The Earth Ranking Unveiled, A Terrifying Aura of Pressure

The three-year deadline had finally arrived.

Everyone stood up, for today marked the true commencement of the Earth Ranking Battle.

No one knew exactly how the competition would unfold.

With so many participants, could the summit of Taihua Mountain truly accommodate them all?

At present, the peak of Taihua Mountain was entirely sealed off by a barrier. No matter how strong one's cultivation, no one could breach it.

The crowd waited, anticipating the barrier's opening so they could ascend Taihua Mountain and witness the Earth Ranking Battle firsthand.

"Has it started yet?"

"Not sure. Today's the day, but... why is there no movement at all?"

"The barrier is still there—it hasn't vanished. It probably hasn't opened yet."

"If it had opened, wouldn't there be some kind of announcement?"

"Shouldn't the Earth Ranking disclose the specifics of the competition?"

Amid the murmurs, Chen Chang'an also glanced up at the sky.

Would there really be no indication at all?

Wasn't this Earth Ranking Battle being handled a bit too casually?

"Holy crap, he... he just went in!"

"Huh? Where did he go?"

"Look over there! He’s already inside the barrier!"

"Damn, he really got in! But why is he kneeling?"

"What’s going on? No idea."

Suddenly, the crowd noticed that one person had already entered the barrier. However, the moment he stepped inside, he dropped to his knees. No one knew what was happening, but it was clear the man wasn’t faring well.

"Is the Earth Ranking open now?"

"Hahaha, charge!"

"Taihua Mountain, here I come!"

"What the hell? Why can’t I get in?"

"Why can they enter, but I can’t?"

"Idiot, they’re the ones who qualified for the Earth Ranking. You’re not a participant—why would you expect to get in?"

"Seriously? So we can’t even watch the spectacle?"

"Can’t watch? Just look around—isn’t this spectacle enough already?"

"Holy shit!"

"What... what’s happening?"

The moment it became clear the barrier was permeable, a flood of people rushed toward it. Those without qualifications were naturally blocked outside, while all who had passed the stele’s test smoothly entered.

Yet, once inside, without exception, every single one of them fell to their knees.

Not a single person escaped it—tens of thousands knelt simultaneously, creating a scene so grand it was nothing short of breathtaking.

The barrier blocked everything, including the crowd’s perception. Even Supreme Realm experts couldn’t discern what was happening inside.

But judging by the state of those inside, some deductions could be made.

"Seems like reaching the summit of Taihua Mountain won’t be easy."

"I told you—how could Taihua Mountain’s peak accommodate so many people? The test was just the first hurdle. Now, they’re facing the second."

"Exactly. Inside that barrier, there must be an overwhelming pressure—one ordinary people can’t withstand."

"These people charged in unprepared. Of course they’d drop to their knees."

Chen Chang'an turned to Chen Yunxuan and the others with a smile. "You’ve seen what’s happening. Go ahead and give it a try."

Chen Yunxuan and his companions hadn’t rushed into the barrier. Now, hearing Chen Chang'an’s words, they nodded solemnly.

The moment the five of them stepped toward the barrier, they drew the attention of the crowd.

"Look! Those five are finally entering the barrier."

"Do you think they’ll kneel too?"

"Hard to say. I just saw a peak Supreme Realm cultivator drop to his knees."

"But that guy’s already back on his feet—though every step seems agonizing."

Amid the chatter, Chen Yunxuan and his group reached the barrier’s edge. After exchanging glances, they stepped through together.

The instant they crossed, an immense pressure bore down on them.

But because they were prepared, all five withstood the terrifying force.

"Holy shit, they resisted it?"

"As expected of peerless prodigies—all five of them held firm!"

"No one else compares."

"But I’ve been watching—everyone else who stood up is moving painfully slow. The closer they get to the summit, the stronger the pressure. Who knows how long it’ll take them to reach the top?"

"How long isn’t my concern. I’m more curious—how many will actually make it to Taihua Mountain’s peak?"

"Wait—could it be... whoever reaches the summit first becomes the Earth Ranking’s top contender?"

"That... can’t be, right? Isn’t this a battle?"

"You expect them to fight while enduring this pressure and charging forward?"

"No idea. We’ll see."

Inside the barrier, Chen Yunxuan turned to Ye Zhiqiu and the others. "How do you feel?"

"The pressure’s intense, but it doesn’t hinder me much," Ye Zhiqiu replied with a grin.

"Same here."

"Pretty much."

Li Qiye and the other two also felt the pressure wasn’t overly oppressive.

Chen Yunxuan gazed up at the distant summit of Taihua Mountain, then smirked. "How about a little competition? Let’s see who reaches the top first."

Ye Zhiqiu and the others grinned—they’d been thinking the same thing.

"Deal!"

"Then let’s—"

"Damn it, Chen Yunxuan! You sneaky bastard!"

Before Ye Zhiqiu could finish, Chen Yunxuan was already sprinting toward the summit.

"Go!"

Ye Zhiqiu and the others bolted after him, their speed equally astonishing.

"What the hell?!"

"Is the gap really this huge?"

"Everyone else is struggling to move, and these guys are practically flying?"

"Ugh. The difference is already clear. What chance do the others have?"

Witnessing Chen Yunxuan’s group’s speed, the crowd could only sigh in awe. Meanwhile, inside the barrier, Supreme Realm experts flushed with humiliation.

Was the disparity truly this vast?

If they couldn’t even reach the summit, how could they possibly compete?

"Palace Master, has the outcome already been decided?" Hua Wulei asked Chen Chang'an.

Decided?

It couldn’t be that simple.

This was the Earth Ranking—if it were too easy, wouldn’t that be absurd?

"Watch. The pressure will intensify the closer they get. They’ll soon exhaust themselves," Chen Chang'an replied calmly.

True to his words, Chen Yunxuan and the others had charged ahead fiercely, but after covering about a third of the distance, they abruptly halted.

Chen Yunxuan glanced at Ye Zhiqiu and the others catching up, then chuckled. "Now the real challenge begins."

"How do you feel?"

"The pressure’s getting heavier—it’s hard to breathe."

"Same."

"Hah! Now this is exciting."

"Let’s go. I want to see just how much stronger this pressure can get!"