"Senior brother, there's no need for Qin Xuantian to make a move. Although this girl's skills are not bad, she is definitely not my match!"

Just at that moment, a clear voice sounded as if coming from the sky's edge. Then, a middle-aged man in a blue robe appeared, stepping on treetops with his hands clasped behind his back, strolling leisurely as if walking on air. He landed beside Zheng Qianhua.

This was a tall and slender man, over 1.8 meters in height, with a handsome face that looked to be in his forties, yet his temples were already graying. He wore gold-rimmed glasses, appearing like a scholar and exuding a strong scholarly aura. However, no one dared to underestimate him, for beneath his refined and cultured exterior lay an immensely terrifying power. The moment he appeared, everyone around involuntarily held their breath.

"The peak Grandmaster, ninth on the Human Ranking, the master of the Heart Intent Sect, the 'Unconcerned Scholar' Hu Yan! He has actually come!"

"What ninth rank on the Human Ranking? Has the Tianshi Sect's Human Ranking been updated again? Wasn't Hu Yan not even on the Human Ranking before?"

"Half a month ago, Hu Yan single-handedly slew the Northern Region's Knife King, Song Jiuye, in the northeast and ascended to the top ten of the Human Ranking. From the looks of it, he probably won't stop at ninth on the Human Ranking!"

Gasps of astonishment erupted from the surrounding crowd, all in awe of the middle-aged man's strength!

Of course, some people didn't know what the Human Ranking was. At this time, some elders nearby would take the liberty to explain.

The Human Ranking!

It is a list issued by the Tianshi Sect, the fourth-ranked hidden Martial Dao sect in the north. This list tabulates the strength rankings of the Grandmasters of Transcendence in China's secular world.

There is only one criterion for reference: combat record—who one has defeated or been defeated by—which determines their ranking.

The Tianshi Sect's eyes are everywhere!

The Tianshi Sect records even many battles that occur in remote wilderness areas. There are even rumors that the Tianshi Sect has influence among the operators of the Martial Artists' forum.

Therefore, the lists published by the Tianshi Sect have very strong credibility.

The Human Ranking only includes ten people.

And these ten people are the strongest Grandmasters in all of China!

They are mostly peak Grandmasters, half a step into the Innate Realm, and extremely powerful—usually the kind of big shots who dominate their territory.

It is said that above the Human Ranking, there are also the Earth Ranking and the Heaven Ranking.

It's just that the Tianshi Sect has not yet made them public, and few people know what is on those lists.

For now, there is only the Human Ranking.

To be listed on the Human Ranking!

It is a matter of honor and a symbol of status!

It signifies reaching the pinnacle in the secular Martial Dao world, at the very least, being one of the ten strongest individuals!!

"It's a pity that Hong Tianshu, although of Chinese descent, no longer operates in China; hence, he has no place on the Human Ranking. Even if Qin Xuantian defeated him, he wasn't listed on the Human Ranking."

"But based on estimates, Qin Xuantian's strength should at least place him in the top five of the Human Ranking. After all, there are rumors that he killed Hong Tianshu with a single palm while almost flipping the Huangpu River over."

"One is in the top five of the Human Ranking, the other is ninth. This kid offended the Heart Intent Sect; he's completely courting death! He's doomed! Absolutely doomed!!"

The crowd buzzed with discussion, their gazes toward Qin Heng filled with pity.

And some took pleasure in his misfortune.

This kid is really too arrogant! Too ignorant! He actually dared to kill people of the Heart Intent Sect. Now that the 'Unconcerned Scholar' Hu Yan has arrived, he is undoubtedly doomed!!

"Was it you who ordered the killing of my Heart Intent Sect disciples?" The 'Unconcerned Scholar' Hu Yan stood with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent, like a lofty Heavenly God looking down at Qin Heng. He said in a heavy voice, "You need to give me an explanation."

"Just some ants. It doesn't matter if they die. What's there to explain?" Qin Heng's expression remained calm as he looked at Hu Yan and said indifferently, "If you continue to spout nonsense, I'll kill you as well!!"

HISS!

The people around couldn't help but draw a sharp breath, looking at Qin Heng with surprise and uncertainty.

What the fuck! That's way too arrogant! I've never seen such arrogance! This is the 'Unconcerned Scholar' Hu Yan, ranked ninth on the Human Ranking! One of the ten strongest Grandmasters in the world!! This kid, appearing frail and lacking martial prowess, has the guts to verbally challenge and even threaten to kill Hu Yan!!? He's dead for sure! Absolutely dead!!

"Very well, very well! Truly the recklessness of youth, not bad, not bad." Hu Yan nodded, surprisingly not angry. Instead, he spoke with a smile, "People say I'm ruthless and heartless, so they call me the 'Unconcerned Scholar.'

That's the ignorance of the masses, who don't understand the profundity of the Heavenly Heart. My heart is the Heavenly Heart; my words are the Heavenly Dao; my will is the Heavenly Will. You dare to defy the Heavenly Will, act against the heavens—you're truly seeking your own death!"

"Heaven?" Qin Heng sneered. "What kind of demonic technique are you cultivating? Have you addled your own brain practicing it? An Yue, don't listen to his nonsense. Just kill him!"

A mere nobody equivalent to the sixth level of Qi Refinement, daring to claim his will as the Heavenly Will—utterly ridiculous.

An Yue moved into action upon hearing this.

Her figure flashed, and she instantly appeared before Hu Yan. Her face, cold as frost and showing neither joy nor sorrow, was the epitome of calm. Her pale, jade-like palm lifted and struck towards Hu Yan's chest!

Her strike was dead center, the energy refined and concentrated. It stirred the surrounding air, causing a series of booming cracks as rolling waves of qi burst forth. Trees over ten meters away shook violently and swayed precariously!!

Those witnessing the scene felt their scalps tingle!

With this single palm!

This single palm was enough to prove that An Yue's strength had reached the top ranks among the world's Grandmasters. Although she might not make it onto the Human Ranking, she was definitely comparable to a peak Grandmaster!

So strong! Such a powerful individual, actually obeying a seemingly ordinary young man's commands!? Incredible!!

"What a good palm technique!" Hu Yan roared with laughter and charged right to meet it. He swung his fist, causing tempests to stir that even disturbed the clouds above, and furiously smashed it toward An Yue's palm!

BOOM!!

Hu Yan's figure swayed for a moment before he was sent flying backward, smashing through five or six large trees and tumbling into the woods.

There was silence all around.

BOOM!

Suddenly, a figure shot out from the woods, leaving an afterimage as it circled around An Yue and appeared beside Qin Heng—it was Hu Yan, who had just been sent flying by An Yue's palm.

Standing behind Qin Heng, he placed a hand on Qin Heng's shoulder and sneered, "I didn't expect that this woman by your side would actually be a sect Martial Artist, a peak Grandmaster, and her strength is formidable!

What a pity, she has encountered me, a secular Grandmaster who has ascended the Human Ranking. I am not necessarily weaker than a sect Martial Artist! However, you, boy, are quite the nuisance. Before I deal with this woman, I think it would be better to kill you first!!"

"Kill me?" Qin Heng shook his head and chuckled. Then he slowly began to stand. No matter how hard Hu Yan pressed down on his shoulder with his hand, it was useless. Qin Heng rose to his feet and stated indifferently, "Your junior brother said you knew Qin Xuantian. Haven't you realized who I am??"

"You, you!?" Hu Yan exclaimed in shock.

He initially wanted to keep Qin Heng down. However, the terrifying force emanating from Qin Heng's shoulder made him feel like an ant trying to withstand the impact of a colliding mountain!!

Such power, immensely terrifying, completely overwhelmed him!!

"You are!?" Suddenly, Hu Yan found Qin Heng's face somewhat familiar. It seemed to overlap with the transcendent figure he had seen that night by the Huangpu River. He instantly turned pale with fear and cried out in terror.

"Qin, Qin Xuantian!?"

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