World’s End: My Keyword is One More Than Others
Chapter 554: Top Ten List Announced

Du Ge was well-versed in the art of painting grand visions.

No matter how great others were, it had little to do with oneself. When the risks outweighed the benefits and even threatened one's life, anyone would hesitate, especially when the benefits were uncertain.

However, when you hear from a strong figure that you too can achieve greatness, your mindset subtly shifts.

In the cultivation world, while some small figures might rise unexpectedly, most would fade into obscurity.

But if you were once a significant figure yourself, and all you needed was to find that key to regain your former glory without much effort...

Building a treasure from scratch and finding a key to unlock a treasure that belongs to you are two entirely different feelings.

This is a world of cultivation, where the concept of reincarnation is feasible.

Especially when there's a living example right in front of you—Du Ge, who proved with ironclad evidence that he was the reincarnation of the Human Emperor.

Qingyun and Qinghe were moved and, as if guided by fate, agreed to Du Ge's request.

Under Du Ge's instructions, Qingyun set out to contact the demon king Lin Xiaotian;

Qinghe went to contact the Western Emperor, who was closest to the Southern Emperor...

"The Twilight of the Gods is indeed real, but it was spread by the Eastern Emperor's people, so there's no need to pay attention."

With less than two days until the list was announced, Du Ge had done everything he could. The rest would have to wait until after the list was revealed.

...

Qingyun met with the demon king Lin Xiaotian, and Qinghe also contacted the Western Emperor.

His level was only at the celestial stage, and he felt uneasy without some assurance from those at the sage level...

The Heavenly Mandate required the belief of many to activate, and Qingyun and Qinghe didn't seem like the type to spread rumors, so this matter had to be handled by him alone.

To secure the throne, the Chu Emperor had no choice but to place his hopes on the celestial court.

"Your Majesty, scholars from the Kingdom Chu have come to our country to study, but they were stopped by the border guards..."

The Human Emperor was weak, and if they rashly went to the New Moon, they might not even have a chance to survive if the Human Emperor fell.

The public was abuzz with talk of the Literary Heart and Martial Courage, filled with hope for the revival of the human race.

The Literary Heart and Martial Courage turned this fantasy into reality, making it impossible to suppress.

The Kingdom Chu had vast territories, and many celestial beings like Zhang Qingtian, the Celestial Master, and Song Renlong, the Spiritual Officer, had their teachings here. It was easy for the Chu Emperor to bypass the Eastern Emperor and send messages to the celestial court.

"Publish the poetry collection, proclaim the Literary Heart and Martial Courage to the world, and prioritize those with the Literary Heart and Martial Courage in the New Moon's examinations..."

In the Kingdom Chu, Alien Star warriors who were secretly developing heard the news of the Human Emperor's rise and were overjoyed.

...

Out of necessity.

...

The talented Qi Qingzhi of the Kingdom Chu admired the sages of the human race. While discussing the Literary Heart with fellow scholars at Iron Plum Ridge, he suddenly felt inspired and composed a poem titled "Climbing the Mountain," awakening his Literary Heart. The blue literary aura reached eight feet, and he walked with the grace of a celestial, bringing the matter of the Human Emperor to a climax.

Du Ge couldn't handle multiple emperors at once and had to temporarily give up recruiting them.

Du Ge methodically handled state affairs.

After all.

The matter of the Human Emperor's legacy had finally spread, with the ancient sages' poetry collections circulating among the people, causing unrest among scholars and soldiers.

However.

Lin Xiaotian had long been itching to know about the Human Emperor. Upon hearing the invitation, he immediately set off with Qingyun to the New Moon to investigate the truth behind the Human Emperor's legacy.

The Eastern, Central, and Northern Emperors were too far away, and Qingyun and Qinghe couldn't reach them in time.

The most anxious were the royal family of the Kingdom Chu, as immortality was everyone's ultimate dream.

After all, governing a country still required the aristocracy, and without suppression, the number of scholars and generals awakening the Literary Heart and Martial Courage would only increase, weakening their control over the country.

...

Some chose to follow Yan Zian's example and join the Human Emperor of the New Moon, while others chose to wait and see.

"Your Majesty, there are rumors in the streets that the Celestial Emperor and the Dao Ancestor are facing the Twilight of the Gods. We don't know if this is true. Should we ban the rumors?"

Let's wait and see; maybe there's still a new opportunity.

People then realized that even without going to the New Moon, as long as they had the human race in their hearts, they could awaken the Literary Heart...

"No problem, let them in. Order the cultivators to bring them to the capital, let them witness the Literary Heart and Martial Courage, for all humans are one family. Once they awaken the Literary Heart, they will return to the Kingdom Chu as seeds of humanity..."

And in the distant Kingdom Chu.

The Literary Heart and Martial Courage correspond to the Human Emperor, not him, the emperor who recognizes a thief as his father.

After Qingyun and Qinghe left, Du Ge arranged for the Human Emperor's plans and the Twilight of the Gods to be quietly spread.

There were still a few senior brothers left on Xuan Mountain, but Du Ge needed them to stabilize the Southern Emperor and didn't disturb them.

The Chu Emperor could only place his hopes on the celestial court.

"Your Majesty, as of today, 153 people in the New Moon have awakened the Literary Heart, 334 have awakened Martial Courage, and 178 war poems have been created..."

These past two days.

At this moment.

...

The Western Emperor, under the Eastern Emperor, was dumbfounded when he heard that the Emperor had obtained the Human Emperor's legacy and was to represent the human race against the Celestial Emperor. He had no idea how to respond.

But when Qinghe came to him, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and accompany Qinghe to the New Moon.

Qinghe was a disciple of the Southern Emperor, and his personal invitation made it highly likely that the Human Emperor's legacy was related to the Eastern Emperor.

The Western Emperor, even if unwilling, dared not betray his superior at this critical moment. Reporting beyond his level could result in a loss if it turned out to be a misunderstanding.

...

Meanwhile.

The Underworld's King of Reception received He Yanzhao, who told him about the Human Emperor. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he quickly dispatched ghost messengers to gather all information about the Human Emperor.

Faced with such a significant matter, he dared not make a decision on his own and took He Yanzhao to see the Underworld Emperor.

"The Human Emperor's legacy?"

The Underworld Emperor flipped through all the information about the Human Emperor and smiled faintly, "Shen Nong, Sui Ren, Fuxi... Hou Yi shooting the sun, Gonggong crashing into the pillar of heaven, why have I never heard of these things?"

The Underworld manages souls and the six paths of reincarnation, far more important than the human world.

The Underworld Emperor holds a very high position, above the five emperors managing the human world, with cultivation and authority comparable to the Queen Mother who manages female celestials. He commands five great ghost emperors and the ten Yama kings, making him a figure of real power.

"Emperor, are you saying the Human Emperor is a lie?" the King of Reception asked in surprise.

"I attained enlightenment during the war between witches and demons, experienced the chaotic era of the Blood Ancestor, the rise of the human race, and the battle between celestials and demons..." the Underworld Emperor said, "I've never heard of a Human Emperor. The human race has been the foundation of the celestial court since its rise.

The idea of heaven, earth, and humans being equal is nonsense. If the Human Emperor could stand alongside the Celestial Emperor, wouldn't I also be able to stand on equal footing with the Celestial Emperor?"

"Emperor, but people have indeed awakened the Literary Heart and Martial Courage," He Yanzhao said nervously, "And the Human Emperor kills the royal family like chickens, completely ignoring the backlash of the dragon vein..."

"I said there is none, so there is none. You, a mere human emperor, dare to question me?" the Underworld Emperor said coldly, his gaze sweeping over He Yanzhao.

He Yanzhao felt his soul about to scatter and quickly knelt, "Emperor, I dare not."

"Emperor, the matter of the Human Emperor seems to involve the Eastern Emperor?" the King of Reception asked.

"Ignore it," the Underworld Emperor said, squinting his eyes, "Your duty is to manage the underworld, do your job, and the celestial and mortal matters will be handled by the Celestial Emperor. If I interfere in the mortal world, it would be overstepping."

"Yes." The King of Reception glared at He Yanzhao and said respectfully.

With the Underworld Emperor's words, He Yanzhao was filled with despair, realizing he had died in vain.

After the King of Reception led He Yanzhao away.

A shadow emerged from behind the Underworld Emperor, "Emperor, the Literary Heart and Martial Courage seem genuine, and it is highly likely that a new cultivation method has awakened in the mortal world, with someone causing chaos under the name of the Human Emperor. Are you really not going to intervene?"

"Since the demons entered the world, the heavenly secrets have become obscure, as if a great calamity is about to befall the three realms. The matter of the Human Emperor is likely related to the demons," the Underworld Emperor pondered for a moment, "Changning, go to the mortal world, find out about the Human Emperor, but do not interfere too much. Report back to me with any findings. Remember not to act on your own."

"Yes, Emperor."

Changning responded, turned, and left the Underworld Palace. As he stepped out, his figure disappeared.

...

Because the Human Emperor's legacy was tied to the Eastern Emperor, the Eastern Emperor was the last to receive the news.

The Eastern Emperor's subordinates assumed the matter of the Human Emperor was under the Emperor's orders and did not report it.

Those wary of the Human Emperor's legacy even considered the Eastern Emperor an imaginary enemy and would not go to him to throw themselves into the net.

Therefore.

The Eastern Emperor learned about the Human Emperor when Pan-Universal Entertainment announced the Alien Star rankings at the end of the month. At that time, two sheets of paper filled with writing lay on his desk, both containing the same content:

First place: Qingcheng; Human Emperor of the New Moon;

Second place: Ye Wan; Worshipper of the Qingqiu Kingdom;

Third place: Gao Quanzhi; Minister of Rites of the Yellow Dragon Kingdom;

Fourth place: Fu Qiao; Captive of the Southern Longevity Emperor;

Fifth place: Xu Xingbiao; Disciple of the Xuantian Sect;

Sixth place: Che Shouchun; Disciple of Fengyi Mountain;

Seventh place: Bi Xiaochuan; Captive of the Western Taiqing Emperor;

Eighth place: Ning Xianping; Captive of the Eastern Donghua Emperor;

Ninth place: Nie Chunxing; King of the Purple Bamboo Kingdom;

Tenth place: Shi Geng; Disciple of the White Eagle Gang;

...

"Xianping, this is the top ten list of Alien Star warriors?"

The Eastern Emperor, with a jade-like face and long beard reaching his chest, looked like a man in his thirties. Dressed in a purple robe, his deep gaze commanded respect.

"Yes, Emperor." Ning Xianping, a young man in his early twenties, stood before the Eastern Emperor, looking somewhat nervous. Beside him was another Alien Star warrior named Feng Xuan, whose ranking was even lower, and who now looked as pale as a quail.

"You rank eighth?" the Eastern Emperor smiled.

"Thank you, Emperor, for your grace," Ning Xianping's face changed slightly, and he knelt down with a thud, expressing his gratitude with fear and trepidation.

"Rise, I won't kill you since I've kept you," the Eastern Emperor smiled faintly, "I kept you to find other demons."

"Emperor, as long as the remaining ten demons are slain, the Alien Star Battlefield will naturally end," Ning Xianping said, "By randomly killing the top ten, those behind will move up. With your ability, and by joining forces with other emperors, you could eliminate all demons in less than ten days."

Ning Xianping understood the Eastern Emperor's purpose for keeping him. After witnessing the power of the Great Golden Immortal, he had long abandoned thoughts of growth and resistance.

No matter how strong the attributes brought by the keywords, they couldn't match these natives.

Ning Xianping didn't understand why Pan-Universal Entertainment chose such a despairing battlefield. Now, he only hoped to maintain his top ten ranking and smoothly end this Alien Star Battlefield.

And he saw two captives of emperors in the top ten list, likely serving the same purpose as him.

...

The Eastern Emperor, who could understand the top ten list, naturally saw through it, and he also identified several Alien Star warriors allied with the demon race.

But he didn't take those allied with the demon race seriously.

The demon race was already in decline, so how strong could the Alien Star warriors relying on them be?

What truly concerned him was Pan-Universal Entertainment, which had sent these Alien Star warriors, as it was the real enemy of the celestial court.

Yet now, the heavenly secrets had suddenly become obscure.

He couldn't even calculate Pan-Universal Entertainment's location and could only hope to eliminate these Alien Star warriors to draw them out.

Using their world as a playground, Pan-Universal Entertainment truly treated them with disdain.

Moreover, the Celestial Emperor was very interested in the technology controlled by Pan-Universal Entertainment.

The sage was the end of cultivation, and the Dao Ancestor had explored their universe without discovering new life. The Dao Ancestor had long disappeared in search of breakthroughs.

Therefore.

Everyone in the celestial court believed they were the only race in the universe.

But Pan-Universal Entertainment seemed to transcend the universe's constraints, showing the Celestial Emperor a new direction.

If they could obtain Pan-Universal Entertainment's technology, perhaps the celestial realm could break free from the universe's constraints, enter a new universe, or step into a deeper level of cultivation.

...

"Let's start with this Human Emperor of the New Moon!" The Eastern Emperor looked at the list on the paper and smiled.

The New Moon was in the Eastern Divine Continent, and the emperor had been replaced by an Alien Star warrior, giving himself the name of the Human Emperor. The Eastern Emperor was very interested in him.

Beside him, the Central Emperor, upon hearing about the Human Emperor, immediately sought the Eastern Emperor for confirmation. Seeing the Emperor busy, he stood by, but upon hearing the Emperor's intention to act against the Human Emperor of the New Moon, he was shocked, "Emperor, is the Human Emperor a demon?"

"Naturally a demon." The Eastern Emperor smiled, looking at the Central Emperor, "Chongzhi, why do you ask?"

"It's a demon! No wonder I felt something was off?" The Human Emperor's legacy had nothing to do with the Eastern Emperor, and the Central Emperor breathed a sigh of relief, stepping forward to recount everything about Du Ge, finally saying, "That demon acted under Uncle Jin's token, Uncle Jin must have been deceived by him too."

"Human Emperor's legacy, Literary Heart and Martial Courage?" The Eastern Emperor was surprised by Du Ge's actions, "Did he really create the Literary Heart and Martial Courage?"

"Yes, Emperor, I personally investigated in the New Moon, and the Literary Heart and Martial Courage are real," the Central Emperor said, "Those who awaken the Literary Heart don't cultivate spiritual power but can manipulate the power of heaven and earth, which is quite mystical. That's why I mistakenly thought the Emperor had obtained the Human Emperor's legacy and came for confirmation. Who would have thought that person was a demon..."

Damn!

Ning Xianping and Feng Xuan, the two Alien Star warriors, were dumbfounded after hearing about the rise of the Human Emperor.

They initially thought the Human Emperor of the New Moon was just a name, that an Alien Star warrior had gotten lucky and possessed the king, achieving his current success...

But...

Using the Southern Emperor's token to control the Night Touring Ghosts, bluffing other celestials under the Eastern Emperor's name, and even creating the Literary Heart and Martial Courage... Could an Alien Star warrior really do all this?

They had barely survived, relying on luck... No, could that guy be Du Ge!

Only he could rise so strongly in such adversity.

Not only did Ning Xianping and Feng Xuan admire Du Ge, but even the Eastern Emperor had a faint admiration for Du Ge. If he hadn't been overseeing the mortal world, this Alien Star warrior might have succeeded.

"Ning Xianping, Feng Xuan." The Eastern Emperor keenly sensed the emotional fluctuations of the two Alien Star warriors, turned to them, and asked, "What do you think is the keyword for this Human Emperor named Qingcheng? Why is his keyword so powerful?"

"Emperor, we don't know his keyword, but judging by his style, he resembles someone," Ning Xianping said with a bitter smile, "A very intelligent and powerful Alien Star warrior named Du Ge, who in previous Alien Star Battlefields, single-handedly suppressed all other Alien Star warriors."