Eternal Tale

Chapter 367: Heavenly Dao Rankings

The yellow-tier Void Transference Sound Plate, crafted from the Void Realm’s Azure Secret Stone, bore faint traces of the Dao of Space.

This stone was exceptionally rare, with its crafting technique originating from the “Unbounded Great World.” Perfectly compatible with the essence of heaven and earth, it could pierce through space instantly, enabling transmissions across tens of thousands of miles.

However, the sound plate could not be recharged using spirit stones; one had to purchase additional Azure Secret Stones to replenish its spatial energy.

• Yellow-tier Void Transference Sound Plate: Facilitates transmissions across the entire Southern Yú Continent.
• Mystic-tier Void Transference Sound Plate: Enables transmissions across the entire Xuanwei Heavens.
• Earth-tier: Not available for sale.

Prices:

• Yellow-tier: 10,000 mid-grade spirit stones.
• Mystic-tier: 10,000 high-grade spirit stones.

A single yellow-tier Azure Secret Stone could replenish the sound plate’s spatial energy for 1,000 years. The yellow-tier plate itself could last for at least 10,000 years without decay.

• Price of Azure Secret Stone: 5,000 mid-grade spirit stones.

Once linked by imprinting their spiritual aura, users could permanently retain their connection and transmit messages at any time.

After reading this, Chen Xun’s group fell silent. Deeply silent.

If one were to provoke a prominent figure or plan a robbery, the victim could use such a sound plate to summon reinforcements—perhaps even warships—through spatial channels in an instant.

No wonder this majestic Great World was so harmonious. With tools like this, how many wicked schemes had been thwarted before they could even begin?

Brother Ox let out a long exhale, staring blankly at Chen Xun. Compared to these plates, the communication jade slips they had crafted seemed embarrassingly primitive, offering only short-range transmissions over tens of thousands of miles for a few lines of dialogue.

“Let’s look elsewhere first,” Chen Xun said, raising his eyebrows. “This is too expensive. Outfitting everyone with one would cost a fortune.”

“Big Brother is right.”

“Absolutely, Brother Xun.”

Sister Crane and Xiao Chi nodded fervently, quickly diverting their attention elsewhere. They couldn’t afford to linger on such costly items.

“Uncle Fu,” Sister Crane asked softly, walking alongside Mo Fuyang, “why are items in the Pavilion so expensive?”

Mo Fuyang answered in a hushed tone, “Seniors, this is standard for the Treasure Pavilion. The Lichen Island strictly forbids small factions from setting up shop here.”

“I see. I suppose other islands have more informal marketplaces?” Chen Xun asked.

“Exactly, Senior,” Mo Fuyang confirmed. “However, the quality of materials in those places isn’t guaranteed, and they certainly don’t offer specialized tools like these. The Treasure Pavilion’s prices are standardized, so you can trust them to be fair.”

“Heh, that’s helpful to know,” Chen Xun chuckled. “It seems buying here ensures peace of mind.”

Mo Fuyang smiled awkwardly. He had never dared step foot into the Treasure Pavilion to buy anything before; this was a rare privilege granted by these seniors.

The group wandered deeper into the pavilion. Occasionally, a pavilion attendant would approach, offering to guide them, but Chen Xun politely declined each time. They preferred to explore on their own.

“Big Brother, look at that board!” Sister Crane’s eyes sparkled as she pointed toward a jade platform displaying a glowing list titled: Yellow-tier Heavenly Dao Rankings.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The atmosphere subtly shifted.

Chen Xun, Brother Ox, and Sister Crane exchanged glances, a shared unease flickering in their expressions. The list seemed connected to their arrival in this Great World. The memory of having their spiritual aura forcibly extracted was still fresh—an oppressive and terrifying experience.

Xiao Chi, however, was unperturbed. To him, the board was just another dazzling spectacle, emanating a solemn aura that commanded respect.

“Seniors, this is the Heavenly Dao Rankings,” Mo Fuyang explained. “It lists the Great World’s geniuses, ranked among myriad races, alongside evaluations of artifacts and other treasures. Its origins are ancient and shrouded in mystery.”

“Heh, Heavenly Dao Rankings?” Chen Xun snorted. “Who’s selling it? The Heavenly Dao itself?”

He turned to Brother Ox with a mischievous grin. “Look, even the Heavenly Dao needs spirit stones now.”

“Moo moo~” Brother Ox chuckled, fully understanding Chen Xun’s jest.

As cultivators who had ascended to the Nascent Soul stage, they knew that “Heavenly Dao” was not an entity. It was merely an aggregation of the wills and consciousnesses of all living beings, lacking individuality or intent. To claim that the Heavenly Dao was running a business was utterly absurd.

Mo Fuyang’s expression froze, caught between embarrassment and unease. “Seniors, I... I don’t know. It’s simply a widely accepted belief.”

“No matter,” Chen Xun said, his tone softening. “Such rankings must be the work of some grand faction. Attributing it to the Heavenly Dao is the greatest insult to its nature.”

“Moo!” Brother Ox nodded fervently in agreement.

Sister Crane giggled, her voice soft as she transmitted her thoughts to the group. “Big Brother, Second Brother, Fourth Brother, it’s likely some powerful individuals have tapped into the world’s essence to create this.”

Xiao Chi’s eyes widened. “Sister Crane, are such figures truly that terrifying?”

Chen Xun’s eyes gleamed with interest. “I agree with Sister Crane. These senior cultivators have likely explored the Dao for countless generations. Who knows what marvels they’ve devised?”

The group focused on the rankings, their spiritual senses probing the list.

Xuanwei Heavens – Qi Refinement Stage Myriad Genius Rankings:

1. Ao Ruohan (Heavenly Treasure Spirit Dragon Clan, Sacred Spirit Root, Refinement Stage 10, Soul Age: 199).
2. Ju Huaqing (Human Clan, Sacred Spirit Root, Refinement Stage 10, Soul Age: 99)....
3. Xin Mei (Three-Pronged Divine Goat Clan, Five-Element Supreme Root, Refinement Stage 10, Soul Age: 97).... 10,000. Zou Ying (Human Clan, Heavenly Spirit Root, Refinement Stage 10, Soul Age: 99).

Xuanwei Heavens – Foundation Establishment Stage Myriad Genius Rankings:

1. Wu Yu (True Martial Mystic Leopard Clan, Sacred Spirit Root, Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Soul Age: 499).

Xuanwei Heavens – Golden Core Stage Myriad Genius Rankings:

1. Yan Yong (Human Clan, Sacred Spirit Root, Golden Core Late Stage, Soul Age: 999).

Xuanwei Heavens – Nascent Soul Stage Myriad Genius Rankings:

1. Yuchi Jingxiao (Silver Spirit Phoenix Clan, Dao Spirit Root, Physique: Vast Cold Dao Body, Nascent Soul Late Stage, Soul Age: 2999).
2. Hua Shangxian (Primordial Violet Ancient Swallow Clan, Sacred Spirit Root, Physique: Pure Yin Sacred Body, Nascent Soul Late Stage, Soul Age: 3199).

The rankings ended at the Nascent Soul stage for the Xuanwei Sky, with no visible entries for higher realms or other lists such as artifact rankings. Even so, what they saw left them visibly shaken.

Cultivators were deliberately extending their time at each stage, consuming life-prolonging treasures to refine their foundations. The use of “soul age” as a ranking measure—not bone age—ensured fairness by eliminating the possibility of deceit, such as body-swapping.

“Little friend, these geniuses aren’t racing through cultivation stages?” Chen Xun asked, his shock evident. “They’re deliberately staying at each level as long as possible?”

Xiao Chi’s claws trembled. The idea of stalling progress for centuries or even millennia was unimaginable.

Sister Crane’s eyes were wide with confusion. “Soul age?” she whispered.

Brother Ox, disinterested in rankings, turned his gaze back to materials—his true passion.

“Senior, refinement is the key stage for building a solid foundation,” Mo Fuyang explained. “Great clans and sects pour resources into these geniuses, ensuring their longevity and cultivation depth.”

“Impressive,” Chen Xun murmured, his admiration genuine. “To resist the allure of advancement and focus solely on building an unshakable foundation is remarkable.”

“Seniors, true geniuses cultivate both their Dao and their hearts. They needn’t fight or challenge others to prove themselves—their paths are already exceptional.”

Mo Fuyang’s voice was tinged with awe, his explanation painting a vivid picture of a world where brilliance and humility coexisted.