Chapter One Hundred and Ten: Making the Hidden Dragon Ranking

"Black Heaven Demon God Stele? Source Seed? Eternal Life?"

It was becoming increasingly interesting. How many secrets had the dust of history buried? The Underworld pursued the Gate of the Yellow Springs, while the Black Heaven Divine Sect pursued the Black Heaven Demon God Stele. All roads pointed toward eternal life. With human immortals no longer appearing in the world, had the path of martial arts reached a dead end?

The growing number of mysteries gave Baili Feihong a headache.

"My role as a Warden is starting to look more and more like that of a demon lord."

"A demon lord in the eyes of the demons themselves."

Looking at the skill points increased on his Skill Book, Baili Feihong grinned, revealing his teeth. Why worry about all that? Just kill everything in the way.

The ground was littered with wreckage and piles of bones. Who among them had been truly wicked, and who had been unjustly wronged? No one would ever know.

Walking to the center of the North Island Prison, he found a massive hole that had exposed the Demon Suppression Prison. It was like a giant abyss, a vast space carved entirely from black iron. Mysterious runes marked the walls, linking together to form a colossal Demon Suppression Array that sealed the demons within. Just looking at the remnants of this prison, one could tell that the Demon Suppression Division had invested immense effort into its construction. It must have been the work of the master craftsmen from the Hall of Ghostly Axes and Divine Skills.

Back then, the Feiyuan Demon Suppression Division must have been in a state of decay. What had happened to cause such a decline? Was it truly the suppression by the local authorities?

It was not until the appearance of Nangong Zhen, an outer sect elder of the Primordial Demon Sect, that Baili Feihong realized the enemies of the Demon Suppression Division might still be lurking on the island.

"My Demon Suppression Divine Eye has not yet been exposed. Enemies who hide deep will not emerge easily. They must be watching my every move from the shadows, waiting for me to reveal a weakness so this viper can strike."

Whether Nangong Zhen had left Feiyuan Island was impossible for Baili Feihong to verify. The man had once lived in the provincial capital, but even when Baili Feihong scanned the Demon Suppression Division with his Divine Eye, he found no trace of him. He must have been practicing some secret technique or possessed a rare treasure.

He jumped into the Demon Suppression Prison to investigate carefully, but found no clues. The demons were all dead, leaving behind only the thin, foul-smelling air.

"Something is not right."

Baili Feihong muttered. The Demon Suppression Prison was too clean. Aside from the stench, these demons, which had been imprisoned for nearly two centuries, had left surprisingly few marks behind. He had previously studied the Demon Suppression Prison of Jiang Yu'er, which was a research-oriented facility designed to study the habits of demons and methods to restrain them. Naturally, some demons were difficult to kill, so the Wardens would choose to contain them within the prison. Each demon had its own independent containment space. Even so, there should have been extensive signs of the demons' frenzied struggles. With so many demons locked together, the marks of their fighting and devouring on the prison walls should have been countless. One could usually judge the strength of a demon by the marks it left behind.

"There is only one possibility. The entire prison was used to contain a single monster that surpassed the rank of Great Demon—a creature with a True Name."

True Demon, True Devil. The True Demon's physical body is indestructible, and the True Devil is uncannily immortal. Baili Feihong had never encountered a demon of this caliber before.

"It must be a True Devil."

Baili Feihong opened his Divine Eye again and looked at the surrounding walls. The runes, which should have been absorbing the energy of heaven and earth, appeared extremely bizarre to his eyes. A twisted, polluted aura, impossible to describe, seeped through his spiritual sense, attempting to invade his soul.

Baili Feihong snorted coldly, surging his blood energy to eradicate that sliver of True Devil aura. A faint line of blood-red characters appeared on the wall:

[I see you.]

The short phrase formed a blood-red eye, staring at Baili Feihong. An icy coldness, chilling to the marrow, was transmitted to him.

"I see you too."

Baili Feihong took out the Demon-Fixing Swallow Compass. The compass rotated slowly, absorbing a trace of the True Devil's aura, and its needle suddenly pointed north. Destroying the prison with a single palm strike, he followed the direction indicated by the compass.

Upon reaching the edge of the coastline, he stopped and looked out into the depths of the ocean. The sea, shrouded in black storm clouds, manifested a giant head that seemed to be responding to Baili Feihong.

"The Devil's Sea."

He stopped his pursuit and shook his head helplessly. Compared to the vast, unknown regions of the world, the territory conquered by humanity was far too small. The Devil's Sea was a nickname for the dangerous, unknown, and mysterious waters.

...

"Deputy Governor Qian, the mineral resources on North Island are one of our main sources of supply. If we cannot mine normally, the ores for the military department will not be delivered on time," Governor Guliang said helplessly.

Gongyang Yan smiled bitterly to himself; he never thought he would be pushed to this point. "Governor, the Demon Suppression Division has designated North Island as a restricted zone. Outsiders cannot enter, and retrieving the mines will not be easy."

Gongyang Yan finally bowed his head.

"Baili Feihong's setting up of this restricted zone has seriously affected the normal operations of Feiyuan Island," Guliang sighed. "If the military department holds us accountable, I ask that you, Deputy Governor Qian, testify to expose the crimes of the Demon Suppression Division."

Gongyang Yan cupped his hands in acknowledgment, saying nothing more.

"The Prefect has been harmed by those of the Demonic Path and has become a fool. He is no longer fit to serve. I will report this to the Imperial Court now and ask them to appoint a new Prefect for Feiyuan."

Governor Guliang gave Gongyang Yan a deep, meaningful look. For some reason, Gongyang Yan had an ominous premonition. Administratively, the Prefect was the highest-ranking official in the province. On Feiyuan Island, with a powerful Warden and a dominant Governor’s Office, the position of Prefect was merely a puppet. It was difficult to get anything done.

"The messenger hawk has already been sent and will arrive at the Imperial Capital soon. Please, Deputy Governor Qian, go and communicate with the Warden once more."

"As you command," Gongyang Yan said helplessly.

After Gongyang Yan left, Zhong Ziling said with a grave expression, "Governor, the Black Heaven Divine Sect has just left the island, and now this outer sect elder of the Primordial Demon Sect has arrived. The Primordial Demon Sect follows no taboos; the appearance of Nangong Zhen on Feiyuan Island is not a good sign."

"Indeed. I could never have imagined that Nangong Zhen was an outer sect elder of the Primordial Demon Sect." Governor Guliang was truly worried about the Primordial Demon Heart Talisman they used. He was on the verge of becoming a puppet, plunging into an abyss of no return. Guliang's expression was uncertain.

"Spread the news that an elder of the Primordial Demon Sect has appeared on Feiyuan Island."

"The Primordial Demon Sect is solitary and independent, never leaving a place without taking treasures. If other sect forces overseas hear this, they will surely gather on Feiyuan Island to hunt down Nangong Zhen."

But Zhong Ziling thought otherwise. "Governor, if Feiyuan Island becomes crowded with experts, it will shake our rule."

"From the moment Baili Feihong stepped onto Feiyuan Island, our rule was already a thing of the past," Governor Guliang said calmly.

...

Jiang Yu'er. Ever since Baili Feihong was promoted to Warden, the city had been quiet for a long time. Jiang Dongliu had not left. He had been investigating the true secret of Jiang Yu'er, lingering in Xiaoli Town but not daring to step into Xiaoli Mountain. Today, he welcomed an unexpected guest.

"Senior brother, what refined taste, admiring the moon in the dead of night." A gentle, feminine voice came from behind.

Jiang Dongliu did not turn back but asked, "Junior brother, why have you come to Jiang Yu'er? Do you not dislike the mundane world?"

"Do you think I wanted to come here? The air is foul, and the yin and evil energy permeating heaven and earth is so intense; it makes one sick." The delicate, handsome man covered his nose and mouth with distaste.

"Does the sect have any instructions?" Jiang Dongliu asked, his expression serious.

"The Demon Suppression Seed has appeared, sensed by the Heavenly Dragon Instrument; it has ascended to the tenth place on the Qianluo Ranking." The man chuckled. "Senior brother, have you been so captivated by Dongbin City that you haven't been paying attention to sect matters?"

"The Demon Suppression Seed has appeared? The Demon Suppression Division cultivates many seeds, but those who can make it onto the sect's Qianluo Ranking are nearly non-existent. Who is this lucky soul?" Jiang Dongliu asked, becoming interested.

"Baili Feihong."

The three words spoken by the man caused Jiang Dongliu to turn around abruptly. "Impossible. This man is only at the Refinement of Spirit realm. Even if he broke through to the Origin Fetus realm, he could hardly enter the Divine Ability realm. Without Divine Ability, he is ultimately an ant. How could he ascend the Qianluo Ranking?"

Those who enter the Qianluo Ranking must meet two conditions: be under the age of thirty and reach the Divine Ability realm.

"Oh? It seems senior brother knows this Baili Feihong quite well." The man, Nan Shushi, looked at Jiang Dongliu with slight surprise. Jiang Dongliu was also a person on the Qianluo Ranking, currently ranked second, with high hopes of challenging for the top spot. He was a genius disciple cultivated by the Yin-Yang Heavenly Sect in recent years, someone with the potential to challenge the Dragon Ranking in the future.

"Baili Feihong was once the Left Warden of Jiang Yu'er. Two months ago, he left to take up his post on Feiyuan Island." Jiang Dongliu recalled Baili Feihong and always felt that there was a great secret hidden within him. The man was a Blood Refiner who cultivated with terrifying speed. Yet, he practiced the *Three Paths of Demon Suppression Scripture*. If he hadn't reached the Divine Ability realm but was detected by the Heavenly Dragon Instrument, it could only mean that his blood refinement level had reached a divine level. He had entered the Qianluo Ranking through blood refinement. Could it be that Baili Feihong had actually obtained the legendary Kunpeng blood?

The more Jiang Dongliu thought about it, the more he felt his guess was correct. Unfortunately, before he could make a move against Baili Feihong, the man had been transferred away from Jiang Yu'er.

These days, yin energy had been rising on Xiaoli Mountain, and strange occurrences were common at night. Jiang Dongliu had set aside his previous speculations to observe Xiaoli Mountain, attempting to find the Gate of the Yellow Springs.

"A Warden? The Imperial Court transferred this Demon Suppression Seed to Feiyuan Island—are they trying to reverse the decline of the Demon Suppression Division?" Nan Shushi was intrigued.

"Junior brother, go back. This Baili Feihong is mine," Jiang Dongliu said coldly.

Nan Shushi froze, then chuckled. "Senior brother is already the runner-up on the Qianluo Ranking. Instead of thinking about how to challenge for the top spot, why fight over a junior brother's fortune?"

Those who ascend the Qianluo Ranking all have the potential for the Dragon Ranking. If one can kill someone on the list, one can take their place and seize their fortune. The Heavenly Dragon Instrument was an ancient artifact held by the Taiyi Sect. In the past, the Taiyi Sect held ninety percent of the world's martial destiny. They had helped the Feihong Imperial Family seize the world and were allowed to share in the human fortune, but the Feihong Imperial Family had colluded with other sects to ambush the Taiyi Sect. The Taiyi Sect had no choice but to establish two lists: the Qianluo Ranking, for those who reached the Divine Ability realm before thirty, and the Tianluo Ranking, for those who reached the Dragon Ranking by harmonizing with heaven and earth. Only by ascending the Qianluo Ranking could one eventually transform into a Heavenly Dragon.

Nan Shushi did not believe he was inferior to anyone. He was a young expert who had already stepped halfway into the Divine Ability realm and condensed a Divine Ability seed. If he could kill Baili Feihong, his mind would reach a state where he would surely manifest his own divine ability. Killing a Demon Suppression Seed would allow one to train in the Yin-Yang Holy Realm once. If he could seize the Yin-Yang Dao opportunity, his future path to harmonizing with heaven and earth would be assured.

"He is fated to be with me." Jiang Dongliu curled his lips, looking coldly at Nan Shushi.

Heavenly killing intent surged, yin and yang intertwined, and divine abilities manifested, causing the heavens to change. Nan Shushi's expression darkened.

"Hmph, he is also fated to be with me. Senior brother, blocking someone's path like this is quite an ugly way to eat." Nan Shushi's Yin-Yang Dao rhyme appeared, resisting the pressure from Jiang Dongliu.

Jiang Dongliu suddenly laughed. "Very well. Since junior brother wants to seize this opportunity, go ahead. Feiyuan Island is a stronghold of the Demon Suppression Division. Don't say senior brother didn't warn you—if you are killed, I will not avenge you."

"Thank you for your concern, senior brother. A Qianlong is only a Qianlong. Even if he is on the list, there are ways to slaughter a dragon." A hint of gloom flashed across Nan Shushi's handsome face. He was also warning Jiang Dongliu that he possessed the skills to slaughter a dragon.

"The ancestors are indeed biased. Junior brother, take care of yourself." Jiang Dongliu sat cross-legged on the highest roof in Xiaoli Town, facing Xiaoli Mountain. One cannot have both fish and bear's paw. Having missed the Kunpeng blood, he could not miss the Gate of the Yellow Springs. The Gate of the Yellow Springs concerned the mysteries of the Underworld and the cycle of reincarnation. If he could participate in it and obtain a share of the fortune, he might glimpse the mysteries of human immortals and gods and demons. The Kunpeng blood could only shorten the time to reach the Dragon Ranking; compared to the Gate of the Yellow Springs, it was a step below. Moreover, Kunpeng blood would not disappear; it was not a one-of-a-kind item.

Nan Shushi turned and left.

"Warden, I have been remiss," Jiang Dongliu said loudly.

"Why are you targeting Baili Feihong?" Dongbin City's gaze was cold.

"In such a short time, to rival a Divine Ability master through blood refinement—Governor, you should understand that without sufficient opportunity, the pills of the Demon Suppression Division alone cannot build a blood-refined Divine Ability master." Jiang Dongliu did not hide anything. He even knew that the Gongyang family possessed a portion of Kun demon essence blood. If it were further purified to condense a trace of Kunpeng blood, it would solidify his foundation for the Dragon Ranking. However, the Gongyang family's Sword Saint, Gongyang Dao, was someone who had ranked in the top ten of the Tianluo Ranking. He hadn't made a move for a hundred years; the heavenly secrets were obscured, and even the Heavenly Dragon Instrument could not detect his true level. The Yin-Yang Heavenly Sect also had Dragon Ranking experts, more than one, but in the face of this living fossil of a Sword Saint, no Dragon Ranking ancestor could say they would win for sure.

"The most legendary story in the Dongbin region is that of the first Warden who slew a Kun demon with his sword eight hundred years ago." Dongbin City's sword intent was sharp, making Jiang Dongliu feel like he was being pricked by needles.

"The Sword Saint's token cannot be moved rashly. Governor, would you really abandon your foundation just to kill me? That is your only weapon against the prophecy. Without it, even if you become a Divine Ability master, you will not be able to resist the descent of the terrifying prophecy," Jiang Dongliu sighed. He felt pity for the fate of the extraordinary woman behind him. Her family had endowed her with a height that ordinary people could not reach in a hundred lifetimes, but many of her fates were already set at the moment of her birth.

Dongbin City's Dao heart remained unmoved. "Heaven's will is difficult to defy, but variables make a mockery of so-called destiny."

"The variable in your eyes might already be a pawn in someone else's chess game. Small fates can be changed, but the great trend is hard to shake!" Ever since he learned that secret, Jiang Dongliu had been waiting. Otherwise, he would have already taken action. He did not want to step into the chessboard of that taboo existence too early.