The Cloud-Treading Ranking: A Dispute Between the Branch and Main Families

The Nan Clan's training ground.

Everyone at the training ground bowed to Nan Xunran and called out respectfully, "Divine Son!"

Nan Xunran gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

He walked straight to the center of the training ground, where a stone pillar towered into the clouds.

Mysterious, intricate patterns were carved all over the stone pillar, and some characters were faintly visible.

The Cloud-Treading Ranking listed the rankings of disciples from the branch families and the main family.

Nan Xunran studied the ranking carefully, feeling somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected someone from a branch family to have actually made it into the top five.

[Second place—Nan Xueqing (branch family)]

"Hey! Nan Xueqing, what gives someone from a branch family like you the right to be ranked second?" a voice suddenly called out.

"Don't go too far!"

"So what if we're bullying you?!"

"You!"

Behind the stone pillar, two groups were arguing, completely unaware that Nan Xunran had arrived.

Nan Xunran heard their conversation clearly and walked over.

At first glance, he saw the young man who had just spoken pointing at a young woman and saying something, his expression agitated.

The young woman kept her head lowered and said nothing.

Then the young man suddenly stopped what he was doing. His body went rigid, and he stammered, "D-Divine Son."

Nan Xunran ignored him and turned his gaze to the young woman who had kept her head lowered. He asked calmly, "Are you Nan Xueqing?"

The young woman slowly raised her head to look at him and nodded slightly.

"Why aren't you speaking?" Nan Xunran asked again.

"There's no need..." the young woman said softly. "They won't listen."

Nan Xunran bent down slightly and moved closer to her, his voice low and beguiling. "Go fight him. Prove to them that the branch families are no weaker than the main family."

The main family's discrimination against the branch families had existed for a long time, and it did neither side any good.

The people of the main family had grown arrogant and conceited because of it, while those of the branch families had become timid and cowardly.

Nan Xueqing stared blankly at Nan Xunran, who had suddenly come close. For a moment, her mind went completely blank, and she failed to react.

"Hmm?" Nan Xunran prompted.

Only then did Nan Xueqing wake as if from a dream and hurriedly say, "O-okay!"

The martial arts arena.

Everyone at the training ground gathered at the arena, their eyes fixed on the two people on the platform.

Disciples from the branch families and the main family who had received the news also hurried over.

As the crowd poured in, the fight between the two officially began.

The outcome was never in doubt. In just one move, the main family disciple was kicked off the platform.

Nan Xueqing was second on the Cloud-Treading Ranking, while that main family disciple wasn't even on it.

The crowd fell silent at first. Then the branch family disciples cheered and jumped for joy, while the main family disciples lowered their heads without a word.

Nan Xueqing turned to look at Nan Xunran, the corners of her lips lifting slightly as she smiled and said, "Thank you!"

Hearing this, Nan Xunran's lips curved into a smile. "You have to fight for your rights yourself. My help can't last very long."

Nan Xueqing understood the deeper meaning in his words. She nodded slightly and stepped toward the main family disciple.

Looking down at him from above, she said, "Well? How does it feel to be kicked off the platform by a branch family disciple you looked down on?"

The disciple's face twisted, and he said resentfully, "What gives lowly branch family people the right to compete alongside us?!"

Nan Xunran's words echoed over and over in Nan Xueqing's mind. Fight for it myself... fight for it myself... fight for it myself.

Suddenly, she thrust out a hand, seized the disciple tightly by the collar, and threw him back onto the platform.

Expressionless, she said coldly, "In that case, I'll beat you until you submit."

The main family disciple grunted again and again. At last, unable to endure it any longer, he shouted, "Stop... stop!"

"What is it?"

"I submit... please let me go..." the main family disciple begged.

"Very good." Nan Xueqing turned to face the other main family disciples. "Does anyone else refuse to submit?"

The main family disciples all kept their heads lowered, not daring to meet her eyes.

Nan Xunran watched the scene and nodded in satisfaction.

Very good. With Nan Xueqing here, the branch family members probably won't be bullied again for a while.

Nan Xueqing ran over to him and stopped in front of Nan Xunran.

Nan Xunran said calmly, "Well done."

"Cultivate diligently and strive to take first place," he said mildly.

A flicker of anticipation appeared in Nan Xueqing's eyes as she asked, "If I become number one, will you come see me?"

Nan Xunran's expression remained composed as he replied, "Yes. You can come find me at the Divine Son Hall."

Then the corners of his lips rose slightly in a faint smile. "I'm leaving."

With that, Nan Xunran turned and left.

Nan Xueqing gazed after him and murmured softly, "First place... first place..."

She turned around abruptly. For the sake of that goal, she decided to return and cultivate right away.