Chapter 148 - 112: Last Place in the Heavenly Ladder

Chapter 148: Chapter 112: Last Place in the Heavenly LadderJi Xinghuo was sweating profusely in the training room when he suddenly stopped, wiped off his sweat, and walked into the living room, where he saw a familiar figure. "Mr. Xinghuo!" Jiangnan Caiyi had just pushed the door open and saw Ji Xinghuo, her face revealing a pleasant surprise, "When did you get back?" "A few days ago," Ji Xinghuo responded with a smile. Without asking, it was clear that Jiangnan Caiyi was here to clean and to take care of Ren Mian’s garden. "Mr. Xinghuo, aren’t you hunting the Beiluo Shimen Clan anymore?" Jiangnan Caiyi asked. Ji Xinghuo was stunned for a moment; he hadn’t told Jiangnan Caiyi that he had been to the Star Realm defense line, which made the question somewhat strange to him, "How did you know I became a bounty hunter?" "Ah?" Jiangnan Caiyi was initially confused by the situation but soon figured it out and laughed, "Oh, Mr. Xinghuo, you didn’t know! The news covered how you and a few friends hunted a Legendary Dagon person. Many people know about it!" "Was it sensational?" Ji Xinghuo genuinely didn’t know. "Not really sensational, but it did reach third on the domestic trending searches that day," Jiangnan Caiyi, also aware that Ji Xinghuo couldn’t conveniently return to Earth, elaborated, "Your friend Jing Ji accepted a few interviews. People focused more on him, although you were mentioned, there wasn’t much said." "That’s good then." Ji Xinghuo nodded with a smile; this was something he had arranged with Jing Ji. Jiangnan Caiyi chuckled lightly, "Also, Mr. Xinghuo, you’ve made it onto the Global Ladder." "I made it onto the ladder so quickly?" Ji Xinghuo was quite surprised. "This was decided by the ADC after their investigation, and they created a Mutant file for you," Jiangnan Caiyi explained, "They believe your participation in killing a Legendary figure and setting the record for monthly points proves that your strength surpasses most super mutants, making you eligible for ranking." "However, because your data is limited and they couldn’t interview you in person, they placed you quite low on the list." Listening, Jiangnan Caiyi’s expression turned a bit odd. "Mr. Xinghuo, want to take a guess where you are ranked on the ladder?" Ji Xinghuo thought for a moment and guessed, "Nine thousand something?" Jiangnan Caiyi shook her head. "Surely not eight thousand something?" Ji Xinghuo felt that with his capabilities, entering the top five hundred or even the top one hundred should be no problem. If ADC truly had insight, they would suspect from snippets of information that his rank shouldn’t be at the lower end of the ladder. Jiangnan Caiyi shook her head again but did not keep him guessing this time, softly saying, "You are ranked number 10,000." "The last one?" Ji Xinghuo was taken aback. The Global Ladder had only ten thousand spots, and he was ranked at the very bottom. Although he was not overly concerned with his rank and did not currently wish to attract too much attention, being the last one seemed somewhat humorous. Sometimes, being in the last place could draw more attention and make one more memorable. It might be better not to be ranked at all. Jing Ji, Yuan Chongzhen, and Alex, all friends Ji Xinghuo knew from before, already had places on the ladder. Jing Ji’s rank was a bit over seven hundred, Alex’s was around a thousand, and Yuan Chongzhen’s was beyond three thousand. Their rankings would definitely rise significantly after they killed the Legendary Dagon person. In comparison, his own rank of 10,000 seemed like a joke. Jiangnan Caiyi also felt it was unfair for him. "People at the ADC Ladder Center just lack vision. Mr. Xinghuo’s rank should at least be in the top three hundred to be considered reasonable." "Did they give any reasons for this rank?" Ji Xinghuo inquired further. For every mutant on the ladder, the ADC would always provide some key comments. Jiangnan Caiyi said, "They think you are just an intermediate Ranger and have been a mutant for less than a year. Despite notable achievements, the lack of information and the need for further observation have led them to place you at the bottom, with a validity of six months." This validity meant that for that period, he would not be pushed out of the ranking. Unless new achievements arose, he would remain at the bottom. "That’s reasonable enough," Ji Xinghuo thought to himself and laughed, "They don’t know much about me. Just knowing I am an intermediate Ranger and still deciding to put me on the ladder is already pretty good." It was rare for intermediate mutants to make it onto the ladder. Those on the ladder were mostly super mutants; high-level mutants were quite scarce, taking up less than one percent, and intermediate mutants numbered only a few. Wanting to put the matter from his mind, Ji Xinghuo asked, "Caiyi, how’s your preparation for advancing to super mutant going?" "I’m a bit short on Star Power, and I’m currently choosing a Star Gland," Jiangnan Caiyi shared her own situation, her enthusiasm slightly dampened. "Keep it up!" Ji Xinghuo encouraged her. The two chatted for a while longer, then Jiangnan Caiyi started to get busy. Ji Xinghuo returned to his cultivation. Having Jiangnan Caiyi around had its advantages, such as having someone to cook, eliminating the necessity of ordering meals from a restaurant. However, Jiangnan Caiyi would only stay for a day before returning to Earth. Ji Xinghuo resumed his solitary cultivation routine, making daily trips to the Extreme Martial Arts Academy for live combat training. His Star Power gradually increased, breaking through 450 points. Continuing at this pace, within less than two Star Realm Months, his Star Power would reach the upper limit of the intermediate level, triggering his third life evolution. By then, his Star Power was expected to be around 500 points. This was already close to the Star Power of typical high-level mutants approaching their fourth evolution, yet Ji Xinghuo himself was not satisfied. Several of his abilities could be upgraded. Take Thousand Spirit Skillful Hand and Ether Affinity for example; both abilities were at the third level and needed just over a thousand points of Spiritual Origin Ability to upgrade to the fourth level. Every life evolution had the potential to trigger an advancement in abilities, integrating them deeper into one’s being—it wasn’t an opportunity to be missed. The higher the ability level, the greater the chance of triggering an advancement. But he was out of Spiritual Origin Ability! After half a month of continuous cultivation, Ji Xinghuo finally became somewhat restless. The slash that had severed his left arm had long healed, leaving no trace of ever being cut, and he felt no aftereffects, so he once again packed his bags and set off for Sword Valley Fortress. Sword Valley Fortress was located to the southeast of Olympia, approximately five hundred kilometers away from both the East Pole Pass as well as Midpoint Fortress and Olympia. Taking an airship, it took just over four hours to reach the Sword Valley Fortress. There were over seventy fortresses or bastions along the Star Realm defense line. Sword Valley Fortress was among the top ten in terms of geographical significance. True to its name, the fortress was built within a narrow canyon spanning several kilometers, flanked by hundreds of meters high vertical cliffs. At its narrowest point, it was less than two hundred meters wide, with the fortress securely nested within, firmly guarding the pass. Indeed, it was as if a single man could hold off ten thousand. The urban scale and garrison of Sword Valley Fortress were far less than those of Midpoint Fortress. Given its advantageous terrain, it didn’t require a large garrison. Ji Xinghuo had previously heard from Yuan Chongzhen that Sword Valley Fortress was only manned by two legendary figures, and the combined military forces from various countries totaled fewer than thirty thousand people. Adding the bounty hunters, civilians, merchants, and various facilities and workers serving the military, the population of Sword Valley Fortress was roughly forty to fifty thousand. Ji Xinghuo walked through the lengthy fortress and checked into an inn. This inn was fully equipped with an archery range, a training room, a martial arts arena, and a swimming pool, among other amenities. It offered a private environment and top-notch service, and naturally, the prices were higher. Ji Xinghuo didn’t mind that. This time at Sword Valley Fortress, he planned to take things at a moderate pace. He would not engage in intensive hunting like last month at Midpoint Fortress to avoid too significant an impact on the enemies of this defense line. He also intended to widen and scatter his hunting range. This approach would ensure sustainability and safety. Once settled, Ji Xinghuo went out to find Yuan Chongzhen, who was at a nearby inn. "Xinghuo!" Yuan Chongzhen exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Ji Xinghuo and suddenly stood up, "I thought you were just talking, but you actually came!" Ji Xinghuo stepped forward and embraced him, smiling, "How could I not be welcomed?" "Of course you are welcomed!" Yuan Chongzhen patted Ji Xinghuo on the shoulder. There were three others with him, all dressed as bounty hunters. He introduced them, "Let me introduce everyone. This is Ji Xinghuo, the formidable ranger I’ve told you about." He then introduced the three to Ji Xinghuo. They were his friends, two men and one woman. They sized up Ji Xinghuo with curiosity. Ji Xinghuo still kept a ranger’s appearance, wearing ceramic steel light armor and carrying a black composite bow on his back. He had a war blade hanging on his left waist, but what was strange was that in addition to the composite bow and quiver, there was also a longsword on his back, sheathed in a thermoplastic scabbard with the hilt protruding over his left shoulder. Rangers needed to be proficient both at a distance and in close quarters. They usually carried melee weapons, but it was rare to see someone like Ji Xinghuo who was equipped with both a sword and a war blade. Yuan Chongzhen had also noticed the longsword on Ji Xinghuo’s back and couldn’t help but marvel internally. Who would have thought that this sword was a superpower three-star weapon worth over a hundred million? Ji Xinghuo took a seat. He chatted with Yuan Chongzhen and the three bounty hunters for a while when one of the bounty hunters suddenly said, "I went back to Earth a few days ago and saw you ranked ten thousandth on the Global Ladder, Brother Yuan at 2407." The atmosphere immediately became somewhat awkward. Although the bounty hunter’s tone was light, as if there was no ill intent, Ji Xinghuo could tell that the other person, also being a ranger, felt somewhat unconvinced by Yuan Chongzhen’s high praise of him. Ji Xinghuo was unconcerned. Whether others believed or not, what did it have to do with him? However, Yuan Chongzhen’s face darkened, "Jun Jie, you doubt Xinghuo’s abilities?" "That’s not what I meant. I’m just curious how an intermediate ranger could be involved in battles with legendary fighters..." He was cut off by Yuan Chongzhen, "Do you think everyone is like you, an advanced ranger who still only dares to hunt one or two isolated enemies? Xinghuo’s daily kills could account for two months of yours. Don’t spout nonsense about things you haven’t seen. There are many more geniuses in this world far more brilliant than you!" "I..." The ranger tried to argue. Yuan Chongzhen, however, lost interest in listening, "Xinghuo made it to the Global Ladder, even if it’s the last rank. When will you get on the Global Ladder and show me?" The ranger’s face turned red, at a loss for words. "Chongzhen, let it go," Ji Xinghuo quickly intervened, "Jun Jie meant no harm. We’re all friends here, just joking around." "Alright, I’ll stop," Yuan Chongzhen immediately nodded, "Let’s drink!" The three bounty hunters could tell. Yuan Chongzhen, who was usually quite decisive, treated Ji Xinghuo very differently compared to others. He seemed to place himself in a lower position. However, Ji Xinghuo himself showed no airs, chatting and laughing with everyone, just like any usual bounty hunter. From time to time, Ji Xinghuo inquired about the defensive line conditions near Sword Valley Fortress. After eating and drinking their fill, Ji Xinghuo declined Yuan Chongzhen’s offer to hunt enemies together when he left. He preferred to act alone at the moment. That same night. Ji Xinghuo went out and returned to Sword Valley Fortress by dawn. That night he collected over twenty trophies, which he handed over to the bounty office and collected the modest rewards and points. He gained over thirty points of Spiritual Origin Ability. Ji Xinghuo invested it all into Ether Affinity, rested for a few hours, and then began a day of cultivation in the training rooms of the inn. Searᴄh the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. By evening, he went out again to hunt enemies and returned at dawn with more trophies. Day after day. Ji Xinghuo never targeted an entire patrol team, generally only killed the Beiluo Shimen Clan’s bounty hunters, and cleared out watchers where there were few in number. This was within the normal casualty range for both sides’ defenses. Sometimes, he would venture far to hunt targets, dispersing the locations of enemy casualties. Thus, he never attracted significant attention from Beiluo Shimen Clan. The daily harvest of Spiritual Origin Ability was very stable, ranging from 30 to 50 points, sometimes more, sometimes less. "Night Moon" passed swiftly, and upon entering "Dying Moon," Ji Xinghuo had upgraded both Ether Affinity and Thousand Spirit Skillful Hand by one level. Neither Ability evolved during the upgrade process. Ether Affinity was (Fourth Level 1/7079), Thousand Spirit Skillful Hand was (Fourth Level 1/4987). His Star Power also increased to over 470 points. Just as Ji Xinghuo was ready to continue harvesting Spiritual Origin Ability to upgrade Golden Scale Iron Spine to the fourth level and then be promoted to an advanced mutant at Sword Valley Fortress, an unexpected event occurred. The largest of the three arrows on the Wanxiang Star Pupil interface suddenly moved noticeably!