Before the temple, Tie Xiaochuan and the others stood in midair, watching shafts of golden light descend through heaven and earth and carry the Trial Takers away.
In the distance, within the Yin Ruins, dark clouds churned and blood-red lightning danced wildly.
Vast energy pulsed through the Heaven Ascending Ranking as it shot beams of golden light into the void. With every beam it released, both the ranking and the golden dragon upon it dimmed a little more.
When the last beam vanished, the Heaven Ascending Ranking became utterly lackluster.
Brilliant golden light no longer surged across it, nor did spiritual energy wreathe it in a shimmering haze. It seemed to have become an ordinary object, standing silently before the temple.
"I never expected the Heaven Ascending Ranking to open so soon this time. It hasn't even been a year!"
Ji Mingfeng sighed with emotion. He had never expected it to happen so quickly. This probably had no precedent in history, yet he had happened to witness it.
"I wonder if anyone will reach the final level this time and uncover the secrets of the Yin Ruins!"
Senior Brother Zhai sounded wistful. He had witnessed this far too many times, yet no one had ever managed it.
"That'll be difficult. This batch of cultivators is far too weak. They had too little time, and Fang Mo is the only one who reached the transcendent realm. In previous rounds, there would always be more than ten. I doubt many will even reach the eighth level this time!"
Ji Mingfeng shook his head with little hope. He knew the strength of this batch of cultivators all too well.
"The others don't matter. As long as Fang Mo is there, anything is possible. With his strength, there probably aren't many in the true