On Celestial Profound Mountain, beside the Registered Disciple ranking list.

Countless Registered Disciples came to the Sacrificial Hall to accept missions and take a look at the ranking list while they were at it.

"Huh, that Wen Qingye has moved up again. It looks like he must have had a breakthrough recently."

"Pretty impressive. For someone from a small country to reach rank 183 is something to be proud of."

"Wait, he’s not 183. He’s 171 now."

"That’s not right. Didn’t he just reach rank 183 a double-hour ago? Did he defeat his next opponent this quickly?"

...

Ren Hong glanced at the Registered Disciple ranking list and smiled. His cultivation had also recently broken through to the Yin-Yang Realm Fifth Layer, and he was planning to climb a few ranks. He’d come to check the list before deciding his next move.

’The pressure is really mounting. To think someone from an obscure, backwater little country can reach rank 171.’

"Brother Hong, that guy’s name is Wen Qingye. He’s the one who killed Zhong Liang and Li Zhouyu on Hidden Peak," a slightly chubby Registered Disciple next to him said.

A sharp glint flashed in Ren Hong’s eyes. "Oh? So he’s the Wen Qingye that Sister Xin singled out?"

"That’s right," the chubby young man nodded. "He has quite a history of grievances with our Luocheng Ancient Country."

Ren Hong lowered his head and fell into thought. ’Although Nangong Xin said she would deal with him personally, if I step in and thwart Wen Qingye now, I’ll definitely earn her favor.’ At this thought, a fire ignited in Ren Hong’s heart.

’What a pity. Wen Qingye is only rank 171, while I’m rank 160,’ Ren Hong sighed inwardly.

Suddenly, a token appeared before Ren Hong. It was inscribed with simple, ancient patterns. On the front were the three large characters for "Celestial Profound Sect," and on the back was the number 171.

Ren Hong’s eyes widened in slight surprise, then he looked with delight at the person holding the token. "Wen Qingye?"

"Let’s fight," Wen Qingye said nonchalantly. As he spoke, he took a step back, putting some distance between himself and Ren Hong.

Hearing Wen Qingye’s words, an irrepressible wave of ecstasy washed over Ren Hong. Just moments ago, he had been racking his brain for a way to defeat Wen Qingye and make a name for himself. He never expected Wen Qingye to come and challenge him directly.

"Huh, so that’s Wen Qingye?"

"So he’s still challenging people. I thought he had lost his drive."

"The person he’s challenging is Ren Hong. I know him—Ren Hong from the Luocheng Ancient Country."

At this moment, the disciples gathered around the ranking list also crowded over, breaking into discussion as they saw Wen Qingye’s challenge.

Not far away, two men watched the surrounding disciples chat, smiling. No one in the crowd had noticed them.

These two were none other than Steward Bai of the Sacrificial Hall and Qin Wuya, who was in charge of Celestial Profound Mountain. Both were Third Generation Disciples.

Steward Bai looked at Qin Wuya and asked, "Senior Brother Qin, have you heard about Lu Wushuang of Cloud Conceal Peak and several Core Disciples heading to the Sword Sect?"

Qin Wuya laughed. "Of course I’ve heard. Most of the disciples from Cloud Conceal Peak are Sword Cultivators. Every one of them is prouder than the last, with ambitions that pierce the heavens. This trip to the Sword Sect is just an attempt to make a name for themselves."

Steward Bai nodded. "Indeed, Senior Brother Qin, you’re absolutely right. Lu Wushuang is hailed as a once-in-a-millennium swordsmanship prodigy from Cloud Conceal Peak. I just hope this trip to the Sword Sect doesn’t tarnish the reputation of our Celestial Profound Sect."

Qin Wuya sighed. "That’s not something we can control. On another note, people from the Jade Maiden Sect will be sending representatives to visit Celestial Profound Mountain soon. I should focus on preparing to deal with those women."

A smile touched Steward Bai’s eyes when he heard this. "The Jade Maiden Sect is coming again? Now that’s interesting. Very interesting. I hope their goal this time isn’t to seduce away our Celestial Profound Sect’s disciples with their beauty, like last time."

The Jade Maiden Sect was located to the east of the Celestial Profound Sect. Although not as powerful as major Sects like Celestial Profound, it still presided over dozens of countries. Moreover, this Sect had an exceptionally good relationship with the Celestial Profound Sect.

Furthermore, many people from other countries specifically sought to join the Jade Maiden Sect. Its members were all women, each with outstanding talent and an unearthly, soul-stirring beauty.

Qin Wuya shrugged. "I’m not sure. The Jade Maiden Sect may not be as famous as the Five Sects, but they’re also in the northwest of the Eastern Profound Domain, and their strength cannot be underestimated. Their close relationship with our Celestial Profound Sect might be due to the possibility of marriage alliances. Besides, they’ve traveled across several countries over half a month to get here, so we can’t be neglectful hosts. On top of that, when they arrive, I can also use the opportunity to test these Registered Disciples. The top few among them, after this period of tempering, will have limitless futures if they then proceed to the Seven Peaks."

"Well said. The situation in the Eastern Profound Domain is chaotic right now. We must win over the Jade Maiden Sect, and marriage alliances are indeed a good way to do it," Steward Bai said with a nod.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted up ahead.

Steward Bai of the Sacrificial Hall asked curiously, "Why is it so lively up there? It doesn’t look like they’re just crowding around the ranking list."

Qin Wuya glanced over and smiled. "It looks like two Registered Disciples are having a match. What do you say? Interested in watching?"

Steward Bai nodded. "Sure. I’d also like to see how strong this batch of Registered Disciples is."

The two of them silently moved to the back of the crowd, their eyes fixed on Wen Qingye and Ren Hong.

...

"Wen Qingye, you’ve got some real nerve, daring to challenge me," Ren Hong said, an eager, undisguised look in his eyes.

"Someone from the Luocheng Ancient Country? When have I ever been afraid?" Wen Qingye shook his head and sneered. "In fact, I’m specifically challenging people from the Luocheng Ancient Country. So what?"

Everyone was stunned by Wen Qingye’s words. His tone was so domineering, to actually say something like that.

A green light gleamed in Ren Hong’s eyes, and his tone turned icy. "Wen Qingye, are you provoking my Luocheng Ancient Country?"

"If you think I am, then I am!" Wen Qingye took a step forward and said domineeringly, "Truth be told, I didn’t get to kill enough people on Hidden Peak last time."

CLAMOR!

Wen Qingye’s words struck like a sudden clap of thunder.

There were quite a few people from the Luocheng Ancient Country in the crowd. Hearing Wen Qingye’s words, their faces all changed drastically, and fury seemed ready to erupt from their eyes.

Steward Bai was slightly taken aback. He watched Wen Qingye and remarked, "For a Registered Disciple to provoke the Luocheng Ancient Country so brazenly... his courage is anything but ordinary. You have to understand, many Core Disciples and even Third Generation Disciples are from there."

Qin Wuya nodded, frowning. "His courage is commendable, but he’s far too arrogant. He only has the cultivation of the Yin-Yang Realm Third Layer, while that disciple from the Luocheng Ancient Country has clearly reached the Yin-Yang Realm Fifth Layer. The gap between them is too wide."

The two of them knew full well how influential the Luocheng Ancient Country was within the Celestial Profound Sect. It was not something a mere Registered Disciple could hope to challenge.

After decades of development, the Luocheng Ancient Country’s influence had spread throughout the entire Celestial Profound Sect. That was no exaggeration.

Seeing the fury of his fellow countrymen from Luocheng Ancient Country, Ren Hong was blooming with joy internally, but his expression remained utterly cold. He stared intently at Wen Qingye. "Does having a bit of talent make someone from a backwater country so conceited?"

"All I hear from you is ’backwater country’ this, ’backwater country’ that." Wen Qingye’s eyes sharpened as he swept his gaze over the disciples from the Luocheng Ancient Country. "Today, I’ll show you what a *real* backwater country looks like."

As Wen Qingye finished speaking, a wild and boundless aura erupted from him, sweeping out in all directions.