Chapter 143: Chapter 139: World’s First Pavilion

Chen Ming suddenly felt something was off. This "Sister Hong" knew far too much about Ding Guangsheng, didn’t she?

He had stumbled into the Six Gates prison by pure chance, met Ding Guangnan, and learned about his unfortunate experiences. Then Ding Guangsheng even specifically came to his house to thank him, which was how he realized their connection.

Yet "Sister Hong" had already figured out the whole backstory so quickly, including the reasons behind people’s involvement. Such intelligence-gathering abilities were simply exaggerated.

Chen Ming became instantly vigilant in his heart, "It seems she’s most likely the intelligence head arranged by the Red Sea Monarch in Qingfeng City."

These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. His face showed a look of concern, "If the Four Seas Trading Company also sends out a Second Grade expert, and they start fighting in the city, wouldn’t that be very dangerous?"

Last time, he merely caught a distant glimpse of Zhao Shouchang’s Sword Intent and nearly went blind, giving him a profound understanding of the destructive power of Third Grade experts.

If two Second Grades were to fight inside the city, how many people would die?

The woman in red chuckled lightly, "Even if Ding Guangsheng is not afraid of dying, those few old immortals of the Four Seas Trading Company haven’t lived long enough yet."

Chen Ming curiously asked, "Do you mean that experts of this level can’t just strike in the city without caution? Otherwise, they might die?"

The woman in red gave him a somewhat surprised look, "You know disciples of the Celestial Dao Alliance, don’t you know that the Celestial Dao Alliance loves to meddle in others’ business just like a nosy dog?"

So, the Celestial Dao Alliance is genuinely serious about upholding justice, and its deterrent power remains considerable. Even experts above the Third Grade are very wary of them.

Chen Ming became even more curious. What does the Celestial Dao Alliance stand to gain from doing such thankless tasks? Even if the founding patriarch was idealistic, it’s hard to believe that disciples of later generations could still uphold the original ideals hundreds of years later.

"By the way, don’t you like sparring with people? I know a place."

At this moment, the woman in red suddenly spoke.

"Where?"

"In three months, the World’s First Pavilion will be setting up a martial stage in Jiangzhou City to restructure the Cyan Cloud Ranking. Anyone under twenty-five can participate. At that time, young talents from all over Jiangzhou will be drawn in. You can meet all of Jiangzhou’s talents."

Chen Ming’s eyes lit up, "Is there really such a thing?"

"This event will soon spread to Qingfeng City. It’s a grand event held once every five years. I’m sure you won’t want to miss it." After speaking, the woman in red continued, "I should be going."

Then she got up and went out the door.

Originally, Chen Ming wanted to ask if she would like to meet Zhong Shuyu, but who knew she would leave in such a hurry.

At this time, he heard footsteps outside. It was Chunxiang bringing Zhuang Xiaotian over, which was why he realized she left suddenly—she heard someone coming.

Zhuang Xiaotian saw him waiting at the door and said admiringly, "Brother Chen’s skills have become even more profound. I hadn’t even reached the courtyard, and you already noticed."

Chen Ming didn’t explain, smiled, and invited him in, asking, "Coming so late, is there any progress on that matter?"

"Yes, I have an idea. I came to discuss it with you to see if it’s feasible..." Thus, Zhuang Xiaotian laid out his thoughts.

After listening, Chen Ming agreed, "You’ve considered it thoroughly. Let’s proceed this way."

Then, Zhuang Xiaotian brought up another matter, "Today, the Four Seas Trading Company had a major incident."

He lowered his voice, "This afternoon, do you remember Ding Guangsheng, who came to see you?"

"I remember."

"He turned out to be a Second Grade expert. To avenge his nephew, he smashed the Four Seas Trading Company. Three Fourth Grade enshrined elders from the company died. It caused a huge commotion."

"Is there really such a thing?"

Chen Ming looked "shocked."

Zhuang Xiaotian reminded him, "Whatever you do, don’t let anyone know Ding Guangsheng came to see you. Otherwise, the Four Seas Trading Company might take their anger out on you."

"I understand."

After thanking him, Chen Ming saw him off quickly.

...

"Miss Su, are you still there?"

Left alone in the courtyard once more, Chen Ming called out.

"What’s the matter?" came a quick response.

He asked, "Is it true that the World’s First Pavilion is resetting the Cyan Cloud Ranking?"

"Yes, it’s true. The World’s First Pavilion resets the Cyan Cloud Ranking every five years."

"That’s great."

Chen Ming was somewhat excited; he had been troubled by not being able to find sparring partners in Qingfeng City.

The Fifth Grades in Qingfeng City were either with Six Gates or the Seven Great Sea Merchants. Currently, they were beyond his reach.

At this level, it’s challenging to find loose cultivators. Someone like him, who reached the Fifth Grade without a sect or attachment to a major power, was as rare as a phoenix feather or a unicorn horn.

For this reason, when faced with eleven Six Gates experts last night, he seized the opportunity and took a chance.

Such opportunities don’t come often.

Moreover, with Su Zhining now closely following him, he couldn’t pretend to be in seclusion and change his identity to gain experience points elsewhere.

Su Zhining suddenly asked, "Do you really want to make it onto the Cyan Cloud Ranking?"

"I don’t care about being on the ranking. I just want to spar with all the young talents of Jiangzhou."

"Do you realize that if you get on the Cyan Cloud Ranking, it will bring you endless trouble? For the next five years, countless young martial artists seeking fame will want to defeat you, stepping over your corpse to make their name."

Chen Ming’s eyes lit up, "Is there really such a good thing?"

Sitting at home and having someone come to challenge you? That would make him smile even in his dreams.

"..."

Su Zhining seemed to realize it was futile to persuade him, so she said no more.

The World’s First Pavilion is a miraculous organization; it doesn’t belong to any sect, nor is it among the nine major sects. It’s not a trading company either, as they don’t sell anything.

This organization is keen on ranking other organizations, individuals, and items, then declaring a "world’s best" in various categories.

For instance, among the nine major sects, the Celestial Dao Alliance being ranked first was decided by the World’s First Pavilion.

There’s also the world’s best person, the world’s best sword, the world’s best saber, even the world’s most beautiful woman...

Such an organization that is obsessed with rankings has managed to exist for over a thousand years, which indicates the strength they possess.

Previously, Chen Ming’s cultivation level was relatively low, so the World’s First Pavilion seemed like a distant legend, almost unreachable.

Unexpectedly, he was about to become involved so soon.

...

The next day, Chen Ming sent someone to purchase a complete list compiled by the World’s First Pavilion.

Once he had the list, he flipped to the back and finally saw the "Cyan Cloud Ranking."

The Cyan Cloud Ranking is organized by state, considered a secondary list, and doesn’t have the same influence as the primary lists at the front.

However, within a particular state, its influence is still enormous.

If you could rank first, you would be the premier young talent of the state’s newer generation. What an honor!

In the list Chen Ming held, the first on the Jiangzhou Cyan Cloud Ranking was Ji Baichuan, from the Ji Family, who was a Fourth Grade five years ago and is now a Third Grade.

The second and third positions have also advanced to the Third Grade, taking that crucial step.

The list contains only ten names, all hailing from established families and sects, with six from Jiangzhou City, illustrating the city’s thriving martial culture.

As for Qingfeng City, it has been many years since anyone made it onto the Cyan Cloud Ranking.

Because of this, people in Qingfeng City rarely mention the Cyan Cloud Ranking since it’s not particularly flattering.

This detailed booklet is produced with care, not only listing the background and age of those on the list but also providing their life stories.

It even includes the cultivation level of the participants during the year of their matches.

In the last Jiangzhou Cyan Cloud Ranking, seven out of the top ten were Fourth Grade, with the last three being Fifth Grade cultivation. With at least dozens competing, the competition is fierce.

All these Fifth Grades come from prominent families or notable sects, practicing at least first-rate cultivation techniques, and are far from weak.

Chen Ming felt that with his current strength, aiming for a placement would be quite challenging.

Of course, the ranking isn’t the key; what’s important is that he can’t lose, as losing would cost him experience points.

He must use these three months to enhance his strength as much as possible.

Chen Ming also noted something on the list: out of the names, three people weren’t among the winners five years ago but rather replaced others by defeating them afterward.

He thought to himself, "If I manage to make it onto the list, I won’t have to worry about lacking challengers in the future."

The reason is simple: he lacks any significant background, unlike others from established families and sects, who have to consider the consequences of challenging those they might not dare to offend easily.

Only he is the soft target anyone can aim at.

As Chen Ming continued to browse the list, in the afternoon, Gu Yuantao and Zhou Weihao arrived. Upon entering the courtyard, Zhou Weihao exclaimed, "Have you heard? The World’s First Pavilion is resetting the Cyan Cloud Ranking..."

Right in the middle of speaking, he noticed the list produced by the World’s First Pavilion in Chen Ming’s hand, "Looks like you already know."