Lu Ren gave a wry smile and cupped his hands. "Senior, I think you've misunderstood. I crossed the Five Elements Altar alone to get here!"
"Alone?"
The Five Elements Great Emperor's eyes widened. He stared hard at Lu Ren and said in astonishment, "Impossible. No one could cross the Five Elements Altar alone, no matter how talented they were!"
Lu Ren smiled faintly. "What if I have a Battle Embryo?"
"A Battle Embryo?"
The Five Elements Great Emperor's pupils contracted. He fixed his gaze on Lu Ren, as though he could see straight through his body.
Then he jolted in surprise. Still incredulous, he said, "A Battle Embryo! You really do have one. But even with a Battle Embryo, crossing the Five Elements Altar alone would be no easy feat!"
Lu Ren smiled and bowed again. "Senior, I truly crossed the Five Elements Altar through my own ability."
"It seems the Jade Clarity Immortal Realm has produced outstanding talents in later generations. To think someone like you has emerged! You have the strength to contend for a place among the top hundred of the Third Heaven Heavenly Talent Ranking!"
The Five Elements Great Emperor sighed with feeling.
"The Third Heaven Heavenly Talent Ranking?"
Lu Ren paused, then asked, "Senior, what is the Third Heaven Heavenly Talent Ranking?"
Luo Hongyi had mentioned the Third Heaven Heavenly Talent Ranking to him before.
"It's a ranking of the Shattered Realm talents across all of Third Heaven. Nearly everyone on it has a Battle Embryo!"
The Five Elements Great Emperor explained.
"Are there benefits to making the ranking?"
Lu Ren asked curiously.
"Plenty. Didn't the domain lord backing you tell you about it?"
The Five Elements Great Emperor looked surprised.
"No domain lord is backing me!"
Lu Ren said it deliberately.
"It seems no