Chapter 3: The Heavenly Dao List makes its appearance in the world

"If what it does can make such a huge impression, then when it is, indeed the treasure, it must be of invaluable worth—a treasure beyond any conceived in eternities." Power across the universe cannot remain ignorant of this.

Boom!

One great, resounding bell reverberated across the cosmos, sending shockwaves through all realms. Suddenly, a gigantic golden list appeared in the sky with four characters shining with celestial brilliance: Heavenly Dao Golden List!

'Heavenly Dao Golden List?'

'Can it be that this list is the source of that mysterious vision? Is this list some form of divine artifact that can induce such an extraordinary spectacle?'

Countless people envied.

This was a list that basked in awe-inspiring appearances. Whether one was standing in any corner of the universe or not, it was visible floating high in the heavens!

Powerful cultivators sprang out from every corner of the universe, all with the intent of taking this unprecedented artifact for themselves.

Skies began to tremble, and just as many were prepared to take action, nine huge bodies appeared in the universe. They stood like stellar giants, gazing down upon the crowd, their presence exerting a forceful pressure that left all those around them breathless.

"The Nine Great Emperors!"

A voice called out in shock as many froze in their tracks.

The radiance emanating from these emperors was so intense that it was virtually imprisoning the very heavens. To their subjects, they appeared as small boats in a stormy ocean; with every passing moment, the possibility of the boats surviving the tempest and then fighting for the treasure was rapidly dwindling.

"That golden list must indeed be a treasure; otherwise, how could it draw the attention of these nine supreme beings?"

Many thought so, but they knew they stood no hope in the challenge. Only the Great Emperors would own this treasure.

And at that instant, all Nine Great Emperors moved simultaneously. Their gigantic hands stretched out, blocking the sun, moon, and stars in a stride to take hold of the Heavenly Dao Golden List.

But in the next moment, the list exploded in a mighty energy, shrouded by a thunderous roar which reverberated throughout the heavens, causing all things to shake as if heaven itself was angry. The golden divine lightning, as thick as a mountain, came down and carried along with it ten thousand myriad divine energy.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Booms came one after another, shaking the universe from its root.

To everyone's shock, the hands of the nine Great Emperors disappeared as if they were about to actually reach their list. Their bodies were absorbed into a fine mist of blood that scattered across the stars.

"How is this possible?"

"The Great Emperors are invincible! How could they have been hurt by an object? And all nine at the same time!"

These powerful men, who witnessed the event, became stiff with fear. The emperors themselves withdrew with the understanding that they met their match and that they could not be withstood. They realized that if such a power wished to do so, it could very well put an end to their lives and to their existent world. And what would shock them most is that this power held within it the nature of the supreme "Dao."

"The fosterage of all creatures by the Heavenly Dao: this is bound. Today, the Heavenly Dao Golden List is revealed. Any person whose name appears on this list shall reap Heaven's rewards!"

The voice was divine, as though a god speaking unto heaven, thundering through the heavens and into the hearts of all living.

This was a voice steeped in the Dao, a kind of power impossible to question or deny.

"I see… so it's just a list? Not a treasure after all."

Xian Yue furrowed his brow in Feihua City and said, 'A golden list created by the Heavenly Dao?' His eyes saw through the endless void, and as such, he quickly determined the truth. It was not the work of someone but a presentation of the world's Heavenly Dao.

But what if this incident has something to do with him? For the timing is rather humorous, wouldn't it? Just when he has reached a level of cultivation that is unbeatable, the Heavenly Dao Golden List arrives!

"Interesting… What kind of beings are listed?"

Xiao Chen was not interested in this new development. He had reached an invincible level of cultivation but was highly curious about how those who top the list compared to him.

Just when the Heavenly Dao Golden List made its appearance, the golden clouds that shrouded the entire sky suddenly receded themselves back into the sky like rivers returning to the sea. The former brilliant view disappeared, leaving behind only a magnificent list floating in the heavens, emitting a divine air which would deter anyone from approaching it.

"Today, the Dao shall reveal the top 100 cultivators in the universe."

The message caused shock waves all around the world. Was the Heavenly Dao actually going to reveal the hundred strongest cultivators to exist?

"I have heard that those who enter into the list are to receive heavenly rewards, but what sort of gifts shall the Heavenly Dao bestow?"

"I don't know, but they must be extraordinary if they are from the heavens!"

"What a shame. My cultivation is far too weak to enter the list. This could've been my chance at becoming a legend."

"Heh, with my cultivation in the Saint Realm, I should be able to rank! After all, there aren't many saints in our Star Domain."

At that moment, the voice of the Heavenly Dao resounded once again:

"Ranked 100th on the cultivation list: Supreme Yaoyue, at the pinnacle of the Supreme Realm. The heavenly reward is the essence of the Star Domain."

As the pronouncement dropped, most of them stood dazed by it.

"How is that possible? Really, someone at the pinnacle of the Supreme Realm is ranked a lousy 100th? How many masters are there at this level in the universe?"

The news shook all who heard it. To most farmers, the Supreme Realm or even the lower Saint Realm were the apogee of might within the Star Domain, mighty figures capable of extinguishing all life within the cosmos. And now, a Supreme Realm practitioner was ranked no higher than 100th?

And the person was at the pinnacle of their realm.

And as for the ones who resided in the lower tiers of the Supreme Realm, how would one be graded among them? What about the Saints? Many cultivators witnessed their comprehension of the universe crumble; they could not believe how much energy had been revealed before them.

"Impossible. and even saints like me didn't cut it?"

"This has to be some kind of error. I mean, there are just too many powerhouses in the universe."

But some started to see. "Perhaps this is feasible. The Heavenly Dao Golden List quantifies the entire universe, not just our puny little Star Domain. It could very well be that the Supreme Realm ranks only at 100th."

The universe stretches out immeasurably, with no one knowing how many powerful beings remain hidden within it. Perhaps the Golden List will uncover those who have hid in the shadows for too long.

The Supreme Realm was more a myth to most cultivators. Reaching the Soul Palace Realm was considered an insurmountable feat even in a place like Feihua City, to say nothing of a realm beyond that. Yet, now they realized the true scope of cultivation—the Heavenly Dao Golden List was a platform for the universe's greatest titans.

"The Supreme Realm… What kind of realm is that? Xian Yue, didn't you say you're one of the strongest? Have you ever heard of such a realm?"

Elder Xian Feng asked, awed.

According to sketchy rumors, it was heard that those beyond the Soul Palace Realm weren't in the Supreme Realm.

"Of course I've heard of it—it's a minor level," Xian Wu replied, his tone serious. In reality, there were countless realms separating the so-called Supreme Realm and his own Eternal God Emperor Realm. They simply weren't comparable.