Annual Update: The Human Rankings

"Master, this Blood Slaughter Emperor doesn’t seem like a man of good character."

"Would he really attack our Alchemy Emperor City for the sake of his son?"

After returning, Medicine Destiny couldn’t help but feel uneasy. After all, he had met the Blood Slaughter Emperor before, and the impression left on him was deeply unsettling.

Though the Blood Slaughter Emperor had appeared polite and humble when seeking Yao Niming’s help, the hostility in his eyes was unmistakable.

It was merely a temporary act of submission for the sake of his goal.

Back then, Yao Niming had also been in poor health and knew full well that if he refused the Blood Slaughter Emperor’s request, the man would likely have resorted to force.

Left with no choice, Yao Niming had exhausted all means to assist him.

Whether the Blood Slaughter Emperor would feel any gratitude was uncertain, but one thing was clear—he was not the type to repay kindness.

"Given how much the Blood Slaughter Emperor dotes on his son, he might very well do this."

"However, our Alchemy Emperor City isn’t necessarily defenseless against him."

"Over the years, your master has built quite a network of connections," Yao Niming said with a faint smile.

As the Alchemy Emperor, Yao Niming naturally had no shortage of allies. In fact, if he were to call for aid, even those without prior ties to him might step forward.

But this time, their opponent was the Blood Slaughter Emperor—no ordinary figure. Some might hesitate, weighing the risks.

Chen Chang'an had originally planned to leave in a few days, but with this situation unfolding, departing now would seem inappropriate.

"Who exactly is this Blood Slaughter Emperor?"

"Honestly, I’ve never heard of him."

Though Chen Chang'an knew many people, the Blood Slaughter Emperor was someone he had no recollection of, nor had he ever crossed paths with him.

"You truly don’t know the Blood Slaughter Emperor?" Yao Niming looked at Chen Chang'an in surprise.

In his understanding, Chen Chang'an had lived for an incredibly long time and possessed unfathomable strength—he should have been well-informed about such figures.

"Should I know him?"

"Well… it’s not an absolute necessity."

Yao Niming gave a helpless chuckle. It wasn’t particularly strange for Chen Chang'an to be unaware.

"The Blood Slaughter Emperor attained the Emperor Realm ten thousand years ago. He’s an old and established powerhouse."

"Originally, he preferred to act alone, but for some reason, after breaking through to the Emperor Realm, he founded the Blood Slaughter Hall."

"He aggressively expanded his forces—the Left and Right Protectors of the Blood Slaughter Hall are both half-step Emperor Realm experts."

"He also established a War Hall, composed entirely of Undying Realm experts, numbering at least a hundred."

"Lastly, there’s the Blood Slaughter Army, totaling fifty thousand strong."

"Among them, there are a hundred commanders, all at the Supreme Realm."

"The rest are no weaker than the Void Piercing Realm!"

"Their strength is immense!"

The Blood Slaughter Hall had existed for a long time, and the Blood Slaughter Emperor’s power and methods were extraordinary.

It was undeniably a top-tier superpower!

In the Central Heaven Domain, no one dared to provoke them.

Leng Wuqing had grown up under the doting care of so many powerful figures—it would have been strange if he hadn’t turned out lawless and arrogant.

"Good heavens, they’re that strong?"

"I’d only heard of the Blood Slaughter Emperor himself—I had no idea he commanded such a formidable force."

"Can our Alchemy Emperor City really hold out against them?" Kuang Zhongtang asked worriedly.

"Let’s wait and see."

"Given the Blood Slaughter Emperor’s temperament, if he truly intends to attack Alchemy Emperor City, he’ll send a warning first."

"That’s his usual practice."

Yao Niming had heard of this before. Moreover, during the three years the Blood Slaughter Emperor had stayed in Alchemy Emperor City, their conversations had revealed some of his habits.

Whenever the Blood Slaughter Emperor targeted someone, he would first deliver a Blood Slaughter Notice.

"One thing still puzzles me. As the son of an Emperor, even if Leng Wuqing was utterly incompetent, his cultivation shouldn’t be so lacking, right?"

Chen Chang'an had been unable to make sense of this. With the Blood Slaughter Emperor’s resources and influence, it shouldn’t have been difficult to forge at least a hollow facade of strength for his son.

"If I had to guess, Leng Wuqing’s body must have some inherent flaw."

"After all, his birth was… difficult."

"That likely led to his constitution being exceptionally poor."

This was Yao Niming’s speculation, but it wasn’t far from the truth—Leng Wuqing’s physique was absurdly weak.

Over the years, the Blood Slaughter Emperor had tried countless methods, yet he could never elevate his son’s cultivation beyond the Transcendent Realm.

Eventually, the Blood Slaughter Emperor had given up, resigning himself to letting his son live out his days in peace.

But the emergence of the Human Rankings had reignited his desperation.

"Do you think there’s a chance the Blood Slaughter Emperor sent him to you because he was dissatisfied and wanted a refund?"

Huh?

A refund?

Could… could something like that even be returned?

"It’s not impossible."

"Perhaps the Blood Slaughter Emperor blames me for his son’s… inadequacies," Yao Niming said with a bitter smile.

The others couldn’t help but chuckle wryly.

Yet the Blood Slaughter Notice arrived far sooner than they had anticipated.

In less than half a month, the Blood Slaughter Emperor sent his men to deliver the notice.

As expected—yet still shocking—the Blood Slaughter Emperor showed no regard for Yao Niming’s past assistance. His blind love for his son was evident.

"One year?"

"What does this mean?"

Upon reading the notice, Yao Niming was momentarily confused.

The Blood Slaughter Emperor was giving Yao Niming one year. If he could improve Leng Wuqing’s constitution within that time, the notice would be withdrawn.

But if Yao Niming refused, then one year later, the Blood Slaughter Emperor would lead his forces to drown Alchemy Emperor City in blood.

"It seems the Blood Slaughter Emperor, though ungrateful, still holds some caution toward you."

"After all, you’re the only Alchemy Emperor in the entire Profound Mystic Realm. He doesn’t want to make an irreparable enemy of you."

"What do you plan to do?" Chen Chang'an asked, watching Yao Niming.

"In my current state, should I still bow to his demands?"

"Even if he gave me just one day instead of a year, I wouldn’t consider it."

"At worst, I’ll face death."

"Besides, a year is more than enough time for me to call in some favors," Yao Niming replied with a faint smile.

Chen Chang'an had expected this answer. However, with a full year remaining, he no longer wished to stay.

"In that case, I’ll take my leave now."

"In one year, I’ll return to Alchemy Emperor City. I’d like to see just how the Blood Slaughter Emperor plans to drown this place in blood," Chen Chang'an said coldly.

"You’re leaving?"

Though reluctant to see him go, Yao Niming knew that no feast in this world lasted forever. Chen Chang'an had his own affairs to attend to—he couldn’t remain here indefinitely.

"Yes, I’ve stayed long enough. It’s time to move on."

"Where will you go?"

"To… the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty."

Chen Chang'an had never forgotten the matter concerning the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty. Now, it was time to settle that old debt.

"Very well. In that case, I won’t keep you any longer."

"If there's anything you need help with, feel free to send someone to deliver a message to me anytime."

"Don’t worry, I won’t stand on ceremony with you."

"Hahaha, that’s the spirit!"

After a brief exchange, Chen Chang'an left the Alchemy Emperor City with Da Huang and Gu Xian'er in tow.

Chen Chang'an's departure left the entire Alchemy Emperor City in an unusual silence, leaving Yao Niming and the other two momentarily unsettled by the sudden change.

"Zhongtang."

"What instructions do you have, Senior?"

"Later, I’ll give you a few letters written in my own hand. I need you to deliver them for me."

"Understood."

With Chen Chang'an gone, Yao Niming also began preparing for the events that would unfold a year later.

Yet, a trace of unease lingered in his heart—would these people truly lend their aid when facing the Blood Slaughter Emperor?

Yao Niming wasn’t certain, but he had no choice but to try.

Two months later…

Fengtian Imperial Dynasty

The moment Chen Chang'an and Gu Xian'er set foot within the borders of the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty, the skies above suddenly shifted.

A radiant golden light erupted, flooding the entire Tai Xuan Realm!

As all eyes turned upward, they realized—it had already been a full year since the last update of the Human Ranking.

"The Human Ranking has been updated!"

In an instant, the entire Tai Xuan Realm was swept up in a wave of excitement.

Everyone was eager to see how the rankings had changed over the past year.

"Young Master, the Human Ranking has updated."

"Are you nervous?"

"A little!"

Gu Xian'er couldn’t help but feel a flutter of anxiety. After all… when the Human Ranking had last been unveiled, she had still been trapped in a brothel.

Now, a year later, her status and strength had undergone a complete and dramatic transformation.

"What the—?!"

"What’s going on?"