A Cliff-like Gap

"Who do you think will still be in first place—Chen Yunxuan?"

"Who knows? The top three were already close, and I heard Ye Zhiqiu, ranked second, is also incredibly talented."

"Everyone on the Human Ranking is exceptional. What I’m curious about is whether Nie Haotian and the others will catch up."

"Catch up? That’s probably too difficult. After a year, the gap has likely widened even more."

"Do you think Chen Yunxuan’s cultivation has broken through to the sixth level of the Divine Transformation Realm?"

"Possibly. For others, a year might bring no progress, but this is Chen Yunxuan, the top-ranked on the Human Ranking. I suspect not just him, but Ye Zhiqiu and Gu Xian'er have also made significant strides."

"But no matter how monstrous they are, the seventh level of the Divine Transformation Realm is probably their limit."

"Enough talk—the rankings are updating!"

As the crowd buzzed with speculation, the Human Ranking refreshed once more.

"First Place: Chen Yunxuan, Age: 18, Cultivation: Void Comprehension Realm, Second Level."

"Second Place: Ye Zhiqiu, Age: 20, Cultivation: Void Comprehension Realm, First Level."

"Third Place: Gu Xian'er, Age: 22, Cultivation: Void Comprehension Realm, First Level."

"Fourth Place: Gu Fengyao, Age: 31, Cultivation: Void Comprehension Realm, First Level."

"Fifth Place: Nie Haotian, Age: 31, Cultivation: Divine Transformation Realm, Fifth Level."

"Sixth Place: Ye Beiming…"

When the updated rankings appeared, everyone was stunned.

The gap between the top four and the fifth place was already this massive?

Last time the rankings updated, Nie Haotian and Ye Beiming were at the same level as Gu Xian'er—Divine Transformation Realm, Third Level.

Now, after a year, those two had only advanced two minor realms, while Gu Xian'er had leaped straight into the Void Comprehension Realm?

And Gu Fengyao, originally ranked sixth, had surged to fourth place, also reaching the Void Comprehension Realm?

The changes this time were far more shocking than anyone had anticipated.

"Is this a mistake? Even if there’s a gap, it shouldn’t be this huge!"

"Weren’t Nie Haotian and Ye Beiming hailed as once-in-ten-millennium geniuses? Is this what geniuses look like?"

"If that’s the case, then what does that make the top four? Geniuses among geniuses? Monsters among monsters?"

"Void Comprehension Realm—all of them! This is terrifying!"

"And this is just the Human Ranking. Don’t forget, after the rankings are finalized, they receive Heavenly Dao rewards. Won’t they just become even more monstrous?"

"What about the Earth Ranking? The Heaven Ranking? Could they become supreme powerhouses in just a few years?"

Chen Yunxuan and the others’ talent and speed of advancement sent the entire Tai Xuan World into a frenzy.

Geniuses were common, but such freaks of nature? Who had ever seen anything like this?

And now, in this golden age, four such monsters had emerged at once?

Nie Haotian and Ye Beiming stared at the rankings, their faces ashen.

How could they possibly catch up now?

Was there even a chance?

Unless they killed everyone above them, they had no hope of claiming first, second, or even third place.

The ancestors of the Nie and Ye families also fell into deep contemplation upon seeing the rankings.

Though they hadn’t witnessed the first generation of the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings, they had heard rumors.

The breakthrough speed of these four seemed no worse than those legendary figures of the past—figures who had all become supreme powerhouses, unrivaled even among peak Great Emperors due to their Heavenly Dao rewards.

Back then, even veteran Great Emperors had been utterly crushed by them.

But was their strength due to the Heavenly Dao’s blessings, or were they simply that formidable from the start?

This was a critical question—one that would determine how they treated Chen Yunxuan and the others.

After all, who wouldn’t want their own descendants to claim higher rankings and greater Heavenly Dao rewards?

"What are you looking at?" Da Huang noticed Chen Chang'an staring intently at the Human Ranking, as if searching for something, and couldn’t help but ask.

"Nothing."

Chen Chang'an shook his head. He had spotted Wu Mingdao’s name, now ranked eighth, one position higher than before.

But the one he was truly focused on was Li Qiye. By his estimate, half a year had passed since their meeting.

Given the boy’s talent and comprehension, he should have made it onto the Human Ranking by now.

After searching for a while, Chen Chang'an finally found Li Qiye’s name—Spirit Awakening Realm, Third Level. Not the highest, but certainly not low for someone who had only been cultivating for six months.

The only issue was his ranking was so far down it was hard to spot.

"Do you think people will start making moves now that there’s only a year left?" Chen Chang'an suddenly asked.

Gu Xian'er and Gu Fengyao were taken aback.

Moves?

What moves?

After a moment’s thought, they realized what he meant.

"If anyone acts, it’ll likely be the Nie and Ye families."

"Others might not dare, unless they plan to wipe out the three great families as well."

"But do you think they’ll actually do it?" Da Huang asked.

Would they?

Chen Chang'an wasn’t sure, but Gu Fengyao, being more familiar with the two families, offered her insight.

"From what I know, the Nie and Ye families prioritize their interests, but they’re also cautious."

"Still, I can’t say for certain whether they’ll act."

"Either way, we should be careful. They might not dare touch me, but the others… it’s hard to say."

"Chen Yunxuan and the others are too mysterious. No one knows their backgrounds, and that lack of fear might embolden some." Gu Fengyao frowned.

"Fair point."

"Then let’s head to the Beast God State first."

Huh?

Shouldn’t they warn the others to be cautious?

Gu Xian'er and Gu Fengyao were confused, but Da Huang just chuckled mischievously.

"Poor Wang Tianji is in for some trouble."

"I wonder how many more times he can use that secret technique with his current condition."

"After investing so much, what if it all goes to waste?"

Chen Chang'an knew Wang Tianji had been keeping an eye on Chen Yunxuan. After the events in the Famous Sword State, he’d likely added Ye Zhiqiu to his watchlist.

With Wang Tianji overseeing those two, Chen Chang'an wasn’t worried. Even in a crisis, Wang Tianji would find a way to send word.

"In a few days, we’ll enter the Beast God State."

"I wonder what kind of place it’ll be."

Just as Chen Chang'an finished speaking, he spotted a man riding a massive tiger, parading down the street without a care.

The massive tiger stood five meters tall and measured ten meters in length, appearing similar to an ordinary tiger but with a darker, crimson hue.

What drew the most attention were the four tiger paws, each wreathed in flickering red flames, as if the beast were treading on fiery clouds.

"Is this a fifth-tier Flaming Tread Tiger?" Gu Fengyao asked uncertainly.

"No, this isn’t an ordinary fifth-tier Flaming Tread Tiger—it should have already reached the sixth tier."

"That person must be a beast tamer, but this isn’t the Beast God State. Why would he come here?"

"More importantly, the reactions of the people around us seem completely unfazed, showing no signs of panic or fear."

Da Huang also found it strange—this was clearly a beast tamer from the Beast God State, yet he had appeared in this place.

"If you want to know, why not just go and ask?"