Chapter 149: Ranking and Penalties

The border city of Xiangjie City in the Yanfeng Ancient Kingdom was as bustling as ever, with countless cultivators leading their daily lives.

In the underground palace of the Garrison Headquarters, Luo Feng sat cross-legged in the main hall. Fifty billion Black River streams formed a 'Black River World,' suppressing the world entrance. The Primal Bloodline creatures had long since departed.

"The deeper I delve into the essence of the Great Dao of Life, the more vaguely I perceive that countless lives will ultimately face destruction. It turns out... this immense cage governed by the supreme rules will also eventually meet with great destruction." Luo Feng smiled.

Upon learning this secret, Luo Feng remained completely unconcerned.

When he was on Earth, he was still weak. People experienced birth, old age, sickness, and death, and many lived for less than a hundred years.

But what about him?

He had grown all the way to this point, even experiencing the reincarnation of the Primal Universe. As for the destruction of the entire Yuan World, it was unknown how many reincarnation eras away it still was.

"To live until the great destruction of the entire Source World would be something to be proud of. There's nothing to be unwilling about." Luo Feng was long satisfied; he enjoyed every single day of his cultivation.

Cultivation was never about the final moment.

It was about every moment along the cultivation path.

He was comprehending the essence of how the world operated and simultaneously elevating the essence of his own life. This process itself was filled with endless joy.

Time passed. The ruins for the Heaven-tier mission were about to expire.

Luo Feng also left a clone on Blood Spirit Star. This clone carried a full 3 billion Black River streams. Luo Feng was also worried that while he was responsible for suppressing the world entrance, someone might take the opportunity to snatch the Blood Spirit Gold Pearls. Three billion Black River streams were enough to make other Chaos Realm Transcendents give up hope.

Blood Spirit Star indeed saw its third wave of eruptions. During this eruption period, Luo Feng enveloped the Blood Spirit Star with his Black River World. This time, he obtained a total of 53 Blood Spirit Gold Pearls.

At Luo Feng's dwelling in Chudu, Di Chuyu and Luo Feng sat opposite each other. "Brother Luo Feng, today is the last day of the Heaven-tier mission. The rankings are about to be released." At this moment, Di Chuyu was very nervous; after all, the resources from the Heaven-tier mission were extremely important to him.

"Don't rush. You've already put in all the effort you can. No matter how anxious you are, you can't change the ranking." Luo Feng, on the other hand, leisurely drank his wine.

"I am undoubtedly first in this Blood Spirit Gold Pearl mission, and I'm leading by a significant margin." Di Chuyu looked at Luo Feng. "During this third eruption of Blood Spirit Star, other First-Class Marquises wanted to buy those Blood Spirit Gold Pearls, but Brother Luo He, you didn't sell a single one. This time, the First-Class Marquises might hold a grudge."

Luo Feng continued pouring wine and chuckled, "Do you think I care about them?"

Di Chuyu also smiled. He knew his friend's strength. Even among God Kings like Yi Zhongqing in the Origin Continent, Luo Feng was considered extremely powerful.

First-Class Marquises of the Imperial Clan? There are nearly a hundred First-Class Marquises across the thirteen Imperial Clan lineages.

"This Heaven-tier mission had a total of three sub-missions. For my two individual sub-missions, one was third, and the other was fourth," Di Chuyu said. "Brother Luo He, the sub-mission you helped with was absolutely first."

"I wonder what my overall rank will be when all three sub-missions are combined?" Di Chuyu pondered.

"I heard that Chu Yinghou's two sub-missions were both first?" Luo Feng asked.

"Yes." Di Chuyu nodded. "Chu Yinghou didn't rely on any external objects either; he comprehended the Great Dao just like Brother Luo He, and his two sub-missions this time were both impressive. He should be the next God King of our Di Chu Imperial Clan lineage."

Luo Feng nodded. Emperor Qing had once praised Chu Yinghou, showing his comprehension potential.

"Of course, in terms of comprehension potential, he is far inferior to Brother Luo He," Di Chuyu lamented. "Brother Luo He, you created your own secret technique, became a Chaos Realm Transcendent, ranked first, and all forces in the Origin Continent acknowledge that you will become a God King soon."

Chu Yinghou's comprehension potential was considered excellent within the Imperial Clan, but Luo Feng was absolutely first among all Chaos Realm cultivators.

"Becoming a God King isn't that easy." Luo Feng shook his head. He had comprehended three branches of the Great Dao of Life Essence and two branches of the Great Dao of Destruction Essence. Even with the aid of the Primal Spirit Kingdom, he had cultivated some secret techniques, but still hadn't managed to break through.

Time slowly passed.

Not only the Di Chu lineage, but all First-Class Marquises from the thirteen Imperial Clan lineages of the Yanfeng Ancient Kingdom were awaiting the Heaven-tier mission rankings.

At a certain moment, the thirteen Imperial Clan lineages of the Yanfeng Ancient Kingdom jointly announced the Heaven-tier mission rankings.

"It's out! The rankings are out!" Messages spread everywhere.

In Chudu, "The Two Worlds Palace is truly useless." Chu Changhou looked at the final rankings. Among the seven First-Class Marquises of the Di Chu lineage, Chu Changhou ranked fourth. If he could have entered the top three, the resource allocation would have been better. The resources for the fourth rank were indeed significantly reduced.

"For my individual missions, one was fourth, one was fifth, and the Blood Spirit Gold Pearl mission was third." Chu Changhou shook his head. He was originally of average level, which was why the Two Worlds Palace chose him. They were willing to allocate enough resources only because they weren't confident in achieving success on their own.

"Since I didn't make it into the top three, I don't need to share anything with the Two Worlds Palace at all." Chu Changhou secretly snorted. While cursing the Two Worlds Palace for its incompetence, he also felt he had gained something for nothing.

At Luo Feng's dwelling, Di Chuyu and Luo Feng were together, awaiting the final rankings.

"Second!" Di Chuyu was so excited that the wine cup in his hand fell. He looked excitedly at Luo Feng. "I ranked second! I'm a newly promoted First-Class Marquis, and I actually ranked second?"

"Chu Yinghou is first?" Luo Feng asked.

"Yes, he's first, and I'm second!" Di Chuyu was very excited. "Chu Fenghou is third, Chu Changhou is fourth, Chu Jihou is fifth, Chu Linhou is sixth, and Chu Yuanhou is seventh."

Luo Feng nodded. This was also within his expectations.

For Chu Yinghou, both individual missions were first, and the Blood Spirit Gold Pearl mission was second.

For Di Chuyu, his two individual character missions were third and fourth, respectively. The Blood Spirit Gold Pearl mission was definitely first.

For Chu Fenghou, his two individual character missions were second and third. The Blood Spirit Gold Pearl mission, thanks to Yuan Xiu, the Mansion Lord's intervention, was fourth.

These were the top three.

Chu Yuanhou, who ranked last because he cultivated Primal Bloodline, ranked seventh in both individual missions that tested comprehension potential. His Blood Spirit Gold Pearl mission score was zero, still leaving him at the bottom.

In the Yanfeng Ancient Kingdom, Chaos Realm cultivators are generally forbidden from cultivating Primal Bloodline. Even among God Kings at the first tier, very few cultivate Primal Bloodline. One must pass through rigorous trials to be qualified to cultivate it, and the threshold is extremely high. Because the threshold is extremely high and cultivation is very cautious, not a single cultivator of Primal Bloodline in the Yanfeng Ancient Kingdom has ever lost control. This is also a distinction between the two great ancient kingdoms.

The Yanfeng Ancient Kingdom has always maintained vigilance towards Primal Bloodline, cultivating it with great caution. Even the current Emperor, Emperor Fu, who became Emperor through Primal Bloodline, never lost control. Yet, he ultimately chose to reincarnate and abandon that path, re-achieving emperorship through the Primordial Bloodline path without relying on any external forces. The attitude of the higher-ups demonstrates their wariness towards Primal Bloodline.

The Thunder Ancient Kingdom, however, fully embraces Primal Bloodline. Chaos Realm cultivators can begin cultivating it, and God Kings can delve even deeper. Mountain Guest joined the Thunder Ancient Kingdom precisely because the threshold in this regard was very low there.

"Brother Luo He, I'll be heading back now," Di Chuyu said as he stood up. "I'll soon be going to the Di Chu Palace to claim my resources."

"Go ahead," Luo Feng smiled faintly.

Di Chuyu departed immediately.

In a vast world, a figure sat cross-legged on the ground. Vast and diverse formations operated throughout the world, with many of them harmonizing with each other.

"Using the 'Myriad Array Diagram' and the 'Eight Volumes of Primal Space Remnant Arrays' as a foundation, do I wish to advance further?" The figure pondered. Suddenly, a thought was transmitted from afar through causality.

"Emperor Fu." A domineering and unrestrained voice, it belonged to Di Yan, the first Emperor of the Yanfeng Ancient Kingdom.

"Is something the matter, Brother Di Yan?" Emperor Fu asked.

"Guarding the border city of Xiangjie City is a task of my Di Yan lineage. I dispatched Yan Su to guard Xiangjie City, and he has guarded it without any mistakes or omissions until now," Di Yan's voice came through. "But not long ago, Luo He directly attacked the border city, killing all of General Yan Su's clones within the city and even causing a riot among the Primal Bloodline creatures."

"Brother Di Yan, this was originally a task for your Di Yan lineage," Emperor Fu smiled. "I thought you had already discussed it with Di Chu."

"Previously, the entire Imperial Clan was busy with the Heaven-tier mission. Now that the dust has settled, I am addressing this matter," Di Yan said. "I believe attacking the border city of Xiangjie must be severely punished. After all, it suppresses a world entrance, and that world... was personally opened by the Ancestor; it is the Ancestor's painstaking effort."

"I know, and he should be severely punished," Emperor Fu said.

"Luo He has many clones, so ordinary punishments are negligible to him and won't serve as a deterrent," Di Yan said. "I think it would be more suitable to have him guard the 'Molten Ancient Demon'."

Emperor Fu frowned.

The Molten Ancient Demon was an extremely powerful ancient demon among the God King-level Primal Bloodline creatures cultivated by the Yanfeng Ancestor. Its strength rivaled that of the Emperors, which was why it was separately confined. This Molten Ancient Demon, in terms of Primal Bloodline alone, was more powerful than the Emperors, and possessed extreme corruptive properties.

"With Luo He's strength, guarding the Molten Ancient Demon makes him susceptible to corruption," Emperor Fu said.

"The place where it's confined is still very safe," Di Yan said.

"Brother Di Yan, I won't hide it from you; Di Chu spoke to me about this half an epoch ago." Emperor Fu said, "He said that his personal disciple, Luo He, made a mistake, and he acknowledges it. His punishment must be in accordance with the laws of the Yanfeng Ancient Kingdom. If it goes beyond the scope of the laws, he will resist the punishment, and might even report the matter to the Ancestor!"

"Resist punishment?" Di Yan was somewhat astonished.

Emperors have the right to resist punishment. Some decisions made by the reigning Emperor, if they are too excessive, other Emperors can choose to resist the punishment, or even report it to the Ancestor.

"To resist punishment and report to the Ancestor over such a small matter, this Di Chu has always had such a reckless temperament." Di Yan was quite annoyed.

Di Chu did not cultivate Primal Bloodline. From childhood, he was strong and domineering, extremely protective of his own, and disregarded the bigger picture, always ready to cause a major disturbance. It was also because of this that Di Chu's cultivation of the Great Dao of Destruction Essence was quite smooth.

"Di Chu has a very valid point. Regardless, it must be within the scope of the law," Emperor Fu said. "Otherwise, if he truly resists the punishment and it reaches the Ancestor, none of us will look good."

"Then tell me, how should he be punished?" Di Yan was quite helpless. What could he do when faced with someone who would flip the table at the slightest disagreement, and even threaten to resist punishment?

"Xiangjie City currently has no garrison general, so Luo He shall be punished by guarding it," Emperor Fu said. "Let him guard it for 1,000 epochs, and without any merit." Guarding a border region was originally a difficult task, and typically, the mission merits were high. As a punishment, naturally, the merits were nullified.

"Make it 10,000 epochs," Di Yan said.

"Very well, then 10,000 epochs," Emperor Fu assented.

At Di Chu Palace in Chudu, Luo Feng came to see his master.

"Your judgment has been decided: guarding Xiangjie City for 10,000 epochs," Di Chu said, looking at Luo Feng. "Although the punishment is a bit heavy, it's still within the scope of the law, a normal punishment."

Luo Feng nodded. "Thank you, Master."

As long as it was within the normal range of punishment, Luo Feng wasn't worried.

"No need to thank me," Di Chu said. "If you weren't my disciple, Di Yan wouldn't have targeted you. So, this is my responsibility. If I can't even protect my own disciple, wouldn't that be a joke?"

"This is the formation symbol for Xiangjie World's entrance formation." Di Chu waved his hand, and a golden formation symbol flew towards Luo Feng. Luo Feng took the golden formation symbol. From it, he received two major pieces of information: the method to control the symbol's creation and the method to control the entire Xiangjie City's formation. With clear instructions, Luo Feng's realm naturally allowed him to master it with ease.

"With your strength, guarding Xiangjie City with the aid of the formation will naturally be easy," Di Chu said. "The only issue is that you must guard it for 10,000 epochs. This was personally decreed by Emperor Fu, and even if you become a God King, he cannot shorten the term."

"This disciple has many clones, so I don't mind," Luo Feng said.

Di Chu was satisfied and nodded, "Go then."

Luo Feng respectfully departed immediately.

Luo Feng was punished with guarding Xiangjie City for 10,000 epochs. This news spread quickly among the higher echelons of the Yanfeng Ancient Kingdom. Many First-Class Marquises of the Imperial Clan soon learned of it.

"Brother Luo He." Di Chuyu felt quite apologetic. He had just claimed his Heaven-tier mission resources from the Di Chu Palace and immediately came to visit.

"It's all because of my Blood Spirit Gold Pearl mission that Brother Luo He developed an enmity with Yan Su. Now, he's even been punished to guard Xiangjie City for 10,000 epochs." Di Chuyu looked at Luo Feng. Brother Luo He hadn't received any benefits from him for this Blood Spirit Gold Pearl mission, but instead was heavily punished, so Di Chuyu naturally felt immense regret.

Luo Feng shook his head. "No need to worry. It was I who couldn't stand the provocation and took the initiative to go to Xiangjie City, destroying several of Yan Su's clones and seizing his God King weapon. Only then did I vent my anger."

"No matter what, these matters are all because of me." Di Chuyu turned his hand and took out a golden bottle. "This is a bottle of Refreshing Spiritual Liquid I obtained when claiming the Heaven-tier mission resources. It's beneficial for comprehending the Great Dao and strengthening one's spiritual will." This bottle of Refreshing Spiritual Liquid was the most valuable among the resources he obtained, worth nearly half of his total gains from this mission. Di Chuyu felt that without Luo Feng's help, he might not even have ranked third. Giving his most precious resource to his friend was only right.

"Beneficial for the Great Dao and spiritual will?" Luo Feng did not refuse, taking it directly. "Thanks."

"I should be thanking Brother Luo He," Di Chuyu chuckled. "This time, the top-ranked person in the Heaven-tier mission gets the most resources. I ranked second, and my resources are half of Chu Yinghou's. The third-ranked only gets 30% of mine, and the four after that get progressively less." That's how it is with the Imperial Clan of the Yanfeng Ancient Kingdom: the more outstanding one is, the more heavily one is cultivated.

"I'll head back now. Ranking second means I'll be much busier," Di Chuyu said.

Luo Feng nodded, watching him leave. Then he looked at the bottle of 'Refreshing Spiritual Liquid' in his hand. This was a treasure not recorded in the inherited scriptures, likely reserved only for the high-ranking members of the Imperial Clan. In fact, even Di Chuyu only obtained this bottle through the Heaven-tier mission.

"Brother Chuyu, there's still a long road ahead," Luo Feng murmured softly.

"Guard Xiangjie City for 10,000 epochs, and even becoming a God King won't shorten the punishment period?" Luo Feng didn't mind in the slightest. He made a mistake, so he accepted the punishment.