CHAPTER 531: CHAPTER 531: YOU CAN’T EVEN BEAT SUPREME MYSTERY

Setting aside the rewards tied to rank on the Wind Cloud List, many Great Opportunities lay within—if they could find just one or two, their risk in entering would not have been in vain. That was also why many talents, once ranked, began to lay low, fearing discovery. Getting eliminated too quickly wasn’t just embarrassing; it also meant missing out on all sorts of opportunities. Of course, most talents had an unspoken agreement not to make a move during this initial period.

Except for a few particularly despicable ones.

For instance, Chen Pingping and Yue Wuxia, in the span of seven or eight days, had performed many "good deeds," sending away more than thirty young talents by reasoning, "It’s too dangerous here; you all should leave quickly!"

And then there was Chen Shixian...

If it weren’t for her, Gu Mang would probably have broken through to the seventh or eighth-heaven of the Lord realm by now, wouldn’t he? His luck was actually quite good, but unfortunately, Chen Shixian had targeted him.

Oh, wait. He was targeted by Chen Pingping.

Gu Mang, however, was completely unaware of this.

Only the group of young talents following Chen Shixian knew, and they too were deeply frustrated! Why waste time on Gu Mang? With so many Great Opportunities on the Wind Cloud List, can’t we be a bit more sensible?

Crucially, Chen Shixian wouldn’t even allow them to leave.

"Forget about those opportunities," Chen Shixian said with a nonchalant shrug.

"Why?" a man asked instinctively, clearly puzzled.

"Because there’s a bastard in here. If you’re lucky, you might get to sip some soup. If you’re unlucky, you’ll be directly eliminated. So, it’s safer to follow me," she said, quite pleased with herself.

You see, Chen Pingping had made her a promise. She would target Gu Mang for Chen Pingping, and in return, he would help her secure the number one spot on the Wind Cloud List. With this established quid pro quo, even if they encountered something significant, like a Great Emperor’s legacy, Chen Pingping was unlikely to act against her. At most, he just wouldn’t let her touch it.

"Which bastard?" they asked, shocked. Could anyone be so domineering? Could anyone still be so arrogant and overbearing within the Wind Cloud List?

Chen Shixian pursed her lips, not explaining who it was. Instead, she asked, "What did you mean earlier by a Great Emperor’s opportunity?"

Lu Xiaolu let out a breath and said, "There are two super Great Opportunities within the Wind Cloud List. The first is the reward for ranking first. Although its exact nature is unknown, it definitely exists. The second is a Great Emperor’s tomb. It’s rumored... this Great Emperor left behind a complete Emperor Scripture, as well as an ancient scroll providing guidance to the Ancient City."

"What do you mean?" Chen Shixian raised an eyebrow.

She knew about the Emperor Scripture. But an ancient scroll guiding to the Ancient City? What the hell is that?

Lu Xiaolu explained, "It’s a pass to enter the Ancient City."

"???"

Chen Shixian widened her eyes in surprise.

Seeing her reaction, the others felt a wave of dismay. This ’Big Brother’ of theirs clearly knows nothing about the Ancient City!

"The Ancient City is a terrifying place deep within the Nine Heavens, where Great Emperors are said to still live."

"Indeed. There are also many powerful races there."

"They all congregate there."

"It is said that the place holds the secrets to Immortality."

"However, the path to the Ancient City is incredibly difficult. Without guidance from a Great Emperor, even a Saint King could not successfully reach the Ancient City."

Chen Shixian stared blankly.

"That is where the truly powerful congregate," they said with longing. "If one can enter the Ancient City, perhaps one could become a disciple of a Great Emperor... tsk, tsk..."

"Divine Bodies, according to rumor, are commonplace in that Ancient City, as plentiful as the very soil."

"No, I must get that ancient scroll of guidance," Lu Xiaolu said, taking a deep breath, his eyes filled with determination.

"We still have a chance to compete for the opportunity in the Great Emperor’s tomb. As for the rankings... forget it."

All the rankings on the Wind Cloud List required strength to attain. They were well aware of their own strength, far too inferior to those supreme talents, so naturally, they harbored no such delusions.

Lu Xiaolu continued, "However, regarding this number one spot..."

Hmm?

Seeing him hesitate, Chen Shixian prompted, "What about the first-place spot?"

He said, "There’s an odd phenomenon associated with the Wind Cloud List. Throughout history, all talents who secured first place have mysteriously vanished."

She was taken aback.

Others also spoke up, "Some say they are still here, yet no talent entering the Wind Cloud List has ever seen them."

"Others believe that they left this world through the Wind Cloud List and went to a more terrifying place to cultivate..."

Chen Shixian’s face immediately stiffened. The number one on the Wind Cloud List? Mysteriously disappeared? Her mind went blank... She was a bit dumbfounded.

The few people beside her chattered animatedly for several minutes. Seeing no response from Chen Shixian, they instinctively looked over. "Big Brother? What’s wrong with you?"

"Fuck!" Chen Shixian’s eyes bulged as she cursed. He’s doing this on purpose! He must be! He wants me to mysteriously disappear. She had thought her deal with Chen Pingping was fair. She never expected the bastard wanted her to mysteriously vanish. Damn it! What a vicious dog of a man!

The others exchanged bewildered glances.

But she quickly calmed down. Although there had been some enmity and minor skirmishes between her and Chen Pingping over the years, they hadn’t reached the point of being mortal enemies. Moreover, Chen Pingping had saved her several times. If he wanted her dead, wouldn’t it have been easy? He wouldn’t have needed to lift a finger.

Chen Shixian pondered.

「Over here.」

Gu Mang finally learned the truth—someone really was targeting him. His face turned ashen as he gritted his teeth. "Who is it?"

The others remained silent.

"Son of a bitch, if you have the guts, come out!" Gu Mang’s composure shattered. Seven or eight times, again and again...

Fuck!

They might as well just kill me and be done with it! Why torment me like this? A Great Opportunity is right before my eyes, yet I can’t seize it. Who could possibly understand this feeling?

Chen Shixian strode over.

"Big Brother!" the trio called out in unison.

"Who are you?" Gu Mang shouted furiously, his eyes bloodshot with rage. He was sure he didn’t know this woman and couldn’t possibly have offended her. Why then was she targeting him like this?

Tsk tsk! What a pitiful fellow.

Chen Shixian said, unable to bear it, "I’m off to handle important matters. You should just leave on your own!" She’d had her fun.

But how could Gu Mang, after waiting so many years, willingly leave? His face was contorted with anger, his hands clenched, radiating killing intent.

Chen Shixian shook her head. "You harbor too much hatred in your heart. Over these years, you’ve forced your cultivation using many extreme methods, causing your body to be riddled with hidden injuries. If this continues, you’re bound to suffer a backlash. It could be severe, possibly even fatal."

She had been following Gu Mang for several days, observing him closely. Chen Pingping hadn’t lied to her. Gu Mang truly wasn’t suited for cultivation; he was only fit for Alchemy.

But Gu Mang had strived for so many years; how could he easily give up?

"You don’t believe me?" Chen Shixian stared intently at him. "Sense my realm."

"Supreme Mystery Peak State?" Gu Mang’s face grew even uglier. He was actually being targeted by someone at the Supreme Mystery Peak State. Fuck! This is outrageous!

Chen Shixian continued, "Even though you are in the Lord realm, your cultivation is lacking and riddled with flaws; your reputation is undeserved. If you don’t believe me, we can fight. I’m not bragging, but you probably couldn’t even defeat me, someone at the Supreme Mystery Peak State."

Hearing these words, the nearby young talents exchanged peculiar glances.