Translator: CinderTL
Inside the innermost hall of the banquet, Xuan Zhu's face glowed with genuine delight.
"Sword Prodigy Li... he's alright?"
"Of course," General Xuan Mi replied with a faint smile.
He had specifically summoned Xuan Zhu for a brief conversation, partly because of Xuan Zhu's commendable performance at the Two Worlds Mountain Battlefield a few years prior, and partly due to his connection with Li Chunjun. The fact that they shared the surname "Xuan" was merely a coincidence, not a result of ancestral ties.
"Wonderful! Wonderful!" Xuan Zhu exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. "We heard he ventured into the very region struck by the Starquake, and when his name vanished from the Star Brilliance List shortly after, we feared the worst... But he's unharmed! This is truly wonderful!"
"The Starquake proved to be a blessing in disguise for him," General Xuan Mi said. "I've already spoken with him in the False God Realm. He has now reached the Primordial Spirit True Monarch Realm and has even weathered the Sixth Tribulation."
General Xuan Mi glanced at him. "His delay in contacting you is likely due to crucial preparations. He's aiming to challenge the Cosmic Light List."
"The Cosmic Light List?" Xuan Zhu momentarily faltered, his eyes widening. "The Cosmic Light List?!"
"Indeed," General Xuan Mi nodded.
"The Cosmic Light List?! Sword Prodigy Li... he only just reached the top of the Solar Radiance List! How can he already be aiming for the Cosmic Light List?!" Xuan Zhu couldn't help but widen his eyes in disbelief.
The Cosmic Light List!
Every name on that list represented a Sixth-Rank powerhouse!
Though these cultivators, like ordinary True Monarchs from the outside world, were in the Primordial Spirit Realm, their combat prowess dwarfed that of regular True Monarchs by more than tenfold.
Even a coalition of eight or nine Ninth Tribulation True Monarchs might fall before a single expert from the Cosmic Light List.
Their strength...
had completely transcended the boundaries of conventional Primordial Spirit cultivation!
Li Chunjun, even as the top-ranked cultivator on the Solar Radiance List, shouldn't be ready to challenge the Cosmic Light List this quickly, should he?
"Have you forgotten how long it took Sword Prodigy Li to climb from the top of the Star Glory List to the top of the Solar Radiance List? Only half a year!" General Xuan Mi remarked with a faint smile, recalling Li Chunjun's fortuitous discovery of the Sword Force. "He's been at the top of the Solar Radiance List for nearly two years now. With such prolonged preparation, why shouldn't he be ready to ascend to the Cosmic Light List?"
As he spoke, a hint of anticipation crept into his heart.
At that moment, Xihai, the Domain Lord of the Azure Sea Domain, approached.
"Did I just hear that young man mention the Cosmic Light List? Has there been any change to that ranking?" Though Xihai was a Void Refining cultivator, he maintained a keen interest in the Cosmic Light List, the Solar Radiance List, and the Star Glory List.
After all, a dual number one had recently emerged in his starfield, and interest in these major rankings was currently at its peak.
Xihai, the highest-ranking Domain Lord, leaned in, while the Void Refining experts from the Dragon Spring Sect and Myriad Phenomena Sect subtly shifted closer.
"Not yet, but soon," Xuan Mi replied with a smile.
"Hmm? Who?" Xihai glanced at Xuan Mi.
Xuan Mi didn't have any particularly powerful figures at his side. The only presentable candidate, Yu Jin, was still far from qualifying for the Cosmic Light List. The Dragon Spring Sect and Myriad Phenomena Sect fared no better; their strongest True Monarchs likely hadn't even reached the "Prodigy" level.
Nevertheless, as a Great Power who had attained Void Refining, Xihai's mind worked swiftly. Recalling Xuan Mi's earlier communication with Xuan Zhu...
"Li Chunjun? The Star Brilliance List's top-ranked prodigy?" the Domain Lord guessed, his tone surprised. "I heard from the checkpoint personnel that he had returned. Could it be him?"
Xuan Mi was equally surprised to hear the name. "It seems you've been following him closely, Domain Lord?"
"As the Azure Sea Domain's first-ever top-ranked prodigy on both the Star Brilliance List and the Star Glory List—a guaranteed Void Refining seed for the future—naturally I've been paying close attention," Xihai replied with a laugh. "I was deeply saddened by rumors of his demise in the Starquake. But now I realize that someone like him, a Heavenly Prodigy, must be blessed by fortune itself. He wouldn't fall so easily."
Turning to Xuan Mi, he asked, "Is it truly him?"
"Yes."
Xuan Mi didn't conceal the truth.
Given Li Chunjun's Mind Realm cultivation and mastery of Sword Force, Xuan Mi couldn't guarantee he'd top the Cosmic Light List, but he was highly confident he'd break into the rankings. Once he appeared on the list, his identity would naturally be revealed to the world, so Xuan Mi hadn't prioritized keeping it hidden.
"This... can he really climb the Cosmic Light List again?" Xihai asked, his voice tinged with surprise and delight. "The Azure Sea Domain has already produced the top-ranked experts on the Solar Radiance and Star Glory Lists. Could we now boast a Cosmic Light List powerhouse as well?" If not for the Starquake, Xihai's political achievements during his tenure as Domain Lord would have far exceeded expectations.
"His misfortune of being stranded in another realm turned into a blessing, especially after facing the Starquake head-on," General Xuan Mi chuckled. "By comprehending the Destruction Sword Stance amidst the chaos, climbing the Cosmic Light List shouldn't be difficult for him. The only question is how high he'll ascend."
"Sword Force?!" The Void Refining expert from the Myriad Phenomena Sect exclaimed in astonishment. "That's a Void Refining technique! Its power rivals the profound mysteries of dao techniques!"
"Developing Sword Force in the Primordial Spirit Realm? Truly remarkable!" The Void Refining expert from the Dragon Spring Sect chimed in agreement. "No wonder General Xuan Mi is so confident in his Cosmic Light List prospects!"
"Sword Force?"
Xuan Zhu, standing nearby, felt a wave of dizziness wash over him as he listened to the animated discussion among the Void Refining experts.
Why? Why does every new revelation about Li Chunjun, no matter how much time has passed, deliver such a profound shock?
"Alright, you may withdraw," Xuan Mi said, waving Xuan Zhu away before turning to the Void Refining experts. "The Cosmic Light List is deeply intertwined with numerous vested interests. Sword Prodigy Li's challenge for the rankings will likely take some time, so there's no need to fixate on it just yet. Let's wait a while longer and witness this miracle when it occurs."
"The interests tied to the Cosmic Light List..."
The Void Refining experts' expressions subtly shifted.
The entire Cosmic Light List involved the interests of thousands of factions, most of them Void Refining entities. Among the top ten, several Dharma Manifestation Venerables had a stake. Even these Void Refining experts treated such matters with caution.
The primary reason for their hesitation was that none of their descendants had demonstrated Sixth-Rank potential. Had any done so, they themselves, as Void Refining experts, would have been fully qualified to contend for a position on the Cosmic Light List.
"Sword Prodigy Li's ascent from the Star Glory List to the Cosmic Light List in just three or four years is truly miraculous," the Xihai Domain Lord remarked, unable to contain his admiration. "Once he secures a spot on the Cosmic Light List, I will personally send him a congratulatory message."
General Xuan Mi understood the Domain Lord's intent: this was a clear public endorsement of Li Chunjun.
The Void Refining experts from the Dragon Spring Sect and Myriad Phenomena Sect chimed in. "Our Azure Sea Domain may not be a major power, but producing a peerless prodigy like this is no easy feat. If he earns his place on the Cosmic Light List through sheer skill and is still targeted by underhanded schemes, the Azure Sea Domain won't stand idly by."
"Sword Prodigy Li will undoubtedly be grateful for your support," General Xuan Mi said sincerely.
With these three Void Refining experts and himself, they wielded considerable influence within the Profound Yellow Great World. Securing Li Chunjun's position on the Cosmic Light List wouldn't be difficult.
However, if Li Chunjun aimed for the top ten, or even the number one spot...
Their combined strength might fall short.
Let's hope Li Chunjun has already secured powerful backers, Xuan Mi thought.
Meanwhile, Xuan Zhu remained in a dazed state after taking his leave.
Chu Ci, Wu Gang, and Xu Yu immediately rushed over, concerned.
"What's wrong? What did the general say to you? Why do you look so shaken?" Xu Yu asked quickly.
"N-nothing..." Xuan Zhu shook himself back to reality. "The general said... Sword Prodigy Li is safe."
"Sword Prodigy Li? Li Chunjun? He's alive?"
"That's wonderful! I knew a Heavenly Prodigy like him wouldn't fall so easily!"
"Heaven protects the fortunate. Surely the heavens wouldn't want to see such a future Void Refining powerhouse perish young."
The trio chimed in, relieved.
Chu Ci and Wu Gang felt genuine joy at Li Chunjun's survival through the Starquake.
"But that's not the main point," Xuan Zhu said, taking a deep breath. "General Xuan Mi said... Li Chunjun turned misfortune into blessing. His cultivation has advanced greatly, and... he's about to ascend the Cosmic Light List."
"The Cosmic Light List?!" The others stared in stunned disbelief.
Wu Gang gasped. "He only recently fell off the Star Brilliance List! How could he possibly reach the Cosmic Light List so soon? Even reaching the Third or Fourth Tribulation True Monarch realm would be the absolute limit in such a short time!"
"He's going all out right after returning?!"
Chu Ci felt the ever-widening gap between their capabilities, now so vast that even the most impassable chasm couldn't describe it. He chuckled wryly. "Well, this seems very much in line with Sword Prodigy Li's style—either silent or delivering a shocking revelation."
Xu Yu frowned. "I've heard the Cosmic Light List is different from the Star Brilliance List. Those True Monarchs are meticulously trained by Void Refining experts, forged into pure killing machines. Many even cultivate Forbidden Arts and secret techniques, sacrificing their lifespans for overwhelming combat power. For Sword Prodigy Li to aim for that list right now... it won't be easy, will it?"
His words sobered Chu Ci and Wu Gang.
The atmosphere surrounding the Cosmic Light List...
had long been corrupted.
They had both heard rumors.
"We must have faith in Sword Prodigy Li," Xuan Zhu said, recalling the attitudes of the Void Refining experts. "He doesn't need to take first place like he did on the Star Glory List and Star Brilliance List. Just making it onto the Cosmic Light List should be within reach."
He split off a strand of his Heart-Mind to access the Profound Yellow List interface, adding, "Let's check the profiles of those at the bottom. From what I remember, while they're strong, they're not unbeatable..."
The Nascent Soul Dao Prodigy of the Eternal Light Hall, who had held his position for over a year, suddenly fell silent, his voice trailing off.
His eyes snapped open, fixed on the newly unveiled Cosmic Light List. More precisely, he was staring at the name occupying the first position, his mind reeling as if struck by the thunderous resonance of a great bronze bell, leaving his thoughts utterly blank.
"Why did you suddenly stop talking? What's wrong with those at the bottom of the Cosmic Light List?" Xu Yu muttered irritably. "I hate it when people cut themselves off mid-sentence..."
But the next moment, her voice and expression froze completely, as rigid as Xuan Zhu's had been moments before.
Chu Ci and Wu Gang looked on, baffled. Yet they instinctively sensed that this had something to do with their own unveiling of the Profound Yellow Cosmic Light Rankings.
Wu Gang continued operating the interface, his fingers flying across the screen as he asked, "What's going on? Did Sword Prodigy Li make the list? What rank is he? Judging by your shocked faces, he can't be lower than the top hundred, can he? Did he really break into the top hundred...?"
His words trailed off as his gaze locked onto the name at the very top of the Cosmic Light List. His pupils contracted involuntarily, losing focus. His mind seemed to have entered a state of suspended animation.
He wasn't alone. Shortly after, Chu Ci suffered the same fate.
Staring at the name "Li Chunjun" at the top of the Cosmic Light List, the four stood motionless, as if silenced and rooted to the spot, unable to snap out of their stupor.
(End of the Chapter)
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