239: Chapter 238 First Place on the Prodigy Ranking

[1. Flame Amplification: When controlling all Fire Spells, flame power is increased by 500%, and mana consumption is reduced by 80%.]

[2. Fire Comprehension: When practicing Fire Spells, cultivation Speed is increased fivefold, and the Speed of comprehending Fire Spells is significantly enhanced.]

[3. Flame Resistance: Immune to all Fire Spell damage. Whether it is a Fire Spell released by yourself or a fire attack launched by an enemy, neither can cause any damage to you.]

[4. Fire Defense: For defensive barriers constructed with Fire Spells, defensive capabilities are increased fivefold. It can effectively resist various attacks, especially those suppressed by fire, such as Water and Wood-based methods.]

[5. Fire Evasion: You can escape through raging flames!]

[6. Synchronization: Your Incarnations, Hu Nan and Wang Cheng, can also simultaneously obtain all the blessings of the Heavenly Dao trait 'Fire God,' Sharing all effects and increasing combat power in sync.]

The notification sound faded, and the Heavenly Dao trait Fire God completely stabilized. A wave of warm power instantly swept through Qin Changsheng's entire body, merging into his spiritual energy.

He could clearly feel that his control over Fire Spells had become unprecedentedly powerful, and the fire spiritual energy within his body was becoming more and more refined.

Even simply manifesting a wisp of flame, he could feel power far exceeding what he had before.

Qin Changsheng raised his hand and condensed a wisp of flame. The originally weak spark, under the effect of 'Flame Amplification,' instantly surged, turning into a ball of raging fire. It was crimson in color and emitted terrifyingly high temperatures, scorching the surrounding air until it distorted, yet he himself did not feel the slightest burden of mana consumption.

This was the qualitative change brought about by the 500% power amplification and the 80% reduction in mana consumption.

At the same time, he could clearly perceive that his comprehension of Fire Spells had also become extremely strong. High-level Fire Spells that were somewhat obscure to practice in the past now became clear and easy to understand in his mind. The increase in cultivation Speed gave him the confidence to quickly master more powerful fire Divine Abilities.

What pleased him even more was the 'Synchronization' effect. His Clones Wang Cheng and Hu Nan were still within the Liuhuo Secret Realm at this moment. With the blessing of the Heavenly Dao trait 'Fire God,' their combat power would also surge in sync. Hunting Yao Beasts and stabilizing their position as number one on the Qingyun Ranking would become much easier.

Qin Changsheng slowly withdrew the flames, his eyes full of satisfaction.

Upgrading 'Fire Spells' to the Heavenly Dao trait Fire God was undoubtedly the correct choice. This not only enhanced his core combat power but also gave him an extra trump card for his subsequent cultivation and battles.

...

In the blink of an eye, five days had passed.

The Qingyun Ranking trial had finally entered its final stage. The portal to the Secret Realm was about to close, and all the Cultivators who had entered were returning one after another. The central square of the Flowing Fire Sect was already a sea of people, buzzing with noise.

In the center of the square, that several-fathoms-tall black Point Ranking Monument was currently emitting a dazzling golden light. The rankings and points on it were also about to be finalized.

Countless Cultivators were standing densely around the stone monument, standing on tiptoe and craning their necks. Their eyes were fixed on the rankings at the top of the monument, showing various expressions: shock, confusion, resentment, and a bit of disbelief. The entire square was enveloped in the thick sound of discussion.

At the very top of the ranking monument, the words 'First Place: Hu Nan' were prominently engraved. The points listed below were eye-catching and shocking—11,500 points!

Below Hu Nan, in second place, was Wang Cheng with 11,100 points! There was only a four-hundred-point gap between the two, yet they were separated from third place by a chasm. The third place's score was only 5,100 points, not even half of Hu Nan and Wang Cheng's points, showing an extremely lopsided lead.

"My god! 11,500 points? How is that possible!"

"In five days, even if they hunted Yao Beasts day and night without stopping, it's impossible to accumulate so many points, right? This is simply a fantasy!"

"Hu Nan and Wang Cheng are truly outstanding!"

"This is a complete blowout!"

"I wonder how those two killed the Yao Beasts!"

"Hu Nan is the number one Prodigy of the Heavenly Sword Sect; it's only reasonable for him to achieve this result!"

The Cultivators on the square whispered to one another, their voices filled with doubt and shock, their gazes always locked onto the two names at the top of the stone monument.

They completely didn't understand why Wang Cheng and Hu Nan were so formidable.

In just five short days, they had slain so many Yao Beasts.

Several core prodigies from major Sects stood at the front of the crowd, their faces looking particularly ugly, their eyes filled with resentment and jealousy.

They were originally the favorites to win this trial. They had fought with all their might to hunt Yao Beasts, but in the end, they only accumulated over five thousand points, which couldn't even compare to the fraction of Hu Nan and Wang Cheng's scores. The gap in their hearts was imaginable.

Meanwhile, Qin Changsheng also arrived at the square.

His gaze also turned toward the stone monument.

He had come this time to look for Chen Erniu's name.

However, Qin Changsheng was quickly disappointed; he did not see Chen Erniu's name on the ranking list.

This Chen Erniu seemed not to care about the rankings on the Qingyun Ranking at all.

Just then, the Secret Realm portal above the square suddenly lit up with a dazzling golden light. As the light flowed, an invisible barrier slowly dissipated.

Many Cultivators who participated in the Qingyun Ranking trial also walked out from within.

They had varied expressions, some joyful, some dejected, and some exhausted.

The crowd's gaze instantly shifted from the ranking monument and cast toward the Secret Realm portal in unison.

Before long, Hu Nan, Wang Cheng, and the others also walked out.

As soon as Hu Nan appeared, he was surrounded by many Cultivators from the Heavenly Sword Sect.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Hu, for taking first place in the trial!"

"Senior Brother Hu, taking the top spot on the Qingyun Ranking is truly well-deserved!"

"Senior Brother Hu is truly amazing, 11,500 points!"

"Senior Brother Hu, please look after us in the future!"

The congratulations from the Heavenly Sword Sect Disciples rose and fell, their tones filled with sincere respect.

They were not at all surprised that Hu Nan took first place on the Qingyun Ranking.

After all, several years ago, Hu Nan had already defeated the Flowing Fire Sect's number one Prodigy, Shen Bing.

On the high platform, Elder Huoyun was dressed in a crimson Daoist robe, his body surrounded by the Pressure of the Golden Core Stage. His gaze slowly swept over every Cultivator walking out of the Secret Realm, his face showing some gratification.

But soon, a trace of solemnity appeared in Elder Huoyun's eyes.

Because Elder Huoyun discovered that his Disciple Chen Huan did not seem to have appeared.

As a Golden Core Stage Cultivator, his mind was sharp, and he already knew in his heart that Chen Huan had likely perished within the Secret Realm.

Although Chen Huan was not a top-tier Prodigy, he still had a cultivation at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment. Furthermore, he had the defensive Magic Treasure and life-saving Medicinal Pills that the Elder had bestowed upon him. By common logic, even if he couldn't achieve excellent results, he should have been able to protect himself. How could he have fallen in the Secret Realm?

Elder Huoyun's gaze swept across the crowd and finally landed on Wang Cheng and Hu Nan.

In Elder Huoyun's view, the only ones who could kill Chen Huan so easily within the Secret Realm were Wang Cheng and Hu Nan.

"Elder, the trial has ended!" A deacon approached not far from Elder Huoyun.

Elder Huoyun slowly stood up, and the Golden Core Stage Pressure emanating from him instantly suppressed the discussions across the field.

The square instantly fell silent as all the Cultivators looked up at the high platform.

Elder Huoyun's gaze swept across the field as he spoke, "The top ten Cultivators on the Qingyun Ranking, come up to the arena in the center of the square immediately to receive your rewards!"

As his voice fell, the ground in the center of the square vibrated slightly, and an ancient bluestone arena slowly rose. Spiritual light lingered on the arena, emitting a faint pressure.

The gazes of all the Cultivators focused on the arena once more, and then they all looked toward those in the crowd who were ranked in the top ten, their eyes full of envy and anticipation.

Hearing this, Hu Nan nodded slightly and stepped toward the arena.

Wang Cheng followed closely behind Hu Nan.

The other top ten Cultivators also straightened their clothes and, with a bit of nervousness and joy, walked toward the arena one after another.

They all knew that stepping onto the arena would not only earn them generous rewards but also gain them the attention of the Elders from various Sects. This would be of great benefit to their future path of cultivation.

Elder Huoyun glanced at Hu Nan and Wang Cheng before speaking, "The ten of you have hacked through brambles and thorns in the Secret Realm, hunting Yao Beasts and accumulating points to stand out. You are the most dazzling prodigies of this trial and deserve to be rewarded!"

"The Southern Region Cultivation World is proud of you. I also hope you can concentrate on your cultivation in the future and achieve even greater results, becoming the pillars of the Southern Region Cultivation World!"

As his voice fell, a burst of warm applause and cheers erupted on the square. Cultivators cupped their hands in salute to the ten people on the arena, their eyes full of envy.