Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 272: Chapter 182: Ranking_1

On the third day of the Competition of the Chosen.

In the market district, within a tavern.

A young man sat in a corner, silently drowning himself in drink.

He appeared utterly dejected.

Yet nobody paid him any heed.

All attention was focused on…

“The Green Jade Leaderboard, The Green Jade Leaderboard, the newest arrangement of the Azure Cloud Battle Leaderboard!”

“Exclusive news, just for one hundred spirit stones, no deception, genuine quality!”

“One hundred spirit stones, why don’t you just go rob people? Outside is the Sky-reaching Tower, and inside, the Azure Cloud Leaderboard, both with the ability to record and project images. The Green Jade Mountain only asks for one spirit stone, and you dare to flip it to a hundred times that much?”

“Hey, sir, you are not right in saying that. Organizing a leaderboard surely can’t focus on just one person, right? When you add everything up and want to look through them all, tell me, how many spirit stones should that cost? Plus, there are some unique pieces of information that were hard to collect, so why aren’t they worth the spirit stones? If you don’t want to buy, then don’t buy, but don’t slander good people.”

“Hmph, I won’t buy it. It’s much more economical to go see it for myself, and I certainly don’t need those fake news probably fabricated by someone.”

“To buy or not to buy, the Green Jade Leaderboard, unique news, one hundred spirits stones each!”

“I’ll take one.”

“Such generosity from the customer!”

Inside the tavern, hawkers were not a common sight, but the items on sale were neither food nor drink; surprisingly, they were jade slips.

The patrons at various tables were seen to hold such items, all curiously perusing them.

Some, drunk with wine, sang loudly and began to make an unruly commotion in public.

“What Competition of the Chosen, it’s clearly a competition full of under-the-table dealings!”

“That’s right, just look at the ranking of the top ten on this leaderboard. Which one of them isn’t a disciple of the Green Jade Mountain?”

“The martial competition rankings are understandable; yes, the Green Jade Mountain is strong, the skills of the Green Jade Mountain are remarkable, we outsiders truly are no match, but even on the Hundred Arts Leaderboard you’ve taken up all the spots; isn’t that a bit excessive?”

“So you from the Green Jade Mountain are unmatched in martial contests and spell battles, and even in Spirit Plant Beast Mastering, Alchemy, Artifact Refining, you’re the number one?”

A few cultivators spoke nonsense, whether truly drunk or feigning inebriation.

The staff of the tavern ignored such behavior, nor did any law enforcement teams appear.

This only managed to anger the nearby patrons.

“Nonsense, if the Green Jade Sect wasn’t skilled in these abilities, then how would we have the Elixir Tower, Treasure Tower, and Talisman Tower in this marketplace?”

“Martial Arts Scriptures, Taoist Scriptures, many cultivating skills, they all come from the Green Jade Mountain. You’ve just started learning someone else’s techniques and already think to surpass your predecessors?”

“Just go practice, this first Competition of the Chosen, the top ten on the leaderboard will definitely all be disciples of the Green Jade Mountain.”

“Don’t speak of the first one. Even for the next few competitions, it will still be Green Jade Mountain’s disciples.”

“It might only be after decades or a century that a person from another power might emerge.”

“But still, it’s not too bad. Even if we’re defeated, we can still earn some Azure Cloud Points, and after accumulating for a few years, we can exchange them for a Foundation Building Pill.”

“That Sky-reaching Tower indeed helps one towards Enlightenment. After several bouts, my swordsmanship has obviously improved by a notch.”

“Disciples of the Green Jade Mountain must have been suffering through hard practices within that Sky-reaching Tower and also received guidance from the Spell King; their combat strength naturally far surpasses that of ordinary cultivators.”

“I don’t feel wronged by my defeat…”

People talked in various tones, their words filled with sighs.

“It’s a pity that the Spell King doesn’t open his doors to disciples, otherwise I would definitely join and study at the Green Jade Mountain.”

“You think as long as you agree to follow someone they will accept you? What do you think the Green Jade Mountain is?”

“Exactly, have a look at the Azure Cloud Battle Leaderboard. Which one of those listed is a mere nobody?”

“The top ten disciples are all dragons and phoenixes among people, prodigies of the heaven-borne caliber.”

“They are either Thunder Cultivators or Sword Cultivators, even their martial skills are transcendent.”

“I’ve also been practicing that Martial Arts Scripture, so why don’t I possess such formidable power? Could it be that the Spell King keeps his secrets hidden?”

“The skill isn’t flawed; the difference lies in the practitioner!”

“If you can’t make it, don’t blame the unevenness of the road!”

The crowd joked noisily for a while.

In the corner, Xiao Miao sat dejectedly, silent.

“Alright, it’s not a big deal to lose to three little Qi Cultivation kids, so what?”

“Furthermore, encountering such anomalies, isn’t it perfectly normal to lose?”

“Just look at this Azure Cloud Leaderboard, what kind of demons and monsters are listed on it?”

In his mind, Elder Zhen became active and, while browsing the Azure Cloud Leaderboard, attempted to console Xiao Miao, who was deeply dismayed.

The Azure Cloud Leaderboard reserved the highest ranking for a detailed introduction of combat abilities.

Azure Cloud Battle Leaderboard: Regardless of realm, only combat strength is considered; rankings are divided based on combat achievements.

The current rankings are as follows.

First place: Li Jinling, Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Complete, rumored to be the senior brother of Green Jade Mountain (according to legend), Cultivation Technique: Unknown, Cultivating Skills: One Hundred and Eight Thousand Swords, Combat Record: eighty-eight victories, zero draws, zero defeats.

Introduction: Age unknown, but holds a very high status among the disciples of Green Jade Mountain, thus rumored to be the senior brother of Green Jade Mountain. His strength is absolutely powerful. At the peak of Foundation Establishment, he has fought eighty-eight battles in the Sky-reaching Tower without a single loss. Cultivating the “One Hundred and Eight Thousand Sword Technique” from the “Taoist Scriptures of Swordsmanship,” his sword flow is vast and overwhelming, with one hundred and eight thousand swords invincible to all.

Second place: Shui Linglong, Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Complete, rumored to be the senior sister of Green Jade Mountain (also according to legend), Cultivation Technique: Unknown (supposedly a Thunder Spirit Root cultivator), Cultivating Skills: Martial Scripture Thunder Series, Taoist Scriptures Thunder Series, Combat Record: eighty-seven victories, zero draws, zero defeats.

Introduction: Age unknown, but enjoys a very high status among the disciples of Green Jade Mountain, not inferior to Li Jinling, hence rumored to be the senior sister of Green Jade Mountain. With complete Foundation Establishment Cultivation, she has fought eighty-seven battles without a single defeat. A Thunder Cultivator, cultivating the “Martial Scripture of Thunder-Driving Lightning-Lifting Skill” and the “Taoist Scriptures of Jade Pure Divine Sky Skill,” she pursues both martial and Taoist cultivation, possessing absolute strength.

Third place: Feng Qingqing, Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Complete, rumored to be the second senior sister of Green Jade Mountain (still according to legend), Cultivation Technique: Unknown, Cultivating Skills: Five Elements Sword Art, Combat Record: seventy-two victories, one draw, one defeat.

Introduction: Age unknown, like Li Jinling and Shui Linglong, she holds an extremely high status among the disciples. However, due to a previous defeat at the hands of Shui Linglong, she was relegated to second senior sister. Her Cultivation Technique is unknown, skilled in using a powerful set of Five Element Flying Swords, also an extraordinary Sword Cultivator.

Fourth place: Gui Wanshou, Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Complete, rumored elder brother of Green Jade Mountain (still according to legend), Cultivation Technique: Unknown, Cultivating Skills: Earth Yuan Heavy Water, Combat Record: fifty-three victories, eighteen draws, two defeats.

Introduction: Age unknown but appears very old, suspected to be from an older generation. However, among the older generation at Green Jade Mountain, currently, it seems only the Spell King is present. Therefore, it’s suspected that he merely looks older than his actual age, which is likely around the same as Li Jinling and Shui Linglong’s generation. His Cultivation Technique is unknown, but he has mastered “Earth Yuan Heavy Water,” a divine skill from the Taoist Scriptures, possessing both offensive and defensive capabilities, hence has many draws in his record.

Fifth place: Ao Honglie, Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Complete, disciple of Green Jade Mountain, Cultivation Technique: Unknown (suspected to be a body cultivator), Cultivating Skills: Martial Scripture, Taoist Scriptures, Combat Record: forty-nine victories, seven draws, three defeats.

Introduction: With a simple and honest appearance and being a sincere person, he also holds a very high status among the Green Jade Mountain disciples, although clearly not as much as Shui Linglong. His cultivation technique is unknown, suspected to be a body cultivator, possessing immense strength, with a powerful physique; he has defeated many opponents barehanded and is also proficient in both martial skills and Taoist cultivation, with a very high winning rate.

Sixth place: Ao Tieshan, Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Complete, disciple of Green Jade Mountain, Cultivation Technique: Unknown (suspected to be a body cultivator), Cultivating Skills: Martial Scripture, Taoist Scriptures, Combat Record: forty-three victories, three draws, three defeats.

Introduction: Sworn brothers with Ao Honglie, also a body cultivator with immense strength and a strong fighting body, defeating many formidable opponents barehanded, and also proficient in both martial skills and Taoist cultivation.

Seventh place: Ji Changkong, Cultivation: Foundation Establishment early stage, rumored to be the junior brother of Green Jade Mountain (still according to legend), Cultivation Technique: Unknown, Cultivating Skills: One Hundred and Eight Thousand Sword Technique, Qi Refinement Realm Combat Record: two hundred and eighteen victories, Foundation Establishment Combat Record: forty-two victories, twenty-five draws, seven defeats.

Introduction: The junior brother of Green Jade Mountain, initially making his appearance with just complete Qi Refinement Cultivation but with the One Hundred and Eight Thousand Swords, he was invincible among those at the same stage and thus challenged Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment level, breaking through in combat, stepping into the Foundation Establishment Realm. His power is astonishing, with tremendous potential. He has declared his intent to surpass the senior brother Li Jinling, with an arrogant and ruthless personality. Most cultivators facing him are defeated with a single move.

Eighth place: Shui Lingling, Cultivation: Foundation Establishment early stage, recognized by everyone as the cutest junior sister of Green Jade Mountain, Cultivation Technique: Unknown (but confirmed to be a Thunder Spirit Root cultivator), Cultivating Skills: Martial Scripture Thunder Series, Taoist Scriptures Thunder Series, Qi Refinement Realm Combat Record: one hundred and ninety-eight victories, Foundation Establishment Combat Record: thirty-nine victories, eighteen draws, one defeat.

Introduction: Rumored to be Shui Linglong’s younger sister, she is innocent and lovely, charming and moving. Like Shui Linglong, she is a Thunder Cultivator. It’s said that her potential even surpasses Shui Linglong’s and she is deeply favored by the Spell King. Originally also at complete Qi Cultivation level, after dominating, she challenged Foundation Establishment Cultivators and also broke through in battle, facing off against those at the complete stage in the early stage without falling behind.

Ninth Place: Gui Sanqian, Cultivation: Early Foundation Establishment, Disciple under the Spell King (rumored), Cultivated Cultivation Technique: Unknown, Cultivating Skills: Martial Arts Scripture, Taoist Scriptures, Tai Chi Yin-Yang Principle, Qi Refinement Battle Records: One hundred seventy-eight wins, Foundation Establishment Battle Records: Thirty-five wins, twenty-eight draws, zero losses.

Introduction: Mature beyond his years, humble and courteous, his relationship with another extreme, Gui Wanshou, is unknown. Rumored to be a disciple under the Spell King, but without solid proof, his Cultivation Technique is unknown. However, he is proficient in Martial Arts Scriptures, Taoist Scriptures, and the Tai Chi Yin-Yang Principle. With Qi Three Thousand, he can annihilate all things. Equally invincible in Qi Cultivation, capable of fighting against the odds in Foundation Establishment and achieving breakthroughs, he is lauded as one of the Green Jade’s three great prodigies, alongside Ji Changkong and Shui Lingling.

Tenth Place: Laoliu, Foundation Establishment Completion, close confidant of the Spell King, elder of the Green Jade Mountain, the person with the greatest background behind the Spell King (confirmed), Cultivated Cultivation Technique: Unknown (suspected to be a body cultivator), Cultivating Skills: Martial Arts Scripture, Taoist Scriptures, Battle Records: Twenty-five wins, ten draws, thirteen losses.

Introduction: Laoliu has the highest status in Green Jade Mountain besides the Spell King. His power doesn’t match up to Li Jinling, Shui Linglong, or Feng Qingqing, but he is on equal footing with them. He is said to be an elder of the Green Jade Mountain, having followed the Spell King the longest. However, he is shameless and devoid of martial honor, resorting to despicable means in battle, utilizing malicious Magic Artifacts. He is like a dirty stream within Green Jade Mountain.

But overall, his strength is relatively weak, having been defeated successively by Ji Changkong, Shui Lingling, and Gui Sanqian. Because of his substantial family resources, he has managed to avoid elimination continuously through Jade Talismans, making him the most likely among the top disciples to be replaced.

Note: The Sky-reaching Tower aids in Enlightenment. Among the top ten disciples, except for Laoliu, who is ranked tenth, and Ji Changkong, Shui Lingling, and Gui Sanqian, who have just stepped into the Foundation Establishment Realm, the rest, including the senior brother Li Jinling, senior sister Shui Linglong, second senior sister Feng Qingqing, as well as Gui Wanshou, Ao Honglie, and Ao Tieshan, are all at Foundation Establishment Completion and may possibly achieve a breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm during battle. Please choose your challenges wisely.

“Look at this, what kind of demons and monsters are these?”

“If they’re not Sword Cultivators, they’re Thunder Cultivators!”

“That one practices combat body, this one cultivates Divine Skills!”

“It’s bad enough they fight against the odds, but they also pull off last-minute breakthroughs in battle?”

“I can’t believe he managed to teach such disciples.”

“It’s like this now, what will happen in a few years? Won’t they turn the world upside down?”

Elder Zhen vented his frustration as he looked at the Green Jade Battle Leaderboard.

Glancing at Xiao Miao, he remained despondent: “I couldn’t even block one move from that person.”

“Nonsense, that person launches One Hundred and Eight Thousand Swords with a single move, with one hundred and eight thousand strands of Sword Qi sweeping towards you. It’s perfectly normal that you can’t block it. You should be asking that whippersnapper how he managed to propel one hundred and eight thousand strands of Sword Qi with his Qi Refinement Realm cultivation; where does all that mana come from, is he human or a demon?” Elder Zhen grumbled in indignation.

“No, it’s my problem!”

Xiao Miao suddenly sat up: “We are all human. If they can do it, I definitely can too. Next time, next time I must win it back.”

Elder Zhen fell silent, and after a long time, he finally said, “I think…”

“No need to say it!”

Xiao Miao stood up and spoke firmly, “Ten years, give me ten years, and I will surely catch up to them and even surpass them!”