Urban God-level Youth

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

The battle from that night had spread throughout Tiandi City, being widely discussed.

The first focus was the assassination attempt on the princess of the Heavenly Phoenix Dynasty, a major topic of discussion.

The second point that intrigued everyone even more was Qin Hao's feat of single-handedly killing four Heavenly Human Realm Peak experts.

For a Late Stage Grandmaster Realm cultivator to kill four Heavenly Human Realm Peak experts was a feat beyond imagination.

Even some young prodigies had to acknowledge Qin Hao's power.

It was terrifying; they had never heard of Qin Hao before.

But after this battle, Qin Hao's reputation soared, ranking as the thousandth on the Southern Continent's Earth Rankings.

...

Suddenly, a powerful aura burst out from the tower where Qin Hao resided, but it quickly vanished as if it had never appeared.

At this moment, Qin Hao opened his eyes in the bath, having completely absorbed the medicinal power.

He remained in the same position with Xian Yin.

Xian Yin opened her eyes, looking at him in shock, "Mr. Qin, did you have a breakthrough?"

Qin Hao smiled and said, "Not exactly a breakthrough, just reached the Peak of Late Stage Grandmaster Realm."

"Mr. Qin, your breakthrough speed is so fast, is this the legendary 'shatter before establishment'?" Xian Yin was still at the Mid-stage Grandmaster Realm.

Qin Hao faintly smiled and said, "Perhaps, without this battle I certainly wouldn't have broken through."

...

Around eleven in the morning, Qin Hao and Xian Yin emerged from the room, with Ling'er playing with her treasure-hunting spirit beast in the living room.

"Master, Sister Xian Yin, you're out?" Ling'er beamed at them.

Qin Hao sat down and asked, "How many days have I been in seclusion?"

"Five days. During these days, someone named Nangong Yuya came looking for Master, but upon hearing Master was in seclusion, she left. Princess Lingyi also visited a few times," Ling'er explained.

Qin Hao nodded slightly: "Order some signature dishes; I always feel my stomach is empty without eating anything."

Xian Yin: "Alright, Mr. Qin, I'll instruct the waiter right away."

Soon after, Xian Yin returned, and the dishes were served quickly, with impressive efficiency here.

While they were eating, Ye Lingyi and Ye Jingtian arrived. Seeing Xian Yin, they knew Qin Hao was no longer in seclusion and came over immediately.

"Mr. Qin, how is your injury recovery?" Ye Jingtian asked as soon as he saw him.

Qin Hao smiled and said, "All healed, Mr. Ye, no need to worry. Have you eaten? If not, sit down and join us."

Ye Jingtian didn't stand on ceremony and, with Ye Lingyi, took seats, the table laden with dishes like exotic birds, beasts, and aquatic monsters, all signature dishes of the tavern.

"Congratulations, Mr. Qin, you made it on the Earth Rankings," Ye Jingtian said, smiling.

Qin Hao paused, "What Earth Rankings?"

Ye Jingtian explained, "In the Southern Continent, there are Heavenly and Earth Rankings for experts; the Heavenly Rankings list top experts across the Southern Continent, while the Earth Rankings focus on young experts of the Southern Continent Emperor, under 30 years old, who have the requisite strength."

Qin Hao nodded slightly: "Which organization compiles this? Is it accurate?"

"Do you know the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, Mr. Qin?" Ye Jingtian asked.

Qin Hao paused, "Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion? That's the intelligence organization, right?"

Ye Jingtian: "Exactly, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion is very mysterious, reportedly spread across every corner of the Hidden Dragon Continent, like a terrifying network; even in some remote dynasties, they have branches and outposts, their intelligence arguably world-class."

From what Ye Jingtian said about them, Qin Hao realized the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion was indeed formidable, even capable of investigating Xingyue Palace in the Central State.

Ling'er curiously asked, "Mr. Ye, where is my Master ranked on the Earth Rankings? Is it first place?"

Ye Jingtian felt awkward, "Not first; Mr. Qin is ranked one thousandth on the Earth Rankings."

One thousandth?

Ling'er pursed her lips, "This ranking surely is inaccurate; how is my Master only at one thousand when he's so powerful?"

Ye Jingtian chuckled bitterly, "You might not know, but the Southern Continent Earth Rankings compile all young prodigies across the continent.

All cultivators under thirty are counted, with the qualifying number in the tens of billions; Mr. Qin being in the top thousand among billions is extraordinarily impressive."

He paused and continued, "In the top thousand, many are seasoned students of Heaven and Earth Academy, younger but already intensively trained, with rapid strength advancement."

Qin Hao asked in surprise, "Doesn't Heaven and Earth Academy hold selections once every hundred years?"

Ye Jingtian: "That's the centennial major selection; Heaven and Earth Academy also holds minor selections every few years, not public to the entire Southern Continent; some uniquely talented prodigies are specially recruited."

Qin Hao nodded slightly, "I see."

"Sounds like being ranked one thousand is quite impressive for Master," Ling'er remarked.

Ye Jingtian dryly laughed, "It's more than impressive; it's extraordinary. Old students of Heaven and Earth Academy alone number in the thousands, not including top talents from various sects and dynasties. Even top representatives from these selections only rank in the seven-eight hundreds this year."

"Mr. Qin ranked lower partly because of his low realm; nearly all those are Heavenly Human Realm Peak, or Half-step Peak Realm, the top five hundred predominantly Peak Realm experts."

Ye Jingtian saw much room for Qin Hao's growth; with sufficient cultivation resources or secluded cultivation environments like Heaven and Earth Academy, Qin Hao's realm would undoubtedly progress rapidly.

His Late Stage Grandmaster Realm strength could already defeat Heavenly Human Realm Peak experts; breaking through to the Heavenly Realm could be terrifyingly potent.

Considering the resources those disciples from elite sects and dynasties possessed compared to his lack left Qin Hao at a disadvantage.

He had reached the Peak of Grandmaster Realm, yet breaking into Half-step Heavenly Realm would require untold quantities of Spirit Stones.

After lunch, Ye Jingtian stayed a while before leaving, while Ye Lingyi stayed, chatting with Qin Hao and Xian Yin.

Xian Yin was making clothes for Qin Hao with the rare materials she bought for needlework.

At this moment, Wu Yutong, Gao Linglong, and Dong Mengqi entered from outside, seeing Qin Hao, they said unanimously, "Mr. Qin, is your body alright now?"