Chapter 17: The Hero of Notable Origin

On the luminous screen, countless names appeared, along with records of battles and other information. The Wind and Cloud Ranking for the Commander level was filled with a thousand names—this was the leaderboard from the previous season. All those listed were by default eligible to be challenged; if a challenger won, they would take the opponent’s place on the list.

Several hundred groups of Commanders who had arrived together had not yet dispersed before they noticed the ranking. Their gazes instinctively converged on one spot. At the very top of the list, there was a single name, larger than all the others—nearly ten times the size, making it strikingly prominent.

Thousand Hands.

This name belonged to the reigning champion of the previous thousand-man ranking. The Commanders memorized it instinctively, then scanned through the rest—mostly unfamiliar names. As their eyes reached the lower eight hundred, someone sharp-eyed shouted, “Look, someone’s already succeeded in a challenge!”

Everyone’s attention shifted as directed, and they saw more than a dozen names suddenly fade and vanish, replaced with new ones. With the opening of the Wind and Cloud Ranking, the long-waiting Commanders could no longer restrain themselves; challenges had already begun.

The Wind and Cloud Ranking was highly prestigious. A single victory could be converted into five battle records. In other words, if one needed a hundred victories to advance in rank, challenging a listed Commander and winning twenty times would suffice to rise to the next level. Of course, some Commanders cared little for promotion; what mattered to them was shining brightly enough to catch the eye of the Kings, hoping for meteoric advancement.

The favor of a King brought not only personal glory but also immense benefits to one’s family and faction.

Most of the Commanders surged forward like a tide, battles raging across the arena. The thirty central platforms dedicated to leaderboard matches were never idle, each victory or defeat drawing sighs and cheers from the spectators.

Meanwhile, after searching for their target to no avail, someone among the hundreds of Commanders proposed, “Since the senior hasn’t arrived, let’s not remain idle. Didn’t he say that to improve our strength, we must endure the trials of battle? Why don’t we split up and challenge the platforms, hone ourselves, and test our abilities while learning the combat techniques of the seasoned Commanders? What do you all think?”

“That makes sense.”
“Agreed.”
“Let’s go—challenge them!”

With a roar, the crowd of hundreds dispersed, blending into the ordinary platforms in search of opportunities to step onto the stage.

Soon, across many platforms, Commanders would wonder where these newcomers had come from—fighting fiercely with strange and unpredictable tactics, employing every means to claim victory. Often, the battles dragged on for ages, leaving participants utterly exhausted.

…

After class, the already quiet academy grew even more tranquil. The Warriors brought curiosity, the Commanders brought ambition, and the Rulers brought pursuit; all entered the Wind and Cloud Arena.

Little Flower and Wolf were among them. Thanks to days of guidance from Solitary Farewell and their own efforts, they now had more wins than losses in the Warrior-level plaza. A few more days, and they believed they could advance in rank.

Su Xiweak remembered her promise and set out to find Uncle Shadowless, seeking thread for weaving clothes for her little sister and the child—and, most importantly, for that man. She felt it her duty to help him replace his rough hemp garments.

Thread, however, did not exist in the Wilds. To obtain it, one had to enter the Galaxy World and hunt a star beast called a Spider Beast, then raise it until it bred. After breeding, the cocoons shed by its offspring could be unraveled into thread—smooth, lustrous, as fine as hair, perfect for beautiful garments, durable, elastic, suitable for all body types.

Su Xiweak herself couldn’t catch a Spider Beast, so she turned to Shadowless. Recently troubled by the auction house affair, Shadowless couldn’t refuse her request; he dispatched several students at the Marquis level to the Galaxy World.

Solitary Farewell had no idea that, for a single garment, several Marquis had been mobilized. He had just finished training in the Path of Arms, solving a few problems for the Weapons group. Upon returning, he saw his little sister still engrossed in the knowledge imparted by the Teachers, practicing small techniques that could be mastered without reaching a certain realm. The child, too, was meditating earnestly, and a vibrant green aura floated around the sisters. Smiling, Solitary Farewell quietly withdrew and returned to his room.

“Perfect—I have some free time. I can go check out the Wind and Cloud Arena.”

With a thought, reality blurred like a dream. When his senses cleared, he found himself in the world of Abundance. His body stood at the end of the Skybridge, exactly where he had left off last time.

His arrival went unnoticed; nearly all the Commanders were gathered around the platforms, either observing or waiting. He wandered casually, watching some Commanders’ combat techniques, judging them adequate, and soon found an opportunity to step onto a platform.

At that moment, the Commander on stage had just won a match and was brimming with confidence. He was surprised to see a Warrior appear, exclaiming, “What’s a Warrior doing here?”

“Did the Wind and Cloud Arena’s space malfunction and bring him here?” joked a Commander from below. But most were thoughtful. Having spent considerable time in the arena, they knew the rules and understood the ways one could transcend levels—either by crossing the Skybridge or “smuggling” through the Blood River.

The difficulty of the Skybridge was well known among Commanders; some had even tried it themselves, only to be battered and forced to exit the space upon death. As for the other method, there had once been someone lucky enough to cross the Blood River when only a single skeleton appeared, which became a topic of legend.

Some sharp-eyed and knowledgeable observers thought deeper. Seeing this Warrior’s number—999—and his obscured face, they suddenly recalled secret stories circulated among the great families: after the creation of the Wind and Cloud Arena, the Six Kings, as leaders, had withheld a batch of Wind and Cloud Tokens during their condensation, endowing them with special functions. These were reserved for trusted aides or those who had rendered great service. Some top families had received such honors.

This Warrior, it seemed, was either a confidant of the Six Kings, their descendant, or a prodigy raised by one of the great families.

In short, this person had an extraordinary background.

Usually, those with such backgrounds, no matter their realm, possessed exceptional strength.

Everyone had their own thoughts, but none considered the possibility that someone had actually crossed the Skybridge.

The Commander on stage pondered, but it was pointless; his priority was to increase his battle records and advance in rank. He had ninety-eight already—just two more to go. Facing a Warrior should be easier than facing a Commander, so he suppressed all stray thoughts and shouted, “Come!”

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