Chapter 40 - The Anticipation Unleashed! Deafening Backlash!

Chapter 40: The Anticipation Unleashed! Deafening Backlash!“Your Highness…”

In a corner of the inn’s southwest, the maid, Rouge, gaped wide enough to fit an egg as she turned to Princess Huai Zhu.

“This Bei Han… From the description, he does seem to be stronger than Prince Yan Ling,” Rouge whispered.

Upon hearing this, Princess Huai Zhu cast a feeble glance at Rouge. Her emotions were in disarray. Initially, she was resolute in declaring that Yan Ling couldn’t possibly be sixth. Yet, once Ning Chuan spoke, Prince Yan Ling’s name landed in the sixth spot on the Heavenly Pride list. Then she asserted that no one in the top five could outshine her elder brother Yan Ling. But as the tales unfolded, each succeeding story proved more awe-inspiring than the last, stronger than the heavens!

Even she had to begrudgingly admit, while holding her nose, that these individuals were genuinely powerful.

“We should argue with Mr. Ning later,” Rouge whispered hesitantly, sounding somewhat unsure.

At Princess Huai Zhu’s first inclination, she intended to wave her hand dismissively. However, as she caught sight of Ning Chuan’s faint smile on the high platform, a thought seemed to cross her mind. Clenching her teeth, she retorted:

“Debate? Why not!”

“Are we really going to challenge Mr. Ning?” Rouge’s voice quivered.

But when Princess Huai Zhu glanced at Ning Chuan, her thoughts became indecipherable. Clenching her teeth, she declared:

“Challenge him! Let’s see if we can!”

…

[ Congratulations to the host, the content of the gossip triggers violent mood swings in the listeners, and an extra reward: 3000 storytelling points!][ Congratulations to the host, the content of the chat arouses the audience’s intense anticipation, and an extra reward: 2000 storytelling points!]

A series of notifications from the system rang in Ning Chuan’s mind.

“An extra reward?” A faint smile tugged at Ning Chuan’s lips. “It appears that the list-making endeavor has struck a chord. This will undoubtedly be beneficial during the follow-up chat sessions after storytelling.”

“This way, I’ll be killing two birds with one stone. The total storytelling points will likely surpass what I’d gain from pure storytelling alone.”

As he contemplated this, Ning Chuan, who originally intended to reveal the third-ranked Heavenly Pride, formulated an alternative plan.

…

“Top three!”

At this moment, within the Seven Blessings Inn, countless guests held their breaths and focused their burning gazes on Ning Chuan.

It was widely acknowledged that there was often a substantial difference between the top three and those ranked below. Just like in imperial examinations, only the top three—first, second, and third places—were truly recognized. In comparison, the subsequent rankings held much less prestige.

And within Ning Chuan’s ranking list, the bottom seven had already proven themselves incredibly formidable.

It was difficult for the audience to fathom the power of the top three. How exceptional must they be, and what deeds must they have accomplished, to surpass the likes of Bei Han and Lu Bing?

A fervent excitement ignited in the eyes of the crowd.

…

On the high platform, Ning Chuan set his folding fan aside with a soft ‘pop’. Smirking faintly, he announced:

“That’s it for today’s digressions. Let’s end here.”

“After three days, we will conclude this storytelling session and officially unveil the top three on the Heavenly Pride list!”

As his words landed, the audience was stunned momentarily, then an agitated frenzy consumed them.

“It’s over? It’s really over??”

“Damn it!”

“Don’t do this, Mr. Ning! Your appetite is insatiable! Who can endure this? Just tell us already!”

“I have a really profane word in mind. I’m not sure if I should say it!”

“Mr. Ning, this is just mean!”

“Wow, Mr. Ning, you detailed the fourth place but not the top three? Are you deliberately torturing us?”

“Stop? You’re stopping now? You’re waiting three days? My sanity’s crumbling!”

“Mr. Ning, Brother Ning, Master Ning, just reveal the top three already!”

“Mr. Ning, if you don’t finish today, I’ll visit your quarters every day, badgering you at your bedside!”

“Three days… Another three days! How am I supposed to make it through?”

An outpouring of expletives and complaints erupted from the audience. Ning Chuan’s timing was akin to stopping midway through answering nature’s call. Such a feeling was unbearable!

…

Even Yan Qingfei and the others couldn’t contain their frustration.

“What? It’s over?”

Yan Qingfei was practically losing his mind. They were mere moments away from discovering whether Swordsman Jianzi secured a place among the top three, yet the storytelling session concluded. The sensation was akin to savoring wine in a brothel, only to have the courtesan abruptly declare, “Tonight was delightful, but I shall retire to my own quarters.”

Swordsman Jianzi, on the other hand, simply shook his head, maintaining his equanimity. After all, three days was a paltry wait.

…

“It’s over… for three days?”

Princess Huai Zhu and Rouge both gaped in astonishment, mouths agape like they could fit an egg.

Ning Chuan’s abrupt halt felt like an itch that couldn’t be scratched, an incessant unease coursing through them.

“If Mr. Ning was in Central State, I’d teach him a lesson about oppression by royalty and the definition of ‘involuntary’,” Princess Huai Zhu muttered indignantly.

Yet, despite her initial frustration, a sigh escaped her:

“Three days, just three days. I can endure it.”

…

“Mr. Ning…”

Nan Yuexi gazed up at Ning Chuan with a perplexed expression. Although she typically possessed great composure, she even felt a surge of desire to rush up and shake Ning Chuan by the collar, demanding he continue speaking. However, after a few breaths, she managed to regain her composure. She suspected she understood why Ning Chuan had decided to postpone revealing the third-ranked individual on the Heavenly Pride list.

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“Forget it, within three days, the contents of this issue will likely spread throughout the Nine Mysterious Realms.”

“By then, the unveiling of the top three on the Heavenly Pride list will undoubtedly command global attention.”

…

“Little Ning Chuan…”

The red umbrella girl’s train of thought deviated considerably from the norm. Rather than becoming angry, she appeared touched. Softly, she advised:

“Do you intend to announce my position as the top Heavenly Pride in front of Yoyo and the entire world?”

Moments later, a sheepish smile appeared on her face as she continued:

“Xiao Ning Chuan, to repay you, I want to eat you bite by bite. This way, we’ll be together forever, inseparable.”

“All right…?”

…

Varied reactions proliferated throughout the audience.

Ning Chuan appeared unfazed

. A subtle smile graced his lips as he nodded toward the crowd. With that, he turned and ascended the inn’s second floor.

He believed that the content of this particular issue of “The Legend of the Heavenly Emperor” and the revelation of the Heavenly Pride rankings would inevitably send shockwaves throughout the entire Nine Mysterious Realm.

In three days, once the material had sufficiently fermented, the unveiling of the top three would undoubtedly yield far more storytelling points than it would now.

“As for the present…”

Ning Chuan gazed at the substantial number of storytelling points he had amassed, a smile curling his lips.

“The time has come to reap the rewards!”

…