Chapter 1083: Chapter 731: Earth Ranking No. 1_2
The three Inquiry Dao Realm experts all looked serious, seemingly waiting for someone.
"I hope you three are well."
A figure emerged from the hall of the Dao Palace, speaking indifferently.
That person was none other than the Dao Envoy, Ge Hengzi, who had snatched the Dao Stone from the crane race!
"We greet the Dao Envoy!"
The three experts from the Sound Dao Race could not help but bow with hands clasped.
Although Qian Yinqiu was ranked first on the Earth Ranking, he dared not exhibit the slightest hint of arrogance in front of the Dao Palace’s protector, showing a rare trace of respect amidst his proud demeanor.
Ge Hengzi surveyed the three men, nodding slightly.
He was originally tasked with investigating the foundation of the Broken Dao Race, but to his surprise, several months had passed without uncovering even a single hair, while the mysterious veil over the Broken Dao Race grew ever thicker.
Currently on the Earth Ranking, a quarter of the slots were occupied by the Broken Dao Race!
The Dao Palace had already exerted pressure, and if Ge Hengzi could not unearth the origins of the Broken Dao Race, he would likely face extremely severe punishment!
Hence, Ge Hengzi had no choice but to summon Qian Yinqiu.
"I believe you understand the reason I am seeking you?" Ge Hengzi inquired.
Qian Yinqiu pondered for a moment, then asked, "Does the Honorable Dao Envoy think a genius from the Broken Dao Race might come to challenge me?"
"It is not a matter of might, but certainty!" Ge Hengzi stated simply.
Qian Yinqiu immediately fell silent.
Behind him, Qianyin Wuchang and Qianyin Yazhu exchanged a glance, their expressions extremely grave.
Being ranked first on the Earth Ranking carried substantial pressure; at such a level, countless experts eyed his position, scheming on how to defeat and replace him.
However, his abilities remained formidable to this day, with few of the same realm able to counter his Heavenly Dao abilities.
Yet now, the emerging force of the Broken Dao Race seemed to be coming directly at him!
For currently, ranks two through ten on the Earth Ranking were all occupied by geniuses of the Broken Dao Race!
Nine members of the Broken Dao Race surrounded him, eyeing him like a tiger, making his position as number one feel like sitting on pins and needles!
Now, many within the Edge Corner Airspace eagerly anticipated this event, wanting to know if a genius from the Broken Dao Race would challenge the so-called "unbeaten of the Earth Ranking," Qian Yinqiu, this time!
Qianyin Wuchang and Qianyin Yazhu, for the sake of their race’s reputation, naturally had to do everything in their power to protect their successor from losing the ranking.
Ge Hengzi pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly, "Our Dao Palace hopes that all geniuses on the Heaven and Earth Ranking can abide by the rules of the Dao Palace. Those who do not adhere to the rules do not deserve to remain on the Heaven and Earth Ranking!"
Qianyin Wuchang immediately understood, saying, "Honorable Dao Envoy, our Sound Dao Race has always been loyal to the Dao Palace, never daring to show the slightest disrespect, and we ask the Honorable Dao Envoy to be discerning."
He discreetly handed a stone to Ge Hengzi, saying, "We heard that the Honorable Dao Envoy is very interested in Dao Stones, so we specifically collected this Dao Stone for you to enjoy!"
The character "Heaven" was inscribed on this Dao Stone!
Ge Hengzi’s eyes lit up!
A Dao Stone!
The last time he forcibly took a "Not" Dao Stone from the crane race, it had greatly benefited him, and he had been searching for other Dao Stones ever since. Recently, a Dao Stone had appeared again in the Edge Corner Airspace, and he had not yet had the chance to look for it. Unexpectedly, Qianyin Wuchang showed great consideration.
He carefully scrutinized this "Heaven" Dao Stone, more astonished in his heart!
The Dao intent contained in this "Heaven" character had reached an unprecedented level. Everyone cultivates the Heavenly Dao, yet the person who inscribed this "Heaven" character seemed to have issued a challenge to the heavens, filled with lofty aspirations, daring to compare strength with heaven itself!
This Dao Stone, complemented by the "Not" Dao intention, elevated the Dao intent to a whole new height!
Inside, Ge Hengzi was swept away by emotions. He originally thought the owner of the Dao Stone was, at most, an expert of the Ascension Realm, but now it seems this must be a Dao intent comprehensible only by someone at the Ancestral Dao Realm!
The fact that he could obtain a treasure of the Ancestral Dao Realm indicated that a breakthrough in cultivation was imminent!
Ge Hengzi suppressed his inner excitement, accepting the Dao Stone without a trace, and smiled faintly:
"Ordinarily, as a Dao Envoy, I am not allowed to intervene in battles of the Heaven and Earth Ranking, but this time is an exception. The Broken Dao Race is an ancient race, never reporting to the Dao Palace, operating outside the Dao Palace’s rules. We must investigate thoroughly! If he uses improper means to achieve first place, it is completely unacceptable, and I will not allow him to attain first place."
Joy appeared on the faces of Qianyin Wuchang and Qianyin Yazhu.
They knew that with Ge Hengzi’s words, it meant that Ge Hengzi was willing to help their Sound Dao Race, and then Qian Yinqiu would definitely secure first place!
The so-called fair and just Heaven and Earth Ranking, the capable ones reside in it. However, fairness is often built upon rules, and rules can be manipulated at any time!
"What does the Honorable Dao Envoy intend to do about the Broken Dao Race?" Qian Yinqiu asked.
"Wait and see." Ge Hengzi replied.
——
Qian Yinqiu’s ranking defense day had not yet arrived, but the Broken Dao Race recently didn’t care whether you were guarding your rank; even if you were sleeping, they could drag you out of bed, beat you, and take your Dao Palace mark.
They don’t follow common paths, appearing and disappearing unpredictably, which means it’s really hard to catch someone from the Broken Dao Race.
Ge Hengzi had figured this out, which was why he planned to wait and see!
He knew it was highly likely that the Broken Dao Race would challenge Qian Yinqiu, so as long as Qian Yinqiu showed up alone, he and other experts could set a trap and wait in secret for a genius from the Broken Dao Race to appear!
In the void, Qian Yinqiu was sitting cross-legged, cultivating on the breath soil.
His hair moved in wave-like motions without any wind, resonating with profound musical sounds.
This place was far from the city, completely desolate. When Qian Yinqiu first appeared in Xi Sui City, it caused an uproar. Being first on the Earth Ranking, he was thought of and admired by countless people. His appearance this time caused a great commotion.
However, he only caused a commotion. He stayed in Xi Sui City for seven whole days, giving the Broken Dao Race time to arrive, and only then did he leave Xi Sui City in grand fashion and stopped here.
They knew very well that if a trap was set in the city, the opponent would likely not appear, so only in the seemingly undisturbed void was the likelihood of appearance the greatest!
"Honorable Dao Envoy, won’t this be detected?"
A mile away from Qian Yinqiu, Qianyin Wuchang spoke up.
The three of them had concealed their figures, guarding Qian Yinqiu, and even so, Qianyin Wuchang was still not very assured in his heart.
"I set up the Dao Palace Endless Dead-end Formation around Qian Yinqiu, do you think you could enter this formation and leave safely?" Ge Hengzi asked calmly.
Qianyin Wuchang had late-stage Inquiry Dao strength, exceeding the ranking age limit, but as Qian Yinqiu’s elder, his strength was still very powerful.
Calculating carefully, Qianyin Wuchang felt the power of the Endless Dead-end Formation, then shook his head: "Indeed not."
"The Endless Dead-end Formation is enough to trap experts in the ascension realm, let alone you, no one could leave!" Ge Hengzi said confidently.
Qianyin Wuchang and Qianyin Yazhu heard this and completely set their minds at ease, focusing their attention on Qian Yinqiu, waiting for the Broken Dao Race genius to come and challenge!
They waited for seven days!
In the void, the melodious music emitted from Qian Yinqiu’s hair continued to echo like celestial music.
"It’s been seven days, why haven’t they come? Could it be that the Broken Dao Race gave up challenging Qiu’er?" Qianyin Wuchang found it odd.
The previous commotion in Xi Sui City should have stirred things up. If the Broken Dao Race wanted to claim first, logically they wouldn’t pass up this opportunity. Why, after seven days, is there still no sign from the Broken Dao Race?
"Don’t worry, it will definitely come, just seven days."
Ge Hengzi had time to wait.
But just then, he suddenly sensed something, waved his hand, and the Dao envoy order appeared in his hand, then he suddenly paused!
"What is it?" Qianyin Yazhu saw Ge Hengzi’s change and quickly asked.
"This is impossible!"
Ge Hengzi was utterly shocked!
At this moment, Qianyin Yazhu also saw the new line that appeared on the Dao envoy order.
Earth Ranking first place: Broken Dao Race, Broken Thing!
"How did the first place on the Earth Ranking change hands? But Qian Yinqiu is obviously still there..."
Ge Hengzi looked at Qian Yinqiu, who was sitting cross-legged in the void, everything seemed normal, but his expression changed, and he rushed over!
Buzz!
They broke through a veil, and the sight before them seemed to shatter, making the three of them extremely shocked!
Unbeknownst to them, Qian Yinqiu had long been lying in the void, his life or death unknown!