Meanwhile.
Deep within this valley.
Dozens of people were gathered, moving further into its depths.
However, it was evident they were not a single group, but rather formed pairs and small clusters, each warily eyeing the others.
Their expressions were somber.
“Boss, a lot of people have come today,” one of the group members cautiously asked their leader.
The leader glanced around, his demeanor extremely serious. “This is not something we can meddle in.”
“Then, boss… do we even have the right to partake in this spirit spring?”
Bang.
The leader immediately delivered a forceful blow, lamenting his subordinate’s lack of foresight. “Don’t you know who these people are?”
“Who are they?” someone asked timidly.
The leader took a deep breath, his gaze lingering on the figures at the very front. He lowered his voice, “Have you ever heard of the Heavenly Ranking?”
“I know! I know!” the person nodded, their eyes filled with admiration and excitement. “The legends say those on the Heavenly Ranking are all experts at the Spirit Realm.”
“And to be on the Heavenly Ranking, one must be an expert among experts, capable of protecting an entire city!”
“You are correct.”
The leader nodded heavily. “Just like Bai Feng and Ye Nantian from Great Xia, or Ao Guang and Dai Xiaomei, Mo Zi from the Demon Court – they are all Heavenly Ranking experts.”
“Right.” The person nodded, then a hint of confusion appeared. Weren’t they talking about the spirit spring?
Why had the conversation suddenly shifted to the Heavenly Ranking?
And wasn't the Heavenly Ranking common knowledge?
“Perhaps you don’t know.”
As his doubt grew, the leader firmly uttered, “The five people at the very front are the most powerful individuals on the current Heavenly Ranking!”
“They are the Hand of the Gods, Giant Hand; the Demonic Spirit, Karl; the King of Destruction, Magic Elephant; and the number one on the Heavenly Ranking, Nan Ba!”
“Hiss!”
Upon hearing this, the person immediately fell silent, no longer daring to inquire about their eligibility for the spirit spring.
Because they deeply understood the caliber of these individuals.
These were all top-tier experts on the Heavenly Ranking!
It was estimated that only the experts from the Demon Court and Great Xia could truly contend with them.
But honestly, if they were to fight, it was anyone's guess who would emerge victorious.
After all, every single one of these individuals was formidable.
“Now do you understand why we shouldn’t compete?”
“I… I understand.” The person nodded, refraining from further remarks.
Following the leader, their eyes would occasionally steal glances at the figures at the front, as if afraid of being noticed, before quickly lowering their gaze.
Only when their head was down did the ambition in their eyes become apparent.
“If… if I could leave a good impression on them, I suppose on Blue Star, as long as I don’t provoke the Demon Court, I’d be able to walk sideways, wouldn’t I?”
The person muttered to themselves, and soon this thought became uncontrollable.
They felt this was a golden opportunity.
They had to leave a good impression in front of them.
…
Meanwhile.
Soon.
They arrived at their destination.
Deep within the valley, they found a land of ice and snow.
There, a clear spring flowed quietly.
The spring water was lush green, with wisps of ethereal energy rising from it.
Just a single inhale of this energy invigorated the senses and refreshed the soul.
“This must be the spirit spring!”
Seeing it, everyone stopped, stepping forward to examine the spirit spring with curiosity.
“You all move aside, let me have a drink first!”
At this moment, an out-of-place voice rang out.
The expressions of the crowd changed, but upon seeing who had arrived, they dared not say anything further.
They all stepped aside.
Because!
The newcomer was named Demonic Spirit Karl!
And he was among the most powerful figures in their group!
Demonic Spirit Karl and a host of other renowned Heavenly Ranking experts approached the spirit spring.
They observed the spring, but their reaction was not as ecstatic as one might have expected.
After a moment, Demonic Spirit Karl pointed at someone and coldly ordered, “You! Come and drink.”
“Ah!”
Seeing all eyes on him, the person hesitated before walking to the spirit spring, quickly cupping a mouthful and drinking. Then, with a gasp, they exclaimed, “This… this is truly a spirit spring.”
“With just a single sip, I can feel the spiritual energy within my body increase significantly.”
“If I could drink from the spirit spring year-round, my strength would undoubtedly improve further!”
They spoke excitedly, even taking several more gulps.
Seeing this, a sense of longing stirred within the hearts of the onlookers, wishing to have a taste.
“Get lost!”
At that very moment, a colossal hand grabbed the person and violently flung them aside.
Witnessing this scene, everyone fell silent.
For they recognized the owner of the immense hand as the Hand of the Gods, Giant Hand!
With them present, it was absolutely impossible for anyone else to enjoy even a drop of the spirit spring.
“It seems this trip was not in vain,” Giant Hand said with a chuckle to those around him, unfazed by the onlookers’ gazes.
Karl nodded calmly. “With this spirit spring, our strength will undoubtedly advance another level.”
“And our rankings on the Heavenly Ranking will be much higher.”
“Hahahahaha!”
Magic Elephant burst into laughter, pounding his robust chest. “In time, our ambitions may extend beyond the Heavenly Ranking.”
“We might even ascend to the God Ranking!”
Upon hearing this, a flicker of ardor crossed the faces of those present.
The God Ranking!
This was a ranking that surpassed the Heavenly Ranking.
And on the God Ranking!
Currently, there was only one name.
That was Ao Yuan!
To become the second God Ranking expert would be to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ao Yuan!
How could this not excite them?
Everyone on Blue Star had heard of Ao Yuan’s glorious deeds.
And who wouldn’t want to be as renowned as him?
Tap, tap, tap!
However, just as they were lost in such thoughts.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed.
“Who are you?”
“What are you doing here?”
“I advise you to leave immediately, this is not a place you should be!”
Swish—
The moment these words were spoken, everyone snapped back to reality.
Giant Hand, Karl, Magic Elephant, and Nan Ba’s expressions turned frosty, and they turned to look.
They saw two men approaching. One was very burly, appearing to be close to two meters tall.
The other was not as tall, his clothes were somewhat wrinkled and dirty, with residual bloodstains visible, suggesting he had just emerged from a fierce battle.
Before Giant Hand, Karl, Magic Elephant, or even Nan Ba could speak, many of the onlookers, eager to make a good impression, began to furiously rebuke.
“Scram, what are you saying?”
“If you want the spirit spring, you have to come and queue up.”
“Who do you think you are, wanting the spirit spring? You’re making me laugh.”
“Hurry up and get lost! The spirit spring is not something you can touch!”
“If you don’t leave, we’ll deal with you harshly!”
In their eyes, Ao Yuan was merely a nobody from who-knows-where, while Giant Hand, Karl, Magic Elephant, and Nan Ba were renowned Heavenly Ranking experts!
Ao Yuan’s eyes narrowed.
Just as he was about to speak, a powerful aura swept towards them…