Chapter 72

Shanhai Pass is divided into three gates: the one we’re currently in is Tianmen Gate, the central gate and core passage of Shanhai Pass.

Inside Tianmen Gate, besides the Town Demon Army present in all three gates, there are the four great families led by the Ye family: Su, Qin, and Akatsuki. Among these four families, only the Ye family has a Divine General with slightly stronger power; the others are roughly equal. Each family openly boasts no fewer than ten Venerables, but as their fortune recovers, their Saint-level elders will also be restored.

The remaining two gates are Dishasha Gate and Renyuan Gate; Dishasha Gate is dominated by martial sects.

The three leading forces are the Underworld, the Burning Heaven Pavilion, and the Sword Tomb. The Underworld specializes in training assassins to eliminate traitors and monstrous beasts, with assassin ranks divided into Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Huang.

Below Earth rank, most are Wu Zong and Great Wu Shi; Earth-rank experts number in the dozens, all with cultivation bases no lower than Wang Hou realm. Only ten Heaven-rank experts are currently known, all at the Venerable realm.

The Sword Tomb and Burning Heaven Pavilion are similar: one accepts only those with sword-based abilities, the other only those with fire-based abilities; together, their patriarchs and elders total around a dozen Venerables.

But Renyuan Gate is different—it’s filled with independent cultivators. In recent years, a half-Saint gathered these independents and founded the Martial Alliance.

The relationship among these three gates is unique: they cooperate yet check each other, jointly resisting the beast tide.

In addition, Jiannan Gate stands apart from Shanhai Pass, guarded solely by Jiannan Zhu.

Jiang Xia finished reading the documents, puzzled: “What about the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion? Its strength should also count as top-tier, right?”

Qing Yun smiled mysteriously: “No, we’re just information peddlers, occasionally selling a few trinkets, and we only keep a handful of low-level patrons inside.”

Jiang Xia tugged at his mouth, silently thinking: “Do Itachi think I believe your ghosts? Even the doorkeeper who brought Itachi upstairs is from the Wu Zong—no one knows how many hidden experts Itachi really have.”

Zhao Tianji smiled and explained: “The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion doesn’t directly govern any of the three gates.”

“We’re more like a neutral intelligence hub, also selling magic treasures and equipment, and we maintain the Tianjiao List.”

He pointed to the golden list floating on the wall: “Itachi two just arrived—the Tianjiao List has already updated automatically. Jiang Xia is currently ranked seventh, Wang Teng, with slightly lower cultivation, is seventy-seventh.”

“Tianjiao List?” Wang Teng leaned over to the crystal screen, where names were densely listed; at the top, gold paint read: “Number One: Akatsuki Jin, Burning Heaven Pavilion—Peak Wu Zong.”

Below, the top talents of major factions were ranked in order. He scrolled down and suddenly exclaimed: “Whoa! Lao Xia, Lingxi is eighth!”

Jiang Xia stepped closer and saw clearly: “Eighth: Ye Lingxi—Town Demon Army / Literature Dao Academy / Night Watcher.”

Below it was annotated: “Initial Wu Zong realm, ability mutated half a month ago, acquired Xuanming inheritance, ability rank SSS, defeated original seventh-ranked Tianjiao six days ago, single-handedly slain a Wang Jie-class monstrous beast three days ago.”

Wang Teng stared, stunned by the record: “Damn, how did Lingxi get so strong? How did she reach Wu Zong initial realm so fast?”

Zhao Tianji sipped his tea: “This list is compiled by the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion based on cultivation level, combat record, and potential; the maximum age to make the list is twenty-five.”

“For your age to enter the top fifty is rare; to enter the top ten right after arriving at Shanhai Pass has already caused quite a stir.”

Jiang Xia looked further down and spotted two familiar faces from the Literature Dao Academy: “Twenty-Four: Ling Zhantian, Town Demon Army / Literature Dao Academy—Initial Wu Zong realm.”

“Fifty-Four: Wang Shichen, Literature Dao Academy—Late Great Wu Shi realm.”

As he was reading, Zhao Tianji pushed two black tokens, palm-sized, before them.

“There are plenty of chances to challenge rankings, but something more urgent is coming: the three gates’ joint Tianjiao Training Camp opens in three days.”

“Tianjiao Training Camp?” Wang Teng picked up the token, seeing the characters “Training” carved on it, faint spiritual energy swirling at its edges. “What’s this for? A special boot camp just for Tianjiao?”

Qing Yun set down his teacup, tone serious: “Sort of, but not exactly.”

“The camp is led by the Town Demon Army, jointly hosted by the four great families and the top forces of Dishasha Gate.”

“Its purpose is to train Itachi geniuses collectively; those who pass the assessment graduate directly into the Town Demon Army—minimum rank is probably Major.”

Wang Teng fiddled with the black token, eyes wide: “Major rank? That’s insane! Lao Xia, we’ve got to join!”

Jiang Xia rubbed the spiritual energy flowing over the token, his gaze fixed on Akatsuki Jin’s name at the top of the Tianjiao List, a spark of combat intent flashing in his eyes.

“We’ll definitely attend the training camp, but first, we need to understand just how strong the people on this list really are.”

Zhao Tianji, seeing their interest, added with a smile: “This camp isn’t just about military rank.”

“The instructors are veteran Venerables from all three gates—even half-Saints teach personally.”

Qing Yun chimed in: “Given your age and rankings, Itachi’ll be the center of attention in the camp.”

“But be careful—the top few on the list are backed by top-tier forces with immense resources.”

“Especially Akatsuki Jin—he’s the personal disciple of the Burning Heaven Pavilion’s patriarch, hailed as the number one of the new generation. Last month, he slew three late Wang Jie-class monstrous beasts while at Peak Wu Zong. His strength is unfathomable.”

Wang Teng sneered, lifting his chin defiantly: “So what if he’s Peak Wu Zong? Lao Xia’s taken down Zhu Yan—he’s no weaker!”

Jiang Xia gently placed a hand on Wang Teng’s shoulder and nodded to Qing Yun: “Thank Itachi for the warning, Pavilion Master. We’ll keep it in mind. But regarding joining a faction...”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the opulent interior of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. “We have no intention of joining any family or sect for now. We’ll participate in the camp solely as members of the Literature Dao Academy and Night Watchers.”

Qing Yun’s eyes flickered with approval as he nodded: “I’ve heard Itachi two have exceptional character—truly so.”

“The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion never forces anyone to join. Participate as free agents. If Itachi encounter trouble, show this token at any branch of our pavilion—we’ll offer assistance.”

Zhao Tianji added with a smile: “Go ahead, enjoy yourselves. For the next three days, Itachi can wander the Central City and get familiar with the environment.”

“The West Market’s black market has been lively lately—full of all kinds. Since the Tianjiao List updated, many independents are looking to challenge those on it, hoping to make a name for themselves by taking Itachi down.”

The two bowed their thanks to Zhao Tianji and Qing Yun, then left the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion with the tokens.

Just downstairs, several cultivators in tight-fitting attire blocked their path.

The lead youth, arrogant in bearing, locked his gaze on Jiang Xia, voice hostile: “Itachi’re Jiang Xia? The one who just climbed to seventh?”

Wang Teng stepped forward instantly, shielding Jiang Xia, rolling up his sleeves: “What? Itachi got a problem?”

The youth sneered, and his companions closed in around them, spiritual energy radiating—every one of them was a Great Wu Shi.

“So what if I have a problem? Some nobody who just popped up—how dare Itachi surpass our Ye family’s genius? Today, I, Ye Feng, will test just how much water is in your seventh-place ranking!”