Changes on the Hidden Dragon List

After Sect Master Kang's anger had somewhat subsided, Elder Qin cautiously proposed:

"Master, considering how arrogant Jiang Heng is, should we secretly arrange for someone to intercept him on his way back..."

Elder Qin made a throat-slitting gesture.

Sect Master Kang glanced at him and regained his composure.

"No need," he said.

However, Elder Qin hesitated and continued:

"But Jiang Heng's displayed strength and talent are undoubtedly remarkable. In the future, he will undoubtedly become a pillar of the Dalu Sect. Allowing him to grow might be extremely detrimental to our sect."

Sect Master Kang sighed.

"With the talent he's displayed, he might even be listed on the Hidden Dragon List. If our sect's powerful individuals were to intervene and it got exposed, it could bring us disastrous consequences."

Elder Qin's expression turned alarmed.

"The Hidden Dragon List?"

"How is that possible? It only includes innate..."

As he spoke, Elder Qin realized.

Although Jiang Heng's current cultivation was only at the Qi Refinement realm, his several victories against innate realm opponents, combined with his age, could indeed lead to his inclusion on the Hidden Dragon List.

Thinking about it, Elder Qin couldn't help but shudder.

The Hidden Dragon List was a ranking that each dynasty had within its own region. In the case of the Tianyuan Dynasty, it encompassed the eighteen provinces, seventy-two domains, and thousands of major cities, highlighting the top talents under the age of twenty with innate realm cultivation.

The entry threshold alone made countless people look up to it. Regular individuals could never achieve innate realm cultivation in their entire lives. Even for the most talented, reaching the innate realm usually took until they were at least thirty years old.

Someone like Wu Mingxuan, the top core disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, who was considered a top-tier talent, reached the innate realm at the age of twenty-three.

Moreover, this condition was just the entry requirement for the Hidden Dragon List. While not many people met this threshold among billions, there were still dozens who did.

The Hidden Dragon List only featured the top ten among them. The criteria for inclusion were not solely based on age and cultivation level but rather a comprehensive assessment of potential.

This was why Sect Master Kang believed that Jiang Heng might be included in the Hidden Dragon List.

The organization responsible for maintaining the Hidden Dragon List was the Thousand Mountains Tower, which spanned numerous dynasties. Although the Thousand Mountains Tower was shrouded in mystery, it was well-known that even the most revered sects treated it with great respect.

Historical records had proven the credibility of the Hidden Dragon List. The majority of those included eventually reached the sixth realm of martial arts, with a lifespan of a thousand years and strength rivaling top sect elders.

What was even more enviable was that once someone was included in the Hidden Dragon List, they immediately received an invitation from a holy land, becoming a true inheritor of the sacred teachings.

Moreover, regardless of who they were or which faction they belonged to, if anyone was found intentionally preying on or killing the talents listed on the Hidden Dragon List, the holy land would personally intervene and eliminate them.

The Supreme Master of a holy land had once said:

"The talents on the Hidden Dragon List are the world's treasures!"

...

Upon returning to the sect, it was already evening. 

Jiang Heng went directly to the Fifth Peak, where the main hall for sect master's cultivation was located.

"Master!"

Bai Haocang glanced at him, slightly surprised, and asked, "Is the challenge over?"

Jiang Heng's attire showed no signs of having engaged in a fierce battle.

In Bai Haocang's eyes, even if Jiang Heng had returned victorious, he shouldn't look like this.

"It's over, and I won," Jiang Heng nodded.

Bai Haocang nodded in response without further questions.

After a moment of hesitation, Jiang Heng asked, "Master, can you teach me some special techniques? Preferably ones that can enhance my speed."

After today's battle, he realized that his speed wasn't significantly superior to the top talents of the same realm.

Furthermore, the mid-level perfected Earth-ranked technique, Swift Wind Steps, required a significant amount of potential points to upgrade again, and he had other pressing needs for potential points.

In the short term, it was challenging to spare enough potential points for further upgrading his speed.

Therefore, a special technique that could enhance his speed would help him gain an advantage in the shortest possible time.

However, he was disappointed when Bai Haocang shook his head.

"There are no such techniques within the sect," Bai Haocang replied. "Speed isn't like physical defense or other attributes; it's a comprehensive external manifestation of various bodily attributes, influenced by air resistance. There isn't any technique that can directly enhance it."

"To improve your speed, you'll have to study martial arts related to agility and continue to elevate your cultivation."

Jiang Heng could only nod and took his leave.

Back at his residence on the Eighth Peak, he began another round of cultivation.

...

Three days later, a sensational piece of news spread throughout the entire Tianyuan Dynasty.

"The new edition of the Hidden Dragon List has been released!"

"Today isn't the beginning of the month..."

"Wait! Does this mean... there has been a change in the rankings?!"

Everyone who followed the Hidden Dragon List knew that normally, the Thousand Mountains Tower only released a new edition of the list at the beginning of each month.

This update was primarily to reflect changes in the achievements and cultivation of the listed talents or to replace someone who had aged out with a new candidate.

To release the list at a time other than the start of the month meant one thing - a new rising talent had pushed someone off the list. In other words, the Thousand Mountains Tower believed this new talent had greater potential than someone already on the list or several individuals.

Countless people rushed to purchase the new list and eagerly flipped to the first page to check the rankings.

Shi Junchen: Nineteen years old, Innate Realm Fifth Level.

Gu Shengjie: Eighteen years old, Innate Realm Six Level.

Lu Xue: Nineteen years old, Innate Realm Six Level.

Ou Ziang: Seventeen years old, Innate Realm Fifth Level.

Qiu Haoran: Eighteen years old, Innate Realm Fifth Level.

Wu Nan: Nineteen years old, Innate Realm Fifth Level.

Gongsun Yu: Sixteen years old, Innate Realm Six Level.

Fu Ran: Eighteen years old, Innate Realm Fifth Level.

Qin Manyin: Seventeen years old, Innate Realm Fourth Level.

Jiang Heng: Sixteen years old, True Qi Realm Tenth Level.

Among the top ten rankings, only the tenth position has changed. It was originally Fu Chengye, but it has been replaced by a new name - Jiang Heng.

What's shocking is that in the midst of all these Innate Realm cultivators, someone at the True Qi Realm has managed to enter!

What kind of concept is this? Qianshan Tower believes that this genius named Jiang Heng, even with his True Qi Realm cultivation, is enough to surpass the original tenth-ranked genius, Fu Chengye.

But how is that possible?

To become the tenth on the Dragon Ranking, Fu Chengye was already an astonishing genius. How could someone with only True Qi Realm cultivation be considered stronger than him?

It's important to know that the Dragon Ranking's evaluation considers achievements, cultivation level, and talent; each aspect is indispensable.

In other words, even though Jiang Heng's cultivation level lags far behind other geniuses, Qianshan Tower has recognized that his achievements or talent far surpass others, allowing him to make up for the gap in cultivation and be included in the Dragon Ranking.