Continent Wind and Cloud Ranking

The ranking system was quite comprehensive.

The main ranking was the "Douluo Continent Wind and Cloud Ranking," also known as the "Top 100 Ranking." It listed the continent's hundred strongest Battle Armor Masters and represented the ultimate symbol of strength and status.

There were also several important sub-rankings that ranked the top masters of the four major auxiliary professions: "forging," "mecha design," "mecha production," and "mecha repair."

However, the one that drew the greatest attention from young Soul Masters and all major factions was the "Youth Wind and Cloud Ranking," which was widely regarded as the Wind and Cloud Ranking's "reserve list" or "seed pool."

Those listed had to be under eighteen years old. Their Martial Soul talent, current strength, Soul Power Level, auxiliary profession achievements, combat performance, and many other factors were comprehensively evaluated, with only thirty people ultimately selected.

Anyone who made this list, so long as they did not die prematurely, would almost certainly become a powerhouse on the Continent Wind and Cloud Ranking in the future.

They were all true favored children of heaven, attracting countless eyes.

Leng Yaozhu's voice continued.

"Based on the strength, talent, age, and Level 5 Forging Grandmaster status you've displayed so far, you are fully qualified to take first place on the Youth Wind and Cloud Ranking."

"So I want to ask what you think. Are you willing to be listed?"

"After all, once you are listed, some of your information will be made public. That will draw more attention and may include some unnecessary trouble."

Hearing this, Wang Chuan unconsciously frowned.

He had always had mixed feelings about public rankings like these, especially those targeting young geniuses. It could even be said that he disliked them.

The main Continent Wind and Cloud Ranking was one thing.

Every person on it was an overwhelmingly powerful expert, long past the point of fearing ordinary schemes and challenges. Public rankings were more a form of honor and deterrence.

But the "Youth Wind and Cloud Ranking" was different.

Those listed were certainly extraordinarily talented, but they were still young. Their strength had yet to reach its peak, and they were at the critical stage where they needed time to grow.

Making the information of such a group of future stars public—wasn't that equivalent to providing hostile forces with a clear "hit list"?

If the Holy Spirit Cult was determined, it could completely use the ranking to eliminate them selectively, creating a gap in the Federation's younger generation of geniuses.

Therefore, in Wang Chuan's eyes, rather than "encouraging" them, this was simply adding needless risks to those geniuses.

Was this meant to use such a method to select the true children of destiny, those with deep fortune who could withstand pressure?

A trace of cold laughter rose in Wang Chuan's heart. He found such logic rather absurd.

However, thinking back, there did not seem to have been any plot in the original work where geniuses died prematurely because of the Youth Wind and Cloud Ranking.

Most of those whose names appeared on it later lived just fine, and the ranking itself gradually faded into obscurity.

Perhaps the Spirit Pagoda or other forces had secretly protected them as well?

Or perhaps the Holy Spirit Cult did not yet dare to so openly make enemies of the Federation's entire younger generation of Soul Masters?

After pondering for a moment, Wang Chuan spoke.

"Master, the meaning of this ranking..."

"I don't quite understand it."

"Does making the information of young geniuses public create greater risks than benefits?"

He did not refuse directly.

Instead, he raised his own doubts.

On the other end of the communication, Leng Yaozhu seemed to fall silent for a moment before she slowly said,

"Your concerns are not unreasonable."

"In fact, there has been debate over this within the pagoda."

"But in the end, it was believed that the public honor and competitive pressure would do more to temper top geniuses."

"Furthermore, the Spirit Pagoda and even the Federation will provide corresponding protection and preferential resources to those young talents listed on the Youth Wind and Cloud Ranking."

"Risks are inevitable, but that does not mean there are no safeguards."

"More importantly... this is a kind of momentum."

"The ranking itself is, in truth, an expression of influence and the right to shape public discourse."

Wang Chuan understood his master's unspoken meaning.

The ranking was not merely a ranking. It was also a tool for the Spirit Pagoda to display its influence, gather talent, and guide public opinion.

Being listed, especially at the top, was itself an enormous recognition and a guarantee of preferential resources.

Fine, then.

After weighing things in his heart, Wang Chuan decided that since no major trouble had arisen from this in the original work, perhaps he did not need to worry excessively.

Besides, with his current strength, hidden cards, and the Spirit Pagoda behind him, ordinary trouble was hardly worth his notice.

If someone truly came looking for death, it would be a good chance to stretch his limbs.

"Master, please arrange it as you see fit."

"I have no objections."

Wang Chuan finally gave his answer, his tone calm.

"Good."

There was a trace of gratification in Leng Yaozhu's voice.

"I will handle your information appropriately and won't expose too many of your secrets."

Several days later, the latest Continent Wind and Cloud Ranking series was officially announced to the entire Federation through the Spirit Pagoda's information channels spread across the continent, once again sparking widespread discussion throughout the Soul Master world and all sectors of society.

Wang Chuan also received an exquisitely printed ranking booklet and flipped through it casually.

The first place on the main "Douluo Continent Wind and Cloud Ranking" was, without suspense, still that towering figure at the height of his power, the Sea God Pavilion Master who stood like a stabilizing pillar of the sea—Sky-Prop Douluo Yun Ming.

The first place on the "Blacksmith Ranking" sub-ranking was naturally his current teacher, Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua.

The names of these top powerhouses had long been deeply rooted in people's hearts. Changes in their rankings often affected the continent's overall situation.

His gaze eventually fell upon the page for the "Youth Wind and Cloud Ranking."

Though he had been mentally prepared, when he saw the name at the top, he still could not help shaking his head helplessly and letting out a soft sigh.

"Master, this..."

At the very top of the ranking, it clearly read:

First Place on the Youth Wind and Cloud Ranking—Phoenix Wang Chuan.

There was no further detailed information—no age, Martial Soul, Soul Power Level, or specific description of his affiliated faction.

There was only a name and the conspicuous position of "first place."

But that was already enough.

An "airborne" first place would inevitably provoke countless guesses, curiosity, and... dissatisfaction.

Wang Chuan could almost foresee that in the days to come, quite a few young Soul Masters who thought highly of themselves, or who wanted to make a name for themselves by stepping on the "first place," would seek him out through various channels for "sparring" and "challenges."

Although he did not fear them, this would undoubtedly bring plenty of trivial trouble.

"High-profile, then..."

"Soldiers come, generals block; water comes, earth dams."

Wang Chuan muttered softly as he closed the ranking booklet.

There were troubles, but the benefits brought by the title of "first place" were equally tangible.

Almost at the same moment the ranking was announced, Leng Yaozhu informed him that the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters had once again greatly raised the level of resource support it provided him based on his new status as "first place on the Youth Wind and Cloud Ranking."

The resource quota, credit allowance, intelligence access rights, and other benefits he could call upon each month had now become fully equal to those of the Spirit Pagoda's four core senior figures, the Four Great Spirit Envoys!

The Four Great Spirit Envoys were all Super Douluo with Soul Power exceeding level ninety-five. They were the true pillars and figures of real authority within the Spirit Pagoda.

Their treatment was second only to that of the pagoda master and deputy pagoda master.

This meant that the resource support Wang Chuan could now obtain within the Spirit Pagoda system was equivalent to that of a Super Douluo!

For a boy of only nine years old, such a staggering allocation of resources was simply unimaginable.