Dashing Student

"The four cities are like the four sacred beasts guarding the Heavenly Pillar, and this is East Qing City located in the east." Song Ya lifted her small face, displaying a look seeking praise.

"Not bad! I didn't expect you to know even this." Chen Nan patted Song Ya's head, making Song Ya squint in contentment.

Though in human form, many habits from being of the cat tribe were hard to change.

Chen Nan's gaze moved past East Qing City, looking at the Heavenly Pillar less than a hundred miles away beyond the city. As the distance shortened, it felt even more awe-inspiring.

Who knows what the actual scene will be like underneath the Heavenly Pillar.

The two accompanied each other into the city, and upon entering, they heard a clamor not far away, with many gathered together.

Chen Nan's purpose in coming here was to evade the pursuit of Master Xuanming and also make a trip to the Ancient Realm Secret Realm; he couldn't let Jiang Zheng's good intentions go to waste.

Moreover, he wanted to seize every opportunity to become stronger.

It had been over half a year since he came to the Nine Provinces, and he hadn't even seen Nie Xiaoyu yet, which made him anxious.

There was still some time until the Ancient Realm Secret Realm opened, and with nothing else to do, Chen Nan and Song Ya decided to join the commotion.

Upon getting closer, they discovered two cultivators were debating something.

"The Hidden Dragon List hasn't been wrong in millennia; being kicked off the list means lacking the strength!"

"Nonsense! How could someone like Chen Nan possibly kick Young Master Gu, Gu Ming, off the list?!"

The other person sternly refuted, "Young Master Gu hails from the Gu Family of Qing Province, displayed amazing talent since childhood, and received special training from the family. At only twenty-three, he's already at the peak of Foundation Establishment Stage, how could Chen Nan compare?"

"Why wouldn't he compare? Chen Nan is known as the 'Flame Demon', with formidable battle records, and he's also the Dao companion of Director Shang's daughter from Myriad Phenomena Commerce!"

Feeling a bit embarrassed, the initially just curious Chen Nan rubbed his nose, unexpectedly finding the commotion targeting him.

And that Hidden Dragon List, what exactly is it?

He then inquired from someone nearby who was observing.

"What? You don't even know what the Hidden Dragon List is? Are you even from the Nine Provinces?"

Chen Nan's heart sank; could the Hidden Dragon List be something crucial that he absolutely needed to know?

However, the person, albeit curious, explained to Chen Nan.

It turns out there's an institution in the Nine Provinces called "Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion," claiming flawless strategies, foresight of five hundred years ahead and behind.

For unknown reasons, Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion established several lists, which have remained accurate over the years, validating their authority and fairness.

For instance, the Hidden Dragon List, Heavenly Pride List, Beauty List, etc., each selecting the top ten names.

Ascending any list would quickly spread one's fame throughout the Nine Provinces, hence countless cultivators took pride in it.

The Hidden Dragon List showcases talented cultivators under thirty, ranking based not on their realm but potential.

The Heavenly Pride List comprises prodigies who advance to the Golden Core within a century, ranked by younger age and higher cultivation.

The Beauty List has a bit of entertainment nature, listing famous beauties within the Nine Provinces.

Naturally, there's also the Immortal Banishment List, labeling all Nascent Soul Stage great cultivators.

The debate among the two cultivators revolved around Chen Nan suddenly breaking into the Hidden Dragon List, displacing Gu Ming of the Gu Family who was originally tenth.

Some believed Chen Nan deserved the rank, considering the accurate record of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and his notable battle achievements.

Slaying cultivators of the same realm like slaughtering dogs, and challenging across realms was common; he even had records of counterattacking Golden Core cultivators.

By Hidden Dragon List's ranking standards, Chen Nan's potential surpasses Gu Ming.

Yet, some argued Chen Nan's reputation was exaggerated, with Gu Ming holding his rank for long, while Chen Nan emerged late as a dark horse, naturally causing discontent.

Upon understanding this, Chen Nan felt quite speechless.

"They actually ranked me, and did they get my consent? Isn't this causing me trouble?"

Chen Nan didn't care much for list rankings, feeling even somewhat averse.

Given many young ambitious cultivators believed they were no lesser than others, Chen Nan's sudden entry into the list would naturally cause resentment, and animosity breeds this way.

"Jue Mingzi, you made it to the list, impressive!"

Song Ya hugged a kitten, giving a thumbs-up to Chen Nan with her other hand.

"Haha, just a hollow reputation, not worth mentioning."

Chen Nan waved his hand, preparing to leave.

He found such disputes only boring.

Yet out of impulse, he bought an updated list from someone selling by the roadside. It was quite cheap, costing only a low-grade spirit stone.

Chen Nan first opened the Heavenly Pride List, seeing his name at the tenth position.

Chen Nan, nicknamed Flame Demon, killed over a hundred loose cultivators in Wuyin Forest, battled the Thunder Wing White Tiger, and killed Golden Core Stage cultivator Xu Wencheng...

The information recorded included several details but seemingly started from happenings in Wuyin Forest, with no earlier records.

Whether they couldn't investigate or were worried about something remained uncertain.

As he was about to turn the page, Chen Nan's eyes suddenly fell upon a name, his breathing becoming heavier.

Song Ya beside him was a bit surprised, rarely seeing Chen Nan so agitated.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Chen Nan calmed himself, gently touching the name on the Hidden Dragon List with his hand.

Nie Xiaoyu.

The goal he pursued to the Jiuzhou World, unexpectedly also listed on the Hidden Dragon List, ranking sixth.

Indeed.

If not possessing high talent and potential, Yuantian Sect wouldn't have brought her to Jiuzhou World.

The Hidden Dragon List had little information on Nie Xiaoyu, notably concise.

Nie Xiaoyu, direct disciple of Yuantian Sect's sect leader, innate spiritual root, Foundation Establishment Stage ninth level peak cultivation.

No need for achievements or proof.

The mere words 'innate spiritual root' were enough for her to firmly occupy a position on the Hidden Dragon List.

At this moment, Chen Nan was desperate to know Nie Xiaoyu's current situation, thus inquiring from those around.

Yet, this Yuantian Sect leader's direct disciple was quite mysterious; although many knew her, few had seen her.

It seemed Nie Xiaoyu was always cultivating.

However, she wasn't just famed on the Hidden Dragon List; she ranked third on the Beauty List as well.

Hurriedly, Chen Nan turned to the Beauty List at the back, once more finding Nie Xiaoyu's name.

Seeing her on both lists surprised Chen Nan, but he also felt a little proud.

At least many knew of Nie Xiaoyu's excellence, sharing in the glory.

"Xiaoyu, you should be safe now, right? Wait for me, I will definitely find you as soon as possible!"

Chen Nan secretly clenched his fists, comforting himself.

But at this very moment.

A shocking news suddenly spread across the whole East Qing City like a whirlwind.

Gu Family's Gu Ming, originally tenth on the Hidden Dragon List, challenged Chen Nan to a duel at the central square of East Qing City!