Fang Hao’s rapid rise on the dragon ranking became the hottest topic in the Inner Sect.

"Have you heard? Fang Hao won again!"

"He’s fifteenth on the dragon ranking! He’s only at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage! That’s too Heaven-Defying!"

"At this rate, even the top ten is possible!"

Fang Hao, however, remained clear-headed.

He knew that the real challenge had only just begun.

The top twenty on the dragon ranking were all Prodigy-level figures.

One day, while he was studying the profiles of the top twenty on the dragon ranking, he suddenly saw a familiar name—Ye Qing, fifteenth rank on the dragon ranking!

"Ye Qing..." Fang Hao’s gaze sharpened.

This Genius, who had entered the sect at the same time as him and possessed a Wind Spiritual Root, had actually reached the fifteenth rank on the dragon ranking!

What puzzled Fang Hao even more was that Ye Qing had not participated in the last Secret Realm trial at Heavenly Wind.

With his strength and talent, there was no reason for him to miss such an Opportunity.

Fang Hao went to find Lin Wan to inquire.

This girl was the best informed; she surely knew the inside story.

Lin Wan indeed knew: "Senior Brother Ye... He went into seclusion to break through to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage before the last Secret Realm! I heard he nearly suffered Qi Deviation and was seriously injured, so he couldn’t make it to the Secret Realm."

Fang Hao was surprised: "Qi Deviation? With his talent, how could that happen..."

Lin Wan lowered her voice: "I heard it was because he was Cultivating too fast, leading to an unstable Foundation. Plus..."

She looked around and whispered: "Some say it was Bao Zhijian’s doing! Ye Qing’s talent is too high, threatening Bao Zhijian’s status..."

Fang Hao’s eyes turned cold: "Bao Zhijian? He dares to harm a fellow Disciple?"

Lin Wan pouted: "Bao Zhijian has a strong background; his grandfather is an Inner Sect Elder. Without evidence, no one can do anything to him."

Fang Hao was silent for a moment.

The cultivation world was indeed treacherous; even a Genius could hardly guard against hidden arrows.

"But Senior Brother Ye turned a misfortune into a blessing!" Lin Wan added, "After recovering from his injuries, he actually broke through to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage! Now his strength has surged, and he’s charged straight into the top fifteen of the dragon ranking!"

Fang Hao nodded.

A Heavenly Spiritual Root was truly formidable; he could even make a Breakthrough while injured.

Battle Intent rose in his heart: "fifteenth rank on the dragon ranking... It’s the perfect way to test my strength!"

Fang Hao immediately went to issue a challenge.

Challenging the fifteenth rank on the dragon ranking, Ye Qing!

The news spread, and the Inner Sect was in an uproar once again!

"Fang Hao wants to challenge Ye Qing?!"

"Foundation Establishment Early Stage challenging Late Foundation Establishment Stage? He must be crazy!"

"Ye Qing has a Heavenly Spiritual Root! Fighting above his rank is as easy as eating and drinking for him!"

"Now we’re in for a good show!"

Upon learning this, Bao Zhijian sneered: "Overestimating himself! Ye Qing is not some trash like Zhang Kuang!"

He specifically went to find Ye Qing: "Junior Brother Ye, teach that kid a good lesson! Let him know the immensity of heaven and earth!"

Ye Qing said indifferently: "Senior Brother Bao, this is a sparring match on the arena; we will stop at a reasonable point."

Bao Zhijian hit a soft nail and left sullenly.

Before the battle, Liang Ling came to find Fang Hao: "Ye Qing’s Wind Spiritual Root is extremely pure; his speed is incredibly fast, and his attacks are fierce. Your empty clarity mirror might be able to suppress him, but be careful of his ultimate Move, ’Wind God’s Fury’."

Fang Hao said gratefully: "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister."

Liang Ling said softly: "Be careful. Ye Qing... is not simple."

Fang Hao nodded.

He had studied Ye Qing’s combat records, and he was indeed formidable.

His Wind Spiritual Root talent allowed Ye Qing’s speed to surpass everyone at his level, and his attacks were like a storm, impossible to guard against.

Three days later, the arena battle.

It was packed with people, livelier than any previous match.

A duel between two great Geniuses, full of hype!

Ye Qing arrived first, dressed in green robes, his expression indifferent as if he were just here for a stroll.

But the power of Wind Qi flowed around him, and his Aura was intimidating.

"Senior Brother Ye is so handsome!"

"A Heavenly Spiritual Root really is different!"

"Fang Hao is sure to lose!"

Fang Hao arrived on time, his green robes fluttering, his expression calm.

After a series of fierce battles, his temperament had become increasingly steady.

"Fang Hao is here!"

"He actually dared to come!"

"Let’s see how many Moves he can withstand!"

The referee Elder arrived: "dragon ranking challenge, Fang Hao versus Ye Qing. Begin!"

Ye Qing smiled slightly: "Junior Brother Ning, please."

Fang Hao cupped his hands: "Senior Brother Ye, please."

Both moved at the same time! Ye Qing’s figure flickered like a breeze passing by, instantly closing in! He pointed a finger, and a fierce wind blade struck!

Fang Hao used Shrinking the Ground to an Inch to dodge, while simultaneously countering with Dividing Light Sword Shadow!

Both were shockingly fast! The Disciples below couldn’t even see their movements clearly, only seeing green shadows intertwining and Sword Qi crisscrossing!

"So fast!" everyone exclaimed.

"I can’t see anything at all!"

The more they fought, the more alarmed Fang Hao became.

Ye Qing’s speed was too fast! His Shrinking the Ground to an Inch couldn’t gain any advantage! The Wind Spiritual Root talent was too monstrous!

Ye Qing was also secretly surprised.

Fang Hao was clearly at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, yet his speed was not inferior to his! Moreover, his swordsmanship was exquisite, his defense tight, with no flaws!

After a hundred Moves of fierce fighting, neither had the upper hand!

The crowd below was silent, all stunned by this spectacular duel!

Bao Zhijian’s face looked ugly.

He hadn’t expected Fang Hao to be this strong, actually fighting to a draw with Ye Qing!

Suddenly, Ye Qing changed his Move: "Junior Brother Ning, be careful! Wind God’s Fury!"

A violent wind erupted around him, turning into a giant green dragon, rushing straight at Fang Hao! Its power was terrifying, far exceeding the Late Foundation Establishment Stage!

Fang Hao’s gaze sharpened, and he summoned the empty clarity mirror: "Spatial Distortion!"

The mirror’s light shone, causing the wind dragon’s trajectory to shift, grazing past Fang Hao! Boom! A huge crater was blasted into the arena!

"That was close!" Cold sweat poured down Fang Hao’s back.

The power of this Wind God’s Fury was too strong!

Ye Qing praised: "Good Magic Treasure! Look at this Move! Wind Sweeps Away the Clouds!"

He pushed with both hands, and the wild wind turned into blades, sweeping across the entire arena! There was nowhere to hide!

Fang Hao fully activated his Five Elements Spirit Shield! The five shields of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth rotated, hard-blocking the wind blades!

"Clang, clang, clang!" The wind blades struck the spirit shield, sending sparks flying! Fang Hao was forced back repeatedly, his blood surging!

"Not good!" Fang Hao gritted his teeth.

At this rate, he would lose!

Suddenly inspired, he fully activated his Ethereal Art! His spatial perception expanded, capturing the trajectory of the wind!

"Found it!" Fang Hao’s eyes lit up! Although the wind blades were dense, there was a subtle pattern!

He shifted his figure, weaving through the gaps in the wind blades like a fish! He was actually unharmed!

Ye Qing was surprised: "You can actually see through the wind’s path? Impressive!"

The crowd below was in an uproar:

"My God! He can even dodge that?"

"Fang Hao is too strong!"

Bao Zhijian’s face turned livid.

Ye Qing’s expression became serious: "Junior Brother Ning, take my final Move—Wind God’s Descent!"

He hovered in mid-air, green light erupting all over his body! A terrifying pressure descended, as if a Wind God had arrived in the world!

"Not good!" Liang Ling exclaimed, "You cannot take this Move head-on!"

Lin Wan nervously covered her eyes.

Fang Hao took a deep breath and held the empty clarity mirror high: "Spatial Imprisonment!"

The mirror’s light exploded, enveloping Ye Qing! The surrounding space instantly solidified! The wind’s momentum stalled!

Ye Qing’s movements slowed for an instant! In that very instant, Fang Hao pointed out his Star Shattering Finger! The finger, containing the power of space, pierced through the wind barrier and pointed directly at Ye Qing’s glabella!

The finger force stopped half an inch before Ye Qing’s glabella.

"I concede." Fang Hao withdrew his finger.

The whole place was silent.

Everyone was stunned.

Ye Qing... lost? A Late Foundation Establishment Stage Heavenly Spiritual Root, lost to a Foundation Establishment Early Stage?

Ye Qing was stunned for a moment, then laughed freely: "Admirable! Junior Brother Ning’s strength is astonishing; I, Ye, am convinced of my defeat!"

The referee Elder came back to his senses and announced loudly: "Fang Hao wins! fifteenth rank on the dragon ranking, Fang Hao!"

Suddenly, cheers shook the heavens!

"He won! He won again!"

"A Foundation Establishment Early Stage charged into the top fifteen! A miracle!"

"Too strong! Fang Hao is invincible!"

Bao Zhijian gritted his teeth and flicked his sleeves, leaving.

Fang Hao cupped his hands to Ye Qing: "Senior Brother Ye, you conceded. If not for your previous unhealed injuries, I might not have won."

Ye Qing shook his head: "Lost is lost. Junior Brother Ning’s strength is indeed strong; I look forward to our next spar."

He paused, then whispered: "Watch out for Bao Zhijian." After saying this, he drifted away.

Fang Hao’s heart stirred.

Ye Qing’s words were meaningful.

Below the stage, Lin Wan rushed up excitedly: "Junior Brother Ning! You’re amazing! You even beat Ye Qing!"

Liang Ling also walked over, her eyes filled with approval: "Congratulations."

Fang Hao smiled: "Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister."

With this battle, Fang Hao became famous in the Inner Sect! A Foundation Establishment Early Stage charging into the top fifteen of the dragon ranking could be called a legend.