Chapter 25: The List of Heroes, The Challenge

Listening to Wu Ying and the Dean conversing as they walked, discussing the state of the Storm Ranking within the Arena of Storms and the recent initiatives—an almost total mobilization, with even regular classes being drastically shortened so all efforts could be devoted to this—Du Gu Bieli was lost in thought.

Before long, he left the storage room and returned to his quarters. Seeing that Baby and Little Mei were already at rest, and that Wolf and Little Flower were silent and still, he sought out Su Xiruo. He found her busily weaving strands of silk, each dyed in vibrant colors, with meticulous care.

By now, she had finished two sleeves and the upper half of a garment; judging by the size, it was clearly intended for Baby. Upon asking, he found this to be true. Du Gu Bieli was deeply gratified and stayed by her side for a while, chatting gently. As they spoke, Su Xiruo brought up the academy’s recent affairs and Uncle Wu Ying’s current troubles, which centered on the Storm Ranking.

When Su Xiruo finally grew weary, Du Gu Bieli returned to his own room. With a shift of consciousness, his spirit blurred, and he entered the Arena of Storms.

He found himself still in the Generals’ Square. Not far away, thousands of generals were gathered around the arena, where pairs of competitors clashed in fierce combat. Victors shouted with exhilaration, while those defeated left in dejection. After observing for a while, Du Gu Bieli seized his chance and mounted the stage. Instantly, the arena fell silent.

All eyes were drawn at once to the number above his head—999—and his rank as a Brave. Some immediately recalled the “legend” of a Brave that had spread about ten days before. Yet there were others who, unaware, thought they had an easy target and rushed up to challenge him, only to be swiftly defeated.

Afterward, many whispered among themselves, their gazes peculiar, and the atmosphere turned awkward. Some sneered, thinking the tales exaggerated, and still went up to challenge, only to suffer crushing defeat and a heavy blow to their confidence.

Once again, the arena fell into a complete hush.

Helpless, Du Gu Bieli, unable to find a worthy opponent, left the square to try his luck elsewhere. After a few more victories, his win count finally reached one hundred and thirty. By then, news spread throughout the nearby squares: as soon as he appeared, no one dared respond.

At the last square, while Du Gu Bieli waited on the stage for a challenger, a group of more than a dozen surged forward, their eyes shining with excitement. Forcing their way through, they waved and called out, “Senior, we finally meet you again!”

Du Gu Bieli hesitated for a moment before recalling these were people he had instructed back in the Brave’s Square. He jumped down, and surrounded by the throng, was led to the very center of the square. Soon, hundreds more gathered, each one excited beyond measure, though he couldn’t quite tell why.

After a brief exchange of courtesies and conversation, upon learning of Du Gu Bieli’s recent experiences, the generals burst into laughter and admiration. One suggested, “Senior, if you wish to accumulate victories, why not challenge the Storm Ranking? A single win there is worth twenty regular victories, and once your challenge is accepted, battle is mandatory—there’s no retreat until a victor is decided. With your ability and confidence, wouldn’t it be effortless for you?”

“Is there really such a benefit?” To be able to find opponents who couldn’t refuse and thus avoid the awkward silences was indeed welcome news for Du Gu Bieli. Spirits lifting, he replied with delight, “In that case, of course I’ll go.”

“Haha, I guessed it! The reason we haven’t seen Senior at the Storm Ranking all these days is simply because you didn’t know the rules or the rewards.” One general exclaimed. In their search for him, these hundreds had tried every possible way, assuming that with his strength and fondness for strong opponents, he would naturally challenge the Storm Ranking. Yet after more than half a month without his appearance, they found it odd. This person had deduced that he simply didn’t know about the Storm Ranking. Now, seeing he’d been correct, he spoke up to make it known.

Everyone laughed and agreed, escorting Du Gu Bieli toward the exclusive stages for the Storm Ranking challenges.

As they approached, a tremendous clamor greeted them. The scene was lively beyond compare: hundreds of thousands of generals formed concentric circles around thirty arenas, packed so tightly that not a drop of water could seep through. On every arena, battles raged, and all manner of extraordinary techniques were on display.

Du Gu Bieli surveyed the area and immediately concluded that, overall, the level of these competitors far exceeded any he had previously encountered.

A general kindly warned, “Senior, to mount the stage and challenge, you must first connect with the Storm Token in your mind, then select your intended opponent. If they accept, you’ll be transported to an available arena for a decisive duel. Should you win, you replace them and become one of the top thousand on the Storm Ranking.”

“Also,” another added, “my clan elders say the reason the Storm Ranking is so popular is because if you win and don’t care to increase your battle record, you can instead choose to receive a revelation—a king’s personal insight from their cultivation. Such things are invaluable, priceless treasures.”

In the Eastern Wilderness, there were six kings, each peerless in talent and unmatched in the era. From the start, they’d possessed one-in-a-million aptitude. With such solid foundations and extraordinary perception, they rose above all others, standing at the very pinnacle of the kingly path—figures to be revered by all.

Across the vast expanse of the world, even now, only a little more than a hundred kings had ever existed. This alone showed how precious a king’s cultivation insight truly was. No matter your resources or status, without the Storm Token, you could never obtain one.

This was one reason why all clans and powers so willingly submitted to the kings of each wilderness, served under them, sent disciples and followers to work and study at their command.

“Thank you for your advice. I’ll go challenge now.”

Du Gu Bieli cupped his fists in gratitude, then summoned the Storm Token with his mind. Instantly, a woman’s voice sounded within his consciousness—noble and commanding, as if she long held dominion over the fates of millions.

“Do you wish to challenge?”

“I do,” Du Gu Bieli answered. “I challenge the one ranked one thousandth on the list.”

“Wait,” came the reply, and the voice fell silent. After a while, nothing happened. Du Gu Bieli wondered, “Why is there no response?”

“Senior, you must wait for the challenged to accept before you’ll hear back,” a general explained.

There were only thirty arenas, but a thousand ranked generals. At every moment, countless challenges would be issued. Those on the list would naturally assess the challengers and, guided by instinct, choose the most advantageous matches to accept. Only then would they agree to fight.

The entire process took time. Furthermore, with so many challenges and responses, they were queued by order of arrival; those who acted quickest fought first, while latecomers had to wait their turn.

“Your opponent has accepted the challenge. Prepare yourself.”

Just as Du Gu Bieli grasped the reasoning, a voice sounded again in his mind, alerting him that the thousandth-ranked had agreed, and that his turn would come when the queue allowed.

With the remaining time, he observed the battles on each arena, studying the techniques displayed, visualizing himself in similar situations and contemplating how to counter or exploit weaknesses—how, with skill, to defeat his opponents.

Unaware of the passage of time, half an hour slipped by when suddenly the woman’s voice rang out:

“Challenge, begin!”