Chapter 131: Number One on the Little Kings Ranking

"Heh, Duanmu Chunfeng, is it? I really have been underestimated. Just you wait; one day, I will make your eyes pop out in shock."

Chu Han lay on the ground, his body completely drained of strength and suffering from severe injuries. His forced use of the incomplete Seal of the Thunder Emperor had also caused significant damage to his meridians.

Enduring the agonizing pain, he struggled to his feet. He needed to recover from his wounds before entering the Taiyi Sect. He had to begin rapidly increasing his strength; as a Heavenly Sovereign, this was the first time he had ever been looked down upon.

Yet, he still felt a lingering tremor of fear when thinking of Duanmu Chunfeng’s power. That man was incredibly strong, and he gave Chu Han the impression that he had already transcended the level of a Heavenly Sovereign. Having once been a Heavenly Sovereign himself, Chu Han could sense that Duanmu Chunfeng was currently even stronger than that.

He was stunned to realize that there might be realms beyond the Heavenly Sovereign, though that had little to do with him for now; he simply needed to cultivate with all his might.

He had heard of the "Great Red Heaven" that Duanmu Chunfeng mentioned—a massive trial open only to geniuses under the age of twenty-three. Everyone who entered was a talent from across the lands, and their strength was not to be trifled with.

However, nothing could stop Chu Han now. To see Duanmu Meng'er again, he had to go to the Great Red Heaven. He would trample over those geniuses to reach her and Duanmu Chunfeng, and show him that he was no mere waste.

With the aid of medicinal pills, Chu Han’s injuries were mostly recovered. He looked up to see Simon still standing guard for him, and his heart warmed. "Brother Simon, do you know when the Great Red Heaven begins?"

"By my count, the qualifying tournament for the Great Red Heaven starts in two months. With your strength, entering is not a problem, but you must continue to improve once you are in. After all, everyone participating is a genius from elsewhere; they are not comparable to ordinary people."

Simon spoke freely. The scene he had just witnessed had moved even him, a magical beast. Chu Han’s willingness to suffer such grave injuries for the sake of Duanmu Meng'er was a display of loyalty and emotion that he deeply admired.

Chu Han nodded to himself. Two months. He had to rapidly increase his strength in these two months; he would trample all those geniuses beneath his feet.

Soon, the two walked out of the Phantom Forest. Upon emerging, they were within the grounds of the Taiyi Sect. The people Chu Han had previously robbed were waiting for him, resentful of his past actions and intending to join forces to teach him a lesson.

"Kid, you finally came out. I want to see how arrogant you can be now that you're inside the Taiyi Sect after the stunt you pulled."

The speaker was Ren Peng, the twentieth-ranked expert on the Little King List. He had also been looted in the Phantom Forest. He assumed that Chu Han’s arrogance was entirely due to Simon’s presence, and he was certain that inside the sect, Chu Han would have no such support.

Although they did not know Simon was a disciple of the Taiyi Sect, they knew the sect would never allow a magical beast to run wild. Without Simon, they believed Chu Han was no match for them.

As Ren Peng finished speaking, those around him chimed in, all of them furious. They were here to participate in the trials, and being robbed by a fellow participant was a humiliation they couldn't endure—especially as high-ranking experts on the Little King List. If word got out, they would have nowhere to hide their shame.

"Brother, you'll have to handle this yourself. Now that we are back in the Taiyi Sect, I cannot interfere, but dealing with this rabble shouldn't be a problem for you, right?"

Faced with their clamoring, Simon snorted coldly. He truly could not intervene, but after witnessing the battle between Chu Han and Duanmu Chunfeng, he had a new understanding of Chu Han's strength.

While these people were ranked on the Little King List, to Chu Han, they were nothing but a mob. Dealing with this trash was well within Chu Han’s capabilities.

Chu Han nodded. This was a situation he had provoked, and he could not drag Simon into it. He waved his hand, and Simon stepped aside, watching the battle with cold indifference.

Seeing Simon withdraw, Ren Peng breathed a sigh of relief. He looked down at Chu Han with extreme arrogance and disdain.

"Hand over our belongings and kneel down to call me 'Grandfather,' and we might spare you. Otherwise, I’m going to break your legs today."

Ren Peng shouted loudly, and the others echoed his demands. Chu Han remained silent, but a murderous glint ignited in his eyes.

He had already been infuriated by his battle with Duanmu Chunfeng; now, this rabble dared to bark at him. As a Heavenly Sovereign, this was something he absolutely could not tolerate.

Suddenly, the crowd saw a flash of lightning. Chu Han vanished. The next moment, Ren Peng let out a shriek as he was sent flying, his sternum shattered by Chu Han’s punch. He collapsed to the ground, vomiting blood, his fate unknown.

Chu Han’s speed stunned everyone. They had assumed he relied entirely on Simon and that he himself was weak—conveniently forgetting that if Chu Han were truly weak, he would never have been able to command someone like Simon. Perhaps they simply didn't want to think about it.

"Next. Or you can all come at once."

Chu Han snorted coldly, his icy gaze sweeping over the crowd, his body wreathed in blue lightning that crackled sharply.

His eyes seemed to have emerged from the depths of hell, causing those around him to tremble. Yet, Chu Han’s arrogant words stoked their fury; if they retreated now, they would have no place left in the Taiyi Sect.

They rushed forward in a group. Based on his previous speed, they knew they stood no chance in single combat.

Chu Han’s mouth curled into a slight smirk. "Hundred Thunder Flash!"

He surged into the crowd. Countless bolts of lightning rained down from the sky, sending the group tumbling in chaos. Screams erupted one after another. Just as Chu Han prepared to deliver a lethal blow, a figure appeared before him, blocking his fist with a single palm.

"My friend, it is better to leave a path for others so that we may meet again under better circumstances. Going for the kill seems a bit extreme."

After speaking, the man pushed Chu Han back, then produced a paper fan, looking as ethereal and graceful as an immortal. Chu Han sneered.

The man was indeed strong to have blocked his punch. Looking at the fallen men and the man before him, Chu Han thought of someone. "Could it be that you are the one ranked first on the Little King List?"

"Indeed. I am Qin Ling, the first-ranked. I see you possess formidable strength, and reaching the top ten of the Little King List would be effortless for you. However, you must be careful not to ruin your own future."

Qin Ling nodded, looking slightly surprised that Chu Han had recognized him, though it mattered little. His words carried a heavy tone of threat; as the top-ranked expert, looking down on Chu Han was only natural to him.

However, after their brief clash, Chu Han sensed that while Qin Ling was indeed powerful, he was not invincible. Moreover, Chu Han was bound for the Great Red Heaven; if he couldn't defeat this man, how could he hope to succeed there?

"Heh, you came at just the right time. I was looking for you. Since that’s the case, I’ll take the title of number one on the Little King List without any further ceremony."