Tianjiao City
As the largest and most prosperous city in the Xuantian Domain, Tianjiao City bustled with countless visitors every day. After a long journey, Chen Chang'an and his companions finally arrived here.
The city's liveliness was expected, yet Chen Chang'an couldn't help but feel surprised—why were there so many people gathered here? After all, most of them didn’t seem like participants competing for the Tianjiao Ranking.
"Brother Chen, various factions across the Xuantian Domain station their people in Tianjiao City to obtain the latest information firsthand," Shen Yunfei explained.
"Not only can they learn who made it onto the Tianjiao Ranking, but they can also relay the news back to their factions as quickly as possible."
"With major factions setting up here, more people are naturally drawn to the city. Over time, Tianjiao City expanded continuously, becoming what it is today."
"Let’s find an inn to settle in first and gather some details about the Tianjiao Ranking."
Chen Chang'an nodded, and the group began searching for an inn.
Though there were many inns, most had already hung up "No Vacancy" signs.
"Is business really this booming here?"
"Are all the inns full?"
"By the way, why haven’t we seen any brothels?" Da Huang muttered gloomily.
"Brothels?"
"Why do you care about that?"
"This is Tianjiao City. Who would dare open such establishments here?"
"Do you think the geniuses competing for the Tianjiao Ranking would visit brothels? Even if they wanted to, they wouldn’t dare—imagine the scandal!"
Shen Yunfei gave Da Huang a strange look. Why would a dog have such interests?
"Don’t look at me like that. I’m a virtuous soul—I’ve never stepped foot in such places."
"I was just curious, that’s all," Da Huang declared shamelessly.
His words earned him disdainful glances from Chen Chang'an and Xiao Yao. Unlike others, they knew the truth—this rascal always asked about the best brothels wherever they went.
"There’s an inn over there without a 'No Vacancy' sign. Let’s try that one."
Chen Chang'an spotted an inn in the distance that seemed not only available but also more upscale.
"Pfft—HAHAHA!"
"You’ve got to be kidding me!"
"Are you all first-timers in Tianjiao City?"
"Do you really think you can just stay at that inn?"
"Know your place!"
Hmm?
A passerby’s mocking laughter made Chen Chang'an frown.
"What’s so funny?" Shen Yunfei asked coldly.
"First-timers, clearly."
"Did you even read the inn’s name?"
"Tianjiao Pavilion."
"That inn is reserved for Tianjiao Ranking elites—only those on the ranking or promising talents with the potential to make it are allowed."
"You?"
"Worthy?"
Chen Chang'an smirked. "If we’re not worthy, are you?"
"What a coincidence—actually, yes!"
"I’m staying there right now."
"So, tell me, am I worthy?"
Oh?
A guest of Tianjiao Pavilion?
Chen Chang'an studied the man carefully. He appeared to be in his thirties or forties, with a cultivation level around the third stage of the Golden Immortal Realm.
Someone like him could make the Tianjiao Ranking?
Was the Xuantian Domain’s ranking that lackluster?
This single encounter made Chen Chang'an view the Tianjiao Ranking with disdain.
"You’re on the Tianjiao Ranking?" Shen Yunfei asked in surprise.
"Not yet, but soon."
"I came to Tianjiao City precisely to claim my spot."
"In three days, you’ll see my name on the ranking," the man boasted proudly.
"Oh?"
"May I ask your esteemed name?"
"I am Shen Yunfei."
Having spent millennia in the Tai Ancient Immortal Domain, Shen Yunfei had learned to be more diplomatic—unlike Chen Chang'an, who wouldn’t bother humoring such people.
"Shen Yunfei?"
"You’re Shen Yunfei?"
"Indeed, I am."
It seemed Shen Yunfei had some reputation in the Xuantian Domain, which wasn’t surprising. In three thousand years, he had risen from the peak of the Quasi-Immortal Realm to the Golden Immortal Realm—a testament to his talent.
As a cultivator from the lower realms, Shen Yunfei had wasted much time due to scarce resources. Otherwise, his current strength would have been far greater.
"I’ve long heard of a rising genius in the Xuantian Domain—someone who broke through to the Golden Immortal Realm in just over three thousand years."
"To think I’d meet you today."
"I am Sun Niantang."
Upon learning Shen Yunfei’s identity, Sun Niantang’s attitude shifted dramatically, now far more courteous.
Though his cultivation surpassed Shen Yunfei’s at the third stage of the Golden Immortal Realm, Shen Yunfei’s reputation as a rising talent demanded respect.
"Brother Sun, we’ve just arrived and know little about the current affairs here. How about we share a drink and chat?" Shen Yunfei suggested with a smile.
"Hahaha! It would be my pleasure."
"Let’s head back to the inn."
"Tianjiao Pavilion serves excellent food—it even aids cultivation."
Hmm?
The food could enhance cultivation?
"But… are your friends here qualified?" Sun Niantang frowned.
"Can’t I bring guests?"
"Does everyone need to meet the criteria?" Shen Yunfei asked, puzzled.
"Not necessarily, but it’ll cost more. You can stay in the smaller courtyard in the back."
"However, the price isn’t something ordinary people can afford."
Price?
Shen Yunfei’s expression tightened—he didn’t have much immortal spirit stones to spare.
"I have money," Chen Chang'an said calmly.
"Brother Chen, lower-realm spirit stones are useless here," Shen Yunfei replied helplessly.
"I know. I meant immortal spirit stones—I have plenty."
From Shen Yunfei’s words, Sun Niantang deduced that Chen Chang'an must have recently ascended from the lower realms.
"Kid, you might have been an unrivaled powerhouse in the lower realms, ruling over your domain."
"But remember—this is the Tai Ancient Immortal Domain. Things aren’t as simple as you think."
"How long have you been here?"
"Ten years? A hundred? A thousand?"
"How many immortal spirit stones could you possibly have saved?" Sun Niantang scoffed.
If not for Shen Yunfei’s presence, he wouldn’t have wasted his breath on Chen Chang'an.
"I’ve been here less than a year."
"But as for immortal spirit stones… I truly have more than enough."
"Is ten thousand enough?"
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
d intelligence to keep the plot moving, and sometimes even the protagonists are forced into absurdly dumb decisions. Why does the A-list celebrity heroine in urban romance novels ditch the top-tier movie star and become a lovestruck fool for a pockmarked male lead? Why do the leads in historical tragedy novels keep dancing between love and death, only for the blind healer to end up suffering the most? And Gu Wei never expected that after finally landing a villain role to stir up trouble, she’d pick the wrong gender! No choice now—she’ll just have to crush the protagonists as a girl!
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
with countless casualties. As a top-tier gamer, Liu Xuan volunteered to join the fight, intending to dominate with his skills, but instead he obtained the hidden class: [Pacifist]. Unable to attack. Unable to use active skills. Fortunately, with each level gained, he acquired a new passive skill. And so, armed with a body full of passives, Liu Xuan slaughtered his way through the battlefield of ten thousand races! [You attacked Liu Xuan] [You gained the debuffs: 'Poison', 'Fear', 'Burning', 'Bleeding', 'Freeze', 'Silence', etc.] [Your attack speed has been reduced by 99%] [Your armor and magic resistance have been reduced by 99%] Warriors of the Ten Thousand Races: How the hell am I supposed to fight this?!
