Chapter 777: Chapter 777

Fan Jingtian, the second-ranked on the Starfire List, had just ended his secluded cultivation. He silently appeared outside the Supreme Ladder.

His expression was calm, neither joyful nor sorrowful. He said, "Three hundred stellar years of focused seclusion... It's time to show the world who truly deserves the top spot on the Starfire List."

Even as he emerged from seclusion, not a single person had been disturbed.

He had remained silent for centuries, but now, he was ready to make a thunderous entrance.

For a thousand years, he had been suppressed by Thousand Dust, firmly stuck in second place. Throughout that time, he endured in silence, relentlessly refining his cultivation.

He had given up nearly all forms of entertainment, leisure, and social interaction—just for this very moment. Now, at long last, he would stand tall and proud, proving to everyone in the Humanity Sanctum that he, Fan Jingtian, was born to shine, never beneath anyone.

Having completed his seclusion, he hadn't even informed his master. Quietly, he arrived outside the Supreme Ladder, eager for the thrill of secretly growing stronger and dazzling the world with his brilliance.

Thousand Dust's current record on the Supreme Ladder is the sixty-sixth step, if I remember correctly. Even if he's improved over the past three hundred years, the sixty-seventh step should be his limit. But me... I'm confident I can reach the sixty-eighth step.

And if luck is on my side—if the stage aligns perfectly with my strengths and I happen to counter the simulated opponents, I might just be able to reach the sixty-ninth step and enter the ranks of the top elites on the World Glory List.

As Fan Jingtian thought about this, a surge of confidence filled him.

Just as he reached the Supreme Ladder, he noticed something strange. "Hmm?"

There were... quite a few people around. Though it wasn't packed, the number of people had more than doubled compared to usual.

Could it be... a big name has come to the Ladder? he wondered to himself.

At that moment, several streaks of light zipped across the sky, descending toward the Supreme Ladder.

One of them, passing by, appeared to recognize Fan Jingtian. "Eh? Aren't you... Fan Jingtian? Here to challenge the Supreme Ladder?"

Fan Jingtian felt the gaze from the light that pierced straight into his inner spirit. After a brief moment of thought, he realized it was a special-grade instructor from the Humanity Sanctum.

He quickly bowed in respect. "Greetings, great Radiance of Mystery."

Then, with confidence in his voice, he added, "I've been in seclusion for three centuries. Now that I've made progress, I've come to test myself on the Supreme Ladder."

"Very good, very good. Give it your all. The Sanctum's been brimming with talent lately. Thanks to the catfish effect, these prodigies have been improving at a frightening pace. The Eternal Ascent of Humanity Initiative has really been paying off," the Radiance of Mystery said with a smile.

After saying that, Radiance of Mystery departed.

Fan Jingtian was stunned. He just left? That's it? He just walked away?

I, Fan Jingtian, ranked second on the Starfire List and a unique lifeform with the potential to reach Cosmic Radiance, had just emerged from three hundred years of seclusion, poised to astonish the world. Surely, as special-grade instructors, you couldn't possibly be unaware of this?

But no. There was not the slightest interest in my cultivation progress. They merely greeted me, then left immediately.

What was this supposed to mean? Were they really overlooking a supreme prodigy like me?

And what were they talking about... Li Pin? Who was that?

From what they said, he was someone affiliated with the Humanity Sanctum.

A newcomer? Among all the new arrivals, aside from Thousand Dust, who could possibly measure up to me, Fan Jingtian?

"Hasn't it already been the third time Li Pin challenged the Supreme Ladder in just the past few decades? I remember back when he first joined the Sanctum, he was supposed to be assigned under me. I was actually looking forward to seeing what kind of talent someone with that much reputation would show. But... turns out, he didn't need me at all."

"Haha, someone like him can't be judged by normal standards. Just look at his three attempts at the Ladder. Each time, he's improved tremendously. I wonder how far he'll go this time."

"I heard he's aiming for the eighty-fifth step this time! If he makes it, he'll be considered outstanding, even among Tyrant-class beings. No one would dare question his strength anymore! At the very least, they'd stop doubting what he can truly achieve."

"No kidding... the eighty-fifth step of the Supreme Ladder..."

The group of Cosmic Radiance cultivators chatted as they walked away.

Fan Jingtian had initially felt somewhat defiant and curious to uncover the identity of the person drawing so much attention. But as he listened to their discussions, he suddenly hesitated.

The eighty-fifth step on the Supreme Ladder! That was solid Tyrant-level combat strength!

Even among Tyrants, that level was elite... who was this monster!?

And... decades ago? He entered the Humanity Sanctum only decades ago?

Since when did the Sanctum start recruiting people at such a terrifying standard? Starting from the Tyrant level?

As the second-ranked genius on the Starfire List stood there in a daze, a voice suddenly called out, "Fan Jingtian."

Not far ahead, he spotted a familiar figure standing with two others.

That figure was none other than his greatest rival since entering the Humanity Sanctum, the one he had secluded himself for three hundred years to surpass—Thousand Dust.

The other two were also familiar to him. They were Leng Xuan and Wan Wuya. Both were among the top talents on his level within the Humanity Sanctum.

But Fan Jingtian was confident that soon, he would leave them all behind.

The last time, Thousand Dust had only reached the sixty-sixth step on the Supreme Ladder. Leng Xuan and Wan Wuya had fared even worse, both stopping at the sixty-fourth step.

After three hundred years of seclusion and cultivation, Fan Jingtian's strength had grown significantly.

He wasn't just certain he could surpass the sixty-sixth step; he was confident that even the sixty-seventh wouldn't stop him. So long as he didn't suffer an exceptionally bad stroke of luck, he now considered himself the true number one on the Starfire List.

"So, you've finally come out of seclusion," Thousand Dust said with a light smile. "Three hundred years in closed cultivation. Must've reaped some impressive gains."

"What? Are you scared?" Fan Jingtian raised an eyebrow, locking eyes with Thousand Dust. "Afraid I'll surpass you?"

Thousand Dust studied Fan Jingtian, who had always ranked just behind him.

Decades ago, he had seen him as a barely qualified rival. He had even offered words of encouragement a time or two, believing his talent was promising. But now...

Thousand Dust's gaze drifted toward the Supreme Ladder. Talent? What even was talent?

In the face of that supreme prodigy, none of us could still call ourselves geniuses. Compared to him, we were all just ordinary people, indistinguishable from one another.

With that realization, he glanced back at Fan Jingtian, who seemed to be provoking him with that raised brow. The whole thing suddenly struck him as amusing.

He shook his head and said nothing more.

Fan Jingtian, however, mistook his silence for fear and gave a soft chuckle. "Just wait. I'm heading to the Supreme Ladder now. I'll climb to the sixty-seventh step and take the top spot on the Starfire List."

Thousand Dust stayed quiet, but Leng Xuan couldn't hold back any longer and let out a soft snort. "You think reaching the sixty-seventh step is enough to surpass Thousand Dust? Please. Even I've done that."

"You?" Fan Jingtian looked at her in surprise. "You made it to the sixty-seventh step?"

"Why not?" Leng Xuan replied coolly.

"I made it to the sixty-seventh step too," Wan Wuya added with a faint smile. "But even so, we're still not on Thousand Dust's level. So if you think that's enough to reach the top, you've got a long way to go."

"Forget it." Thousand Dust shook his head. "He's been shut away for three hundred years. He doesn't know anything."

He looked up at the Supreme Ladder once more. "Even if we've all made breakthroughs over these decades, spurred on by the pressure, what difference does it make? The gap between us and him hasn't shrunk. It's only grown wider. So wide that it feels like we'll never catch up, not in this lifetime."

Fan Jingtian finally sensed something was wrong. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean?" Leng Xuan said nonchalantly. "Thousand Dust has already reached the seventieth step on the Supreme Ladder. In contrast, your sixty-seventh step is not even close."

Fan Jingtian's eyes widened. "Seventieth step!?"

How... in just three hundred years? How did he get that far?

Seeing his shocked expression, Leng Xuan lost all interest in continuing. "What's the big deal about the seventieth step? He's still miles behind Li Pin."

"Li Pin?" Fan Jingtian's pupils dilated. "The Cosmic Tyrant who reached the eighty-fifth step of the Supreme Ladder!? You're saying you're comparing yourselves with someone like that!?"

Suddenly, it hit him. The Radiance of Mystery... He mentioned that Li Pin had only joined the Humanity Sanctum a few decades ago!? I'd never even heard of him before entering seclusion... ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel★fire.net

A terrifying thought took shape in his mind. Decades!?

Fan Jingtian could hardly believe it. "You're telling me that within the last seventy years, a supreme genius named Li Pin suddenly appeared, shot up the Supreme Ladder at an impossible pace, and now he's already breaking through the eighty-fifth step!?"

Yet Thousand Dust, Leng Xuan, and Wan Wuya all gave him bland looks.

"Watch your tongue," Leng Xuan said. "Address him properly as His Majesty, the Light of Origin."

She hadn't directly answered his questions, but her words, and the look on all three of their faces, left no room for doubt.

Decades? A Cosmic Tyrant at the eighty-fifth step!?

"Impossible... that's impossible... There's no way someone like that could exist!" Fan Jingtian shook his head wildly. "No way! Absolutely impossible!"

His outburst immediately drew attention. But those who noticed simply looked on with indifference.

"Another one driven mad by the shock."

"These proud prodigies all think their talent is unmatched until they realize how insignificant they are in front of a true supreme prodigy. It's only natural for them to experience breakdown."

"But honestly, the more we learn about His Majesty Light of Origin's achievements and growth, the more it feels like we've been cultivating in vain. How can the gap between people be this huge?"

Murmurs of discussions echoed through the crowd.

Just as the commotion began to settle, a wave of energy swept through the space.

A figure appeared. It was Li Pin.

The Supreme Ladder—eighty-fifth step. Cleared.