Chapter 123 Unnamed Top; Old Daoist Hyping
The figure in the sky gradually became clear, and the cultivators below, upon seeing the face, were all shaken in their hearts.
"It's actually the master of Tianji Pavilion, Senior Yunlong Daoist personally announcing the rankings. I remember he was just an inner disciple the last time, right?!"
"It should be because of the influence of Tianji Pavilion's Great Consecrator in our Great Jing. Other dynasties don't have such an honor!"
"That makes sense!"
...
By the banks of Changting River, there were eager looks and excited voices everywhere.
In fact, Gu Lan didn't need to look up. Just sensing this magnificent entrance, he knew it was Senior Yunlong Daoist.
Mu Yuyan cast a secret glance at Gu Lan with a hint of pride.
Yunlong Daoist must have come to the Great Jing capital because he was afraid that his disciples wouldn't handle it well and might upset her husband...
Or maybe, with the strength of Tianji Pavilion, which dynasty would treat him with such respect!?
...
"The world has talented people emerging through the ages, leading in elegance for hundreds of years!"
Senior Yunlong Daoist shouted a poem he obtained from Gu Lan.
The momentum was overwhelming, causing the cultivators and commoners below to feel a shake in their hearts.
The old Daoist smiled, enjoying the countless admiring gazes.
"A century has passed, and today, the Expert Rankings is unveiled. It includes rankings for both literary and martial abilities, treasures, forces, assassins..."
"Many and varied!"
"First to be revealed is the ranking for literary prowess!"
...
As the voice echoed, a golden list descended from the sky, containing the names of a hundred people.
The bottom, or the one hundredth, was naturally the first to be seen.
Then the golden list gradually slid down the Changting River, revealing the names of the people in front one by one.
At this moment, the literati were full of expectations, their wolf-like eyes fixed on the golden list!
...
"Oh! I made it! I made it!"
In a corner of the street, Zhang Yuan's eyes were bloodshot. He clapped his hands, shouting excitedly.
Because of jealousy towards Gu Lan's special treatment at the Jixia Literary Academy, he had been ranting day and night, nearly losing half his life.
Finally, he made it onto the list, even if it was in the one hundredth position. This was enough to add a vivid color to his talent in the upcoming imperial examination!
"Humph! What if Xiao Xianzi appreciates you? What if Master Zhang values you?"
"If you couldn't make it onto the list, that would be a true disgrace. Just wait to see how I mock you in the academy in the future!"
...
The literary list was quickly revealed because there were more cultivators focusing on martial arts, so there wasn't much attention. It quickly came to the top three positions.
"In third place, Jixia Literary Academy, Zhang Qingwei!"
"In second place, the Imperial Tutor, Grand Tutor Su Hua!"
As these two heavyweight figures appeared, there was a stunned murmur among the literati.
"What's going on! Both of these gentlemen have already reached the realm of literary immortals, yet they're only second and third place?"
"Who took the top spot?"
"When did our Great Jing have such a powerful literary figure?"
...
Their extremely puzzled gazes were cast to the top of the golden list! However! Just before the golden list fell into the river, they found that the first position was empty!
What the heck?! Did Tianji Pavilion, which claimed to be unparalleled in strategies, make such a big mistake this time?
The various talents and literati were perplexed, unable to figure it out, and couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
In the teahouse, Gu Lan calmly sipped his tea, indifferent. He had already guessed what the old Daoist was up to.
This... in literature, it's called anticipation; in the entertainment industry, it's called hype. On the current rankings, it's a significant gimmick!
It must be said that Tianji Pavilion has a longstanding reputation, and Senior Yunlong Daoist's extraordinary skills outside have undoubtedly contributed to it.
"Master Gu, is that vacant position reserved for you by that immortal Daoist?" Mu Yuyan's eyes were filled with a playful smile as she approached Gu Lan and nibbled his ear.
Her breath was like orchids, and the warm fragrance wafted on his face. Gu Lan's heart stirred, and he gently stroked her delicate nose, saying, "You guessed it right. Tonight, I'll reward you with another copy of 'Peach Blossom Spring Chronicles.'"
Hearing this, Mu Yuyan's expression froze. In the clear depths of her eyes, a hint of fear and pleading appeared.
"Master Gu, I admit that I was too bold last night..."
"My lady, you lit the fire; you can't just leave it burning without putting it out, you know!"
...
In the sky, the old Daoist paid no attention to the literary cultivators below. His gaze casually swept over and happened to see Gu Lan and Mu Yuyan flirting and teasing in the teahouse.
"Cough, cough..."
Caught off guard by the dog food, he choked for a moment, coughed a couple of times, and then no longer paid attention to the movements of his own Consecrator.
Waving his hand, a golden light once again released another list.
"Expert Rankings, Second List!"
"Artifact List!"
The Artifact List was the focus of attention for many aristocratic families and sects. They might not have many powerful cultivators, but relying on a high-grade sect-protecting artifact could still deter others!
"One hundredth place, Danxin Sect, King-grade Artifact, Honglu Furnace!"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
At the appearance of the bottommost line, in a certain corner, the people of Danxin Sect rejoiced. It was usually challenging for a King-grade artifact to make the list, but once it did, it indicated high potential and the possibility of advancing to an Emperor-grade artifact, enough to exhilarate a sect!
"Ninety-ninth place, ..."
"Number..."
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Artifact List was also revealed.
Worth mentioning is that the top three in this round are still the Heaven Treasure. Among them, the first is the Primordial Sword, the second is the Sky-Cutting Dragon Roar Spear, and the third is the Saint Dragon Clock! The national treasure of the Great Jing, the Demon Pestle of the late emperor, did not make the list because it has never been used.
"I've only heard of the Primordial Sword among the top three artifacts. What about the other two?"
"Damn! Did you forget that Tianji Pavilion's Consecrator is skilled in both the sword and the spear? Why do I feel... these three Heaven Treasures are all his?"
"Hiss! If that's the case, it's quite possible!"
"The Heaven Treasure, except for that one... others probably can't handle it!"
...
Some astute individuals, upon seeing Gu Lan sweep the top three spots on the Artifact List, couldn't help but recall the earlier Literary Power List!
Could it be that the vacant first place was reserved for the Tianji Pavilion Consecrator?
On the first floor of the teahouse, Luan Xiaoyao, recalling the literary truth ability that Gu Lan hung in the sky for her for fifteen minutes, immediately understood everything.
"Sure enough! This old Daoist is playing favorites. He specifically left the top spot on the Literary Power List for that smelly Consecrator!"
"That guy, no matter how strong he is in literary power, how could he be above the Imperial Tutor of the Great Jing!?"
She was jealous to the extreme! Although she felt that Gu Lan might indeed deserve the top spot, she still had to express her dissatisfaction.
After all, this wave of limelight was too overshadowed!
At this moment, Aohan Yarn whispered, his blue eyes flickering, "That Daoist is very powerful. Don't let him hear it... otherwise, you'll be in trouble!"
"Would this Princess be afraid of him?" Luan Xiaoyao snorted twice and continued to focus on the forthcoming rankings.
...
Next, various lists were successively hung in the sky, resembling golden tassels, dazzling people's eyes!
And among them, any list that Gu Lan had dabbled in topped the charts. Even the first place on the Assassin List was reserved for him!
Gu Lan himself was a bit stunned!
Suddenly, he remembered the incident at the Misty Rain Building before. Could it be that Yunlong Daoist included his battle with Lixiong in the rankings?
Just as he was puzzled, ordinary people were discussing lively, their conversations full of gossip.
Among all the lists, the "Beauty List" was the most enthusiastically discussed!
"The Beauty List is interesting. There's actually a girl named Aohan Yarn in the top ten. I wonder who she is?"
"Xiao Fairy still looks as beautiful as ever, my dream lover!"
"But even with Xiao Fairy's stunning beauty, she can't shake the position of our Emperor's Beauty List's top beauty. Tsk tsk!"
"Wait until the Emperor goes on an imperial tour. We might have a chance to catch a glimpse of the Emperor's beauty on the roadside. I really don't know when we'll have this opportunity!"
"Dream on, only in dreams!"
...
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