52: Hua Rongchi Meeting

"But those fellows in the Central Domain, especially that mysterious Goddess Palace Master... what will they think when they see this list?"

Chu Ye looked toward the Central Domain, the interest in his eyes growing more intense.

The great dao golden ranking list hung high, and the name "Heavenly Mandate Marriage Fate Physique" shook the universe.

Chu Ye, the prince once regarded as trash, had in a way no one expected, truly stood at the very center of the world's stage, attracting the most burning, complex, and dangerous gazes from across the globe.

As the final golden light of the Physique Ranking slowly faded, the great dao golden ranking list that spanned the sky and stirred the world's winds and clouds finally completed its "public notice."

Just as it had appeared, it began to slowly vanish into the depths of the Void Realm with endless majesty and Dao charm, leaving behind only the ripples of Spiritual Qi across the sky that had yet to settle, and a thoroughly reshaped perception of the world.

However, the golden ranking list did not "freeload" everyone's attention for nothing.

At the moment it vanished, an infinite, pure, and majestic torrent of golden Luck surged out from where the list dissipated like a celestial river pouring down, accurately branching out toward every named existence and every power on the list!

Those named on the list, no matter where they were or what they were doing, clearly felt a gentle and vast power settle upon them.

For those who were Cultivating, their Spiritual Qi absorption speed suddenly accelerated; for those practicing Artifact Refining, their control over spiritual fire became more exquisite.

One might even pick up treasures just by walking... Making it onto the list, especially for high-ranking individuals, truly meant gaining the favor and blessing of the Heavenly Dao's Luck!

The higher the ranking, the more massive the share of Luck received, enough to make anyone's eyes turn red with envy.

As the top of that "appalling" Physique Ranking, Chu Ye was the core of the "passive" beneficiaries, feeling the most violent wash of Luck.

The golden torrent seemed to want to wash him from the inside out, and in the unseen, countless threads of "good Luck" began to entwine with his fate.

But at the same time, within this mysterious resonance of Luck, Chu Ye keenly captured an extremely subtle yet incomparably clear "will"—a will from the Heavenly Dao itself.

That will had no specific language, yet it conveyed a sort of... mischievousness that loved to watch a scene unfold and even actively fanned the flames.

Like a high-and-mighty "spectator," it whispered to the chess pieces on the board who had suddenly been injected with stimulants: "Look, I've given you power, given you rankings, and given you the 'reward preview' that everyone craves... Now, the stage is set, the lights are on, what are you waiting for?"

"Hurry up and fight! Compete! Let me see how exciting this struggle for the great era can be!"

Immediately after, this will was more clearly "branded" into the hearts of all living beings:

[The great dao golden ranking list changes once every three months.]

[During the next update, Heavenly Dao Treasures will be bestowed upon those at the top of the rankings to manifest the Heavenly Dao and encourage heroes.]

The "Karma" had been distributed, and the "top-tier" rewards for the next version had been previewed... Now, the gazes of the various powers and top experts who might have been watching, hesitating, or in shock completely changed.

The blessing of Luck was a long-term benefit, but Heavenly Dao Treasures—those were super cheats that could show immediate results and instantly change the landscape! Who could not be moved?

Feeling the Luck surging within him and the Heavenly Dao's blatant intent to "stir up trouble," Chu Ye's brow twitched slightly.

"Good grief, handing out buffs, setting up rankings, and previewing rare drops... Heavenly Dao, are you moonlighting as the planner, referee, and biggest bookmaker of a 'Massive Multiplayer Online Xuanhuan Arena'?"

He complained in his heart, "It's definitely not as simple as just watching for fun... Pushing the great era forward, screening elites? Or... preparing for something even more significant?"

He faintly felt that there must be a deeper intention behind this golden ranking list, but there was too little information currently to speculate.

Just as all living beings were digesting the aftermath of the golden ranking list's conclusion and the shock of the Heavenly Dao's preview, the world changed again!

At the highest point of the firmament, which had been hazy and distorted due to the emergence of the Central Domain, the vast sea of clouds and spatial turbulence completely settled and solidified.

The Central Domain, this legendary ultimate land, finally fully condensed, standing truly and substantially directly above the East, West, South, and North Four Domains!

It was not tightly attached but suspended at a higher spatial level, shrouded by endless auspicious clouds, immortal mist, and profound Law light bands. From afar, it looked like a boundless supercontinent floating above the clouds—mysterious, majestic, and condescending.

Even more striking was that from the core of the mist-shrouded Central Domain, four enormous stairways to heaven composed of pure spiritual light and spatial Laws extended out. Like four sacred bridges, they dropped down respectively, steadily connecting to the core areas of the Four Domains.

These four "Stairways Above the Clouds" shone with ten thousand beams of light, their Dao charms flowing, emitting an aura that allowed passage, yet also carrying a sense of unquestionable hierarchy and scrutiny.

The Central Domain, in this direct and arrogant manner, declared its transcendent status above the Four Domains.

Want to step into the Central Domain?

Fine, please take the "passage" we have bestowed.

Want to look up at the scenery of the Central Domain?

Climb these high celestial stairs first.

At this point, the pattern of the five domains—East, West, South, North, and Central—was completely clear, standing like a tripod!

Just as the outside world was turned upside down with surging undercurrents because of the "Heavenly Mandate Marriage Fate Physique" and the power rankings, Chu Ye, who was at the eye of the storm, received an invitation that seemed a bit fishy.

An invitation letter, using the unique spiritual leaf of the Myriad Spirits Heavenly Sect as paper and emitting a fresh fragrance of plants, passed through layers of security and landed steadily in his hand.

The letter was elegantly phrased, stating that the once-in-a-century "Hua Rong Pond Gathering" was about to be held, aimed at "jointly appreciating the spiritual rhythm of heaven and earth, and discussing the Dao through sparring," specifically inviting the world's "destined talents" to attend.

The list seemed to be drawn up according to the freshly released "Physique Ranking" and "Prodigy Potential." The Old Ancestors and Sect Masters of each house were instead not on the guest list, showing a bit of a "we only play with young people" arrogance.

"Hua Rong Pond Gathering? Sounds like a high-end blind date... no, a high-end youth Cultivator social mixer."

Chu Ye rubbed the spiritual leaf, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly. "Myriad Spirits Heavenly Sect... under Madame Hua Yu. Is this to observe a 'living Heaven And Earth Treasure' up close, or to act as a matchmaker for their own geniuses?"

He had to go, definitely.

It was a good chance to see the Central Domain's "top-tier VIP social scene" and incidentally see if there were any new "high-score targets."

But only a fool would go alone.

With a thought, his figure vanished from the spot.

When he reappeared, he was already within the world of the hundred phoenix diagram.

Thanks to the majestic Innate vitality breathed in and out day and night by the primordial tree embryo, this Small World was no longer what it used to be.

The mountains and rivers were spiritually elegant, the rivers surged, and the Spiritual Qi was so dense it almost liquefied. Although the sun, moon, and stars were phantoms, they generated their own Dao charms, looking like a perfectly thriving newborn world.