Chapter 184: First on the Hidden Dragon List

Chapter 184: Chapter 184: First on the Hidden Dragon List

After the King of Shang finished speaking, his gaze fell upon Yi Xiaoyao. He sized him up for a few moments, then nodded in great satisfaction.

Seeing this, Shang Shiqie immediately understood what her royal father was thinking.

’Now that Shangguan Tianjian is dead, Father must want me to marry Yi Xiaoyao. As a princess with exceptional talent, only a young man like him is worthy of me.’

However, Shang Shiqie felt no aversion to the idea. In fact, she was even a little delighted.

She was far more willing to marry Yi Xiaoyao than Shangguan Tianjian. Not only were Yi Xiaoyao’s strength and talent superior, but most importantly, he lacked that condescending, arrogant air that she disliked so much.

Of course, the King of Shang would not mention such a matter on this occasion. With a wave of his robes, he said, "Alright, you are all dismissed."

Then, everyone quickly bowed their farewells and departed.

Seeing that the competition was over, the crowd of spectators began to disperse, discussing animatedly amongst themselves.

And the topic of their discussion, without a doubt, was the earth-shattering battle between Yi Xiaoyao and Shangguan Tianjian.

This battle had shaken everyone to their core, a memory they would carry for the rest of their lives.

For this battle symbolized the rise of a new star and marked the beginning of the legend of Yi Xiaoyao—a story that would soon be known to all.

...

The surrounding crowd had dispersed. In the distance, the Black Robe Hall Master was conversing with the King of Shang.

"Qingluo Field Master, since I’ve won first place, may I see Elder Yan now?"

Yi Xiaoyao asked Qing Luo. Flame Medicine Hidden had been under Qing Luo’s protection in the Asura Arena, so naturally, Yi Xiaoyao had to go through him to see the man.

Qing Luo smiled wryly. He had once been desperate for someone from the Asura Arena to obtain the Heaven and Earth Fire Essence. But now, he was just incredibly relieved that his own prodigy, Wei Buzhan, had even survived his match against Yi Xiaoyao.

As for snatching the Heaven and Earth Fire Essence, that was out of the question.

"Of course. Follow me."

Qing Luo agreed and led Yi Xiaoyao to see Flame Medicine Hidden.

「In a secret underground chamber in the Asura Arena.」

Flame Medicine Hidden sat by a stone table, trembling slightly with excitement.

He had just heard that Yi Xiaoyao had taken first place, and an unconcealable joy now shone in his cloudy eyes.

RUMBLE~

The stone door ground open.

"Elder Yan!"

The moment Yi Xiaoyao stepped into the stone chamber, he saw the aged figure.

"Haha, good lad! I knew I didn’t misjudge you!"

Flame Medicine Hidden shot to his feet and came forward, clapping Yi Xiaoyao on the shoulder with a hearty laugh.

Yi Xiaoyao grinned. "I didn’t let you down. I took first place."

"Haha! I couldn’t leave this secret chamber to watch with my own eyes, but I heard all about it."

Flame Medicine Hidden still remembered the excited look on the messenger’s face as he described the fight. ’Yi Xiaoyao’s performance must have been extraordinary,’ he thought.

Then, Flame Medicine Hidden said with gratification, "For you to have reached this level in such a short time... I can finally hand over the Heaven and Earth Fire Essence to you without any worries."

"Elder Yan, there’s no rush. Let’s return to the Seven Kills Star Hall first," Yi Xiaoyao said.

’After all, the Asura Arena is someone else’s territory. I’ll only feel safe once we’re back on our own turf.’

...

Yi Xiaoyao and the others then hurried back to the Seven Kills Star Hall.

The entire Seven Kills Star Hall was thrown into an uproar when everyone learned that Yi Xiaoyao had not only triumphed over all his rivals to claim first place, but had also fought a battle for the ages against Shangguan Tianjian—and ultimately killed him.

That very afternoon, the Hidden Dragon List, a registry of immense authority within the Great Shang Dynasty, was promptly updated.

The competition had resulted in the fall of many experts from the original Hidden Dragon List. At the same time, a number of previously unknown powerhouses had made a name for themselves. The list had undergone a seismic shift.

Nearly every disciple in the Seven Kills Star Hall had a copy of the new Hidden Dragon List. They gathered in clusters, animatedly discussing the new rankings.

At the very top of the list, in the most prominent position, was a name that thrilled the disciples: Yi Xiaoyao!

"First on the Hidden Dragon List: Yi Xiaoyao of the Seven Kills Star Hall!"

"Haha! Finally, we don’t have to see that annoying name anymore: Shangguan Tianjian of the Cloud Transformation Sect!"

"Yi Xiaoyao is incredible! He actually took out Shangguan Tianjian!"

The Cloud Transformation Sect was the arch-nemesis of the Seven Kills Star Hall, so these Star Hall disciples had always loathed Shangguan Tianjian. Now, with Yi Xiaoyao ranked first, he was like a god in their eyes.

"And what’s more, second place is still held by our very own Sword Wind Breaker from the Star Hall!"

"Exactly! The Hidden Dragon List changed so much this time. Our Seven Kills Star Hall now holds five of the top ten spots!"

"I’ve never been prouder to be a member of the Seven Kills Star Hall! One day, my name will be on the Hidden Dragon List, too!"

The disciples gazed at the Hidden Dragon List, their eyes gleaming with newfound, lofty ambitions.

It wasn’t just the disciples of the Seven Kills Star Hall, either. Outside, the new rankings had become common knowledge.

"So, Yi Xiaoyao really is number one on the Hidden Dragon List!"

"It’s to be expected. That guy’s a monster. If he isn’t number one, who is?"

"Agreed. Yi Xiaoyao absolutely deserves to be number one."

In taverns across the major cities, Cultivators held copies of the Hidden Dragon List, all marveling at the same topic.

When Yi Xiaoyao was previously ranked eighth, it sparked widespread doubt. Everyone felt the ranking was inflated.

But now that Yi Xiaoyao was ranked first on the Hidden Dragon List, not a single person felt the slightest doubt or surprise.

He had earned this ranking through his undeniable battle record, convincing everyone beyond the shadow of a doubt.

Too many people had witnessed that earth-shattering battle firsthand. Countless pairs of eyes had seen Yi Xiaoyao cut down Shangguan Tianjian. No one dared to deny the fact, and certainly no one dared to question Yi Xiaoyao’s power.

Just as everyone was saying, the ranking was perfectly legitimate.

If Yi Xiaoyao wasn’t number one, who else could be?

Meanwhile, the young man now ranked first on the Hidden Dragon List was sitting in a room, speaking with a silver-haired elder.

"Elder Yan, your Cultivation will be completely destroyed if you give me the Heaven and Earth Fire Essence?" Yi Xiaoyao asked, his brow tightly furrowed.

Flame Medicine Hidden nodded. Yi Xiaoyao had just asked what the after-effects of losing the Heaven and Earth Fire Essence would be, and he had been forced to tell him the truth.

"It’s nothing. I only have a little over a year to live anyway. What difference does it make whether I have my Cultivation or not?"

But Flame Medicine Hidden seemed unconcerned. He continued with a smile, "I’ve wanted to give up my Cultivation and live out my last days in peace for a long time now. By accepting my Heaven and Earth Fire Essence, you’re doing me a favor, in a way. It’s a release."

Yi Xiaoyao fell silent at his words, pondering for a moment before giving a quiet nod.

Seeing this, Flame Medicine Hidden gave a knowing smile. "Alright. In that case, let’s begin. It’s time for you to receive my Heaven and Earth Fire Essence!"

...