Falling in Love with a 500-year-old female elder - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Arranging the Heavenly Pride List! The seven blessings inn that exploded!

“Available,” Ning Chuan declared in response to the uproar.

Boom!

An explosion of commotion engulfed the entire Seven Blessings Inn.

“Mr. Ning really going to compile the Heavenly Pride List?”

“Once the list is out, the world will surely be thrown into chaos with all the debates and criticisms!”

“Mr. Ning truly deserves the title of the foremost individual in the Nine Mysterious Realms!”

“It’s going to be a spectacle! This time it’s truly going to be a spectacle!”

“Mr. Ning’s announcement of the Heavenly Pride List will make Heavenly Prides want to be listed. Those who don’t make the list won’t give up so easily!”

The inn was in turmoil as countless listeners shared their opinions and excitement.

The recorders dispatched by major booksellers to document Ning Chuan’s stories and news were particularly thrilled. They didn’t need to think twice to know that the forthcoming list would shake the entire Nine Mysterious Realm, causing a significant sensation. Lin’an City would undoubtedly become the epicenter of attention. Gathering together all the talents and contenders, it would spark a major upheaval.

On the other hand, beneath the high platform:

“Mr. Ning… actually agreed?”

Princess Huai Zhu’s mouth hung open in disbelief. She hadn’t anticipated Ning Chuan’s audacity in compiling a list of the most outstanding individuals.

It dawned on her that this decision could lead to dire consequences. After all, Heavenly Prides were inherently proud and confident individuals; they wouldn’t accept ranking lower than their own estimation.

However, Princess Huai Zhu quickly composed herself, took a deep breath, and clenched her fists, saying, “When the list is compiled, my elder brother is bound to be at the top!”

Her maid, Rouge, nodded in agreement, adding, “His Royal Highness Yan Ling, the Crown Prince, possesses unparalleled talent and a dragon aura. He’ll surely secure the highest rank on this Heavenly Pride List!”

…

“I think I might have stirred up quite a problem…”

Yan Qingfei, who had requested his own rank from Ning Chuan earlier, touched his nose sheepishly. He realized his impulsiveness in desiring Ning Chuan to include him in the list. As he reconsidered, he began to worry about the potential aftermath. Should Heavenly Prides not make the list, or if they were discontent with their rankings, they might confront Ning Chuan in person. In case that happened, he didn’t want to shirk responsibility and leave Ning Chuan to deal with the mess.

“No, I initiated this matter, and I should bear the consequences,” Yan Qingfei resolved.

Once the list was out, he decided he would stay in the Seven Blessings Inn. If anyone dared to trouble Ning Chuan, they would first have to go through him. For extra precaution, he would invite Jianzi along.

…

Among the crowd, Nan Yuexi appeared composed and unconcerned. She didn’t worry about Ning Chuan’s situation at all. She believed that, given Ning Chuan’s identity as the Heavenly Pride Master, there was no need to fear any of the younger generation’s challenges.

Even if Ning Chuan’s cultivation was still in a state of recuperation, it didn’t matter. Nan Yuexi had confidence that she, as a Saint-in-Waiting, could easily suppress any unruly elements within the inn.

Moreover, Taoist Seven Blessings was on the brink of breaking through to the Saint realm. Once he achieved that, he would become a true dragon among men, dissuading anyone from acting recklessly.

Thus, Nan Yuexi wasn’t worried; she was filled with anticipation.

…

On the high platform, Ning Chuan remained composed. He understood the consequences that would unfold upon releasing the Heavenly Pride List to the world.

But did it truly matter?

Last time, he was already on the brink of entering the Royal Realm. This time, with over 10,000 storytelling points, triple the amount from before, he would surely acquire even more points after completing the Heavenly Pride List.

Once that happened, he believed that even if he didn’t intend to, he would find himself ascending to the Royal Realm.

When Ning Chuan reached that realm, his Supreme Bone and Dual Pupil, coupled with his Mythical Beast Treasure Art and the Celestial Tribulation Light, would likely render him invincible even among the kings.

If, by any chance, he remained vulnerable within the Royal Realm, he felt it would be best to simply find a piece of tofu and put an end to himself.

With these thoughts in mind, Ning Chuan refocused his attention on the audience. He acknowledged their eager anticipation, took a sip of tea, and then smiled faintly, saying, “No need for many words. Let’s proceed with the list.”

“This list encompasses the top ten talents in the Nine Mysterious Realms under the age of 30. The rankings are based on their Heavenly Pride status. We begin with the tenth rank.”

“Ranked tenth on the Heavenly Pride List is…”

“The Abandoned Son of the Iron Family, the One-Armed Beggar… Iron Mountain!”

As the announcement was made, the audience responded with a mixture of emotions. While Iron Mountain didn’t provoke much reaction, his hands trembled, causing his wine bowl to crash to the floor.

His gaze shot toward Ning Chuan with incredulity. How could this person possibly know his ties to the Iron family?

Iron Mountain felt as if he were in a daze, unsure how to process this revelation.

The audience began discussing the matter fervently:

“The Iron Family? Which one?”

“I recall, it’s the Iron family from Yan State, renowned for cultivating their bodies.”

“I heard each member of the Iron family is born with immense physical prowess. They dedicate their lives to training their muscles and bones, following a path of physical cultivation.”

“The most distinguished youth from the Iron family is Tie Wei. Could Iron Mountain be a member too? I’ve never heard of him.”

“Iron Mountain… the name sounds familiar, wasn’t he a follower of Jiang Changfeng?”

“No way! Can one of Jiang Changfeng’s followers really make the top ten? I can’t accept this!”

Listeners in the crowd exchanged puzzled glances. They expected the tenth-ranking Heavenly Pride to be relatively well-known, or at least have some recognition in the martial world. The name “Iron Mountain” held no such familiarity.

“Mr. Ning, on what basis did you rank Iron Mountain at the tenth spot?”

“Indeed, Mr. Ning, do you have any evidence to support this ranking?”

“Absolutely! The Heavenly Pride List is a serious matter. If Iron Mountain is ranked tenth, he should have some remarkable deeds to justify it.”

Listeners new to the scene began questioning Ning Chuan’s decision.

“Following?”

Upon hearing this, Ning Chuan chuckled and responded calmly, “Since you’re so eager for proof…”

“Very well then, I shall provide evidence.”