Time passed slowly, and all participants couldn't help but feel some confusion.
Qin Yang, who had once dominated the rankings, had vanished—falling beyond the hundredth place. Nangong Ling and Wei Yu's names were also nowhere to be found.
Now the top of the Northern Hunter Rankings stood with Lou Mengyu in first place, and Jin Wanshan in second.
Gongsun Ming and Lou Qinru's rankings remained consistently within the top fifty.
At the same time, observant eyes noticed that all those who had originally followed Nangong Ling within the Northern Hunter Rankings' top hundred had also disappeared.
"Could they have been wiped out by a monster?"
"That's possible. Or maybe their strength was lacking, and their initial rankings were just temporary luck."
"Better without them! Now we have a chance!"
Finally, the last day of the assessment arrived. Some rejoiced while others worried. Only those near the hundredth place and those at the bottom of the top hundred continued desperately hunting monsters.
During this period, Qin Yang had been spending his time in the Imprisonment Tower playing cards and practicing martial techniques.
After mastering numerous martial techniques, he no longer needed to adhere strictly to their forms. By freely channeling the true essence of these techniques, he could unleash powerful attacks.
Moreover, he could combine them into various new martial techniques.
This period of reflection had allowed Qin Yang to settle down. He realized that not only could he create martial techniques, but he could also develop cultivation methods!
Wei Yu's Ba Wang Art and Ba Wang Unrivaled Halberd had inspired him.
Qin Yang could now create powerful paired cultivation methods and martial techniques.
"Should I give it a try..." Qin Yang stroked his chin.
"Qin Yang, come play mahjong!" The Panda had devoured all the Flame Ruby Crystals, its aura already hinting at a breakthrough. When awake, its first action was either to find Qin Yang for a game or challenge the Fire Dog to a duel.
The Treasure Rat had also reached the Zongshi level, having consumed all the Demon Spirit Fruits.
As for the three-headed Fire Dog, it hadn't been left out either, having devoured plenty of spirit medicines. With such a strong bloodline, its breakthrough speed likely wouldn't be slower than the Panda's.
There was one thing Qin Yang hadn't noticed: once these beasts broke through, they would become... star-ranked!
"Tsk!" Qin Yang clicked his tongue. Researching cultivation methods and martial techniques was far more interesting than playing cards. What should have been a three-player game of mahjong had turned into a one-against-five battle!
Even as a farmer, his teammate - also a farmer - would relentlessly blow him up.
Because of this, all his previous gains had been won away by the Panda and Treasure Rat, then divided among these five wicked beasts.
At first, Qin Yang refused to yield, but after the panda and other monsters became familiar with the rules, they proved increasingly cunning. The Treasure Rat, in particular, which gained divine sense transmission upon reaching the Zongshi Realm, stood out. Though its voice carried the charm of a young boy, its mind outwitted even the craftiest fox.
"I can't beat them! I can't beat them!" Qin Yang finally admitted defeat.
Watching his wealth vanish from the Qiankun Ring while the creatures played, Qin Yang's heart ached. Even the Tian Swallowing Beast coveted his spirit stones, leaving nothing for him.
The four Qiankun Rings previously plundered by the Treasure Rat now stood completely empty.
"Black elephant tusks, surveillance artifacts, and some mysterious array disk. That's all that remains besides over ten thousand spirit stones."
Qin Yang sighed.
The panda drooled over the black elephant tusks, but Qin Yang refused to play any more cards.
"Hmm? You're in good spirits?" Martial Heaven's voice suddenly pierced the air. His divine sense swept through the area, and he erupted in fury.
He'd intended to confine Qin Yang here for reflection, but this...
The surveillance artifact glowed with iridescent light as the monsters practiced their skills in a lively display.
This wasn't confinement - it was a vacation!
"Could it be time?" Qin Yang's eyes lit up. Has a month really passed so quickly?
Martial Heaven remained silent for a moment before speaking, "The assessment ends in one day. I was considering releasing you to make a final push for the rankings..."
"Why wait then?" Qin Yang clenched his fists in anticipation.
The panda and other monsters also stirred with excitement.
Once outside, they feared not the climb in points, but rather the scarcity of beastly targets!
"I've changed my mind," Martial Heaven said. "You'll remain confined."
"No!" Qin Yang's face darkened. This was worse than remaining ignorant of the time; now the knowledge only bred frustration.
"Teacher Wu! Martial Heaven! Wu the Faceless!"
Qin Yang's desperate cries fell on deaf ears.
Time stretched into an eternity. Approximately a day later...
"I could release you, but only under three conditions," Martial Heaven's voice echoed.
Qin Yang shot upright. "Name them!"
"First: No use of force within your first year here. A complete martial ban."
"Impossible!" Qin Yang rejected outright.
"Then you'll remain locked up."
"Wait! Let me think about it!" Qin Yang frowned. "What if someone attacks me?"
Martial Heaven sneered, "If you want to run, who could stop you?"
Qin Yang glanced at the panda beside him and smiled. But then he heard another voice in his ear:
"Your beast can't fight either!"
Qin Yang was speechless. The panda looked equally confused—what did this have to do with the old man?
"Fine!" Qin Yang nodded.
"Now that you agree, I'll release you." As Martial Heaven spoke, Qin Yang felt a sudden brightness before his eyes, and his vision opened up.
"Three rules... and that's the only condition?" Qin Yang's face filled with frustration.
"Qin Yang, you're out!" Lou Mengyu exclaimed excitedly as she approached.
Looking around, Qin Yang realized they were in a sect's courtyard. A group of people around his age stood there, their faces full of joy.
"These days have been killing me!" Qin Yang spread his arms wide, trying to hug her.
Lou Mengyu quickly stepped back.
These were the top hundred hunters from the Northern Hunter Rankings, waiting for Celestial Academy's magical flying ship. Every eye in the courtyard was fixed on Lou Mengyu...
Such devastating beauty, and the top hunter on the Northern Hunter Rankings...
"Why let the world's opinions matter? Haven't you missed me these past weeks?" Qin Yang spoke up.
Lou Mengyu, with her thin face, couldn't bear this attention. She turned to Martial Heaven and said, "Teacher Martial, perhaps we should lock him up again!"
"Don't!" Qin Yang's expression shifted. Now that he'd seen the outside world, he realized how wonderful it was - the sky was truly blue... He didn't want to return to confinement.
Scanning the area, Qin Yang froze. "Where's my beast?"
"Your beast shouldn't appear in this setting," Martial Heaven said mildly. "Remember your promise."
"Of course." Qin Yang waved dismissively and moved to stand beside Lou Mengyu, joining her in idle chatter with Jin Wanshan.
"Who's that kid? How dare he stand next to Lou Mengyu?"
"Did he just try to hug her?"
"Damn! What's his rank on the Northern Hunter Rankings?"
A group of young men glared at Qin Yang. One stepped forward, jabbing a finger at him. "You! Get back where you belong!"
"Hm?" A cold light flashed in Qin Yang's eyes.
"Hm?" Martial Heaven's gaze snapped over, and Qin Yang immediately wilted.