When system cheat becomes rampant!

"Qian Qingbo, how are things at the Dao Palace?" Elder Zhong asked.

"Elder Zhong, there's no movement over there at the Dao Palace, but—I found something quite unusual, take a look at this Earth Ranking list." The man referred to as Qian Qingbo hurriedly took several lists from within his sleeve and handed them to the others.

This was the latest Earth Ranking list, the rankings had just changed recently. Elder Zhong and the others examined the list carefully, starting from the first name, skimming through it.

"Oh! That Broken Hat is still holding the ninety-eighth place! Amazing! Among the top one hundred on the Earth Ranking, everyone else is in the late Immortal Stage, and he's the only one in the early Immortal Stage!" Zhu Yue exclaimed in admiration.

The strong are always awe-inspiring. Although Broken Hat's cultivation didn't seem particularly high, being just over a hundred years old and capable of defeating Cai Kun, who was once known as "invincible in the mid Immortal Stage," replacing his rank, speaks volumes.

Even though it was Zhu Yue's first time out, she was aware of the Heaven and Earth Rankings, and had always admired this "Broken Hat". She didn't know what race the Broken Dao Race was, but she acknowledged the opponent's strength.

Chu Jun furrowed his brows and said gravely, "This Broken Dao Race is indeed strange. I searched through the classics and found no mention of such a race, it's unclear if they are friend or foe."

It's a strong race that always attracts his attention.

Elder Zhong said solemnly, "Since the Broken Dao Race has chosen to emerge and climb the Heaven and Earth Rankings, it means they've chosen to adhere to the Dao Palace's rules. I fear they will become a formidable opponent, perhaps even a very strong one!"

Both he and Chu Jun appeared heavy-hearted; for them, the emergence of a powerful race in the Edge Corner Airspace was not a good thing, as it meant that the power of the Dao Palace would grow.

Especially since this mysterious race, the Broken Dao Race, had just emerged and already had so many geniuses, with each genius being just over a hundred years old. That "Broken Hat" even used his exaggerated early Immortal Stage prowess to squeeze into the top one hundred on the Earth Ranking!

This must be a deeply rooted, great race!

The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.

However, Qian Qingbo said, "Not exactly, look further down! The Broken Dao Race has produced another genius, ranked one hundred and ninety-seventh."

Elder Zhong and Chu Jun moved their gaze downward.

[Broken Dao Race: Dash, one hundred and eleven years old, early Immortal Stage]

"Oh? Another genius just over a hundred years old in the early Immortal Stage!" Zhu Yue exclaimed in surprise.

However, Elder Zhong suddenly froze, staring intently at this name!

"Elder Zhong, what's wrong?"

Chu Jun noticed that Elder Zhong's expression seemed somewhat odd, and inquired.

"Dash!"

Elder Zhong's gaze was locked, and he glanced again at Qian Qingbo.

Qian Qingbo nodded slightly and said gravely, "That's right, it's this name!"

"What's wrong with this name?"

Chu Jun and Zhu Yue both looked puzzled.

The myriad races of the Edge Corner Airspace had names that were quirky and strange. Names like Broken Pot or Random Names, such as Fan Jian or Shen Jingbing or Du Zitong existed too; the larger the bird, the more types of woods there were.

Dash, at first glance, sounded like a signal horn broken on the battlefield, becoming a broken horn, and the imagery suddenly had meaning and wasn't far-fetched.

Elder Zhong was silent for a moment and said, "This name, you natives of the Edge Corner Airspace may not know, but Qian Qingbo and I know all too well."

Qian Qingbo nodded and said seriously, "It's a specific type of punctuation mark used exclusively in Jiuzhou, denoting a shift in tone or the continuation of a topic. People from Jiuzhou are familiar with it."

Chu Jun frowned and asked, "Are you implying that Dash, like you two, is also from the Great Desolate Realm of Jiuzhou?"

Elder Zhong didn't immediately confirm, but Qian Qingbo urgently said, "Being able to take this name, there's a high probability of being from Jiuzhou!"

He seemed eager; if they were from Jiuzhou, then they're of the Human Race and a compatriot, and they must be found.

Chu Jun hesitated and said, "Qian Qingbo, I don't mean to discourage you, but a name doesn't prove anything. I've wandered the Edge Corner Airspace for years, and heard countless bizarre names—Dash is no different. Besides, they're part of the Broken Dao Race! Five geniuses! Do you think Jiuzhou could..."

He paused, then continued slowly, "The Great Desolate Realm is suppressed by the Dao Palace so much that it takes years to produce a master in the Immortal Realm. You know that best, and now there are suddenly five? Do you think that's likely?"

"I understand, but the name Dash—I can't help but feel it's not a coincidence." Qian Qingbo insisted.

Chu Jun said, "You need to understand one thing first: the Broken Dao Race has produced five Earth Ranking geniuses, all confirmed by the Dao Palace, which means they've been registered by the palace. If they really are like us from the Human Race, would the Dao Palace let them on the ranking?"

Qian Qingbo still wouldn't give up: "I think we should investigate... just in case?"

"No need."

Elder Zhong interrupted Qian Qingbo.

"Elder Zhong, do you also think this is just a coincidence?" Qian Qingbo asked, unwilling to accept the explanation.

Elder Zhong sighed and said, "The race acknowledged by the Dao Palace is definitely not our Human Race! The name 'Dash' is probably just a coincidence and has nothing to do with Jiuzhou. Think about it, if there really were five people from Jiuzhou who suddenly arrived at the Edge Corner Airspace, they'd find out quickly that the Human Race is wanted and hunted here. Would they be so reckless as to try and get themselves on the ranking? Are they tired of living, or do they think they can confront the Dao Palace just because they're in the Immortal Realm?"

These words left Qian Qingbo speechless, unable to find any reason to argue back.

Indeed, a thousand years ago, when he came to the Edge Corner Airspace from Jiuzhou in the Great Desolate Realm, he was hunted by the Dao Palace after his identity was exposed. Had Elder Zhong not arrived in time to save him, he might not be standing here today.

Elder Zhong earnestly said, "The Broken Dao Race definitely has no connection with the people of Jiuzhou. You shouldn't overthink it. Moreover, you should treat this race as another potential threat, because any race that can produce five Earth Ranking geniuses is definitely not to be underestimated. They are likely to become the left arm and right arm of the Dao Palace in the future, bringing us even more pressure!"

"I understand."

Qian Qingbo sighed, glanced regretfully at 'Dash,' feeling quite disappointed, but could only give up.

——

——

Crane Dao Courtyard.

Xiang Beifei was sitting cross-legged on the cliff, cultivating with Yin and Yang energy.

A black and a white aura swirled and intertwined around him, transforming in countless ways with his thoughts. One moment it became Crane Dao, and the next it shifted to Flying Bird Dao. In an instant, a gigantic shadow of a Kun circled the mountain peak.

The Three Thousand Great Daos continuously appeared and alternated across the entire cliff.

Every Dao embryo he had seen before was simulated by him.

Moreover, the Dao intents displayed by these Dao embryos were even purer and more refined than those comprehended by their original owners. It seemed as though he was the true Dao, with the Three Thousand Great Daos gathering within him, holding him in the highest regard.

He trained in this manner, completely forgetting the passage of time.

After an unknown period, a strange aura emanated from his body.

"Late Stage Immortal Realm, not hard."

Xiang Beifei opened his eyes, feeling the power within his body.

Transitioning from the Early Stage to the Late Stage Immortal Realm came effortlessly to him.

"How much time has passed?"

Xiang Beifei lost track of time once he began cultivating.

"Half a year! You've been asleep for half a year!"

Youmong, perched on Xiang Beifei's shoulder, chirped.

While Xiang Beifei was cultivating, Youmong was also quietly... no, openly absorbing the Spiritual Power spilling from Xiang Beifei, feeding itself till full. It was now quite satisfied, having boosted its own strength significantly.

"Half a year? Has it really been that long?"

Xiang Beifei was somewhat surprised.

This time during seclusion, he seemed to have gone a bit overboard.

"I originally planned to train for only two months, then go to challenge the rankings. Why didn't anyone wake me up? Have Xiaohei and Erha not returned yet?" Xiang Beifei asked.

"They came back once, then left again, saying they discovered a new continent and went to explore!" Youmong said.

"New continent? What new continent?" Xiang Beifei asked.

Youmong shook its head and said, "I don't know, they didn't explain fully to me. It seems to be some ancient relic emerging, attracting many people, and they went to join the fun."

"Ancient relic?"

Xiang Beifei was intrigued and immediately communicated with Xiaohei in his mind.

"Xiaohei, where are you?" he inquired.

But Xiaohei did not respond.