Chapter 417: East Heaven Gate

Among the heroes of the world, as numerous as carp crossing a river, only one in ten thousand makes the Martial Rankings. Congratulations, host—after years of grueling practice, you have finally achieved this milestone and entered the Martial Rankings.

Task completed: Martial Rankings of the World. Reward calculation in progress.

Task rating: D.

Obtained 20 Achievement Points!

Name: Li Rui

Age: 25

Talent: Martial Bone, Extraordinary Comprehension, Insightful Eyes, Great Dream Immortal Wander, Anti-Demon Mastery, Dao Seed

Technique: Eternal Greening Scripture

Item: Spirit-Rising Book

Achievement: 90/100

"D?"

Li Rui smiled lightly.

Clearly, in the system's view, rank 1,137 was far from impressive.

He guessed even that D was barely scraped by.

If he had cultivated connections with Gu Changsheng, his rank could have risen significantly—perhaps even earning a C rating, sufficient to unlock the reward.

Yet Li Rui felt no regret.

As long as he cultivated steadily, he would eventually complete new achievements.

But if he revealed too much of his strength in the Martial Rankings and drew the attention of enemies, risking death, that would be trading a small gain for a great loss.

Even if the likelihood was low, Li Rui would eliminate it entirely.

Hadn't he noticed that the number of strong experts in the Martial Rankings had doubled?

Though he was now Tongxuan and no longer needed to tread so carefully, discretion was still better.

At this moment,

Ning Zhongtian, Tan Hu, and the others had also combed through the Martial Rankings, their envy palpable.

This was the Martial Rankings of the World.

Which martial cultivator did not dream of ascending to the Rankings and gaining fame across the land?

This was almost a glory etched into every martial artist's bones.

All of them dreamed of climbing the Rankings and shaking the martial world.

"Big Brother, if all of us brothers could make it onto the Rankings someday, it would surely become a legendary tale passed down through the ages."

Ning Zhongtian chuckled.

Wei Ming scoffed: "You dream too big. Your family has been butchers for three generations—you're lucky to have become an Assistant Regional Commander; now you're dreaming of becoming a immortal?"

"Hey!"

"Old Wei, why bring up someone's family shame?"

Ning Zhongtian had been ready to retort, but after thinking it over, he held his tongue.

Watching the others bicker,

Li Rui's mood was also quite pleasant.

He did not cultivate the Path of Emotionless Dao; becoming the immortal figure he had once looked up to in his youth naturally brought him joy.

Ning Zhongtian: "Old Wei, don't look down on me. When I reach Xiantian, I might even make the top three ranks."

Ge Hong and Wei Ming had already devoted themselves fully to the Immortal Path.

Ning Zhongtian was different—he had always possessed a solid foundation, so like Li Rui, he followed the path of dual cultivation.

Wei Ming: "Don't you dare let me catch up to you."

The two had known each other the longest among the four.

They shared the bond of comrades-in-arms.

Ning Zhongtian was genuinely delighted to see Wei Ming regain his confidence as he grew more despondent.

Li Rui spoke:

"Enough. In a few days, I'm returning to Qinghe. Tan Hu, you'll come with me."

Tan Hu immediately beamed:

"Got it."

He had long grown tired of the bland, watery meals at Qingwei Sect and was eager to return.

Five days later,

Li Rui and Tan Hu left the Ten Thousand Mountains.

He did not head first to the Annan Garrison Camp, but went to Qianhe Martial Hall.

As soon as he entered,

he happened to meet Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu, seeing Li Rui, smiled: "Senior Brother, when did you return?"

Li Rui: "I just arrived in Qinghe. I came specially to visit Elder He."

Though He Qianian called him "younger brother," Li Rui still addressed him as "Elder."

After all, He Qianian had genuinely taught him the Dao.

"Master is in the courtyard."

"Senior Brother, congratulations."

Xiao Yu offered his felicitations.

"Just empty honors."

Li Rui knew well that Xiao Yu was congratulating him on entering the Martial Rankings—and at a respectable rank.

"Empty honors."

In Xiao Yu's heart, he was already envious to the point of sourness.

The "empty honors" Li Rui spoke of were Xiao Yu's lifelong goal.

How could he not be envious?

After greeting Xiao Yu, Li Rui walked casually into the back courtyard of Qianhe Martial Hall.

Not long after,

he saw He Qianian practicing.

"You've come back, kid."

He Qianian smiled upon seeing Li Rui.

"Elder."

Li Rui bowed.

He Qianian looked at Li Rui, growing more and more pleased.

He had read the Martial Rankings.

He had escaped last place, now ranked 1,296.

Though not high, it was far more comforting than his former perpetual bottom rank.

This was the first time in decades he had even looked at the Martial Rankings.

After all, being last every single time was unbearable for anyone.

Of course, he had also learned Li Rui's rank.

Higher than his own.

A prideful disciple!

"Good. But don't you dare become complacent."

He Qianian trailed off mid-sentence.

Li Rui had already surpassed him—he no longer needed He Qianian's guidance.

"Do as you please."

He Qianian sat back in his reclining chair.

Li Rui sat on the stone bench beside him.

He Qianian spoke slowly: "You've taken that step. Your future is boundless. You chose to join Qingwei Sect—that's your path. But what I taught you must not be neglected."

Li Rui: "I remember every word you've said, Elder."

As he spoke, he turned his awareness inward.

Inside his dantian, an immortal court had already taken rudimentary shape.

He not only remembered—he had already reached a level He Qianian could only imagine.

The essence of Da Henglian would flourish under him.

He Qianian: "By the way, yesterday news came from the capital: General Yang will send a fangshi to Qinghe. You and I will need to coordinate with him."

Li Rui nodded.

His return to Qinghe,

on the surface, was for a report—but in truth, he had received a covert mission from the Secret Guards.

General Yang Bing had given no details, only instructed him to work with He Qianian.

In the coming half-month,

Li Rui had always lived in Qinghe County.

He trained diligently every day, never slacking off.

Deep into the night.

Li Rui sat cross-legged in his room, meditating.

Most of the lights in the General's residence had gone out; only the stablehand remained, mixing dried fodder for the horses.

Evergreen Qi, cultivated from the Eternal Evergreen Art, swirled around his body.

Suddenly.

A subtle change occurred within his dantian.

The Dao embryo child, seated cross-legged beside Li Rui, slowly opened its eyes and looked around.

But the next instant.

The Immortal Court underwent a transformation.

The entire base of the Immortal Court began to shake.

Something seemed about to burst forth.

Li Rui's expression brightened.

This situation was so familiar.

Under the gaze of the Dao embryo child, a massive stone gate slowly rose before four eyes.

Opposite the majestic Western Heavenly Gate.

To Li Rui's astonishment.

The Eastern Heavenly Gate finally stood firm in the east of the Immortal Court.

On the majestic, ancient stone gate were carved flying dragons and phoenixes, with wisps of immortal aura curling about; faintly, one could see the ethereal shadows of immortal maidens dancing gracefully, evoking the grand spectacle of countless immortals paying homage.

It was said.

The Eastern Heavenly Gate was the entrance through which all immortals entered the Immortal Court; none who passed through it were anything less than true masters.

It was a genuine immortal gate.

Among the four gates of the Immortal Court, it held the highest status.

Li Rui's heart surged with emotion.

The last of the Four Heavenly Gates—the Eastern Heavenly Gate—had finally taken shape in his hands!

(End of Chapter)