Chapter 276: "Earth Ranking" Testing Hall
"Go to the 'Earth Ranking' Testing Hall first. I will retrieve that treasure and join you shortly."
Lei Jing instructed, his body flashing with light as he transformed into a beam of light, soaring into the sky and vanishing from the Silver Robe Elder Hall.
Zhang Ruochen left the tower and headed straight for the "Earth Ranking" Testing Hall.
The "Earth Ranking" encompassed the entire Eastern Domain, covering thousands of commanderies and counties, spanning millions of miles. It was impossible for all martial artists to compete and spar with each other simultaneously. The rules for entering the ranking naturally differed somewhat from the "Yellow Ranking" and "Mysterious Ranking."
Thus, the Testing Hall was established.
By testing various abilities of martial artists, a comprehensive score was calculated, determining their ranking on the "Earth Ranking."
When Zhang Ruochen arrived at the Testing Hall, three other martial artists were already waiting outside.
One of them was a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl, dressed in an immaculate white martial robe. She was pure and ethereal, like a lotus emerging from water, exuding the temperament of a fairy from a painting.
It was Luo Shuihan.
The other two martial artists were named Xue Qingshan and Tu Jin, hailing from Taiqing Palace and the Blood God Sect, respectively.
Taiqing Palace was a fourth-rate sect, on par with Yuntai Manor, and one of the two major powers in the thirty-six commanderies of Demon Ridge.
However, Taiqing Palace's influence was mainly concentrated in the nine commanderies south of the ridge, with no major conflicts of interest with Yuntai Manor.
The Blood God Sect was a fifth-rate sect, only slightly weaker than Taiqing Palace and Yuntai Manor. It was also a top-tier power in Demon Ridge, with over a hundred thousand disciples, and its influence was mainly in the nine commanderies north of the ridge.
Xue Qingshan and Tu Jin were both around thirty years old, top-tier geniuses from Taiqing Palace and the Blood God Sect.
Moreover, they had just passed the third level of the Nine Absolute Tower, reaching the level of a Three-Absolute Genius. They were brimming with confidence, which was why they had decided to come to the Testing Hall to leave their names on the "Earth Ranking."
Once their names were on the "Earth Ranking," they would immediately become heroes of Demon Ridge, renowned alongside the Ten Talents of Demon Ridge.
A person seeks fame, a tree seeks shade.
Who doesn't want to become famous overnight?
Arriving at the Testing Hall, Xue Qingshan and Tu Jin saw the exceptionally beautiful Luo Shuihan and were immediately captivated by her elegant temperament, unable to look away.
Could she also have the strength to enter the "Earth Ranking"?
But she was so young.
Among the thirty-six commanderies of Demon Ridge, there were two young women who had entered the "Earth Ranking." However, even the youngest, Han Qiu, was over twenty years old.
This woman before them was definitely not yet twenty.
Xue Qingshan was the first to approach, acting courteously. He slightly bowed and said, "I am Xue Qingshan of Taiqing Palace. Miss, your temperament is like an orchid, your appearance like a Lingbo fairy, captivating everyone. I see from your martial robe that you seem to be a student of the Martial Market Academy?"
Seeing Xue Qingshan already making a move, Tu Jin naturally didn't want to be left out. He immediately walked over and said, "I am Tu Jin of the Blood God Sect. I just passed the third level of the Nine Absolute Tower. May I ask if the fairy has attempted the Nine Absolute Tower?"
Xue Qingshan shot Tu Jin an unhappy glance and said, "So what if you passed the third level of the Nine Absolute Tower? There's nothing impressive about it. I just passed it too."
Tu Jin snorted coldly and said, "Even if you passed the third level of the Nine Absolute Tower, it doesn't guarantee entry into the 'Earth Ranking.' Fairy, you look like you're under twenty. Do you also intend to leave your name on the 'Earth Ranking'?"
Xue Qingshan laughed and said, "Tu Jin, what do you mean by that? Are you doubting the fairy's strength?"
Originally trying to strike up a conversation, the two started arguing instead, their gentlemanly demeanor vanishing completely as if they were about to fight.
Luo Shuihan just stood to the side, serene as water, looking completely at ease without any emotional fluctuation.
Zhang Ruochen walked up the steps, glanced at the arguing Xue Qingshan and Tu Jin with a puzzled expression, then approached Luo Shuihan and said, "Senior Sister Luo, long time no see?"
Luo Shuihan looked at Zhang Ruochen and revealed a faint, beautiful smile. Her voice was like a clear spring flowing over stones as she said, "Junior Brother Zhang truly is a dragon among men. I've heard about your battle with Qiu Lin. I guessed you would come to the Testing Hall soon."
Zhang Ruochen smiled and said, "My fight with Qiu Lin was just a clash of pride. How could it compare to your temperament of being undisturbed by worldly matters, Senior Sister?"
Luo Shuihan's eyes were as bright as stars as she carefully examined Zhang Ruochen. A hint of surprise appeared on her face as she said, "Junior Brother, have you already cultivated a Sword Heart, reaching the realm of Sword Heart Illumination?"
This time, it was Zhang Ruochen's turn to be surprised. Even Lei Jing hadn't noticed, yet Luo Shuihan had detected it. This woman was indeed formidable; she probably possessed some kind of special sacred eye, or perhaps even a special sacred body.
All descendants of saints carried sacred blood in their veins. Though diluted, it sharpened their five senses.
Some exceptionally talented descendants of saints could even awaken special abilities or physiques unique to saints.
Just like Luo Shuihan—if she hadn't awakened some kind of sacred eye or sacred body, how could she have seen that Zhang Ruochen had reached the realm of Sword Heart Illumination?
Zhang Ruochen stared into Luo Shuihan's eyes and said, "Senior Sister, have you awakened some kind of sacred eye?"
Luo Shuihan was also slightly surprised and smiled faintly. "After the test, you can come to my cultivation residence, and we can exchange insights on martial arts."
Luo Shuihan glanced at Xue Qingshan and Tu Jin not far away, indicating to Zhang Ruochen that this wasn't the place to talk.
Zhang Ruochen understood and said, "It would be my honor to exchange martial arts insights with you, Senior Sister."
Their exchange had been through sound transmission, so Xue Qingshan and Tu Jin hadn't heard what they said. However, they could clearly see that Zhang Ruochen and Luo Shuihan were getting along very well.
The two were still arguing, but a third party had slipped in—and a teenager at that. How could Xue Qingshan and Tu Jin tolerate that?
"Kid, where did you come from? Don't you know about first come, first served?" Tu Jin said coldly.
Xue Qingshan also shot an unfriendly glance and said, "I suggest you stay far away from that fairy."
"Why?"
Zhang Ruochen asked with confusion. "What does it have to do with you if I exchange a few words with my senior sister?"
"Senior Sister? Haha!"
"Seeing a beautiful female student from the Martial Market Academy, and she's your senior sister?"
Tu Jin laughed loudly. "Kid, this is the 'Earth Ranking' Testing Hall, not a place for you."
Tu Jin and Xue Qingshan naturally didn't think Zhang Ruochen was there for the test. After all, he was too young and didn't look like an "Earth Ranking"-level expert.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Why isn't it a place for me?"
"Are you here to test your strength too?"
Xue Qingshan's eyes held a hint of contempt, not taking Zhang Ruochen seriously at all.
"Of course," Zhang Ruochen said.
Tu Jin and Xue Qingshan burst into laughter again, as if they had heard the funniest joke.
Just then, Lei Jing's voice entered Zhang Ruochen's ears. "Zhang Ruochen, no need to argue with them. You can come in and test your strength now."
"Hall Master Lei has already entered the Testing Hall."
Zhang Ruochen was surprised. He had arrived at the "Earth Ranking" Testing Hall before Lei Jing and hadn't seen him enter at all.
When had he gone in?
The gap in martial arts cultivation was still too great.
"Senior Sister Luo, we can go in now."
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Luo Shuihan. She nodded and walked with him through the Testing Hall's main entrance, heading inside.
"That kid really came to test? Does he actually have 'Earth Ranking'-level strength?" Xue Qingshan looked puzzled.
"How is that possible?"
Tu Jin shook his head. "How many 'Earth Ranking' martial artists are there in the entire thirty-six commanderies of Demon Ridge? If he can enter the 'Earth Ranking,' I'll write my name backward."
Xue Qingshan nodded, agreeing with Tu Jin's view.
In the entire thirty-six commanderies of Demon Ridge, there were only a handful of top young experts, and most of them were gathered in Demon Martial City, well-known to everyone.
How could a teenage "Earth Ranking" expert suddenly appear out of nowhere?
If anyone were to enter the "Earth Ranking," it should be established experts like Xue Qingshan and Tu Jin—that would be reasonable.
"When we get inside, we have to show that kid what real 'Earth Ranking'-level strength looks like. Don't you think so, Brother Xue?" Tu Jin said.
Xue Qingshan smiled and said, "Brother Tu is absolutely right."
The two, who had been somewhat hostile to each other, started calling each other brothers because of Zhang Ruochen's appearance.
To enter the "Earth Ranking," one had to test three abilities: strength, speed, and combat.
Entering the Testing Hall, Zhang Ruochen and Luo Shuihan first arrived at the strength-testing chamber. Soon after, Tu Jin and Xue Qingshan also walked in confidently.
In their eyes, they were the real protagonists today. Zhang Ruochen and Luo Shuihan were too young and were probably just there to go through the motions for fun.
Just as the strength test was about to begin, Lei Jing walked out from a side door.
Seeing Lei Jing, the silver-robed elder in charge of the strength test was startled. He immediately stood up, walked over to Lei Jing, and bowed respectfully.
Witnessing this, Tu Jin and Xue Qingshan were shocked.
They knew that silver-robed elders of the Martial Market Academy were all Heaven Realm martial artists. For a Heaven Realm martial artist to bow respectfully to someone—what kind of status did that person have?
"It must be a high-ranking figure from the Martial Market Academy. I didn't expect them to value us so much," Tu Jin said excitedly.
Xue Qingshan acted nonchalant and smiled. "After all, we just passed the third level of the Nine Absolute Tower, making us top-tier geniuses. Our arrival at the Testing Hall naturally attracts attention. Maybe that high-ranking figure wants to invite us to join the Martial Market Academy."
"That must be it."
Tu Jin nodded, glanced at Zhang Ruochen with a look of disdain, and felt a sense of superiority. In his eyes, even the top brass of the Martial Market Academy valued him highly—what could be more prestigious than that?
As for that fairy-like woman, once he became an "Earth Ranking" expert, he would just have to crook his finger, and she would probably throw herself into his arms.
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