Chapter 142: No. 1 In History, Timon Barton
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Whilst riding the lavishly decorated magic carriage, everyone looked around curiously at their surroundings.
The streets were wider, smoother, and more level than the kingdom’s.
The shops were more prosperous, and there were more of them than in the kingdom.
The buildings were taller and grander than the kingdom’s.
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The population was denser and more complex than the kingdom’s.
Among the passersby going to and fro were Taurens with ox heads, Demi-Fairies with pointy ears, as well as Demigiants that towered at several meters tall...
But of course, what there was in abundance were still humans and Dragon People.
“The Imperial City’s degree of prosperity is something far beyond the capital city’s.
“The population is denser here, so there is naturally a higher concentration of experts here. And there is an astonishingly high number of influential officials and nobles.
“Even with just a casual turn of the head, you may just bump into an Earl. Therefore, during this period where the exchange competition is ongoing, all of you’d better behave and refrain from making any trouble, lest you rile anyone that you shouldn’t be messing with and embarrass the six of us old fellows...”
“Yes, President!”
With regard to the academy presidents’ repeated advice, Meng Lei felt it even more keenly because ever since he had stepped into the Imperial City... the system’s voice notifications had never once stopped!
“Ding! Assimilation successful. Host’s Physical Body Constitution +116!”
“Ding! Assimilation successful. Host’s Wealth +1,290!”
“Ding! Assimilation successful. You have obtained the Third-Grade Spell...”
Meng Lei had already fallen in love with the system’s voice at some unknown point in time. Although it sounded icy cold, and emotionless, the moment an extended period of absence came about, he would end up anxious and restless as if something was lacking in his life.
Upon hearing the system’s constant voice notifications at this moment, Meng Lei felt greatly soothed, especially when he saw how his various attributes were continuously being refreshed. One could just imagine how pleased he was.
As expected, one certainly ought to come to big places like this more often. The attributes here were the plumpest and most fertile, as well as the highest in volume. His gains from being just a short while here could already match up to what he got in an entire day elsewhere.
Sweet!
By the time their group reached the inn, three hours had already gone by. They entered the inn and went through the check-in procedures.
And then, the academy presidents began their lectures.
“We have to assemble at the Dragon God Academy tomorrow morning, so have an early night. We’ll assemble in the hall tomorrow at 7 in the morning.”
“Yes, President!”
After the academy presidents left their instructions, all the contestants returned to their rooms to rest, including Meng Lei.
As he rested on the cottony-soft down silk comforter and took in the wonderful scent of the sheets, Meng Lei did something he rarely did—he didn’t go into meditation. Instead, he fell asleep in a good mood.
When he woke up the next day, he felt refreshed and invigorated.
By the time he went down the stairs and arrived at the hall, all the other contestants had already assembled. Then, Meng Lei found himself a seat somewhere.
At this moment, a Dragon Person contestant with a pair of horns on his head leaned over and asked carefully, “Lord Meng Lei, when are you going to challenge the Dragon God Tower?”
His name was Joel Elton. He was from the Fighting Dragon Academy and was born into nobility. As he had intentions of building good relations with Meng Lei, he had constantly tried to cozy up to Meng Lei during their whole journey to the Imperial City.
Meng Lei was well aware of his intentions. He cast a glance at him and replied calmly, “Aren’t we assembling at the Dragon God Academy today? If there’s time, perhaps I can go and take a look at it.”
Joel paid Meng Lei a whole lot of flattery with an obsequious expression on his face, and said, “With Lord Meng Lei’s abilities, I’m sure you can rank in the Dragon God Genius Ranking and awe the Imperial City to become the kingdom’s pride!”
“The Dragon God Genius Ranking?”
Meng Lei raised an eyebrow, a look of puzzlement coming over his features.
“Don’t you know about the Dragon God Genius Ranking, Lord Meng Lei?”
Joel was taken aback for a moment there. Then, he hurriedly explained, “There’s a magic light screen on the Dragon God Tower where the names of the top 1,000 people with the most outstanding results among those that entered will be listed.
“That’s the Dragon God Genius Ranking.
“After one enters the Dragon God Tower, the higher the level they go, and the longer they stay inside, the higher they’ll rank in the ranking.
“It can be said that the Dragon God Genius Ranking is a record of the 1,000 most astoundingly talented people in the empire’s 40,000-odd years of history!”
“A record of only 1,000 people over a period of more than 40,000 years?” Meng Lei was startled. “In that case, it’s going to be very difficult if one wishes to put their name on the list.”
“Yes, that’s right!”
Another contestant also came over and added, “This is because not only does the Dragon God Genius Ranking record the geniuses of our generation, but it also records the geniuses in history!
“It’s akin to having all the geniuses in history compete on the same platform. Therefore, there’s indeed an extremely high level of difficulty if one wants to enter the ranking.
“Because of this, every single one of those that could make their way into the ranking is a true genius that had gone down in history. Not only are they the kingdoms’ pride, but they are also the academies’!”
“I see...”
Meng Lei shook his head lightly. Then, he asked curiously, “Do you know who the one that places top is?”
“It’s Timon Barton, the one known as the Child of The Dragon God, of course. There’s no doubt about that!” a contestant replied without any slightest bit of hesitation whatsoever.
“The Child of The Dragon God? Timon Barton?”
Meng Lei was puzzled.
“Timon Barton is someone from 13,000 years ago and is also the highest-ranked person ever in history among those that have entered the Dragon God Tower.
“He first entered the Dragon God Tower at 11 years old. In the short span of 14 years, until he turned 25, he had gone into the tower a total of 42 times. The highest he’s ever gone was the 78th level, while the longest he’s ever stayed for was a duration of 8 months.
“It’s said that Timon Barton started cultivating at the age of 9, became an eighth-grade expert at 11, and broke through to Saint Domain at 14. Because he’s so amazingly talented and peerless in history, he is known as the Child of The Dragon God. He’s also the one with the highest hopes of ascending to the 100th level of the Dragon God Tower!”
“Saint Domain at 14 years old?”
All the contestants couldn’t help but gasp. Then, they looked at Meng Lei and remarked, “Isn’t he even more of a mutant than Lord Meng Lei, then?”
They were already very astounded by how Meng Lei had become a Saint Domain at 16 years old. Little did they know that there was a ferocious guy out there that was even crazier than him. Indeed, however strong one was, there would always be someone stronger still.
“Since Timon Barton has already gone up to the 78th level when he was 25 years old, then why didn’t he continue going further up?” Meng Lei asked.
“Because he has fallen!”
Joel explained with a wry smile, “The reason for his death is unknown, but the official statement from the empire authorities is that he has indeed already fallen. As for the truth of the matter, it’s something we won’t know.”
“He has fallen?” Meng Lei was startled by the answer. At once, he felt immense regret about it. “To think a genius like that has actually fallen!”
“Yes, what a shame, indeed.”
Joel said regretfully, “Starting his cultivation at 9 years old, entering the Saint Domain realm at 14, and passing at 25—even though Timon Barton only had a short cultivation career of 16 years, the record he has created is unprecedented in history and never again seen after, shining brightly upon history and being passed down even today.
“As such, Timon Barton is also known as the number one genius in all of Dragon God Empire’s history!”
“He well deserves the title of the number one genius in the Dragon God Empire!” Meng Lei nodded slowly.
Ol’ Amos sighed and also remarked, “How unexpected that such an amazing talent had actually emerged from the Dragon God Empire after my passing! What a shame... Sigh!”
“It’s certainly a huge shame...”
“Is everyone here?”
At this point, the six academy presidents came down from the upper floors. The contestants nodded and replied, “Yes, everyone’s here! Not a single person missing!”
“Great. Since everyone has arrived, then let’s set off.”
Then, all of them boarded the magic carriage and made their way to the Dragon God Academy.
On the way there, President Fred suddenly asked Meng Lei, “I heard the lot of you talking about Timon Barton just now?”
“Yes.”
“Timon Barton is indeed the most astounding genius in the Dragon God Empire’s history. In addition, he’s also from the Fire Dragon Kingdom. It’s just a shame that... The heavens are jealous of great talent!”
President Fred was terribly emotional as he remarked, “If he were still alive, he’d probably have already surpassed Saint Domain, or even the half-deity realm, to break through and become a deity a long time ago!”
“He was from the Fire Dragon Kingdom?”