It started at 9:17 a.m.
No press conference.
No official seals.
No cultivator association endorsement.
Just a post.
On a mid-sized forum known for military analysis and urban anomaly discussions, a new thread appeared silently.
[GOLDEN LIST — HUAXIA RISING PRODIGIES (UNDER 20)]
Below it, a single line:
"Ranked by suspected combat strength, aura density, cultivation foundation, and confirmed battle traces. Rankings are provisional and subject to change."
At first, no one cared.
Three minutes later, screenshots appeared.
Ten minutes later—
The nation exploded.
#1 — FangZe
Location: Beijing (exact position unknown)
Cultivation: Rumored upper-tier Qi Gathering
Aura: Dense, steady, suppressive; abnormally stable
BattleGait: Minimal movement, direct suppression, no excess output
Battle Records:
– Neutralization of multiple abnormal Qi disturbances
– Public confrontation ending in instant suppression of Yan Heitu
Summary:
Aura shows no turbulence, suggesting exceptional Qi control and compression.
Combat ends before it begins.
ThreatAssessment: Extreme
Note: Depth remains unconfirmed.
The comment section collapsed.
"Upper-tier Qi Gathering my ass—this is terrifying."
"That aura description alone is suffocating."
"Why is Beijing always like this???"
#2 — Xue Shengtian
Location: Unknown
Cultivation: Unknown (suspected mid–late Qi Gathering)
Aura: Cold, shadow-heavy, engulfing
BattleGait: Silent displacement, shadow traversal, darkness weaving
BattleRecords:
– Three confirmed silent engagements, no survivors identified
– Residual dark-cold energy fluctuations recorded
Summary:
Trained since childhood. A shadow through and through.
When fighting, light recedes.
ThreatAssessment: Extreme
Note: No affiliation traceable.
Unease spread quietly.
This was not a prodigy people wanted to meet.
#3 — NangongYu
Location: Lingnan
Cultivation: Stable Qi Gathering
Aura: Ancient, refined, deeply rooted
BattleGait: Traditional, flowing, precise
BattleRecords:
– Multiple anomaly suppressions near ancestral grounds
Summary:
Foundation carved patiently over years.
No flashy techniques—only certainty.
Threat Assessment: Very High
#4 — Murong Jing
Location: Beijing
Affiliation: Murong Family (Orthodox, prominent)
University: Beihang University (Sophomore)
Cultivation: Early–mid Qi Gathering
Aura: Brilliant, expansive, domineering
BattleGait: Overwhelming frontal pressure, aristocratic rhythm
BattleRecords:
– Public sparring victories across multiple institutions
– One-sided suppression of Qi-deviant challengers
Summary:
Born into privilege, trained with resources, polished in combat.
Aura radiates confidence and dominance.
ThreatAssessment: Very High
Note: Public figure. No attempt at concealment.
This entry caused an uproar.
"Murong family is officially on the list!"
"Beihang has TWO monsters??"
"This is going to cause trouble…"
At Beihang University, whispers instantly turned heated.
#5 — TangWanru
Location: Chengdu
Cultivation: Early–mid Qi Gathering
Aura: Pure, fluid, resonant
BattleGait: Adaptive, flowing, highly efficient
Battle Records:
– Internal testing only
– Exceptional resonance compatibility
Summary:
Growth rate abnormal. Foundation remarkably clean.
Threat Assessment: High
#6 — QinJingshen
Location: Northern Plains
Cultivation: Qi Gathering
Aura: Sharp, aggressive, battle-hardened
BattleGait: Decisive, relentless, momentum-driven
Battle Records:
– Multiple real combat engagements
– High lethality, low hesitation
Summary:
Forged through conflict rather than inheritance.
ThreatAssessment: High
#7 — LiMeng
Location: Shanghai
Cultivation: Undisclosed
Aura: Cold, analytical, pressure-responsive
BattleGait: Predictive, reactive, calculated
Battle Records:
– No direct public combat
– Multiple anomaly forecasts confirmed
Summary:
A strategic prodigy. Dangerous in prolonged engagements.
ThreatAssessment: High
#8 — MoChen
Location: Northwest deserts
Cultivation: Unknown
Aura: Heavy, enduring, unyielding
BattleGait: Direct, crushing, sustained
Battle Records:
– Extreme-condition survival encounters
Summary:
Body-refinement tendencies detected.
ThreatAssessment: High
#9–#10
Names withheld.
Data incomplete.
Still under observation.
By noon, "GoldenList" dominated every platform.
Cultivators stopped training.
Families reassessed heirs.
Organizations began quiet movements.
At the Huaxia Special Bureau, Director Zhao Mingyuan rubbed his temples.
"This list," he said slowly, "will accelerate everything."
An aide nodded.
"Especially the one at Beihang."
At Beihang University, Fang Yuhan sat quietly in a lecture hall.
Phones buzzed nonstop.
Excited voices clashed.
Someone laughed loudly.
"Murong Jing is insane. Did you see his ranking?"
Another student leaned closer.
"And number one—Fang Ze. Same surname as you, right?"
Fang Yuhan smiled faintly.
"Coincidence."
But her grip on her notebook tightened.
Somewhere in Beijing, Fang Ze felt it too.
Not fear.
Not pressure.
Attention.
The Golden Era had named him.
And now—
The game had officially begun.