Gu Chen looked through them one by one. These names were all renowned figures in the Land of Heaven and Earth. The sixteenth on the Dragon Ranking was none other than Zhuge Wangyue, whose blood and energy were abundant and who had the potential to soar into the sky.
Upon seeing this name, Gu Chen's face turned icy cold.
About half an hour later, the martial artists who had come to compete for the Tiger Ranking, or rather, to watch the ceremony, climbed the Road to Heaven and arrived at the platform of the Heaven and Earth Palace.
There were probably over a hundred people, while the other guards and elders waited below. Many of these martial artists from aristocratic families were visiting the Heaven and Earth Palace for the first time, and they were immediately awestruck by the magnificent scene.
Upon learning that Gu Mingheng had only begun the ranking ceremony after the Tiger Ranking was revised, everyone was very excited. After all, if it had been held earlier, they would have only seen the celestial phenomena, but not witnessed the exciting scene firsthand. Now, however, they could witness it with their own eyes.
In the crowd, Gu Chen spotted Chen Shumeng, the woman disguised as a man, who now looked slightly nervous.
When Chen Shumeng saw Gu Chen looking at her, she was clearly taken aback. Gu Chen smiled slightly at her, and seeing this smile, Chen Shumeng felt much more at ease and nodded back at Gu Chen.
"Let's begin the Tiger Ranking."
Shi Che stepped forward, glanced around, and said, "The top twenty have already been determined at the Aristocratic Family Assembly. As for the rankings after that, everyone will line up in order and proceed to the Tiger Ranking to inscribe their essence blood."
Soon, a martial artist walked to the Tiger Ranking position, bit his finger, and imprinted his essence blood on the Tiger Ranking stone tablet.
His essence was initially faint, but later it began to shimmer and imprinted itself on the stone tablet.
Zeng Yuanchu, ranked thirty-third.
With a start, things proceeded smoothly. Since there was no need for a direct contest like in the Aristocratic Family Assembly, the rankings were determined quickly. Some martial artists who had a ranking or whose rankings were as expected were quite satisfied, while others whose imprinted blood essence quickly dissipated and could not be solidified, or who were dissatisfied with their rankings, were filled with disappointment.
Soon it was Chen Shumeng's turn. Chen Shumeng extended her fair, delicate fingers and then imprinted her blood and qi on the Tiger Ranking.
Under her tense gaze, although her qi and blood were very faint, they gradually condensed and did not dissipate! Wang Yangming's face lit up with joy, and at this moment Shi Che announced, "Chen Shumeng, ninetyth place."
"Top 100!" Chen Shumeng was very excited and waved her fist at Gu Chen.
Gu Chen smiled slightly.
"Gu Chen, you're quite the ladies' man!" Cao Miao appeared beside Gu Chen at some point and said in a sinister tone.
"Get out of my way," Gu Chen said calmly.
Cao Miao's face flushed with anger, then he sneered, "Didn't you want to be number one on the Tiger Ranking? Haha, let me tell you, after Gu Mingheng's event, Brother Fan Yingqiu will also be on the Dragon Ranking in a few days. Now is your chance! The Tiger Ranking will be revised soon, so hurry up and go!"
Gu Chen didn't even bother to move, giving him a dismissive glance and saying, "Who said I was going to be number one on the Tiger Ranking?"
Cao Miao was taken aback and said, "Isn't that right?"
"I don't have time for you, get lost." Gu Chen sneered and walked away. But Cao Miao persisted and chased after him again, saying, "Gu Chen, don't think that just because you're stronger than me, you can talk to me like that. This is the Land of Heaven and Earth. Our Cao Family can crush you as easily as crushing an ant!"
"Hmm?" Gu Chen stopped and said, "What, are you planning to use your power to intimidate me?"
"So what if I suppress you?" Cao Miao sneered, "For a flea like you, I don't care what method I use, I should just crush you! Besides, you were lucky you weren't killed by Gu Mingheng's palm strike, but once Gu Mingheng's ceremony is over, your good luck will be over. Then you will bear the wrath of the Cao Family!"
"Your Cao Family, including Cao Wushuang, has a total of nine martial artists at the Revolving Illumination Realm, two of whom are on the Dragon Ranking. Am I right?" Gu Chen suddenly said.
Cao Miao had been threatening Gu Chen for a while, and seeing that Gu Chen had no reaction, he was already angry. Now, upon hearing this, his eyes turned cold again, and he said, "You've investigated quite thoroughly. That's right, two of our Cao Family's predecessors are on the Dragon Ranking!"
"That's good." Gu Chen nodded and said, "You'll understand in a moment."
"Huh? What did you say?" Cao Miao was taken aback, not understanding the meaning of Gu Chen's words.
However, he didn't have a chance to ask, because after saying that, Gu Chen had already walked to the side, his face indifferent, and no longer paid any attention to Cao Miao.
"Gu Chen, aren't you coming over?"
Just then, Elder Ge suddenly spoke.
Now, those who need to register have almost all registered in front of the Tiger Ranking, and those like Cao Miao, who already had a third-place ranking during the Aristocratic Family Assembly, naturally don't need to go anymore.
That's why Elder Ge asked Gu Chen.
Everyone looked at Gu Chen. With Gu Chen's strength, he was indeed qualified to secure a place in the top three of the Tiger Ranking, or even surpass Fan Yingqiu to become number one. As for whether he could get a share of the resources and rewards provided, that was another matter.
"Elder Ge," Gu Chen smiled slightly and said, "I came up here to watch Gu Mingheng's inauguration ceremony. As for the Tiger Ranking, we can talk about it later."
Elder Ge could only nod, then Gu Muyu, "Elder Gu, go and see if Gu Mingheng is ready to begin the ceremony."
Gu Muyu responded, then glanced at Gu Chen before walking into the inner hall.
Only Gu Muyu frowned deeply. What on earth was Gu Chen up to now? Another "later"? Did he think he could fly to the heavens in a second? Gu Muyu snorted and thought to herself, "He's just playing coy. When Gu Mingheng ascends to the Dragon Ranking, he'll know what the difference between us really is."
Less than five minutes after Gu Muyu went inside, Gu Mingheng came out with her.
The Dragon Ranking stele is extremely sacred, as it has existed for as long as the Land of Heaven and Earth has existed! Therefore, under such circumstances, every name on the Dragon Ranking represents an extraordinary figure from the Land of Heaven and Earth.
Those who can make it onto the Dragon Ranking will surely become powerful figures who will shake the Land of Heaven and Earth in the future.
Furthermore, the names of the four great families on the Dragon Ranking have always been very evenly distributed, with each family occupying six names, totaling twenty-four powerful figures on the Dragon Ranking.
If Gu Mingheng manages to ascend to the Dragon Ranking this time, regardless of his ranking, it will disrupt the balance among the Six Great Families. Coupled with the hype of being the first person under thirty to reach the Dragon Ranking, it will undoubtedly attract a great deal of attention.
After Gu Mingheng emerged, everyone held their breath, and over a hundred eyes turned to him. Gu Mingheng remained calm as he walked step by step to Elder Liu, saying, "I'm ready."
"Alright!" Liu Jingce nodded and said, "Let's go to the Dragon Ranking."
The vast open space was now empty of any martial artists, leaving a huge area for Gu Mingheng to step onto and carve his name on the Dragon Ranking.
Since the Gu Family dared to announce this to the world, it shows that they have great confidence in Gu Mingheng. In everyone's mind, the chances of Gu Mingheng succeeding this time are actually over 60%!
"Wait!" Gu Mingheng suddenly said, "I have something I'd like to say."
Elder Liu paused for a moment, then said, "Speak."
"I want to say something to Gu Chen." Gu Mingheng said, walking towards Gu Chen Gu Chen stopping about two meters away. He then sneered, "Gu Chen, you're about to witness your brother ascend to the Dragon Ranking. Aren't you excited?"
"Are you crazy?" Gu Chen raised an eyebrow.
Gu Mingheng laughed heartily and said, "Once I ascend to the Dragon Ranking, I can help you reach the top of the Tiger Ranking. Fan Yingqiu has been in that position for several years; it's time for a change. Consider this reward a gift from me. As an outcast who was expelled from the family back then, you should feel honored, because you are still receiving a favor from the family!"