The crimson scroll hung high in the sky, visible to all.
In Wudu, everyone lifted their heads. They all knew exactly what this crimson list represented.
From scholars and poets to common folk in the marketplaces, everyone eagerly awaited the unveiling of this list.
Compared to the Tianxia Rankings, which rarely shifted in hundreds or even thousands of years,
Compared to the Qingyun Rankings, which celebrated the prodigies of the world,
The Beauty Rankings held a unique appeal.
After all, few men weren't captivated by beauty, and few women didn't enjoy comparisons.
Even more so because the Beauty Rankings allowed ordinary mortals to be listed.
Perhaps it was this accessibility that brought the rankings closer to the hearts of the common people.
At the same time, across the realms of the human dynasties, the demon kingdoms of the Southern Lands, and the many sects large and small, whether human or demon, heads turned skyward.
Citizens of every nation, disciples of every sect—each had their own goddess in mind, and naturally, they hoped to see their goddess make the list.
Yet, among the countless billions of beings in the world, only one hundred adult women could claim a spot on the list.
As Xu Ming traveled, he too paused to gaze at the crimson scroll in the sky.
Even Prime Minister Fang, usually stern and reserved, stepped out of the carriage and sat beside Xu Ming and Xu Pangda, lifting his head to watch.
After all, no matter their age, reading this list was a shared joy among men.
[100th Place on the Beauty Rankings: Wang Ru]
[Third Princess of the Wei Kingdom: A beauty akin to fish sinking and geese falling, her radiance eclipses the moon and shames the flowers. Her gentle smile exudes grace and elegance, evoking spring wherever she stands.]
[99th Place on the Beauty Rankings: Chen Nan'er]
[Daughter of the Great General of the Qi Kingdom.]
The Beauty Rankings revealed names from the bottom up. Each time a name appeared, it sparked a commotion somewhere in the world.
Xu Ming didn't recognize any of the women listed in the bottom fifty.
Even the Empress Xiao, once ranked 93rd, had failed to make the list this time.
When it came to the top fifty, at 30th place, Xu Ming recognized Elder Wang Xuan of the Tianxuan Sect, who was also Qin Qingwan's master.
Soon, it was time for the top ten!
Due to differing tastes, the top ten spots on the Beauty Rankings often stirred the most debate.
Each woman in the top ten had a completely distinct charm—some pure and sweet, others seductive and enchanting. Each represented the pinnacle of their style.
However, beauty was subjective. While you might prefer an elegant and mature figure, someone else might favor a youthful and cheerful demeanor. You might admire a sword maiden, while another might adore a princess.
Thus, many believed that ranking the top ten was unnecessary, as preferences varied widely.
But the Beauty Rankings did have an order. This was because the list was generated by an artifact infused with the Heavenly Dao's laws, which ranked the women based on the collective preferences of the people.
In other words, even if everyone's tastes differed and you hadn't met a single woman on the list, the Heavenly Dao knew your aesthetic preferences and cast your vote for you.
If the majority favored petite girls at the moment, petite girls ranked higher. If the majority leaned toward mature women, their rankings rose.
To be honest, Xu Ming thought the founder of the Beauty Rankings, the old patriarch of Tianji City, was truly a troublemaker.
And yet, despite tens of thousands of years of criticism, this "troublesome" list remained as captivating as ever, drawing the attention of all.
[10th Place on the Beauty Rankings—Mo Zhu'er]
[Saintess of the Black Lotus Sect in the Western Regions. Born with a wicked and alluring nature, deadly as poison. To behold her is to long for the fatal sweetness, even at the cost of your life.]
[9th Place on the Beauty Rankings—Bai Bing]
[Princess of the Snow Demon Nation in the Southern Realms. Hair as white as snow, skin as cold as ice, her demeanor as frosty and unfathomable as a glacier.]
[8th Place on the Beauty Rankings—Jiang Luoyu]
[Sect Master of the Wanjian Sect. Her presence is like a sword: sharp, unyielding, and with a heart closed for a millennium.]
[7th Place on the Beauty Rankings—Xu Xuenuo]
[Disciple of the Wanjian Sect Master. As icy as her blade, her disposition mirrors her weapon's frigid elegance.]
[6th Place on the Beauty Rankings—Ni]
[Queen of the Nine-Tails Nation in the Southern Demon Realm. Bewitching and enchanting, she sways all beings with her allure.]
[5th Place on the Beauty Rankings—Qin Qingwan]
[First disciple of Elder Wang Xuan of the Tianxuan Sect. "A girl of the Qin family grows into a stunning beauty; charming, poised, and gentle, her purity and grace true to her name."]
[4th Place on the Beauty Rankings—Wu Yanhan]
[Princess of the Wu Dynasty. "A peerless beauty unnoticed by the world, entrusted to a fool who doesn't know her worth."]
Xu Ming: "..."
Reading the evaluation of Wu Yanhan, Xu Ming's brow twitched slightly.
"A peerless beauty unnoticed by the world, entrusted to a fool who doesn't know her worth."
Wasn't this a direct jab at him, implying: "You idiot, you don't appreciate Wu Yanhan's beauty?"
Xu Ming couldn't help but feel that Tianji City seemed to have a personal grudge against him.
While the rankings were determined by the Heavenly Dao, the comments? Those were definitely written by the Lord of Tianji City.
[3rd Place on the Beauty Rankings—Zhu Cici]
[Daughter of Yunyi Marquis of the Qi Kingdom and closed-door disciple of the Headmaster of the White Deer Academy. "Most things in this world cannot be held; beauty fades from the mirror as flowers fall from the tree."]
[2nd Place on the Beauty Rankings—Long Yueqiao]
[Eternal Dragon Empress. Devoted to one man, she is 15,633 years old and has reigned at the top of the rankings for 14,032 years.]
When the Eternal Dragon Empress was revealed to have dropped to second place, hearts across the world trembled in shock.
The woman who had held the top spot for millennia,
The one for whom people said, "As long as the Dragon Empress lives, no one else can claim the throne,"
Had fallen to second place?
Then who was first?
[1st Place on the Beauty Rankings—Shixin]
[Disciple of the Thunderclap Monastery in the Western Regions. "Renunciation, liberation, dissolution, annihilation, surrender... yet, the heart remains unyielding."]
"Shixin? A disciple of the Thunderclap Monastery?"
Prime Minister Fang blinked, doubting his own eyes.
"Old Master, what is the Thunderclap Monastery?" Xu Ming asked, his curiosity piqued.
Shaking his head, the elder replied, "The Thunderclap Monastery is the foremost Buddhist temple in the Western Regions."
"???" Xu Pangda's expression was one of disbelief. "The Buddhist sects have women? And one is the top beauty in the rankings?"
---
At the Thunderclap Monastery in the Western Regions, a young girl in monk's robes sat quietly in a corner, facing an ancient Bodhi tree.
She exuded an aura of serenity, like a tranquil spring untouched by time, growing more ethereal with every passing moment.
She resembled a blossoming peach flower in early spring—delicate yet dignified.
Her deep, serene eyes seemed capable of seeing through all the chaos of the world, while faint traces of compassion and tenderness radiated from her unconsciously.
Her long lashes, like butterfly wings, trembled lightly, reminiscent of butterflies dancing among flowers.
Slender and graceful like the bamboo of the mountains, her fair, jade-like skin emitted a faint glow. Even clad in simple monk's robes, her loose sleeves fluttering lightly in the wind, she appeared otherworldly.
"Shixin," an elderly monk approached, calling out softly.
The girl stood, clasped her hands together, and bowed. "Abbot Grandpa."
Looking at the young girl, who was both his disciple and his "granddaughter," the Abbot of the Thunderclap Monastery smiled and said,
"Shixin, it is time for you to descend the mountain."