Has Rhubarb Been Chosen by Someone

Chen Chang'an had never imagined that someone would actually covet the Embryonic Pearl.

What puzzled him even more was their motive for wanting it. The only plausible explanation was that they were targeting him.

This situation shifted Chen Chang'an from the active to the passive role.

The other party was deeply concealed, possibly even deliberately avoiding him. If they didn’t reveal themselves, finding the Embryonic Pearl would be nearly impossible.

"I actually hope they’re coming for me," Chen Chang'an mused.

"Only then will they show themselves."

"Otherwise, this Embryonic Pearl might truly vanish without a trace."

He wasn’t afraid of being pursued—he feared the opposite.

If they didn’t seek him out, even if he recovered one Embryonic Pearl, the other would remain lost.

"Let’s go. Back to Luoshen Palace first."

Without dwelling further, Chen Chang'an returned to Luoshen Palace with Da Huang.

Luo Yiyi was surprised to see him back so soon. After hearing the full story, she was even more astonished.

"So, the pearl’s trail has gone completely cold?" she asked.

"What do you plan to do now, Palace Master?"

"Let it marinate," Chen Chang'an replied casually.

"Marinate? You’re joking at a time like this?"

"What else should I do? Cry?"

"Did you settle the Tu Family’s matter?"

"Mn. Solved it. After beating up their ancestral elder, he obediently handed over the person."

Luo Yiyi was no weakling—though she paled in comparison to Chen Chang'an, few others could match her.

The Tu Family’s elder, having recently broken through to the peak of the Great Emperor realm, had tried to throw his weight around—only to be thoroughly schooled by Luo Yiyi on how to behave.

"From now on, you should remain the Palace Master of Luoshen Palace. I’m not suited to staying in one place."

Luo Yiyi frowned. "You’re leaving?"

"Mn. There’s still much to do."

"Fine. But the title stays with you. Just be a hands-off leader."

Seeing her insistence, Chen Chang'an didn’t argue further—it was just a formality, after all.

"While I’m gone, keep an ear out for news across the Profound Sky Realm."

"It’d be great if you hear something, but no pressure."

"If you get reliable intel and can’t reach me, send someone to Tianji Pavilion to find Wang Tianji. He can locate me."

"Understood. So, you’re leaving right after returning?"

"Mn. Time to wander. News won’t fly to me if I stay put."

After a brief exchange, Chen Chang'an dragged a reluctant Da Huang away from Luoshen Palace.

---

Two Years Later

With just three months left until the Earth Ranking Tournament, crowds began journeying toward the Summit of Taihua.

"Did you hear? Chen Yunxuan recently challenged a peak ninth-level Supreme Realm expert—and killed him in one move."

"What?! That fast? He can already obliterate peak Supreme Realm cultivators?"

"Absolutely. His power is terrifying. Rumor has it he’s broken through to the Supreme Realm himself."

"Heavens… Chen Yunxuan’s barely twenty, right? A Supreme Realm cultivator at that age? Monstrous."

"And that’s not all. Ye Zhiqiu’s strength is equally fearsome—probably Chen Yunxuan’s toughest rival."

"Ye Zhiqiu, the Peerless Sword Demon. Six months ago, he defeated a first-level Immortal Realm expert in a duel."

"Damn. These freaks keep one-upping each other?"

"What about the third-ranked Gu Xian'er and fourth-ranked Gu Fengyao?"

"Not much news on them."

"Li Qiye—don’t forget him. The guy single-handedly annihilated the Benevolent Hall."

"I heard he’s a descendant of Li Jingyun, the hall’s founder. It was vengeance."

"He wiped out the entire Benevolent Hall alone? Weren’t they packed with Supreme Realm experts? Even Han Liming had reached peak ninth-level Supreme Realm!"

"Yep. All slaughtered by Li Qiye."

"Tsk. Each of them is a once-in-ten-millennia prodigy. Yet this generation spawned so many."

"People thought expanding the Earth Ranking to include those under a hundred might shake things up. But now? The top spots seem locked in."

"True. Even if they don’t crack the top five this time, top ten is guaranteed."

Across the Central Heaven Domain, discussions raged, with Chen Yunxuan and the others becoming staple tavern talk.

"Oh, and here’s a juicy tidbit."

"Did you know? Not just anyone can ascend the Summit of Taihua now."

"You’ve got to qualify first."

"Qualified? What does that mean? How do they determine if someone is qualified?"

"Is it just about age? If you're too old, you can't go? I was planning to check out the excitement."

"You won't be able to see anything. The summit of Taihua is already shrouded by an unknown barrier. Ordinary people can’t even get close."

"Even the participants have to pass a test conducted by a stone tablet. Only those who pass can enter the summit of Taihua."

"As for what counts as passing the test, I’m not sure. That’s all I’ve heard."

Listening to the discussions around him, Chen Chang'an grew curious. So, there was a test tablet at the foot of Taihua’s summit?

Chen Chang'an and Da Huang had been wandering for two years, yet they hadn’t found any clues about the remaining two orbs. It was as if those orbs had never existed in the first place.

Coincidentally, the Earth Ranking competition was about to begin, so Chen Chang'an decided to set aside the search for the orbs and head to the summit of Taihua. After all, he had promised Gu Xian'er and Gu Fengyao that he would go.

"Hey, do you think we’ll also need to pass the test to enter the summit of Taihua?"

"Or maybe we won’t even be able to get in?" Da Huang asked curiously, glancing at Chen Chang'an.

"Whether we can enter or not, we’ll find out when we get there."

"But... I should be fine. No barrier works on me—not even one set up by the Heavenly Dao." Chen Chang'an chuckled.

"Damn, you’re seriously abnormal."

"Before, I suspected you were the Heavenly Dao’s favorite son. Now, I feel like the Heavenly Dao is your son." Da Huang grumbled in frustration.

"Alright, let’s rest for a bit. We should get moving soon."

"Wow, that dog is so cute!"

"Great-grandfather, I want that dog! Can you get it for me?"

Suddenly, an overly sweet voice reached Chen Chang'an’s ears, making him frown.

"Young man, my Yun Shuang has taken a liking to your dog. Consider it an honor. What are you waiting for? Hand it over obediently."

Before Chen Chang'an could react, Da Huang was the first to lose his temper.

Damn it, who do you think I am?

"You bastard! You think I’ll just come when you call?"

"Who the hell do you think you are?"