Ye Xingchen broke through to peak Wuzong.

Being able to advance this quickly, various resources and spirit gathering arrays were only secondary factors—the most crucial element was still the Taixuan True Scripture, because he had already comprehended the fifth layer!

The mental cultivation method created by Elder Taixuan was indeed formidable. Every time one gained insight into a new layer, their cultivation would increase, even accelerating the speed of advancement.

Of course.

There was another heaven-defying aspect—it could improve spiritual roots.

Ye Xingchen had already upgraded to supreme quality using the aptitude transformation liquid, so this benefit didn’t manifest.

“If I can break through the seventh layer, my spiritual root quality will advance to saint grade. If I comprehend the ninth layer, I can return to divine grade spiritual roots!” Ye Xingchen’s eyes burned with fervor.

In less than two years, his cultivation had reached peak Wuzong, and his spiritual root had reached supreme quality. Such speed was something he wouldn’t have dared imagine when he first reincarnated!

Among the disciples, Night Emperor was undoubtedly the strongest in realm.

But not the fastest.

Because in terms of growth speed, He Wudi was faster.

After all, with super divine grade aptitude, he absolutely couldn’t be compared to martial cultivators of the mortal plane.

Ye Xingchen didn’t care if someone advanced faster than himself. What he cared about was becoming stronger within the limited time available, then going to take revenge and settle old scores!

The hatred from his previous life.

Was the driving force that supported his continuous cultivation.

“Sect Leader.”

The next day, Ye Xingchen said: “This disciple wishes to participate in the qualification battle for the Heroes Gathering Rankings.”

“Qualification battle?”

Jun Changxiao looked confused.

The system explained: “Every youth who meets the age requirement can apply to participate in the Heroes Gathering Rankings qualification battle. Those who claim champion or runner-up will obtain qualification.”

“What qualification?” Jun Changxiao asked.

The system said: “The qualification to challenge the geniuses on the Heroes Gathering Rankings.”

The Heroes Gathering Rankings’ Heaven, Earth, and Human lists weren’t set in stone—those with stronger power or higher cultivation could be replaced at any time.

The rankings underwent evaluation once per year, ranking listed personnel based on collected information.

The faster method to advance in level was to challenge from the bottom tier and slowly climb upward.

However.

Without obtaining qualification, even if you beat the Heaven List’s top ranker to a pulp, the officials wouldn’t recognize it.

Ye Xingchen wanted to fulfill his previous life’s regret. He had to obtain the qualification to challenge the ranking geniuses, which meant he had to participate in the qualification battle.

During the Huashan Discourse.

If he had qualification, defeating Jiang Shensi would have replaced the other party, making him the eighty-ninth on the Human List.

“Where does the qualification battle take place?” Jun Changxiao asked.

Ye Xingchen said: “Any sixth-grade commandery has a qualification arena. Registration is open every month.”

“Permission granted.” Jun Changxiao said.

As a sect leader, he couldn’t enter the Heroes Gathering Rankings himself, but having his disciples participate and obtain higher rankings would equally bring honor to the Iron Bones Sect.

“Sect Leader, this disciple also wishes to participate!” Xiao Zuoji said.

The Heroes Gathering Rankings was the authoritative ranking for measuring geniuses. Every youth who harbored dreams hoped to have their name on the list!

“Ding! Side quest triggered.”

A quest came?

Jun Changxiao opened the system panel.

The content was—Disciples obtaining qualification to challenge Heroes Gathering Rankings geniuses 0/5 people.

“Good.”

Jun Changxiao said: “All inner sect disciples of my Iron Bones Sect must participate in the qualification battle and obtain qualification to challenge the Heroes Gathering Rankings geniuses!”

…

The next day.

Li Qingyang and twenty other inner sect disciples, after eating Liu Wanshi’s farewell meal, all left the sect.

Because each sixth-grade commandery only had one qualification arena, after descending the mountain, they split into pairs and headed in different directions.

Xiao Zuoji and Ye Xingchen went to Zhenyang Commandery.

Li Qingyang and Tian Qi went to Huaiyang Commandery. Su Xiaomo and Li Fei went to Dingyang Commandery.

Long Ziyang and Ling Yuanxue went to Longyang City.

Not only did sixth-grade and higher commanderies have qualification arenas, some relatively powerful cities also had them.

The time when qualification battles were held each month depended on the city’s regulations, so they weren’t unified.

The Zhenyang Commandery where Xiao Zuoji and Ye Xingchen were going would start first at the beginning of the month, so many martial cultivators had already gone to register.

Some people weren’t necessarily going for the qualification, but rather treating it as rare practical combat training.

Some people, even if they obtained qualification, wouldn’t necessarily go challenge the geniuses on the Heroes Gathering Rankings—like driver’s licenses on Earth, they’d get it first and keep it.

Ye Xingchen was different.

As long as he obtained qualification, he would definitely go challenge the ranking geniuses to advance his position, killing from the Human List into the Earth List, then from the Earth List into the Heaven List.

…

Whoosh whoosh—

In the wilderness, a grassy green aura spread out, enveloping a middle second-grade fierce beast that was absorbed into just fur and bones.

“The energy given is getting less and less.”

Dai Lu reluctantly retracted his devouring power, shaking his head: “I need to go to some dangerous places to find high-grade fierce beasts.”

Absorbing martial cultivators would give more energy, but he had been trying hard to restrain himself, not acting recklessly, because if he offended too many people, he’d eventually face big trouble.

High-grade fierce beasts.

Were undoubtedly the best devouring targets.

“Brother Hao, do you have confidence in claiming a position in this qualification battle?” A voice came from a mountain path in the distance.

Two young men were walking along it.

The youth called Brother Hao grinned widely and said: “Taking first or second place definitely won’t be a problem.”

“Wow! If Brother Hao can obtain qualification, you can challenge the geniuses of the Heroes Gathering Rankings. Becoming famous and establishing your name is just around the corner!” That youth said worshipfully.

“Heroes Gathering Rankings?”

Dai Lu stroked his chin and said: “This seems to be the most authoritative genius ranking. With my age, I can participate. If I can get my name on the list, that would also bring glory to my ancestors.”

Decided.

Go participate in the qualification battle!

“Only sixth-grade commanderies have qualification arenas.”

Dai Lu murmured: “The nearest one is Zhenyang Commandery. I can go participate there.”

…

Zhenyang Commandery, Zhenyang City.

When Xiao Zuoji and Ye Xingchen walked in, they immediately attracted the gazes of numerous martial artists.

Someone said in a low voice: “These two are Iron Bones Sect disciples!”

The Iron Bones Sect’s reputation had risen greatly, and their uniforms were very avant-garde and fashionable, so when traveling in Southwest Yang Province, they would definitely be recognized quickly.

“I just learned from the city gate guard that these two are Xiao Zuoji and Ye Xingchen, inner sect disciples of the Iron Bones Sect!”

“Strange, how did the city gate guard let them in? Did he forget that the Iron Bones Sect Leader previously caused trouble at Lingquan Sect?”

“They came to participate in the qualification battle. Even if the guard wasn’t happy about it, he had to let them pass, because this is a right every martial cultivator should have.”

“No way, these two inner sect disciples are said to be very strong. If they participate in the qualification battle, won’t everyone else have no chance?”

Everyone discussed in various voices.

Xiao Zuoji and Ye Xingchen paid no attention, found an inn to reserve two rooms, then went to the qualification arena.

At this moment.

The qualification arena registration point was surrounded by many youths, with cultivation levels varying from high to low.

“It’s Iron Bones Sect disciples!”

“We’re done for, we’re done for. They really are going to participate in the qualification battle!”

“Even Shengquan Sect disciples were abused by them. If we encounter them, we definitely won’t have any chance.”

“Sigh, we can only wait until next month.”

Xiao Zuoji and Ye Xingchen registered according to procedure, just waiting for the battle to begin in three days.

However.

Just as the two were about to leave, they saw a black-robed man standing at the street entrance ahead, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, a smile floating on his face.

Who?

Dai Lu!

His eyes, displaying a grassy green color, stared fixedly at Ye Xingchen.

He hadn’t expected this guy to also come participate in the qualification battle. Very good, very good. This old man will definitely make him deeply experience what’s worse than death!

Swish!

Just then, Ye Xingchen and Xiao Zuoji passed right by him, not even glancing at him once.

Detestable!

They’re treating him like he’s transparent?

“Stop!”

Dai Lu shouted.

Xiao Zuoji stopped and said: “Is there something?”

Dai Lu ignored him, pointing at Ye Xingchen, his voice cold and sinister: “Ye Xingchen, in the qualification battle three days from now, you better pray you don’t encounter me!”

“Junior Brother, do you know him?”

“Don’t know him.”

The two spoke while already walking far away.

Dai Lu stood alone on the street. A small breeze blew by, making him appear quite desolate.