Chapter 179: Collect the Corpse

The post had barely gone live before the comments exploded past a hundred, with the view count climbing by the dozens every second. Zhang Yuanqing tapped on the thread, and the page hung for several seconds before finally loading.

【Disclaimer: These rankings are based on past combat records, reputation, items, and other data. They are not one hundred percent accurate and are for reference only.】

【1: Zhao Chenghuang, Taiyi Sect, Level 3 Nocturnal Specter.】

【Notes: Great-grandson of the Taiyi Sect's Elder Zhao. Reached Level 3 three years ago and placed third in that year's Tournament, but for unknown reasons has deliberately stayed at the Transcendent tier, refusing to advance to Saint. Zhao Chenghuang keeps an extremely low profile and rarely spars with anyone. According to reliable sources, his sparring partners are all Saint-tier Walkers. Transcendent-tier opponents no longer warrant his attention.】

【Reason for ranking: Experience bar is already full. Stacked with powerful items. Commands a Level 4 yin corpse (Fire Sage). All Transcendent-tier Nocturnal Specter skills honed to perfection.】

【2: Earth God, Central Court, Level 3 Earth Wraith.】

【Notes: Placed in the top five in last year's Tournament. This old man specializes in defense. If you recall, the number one seed that year nearly got ground down into exhaustion and submission by him. Most of the top ten from that year have already advanced to the Saint tier, which in a sense means Earth God and Zhao Chenghuang walk the same path, and have both been grinding at the Transcendent tier for years. This year the old man is back, and with that mountain of armor he's piled on? We expect quite a few people are already sweating.】

【Reason for ranking: Stacks the thickest armor, takes the nastiest hits. Your grandpa is your grandpa for a reason.】

【3: Sun Miaomiao, Taiyi Sect, Level 3 Nocturnal Specter.】

【Notes: Miaomiao obtained her Character Card a year and a half ago and has already climbed to the peak of the Transcendent tier. She is exceptionally talented. Thanks to her beauty and charm, she's immensely popular within the Taiyi Sect. It's worth noting that Sun Miaomiao is Elder Sun's granddaughter and reportedly commands an enviable number of spirit servants.】

【Reason for ranking: Sun Miaomiao was ambushed by two Level 3 Evil-class assassins during one of the Evil-class trials and evaded them without breaking a sweat.】

【4: World Ablaze, Crimson Fire Gang, Level 3 Fire Sage.】

【Notes: A rare strategist among Fire Sages. He has cleared two A-rank dungeons and is talented enough to hold his own against Evil-class Walkers of the same level. Earlier this year, the Fire Young Master made an exception and recruited him into the Shennong Guard.】

【Reason for ranking: Compared to the top three, what he lacks is seniority and whale-like spending power.】

【5: Tone Deaf, Water God Palace, Level 3 Musician.】

【Notes: Under normal circumstances, a Transcendent-tier Musician is considered a support. But thanks to an item called Music Slave, Tone Deaf has become a powerhouse who can still deal damage while providing support. He's well known in his district, having assisted stewards in apprehending numerous rogue freelance Walkers and Evil-class criminals.】

【Reason for ranking: When a support class can output damage, that's a terrifying thing.】

【6: Jiang Jingwei, Crimson Fire Gang, Level 3 Fire Sage.】

【Notes: Jiang Jingwei is the offspring of a certain high-ranking member of the Crimson Fire Gang, and her identity is extremely mysterious. Some of you may already know that Sovereign-tier Fire Sages typically have red hair. In ancient times, this was considered the mark of innate Fire Virtue. Jiang Jingwei is not at the Sovereign tier, yet she was born with red hair, which neatly corroborates the rumors about her high-ranking parentage.】

【Reason for ranking: Innate Fire Virtue. People like her possess a powerful affinity for flame and can manipulate and wield fire far beyond what ordinary Fire Sages are capable of. She is a rare existence who can rival those at the peak of their class.】

【7: Green Pine, Hundred Flowers Society, Level 3 Wood Demon.】

【Notes: Whether it's a Nocturnal Specter with self-healing or an Earth Wraith with endless endurance, no one at the Transcendent tier can outlast Green Pine in stamina. We're very much looking forward to his showdown with the old man Earth God.】

【Reason for ranking: You might die of exhaustion, but he never will. A top-tier work horse.】

【8: Yuan Ting, Taiyi Sect, Level 3 Nocturnal Specter.】

【Notes: One of sixteen captains at the Taiyi Sect's Songhai Branch. Being assigned to a top-tier city is itself a testament to his strength. Yuan Ting graduated from the Training Camp with honors. Recently, for certain reasons, Elder Sun recalled him to the Training Camp for a grueling, hellish regimen, and his power has skyrocketed since.】

【Reason for ranking: Elder Sun, what were you thinking?!】

【9: Maoshan Warlock, Taiyi Sect, Level 3 Nocturnal Specter.】

【10: Crossing Pawn, White Tiger Legion, Level 3 Scout.】

【11: Yuanshi Tianzun, White Tiger Legion, Level 3 Nocturnal Specter.】

【Note 1: We had a fierce and serious debate among ourselves about where to rank him. After careful analysis combining his past combat record, martial arts, items, and other data, we believe his true level could place him in the top five. However, the Tournament focuses on sparring rather than death matches, which severely limits item usage. Stripped of his more powerful items, Yuanshi Tianzun's raw combat ability is not especially outstanding. Therefore, ranking him eleventh is a reasonably objective and fair placement.】

【Note 2: This individual has cleared two S-rank dungeons and one A-rank dungeon. If he draws a scenario-type arena, Yuanshi Tianzun's ranking would shoot straight into the top three.】

【Reason for ranking: Without question, this is the Five Elements Alliance's brightest star this year.】

Zhang Yuanqing almost exploded. What kind of garbage ranking is this? Wang Tai helped put this together, didn't he? I'm going to beat him up...

Zhang Yuanqing held his temper and scrolled through all twenty entries, silently grinding his teeth. He hadn't expected to be ranked that high, perhaps the top five at best, but he hadn't expected to land at number eleven.

Who do they think they're looking down on? Hmph. They miscalculated one thing. Sure, I have powerful items; that much is true. But my items aren't the one-hit-kill variety. The Yin Yang Spell Robe is a formation-type item, and nothing like Guan Ya's rifle.

Strictly speaking, I don't actually own any overwhelmingly lethal items. Even the Red Dancing Shoes' hunt function can be interrupted by the owner. And I just need to avoid vital areas with the Bloodthirsty Blade.Therefore, the restrictions do not dramatically reduce my real strength. Once the fighting starts, I'll shock every last one of them. Besides, I haven't even factored in my yin corpse yet...

Zhang Yuanqing was deeply unsatisfied with the rankings. But he had to admit one thing. The top ten, and especially the top three, were opponents he might not beat even if he went all out.

Take Earth God, for example. Of his trump card items, he couldn't use the Red Veil. As for the Yin Yang Spell Robe, the cycle of the five elements meant earth overcame water while fire fed earth. That would completely counter the robe. He probably couldn't take that old man down.[1]

The first- and third-ranked were both Level 3 Nocturnal Specters with experience bars nearly maxed, and both were second-generation Walkers from noble families. They certainly wouldn't lack powerful items. Zhang Yuanqing had no confidence against either of them.

Sun Miaomiao is Elder Sun's granddaughter, and Elder Sun already has a grudge against me because of my reputation. Will this woman target me? If I'm going to compete for first place, the odds of running into her are enormous.And the rest of the top ten all have their own specialties. Each one is the kind of powerful opponent where a single misstep could spell disaster. I need to get detailed profiles on all of them from Wang Tai.

After calming himself, Zhang Yuanqing realized that taking first place was going to be extremely difficult. But he absolutely had to obtain the Houtu Boots. They were critical to his growth at the Saint tier, and even the Sovereign tier. Moreover, even just acquiring two pieces of the Celestial Ritual Set could unlock set bonuses and skill enhancements which would dramatically increase his chances of surviving a slaughter dungeon.

Let's see what the comments say, he thought to himself as he scrolled down and began reading the discussion among the official Walkers.

⤷ Call Me Queen: What is this? My Yuanshi Tianzun only ranked eleventh? What a trash list. Bah!

Of course this woman is here.

⤷ Princess Consort: Yuanshi Tianzun's ranking is a bit low, but it's still reasonable. As for everyone else, I think it's fine. At least the top three make sense.

⤷ Cephalosporin With Booze: Makes sense? My heart sank reading this. Just yesterday I warned that the Houtu Boots better not fall into the Taiyi Sect's hands, and now look. Two of the top three are Nocturnal Specters.

⤷ Little Piggy George: There's nothing we can do about it. Among Lawful classes, Nocturnal Specters are in a league of their own. If all three top spots were Five Elements Alliance members, now THAT would be unreasonable. Besides, there's still the old man Earth God. Maybe he can grind down the first and third places until they collapse.

⤷ No Fun Without Women: Hey pig, have you no shame saying that? Earth God is sixty years old and he's still carrying the banner for the Five Elements Alliance's Transcendent tier.

⤷ White Dragon: Damn it, I didn't even make the list! And what's worse, not a single captain from our entire Kangyang District made it.

⤷ Tang Guoqiang: It could be worse. At least we've got Yuanshi, even though I feel like his ranking is too low. And hey, isn't Yuan Ting from Kangyang District too?

⤷ Big Muscles: At least we signed up to compete. That coward Li Dongze didn't even have the guts to register.

Zhang Yuanqing kept scrolling, but not a single person questioned the top three rankings. That was not a good sign.

If I can't take first place this time, I can only hope my second solo Spirit Realm dungeon comes before the slaughter dungeon. Maybe Demon Lord's Character Card will offer me a special reward worth looking forward to.

With that thought, he tapped on the post detailing the top 20 in the Saint tier.

【1: Fu Qingyang, White Tiger Legion, Level 6 Swordsman.】

【Notes: Eldest son of the Fu family, one of the noble Spirit Realm houses. Fu Qingyang is hailed as the Five Elements Alliance's strongest Saint, the undisputed number one beneath the Sovereign tier. Even peak Nocturnal Specters and Evil-class Saints pale in comparison before him. Very few people understand how, as an ordinary Lawful Walker, he can be this overwhelmingly powerful. After extensive research and comparison, we have finally analyzed the secret behind his strength.】

【Reason for ranking: His skill is at the cusp of the Dao!】

Swordsman? The Scout's class advancement is called Swordsman? Well... that does make sense. Fu Qingyang's main item is a bronze sword... And what does "skill at the cusp of the Dao" mean? That his swordsmanship is so refined it's almost transcendent?

Zhang Yuanqing moved on to second place.

【2: Fengdu Ghost King, Taiyi Sect, Level 6 Astral Envoy.】

【Notes: He was once the dazzling genius of the Taiyi Sect, the former number one among official Saint-tier Walkers. Before Fu Qingyang's meteoric rise, he already commanded the spotlight. He once fought Demon Lord, then also at the Saint tier, to a draw.】

【Reason for ranking: A king of a bygone era.】

Zhang Yuanqing's eyes lit up. Hm? Astral Envoy? The next class advancement for Nocturnal Specter is called Astral Envoy? Does the power shift from the Dark Moon to the stars?

From the name alone, Astral Envoy did sound a notch more impressive than Nocturnal Specter. He wondered what the class's core abilities were.

【3: Jiang Ju, Crimson Fire Gang, Level 6 Fire Demon.】

【Notes: As one of the official Four Young Masters, the Fire Young Master possesses innate Fire Virtue, and his strength is beyond question. But he's far too impulsive and hot-tempered. His terrible personality flaws often cause those around him to overlook his talent and power.】

【Reason for ranking: With all due respect, the two above him are both trash.】

【4: Yin Ji, Taiyi Sect, Level 6 Astral Envoy.】

【5: Huang Taiji, Central Court, Level 6 Mountain God.】

【6: Rides Ten Men Nightly, Hundred Flowers Society, Level 6 Beast King.】

【7: Styx, Water God Palace, Level 6 Plague God.】

【8: Ling Jun, Taiyi Sect (Hundred Flowers Society), Level 6 Beast King.】

【Notes: It must be said that compared to first, third, and fifth place, the reason this Flowery Young Master earned his spot among the Official Four Young Masters is probably his absurdly good luck with women and his extraordinary family background.】

【Reason for ranking: Setting aside the facts, he's still quite strong.】

Zhang Yuanqing scrolled down to the comments section.

⤷ Ling Jun: What do you mean, "setting aside the facts"? I'm so sorry for being this weak. Who made this list? I'm going to kill them.

⤷ White Dragon: Flowery Young Master! I'm your fan! kiss emojis

⤷ Princess Consort: Aaah, Flowery Young Master showed up! Catch him!

⤷ Call Me Queen: Aaah, Flowery Young Master, Flowery Young Master... wait, I don't think I'm actually your fan. Never mind then. The Saint-tier rankings are more comforting anyway. Rich Young Master makes me feel safe.

⤷ Paparazzi Xiao Feng: Hey, did you guys know? That Yin Ji from the Taiyi Sect used to be with Demon Lord.

⤷ Call Me Queen: What? That's juicy! Spill!

⤷ Paparazzi Xiao Feng: Yin Ji is quite famous within the Taiyi Sect. She is both beauty and power in one package. Apparently the Taiyi Sect elders originally wanted to set her up with Fengdu Ghost King, but then Demon Lord swooped in out of nowhere. Yin Ji lost her mind over him, fell in love, and eloped with him for three months before Elder Hongying forcibly dragged her back to the Taiyi Sect. Why did Fengdu Ghost King and Demon Lord fight? This is why.

⤷ No Fun Without Women: Hey, how do you even know all this?

⤷ Paparazzi Xiao Feng: I heard it from Jian Ji, a Nocturnal Specter in my district. Jian Ji is good friends with Yuan Ting. He got it from Yuan Ting.

⤷ Jiang Yang: If Yuan Ting said it, then it's probably true...

⤷ Days Gone By: Yeah, that Yuan Ting from the Taiyi Sect might have a big mouth, but he never lies.

Compared to the angry bickering under the Transcendent tier top twenty post, the mood in this comments section was far more relaxed. It was all because first place belonged to Fu Qingyang. The Fu Qingyang who was supposedly unbeatable by anyone below the Sovereign tier. That alone gave enormous peace of mind to the lower- and mid-ranking Walkers of the Five Elements Alliance.

Zhang Yuanqing suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Fengdu Ghost King. Taiyi Sect's Yin Ji was Demon Lord's lover? Good god. Next time the Cat King Speaker plays audio, is it going to blast a recording of her and Demon Lord in bed? That bastard Demon Lord really did leave a trail of ruin.

Then again, given what a scumbag Demon Lord was, Yin Ji's love has probably turned into hatred by now. As his successor, I'd better watch out for her.

***

In her suite in the Huayu Hotel, Xie Lingxi stood by the desk like a dutiful little attendant, leaning in to peer at the rankings on the monitor. Her brow furrowed with displeasure.

"What is this? Bro Yuanshi is only ranked eleventh? I don't think anyone at the Transcendent tier can beat him!"

The Slaughter Cessation Palace Master lounged lazily at the desk in her red dress, pale fingers drifting across the keyboard as she looked at the monitor.

"Yuanshi Tianzun isn't here," she said in an indifferent tone. "You can dial back the act."

Xie Lingxi pouted, looking wounded. "Sis Palace Master, how can you say that? Everything I said is from the heart."

The Palace Master grunted noncommittally. "I forgot. The green tea princess act has steeped into your bones at this point. It’s second nature."

Xie Lingxi had no comeback. She could only wrinkle her nose and give an indignant "Hmph!"

Just then, her phone buzzed on the desk. She looked over at the caller's ID. Dad!

She picked up the phone and whispered to the palace master, "It's my dad..."

The palace master nodded. Only then did she answer the call.

—Lingxi, I'll be entering a Spirit Realm dungeon soon and won't have time to watch the Official Tournament. I'm transferring the ticket to you. Go watch on my behalf.

Xie Lingxi beamed. "Thanks, Dad! Mwah~"

Her father paused for a moment.

—By the way, have you seen the Transcendent top twenty list? Is something wrong with it? Why is Yuanshi Tianzun ranked so low?

Xie Lingxi jumped in immediately. "Dad, with Bro Yuanshi's overall strength, he can definitely crack the top five. Sis Palace Master thinks so too."

Her father gave a satisfied "oh" and relaxed.

—If that crazy girl thinks so too, then good. Watch carefully on my behalf this time and give me a full report afterward. If Yuanshi Tianzun places in the top three, I'll send him an invitation to our family's Crab Banquet in August. Have him come over for a visit.

"Okay!" Xie Lingxi said happily.

After she hung up, the Palace Master gave a cold smirk. "Why not just take Yuanshi Tianzun as a live-in son-in-law for the Xie family while you're at it?"

Xie Lingxi didn't dare respond, because the Palace Master's gaze was anything but friendly.

***

The White Tiger Guard group chat was abuzz with discussion as well.

World Sweeper: @Ling Jun, I just saw people on the forum talking about Yin Ji and Demon Lord. Is it true?

Ling Jun: ...

World Sweeper: So it is true. Interesting. Yin Ji's personality is so cold, yet she actually fell in love with Demon Lord? And even eloped with him? Some Flowery Young Master you are. You’re not living up to the name.

Ling Jun: What can I say? Good girls love bad boys. She still hasn't married to this day. Still pining after Demon Lord. Sigh. One scumbag ruined her whole life.

Phoenix Descending: I think Demon Lord is scum too, but for a woman to carry a torch after that many years means there must be a story behind it. Anyway, I put two million on the guild leader winning the Tournament, and another million on Zhao Chenghuang. If I lose, I'll be eating dirt.

Ling Jun: Woman, you clearly don't have any faith in our Yuanshi Tianzun. @Yuanshi Tianzun

Little Axe: Stop stirring the pot. It really is going to be hard for Yuanshi to take first place. I put a million on Yuanshi finishing third.

Third place? Zhang Yuanqing thought. The prize for that is the Adorable Hair Clip.What am I supposed to do with third place? Wear a cute little hair clip?

He was about to fire off a complaint in the group chat when a text from Auntie Xiao Yuan beat him to it.

Magic Auntie Xiao Yuan: Come collect the corpse!

Come collect the corpse...? Zhang Yuanqing blinked in confusion, then it clicked. His face broke into a grin of pure delight.

His yin corpse had arrived!

1. Zhang Yuanqing is referring to the Five Elements Cycle, which describes how the five fundamental elements in Chinese philosophy interact. Refer to the link for more information. ☜