649 The World-renowned Qingzhou Alliance âWait,â Prince Qing Cang interrupted the shadowy figureâs suggestion. Right now, he needed to focus his resources wisely. Why dispatch elites based on one name? To him, a future king title might just be chance.
He returned his attention to the Great You Prodigy Roll.
At 49th was Wang Gang of the Qingzhou Alliance. Recognized as a future king with five patterns affecting his internal organs, he wielded an ancient golden bell spirit item. This bell not only protected him but its chimes could ward off evil and domain powers. Remarkably, he evaded death even when chased by a king.
Again, the Qingzhou Alliance? Prince Qing Cang was intrigued.
He flipped to 48th. It was Xiong Yujie, also from the Qingzhou Alliance. Another future kingâŠ
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Elsewhere, in the Northern Barren State, Qiongqi clanâs castle, the appearance of a third name from the Qingzhou Alliance caused an uproar. The elders exclaimed in surprise and annoyance.
One proposed, âCould the Qingzhou Alliance have fabricated the prodigy roll to gain prominence?â
Voices of doubt about the listâs authenticity rose, but the underlying sentiment was clear: the six royal clans were unbeatable. Theyâd held sway for millennia.
The Qiongqi clan leader, with a gesture, quieted everyone. âWe must investigate. Such a covert and promising group might spell trouble for us if left unchecked.â As he perused further, the listings returned to the familiar names from the six royal clans, which brought some relief.
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Meanwhile, at the True Path Sectâs camp, elders discussed the rankings.
âThis list, whether true or fabricated, shows the six royal clansâ exploitation to maintain dominance,â an old sage stated. âOut of the vast Great You, excluding the enigmatic Qingzhou Alliance, only nine humans made the list.â
A collective sigh filled the air. They recognized their own complacency, having retreated and endured the royal clansâ provocations for far too long.
In the face of their current situation, the elders of the True Path Sect realized they had waited too long. Over the silent years, their power, alongside the strength of the human race, had dwindled almost to the point of no return.
âWe were mistaken,â they confessed, their voices heavy with regret.
The elders knew that without a certain individualâs intervention, they might have eventually succumbed to the dominance of the six royal clans. They couldâve become mere pawns, or worse, livestock.
âNow, itâs the time for the younger generation. We should step back,â they decided unanimously.
When they thought of Zhang Youji, the young Dao Child previously deemed worthless, laughter erupted among them.
âHis combination of concealment and superior lightning technique is unparalleled,â one remarked.
Another added, âHis skill rivals even our sect masterâs.â
The sage-like leader, standing aside, smiled in agreement. But as he continued reading the list, his expression shifted. âYun Qi from the Qingzhou Alliance, 42nd,â he read aloud. Another future king, with over 100,000 followers, his commands were as powerful as a rulerâs decree.
Another one? The group was flabbergasted. âHow big is this Qingzhou Alliance?â
The sect master spoke urgently, âSend a message to She Wanshan or better yet, Xiang Mingfeng. Theyâre from the same sect. I suspect Xiang Mingfeng is with the Qingzhou Alliance.â
The elders were in awe. While only nine from their sect made the list, the mysterious Qingzhou Alliance had already claimed four or possibly five spots. They speculated that Xiang Mingfeng, a target of both the three sects and the six clans, might be among the top 20.
âForget it. Thereâs no need to investigate,â the sect master finally declared. âOnce this list circulates, the Qingzhou Allianceâs truths will emerge.â
Everyone, their eyes glued to the Great You Prodigy Roll, was keen to see how many more from the Qingzhou Alliance would be named.
And it wasnât just the True Path Sect. The two other sects, the six revered royal clans, every force in the Great You territory, and every warrior familiar with the prodigy roll eagerly awaited the rankings.
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In the imperial palace, the young emperor browsed through the prodigy roll handed to him.
At 37th, another member of the Qingzhou Alliance was named: âXu Tong, a future king known as Black Water River WarriorâŠâ
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30th
From the Qingzhou Alliance: Hua Yanli.
Future King and known as the Venerable Heavenly Flame, he wields a unique four-colored flame that can consume anything. Once, he even burned a king, emerging unharmed.
Throughout the Great You, many were particularly intrigued by mentions of the Qingzhou Alliance in the Great You Prodigy Roll.
âFrom the 30th rank, these prodigies can even challenge king-tier powers!â they remarked in awe, glossing over mentions of the six royal clans.
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21st
From the Qingzhou Alliance: Le Jiâan.
Heâs believed to have absorbed an ancient beast, the Ox Ghost, as a guardian spirit item. In a past encounter, he battled a phoenix clan king and extinguished the latterâs phoenix fire. âŠ
20th
Another from the Qingzhou Alliance.
A future king with one of the finest physiques below king-level. The eight royal clans couldnât rival him in terms of vitality and stature. It was unique for one person to exhibit such dual prowess.
The murmurs grew louder. âThere are as many from the Qingzhou Alliance as from the combined three sects!â
As the names continued, Xiang Mingfengâs was revealed in 11th place, also from the Qingzhou Alliance. Yet, even with the praises surrounding them, Xiang Mingfeng and his companions remained humble. They recognized they had further heights to achieve.
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In the spirit worldâs third level, specters of the patriarchs from the six royal clans slowly appeared. Despite their fleeting appearances, their powerful presence was palpable.
âCould Xiang Mingfeng be the Qingzhou Allianceâs leader?â asked the phoenix clanâs patriarch.
The white tiger clan leader pondered, âGiven the three sects are fighting for him, it seems plausible.â
Regardless of their suspicions, they agreed on one thing: The Qingzhou Alliance now posed a significant threat, potentially surpassing even the three sects.
However, the Nine Supremes clanâs patriarch steered their attention to the 10th rank.
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10th
Representing the Qingzhou Alliance: Qin Huai.
The allianceâs leader, dubbed the East Qingzhou King and heir to the Qingzhou Emperor. He might have connections to the Sacred Heart Sect.
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In a secluded realm, Qin Huai saw his description and chuckled. âSuch a crude attempt.â
His gaze turned westward, towards the Sacred Heart Sectâs center. Of all the powers, only they seemed to know so much about Qingzhou.