Ming Martial World.
Mount Hua Sect, Reflection Cliff.
"Granduncle, I've let you down... I only ranked 10th on the Sword Ancestor Ranking!"
Linghu Chong scratched his head, a little embarrassed.
Earlier, he had bragged that after learning the Dugu Nine Swords, he would at least rank in the top three.
But in the end, to his dismay, he nearly dropped off the ranking entirely.
"Chong'er, it's not your fault. I underestimated the heroes of the world."
"Even I might not make it onto the Great Grandmaster Sword Ranking." Feng Qingyang said with a hint of dejection.
His recent defeat on the stage at the hands of a junior sword cultivator named Ximen Chuixue had hit him hard.
He realized he wasn't as strong as he had thought.
"Chong'er, the Dugu Nine Swords are the foundation of your swordsmanship, but in the future, you must find your own path."
"Never let the Nine Swords limit your growth."
"If you do, you won't make it far in the Great Grandmaster Realm."
"Success may come from the Nine Swords, but so can failure."
"No matter how proficient you are with it, if you can't break free from its shackles, your swordsmanship will have no future."
Feng Qingyang sighed.
"Yes, Granduncle. I will remember your words." Linghu Chong said with a determined nod.
After witnessing so many talented cultivators in the Nine Provinces, if he continued to be clueless and carefree, then he really would be a fool.
"Huh? What's this?"
Suddenly, a glowing white herb appeared in Linghu Chong's hand, and he was momentarily stunned.
"Sword Grass?"
He remembered now.
Back during the Hidden Dragon Ranking, many had received Sword Grass as a reward.
Consuming it could significantly improve one's comprehension of sword intent.
It was truly a rare and precious treasure.
"Granduncle, this is Sword Grass, the Heaven Dao Reward for making it onto the Sword Ancestor Ranking!" Linghu Chong said with delight as he offered it.
"Chong'er, keep it for yourself. I'll guard you while you cultivate."
"The Heaven Dao must not be defied. Since it was given to you, it would be inappropriate for someone else to take it."
Linghu Chong thought for a moment and did not argue.
He immediately swallowed the herb.
Then sat cross-legged and entered a state of enlightenment.
==========
Mount Hua Sect, Righteousness Hall.
"Senior Brother, Chong'er actually made it onto the Sword Ancestor Ranking!" Ning Zhongze looked at the ranking excitedly and said to Yue Buqun.
"Chong'er is a Grandmaster? How is that possible?"
Yue Buqun was also shocked.
Even if he went up there and showcased his own Sword Techniques, he wouldn't make the ranking.
Did that mean he was no match for Linghu Chong?
Looking at the ranking, Yue Buqun's expression turned gloomy.
Where did Linghu Chong learn that Sword Technique?
Could it be the Evil Repelling Sword Technique?
Linghu Chong had once come into contact with it.
At that moment, after consuming the Sword Grass, Linghu Chong's sword intent had greatly improved, and he had returned from the Reflection Cliff.
"Greetings, Master, Mistress." He said, stepping forward awkwardly to pay his respects.
"You scoundrel! Where did you learn that Sword Technique?"
"That's clearly not Mount Hua's swordsmanship!" Yue Buqun slammed the table and shouted angrily.
Linghu Chong's heart trembled.
Still, he did not hide the truth.
He figured everything had likely been exposed, and it was only a matter of time before the truth of his Nine Swords was known.
He might as well speak honestly.
"Master, Mistress, I learned it from Granduncle Feng Qingyang while reflecting on my mistakes at the back cliff."
"Feng Qingyang? Uncle Feng?"
Yue Buqun muttered to himself, then his expression changed drastically.
Feng Qingyang?
He's still alive? And he's been living in seclusion at the back cliff all this time?
How could he have missed it?
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
At that moment, sharp sword qi erupted from the Reflection Cliff.
Even from the Righteousness Hall, the people present could feel their skin tingling.
"Yue Buqun, Linghu Chong is my disciple." came Feng Qingyang's calm voice.
"What? Do you think I'm unworthy to teach him?"
The words rang like thunder in Yue Buqun's ears.
His face turned pale, his heart filled with shock.
A Great Grandmaster!
Oh my god... if Mount Hua had such a cultivator all this time, why did he have to suffer in silence for so many years?
"My disciple was fortunate to be taught by Uncle Feng. It is a blessing for him."
Both he and Linghu Chong had already revealed themselves on the sword stage.
To continue hiding would only be self-deception.
It was better to appear openly.
"Chong'er, come practice swordsmanship at the back cliff every day at the hour of the dragon."
With those words, silence fell again.
Ning Zhongze was overjoyed for Linghu Chong.
Yue Buqun, however, looked bitter, and deep in his eyes was a strong sense of humiliation.
==========
Qin Dynasty Territory.
Ge Nie traveled toward the Ming Dynasty with Jing Tianming, accompanied by Wei Zhuang and the members of Quicksand.
"Uncle, I made it onto the Sword Ancestor Ranking!"
"Hahaha, I'm amazing!"
"Hmph, if I see Shaoyu again, he definitely won't be my match!"
Jing Tianming beamed proudly at Ge Nie.
"Well done, Tianming. Your hard work is paying off. Keep going and strive to reach the Great Grandmaster Realm soon."
Ge Nie nodded in praise, encouraging him.
"Uncle, I won't let you down."
"I want to become a Great Grandmaster... and even a Land Immortal!"
"One day, I'll be the one protecting you."
Tianming clenched his fists, his fighting spirit ablaze.
"Hmph, you little brat, such big talk. With your talent, becoming a Great Grandmaster is already your limit."
"You think you can become a Land Immortal?"
Wei Zhuang sneered at him.
"Besides, you might not even live that long."
Tianming clearly showed signs of the Six Soul Curse.
Just like how Han Fei had died.
No cure.
"You villain! Always trying to jinx me."
Tianming held nothing but dislike for Wei Zhuang.
He was among those who had hunted him and his uncle.
If not for Ge Nie's strength, they might have died already.
"Uncle, why do we have to travel with this bad guy?"
"Enough, Tianming. Just do what's right in your heart. Don't worry about what others say."
"I believe you can become a Land Immortal."
Ge Nie's teachings always struck Tianming as wise, even if he didn't fully understand them.
"Yes, Uncle!"
"Oh right, this Sword Grass is the Heaven Dao Reward. Uncle, you take it."
"No need. It's yours. You should use it yourself."
Wei Zhuang looked at Ge Nie with disdain, like he was looking at a fool.
"Is this why you betrayed Ying Zheng?"
"How foolish. You're just a dying man."
"Was it worth it?"
"In my eyes, it was absolutely worth it. I'm even grateful." Ge Nie replied calmly.
==========
Southern Song Dynasty, Outside of Xiangyang.
Dugu Sword Tomb.
"Master, I've let you down this time."
"I'm still far from reaching the top three."
"If not for my luck, I might not have even made the top ten."
Yang Guo looked dejected.
"You didn't meet my expectations, but it wasn't terrible."
"Let's say you barely passed."
"Next time, do better. "Barely passed" is not the standard for my disciples. You should strive for perfection."
"Yes, Master."
"Oh, the Sword Grass..."
"It's a fine spiritual item. Go ahead and use it. It might increase your sword intent by ten percent."
"It's a pity you weren't awarded a mysterious physique by the heavens this time."
"Seems like this so-called Sword Ancestor Ranking isn't as good as the Hidden Dragon one."
"After taking the herb, go train in the Wind Valley."
"Once you master the heavy sword to the point where it feels weightless, we'll move on to the next lesson."
==========
Sui Imperial Palace.
Empress Palace.
"Young Master Ling, you really made a name for yourself this time in front of all of the Nine Provinces."
"I'm so jealous. When will there be a Blade God Ranking?"
"I'd definitely make the top three!"
"Pfft. You? You wouldn't even make the top ten. Don't be ridiculous."
Xu Ziling rolled his eyes, then turned to his master, Xiao Meiniang.
"Ziling, your performance was commendable this time. You didn't disgrace the Longevity Art."
"You two haven't trained for long. There's no need to compare yourselves to those prodigies who've cultivated for years."
"The Grandmaster and Great Grandmaster Realms are just warm-ups. You should respect them but not dwell on them too much."
"The Land Immortal Realm is where the true martial path begins."
"Right now, you should focus on strengthening your foundation and preparing for that future."
==========
Han Dynasty, Zhonghua Pavilion.
Seeing Nameless, Bu Jingyun, and the other brothers laughing and chatting together from a distance.
Jian Chen felt a surge of jealousy he couldn't explain.
He also noticed how Nameless always looked disappointed when comparing him to Bu Jingyun.
It made him feel even more bitter and resentful.
Emotions that directly contradicted Nameless's usual teachings.
Nameless had always suppressed Jian Chen's darker emotions too much.
So once these thoughts emerged, they grew rapidly.
Having lost repeatedly to Bu Jingyun in the duels, Jian Chen's negative emotions only intensified.
Once darkness overtakes the light in his heart, Nameless will eventually be consumed by Jian Chen's backlash.
"Master!"
"Jian Chen, you and Bu Jingyun both did well this time."
"Especially Jingyun, who found a path for future breakthroughs during battle. Very good."
Looking at Nameless's happy expressions.
It seemed he had never smiled like that for Jian Chen.
For a moment, Jian Chen said nothing.
He didn't even know what to say.
==========
Tang Dynasty.
Duan Lang Mansion.
Bang!
"Lost again! I lost to Bu Jingyun again. Why?"
"Where am I lacking? Could my Sun Eclipse Sword Method really be weaker than his?"
"Impossible! Hmph! Bu Jingyun, just wait. One day, I'll trample you beneath my feet!"
"But why does it feel like ever since I joined the Tang Dynasty, my progress has slowed down?"
Duan Lang frowned.
He decided to observe a little longer.
If joining the Tang Dynasty was holding back his growth, then he might have to part ways with them.
All the riches and glory he'd enjoyed lately were starting to wear thin.
Compared to wealth, he still preferred to control his own destiny.
To be his own master.
Even an Emperor had no right to command him.
Lately, he'd grown more and more wary of Li Shimin and Yuan Tiangang.
He always felt like those two were scheming against him.
Especially Yuan Tiangang, who clearly wasn't a good person.
==========
Tang Capital, Bad People Headquarters.
Yuan Tiangang looked at the report in his hand and chuckled.
"It seems Duan Lang truly is an ungrateful wolf. No matter how well the Tang Dynasty treats him, the moment something displeases him, he'll become a mortal enemy."
"Seems he already has rebellion in his heart."
"Duan Lang, since you're asking for death, I'll let you be of some final use."
"All the benefits you got from the Tang Dynasty... you'll pay them back a hundredfold, a thousandfold."
"You really think Tang Dynasty's gifts come so easily?"
The Bad Marshal sneered coldly.
With a wave of his hand, the information turned to ash.
"Send the order. The plan can begin."
"Yes, Marshal!"
"Haha, Duan Lang, I hope you don't disappoint me too much!"
==========
Ming Imperial Palace.
Empress Dowager Palace.
At this moment, Princess Yun Luo stood nervously, pouting so hard she could hang a sauce bottle on her lips.
"Mother, I was just having fun on the dueling platform!"
"Having fun? Yun Luo, do you realize you've embarrassed the Ming Dynasty?"
"You think making it onto the Sword Ancestor Ranking is a good thing?"
"Just look at what a joke this is!"
"Ten people on that ranking, nine are men, and the only woman is the Ming Princess."
"This isn't glory. This is humiliation!"
The more the Empress Dowager spoke, the angrier she became.
She had always disliked Empress Wu Zhao not just because of her scheming nature but also due to her terrifying martial strength.
Why did a Ming Empress need such power?
What if she ever turned against the Emperor?
The Emperor would only need to make one mistake... and he'd be doomed.
If she weren't aware of Wu Zhao's strength, the Empress Dowager would've already tried to eliminate her by any means.
In the Imperial Harem, it was enough for the guards to be strong.
The Consorts only needed to bear imperial heirs.
Anything beyond that was meaningless.
In the Empress Dowager's eyes, martial prowess was not an asset, but a liability.
"Hmph, if I had my Sister-in-law's strength, I wouldn't have to fear Mother every day..."
"I wouldn't have to live in constant anxiety!"
At that moment, Yun Luo's ambition was ignited.
She would return to her quarters and consume the Sword Grass immediately.