Ma Liangxiang had indeed never made the Heavenly Prodigy Ranking. Even so, as a Soul Master nearing twenty-two with a cultivation level of 51, he was a prominent figure at Barak Academy.
It was worth noting that the selection criteria for the Heavenly Prodigy Ranking were exceptionally strict. Soul Masters needed not only extraordinary strength, but also astonishing potential.
Otherwise, among the countless Soul Masters, how could a Soul Grandmaster like Zhu Wuneng have stood out and earned a place on the ranking?
After all, the Heavenly Prodigy Ranking was exclusively for young Soul Masters under twenty-five.
The farther down the ranking a Soul Master stood, the more their potential tended to be their distinguishing strength.
For instance, Zhu Wuneng and Su Ningxia had made the ranking while still in their twenties in level, while Tang Xiao's cultivation level was only 33.
Their strength might only have been exceptional among their peers, but their potential was enough to secure them a place on the Heavenly Prodigy Ranking.
Still, Soul Masters like these were a minority.
In previous editions, Soul Grandmasters and Soul Elders had generally accounted for less than twenty percent of those listed.
Although that proportion had risen to nearly thirty percent in the latest edition, such places remained exceedingly precious.
As for the Soul Masters near the top, their potential had gradually been realized and converted into tangible combat power.
Their positions depended more heavily on their glorious achievements in actual battle.
Liu Ruyan was a prime example. Her outstanding performance in surrounding and killing a Soul Douluo had catapulted her to seventy-ninth place.
Even several members of Chang'an Academy's Golden Generation had failed to make the cut.
By comparison, Ma Liangxiang was fairly impressive among those with above-average aptitude.
But even with the advantage of the Ma