Ye Tian: "Just started."
Long Xiao sighed with emotion: "In ancient times, only three people have broken through the sixth level, and you are the third!"
Ye Tian: "On the phone, you said you were going to participate in the ranking competition? Who organized this competition, and are there rewards for placing well?"
Long Xiao: "This is a national ranking competition. Although there is funding, it's not high. By the way, after becoming a national-level expert, you must hide your true identity."
Ye Tian: "Hide my identity? How do I hide it?"
Long Xiao: "During the competition, you will need to stick a layer of fake skin on your face. When fighting, you will also use your nickname."
Ye Tian: "What is the purpose of doing this?"
Long Xiao: "First, it is to prevent such strong individuals from being recruited by those with ulterior motives, and second, to protect the participants. You must understand that a single competition can involve hundreds of billions, or even trillions of dollars in betting. The power of capital is terrifying, and some people may act against participants to win money."
Ye Tian: "I see, I understand now."
Long Xiao: "This domestic ranking competition only ranks Yellow-grade martial artists. Only by entering the top two hundred Yellow-grade martial artists can one become a higher-level martial artist."
Ye Tian: "Are there different levels of martial artists?"
Long Xiao: "Yes. The classification of national martial artists does not depend on cultivation, but only on strength. Of course, higher realms generally mean stronger strength. The entry level is Yellow-grade, followed by Purple-grade and Black-grade."
Ye Tian: "How many Yellow-grade martial artists are there in the country?"
Long Xiao: "There are definitely several thousand. Generally, Yellow-grade martial artists are mostly Grandmasters of Qi Realm, so if you compete in the Yellow-grade, you should be able to enter the top one hundred."
"What about Purple-grade martial artists?"
"Among Purple-grade martial artists, there are some Martial Lords and some Martial Kings. At the Black-grade martial artist level, they are basically all Martial Kings, and a small number of half-step Human Immortals. Therefore, Martial Kings in the secular world will be divided into Purple-grade Martial Kings and Black-grade Martial Kings accordingly."
"What is the standard for Purple-grade or Black-grade? Is it by defeating someone?"
"Of course, there is a set of standards, with certain requirements for strength, reaction, mental fortitude, and so on," Long Xiao explained. "As a Vajra Martial King, you should be able to reach the Black-grade."
Ye Tian: "What about above Black-grade?"
"Above Black-grade, there are actually Saint-grade and God-grade. However, at my level, I cannot glimpse the existence of these two grades, so I don't know even if you ask me."
Ye Tian: "How long will this ranking competition last?"
Long Xiao: "About three days. The first day is a basic test, measuring data such as strength and reaction. On the second day, for those who meet the standards, detailed tests will be conducted. On the third day, all selected participants can challenge the Yellow-grade martial artists who remained from the previous session. If the challenge is successful, they will directly inherit the opponent's ranking."
Ye Tian: "It seems that this ranking is quite important."
Long Xiao: "Of course. The higher the ranking, the higher the national reward money received annually. Moreover, a ranking is only considered valid if one stays in it for at least three months. If a person only stays in a certain rank for two months, their ranking is invalid. Therefore, the competition for Yellow-grade is very fierce. Even if you obtain a ranking, you will soon be challenged by other experts. To maintain your ranking, you must fight them."
Ye Tian: "What is the purpose of the country cultivating so many experts?"
Long Xiao: "It's very simple. The existence of top experts can deter opponents. Such individuals can take the head of a general amidst ten thousand troops. Which country would not fear such a powerful being?"
Ye Tian: "Alright then, I will participate in the ranking competition."
Long Xiao smiled and said, "Then we have to set off for Dragon City today."
Hearing that they were going to Dragon City to participate in the competition, Ye Tian was a little surprised. He said, "Why Dragon City? Shouldn't it be in the capital or Hai City?"
Long Xiao: "Because Dragon City has a Grandmaster residing there, no one dares to cause trouble. While the capital has experts, it's prone to disturbances."
Ye Tian immediately became curious: "Who is the expert in Dragon City?"
"A Martial Saint. By the way, Martial Saint is a respectful title for Saint-grade martial artists. This person's best ranking in peak combat was second globally and first in Asia."
Ye Tian gasped: "So strong!"