Peerless Battle Spirit

“Thirteen geniuses?”

Qin Nan was shocked.

The reason being that either the Monarch Horoscope Contest of the God Ranking and the Monarch Ranking would normally give out seven to nine—or at most ten—Monarch Horoscopes.

Why would thirteen Monarch Horoscopes be given out this time?

Qin Nan and Chen Zilai exchanged glances with one another and detected a flicker in each other’s eyes.

Although they had yet to achieve the Martial Monarch Realm, thus preventing them from knowing the secrets of the Canglan Continent, things like the Monarch Horoscope Contest taking place earlier than scheduled and the extraordinary number of Monarch Horoscopes given out were enough to prove that there was something serious happening, but they were still unaware of it for the time being.

“It’s a surprise that the Monarch Horoscope Contest of the God Ranking has given out thirteen Monarch Horoscopes. I believe that the Monarch Horoscope Contest of the Monarch Ranking will give out more than ten Monarch Horoscopes too. Qin Nan, it’s highly possible that I will have a chance to work with you again.” Chen Zilai collected his thoughts and let out a smile.

Qin Nan nodded.

The increase in the number of Monarch Horoscopes was definitely good news for them, as they would have a higher chance of securing one of them.

“Mm? My ranking has dropped so much?”

Qin Nan lowered his head and took a glimpse at his chest. The initial number fifty-two was now ninety-six, only a few away from a hundred.

However, that was extremely reasonable too.

After all, Qin Nan had spent a month in the Southern Continent, and his cultivation had not improved lately. Furthermore, the opponents he had defeated were only seventh-layer or eighth-layer Martial Sacreds, thus his ranking was expected to drop rapidly.

“I almost forgot, I’ve been here for quite some time. Maybe I should check the latest news from the Middle Continent.”

Qin Nan murmured as he inserted his Divine Sense into the badge of the Shadow Pagoda.

For some reason, the Shadow Pagoda was extremely efficient. Although the Monarch Horoscope Contest of the God Ranking had just ended and the changes to the Monarch Ranking had just taken place, they were able to gather all the information and give Qin Nan what he had asked for.

The first piece of information was about the Monarch Horoscope Contest of the God Ranking.

“The half-God region, the Monarch Horoscope Contest of the God Ranking has ended. Thirteen geniuses of the God Ranking were able to secure a Monarch Horoscope. They are...”

Qin Nan quickly read it before proceeding to the next piece of information.

“Dao Qianzhong had slain a half-Martial Monarch, causing his ranking to surpass Ao Cangtian and end up in the fourth spot. There is still no sign of where Ao Cangtian is, whose ranking has dropped to fifth.

“A mysterious faceless rogue cultivator has killed two core disciples of the Bodhi Temple. His ranking has increased from the fifteenth to the eighth. He is now the golden-grade target of the Bodhi Temple. If anyone is able to hunt him down, the Bodhi Temple will offer a map containing the information about a chance of acquiring a fourth-grade Tian ranked Martial Spirit as the reward.

“The Death Cultivator has returned to the Middle Continent, killing two Martial Monarchs’ sons and three core disciples of the Dark Feather Palace, the Wuji Alliance, and the Fallen Demon Villa. Her ranking has risen to eleventh, currently being chased by a Martial Monarch. Her current status is yet to be confirmed.

“Shi Qingfan has returned from the half-God region. He was last seen heading into the deepest region of the Misty Immortal Sect. He has most likely entered the forbidden area, the Misty Immortal Path, trying to achieve the half-Martial Monarch Realm in the final month before the Monarch Horoscope Contest.

“Sima Kong who has called himself the successor of the Emperor of Thieves has struck once again, stealing three Monarch Weapons and ten Rakshasa Fruits from the Rakshasa Sect. He stumbled into the ninth-ranked Sky-Yin Daoist but was able to escape perfectly unharmed.

“The mysterious fire cultivator Fang Changqin defeated three core disciples of the Fiery Flame Sect, who ended up acquiring the Ancient Serene Flame of the Fiery Flame Sect, placing him at the twelfth rank.

“A month ago, the Monarch Fish was attacked and killed by a mysterious power in the rift. The disciples on it have returned to their sects safely, apart from the missing Human Peak Peak Leader of the Dragon Emperor Clan, Qin Nan, whose ranking has dropped to ninety-sixth.”

Qin Nan read all the information.

Even though his news was unable to grab any attention in the Middle Continent, he was able to imagine the fascinating battles just by reading the information.

In the battles, the geniuses unleashed their full potential and defeated their opponents, causing their names to be spread across the world.

Qin Nan’s blood began to become restless. The prologue to the new era had begun, with the geniuses having fierce competitions with one another. The battle intent in his bones was urging him to go onto the stage and challenge as many geniuses as possible.

“Calm down, calm down, now is not the time yet.”

Qin Nan took a few deep breaths to withhold the urge in his bones and calm his mind.

There was only a month left until the Monarch Horoscope Contest. He was not in a rush at all, thus he had a month’s time to comprehend the Sky-Desolating Saber Art. When the time came, he would be able to soar into the sky and compete against the geniuses!

“Qin Nan, are you going into seclusion?” Chen Zilai seemed to be aware of something.

“Mm, we might be each other’s enemies the next time we meet.” Qin Nan’s lips curled upward as he added, “Or maybe friends.”

“HAHA, I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of glow you will produce in the Monarch Horoscope Contest.”

Chen Zilai’s eyes flickered gently as he said in a sincere tone.

Qin Nan was the only one that was referred to as the ‘rare one’ by the Monarch Ranking.

“See you.”

Qin Nan brought his fists together as he tried to entirely unleash the blurry figure in his heart.

Whoosh!

A strong absorption force was unleashed, sucking the saber intent of the Royal City toward his forehead instantly.

The initially blurry outline of the character in his mind began to emit a shocking glow.

Buzz buzz buzz...

Following this, streams of desolating auras approached Qin Nan from nowhere, which formed a two-zhang tall door in front of him, as if it would lead him to some other place.

Chen Zilai and Qin Nan were stunned, as they did not expect this to happen.

“Scared? Terrified? If you dare step through the door, you will lose your cultivation, your body, your Divine Sense. Your Martial Heart would be shattered, you will find yourself in an endless desolation...you——”

A hoarse, piercing voice could be heard, like a demon cursing.

Chen Zilai’s expression changed slightly. The voice alone was enough to send a chill down his spine.

However, before the voice could finish, Qin Nan swung out his foot and stepped through the door with an expressionless face.

“You——”

The voice seemed to be astounded.

“Cut the nonsense, let’s begin.”

Qin Nan’s figure disappeared into the door without turning his head around.

“Keke, interesting, how courageous and fearless, but please don’t let me down in the end.” The hoarse voice let out a strange chuckle.

BANG!

Following this, the door immediately exploded into countless grey light dots that attached onto Qin Nan’s body. A while later, Qin Nan no longer looked like himself from a distance away, but rather a human figure made of stone.

The human-figured stone then flew into the distance with a ‘whoosh’.