Heavenly Rankings Upheaval, Schemes of Every Race!

After looking over the rankings, Xu Kun suddenly shuddered for no apparent reason!

A chill shot straight from his tailbone to the top of his head!

"Which ghost is thinking about me?"

After rubbing his nose, Xu Kun also realized just how fiercely contested this Heavenly Rankings had been. Everything else was manageable—even though Princess Yaoyao occupied seventh place, the fact that the human race produced a Lord of the Era once every century was no longer a secret. The myriad races could probably accept that result!

But his sudden emergence had likely landed him in quite a few little notebooks!

Not to mention Zhu Jiu of the Dragon Race and Tian of the Black Tortoise Race. Without him, first place would have belonged to the Dragon Race, and the Black Tortoise Race would not have been trampled underfoot by two humans in succession!

Being trampled by one's own subordinate race felt no different from one's own dog sleeping with one's wife, beating one's son, smoking one's cigarettes, and finally taking a dump on one's head—physically harmless, but insultingly extreme!

"I heard that although the human race successfully became a subordinate race of the Black Tortoise Race through Sky Eye's arrangements, the human race and the Black Tortoise Race have actually always been in a relationship of mutual exploitation. The Black Tortoise Race needs humanity's elite forces to fight for them on the Myriad Races Battlefield, which is why they allow humans to enter the Myriad Races Sequence!"

"But that does not mean the Black Tortoise Race is friendly or cooperative toward humanity!"

"The Novice Trial Heavenly Rankings may not represent everything, but they are the best reflection of a race's pride and reputation!"

"Don't be fooled by the fact that the Black Tortoise Race is a bunch of old turtles. According to what teachers taught us before, every one of those fellows carrying Tortoise Shells on their backs is full of dirty tricks. Humanity has suffered countless losses on the Myriad Races Battlefield just to cooperate with them!"

"And those old turtles aren't the sort willing to swallow their losses in silence. Even if they don't know my identity yet, being stepped on by both Princess Yaoyao and me is a humiliation they definitely won't let go. There's a good chance they'll try to make up for it elsewhere!"

"I wonder if the human higher-ups have any contingency plans for this... If humanity has to pay a huge price because of me, how could I possibly remain at ease..."

Xu Kun's thoughts stretched far ahead. Matters of pride might not matter to lower-tier races, but to the Three Saint Races and Seven Royal Races, reputation was paramount!

His fingers slowly clenched. "I hope those old turtles don't go too far. Otherwise, don't wait until I rise up—when I do, you'll regret it. If I can't handle that bunch of old turtles, can't I at least handle you, you little turtle?"

Xu Kun stared at the ID "Tian" on the Heavenly Rankings, hoping the Black Tortoise Race would not do anything over the line. Otherwise, he would definitely settle the score with Tian!

In any case, within the Haotian Pagoda, it would be difficult for the Black Tortoise Race to uncover his identity. As long as he was careful on Blue Star and did not expose himself, there was nothing they could do to him!

Once he had fully grown, he would have nothing to fear from them!

"Sigh, looking at it this way, I'll need to be even more careful when acting on Blue Star. Inside the Haotian Pagoda, the rules of the Haotian Pagoda are in place. Even if the Black Tortoise Race learns which floor I'm on and wants revenge, it won't be easy. In a battle between equals, I'm really not afraid of those hard-shelled old turtles. But on Blue Star, I can always hide in the Haotian Pagoda... Mom, Hao Jian, and the others, though..."

The appearance of the Heavenly Rankings also sounded an alarm for Xu Kun. If he truly exposed his identity on Blue Star, then even if all humanity was willing to guarantee his safety, the human race could not completely withstand the pressure from a Seven Royal Races power like the Black Tortoise Race!

The only person he could rely on was himself!

"What a headache. Originally, if some higher-ups learned of my SSSS-tier Novice Trial rating, they would surely give me decent resources and help me grow. But now that I think about it, I can't risk doing that!"

At that thought, Xu Kun let out a sigh of relief. Luckily, the database had malfunctioned earlier and had not linked his identity information with that Tier-B authorization gold card!

Although only the city's chief commander in all of Jiangnan Base City possessed A-tier authorization, who knew whether there were any right-leaning dovish higher-ups among humanity's upper ranks who would sell him out just to lick the Black Tortoise Race's stinking boots?

After all, officially speaking, he was only an F-tier Talented Individual!

Many people were probably wondering how he had completed an SSSS-tier rating so quickly and so powerfully!

Luck?

Perhaps that was the best explanation for those who refused to believe that an F-tier talent could become the top ranker of the Novice Trial. Even Xu Kun himself felt that luck accounted for a huge portion of his strength!

"There's no point thinking about this. The most urgent thing now is to work hard and improve myself. Once I've fully grown, I won't care who anyone is. Whoever refuses to accept it gets beaten until they do. I'm rather curious what talents and skills the Black Tortoise Race has. When I have time, I'll go crush this race's spirit too!"

Closing the rankings, Xu Kun decided not to dwell on it any longer. He took out the remaining two books, picked up The Secrets Between Me, Uncle Blacksmith, Grandpa Herbalist, and Auntie Shopkeeper That Must Be Told, and continued reading seriously!

Even with only one day left, Xu Kun was unwilling to waste even this little bit of time. Tea that cost one million Human Race Currency per tael was not for nothing—he had to make good use of it!

As Xu Kun once more immersed himself in the ocean of knowledge, the confirmation of the Heavenly Rankings set off towering waves among the myriad races!

Naturally, the topic most discussed among the myriad races was humanity's performance this time!

Two members of one race entering the Heavenly Rankings was not unprecedented, but one in first place and one in seventh—such results could be called unprecedented!

The key was that this result had not appeared among the Three Saint Races, but within the mere human race!

What was the human race?

Many races reproduced rapidly and replaced their generations quickly. Some did not even know of humanity's tradition of producing a Lord of the Era once every century. Instead, they developed a strong interest in this newly promoted Tier-B Race, humanity!

Some weaker races had even begun considering establishing diplomatic relations with humanity!

But such voices were still only a small minority among the myriad races. Most merely watched coldly from the sidelines.

Some race leaders even declared, "Humanity has truly stirred up a hornet's nest this time. Those without the virtue to match their position will inevitably invite disaster. Leaving aside the fact that they stepped on the geniuses of the Three Saint Races, as subordinates of the Black Tortoise Race, they have even slapped their masters' faces swollen this time. How could the races ranked below them possibly let them have their way!"

This opinion won the approval of many race leaders. They were all prepared to watch the tigers fight from the mountain and see how those great powers would deal with humanity's dazzling performance this time!

Humanity itself, however, was different. Many ordinary citizens did not think so far ahead. As they looked at the Heavenly Rankings, they had only one thought!

They had finally held their heads high!

The former overlords of Blue Star had struggled through misery and hardship for a thousand years. When had they ever seen such glorious results, with their own people trampling the myriad races beneath their feet?

Throughout humanity, cries of "God Kun" surged one after another, each wave louder than the last. Everywhere, firecrackers crackled and gongs and drums thundered. The atmosphere was even more heated and festive than New Year's!

Humanity's upper ranks naturally did not stop this unprecedented surge in morale. At the same time, none of them joined in the celebrations. There were not even any official media outlets seizing the opportunity to lavishly praise the achievement!

A strange atmosphere circulated among the higher-ups. Yet regardless of what each person was thinking, no one currently dared to make even the slightest inappropriate move. They were all waiting—waiting for one person to speak!

If he did not speak, that was one thing. But once he spoke, his words would be a divine decree. Whether they were hawks or doves within humanity, they would carry out his orders without question!

And the man whom all the higher-ups eagerly awaited was currently seated quietly in his meditation chamber. His pair of eyes, as brilliant as the vast sea of stars, occasionally glanced at the projection of Xu Kun studying diligently, while a trace of gratified smile sometimes appeared at the corner of his lips.

Qian Manlou had already knocked on the door an unknown number of times. Every time he entered, he saw his boss in the exact same posture.

"Boss, the fire's already at our brows—how can you have no reaction at all? Everyone's waiting for you to take charge!"

He did not even glance at Qian Manlou, instead pointing at Xu Kun in the projection. "Look at this kid. He's got the composure to remain unfazed even with Mount Tai collapsing before his eyes!"

Qian Manlou scratched his head and looked at Xu Kun, who was calmly reading by himself in the projection. Smacking his lips, he said, "Could it be that he doesn't know he's currently caught in the middle of a storm?"

For the first time, Qian Manlou's boss raised his eyes to look at him. In an instant, Qian Manlou felt as though his soul had shattered into pieces.

He merely said, "You think he's as dumb as you are?"

Qian Manlou wanted to cry but had no tears. Boss, I've followed you for a hundred years! It's only been a few days, and you've changed your attitude toward me because of this kid!

This baby was really going to cry!

"Go on. The real show is still to come!"

Qian Manlou sighed, realizing that he had come for nothing.

After Qian Manlou left, the man naturally waved away the projection. His gaze fell upon the wall, as though he could see through it into the boundless starry sky.

"Can't sit still anymore, can you? Then come. Humanity has endured countless hardships, so we naturally fear no challenge!"

The Dragon Race. Dragon Venerable had already returned from the North Sea.

He had brought back a message from the Kunpeng Race: "The Kun Ancestor personally stepped forward and stated that the human F-tier talent holder with the ID Kun had nothing to do with the Kunpeng Race!"

"Could this be a smokescreen thrown out by the Kun Ancestor?"

It was still that previously unpopular dragon speaking. The moment he finished, pairs of eyes looking at an idiot landed on him once more.

"Who does the Kun Ancestor think he is? Would he lie?"

The dragon's face reddened at those words. Thinking about it, that was true—the Kun Ancestor was an existence on the same level as the Dragon Race's ancestor. Since he had personally stepped forward, how could it be false?

"Dragon Venerable, what should we do?"

"I suggest that we don't need to act personally this time. Compared to the wrath of our Dragon Race, I'd wager those old turtles can't sit still anymore, can they?"

"Good idea. Let those old turtles make a move. Could a mere human with an F-tier talent possibly turn the heavens upside down?"

Listening to the clamorous discussion below, Dragon Venerable frowned.

"Are all of you still hung up on an F-tier talent?"

The dragons fell silent and looked toward Dragon Venerable.

"On my way back, I already consulted our clan elders within the Haotian Pagoda. They don't care about talent. They only know that this human F-tier talent holder, whether in trial rating or completion time, surpassed that traitor!"

For no reason, everyone shuddered. None dared mention that person's name!

The Dragon Ancestor had even issued an oral decree: what happened back then must never be allowed to happen again!

The dragon who had always been ostracized by the others stepped forward with righteous indignation. "Dragon Venerable, let me go. I dare say humanity would not dare defy the Dragon Race's holy decree!"

Dragon Venerable glanced at him, then at the other dragons, and found that when it came to personally taking action against humanity, they were remarkably united—every one of them had lowered their heads!

Of course, these dragons did not fear humanity's strength. Rather, some of them had long since developed psychological scars!

Dragon Venerable snorted coldly. "A bunch of useless trash!"

Then he looked at the dragon who had always been unpopular, whose emotional intelligence was practically nonexistent. "Ao Guang, though you are a flood dragon, you guard the East Sea on behalf of our Dragon Race and are close to humanity's territory. Sending you is indeed the most suitable choice!"

Ao Guang took a deep breath. "Dragon Venerable, rest assured. I share an irreconcilable hatred with humanity. Had I not been stopped back then, I would have slaughtered the entire human race to the last!"

All the dragons present naturally knew of the enmity between Ao Guang and humanity, but hearing his arrogant words, they all curled their lips.

If you had the ability, you would have gone long ago. Why put on airs here? Weren't you sent back in disgrace back then? If the Dragon Race hadn't vouched for you, even your dragon hide would have been skinned off to make leather shoes!

"Good. Ao Guang, with such ambition, you are truly a model for our Dragon Race. This time, you will set out. The East Sea borders Jiangnan Base City; use that as a point of leverage to force humanity into submission and hand over the human F-tier talent holder with the ID 'Kun'!"

"Ao Guang accepts the order. I will not fail Dragon Venerable's trust!"

With that, Ao Guang transformed into a thousand-zhang azure flood dragon and shot into the air with a single leap.

Only after Ao Guang had left did the other dragons speak again. "Dragon Venerable, are you certain this won't provoke humanity's wrath? If those few from humanity act, unless we call back the clan elders in the Haotian Pagoda, we won't be able to stop them!"

"Shut up, all of you! Not one of you spoke up when it was time to volunteer for battle, and now you have objections?"

"In my view, even Ao Guang, a mere flood dragon, has more promise than you lot!"

Uh...

The dragons all flushed red with embarrassment. Meanwhile, Dragon Venerable's trusted aide at his side had been stroking his little short beard the entire time. Now, he narrowed his eyes and said, "Dragon Venerable, this is a brilliant move!"

Dragon Venerable looked at him and grinned. "You're the one who understands my intentions!"

The dragons were puzzled and looked toward Dragon Venerable's trusted aide.

Only after receiving permission did the aide explain, "Sending Ao Guang is wise not only because he already shares an irreconcilable hatred with humanity and will take this matter extremely seriously. Even if Ao Guang enrages humanity, the one who dies will only be Ao Guang himself!"

The dragons' eyes lit up.

"As for whether those few humans will take out their anger on us—what a joke. Ao Guang is a flood dragon, not a direct descendant of our Dragon Race. His roots lie in the Flood Dragon Race. If humanity dares vent its anger on our Dragon Race so casually, wouldn't that be treating our Dragon Race with far too little regard?"

The dragons instantly understood, and flattery came pouring forth as though it cost nothing.

Only the true upper echelons knew that while humanity appeared weak, its top-level strength was enough to make even the Dragon Race—the foremost of the Three Saint Races—wary. Moreover, humanity had always been united. When one side faced trouble, aid came from all directions; there was no telling what extreme measures they might take!

The dragons gathered here for discussion appeared to be upper-ranking members of the Dragon Race, but in truth, they were merely representatives outside the Haotian Pagoda for those true Dragon Race leaders. They did not have the nerve to bear the wrath of all of humanity's upper echelons!

Therefore, sending out that foolish flood dragon Ao Guang was truly a wise move!