Free Web NovelChapter 180: Chapter 180: The First Ranking List
The first provisional assembly ranking list was released after the initial Free Challenge matches.
It was not a final ranking. Elder Su emphasized that repeatedly. Scores would continue changing based on missions, challenges, strategy trials, and special assessments.
But candidates still crowded around the crystal boards. freeweɓnovel.cøm
Rankings shaped perception.
Perception shaped invitations.
Invitations shaped future roads.
Qin Mo tried to avoid the board.
Lin Xian’er dragged him there anyway.
The top list displayed:
[Central Tower Youth Exchange Assembly — Provisional Core Candidate Ranking]
1. Jiang Yuexuan — Jiang Celestial River Clan
2. Bai Yunshen — Central Academy
3. Duan Xirong — Black Martial Academy
4. Qin Yuheng — Heavenly Gate Academy
5. Han Luosheng — Military Youth Division
6. Meng Shaoyan — Meng Ancient Flame Clan
7. Su Qianyi — Merchant Alliance Youth Seat
8. Wei Chen — Heavenly Gate Academy
9. Zhao Tianyu — Heavenly Gate Academy
10. Luo? [Name hidden by privacy seal]
Qin Mo stared at rank four.
"You are fourth."
Qin Yuheng nodded.
"Provisional."
"That means people will challenge you."
"Yes."
"I dislike rank four."
Lin Xian’er smiled.
"Rank four is actually excellent. High enough for serious recognition, not high enough to force immediate top-three suppression."
Qin Mo looked at her.
"You make danger sound like market positioning."
"It is."
Wei Chen was ranked eighth, which pleased Heavenly Gate Academy. Zhao Tianyu being ninth surprised many, given his instability, but his combat ability and recovery demonstration kept him relevant.
Zhao Tianyu stared at the board for a long time.
Rank nine.
Below Wei Chen.
Far below Qin Yuheng.
In the past, that would have enraged him.
Now he seemed quieter.
Zhao Lan stood beside him.
"You are still ranked."
He replied coldly, "Barely."
"You are alive, free of recall seed, and still ranked among core candidates after contamination. That is not barely."
He did not answer.
But he did not reject her words either.
Jiang Yuexuan at rank one drew no surprise from those who knew her background. She had performed excellently in every event without revealing much. Bai Yunshen ranked second due to consistency and intelligence. Duan Xirong remained third despite losing to Qin Yuheng because his overall combat dominance was high and his previous floor record exceeded Qin Yuheng’s.
Some candidates argued Qin Yuheng should be third after defeating Duan.
The ranking committee disagreed.
Direct duel mattered, but not alone.
Qin Yuheng did not care.
Rank four was already enough trouble.
That evening, the top ten candidates were invited to a closed strategic briefing.
Yu Qingmei approved Qin Yuheng’s attendance but warned him.
"Closed briefings are where real invitations begin."
The briefing took place in a high tower overlooking Central Eastern Tower City.
Present were the top ten candidates, their primary supervising representatives, and three assembly elders.
The topic was unexpected.
Not rankings.
Not recruitment.
But a real issue.
Elder Su displayed a map of several regional Tower zones.
"Recently, multiple low-to-mid floor Tower simulations, ruin fragments, and remnant trials have shown traces of external corruption patterns. Some resemble Blood Sun Hall methods. Some are older."
The room quieted.
Qin Yuheng remained still.
Jiang Yuexuan’s gaze lowered slightly.
Bai Yunshen adjusted his glasses.
Duan Xirong frowned.
Elder Su continued.
"The Youth Exchange Assembly will include one special cooperative assessment. Participation by top candidates will be voluntary but heavily weighted."
A new panel appeared.
[Special Cooperative Assessment]
Codename:
Shattered Sun Remnant Zone
Objective:
Investigate controlled ruin fragment under assembly supervision.
Risk:
Moderate to high.
Rewards:
Contribution-based.
Purpose:
Identify corruption patterns and candidate response to abnormal ruins.
Qin Mo was not present, but Qin Yuheng could almost hear his complaint.
Shattered Sun.
Again.
The assembly was moving toward the same theme.
Was this Blood Sun manipulation?
Or had the assembly itself discovered related corruption and decided to use top candidates?
Elder Su looked across the room.
"This is not a performance event. Those who participate will face real danger, though under elder supervision. Refusal will not disqualify candidates."
That last sentence meant refusal would still matter.
Jiang Yuexuan spoke first.
"My clan will review the terms."
Bai Yunshen asked, "Will records be accessible?"
"Restricted and supervised," Elder Su said.
Duan Xirong smiled.
"If there are enemies, I will go."
Han Luosheng from the military division nodded. "Military candidates will likely participate."
Then Elder Su looked at Qin Yuheng.
Not openly pressuring.
But waiting.
Qin Yuheng answered carefully.
"Heavenly Gate Academy will review risk and terms before deciding."
Yu Qingmei’s eyes showed approval.
No immediate yes.
No immediate no.
After the meeting, Jiang Yuexuan approached him near the tower balcony.
"Shattered Sun Remnant Zone," she said.
"Yes."
"Too many sun-related events are gathering."
"Agreed."
"Some may be assembly investigation. Some may be enemy steering. Some may be both."
Qin Yuheng looked at the city lights below.
"If both?"
"Then the safest path is not avoidance alone. It is entering with enough eyes, enough allies, and enough refusal prepared."
That matched his thinking.
She looked at him.
"If you participate, do not enter with only your team."
"Coalition?"
"Yes. But choose carefully."
Qin Yuheng looked back toward the meeting room.
Jiang Yuexuan.
Wei Chen.
Maybe Lu Sheng.
Possibly Bai Yunshen.
Not Duan Xirong unless combat pressure required.
Not Merchant Alliance unless terms were clear.
Not Zhao Tianyu unless his stability improved.
The shape of a temporary coalition began forming.
That night, Qin Yuheng sent a secure report to Qin Wanshan.
The reply came before dawn.
Shattered Sun may be bait.
But bait near many elders is harder to hide and easier to study.
Do not enter alone.
Do not chase records.
Bring back patterns, not answers.
Bring back patterns, not answers.
Qin Yuheng memorized the line.
The Youth Exchange Assembly had entered its deeper stage. fгeewebnovёl.com
Rankings were only surface.
The real test would be whether young talents could face a corrupted truth without becoming pieces of the forces that arranged it.
