The Calamity Beast Approaches, System Rankings Reset

The city of Qingmu was enjoying a brief period of peace and tranquility, while thousands of miles away, in the depths of Senluo Valley, thick gray snowflakes fell like cotton wool over the miasma-filled ravine.

Winter had arrived, and the valley grew increasingly devoid of sunlight, the distinction between day and night blurred, the directions indistinguishable. A biting wind howled through the gorge like the wails of nocturnal ghosts. Deep within the valley, the doors of a temple adorned with mystical murals remained tightly shut.

A closer look would reveal that the creatures depicted in the murals bore an uncanny resemblance to the monstrous calamity beasts gathered there.

"That damned Mingjiao Clan—pretending not to know while feigning ignorance! The Hidden Dragon Ranking of the humans has already been released, yet they still act as if they don’t know Wu Mo is one of them!" A grotesque bird with multiple heads screeched, its voice discordant, its body still covered in unhealed wounds.

"Hahaha! Back in the day, the Nine-Headed Bird Clan used to feast on Mingjiao, yet now you can’t even handle a single fifth-rank Mingjiao!" A beast resembling a massive dog, a member of the Hou Clan, sneered.

"Laughing at me? Your Hou Clan once boasted of devouring true dragons! And now? The Giant Whale Clan nearly beat the dog shit out of you!"

"Damn it, I’m a Hou, not a dog! I already told you Wu Mo is human—none of you idiots understand demon-speak!"

"Stupid mutt."

"Say that again!"

Clearly, one head was no match for five.

As the two calamity beasts teetered on the brink of a brawl, the others watched with cold amusement, none stepping in to intervene.

"Hmph."

A voice neither fully human nor fully beast cut through the tension, forcing the two creatures to reluctantly back down.

"Hall Master."

The speaker was a figure shrouded in black robes, half of his face covered in eerie tattoos—the Hall Master of the Hundred Beasts.

Beside him stood a group of figures clad in bronze masks—priests from various towns.

Before long—

Boom!

The massive temple doors groaned open, and a figure clad in a thin, blood-red robe stepped out.

"Master Han."

The calamity beasts, usually unruly, grew uncharacteristically subdued, lowering their heads in deference.

"Master Han, the treasured arm you requested has been forged."

The Hall Master of the Hundred Beasts presented a jade box containing a grotesque, vein-covered arm, its palm split open to reveal a mouth lined with jagged teeth.

Han Zhen flicked his fingers, and a gust of spectral wind lifted the arm, suspending it before him. He tore off his own withered limb as if snapping a dead branch, tossing it aside—only for the purple-black arm to devour it.

Moments later, crimson tendrils sprouted from the arm’s stump, latching onto his shoulder.

Han Zhen’s ghostly eyes, flickering like will-o’-the-wisps, swept over the horde of calamity beasts before him. His voice was soft, yet carried an unsettling weight:

"Once, you were revered as gods. You were the totems of mighty clans, the pillars of dynasties, basking in supreme glory."

"And now? We cower in this desolate southern wasteland, reduced to savagery."

For a moment, the bloodthirsty expressions of the beasts wavered.

There was a time when they ruled the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, worshipped by mortals as deities.

But now…

Had they truly fallen so low?

"Now, the chance to revive the Divine Tree and summon our ancestors is within reach!"

"Those demon beasts are nothing but a disorganized rabble. Li Mo and Ying Bing’s identities as humans are now undeniable—they have no grounds left to oppose us."

"Will you storm Qingmu City, reclaim the Divine Jade, and restore our former glory?"

Amid the howling winds of Senluo Valley, a deafening roar drowned out the cries of ghosts, shaking the heavens and scattering the clouds.

......

"I won’t see you off any further, then."

"Farewell."

Young Marquis Zhong was momentarily stunned.

This was his private room.

He had just arranged to meet Li Mo the next day and was eager to return to the barracks, ready to drill his personal guards through the night.

His father often said:

A truly invincible general does not rely on personal might—but on the art of command.

"Young Marquis, your carriage seems different?"

Li Mo watched the departing vehicle with mild curiosity.

For an ordinary household, the carriage would be considered fine—but for someone of Zhong Zhenyue’s status, it seemed rather shabby.

Perhaps he had left in a hurry.

Li Mo dismissed the thought and returned to the tavern, heading straight for the kitchen. It had been a while since he last cooked properly for the ice block.

The chef initially thought the young man was here to cause trouble—until he saw the ingredients Li Mo produced.

After preparing four simple dishes and a soup, Li Mo returned upstairs.

He replaced the candle in the lantern with a luminous pearl, then sat cross-legged on the bed, dimming the glow of the Jade Phoenix Divinity as he began his cultivation.

Night fell.

As he trained, the sound of splashing water suddenly reached his ears.

The ice block had removed her socks and short boots, dipping her slender, well-proportioned legs into a wooden tub. Occasionally, she stirred the water with her toes. Though her body was spotless, she had taken to washing her feet frequently lately.

Splash—

A droplet flew out, landing squarely on Li Mo’s forehead.

"Focus." Ying Bing’s lips curved slightly, her voice crisp and clear.

Who stares at someone washing their feet?

"Ice block, help me."

"......"

Wasn’t it strange?

Even with his eyes closed, the sounds alone painted vivid images in his mind—so vivid that his fingers itched to perform the Flower-Plucking Finger technique.

This occupational hazard was terrifying. No wonder it was considered a peerless skill.

"Don’t do this again."

Ying Bing’s brows furrowed slightly.

Hadn’t she said this before? More than once?

"Next time, for sure!"

Young Li’s expression was resolute.

Ying Bing’s gaze darkened, and the air in the room grew frigid. A shimmering, watery radiance enveloped her.

Moments later, her attire transformed into an icy, flowing gown, frostflowers drifting between her strands of hair.

The already aloof ice block now seemed even more untouchable—ethereal, sacred.

This wouldn’t have been a problem…

Had she not crossed her freshly dried legs, her gaze a mix of reproach and something unreadable.

She likely didn’t realize just how lethal this contrast was.

The "Jade Phoenix Form."

If the divine technique "Jade Phoenix Form" had a consciousness and knew it was being used like this, it would probably wish it had rotted away in the Jade Phoenix Divinity.

"Train properly, or get another room."

"......"

Young Li decided he needed to cool off—perhaps by studying the "Monkey Seeks the Dao" painting.

"Really… growing bolder by the day…"

Ying Bing withdrew her gaze, only then relaxing her curled fingers.

With a soft exhale, she turned her eyes southward.

"When the Hidden Dragon and Phoenix unite, the winds and clouds of the world shall stir."

This was the prophecy given by the Yantian Sect.

Their journey to the southern border had likely left irreversible ripples—perhaps even hastening certain events.

Ying Bing frowned in contemplation.

And then there was the matter of the system rankings.

They had delayed for so long—how many rewards had they missed?

[Ding—]

[Host, you’ve finally remembered this system! That’s right—what are a few punishments compared to the rewards?]

[Congratulations on finally seeing reason!]

[Will you proceed with this ranking?]

......