While he was pondering, the news of his advancement to the Golden Ranking, 200th place, appeared.
[Golden Ranking Advancement, 200th place, Soul Beast Bloodthirsty Demon Wolf, cultivation of six thousand years.
In one year, cultivation increased by fifty years. Reward received: cultivation increased by 1,000 years.]
In one year, an increase of fifty years in cultivation?
Ling Yun figured the Bloodthirsty Demon Wolf probably had a method to accelerate its cultivation; this skill wasn't uncommon among Soul Beasts.
For example, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's cultivation of over nine hundred thousand years.
It didn't mean it had truly lived for over nine hundred thousand years; much of its cultivation was gained by devouring other Soul Beasts.
Considering this, Ling Yun had a vague guess—he could make it onto the Golden Ranking!
He didn't know where the Golden Ranking would place him, but with anticipation, he stared intently at it.
The first entry was only a Soul Beast at the six-thousand-year level, which immediately deflated the interest of the various families. It was far inferior compared to the Combat Strength Golden Ranking.
"One hundred and fifty-second place: Human, a Soul Emperor with sixty-one ranks. Martial Soul: Scythe of Death. Increases soul power by two ranks per year.
Reward: All soul rings increase by 2,000 years. Receives the special skill Death's Slash."
"One hundred and thirty-fourth place: Human, a Soul King with fifty-three ranks. Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
Increases soul power by three ranks per year. Reward: All soul rings increase by 3,000 years. Receives the special skill Dragon's Might."
In the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family, everyone was moved to tears.
Finally, another family member had made the list; it hadn't been easy.
The advancement on the Golden Ranking quickly entered the top fifty, and Ling Yun wasn't among them.
He couldn't help but suspect that his guess might be wrong; perhaps relying on Devour didn't count as normal cultivation.
Reaching the top twenty without seeing himself, Ling Yun was somewhat disappointed, but still hopeful.
As time ticked by, the "Advancement Golden Ranking" quickly reached the top ten.
Ling Yun repeatedly told himself not to be disheartened; perhaps the best was yet to come.
The tenth place was the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, who had gained two thousand years of cultivation in a year, a truly terrifying feat.
Its strength was already terrifying, and its advancement speed was so fast; it was simply shameless, a model of audacity.
The sixth place was a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect, though he didn't know exactly who, the Clear Sky Hammer indicated his affiliation.
"Second place, human, 39th-Rank Soul Elder, possessing the Martial Soul Six-Winged Angel, gained 6 ranks of soul power in one year.
Reward: all soul rings gain 9,000 years, obtain the special skill Doomsday Judgment, receive three skill enhancement opportunities, God of Angels affinity +2%."
"As expected of Qian Renxue, a heaven-defying existence with 20 ranks of innate soul power." Ling Yun shook his head helplessly.
It seemed he was overthinking things. Even Qian Renxue, such a favored daughter of heaven, didn't get first place, only second.
He was completely out of the running for this second Golden Ranking.
No matter how shameless Ling Yun was, he knew he couldn't compete with Qian Renxue for first place.
When the "Advancement Golden Ranking" fully unfurled, the first-place ranking was revealed.
"First place, Soul Beast, Three-Tailed Nether Tiger, a 30,000-year-old Soul Beast, gained 30,000 years of cultivation in one year, unprecedented and unparalleled."
"Reward: Increase cultivation by 20,000 years, obtain the special skill Multiple Nether Waves, three skill enhancement opportunities, and a special reward of +3% affinity with the Gods."
The heads of various families, who were originally not very interested in the "Advancement Golden Ranking," nearly popped their eyes out after seeing the first place.
Rare, absolutely rare! Who could have predicted that the first place on the Advancement Golden Ranking would be taken by a Soul Beast?
Even the "Golden Ranking" described it as unprecedented and unparalleled.
These simple eight words made the "Advancement Golden Ranking" even more captivating than the Combat Strength Golden Ranking! Ling Yun looked at the five large characters "Three-Tailed Nether Tiger" on the Advancement Golden Ranking with a look of disappointment, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Sigh, others are Soul Beasts, and now I am too. Others gain 30,000 years of cultivation in a year, and I gained 30,000 years too.
But what about me? I didn't even get a fart. Heavens, how could you be so…
Before Ling Yun could finish cursing, a warm current surged through his body.
It caused his strength to skyrocket, but also sent his mind into a state of shutdown.
"Woah, woah, wait? No way? No way? Could it be that the Three-Tailed Nether Tiger was talking about me???"
Happiness came so suddenly that he was a little caught off guard, his head buzzing, and he even suspected he was dreaming.
His cultivation went from a 30,000-year Soul Beast to a 50,000-year one in an instant, and he also gained three skill enhancement opportunities, which was simply amazing.
With a heart filled with excitement, Ling Yun used the enhancement opportunities on his innate skills.
First skill: Devour, can devour targets that have been dead for no more than 1 hour (can forcibly devour the soul power of living beings whose soul power does not exceed his own).
After devouring a target, he can obtain all of the target's abilities, memories, and 10% of their cultivation. This skill can be used five times a month.
Second skill: Mimicry, can simulate all creatures that have been devoured, transforming into the target's appearance.
Can use all the target's skills, unleashing 100% of their power. In this state, no one below a Level Two God can see through the true identity.
Passive Talent: Waterification, which can nullify all physical damage and reduce energy damage by 30%.
"What the hell? Am I dreaming?"
Ling Yun stared at the three brand-new skills, his eyes widening instantly.
Wasn't this going to be overpowered?