In the Eastern Profound Domain, within a remote city of the Luocheng Ancient Country.

Today, this place was a little different than usual.

For a group of peerlessly beautiful women had arrived. Every one of them was graceful and enchanting, beautiful and captivating, with bright eyes and pearly teeth. Each had her own unique charm that stirred the soul.

"These women are so beautiful. If I could marry one, I’d willingly give up three years of my life," a Martial Artist at the Peak of Refining Essence murmured.

Another Martial Artist couldn’t help but say, "Forget three years, I’d be happy with only three years left to live if I could have one! They’re absolutely divine!"

"Hmph, do you even know who they are? They’re from the Northwest Jade Maiden Sect. As for you lot... tsk tsk." A nearby Martial Artist at the Refining Spirit Realm shook his head and sighed.

"The Jade Maiden Sect?" Hearing this, the crowd exchanged glances, a hint of disappointment in their eyes.

Everyone knew the Jade Maiden Sect only accepted female disciples. Moreover, these disciples were all exceptionally talented and outstandingly beautiful. Most of them married chosen sons of heaven. How could ordinary, unremarkable men like them ever win the favor of a Jade Maiden Sect disciple without some kind of miracle?

Despite this, they still gazed longingly at the women ahead.

"Master, when are we going to get to the Celestial Profound Sect? I’m bored to death."

An exceptionally lovely young woman in a goose-yellow dress darted out from the crowd of beauties from the Jade Maiden Sect and spoke to the woman in a light-blue dress at the lead.

The woman in the light-blue dress didn’t look old, but she carried herself with a captivating grace. Her stunning face was a cut above even the beauties behind her.

This woman was none other than the Fourteenth Elder of the Jade Maiden Sect, Bu Yanting.

The one who had spoken was none other than Su Zixin, one of the more outstanding Registered Disciples of the Jade Maiden Sect’s current generation, as well as Bu Yanting’s own pupil.

Bu Yanting smiled and stroked the pouting girl’s hair. "Soon. We’ll be there in less than ten days."

Su Zixin pouted and said, "Still ten more days?"

Bu Yanting nodded, then turned to the members of the Jade Maiden Sect behind her and said seriously, "You must all be careful when you get to the Celestial Profound Sect. Most of their disciples are silver-tongued sweet-talkers. Don’t let them play with your hearts."

"The Fourteenth Elder is right," a young woman beside her agreed with a smile. This was another of the Jade Maiden Sect’s more outstanding Registered Disciples of the current generation, Liuu Han.

The others all nodded in agreement.

Only Su Zixin looked at Bu Yanting with a curious expression. "Master, don’t tell me you were deceived by a disciple from the Celestial Profound Sect before?"

"Of course not! Don’t talk nonsense." Bu Yanting’s expression hardened, and she shot Su Zixin a glare.

Su Zixin muttered, "But you’re having such a strong reaction."

Bu Yanting curled her lip. "Men are no good. I’m just stating a fact."

.....

On Celestial Profound Mountain, next to the Registered Disciples’ ranking board.

"This Wen Qingye is incredible! Last night he was ranked in the eighties, and by this morning, he’s already in the sixties!"

"I heard he challenged Zhang Xu from the Jinfeng Ancient Country first thing in the morning. It only took him three hundred breaths for Zhang Xu, who’s at the Yin-Yang Realm Fifth Layer, to be defeated."

"I saw it too! Wen Qingye’s strength is just unreasonable. He takes out his Token and just starts fighting. Barely anyone can last thirty moves against him."

"I can’t believe someone like him came from a small, backwater country. It’s shocking!"

"Hey! Look, you guys, Wen Qingye’s rank is moving again! He’s in the fifties now! Heavens, he’s strong... too strong!"

The crowd hurriedly looked at the ranking board. Wen Qingye’s name was climbing at lightning speed. They stared at each other and collectively gasped.

They couldn’t believe that someone from a small, backwater country that everyone looked down on could be such a formidable figure.

After all, the top two hundred spots were mostly occupied by people from the Four Great Ancient Countries. The few remaining positions were firmly held by several other large nations. Only exceptionally talented individuals from small countries could break into the top two hundred.

「In the Celestial Profound Mountain Domain, on Ganlu Mountain.」

Wen Qingye looked at the man before him with a faint smile and said, "You must be Xiao Zhen of the Dayan Dynasty, right?"

"And you must be Wen Qingye." Xiao Zhen drew his saber, gently stroking the blade.

Wen Qingye nodded. "That’s right."

Xiao Zhen reached for his waist. With a CLANG, he threw his Token onto the ground. The number forty-one was clearly visible on it. He sneered, "You’ve got guts. You know I’m from the Dayan Dynasty, and you still dare to challenge me?"

Wen Qingye smiled faintly. "I was going to ask you a question, but it seems I’ll have to make you talk with my sword instead."

The further up the ranks he went, the more Wen Qingye could feel how powerful his opponents were. Even against those at the Yin-Yang Realm Fifth Layer, his victories weren’t coming easily.

SWISH!

Wen Qingye drew his One Thought Sword and thrust diagonally, like a star falling from the heavens, as fast as an arc of light.

"A fine opening! I’ve been wanting to see your strength for myself!"

Xiao Zhen roared, his saber moving like a tiger’s howl and a dragon’s roar as it sliced through layers of air waves.

CLANG!

A violent clash of metal rang out, reverberating across the empty wasteland.

THUD THUD THUD!

Xiao Zhen was forced back several steps, a look of horror in his eyes. ’This Wen Qingye really lives up to his reputation. His strength is nothing like a typical Yin-Yang Realm Third Layer cultivator. I can’t even gain the slightest advantage with my Yin-Yang Realm Fifth Layer cultivation.’

But Wen Qingye didn’t retreat. Instead, he strode forward, his sharp sword resembling a Rapid Fire Meteor, sweeping in from a distance with devastating momentum.

BANG!

Xiao Zhen instinctively raised his saber to block Wen Qingye’s sword. Instantly, an irresistible force traveled from his arm through his entire body. He immediately felt half his body go numb. His chest heaved, and he was forced back several more steps.

Wen Qingye was also pushed back a few steps. ’The further I go, the harder it is to win,’ Wen Qingye knew. ’These people are the cream of the crop among the Celestial Profound Sect’s Registered Disciples, beyond the reach of ordinary people.’

SWISH SWISH SWISH!

Wen Qingye’s sword was like a gale, thrusting forward rapidly.

But Xiao Zhen was also incredibly skilled. The parries, thrusts, intercepts, and blocks with his saber were all executed with ferocious power.

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged dozens of moves, and beads of sweat gradually began to form on Wen Qingye’s forehead.

’This is bad. If Wen Qingye keeps control of this tempo, I’m bound to lose!’ The thought flashed through his mind, and Xiao Zhen let out a great roar. He swung his saber at a speed that was impossible to follow with the naked eye.

In an instant, hundreds of Sword Auras burst through the air. Each one was equivalent to a full-power strike from Xiao Zhen. The hundreds of auras shot out at once, sealing all of Wen Qingye’s paths. There was no escape, no retreat.

A cold glint flashed in Wen Qingye’s eyes. In an instant, his body lunged forward and he thrust his sword. Wind rose and clouds surged, and thunder crackled.

"Four Symbols Sword Technique, Sixth Form! Lightning Flash!"

That sword strike was so fast it stole one’s breath away. The rainbow-colored gleam, as fast as a meteor, was completely mesmerizing.

BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG!

A series of sonic booms erupted as the hundreds of unstoppable Sword Auras were directly shattered. Xiao Zhen was sent flying like a paper kite, landing heavily on the ground.

Wen Qingye walked over to the Token, picked it up, and then silently approached Xiao Zhen. "Is there someone in your Dayan Dynasty named Yu?"

"Cough... cough... Yes. Not only that, he’s right here in the Celestial Profound Sect," Xiao Zhen said, coughing violently.

Wen Qingye’s eyes lit up. "He’s in the Celestial Profound Sect?"

Xiao Zhen nodded, then his body could no longer hold up, and he collapsed to the ground.

Suddenly, he felt something dry in his mouth as an object entered his stomach. A warm sensation spread through his entire body as countless streams of Primordial Qi rushed into his limbs and meridians. A moment later, when he sat up, Wen Qingye was already gone.

Xiao Zhen picked up the rank fifty-three Token from the ground with a bitter smile. He looked at it. ’I don’t know what kind of grudge this Wen Qingye has with Brother Yu, but he doesn’t seem like a bad person. I hope he doesn’t act too recklessly.’

When it came to Yu’s power, Xiao Zhen—no, anyone from the Dayan Dynasty—felt a sense of helplessness just thinking about him.

.......

The situation grew more turbulent, and more and more people gathered on Celestial Profound Mountain. Twilight fell, casting moonlight upon the land as a hazy mist began to rise.

"Rank twenty-four! He’s finally in the twenties!"

"Aren’t the top twenty all experts among experts from the Ancient Countries? I just wonder if Wen Qingye has a chance to break in."

"If you ask me, his chances are slim. Wen Qingye’s cultivation is still a bit too low."

"I think so too. You have to remember..."

But just then, Wen Qingye’s name moved again.

"Look! Everybody, look!"

"Rank nineteen! Wen Qingye defeated Su Hao from the Celestial Star Ancient Country, who was said to be invincible among those at the Yin-Yang Realm Fifth Layer!"

"Even Su Hao was defeated? Didn’t the Celestial Star Ancient Country claim he was invincible among those at the Yin-Yang Realm Fifth Layer?"

Everyone was utterly astonished, their eyes filled with an incredulous light.

A double-hour passed with no further major changes to the board, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

However, Wen Qingye’s name swept through the Registered Disciples like a storm, and he became a legendary figure that everyone was talking about.

Meanwhile, Wen Qingye was sitting cross-legged on his bed, his body covered in wounds and his clothes tattered. His eyes were shut tight. On his chest lay several Stone Beast Pearls, and a continuous stream of Profound Pearl Yuan Qi was pouring into him.

The brilliant glow was so vibrant it seemed on the verge of solidifying as it rushed into every part of Wen Qingye’s body, his limbs and meridians.

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE!

The crisp sound of bones cracking rang out as a searing heat that reached the depths of his soul continuously welled up.

Fourth Heaven of the Yin-Yang Realm!