As the three months passed, anticipation and excitement reached a peak across the world. The announcement from the World Will sent waves of tension through every continent.
Families and individual cultivators alike had been preparing for this moment, training harder, gathering resources, and ensuring everything was ready to secure their spots on the leaderboard.
Finally, the day arrived.
A booming voice echoed across the skies, heard by every living being on the planet.
*Throughout the year, many forces have risen, and to celebrate that, I have created this leaderboard.
This leaderboard not only recognizes your efforts but motivates everyone else to strive to reach this level.
The Leaderboards are now unveiled. Rankings will determine rewards, influence, and power across the world.*
Everywhere, people paused in their tracks—whether they were in bustling cities, remote villages, or hidden sects deep within mountains—everyone listened, their eyes fixed on the sky as if waiting for a sign. The voice continued.
*The rankings will be divided into several categories: Family Rankings, Individual Power Rankings, Resource Control Rankings, and Sect Influence Rankings. Rewards will be given accordingly.*
1. Family Rankings
The World Will started with the Family Rankings.
"First Place: Xu Family—Central Continent."
Gasps and murmurs spread like wildfire. In bustling marketplaces, disciples of smaller sects and everyday citizens couldn't help but talk excitedly.
"Of course, it's the Xu family! After they demonstrated strength a few months ago, it would be odd if they weren't first."
"They're unstoppable. I wonder what rewards they'll get for this."
In the private chambers of other top families, there was a mix of reactions. Some nodded in acknowledgment, while others clenched their fists, their eyes filled with defeat and envy.
"Second Place: Chen Family—Eastern Continent."
The members of the Chen family, led by Chen Zemin, let out relieved sighs. It looked like all the effort they put into improving their family was showing results.
Chen Zemin, in his study, allowed himself a smile. "This is a start. We may be second, but it's better than where we were before."
"Third Place: Bai Family—Southern Continent."
In the Southern Continent, the Bai family head stood with a confident smile, his subordinates nodding in approval. "We've maintained our strength, but we need to be careful. The Xu family will only grow stronger."
"Fourth Place:..."
"Fifth Place:..."
...
"Fourth Place:..."
"Fifth Place:..."
...
"One-Hundredth Place:..."
4. Sect Influence Rankings
The next category focused on sects and their influence.
"First Place: Empyrean Harmony Sect—Central Continent."
This news was expected, but it still sent waves of excitement through the Empyrean Harmony Sect.
Disciples and elders cheered, knowing their hard work and the Xu family's backing had propelled them to the top.
Liu Anwei and Bai Xueyan, standing together in the main hall of the sect, exchanged proud smiles. "This is just the beginning," Liu Anwei said. "We'll make sure to stay at the top."
"Second Place: Azure Sky Sect—Western Continent."
The Azure Sky Sect celebrated, though there was an underlying tension. Being second meant they had competition.
Their sect leader frowned. "We need to work harder if we're going to take the top spot."
"Third Place: Jade Serpent Sect—Southern Continent."
In the Southern Continent, the Jade Serpent Sect's elders discussed their position. "We have the strength, but we need better resources.
We should reach out to other families and form new alliances."
"Fourth Place:..."
"Fifth Place:..."
...
"One-Hundredth Place:..."
From the list, only the Empyrean Harmony Sect was a sect that a single family controlled; every other sect was either a collaboration of multiple families or something similar.
All these groups banded together to keep themselves safe from the unforgiving world.
But there were still many on the list who wanted to recruit more people to strengthen their sects, which wasn't a bad idea initially.
However, after a few decades or a little longer, many unstable factors would start to appear, slowly leading to the eventual downfall of these kinds of sects.