The heavens and the myriad worlds were abuzz with excitement.
Since the rankings of the heavens and realms were released, people from all major worlds had done little else but watch the list daily, focused intently on each update.
This wasn't mere entertainment. Many powerful beings realized that observing the cultivation methods and battle strategies from other worlds offered valuable insights that could elevate their own paths.
Some experts, while watching the images displayed in the rankings, experienced sudden breakthroughs. Enlightenment came like lightning, shattering bottlenecks and pushing them into new realms of power.
As a result, the attention given to the heavens' ranking far surpassed anything else. It had become the most important event across all realms.
Meanwhile, in the Earth World…
A deathly silence fell.
Every human on Earth stood frozen, mouths agape, staring in disbelief at the heavens' ranking list. Their hearts were filled with dread.
All the pride they once held about science, culture, or civilization evaporated as images from other worlds played before them—crushing their arrogance into dust.
"Gr... Grandma, is this... real?" Shen Shaojie's voice trembled. Cold sweat drenched his back, and his body shook uncontrollably.
The scenes on the list terrified him.
A technological civilization, similar to Earth's, had reached such an advanced stage that it launched a two-way foil—compressing and folding an entire star system into a flat, two-dimensional field. A direct dimensionality reduction strike.
Even more terrifying were the worlds that defied common sense, where human-like beings challenged the sky itself.
In one image, a robed cultivator reached out with a hand and crushed an Earth-sized planet into dust with a simple gesture.
It was unbelievable. It shattered every Earthling's view of reality.
No one had imagined technology could reach such terrifying heights.
And even less did they believe that sheer human power could distort reality, crush stars, or fight across universes.
If Earth ever encountered such beings…
The consequences were simply unthinkable.
Shen Qingqing, though equally stunned, remained composed. She slowly said, "Xiaojie, I told you before. There are greater worlds beyond our own. There are always higher skies and stronger people. Our Earth has just started its journey, so never be arrogant."
Shen Shaojie nodded, swallowing hard.
He hesitated before asking, "Grandma, just how powerful is our Shen family's great-grandfather?"
He no longer doubted Shen Lian's existence.
Compared to beings who shattered stars and warped dimensions, even changing worlds or extending life spans seemed trivial.
"This..." Shen Qingqing paused.
She didn't know Shen Lian's true limits. But she remembered what Xuanba once said: "He once fought against all races of the starry sky, and was honored across the Nine Heavens and Ten Regions."
And since that battle, the golden giants who once invaded Earth never returned.
With confidence, she nodded and said, "Honestly, I don't know exactly how powerful he is. But I'm certain—he's definitely not weaker than those terrifying beings you just saw."
Shen Shaojie's jaw dropped again, eyes wide in disbelief.
So... their ancestor from the Shen family... was really that terrifying?
Shen Qingqing smiled and said, "Alright, let's keep watching. Maybe we'll even see your great-grandfather on this list."
"Okay!" Shen Shaojie nodded rapidly, his eyes glued to the ranking list without even blinking.
---
The rankings of the heavens and realms are updated!
A total of one hundred worlds are listed! The names are not ranked in order of strength!
Now announcing the world ranked 20th in the heavens—
The Fighting Continent!
As the celestial voice echoed, the heavens and myriad worlds erupted into chaos again.
"Fighting Continent? Isn't that just a continent?"
"Battle energy? What even is that?"
"Doesn't sound very strong at all!"
Countless cultivators and civilizations turned their attention to the ancient golden list, where images slowly began to emerge.
A rain of fire descended from the sky, capable of incinerating all things.
Ten thousand races fought for supremacy, and countless strong individuals rose like stars.
At the beginning were innate beings, birthed from the origin of the laws, who comprehended the Dao and ignited heaven and earth with their power. One such being named himself the Flame Emperor.
The Flame Emperor, upon taking form, was revered as the Great Emperor of Gutuo by all tribes, commanding the firmament.
Then came the Phantom Flame that devoured all creation, sweeping across Minor Worlds, bringing apocalyptic destruction.
The Dark Heavenly Emperor, patriarch of the Soul Refining Clan, ascended as a Dou Emperor—wielding authority over all directions, and none dared to resist.
The three great elders of the Pill Sect guarded their holy land, unleashing alchemical flames that drowned the stars, refining heaven-shaking pills that awakened even the law's consciousness.
"Okay... the Fighting Continent is impressive," one voice said, "but does it really deserve the 20th spot?"
"Agreed. A mere Dou Emperor just flies through the sky. That doesn't seem that amazing."
"If this makes the top 20, I can't accept that Frieza isn't there!"
"My Trisolaris world is definitely more terrifying. I won't accept this!"
Across the heavens, debates erupted.
Atop the peak of Da Luo Divine Mountain…
"Yes! It's my world!"
A cluster of flames shaped like a person, Illusory Godfire, let out an excited cry, its eyes burning as it stared at the screen.
He too wanted to see what had become of the Fighting Continent after his departure.
No matter what others said, the images on the ranking list continued to roll…