Rankers

Numbered 1 to 100.

100 being the least strong and number 1 being the strongest of them all.

These are the human rankers. The most elite of all the affiliated humans in the East Human Empire. There are some exceptions to this ranking rule.

For example, Yin Xing the Emperor is eligible to join the ranking solely because of his high cultivation level but, he is not one of the rankers just because he 'is' the current emperor. It is rumored that he would at least be number 50 if he took the ranking evaluation.

Tai Xie the Troublemaker is currently number 4 in the rankings. Only behind number3 Yin Chong the Mountain (Emperor's uncle), number 2, Lu Yun the Swift. And of course the number 1 Kun Wen the Mother Flame, also known as the strongest human alive.

Kun Wen is the matriarchal ancestor of the Fox Maple Dukedom. The dukedom that Zhou Kai's village belongs to. She is an old looking woman with red hair and red pupils but her strength is not to be associated with her age. Her title as the strongest is not just for show.

Kun Wen is a 90 year old half step Nascent Soul realm cultivator. Since Babanuki's arrival, she was the only human to have been able to do this.

Lu Yun, number 2 ranker is the youngest son of the late General Lu Chao and inherited all the teachings from his family. He was also on the old side (around 80) but still young for his strength, Peak Solid core realm.

For comparison, the 30-year old Tai Xie is in the Peak Liquid Core realm which is a whole realm behind Lu Yun. This just shows that the gap between the 2 strongest and Tai Xie is still huge. The positive thing is that she is young and has the potential to reach Nascent soul realm before she turns 50 years old.

But that is still 20 years from now. Which is still a very long time for humans.

The 100 walked in then filed themselves into 10 lines. They were like trained soldiers, ready for battle. No matter what they strength or identity were, they all gave respect to the throne.

All of them bowed and kneeled as a salute to Yin Xing.

"We greet your majesty." It was a solemn greeting but was heartfelt and filled with respect.

The 100 had just been gathered recently. Some of them are still wearing tattered clothes from secluded cultivation. Some had untreated injury from intense training. Most of them haven't had the time to eat nor sleep.

As if to remind everyone who was present in the throne room, Yin Xing spoke with dominion. "This is the first time in my reign that all rankers have gathered. Even my father's rule did not have many gatherings like this. In the past, my forefathers may have done this to celebrate, or maybe defend the Front, maybe just on a whim but this time is different." Yin Xing stood up then continued. No one uttered a single sound, not even a squeak.

Looking at everyone's eyes. "I, Yin Xing, your Emperor, have called all of you here not just to satisfy my curiosity. I summoned you to grieve." The silent room was filled with even more silence.

The rankers have just arrived. Only Tai Xie and a few more rankers were aware of the news that Lu Chao died by the hands of demons. The oldest and most respectable person of this era.

The unaware people raised their brows in confusion. And as if to answer their questioning gazes, Yin Xing continued his monologue.

"My senior. Our senior. The great General Lu Chao is killed in action. Gave his life to protect us from demons and keep us warm in the cold night." This bombshell can't be kept a secret. Not that Yin Xing will keep it a secret.

Hearing the news, the throne room became deadly silent. One would hear a pin drop. After that brief shock, the room was filled with killing intent and bloodlust.

Killed in action meant that he fought and then died. That can only mean that he fought someone who is at least on par with him or stronger. There was only one guy who fit the bill.

Babanuki.

This was the name that rang in their head but contrary to what they believed in, the news was different. "General Lu Chao fought 3 demon Barons with Tai Xie. I believe having Tai Xie tell the tale is more advantageous."

The emperor wanted to sit but there was an immediate uproar.

"Impossible!"

"Strong demons can't freely use that portal!"

"Silence!" Yin Xing demanded. "I know it's sudden but it's the new truth we have to deal with. Pipe down and listen!"

Thanks to the emperor's unquestionable authority, the room behaved. The still recovering Tai Xie then stepped up front to gain the attention of everyone present.

She spoke with a meek and guilty voice. She was 30 years old but still young in mind and heart. Still inexperienced. "I-It started when we sensed 3 strong presences among the demon horde. The great general decided to report it and ask for immediate back up before we ultimately decided to confront the 3 demons early. General Lu Chao knew that letting the strong enemy reach the vicinity of the Empyrean front would lead to devastating losses on our side so he wanted to buy some time for back-up to arrive."

Tai Xie just narrated non stop while they all listened. She did not omit any information. She was usually carefree but after losing a senior, even Tai Xie became serious for once. "There were 3 demons. One is Babanuki, the other 2 are new types of demons. The one who had blades for arms fought against the general and I dueled Babanuki while the other stayed out of it. We fought for hours but inevitably lost. Before I lost consciousness, I saw them take the general's body and then used something to get away."

It was just a summary of everything that transpired but most of the people there got the gist of it.

Thud

"Y-Your majesty. F-Forgive me for my insolence but I request permission to let me lead a team to retrieve my father's body!" It was Lu Yun who spoke. His stuttering wasn't a result of anxiety but was due to his seething anger. His teeth clashed against each other, body shaking, and dark frown on his face while he groveled on the floor.

It was an act of desperation but Yin Xing knew better.

"Lu Yun, I know that you must be devastated far more than anyone here can imagine but, you must not let your feelings affect your judgment. General Lu Chao must have taught you this."

"But Your Majesty!!!"

"Enough! Sending you there would be akin to sending you to join your father! It's nothing but a waste!" Yin Xing used his Qi to deepen and enhance his voice. Hinting that he was serious about this.

"Kkkh." Lu Yun got the message but he was still conflicted by all this. He was a lot stronger than the emperor and anyone here except one but, his respect for the throne was immense. He was naturally influenced by his father's loyalty towards the empire.

He wanted to get mad at Tai Xie for letting the demons kill his father but he also knew better. Tai Xie fought with all she got and still lost. She was lucky that she survived Babanuki's onslaught.

That moment, Kun Wen decided to speak up. "Lu Yun, His Majesty is right about this. Going to the lost land would be a fruitless endeavor. Not only we can't destroy Babanuki's barrier, we don't know the real situation over there. Since Babanuki managed to bring 2 demon friends, he may be able to invite more over. This matter is serious."

"Senior Kun Wen is exactly right. In fact, my sister and her team theorized that demons can now freely use the portal in the lost land. Furthermore, a new portal appeared in the south. Yin Ling, explain this to them."

"..."

"Yin Ling, explain this to them please." The emperor repeated but still, no answer came until a scholarly looking man sent a mental message to Yin Xing.

'Your Majesty, her royal highness had gone missing. We suspect that she and her personal maid left 2 days ago.'

'So that's it, she left 2 days ago. Huh?!' It was only then that it sunk into him. His only sister left without permission for the millionth time. Disregarding her status, her dignity, and most importantly, her brother's feelings.

"F*ck!" Yin Xing suddenly blurted in frustration. Now he has another problem to take care of. Everyone else got surprised by this unexpected outburst but no one dared to laugh or anything.

"Khmm ~ A-Anyway, since my sister is not feeling well, I will take over." He had to somehow salvage this situation. He was pissed off of his sister's actions but he still felt relieved that she did jot attend. She will just be rude to everyone.

"The summary of the situation is that the extent of how many demons can use the portal is currently unknown. The strength of demons able to pass through are assumed to be at least Baron level and another unknown portal appeared in the South. Specifically around the southern outskirts of Fox Maple dukedom."

After a few more hours of non-stop exchange of information, the gathering ended.

Yin Xing commanded the formation of 9 balanced ranker teams and 2 elite teams consisting of the top 10. Then he assigned them missions and posts. The emperor also finalized the reforms he wanted to implement.

"You top 10 rankers are basically free to roam in the condition that you won't approach Babanuki's base and that you will not enter the trial grounds unless told to." That was Yin Xing's last quest and then everyone left. Everyone except Kun Wen.

"What is it, Senior Kun Wen?"

"Since I'm free to roam around for now, I'd like to visit home and look for that portal. I'll naturally investigate it for our cause. I just wanted to inform you to let you know where to find me." Kun Wen did not even wait for an answer and began exiting but Yin Xing replied.

"You have my thanks senior. Oh, and please look after my sister Yin Ling, I'm sure that her stubborn ass is already on her way there."

"On your command."

A/N

1.Some might ask but the entire Dawn Continent (Dawn island) is about the size of Europe in terms of land area.

2.It is classified as an island because the planet in this story is humongous. Continents there are at least Pangaea sized land masses.

3.The trial ground that the rankers train in is accessible through the 1st portal in dawn island.