Countless horrified gazes stared, unblinking, at Jian Xinghe.

The Ninth-Mile. A distance no one had ever reached before.

"This young man is truly awe-inspiring. Last time, it was the Eight-Mile mark. This time, he broke the record and went straight to the Ninth-Mile."

An expert at the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm sighed in admiration, a sense of dread toward Jian Xinghe growing in his heart.

This was astonishing. A Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm expert could crush someone in the Spirit Realm with one hand, yet such a figure felt apprehensive about Jian Xinghe. It was a testament to just how terrifying the current Jian Xinghe was.

"I originally thought that with the Twin Sword Sons breaking through to the Eighth-Mile, they might be able to compete with Jian Xinghe. But now it seems Jian Xinghe has become even more terrifying. He is still the number one of Qing Province’s younger generation."

The number one of Qing Province’s younger generation—a throne filled with endless glory.

Countless young people worked desperately, all wanting to sit upon that throne.

Yet to this day, the one who sat upon it was still Jian Xinghe.

"We’re still no match for him."

The Twin Sword Sons gave a bitter smile, forced to admire Jian Xinghe.

The other young giants also had flashes of unwillingness and helplessness in their eyes. They had thought they were improving, perhaps closing the distance between them and Jian Xinghe.

But it seemed the gap was only widening.

"Jian Xinghe’s rivals are no longer in Qing Province," someone said slowly, stunning many of the people around.

The speaker was an old man with skin the color of yellow jade. The opening and closing of his eyes exerted an infinite pressure on those around him. This was the Sect Leader of the War Elephant Sect!

"Sect Leader, do you mean the other five provinces?" an Elder next to him asked.

"Correct. With Jian Xinghe’s monstrous talent, he can already step outside of Qing Province to contend with the prodigies of other Upper Grade Sects and Top Grade Sects. After all, among the Six Provinces, our Qing Province is the weakest. We’re unlike the other major provinces, which are teeming with talent and packed with experts," the War Elephant Sect Leader said.

It was a publicly acknowledged fact that Qing Province was the weakest of the Six Provinces.

Historically, the other five major provinces had always produced far more prodigies than Qing Province.

For the War Elephant Sect Leader to now say that Jian Xinghe’s rivals were no longer in Qing Province was extremely high praise.

"This young man is indeed qualified to leave Qing Province and vie for supremacy with the prodigies of the outside world." The Hall Master of Floating Snow Hall agreed with the War Elephant Sect’s words.

"With a disciple like him, the Star Sword Sect is bound to reach new heights in the future," the Fire Cloud Sect Leader nodded.

"I’m afraid that even I would be no match for him," said Meng Nanfeng, the Grand Elder of the Yanyue Sect, his voice grave.

"I wonder if Jian Xinghe can press on through the final mile?"

Of the ten-mile region, only the final mile remained.

If not even this last mile could stop Jian Xinghe, then who among Qing Province’s younger generation could possibly contend with him?

Jian Xinghe just stood there, his gaze that looked down on everything turning serious. After a long moment, he turned and left, not stepping into the final mile.

"What’s going on? He’s not even going to try?"

The people were stunned. ’Shouldn’t he at least take a few steps to test it?’

"Perhaps there’s something strange about the final mile."

"It looks like the third trial ends here."

"This year’s three trials were far more exciting than the last."

Discussions erupted among the crowd. Not only had three dark horses emerged this year, but the established young giants had also revealed even greater strength. Jian Xinghe, in particular, had overshadowed them all, proving himself unmatched.

"First, congratulations to everyone who has passed the three trials. The ranking battles will officially begin this afternoon."

Ge Changming announced loudly. The main event would begin in the afternoon.

"Damn it, why isn’t the Ninth Elder here yet? The three trials are about to end."

"If he misses the three trials, he’ll be considered to have forfeited the Qing Province Convention and won’t be eligible to participate in the subsequent battles."

The people from the Yanyue Sect were growing anxious. At a time like this, if Ning Jiang wasn’t there to support them, they feared the Yanyue Sect would be trampled on by many during the later battles.

WHOOSH!

In the distant sky, a streak of purple lightning shot over, appearing in their midst within a few blinks of an eye.

Meng Nanfeng’s gaze shot up, and he was instantly overjoyed. "He’s finally here."

"Huh? Who’s this now?" Many people spotted Ning Jiang.

"The Ninth Elder of the Yanyue Sect!"

A few surprised voices rang out. To many of the first-tier experts here, Ning Jiang’s face was not unfamiliar.

Inside the Death Mountain Range, the battle between Ning Jiang and Yuwen Chi had been witnessed by quite a few people. In that fight, even someone as strong as Yuwen Chi had been suppressed and put at a disadvantage.

That battle made many people aware that the Yanyue Sect had a figure like Ninth Elder Ning Jiang.

"Hmph."

Yuwen Chi snorted coldly, his battle intent surging.

"Senior Brother Yuwen, there will be plenty of opportunities to deal with him later," a disciple from the Fire Cloud Sect said from the side.

"Sorry, I’m a little late."

Ning Jiang’s figure flashed, and he landed in the viewing platform with Meng Nanfeng and the others.

He had spent a lot of time refining the Celestial Thunder Banner and cultivating the Nine Tribulations Celestial Thunder Body.

"It’s good that you’re here. The three trials haven’t been declared over yet. Hurry up and go." Meng Nanfeng quickly explained the situation with the three trials to Ning Jiang.

Ning Jiang also knew that time was tight; he couldn’t make everyone wait for him.

Immediately, he transformed into a streak of lightning and shot into the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon.

"Huh? Did you guys notice? The Ninth Elder’s aura has become even more terrifying," an Elder said after Ning Jiang left.

They had been so overjoyed just now that they hadn’t paid close attention. But thinking back, it was indeed true.

"That’s right. Even I felt a sense of suppression," Meng Nanfeng recalled.

"Perhaps this time, the Ninth Elder will bring us an unexpected reward." Everyone grew excited with anticipation.

"The man who suppressed Yuwen Chi? Is that for real?"

Some people were still skeptical of Ning Jiang. ’How could a declining Sect like Yanyue produce such a powerhouse?’

"So fast."

But soon, their skeptical doubts all turned into shock.

They watched as Ning Jiang broke through the first trial’s Illusion Array in less than ten breaths. He then charged into the Sword Array, advancing like a hot knife through butter, and passed through it in just a few more breaths.

The two Grand Arrays seemed like mere decorations.

"Passing the first two trials is nothing. The third trial is the key. Since he could suppress Yuwen Chi, he should at least be able to surpass the Seven-Mile range, right?"

Six miles was the level of a Half-Step Giant, while seven miles was that of a young giant.

’Sword Intent? A little interesting,’ Ning Jiang thought as he arrived before the third trial.

The third trial was peaceful. The ground and canyon walls were bare, devoid of any living things. The moment one stepped inside, they would feel a ubiquitous Sword Intent, sharp and intimidating.

But he paid it no mind, charging in at an extremely high speed.

The five-mile mark was reached in a few blinks of an eye.

Then came six miles, and seven miles.

"He really is a young giant!"

When Ning Jiang reached the seven-mile mark, no one had any doubts left.

"After seven miles is the crucial part. Let’s see how far he can go."

"He should be about the same as Li Kuangba and Yuwen Chi, around the Seven and a Half Miles mark, right?"

"Maybe he can reach the Eight-Mile?"

"The Eight-Mile mark? Him? Pfft! If he can reach the Eight-Mile mark, I’ll twist my own head off for you." Someone let out a piercing jeer. It was a person from the Cyan Splendor Sect.

The Cyan Splendor Sect’s hatred for Ning Jiang ran deep. Several of their most outstanding disciples had all fallen at Ning Jiang’s hands, and they wished for nothing more than to tear him to pieces.

WHOA!

Just as the words left his mouth, a huge uproar suddenly erupted from the entire crowd.

The tsunami-like roar of shock drew the attention of that Cyan Splendor Sect disciple.

When he looked over, he was dumbfounded. His jaw dropped so wide it looked like he could swallow a ball, and he was too shocked to utter a single word.

There, at the Eight-Mile mark, stood Ning Jiang.

"Unbelievable, another one on the level of the Twin Sword Sons!"

"The Yanyue Sect is full of surprises."

Voices of shock were endless.

"Didn’t you just say you’d twist your head off for me?"

"Hahaha, we’d also like to see what it looks like when someone twists off their own head."

"Cyan Splendor Sect disciple, why don’t you broaden our horizons?"

Laughter erupted from the surroundings. These people were from various Major Sects, so they weren’t afraid of the Cyan Splendor Sect.

"I was just talking nonsense."

That Cyan Splendor Sect disciple felt too ashamed to stay and quickly moved to another spot.

’The Eight-Mile mark... how did his strength become so great?’ Yuwen Chi’s expression was grim.

Being suppressed by Ning Jiang last time had been weighing on his mind ever since. After returning to the Sect, he had trained desperately, using Magma from the Earth’s Core to enhance his strength.

In his estimation, Ning Jiang’s strength shouldn’t have been this great.

’It seems he also had a breakthrough during this time. But it doesn’t matter. My killing move is all about explosive power. Even if someone is stronger than me, I can still win.’

Thinking of the killing move he had painstakingly prepared, Yuwen Chi’s mood relaxed considerably.

"This should be your limit, right? Reaching the Eight-Mile mark is pretty good."

The Twin Sword Sons said to Ning Jiang nonchalantly, causing Ning Jiang’s brow to furrow.

’People from the Star Sword Sect are really arrogant.’ He and the Twin Sword Sons were both at the Eight-Mile mark, yet the other’s tone carried a sense of superiority, as if they were above him.

"You can consider joining the Star Sword Sect. A place like the Yanyue Sect will be difficult to achieve anything in," the Twin Sword Sons said haughtily, as if giving guidance to the world.

"The Star Sword Sect isn’t all that special either."

"What did you say?"

The Twin Sword Sons were about to get angry, but after tossing out that sentence, Ning Jiang ignored them, his figure flashing as he continued to walk deeper.

"What? He hasn’t reached his limit yet?"

Seeing Ning Jiang striding forward, the Twin Sword Sons were also horrified.

"Hmph, I bet he’ll stop after just a few more steps," the Twin Sword Sons said defiantly while watching Ning Jiang.

However, with his hands behind his back, Ning Jiang strode forward step by easy step, as if strolling through his own backyard garden.

Eight and a half miles!

"My heavens, don’t tell me he’s also going for the Ninth-Mile? Can he actually contend with Jian Xinghe?"

The crowd was in shock. At this moment, even Jian Xinghe’s gaze was fixed on Ning Jiang.

’He’s getting closer and closer to the Ninth-Mile! Am I about to witness a miracle? Is a second person on the level of Jian Xinghe about to be born?’

Countless people were roaring and shouting in their hearts, their eyes wide.

Finally, an incredibly impactful scene unfolded before their eyes.

At the Ninth-Mile, Ning Jiang stood tall!

The entire arena fell deathly silent.