are the most famous and the largest."

Outside the Four Palaces and Six Halls, there are two islands whose strength is quite impressive.

Translation: "Outside the Four Palaces and Six Halls, the strength of the two islands is also quite good."

Namely, Penglai and Fangzhang, these two islands.

Translation: "These two islands are Penglai and Fangzhang."

They are the overseas fairy mountains of myth.

Translation: "They are the overseas fairy mountains of myth."

Because they are located at sea, their overall strength is somewhat weaker compared to the Four Palaces and Six Halls.

Translation: "Because these two islands are at sea, their overall strength is somewhat weaker compared to the Four Palaces and Six Halls."

Together, these two forces have more than twenty cultivators qualified to participate in the Heavenly Dao Battlefield.

Translation: "Together, the two forces have more than twenty cultivators qualified for the Heavenly Dao Battlefield."

"These two islands are getting stronger and stronger."

Translation: "\"These two islands are getting stronger and stronger. \""

"Being stronger is good; they are responsible for developing the ocean, and in the future, the vast seas will be ours."

Translation: "\"The stronger the better; they are responsible for developing the ocean, and in the future the vast seas will be ours. \""

"It would be great if we could reclaim Yingzhou Island sometime."

Translation: "\"It would be great if we could retake Yingzhou Island sometime. \""

The cultivators chattered among themselves.

Translation: "The cultivators discussed among themselves."

"The people from Kunlun Hall have also arrived."

Translation: "\"The people from Kunlun Hall have also arrived. \""

More cultivators from various forces came to participate.

Translation: "More cultivators from various forces qualified for battle arrived."

Perhaps to display their strength, these forces' cultivators arrived together.

Translation: "Perhaps to display their strength, these forces' cultivators all arrived together."

This makes it easy to see how many cultivators they have participating.

Translation: "This allows one to directly see how many cultivators they have participating in battle."

The value of the Heavenly Dao Battlefield is extremely high.

Translation: "The value of the Heavenly Dao Battlefield is extremely high."

Those who can participate in the Heavenly Dao Battlefield must be geniuses among geniuses.

Translation: "Those who can participate in the Heavenly Dao Battlefield must be geniuses among geniuses."

Opening the Heaven-Earth extraordinary meridian is nothing to these geniuses.

Translation: "Opening the Heaven Earth Meridian is nothing to these geniuses."

Each of them has previously caused a major heaven-and-earth phenomenon.

Translation: "Each of them has previously caused a major heavenly-earth phenomenon."

Although they are merely geniuses, they are not necessarily the strongest members of their respective forces.

Translation: "Although these are merely geniuses, they are not the strongest of each force."

However, the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Realms themselves constitute the core strength of each force.

Translation: "But the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Realms themselves are the mainstay forces of each power."

Generally speaking, the more cultivators a force sends to the Heavenly Dao Battlefield, the stronger that force is.

Translation: "Generally speaking, the more cultivators a force sends to the Heavenly Dao Battlefield, the stronger it is."

Not only are they strong now, but their future potential is even greater.

Translation: "Not only are they strong now, but their future potential is even greater."

Besides these major forces' cultivators, there is also a small number of cultivators who come from some great families but have not joined any force.

Translation: "Besides these major forces' cultivators, there is also a small portion of cultivators from some major clans who have not joined any force."

In the Martial and War Mansions, there are likewise a small number of cultivators who participate in the Heavenly Dao battlefield.

Translation: "In the Martial Manor and War Manor, there are likewise a small number of cultivators participating in the Heavenly Dao Battlefield."

The Martial and War Mansions mainly handle administrative duties rather than cultivating talent; consequently, although they are official institutions, they contain relatively few geniuses.

Translation: "The Martial Manor and War Manor mainly handle administrative duties, not cultivating geniuses; thus, although they are official institutions, they actually have few geniuses inside."

Geniuses need to devote themselves entirely to cultivation; who would waste time on administrative affairs?

Translation: "Geniuses need to devote themselves wholeheartedly to cultivation; who would waste time on administrative affairs?"

"Look, those are the people from the Li family of Xuanji City; the Li family truly produces talent in abundance, with members of both the Fifth and Sixth Realms participating in the Heavenly Dao Battlefield."

Translation: "\"Look, those are the people of the Li family from Xuanji City; the Li family truly produces talent in abundance, with both Fifth Realm and Sixth Realm cultivators participating in the Heavenly Dao Battlefield. \""

At that moment, the arrival of a flying vessel drew much attention.

Translation: "At that moment, the arrival of a flying vessel attracted much attention."

The three cultivators who disembarked from the flying vessel—two at the Fifth Realm and one at the Sixth Realm—all happened to have the qualifications to fight.

Translation: "The three cultivators who disembarked from the flying vessel—two Fifth Realm and one Sixth Realm—actually all had qualifications to participate in battle."

"The people from the Xuanji Wang family have also arrived!"

Translation: "\"The people of the Wang family from Xuanji City have also arrived! \""

Another flying vessel arrived.

Translation: "Another flying vessel arrived."

These are the people from the Wang family of Xuanji City.

Translation: "These are the people of the Wang family from Xuanji City."

This Wang family is far stronger—over a hundred times more powerful—than the Wang family of Rong Cheng.

Translation: "This Wang family, compared to the Wang family of Rong Cheng, possesses strength a hundred times greater."

Just counting their Fifth Realm cultivators qualified for the Heavenly Dao Battlefield, they have a full three!

Translation: "Just their Fifth Realm cultivators qualified for the Heavenly Dao Battlefield number three!"

They also have two Sixth Realm cultivators.

Translation: "They also have two Sixth Realm cultivators."

This strength surpasses that of the Li family that just arrived.

Translation: "This strength surpasses that of the Li family that just arrived."

"Xuanji City is different; it has too many top-tier families."

Translation: "\"Xuanji City is different; there are too many top-tier families above. \""

"I'll never be able to enter Upper Capital City in my lifetime, let alone Xuanji City."

Translation: "\"I'll never be able to enter Shangjing City in my lifetime, let alone Xuanji City. \""

The onlooking cultivators were filled with envy.

Translation: "The observing cultivators were filled with envy."

Many of them are likewise Fifth Realm cultivators, and in their own cities they are notable figures, even major figures.

Translation: "Many of them are likewise Fifth Realm cultivators; placed in their own cities, they are notable figures, even major figures."

But compared to these top-tier families, they are like ants compared to Mount Tai.

Translation: "But compared to these top-tier families, it's the difference between an ant and Mount Tai."

In other people's homes, there are piles of fifth-realm cultivators; just pulling out any fifth-realm cultivator would be enough to thrash them.

"The people of the Moon Palace have arrived."

"Half an hour later, another flying boat landed."

"This flying boat has a sleek shape, like a crescent moon, very beautiful."

"This is the Moon Palace's flying boat."

"Moon Palace, located above the moon."

"There, many strong individuals gather, and there are also several cities."

"They are from the Liu family."

"At this moment."

"The Liu family appears."

"The Liu family has many talents; among the younger generation, the most famous talents are Liu Xinghe and Liu Changfeng."

"They are still studying at the cultivation school."

"Furthermore, the Liu family also has many talents at the Fifth and Sixth Realms."

"In this Heavenly Dao Battlefield, the Liu family has two Fifth Realm participants and one Sixth Realm participant."

"As for the Seventh Realm, the Liu family's Seventh Realm cultivators failed to make the top ten."

"The Wei family people have arrived."

"The people of the Northeastern Wei family also arrived."

"Many people came from the Wei family, but most were just spectators; few participated in the Heavenly Dao Battlefield."

"They are not a family of the capital city, but are rooted and developing in the northeastern region."

"In terms of overall strength, the Wei family is not weak; it is much stronger than the prominent families of the Upper Capital."

"Compared to the Liu family or the great families rooted in Xuanji City and above the moon, they are considerably weaker."

"They only have one Fifth Realm participant in the Heavenly Dao Battlefield, which is rather lackluster."

"The Wei family had two last time; why only one this time?"

"One of them should have broken through."

"Upon seeing that only one person from the Wei family went to the waiting area, the cultivators paying attention to them couldn't help but discuss."

"Unfortunately, Brother Tianning is still a bit away from the peak of the Fifth Realm; otherwise, he would surely have a chance."

"Wei Guangyao came along to watch the spectacle."

"It's fine, Guangyao; once you break through to the peak of the Fifth Realm, you will surely have a place on the Heavenly Dao Battlefield."

"Wei Guangyao's father spoke up to comfort him."

"Wei Guangyao gave an 'um', and he has always been very confident in himself."

"Damn it!!!"

"On the other side, the Lin family's Lin Qiang was shaking with anger there."

"The reason is simple."

"After he, because Lu Xun broke through his defense, he liked to punch and kick Liu Mei on a whim,"

"Liu Mei actually ran away and found a new patron."

"This patron not only is stronger than him, but their family's strength is also stronger than their Lin family."

"The Lin family is somewhat stronger than the He family, possessing a Sixth Realm cultivator, barely managing to enter the Upper Capital."

"But the new patron Liu Mei found is actually the top-tier Li family of the Upper Capital, which possesses a Seventh Realm cultivator!"

"This Li family is not the same as the Li family of Xuanji City."

"The Li family of Xuanji City is who knows how many times stronger than this Li family of the Upper Capital."

"On Lan Xing, the hierarchy of these families is actually quite clear."

"Fourth Realm families, in a second-tier city like Rong Cheng, are considered prominent clans, but belong to the second tier of prominent clans."

"The first tier is the Wang family that Wang Tengyun previously belonged to, which possesses Fifth Realm cultivators."

"If in a third- or fourth-tier city, a Fourth Realm family can already be considered that city's top prominent clan."

"But in the capital city,"

"Fourth Realm families cannot make it to the table; only families with a Fifth Realm cultivator count as major families of the Lower Capital."

"One Fifth Realm cultivator and two Fifth Realm cultivators have different statuses."

"The He family has two Fifth Realm cultivators, plus a Fifth Realm peak cultivator; in the Lower Capital, their family's status is considered high."

"If it's the Upper Capital, then a Sixth Realm cultivator is needed."

"The Sixth Realm is the threshold."

"And if a family has a Seventh Realm cultivator, in the Upper Capital it counts as a top-tier family."

"As for families possessing an Eighth Realm cultivator, their family's headquarters will not be on the ground."

"Instead, it is in the heavens."

"In Xuanji City, or above the moon."

"At the very least, they would also be in some secret realms that could be called 'blessed lands of the cave heaven'."

"Hmph!"

"Not far away, Liu Mei also saw Lin Qiang."

"She proudly linked arms with the person beside her, held her head high in a domineering manner, and her eyes were full of contempt."

"This made Lin Qiang furious."

"Chao Ge, this time you broke into the top 1000 of the Fifth Realm, and Grandfather is again ninth in the Seventh Realm; our Li family will surely shine, so don't forget to help me vent my anger~"

"Liu Mei coquettishly said to the person beside her."

「Just Lu Xun, nothing more; he merely got lucky, obtaining treasures like cultivation relics. Once I break through the Six Realms, I'll personally help you teach him a lesson! 」

Li Chao's words were full of contempt for Lu Xun.

Contempt is contempt.

He already knew about Lu Xun's affairs in Rong Cheng.

This left Li Chao, even as a peak Fifth Realm genius, without the courage to now go look for trouble with Lu Xun.

Lu Xun is so heaven-defying that various powers and families naturally have all kinds of speculation about him.

Some speculate that Lu Xun is a reincarnated being; others speculate that his physique must be extraordinarily heaven-defying.

The most widespread speculation is that Lu Xun obtained a fortuitous encounter like cultivation relics in some ancient inheritance.

In the eyes of such a scion of a great family, strength gained through cultivation relics is mere illusion, easily capping one's own limit.

Combat power will likewise be discounted.

Once he breaks through the Six Realms, as a genius he is confident he can defeat Lu Xun.

However, Li Chao was merely comforting Liu Mei this way; even if he truly broke through the Six Realms, he might not necessarily provoke Lu Xun.

As a Fifth Realm Immortal Cultivator, how could he, like Lin Qiang, make enemies over a furnace cauldron?

Yes,

In his eyes, Liu Mei is nothing more than a furnace cauldron to aid his own cultivation.

It's not like she's some original goods; Li Chao wouldn't truly develop feelings for Liu Mei.

「Chao bro, you're too handsome! 」

Liu Mei, moved, hugged Li Chao and acted coquettishly.

「Alright, they're discussing tactics; I'll go over and listen. 」

「Okay, Chao bro, go for it! 」

Li Chao walked toward the area where the Fifth Realm geniuses gathered.

「An bro, Wei sis, how should we fight this time? I'll follow your lead. 」

There, several hundred Fifth Realm geniuses formed several circles, discussing tactics.

The leading man and woman are both peak Fifth Realm cultivators.

On the Heavenly Dao Tower's Ranking List, they are ranked first and second.

One is from the Wu family of Xuanji City, called Wu An.

The other comes from above the moon, called Lan Weiwei.

Having participated in several Heavenly Dao battlefields, they are relatively experienced, and with the highest rankings, the several hundred Fifth Realm geniuses present are willing to listen to them.

「The tactics remain the same as before: I will guard the main base, your squads will go out to seize the origin balls, preserving our strength as much as possible, avoiding too many eliminations; otherwise, when facing their final camp assault, we may not be able to hold. 」

Wu An said in a deep voice.

Other cultivators who have participated in the Heavenly Dao battlefield nodded in agreement.

Some cultivators participating for the first time, not understanding the rules, asked those nearby about the situation in the Heavenly Dao battlefield.

「May I ask, why don't we unite as one force, letting gods block and kill gods, demons block and kill demons? 」

Li Chao raised his hand and posed the question.

As soon as this question was raised, many Fifth Realm geniuses couldn't help but look at him as if he were a fool.

「Are you a newcomer who just broke into the top 1000? 」

A Fifth Realm genius asked.

「Yes, I just broke into the 1000th place this morning; I should be eligible to participate in the battle, right. 」

Li Chao felt good about himself and was not affected by others' gazes.

「I knew I was doomed. 」

Another Fifth Realm genius felt depressed.

Because he was still ranked 1000th yesterday.

「The Heavenly Dao battlefield is vast; our most important task is not to kill people, for we cannot truly slay geniuses of other races there. Our task is to seize the origin balls; if we unite as one force, we are likely to gain nothing. 」

Wu An, on the other hand, was very patient and explained at length.

He, coming from a great family, has a good family upbringing, decent cultivation, and naturally possesses a leader's aura.

Li Chao now understood.

Perhaps to seek a sense of presence, this guy kept asking several questions, annoying the other Fifth Realm geniuses.

「Really lively. 」

Just then.

A flying vessel flew above the South Heaven Gate.

Inside the flying vessel were Lu Xun and the two women Fu Yue and Fu Xue.

「Lu Xun, go down and discuss tactics with them; you're a newcomer, keep a low profile, don't be too conspicuous. 」

「Okay, teacher. 」

Fu Xue, fearing that Lu Xun's arrogance would cause trouble, specifically gave him a warning.

Lu Xun leapt up, descended from the sky, and landed steadily in the midst of the several hundred Fifth Realm geniuses.

There was no way around it; with so many people around, only this spot was empty.

「Huh? 」

Upon landing, the gazes of those several hundred Fifth Realm geniuses all gathered on Lu Xun.

They were in the midst of lively discussion when Lu Xun made a flashy entrance this way, immediately taking the center position.

Instantly becoming the most handsome guy in the whole venue.