Feng Qinxue nodded, walked to the edge of Mount Unfortunate, and held out a golden ring in her palm.

Closing her eyes, she quickly formed hand seals.

When she opened her eyes again, the golden ring flashed brightly and transformed into a beam of golden light that entered Mountain.

The mountain rumbled, and a huge phantom golden list appeared halfway up the mountain.

The golden list slowly opened, displaying several large characters:

Celestial Talents List
Hundred Clans List

These two lists were positioned on either side of the golden list, currently blank.

“It’s starting, it’s starting!”

“It’s Director Feng opening the list this time!”

“They’re going to start engraving names on the list!”

This was a major part of the annual Hundred Clans Conference.

The noble families would send their strongest member to engrave their name on the list.

The list was theoretically arranged in the order names were engraved, but the golden list was special.

It could sense the strength of the person engraving their name and identify true talents.

The golden list had its own whimsical criteria for evaluating talents and would arrange names according to its preferences at first.

Only after the event officially started and scores were given would the list be adjusted manually by the director to reflect the actual rankings.

Despite its capriciousness, the golden list was highly regarded.

Anyone favored by it would become a significant figure in the world.

Because of its nature, there was a strange incident at a previous conference where a representative from a noble family couldn’t get their name engraved because the golden list deemed them unworthy.

This person was eliminated before the event even started, and it turned out they were indeed a weakling relying on drugs for their cultivation.

In summary, while the talent handbook sold by the Hui Cui Building might not be very authoritative, the golden list was very much so.

The Eastern Region Director Feng Qinxue stood atop Mountain, her red lips curling into a smile as her voice echoed across the island.

“Who will be the first to engrave their name?”

The celestial beings floating above the coast all opened their eyes.

Ming Yingxian, standing on the Qingluan monster, hesitated for a moment before murmuring, “Being first might attract attention, but it won’t necessarily impress everyone. I should wait until more names appear on the Celestial Talents List before making my move. That way, I’ll truly stand out.”

The Buddhist child, sitting cross-legged on a golden ring of light, opened his eyes and then closed them again.

“The Buddha says not to compete. I’ll leave this opportunity to others.”

Fang Zhiming, sitting in a luxurious carriage, lifted the curtain and, seeing that Ming Yingxian hadn’t moved, thought, “Since we’re both high-ranking in the Eastern Region, if you don’t make a move, how can I seize the opportunity to surpass you… Perhaps I should wait.”

Suddenly, a flash of golden light appeared in the sky, moving incredibly fast, emitting a sound of tearing through the air, and quickly darted past the crowd to embed itself in the pillar of Mountain.

As people focused their gaze, they saw a sword.

The sword seemed to be controlled by someone, slowly moving across the golden list.

Hundred Clans List: Northern Region Sword Sect

Celestial Talents List: Dan Qing

The Northern Region Sword Sect’s Dan Qing!

The golden list seemed to move by itself.

After a bright flash, it finally recorded Dan Qing’s name and placed it at the very top.

The sword was swiftly withdrawn by Dan Qing.

Dan Qing sheathed his sword calmly, not saying much.

His nonchalant demeanor only highlighted the scene’s intensity.

While Dan Qing remained composed, others were not so much.

“Wow! That brilliance! Dan Qing truly is a once-in-a-century swordsmanship genius!”

“It’s the sword cultivators who stand out. All those flashy things are useless.”

“To be ranked first, can anyone surpass him?”

The Golden List didn’t just rank names in order of appearance.

It was known for its capricious nature.

If the first person to act was unimpressive, the list might disdainfully place them at the bottom.

The prominent figures at the front of the line hesitated to act first due to this.

If they were first, the entire domain would see exactly how the Golden List ranked them.

Indeed, Dan Qing, being the top of the celestial inventory, demonstrated his skills and became the first to be etched on the list.

This caused immense psychological pressure for those who followed.

However, as soon as one person acted, others began to step forward as well, with several appearing simultaneously.

At the shore, a luxurious large ship finally docked.

Qin Ruqing disembarked grumbling, “Damn it, I got tricked. I said it was so luxurious, but it turns out to be a sightseeing cruise. It’s so slow!”

Hong hua followed behind Qin Ruqing, saying, “It’s okay, we won’t be late. The Golden List engraving will take a while.”

Qirong blinked at the girl, “Why are you following us?”

The girl didn’t respond.

Could she admit it was because she was fascinated by someone who seemed to rival Dan Qing’s talent?

Qin Ruqing ignored their conversation and, after her complaints, squinted at the front. “What’s that sparkling thing on the Unmoving Mountain?”

“Oh, that’s the Golden List,” the girl explained.

Qin Ruqing, who had done her homework, asked, “The one that can detect geniuses?”

“Yes!” The Hong Hua used her spiritual sense to glance at it and added, “Wow, it really is the Sword Sect Senior Brother at the top!”

She then gave Qin Ruqing a curious look.

Lu Wei asked, “Qingqing, should we push forward?” The crowd was enormous, with many people floating in the air.

Standing at the port, Qin Ruqing looked around and said, “No need. This spot is just fine.”

In the sky, Ming Yingxian, riding on the Qingluan Demon King, could no longer hold back.

“There are already so many people. It’s time to make my move.”

She leapt into the air, and the crowd looked up to see the blue-purple silk fluttering overhead.

Ming Yingxian was a magic cultivator, and her spellcasting movements were quite elegant.

The beam of light moved across the Golden List, engraving her name.

Eastern Region Ming Clan.

Ming Yingxian.

The golden light flashed, and the Golden List began its magic.

Ming Ying’s name danced up and down, causing the audience to grow anxious.

Ming Ying herself was also nervous.

Soon, the Golden List seemed to have decided and placed her above Shi Hanfei.

Thus, the only names ranked above Ming Ying were Guangyuan Fozzi and Dan Qing.

Dan Qing remained first, Guangyuan Fozzi second, and Ming Ying third.

Shi Hanfei was fourth.

Ming Ying let out a sigh of relief.

Being ranked third was satisfactory and reflected her reputation well.

No one would criticize her for that.

But then she grew angry.

Damn, the monk from Guangyuan had managed to rank above her!

As for Dan Qing, Ming Ying was aware that she couldn’t surpass him.

Hmph, what’s there to compare with a sword-wielding maniac!

In the luxurious carriage, Fang Zhiming’s eyes flickered.

Yes, he was focusing on Ming Ying. Fang Zhiming wasn’t trying to overshadow all the cultivator; he just wanted to surpass Ming Ying, who was also a top talent from the Eastern Region.

Without hesitation, he took action immediately.

He aimed to follow right behind Ming Ying and step over her!

Ming Ying had just finished engraving her name and was feeling secure when she saw Fang Zhiming quickly follow her out, causing her pretty face to change expression.

Oh no! She had been used!

Fang Zhiming hovered in the air, using a flashy sword technique.

After some time of elaborate swordplay, he finally engraved his name.

The golden list seemed stunned by this flashy technique, taking a while to react.

Fang Zhiming’s hand holding the sword even trembled a bit.

Fortunately, Fang Zhiming was still impressive.

His name quickly moved up the list and ended up near Ming Ying’s position.

The golden list seemed to have difficulty making a decision, with Mingying’s and Fang Zhiming’s names fluctuating up and down.

It seemed unsure of who should be third and who should be fourth.

Both Mingying and Fang Zhiming were frozen like statues, clearly extremely nervous.

Eventually, the golden list made a decision, as suspenseful as a coin toss. It placed Fang Zhiming in third place and Ming Ying in fourth.

Fang Zhiming relaxed and showed a burst of joy on his not-so-handsome face, while Ming Ying’s beautiful face darkened.

She gritted her teeth, “Fang Zhiming, you despicable person!”

Fang Zhiming was overjoyed, not realizing that someone else was watching him with similar excitement.

Well, well, well, the popular Eastern Region beauty Ming Ying and her rival Fang Zhiming were now both on the list, and they were close to each other.

If I don’t act now, when will I?

Qin Ruqing was excited and was about to make a move with a hand gesture, but then hesitated.

Lu Wei noticed Qin Ruqing’s gesture and raised an eyebrow, “What’s wrong with Xiao Wu?”

Xiaohonghua, who had been watching Qin Ruqing’s actions and was excited, saw her hesitation and felt her excitement dampen.

Come on! Show me if you can beat Dan Qing!

Qin Ruqing was troubled by a question:

How to make a good impression? Should she go for a small, modest display, or go all out?

After careful consideration, Qin Ruqing decided on her approach.

She had her own views on making a dramatic entrance.

She believed in a gradual buildup, where starting big might give immediate satisfaction but could lead to a weak follow-up.

Before making her move, Qin Ruqing asked Xiaohonghua, “Does the golden list judge talent based on the power of spells?”

Xiaohonghua shook her head, “Not really. I’ve heard the golden list just needs to sense the aura, but theoretically, stronger spells are more noticeable.”

Qin Ruqing nodded, understanding.

The list mainly judged based on aura, but spell power might also have some effect.

So, she decided to use a moderately impressive spell.

Qin Ruqing extended her palm, and a glow slowly appeared in her palm…

Golden flames, like mist, gathered together and eventually formed an illusory golden lotus.

As the lotus took shape and its petals fully opened, Qin Ruqing blew on it.

“Go!”

At that moment, Hong Hua felt a tightening in her chest and stared at Qin Ruqing with a bewildered expression.

The surroundings of the golden list were still lively, and no one noticed that a golden lotus was rapidly spinning toward the list.

Only the four leaders at the top of Mount Buzhou sensed the strange aura.

Feng Qinxue’s eyes showed surprise: “Is that Golden Mist Soul Fire? No, it’s similar but not quite the same.”

“Who did this?”

The golden lotus quietly and silently merged into the golden list.

For a moment, the list remained still, then suddenly shook.

During this period, all attempts to cast spells on it were ineffective.

The golden list rippled as if blown by the wind, and then the golden light burst forth.

It made a series of clear, ringing sounds like gongs, and then erased all the names on the list, leaving only one bold, enlarged name:

“Qin Ruqing of the Qin Clan in the South Region!”

The golden light flashed intensely, nearly blinding, and only gradually calmed down.

Eventually, the other names reappeared.

The golden list unhesitatingly moved Dan Qing’s name down one place and firmly placed Qin Ruqing’s name at the top, then continued to shine brightly.

There was complete silence, a deep and eerie quiet.

Hong hua looked at Qin Ruqing as if she had seen a ghost.

Qin Ruqing’s expression mirrored hers.

Oh no, this isn’t good! I just wanted to show off a little!

This ghostly list with such flashy effects—how am I supposed to follow up on this?

The plan to rise first and then take control? It’s all ruined!