Chapter 345: Who is Truly the Number One Under Heaven?

Chapter 345: Who is Truly the Number One Under Heaven?

Yu Ningsheng shook her head and said, "Whether there is someone stronger than the Demon Emperor in the Yulan Empire, I do not know. However, the cultivation levels of the four greatest experts in the world today are all on par with one another. Placing any one of them in the top position would hardly convince the masses."

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "Anyone hailed as the number one under heaven will inevitably be thrust into the spotlight, becoming the target of challenges from all. Yet, selecting someone stronger than these four experts is an exceedingly difficult task." He paused before continuing, "However, there are two individuals who could be candidates for the title of number one under heaven."

A playful glint flashed in Ning Xiaochuan's eyes.

Yu Ningsheng understood Ning Xiaochuan well—even the slightest shift in his expression could reveal his thoughts to her. She said, "These two must be your enemies."

"Correct."

Ning Xiaochuan smiled and nodded. "The first candidate is naturally the reigning Emperor."

"The Jade Emperor? But the world knows that the Great Golden Roc King is the foremost expert of the imperial court. If the Jade Emperor cannot even surpass the Great Golden Roc King, how could he possibly be the number one under heaven?" Yu Ningsheng gently shook her head, finding the idea somewhat implausible.

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "Though everyone believes the Great Golden Roc King is stronger than the Jade Emperor, the truth is, the Jade Emperor, as the sovereign, has not engaged in battle for decades. No one truly knows how powerful he is. Is the Jade Emperor truly weaker than the Great Golden Roc King? I doubt it."

Yu Ningsheng's gaze grew solemn. "You’re right. The Jade Emperor did not ascend to the throne by mere chance. His Martial Path cultivation is likely far beyond what we imagine—perhaps we’ve underestimated him all along. If we place him at the top of the list as the number one under heaven, it may stir controversy, but no one would dare refute it outright. Unless, of course, they challenge him directly."

"And in the Yulan Empire, who would dare openly challenge the Jade Emperor?" Ning Xiaochuan chuckled.

By ranking the Jade Emperor as the number one under heaven, Ning Xiaochuan appeared to be flattering him, but in truth, he was subtly inciting the world’s strongest experts to target the Emperor.

The higher one’s status, the more people seek to topple them from their pedestal.

What seemed like a mere ranking could, in the current delicate state of the world, trigger massive repercussions—potentially even leading to the downfall of the entire Yulan Empire.

Who wouldn’t want to be number one under heaven?

If you are the strongest, then I too wish to claim that title. But there can only be one. So who will it be?

Naturally, whoever slays the Jade Emperor will become the new number one under heaven.

This was the hidden peril within the Weapon Ranking List.

Yu Ningsheng asked, "Who is your second candidate?"

Ning Xiaochuan answered, "The Necropolis Lord."

"Another figure shrouded in mystery, with unfathomable cultivation." Yu Ningsheng, sharp-witted and perceptive, furrowed her brows in thought. "However, compared to him, placing the Jade Emperor as the number one under heaven would yield far greater benefits for us."

"Exactly. The identity of the Necropolis Lord is too mysterious, and his cultivation is unfathomable. Even if he were to become the number one under heaven, those who wish to challenge him likely wouldn’t even find a trace of him."

The most suitable candidate, of course, was still the Jade Emperor.

Ning Xiaochuan picked up his brush and added the Jade Emperor’s name above the Demon Emperor’s—first place on the Weapon Ranking List, the Son of Heaven's Brush.

Afterward, Ning Xiaochuan and Yu Ningsheng discussed the rankings of other martial artists on the Weapon Ranking List. Based on their own interests, they made several more adjustments.

Then, Ning Xiaochuan added several new names to the Weapon Ranking List, such as the First Ghost Envoy, the Second Ghost Envoy, the Ghost Manor's Right Guardian King, and so on.

These names belonged to martial artists from the Ghost Manor who were on the verge of breaking into the Earthly Venerable Realm.

Ning Xiaochuan intended to use the Weapon Ranking List to bolster the Ghost Manor’s reputation, ensuring everyone recognized its strength.

Once the Weapon Ranking List was finalized, Ning Xiaochuan returned to the Divine Sword Palace and instructed Yue Mingsong to refine it into a Seventh-Grade Mystic Artifact scroll, which was then hung atop the giant sword outside the Divine Sword Palace.

This golden scroll stretched over 60 meters in length, radiating dazzling divine light. Hundreds of names shimmered and floated upon its surface, visible even from 50 km away.

Simultaneously, the Weapon Ranking List was printed into ten thousand handbook copies and distributed overnight to major bookstores, restaurants, brothels, and teahouses across the Imperial City.

By the next morning, the Weapon Ranking List had indeed caused a massive stir in the Imperial City. Nearly every restaurant and teahouse buzzed with martial artists discussing the rankings, making it the talk of the town.

In a teahouse not far from the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, many people pored over freshly purchased copies of the Weapon Ranking List.

"The number one martial artist under heaven is actually His Majesty the Emperor? I thought it would be the Great Golden Roc King," mused a sixty-year-old elder, stroking his beard as he flipped through the pages with great interest.

An armored general, also holding a copy of the Weapon Ranking List, sneered coldly, "Have you not read the explanation? His Majesty has cultivated the Nine-Five Divine Dragon Qi to its pinnacle, reaching a realm beyond mortal comprehension. The Great Golden Roc King may be powerful, but can he truly rival His Majesty?"

Another general nearby nodded. "Exactly. All these years, people have assumed the Great Golden Roc King was stronger than His Majesty—what foolish ignorance! If His Majesty weren’t stronger, how could he have seized the throne from the Great Golden Roc King back then?"

"The Great Golden Roc King’s Crimson Flame Treasure Wheel is only ranked fifth under heaven, while His Majesty’s Son of Heaven's Brush holds the top spot. That’s the difference. With a single stroke of the Son of Heaven's Brush, all demons and monsters in the world could be swept away."

"Rebellions are erupting across the empire, all thinking the Yulan Empire has weakened since the Master of the Martial Palace departed. Little do they know, the Emperor remains the strongest under heaven. Just wait—under the Emperor’s martial might, those rebel forces will crumble without a fight."

"This Weapon Ranking List compiled by the Divine Sword Palace holds significant reference value. It records the legendary feats of every Martial Venerable, making it nothing short of an encyclopedia of the martial world."

"Every Martial Venerable listed on the Weapon Ranking List is bound to be renowned across the world, becoming a legendary figure pursued by all. Many beauties would throw themselves at them. Truly a case of gaining both fame and fortune. If only I could make it onto the list too."

"Stop dreaming. Only Martial Venerables with formidable cultivation can be included in the Weapon Ranking List. The rest of us can only watch from the sidelines."

"That’s not necessarily true. I heard the Divine Sword Palace updates the list every year. Who knows? Maybe my name will appear on it next year."

...

The streets and alleys of the Imperial City were abuzz with discussions about the Weapon Ranking List. Many Martial Artists even rushed to the Divine Sword Palace just to catch a glimpse of the list’s physical form.

Though it was merely a golden scroll, it was, after all, a Seventh-Grade Mystic Artifact!

The Divine Sword Palace’s methods were truly grand.

At the same time, the Weapon Ranking List had been delivered early in the morning to the hands of various Marquises. After all, nearly all their names were recorded on the list—some ranked higher, others lower.

As Ning Xiaochuan stepped out of his room, he even overheard the maidservants and servants of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House discussing the Weapon Ranking List.

"‘Jian Pavilion’ is only ranked sixteenth on the Weapon Ranking List? The Divine Sword Palace is, after all, an asset of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. How could they rank the Old Marquis so low? He should at least be in the top ten!"

"That’s already quite impressive! Among all the Marquises in the imperial court, the Old Marquis is only behind Luo Shenhou."

"Luo Shenhou is only ranked fifteenth. The Old Marquis will surpass him soon enough."

...

Ning Xiaochuan smiled faintly, knowing the Weapon Ranking List had successfully sparked conversation in the Imperial City. This was a good thing!

After breakfast, Ning Xiaochuan planned to visit the Golden Roc Prince's Manor.

The words he had said to Yu Qianqian the previous day had indeed been too harsh. He intended to select a gift and personally go to apologize.

"Brother, are you going to the Golden Roc Prince's Manor?" Ning Xin'er asked.

"Yes," Ning Xiaochuan replied.

"I want to go with you."

"Alright!"

Ning Xiaochuan and Ning Xin'er boarded the carriage together and settled inside as a servant drove them toward the Golden Roc Prince's Manor.

Over the past two years, Ning Xiaochuan had been so focused on cultivating the Martial Path that he had neglected Ning Xin'er, failing in his duty as an elder brother. The thought filled him with guilt.

Ning Xiaochuan took out ten Life Pills, placed them inside a Frost Jade Bottle, and handed it to Ning Xin'er. "There are ten Life Pills in here. If you can fully refine them, they will elevate your talent to the Once-in-Six-Millennia level. You must keep them well-hidden and not let anyone see them."

Ning Xin'er held the Frost Jade Bottle, fully aware of the preciousness of the pills inside. A Once-in-Six-Millennia talent level—this was something she had never dared to imagine before. Could she really reach such heights?

It felt like a dream, yet she firmly chose to believe in her brother.

Ning Xiaochuan gazed into Ning Xin'er’s round, bright eyes, warmth rising in his heart. In this world, perhaps only Ning Xin'er could bring him the warmth of familial love.

Ning Xin'er's face was fair and delicate, with a standard oval shape, slender and long eyebrows, round and bright eyes with distinct black and white, slightly upturned eyelashes, and strikingly red lips. At eighteen, she was no longer a child but a renowned beauty in the Imperial City. Yet, she was very attached to Ning Xiaochuan, always clinging to his arm and leaning against his chest like a delicate bird. To those unaware, they might mistake them for a couple!

...

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