A few moments later, the ancient red glow turned into a mysterious red rune.
Qin Nan was slightly startled. He had seen similar runes on Ning Jianfei and the others. It was the God Ranking Rune.
Why would the God Ranking Rune suddenly appear on his body?
"Qin Nan has been removed from the Monarch Ranking. He has been made an exception to be ranked on the God Ranking with a rank of eight thousand and first."
An ancient voice suddenly echoed inside Qin Nan's mind.
"An exception to be ranked on the God Ranking? Could the voice belong to the God Ranking's Spirit?"
Qin Nan's eyes flickered with astonishment.
The whole thing felt incredibly odd.
As everyone knew, the procedure to enter the God Ranking was similar to the Monarch Ranking—the only way was to take the trial. However, the Anti-Heaven Alliance was different from the other factions. There were no benefits for being ranked on the God Ranking, thus Qin Nan had never had the thought of entering it.
However, the God Ranking had taken the initiative to make an exception in his case?
Normally, even if he had surpassed the rules of cultivation, he had yet to achieve the Martial Monarch Realm, thus it did not make sense for the God Ranking to make an exception for him.
"There is no fire without smoke. The God Ranking's Spirit is surely plotting something. Screw it, I won't be able to know what it's trying to achieve now. I should focus on looking for the pieces of the Canglan Tree."
Qin Nan calmed his thoughts.
Only by achieving the Martial Monarch Realm on his own would he be able to fully control the power of the Martial Monarch Realm. It was necessary for him to stand a chance against the plots of the Monarch Ranking, the God Ranking, and the South-Heaven Gate.
"Time to visit the Dark Shadow Palace."
Qin Nan did not waste any further time. He flew straight to the Dark Shadow Palace with a kick.
Unlike the Anti-Heaven Palace, the disciples of the Anti-Heaven Palace were required to pay some contribution points to enter the Dark Shadow Palace if they were seeking information.
For example, if someone were searching for information related to normal secrets, they would have to enter the Elder's Hall of the Dark Shadow Palace, which had an entrance fee of thirty thousand contribution points. If they were looking for ancient secrets, they would have to pay an entrance fee of fifty thousand contribution points to enter the Five Great Elders' Hall.
However, for someone like Qin Nan who had a certain status in the Anti-Heaven Palace, he was not required to pay the entrance fee.
Besides, as one of the Five Great Elders, Qin Nan could enter the Dark Shadow Palace as he wished.
A while later, Qin Nan entered the Dark Shadow Palace.
The entire hall was relatively dark, with serene blue candles burning on the walls. An old man sat with his legs crossed at the front of the hall with his eyes closed. They slowly opened when the old man became aware of someone's presence.
"Ah, so it's Elder Qin Nan. What can I help you with on your visit to the Dark Shadow Palace?"
The old man said slowly with a rather hoarse voice.
He was one of the Five Great Elders of the Dark Shadow Palace.
"Senior, I'm here to look for any information about the pieces of the Canglan Tree in either the half-God region or the Middle Continent." Qin Nan brought his fists together and asked.
Qin Nan had decided not to purposely hide the fact that he was looking for the pieces of the Canglan Tree. After all, even if some authorities were aware of it, they would assume Qin Nan was trying to merge his Martial Trees into one, but they would not guess that he was actually planning to achieve the Martial Monarch Realm on his own.
"The pieces of the Canglan Tree?" The old man was slightly startled before he continued, "So you're looking for that?"
"Senior, what is it?" Qin Nan frowned.
"Ah, Elder Qin Nan might not know this." The old man said with a smile, "There is a piece of the Canglan Tree on the fifth floor of the Mystic Treasure Palace. You could try your luck there if you need it."
"The Mystic Treasure Palace has a piece of the Canglan Tree?"
Qin Nan's eye flickered with astonishment.
He never thought the Mystic Treasure Palace of the Anti-Heaven Palace would have a piece of the Canglan Tree.
"Senior, apart from the piece in the Mystic Treasure Palace, is there any other news about pieces?"
Qin Nan calmed his thoughts and asked.
The piece he had received from Zhan Xiaoxian had only altered the auras of the nine Martial Trees. Therefore, one or two pieces were nowhere enough for merging the nine Martial Trees.
"Nothing at the moment, I'll make the disciples keep an eye out. I'll contact you if we find any news."
The old man said.
"Thank you, senior!"
Qin Nan brought his fists together and expressed his gratitude. He did not stay there any longer, but made his way straight to the Mystic Treasure Palace.
From afar, the giant Mystic Treasure Palace had a faint glow due to the presence of Qi within it. Many cultivators could be seen flying in and out from it.
The Mystic Treasure Palace was slightly different from the Dark Shadow Palace. Everyone was allowed to enter regardless of their cultivation or status, as long as they had enough contribution points to exchange for the items.
Qin Nan's arrival immediately attracted quite some attention.
"Elder Qin Nan."
"Greetings, Elder Qin Nan."
The cultivators in the hall were surprised, who swiftly brought their fists together and greeted.
"Hehe, Elder Qin Nan, what are you doing here in the Mystic Treasure Palace?" A voice could be heard, which belonged to a half-smiling Wei Ming.
Wei Ming was not only one of the Five Great Elders of the Anti-Heaven Palace, but the Vice-Leader of the Mystic Treasure Palace as well. He was in charge of important matters in the Mystic Treasure Palace.
He immediately showed himself when he saw Qin Nan entering the palace.
"Hall Leader Wei Ming, I was told that the Mystic Treasure Palace has a piece of the Canglan Tree? Can you show it to me?"
Qin Nan asked straight away.
"A piece of the Canglan Tree? You’re here to see it?" Wei Ming was slightly startled. His eyes flickered coldly as he thought of something, which brought his trademark smile to his face as he spoke, "If Elder Qin Nan is interested, I'll bring you there."
Wei Ming turned around and went deeper into the hall.
Qin Nan's eyes flickered with a hint of doubt. He did not expect Wei Ming to be so cooperative. Or was he possibly up to something again this time?
Qin Nan shook his head and followed behind.
"The piece of the Canglan Tree? Isn't that on the fifth floor?"
"Isn't the fifth floor only…"
"Shh, quiet."
The other cultivators in the hall were startled, before whispering among themselves.
Meanwhile, Qin Nan followed Wei Ming to the fifth floor.
He could see countless glowing patterns of deities at the entrance.
Qin Nan took a glimpse with his left eye and was astounded. It turned out that his left eye was unable to see through the barrier.
"Elder Qin Nan, this is it. You can enter with this wooden badge. I won't be able to keep you company because of the rules." Wei Ming handed him a wooden badge.
"Thanks." Qin Nan glanced at Wei Ming before receiving the badge. He turned around and headed straight toward the barrier.
"Qin Nan, I didn't expect you to bring yourself here when our drinking plan failed. I can't wait what you will do next!"
Wei Ming stared at Qin Nan's departing figure with a cold grin.
Only Martial Monarch Realm authorities were allowed to enter the fifth floor.
The reason was that there were many powerful artifacts being stored here, thus those below the Martial Monarch Realm would not be able to resist the oppressive auras from their presence.
As such, Wei Ming had volunteered to lead the way when Qin Nan told him he was interested in seeing the piece of the Canglan Tree.
After all, if Qin Nan ended up being seriously injured, Wei Ming could explain himself that it was because he could not turn down Qin Nan's request.
However, Qin Nan was entirely clueless about his intention.
Using the badge, Qin Nan passed through the barrier and entered the fifth floor.
The moment he entered, several terrifying auras were awakened in the spacious hall.
