"Leader of the Western Demon Cult, Jade Rakshasa!"
"I've been waiting for you for a long time!"
The mysterious man instantly gave up targeting Ximen Chuixue and appeared before Jade Rakshasa in a flash.
Jade Rakshasa of the West was one of the most secretive and terrifying figures in the martial world of the Ming Dynasty. His origins and martial arts were both shrouded in mystery. The Western Demon Cult he founded had already become a dominant force beyond the borders and had begun to infiltrate the inner lands.
Naturally, Zhu Houzhao would not let such a dangerous figure roam unchecked.
Jade Rakshasa's true son was none other than Ximen Chuixue.
Now that Ximen Chuixue had fallen into the Emperor's hands, if he did not use this opportunity to recruit Jade Rakshasa, it would be a tremendous waste.
"You're a man of the Ming court?"
"I didn't expect a Land Immortal like you to serve the imperial government."
Even someone as powerful as Jade Rakshasa understood immediately upon seeing the mysterious man and could only smile bitterly.
Though strong himself, he was only a Great Grandmaster.
There was no comparison to a Land Immortal.
To be able to command a Land Immortal meant the power of the Ming Dynasty was far beyond what it appeared to be.
Had he known earlier, he never would have allowed Ximen Chuixue to challenge the authority of the royal family.
A duel on the Forbidden City's rooftop might have seemed awe-inspiring on the surface.
But in truth, it was a direct insult to the emperor.
Now, retribution has come.
There were countless places suitable for a duel.
Mount Tai, the summit of Kunlun, and the countless famous mountains and rivers of the Ming Dynasty.
Why be so foolish as to provoke the imperial court?
"With your strength, Ximen Chuixue wouldn't even survive a single strike. What must I do for you to spare him?"
Even a powerful figure like Jade Rakshasa had to lower his stance.
The mysterious man smiled faintly.
He tossed out a token.
"From now on, you are officially registered as an Earth-Ranked Worship of the Ming Dynasty. You may go about your own business normally, but once a year, you must complete a task assigned by the Emperor."
"Of course, you can also exchange merit points for resources and treasures beyond your imagination."
"Perhaps, you might even have a slim chance to break through into the realm of a Land Immortal."
The mysterious man did not allow Jade Rakshasa any room to refuse.
"So be it. Since His Majesty holds me in such regard, I will accept this worship's token."
Though domineering and known for walking the path of evil, Jade Rakshasa was not arrogant. He knew how to read the situation.
With the strength of the man before him, destroying him would be as easy as flipping a hand.
As long as Ximen Chuixue remained unharmed, what did it matter if he became a royal worship?
He would not even mind giving up the entire Western Demon Cult.
The mysterious man nodded and disappeared in a blink.
Neither Ximen Chuixue nor Jade Rakshasa could detect how he vanished.
This shocked them both.
So this was the power of a Land Immortal.
As for how Jade Rakshasa and Ximen Chuixue would interact from now on, it was no longer his concern.
The Emperor's task had been completed.
———
Time passed swiftly.
The duel between Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng stirred up the entire martial world of the Ming Dynasty.
But it ended without a conclusion.
This left the martial world filled with disappointment.
However, a new incident quickly shook both the imperial court and the martial world.
Prince Ning and Prince Nan had conspired together in a plot to rebel.
When the news broke, it shocked all factions and powers.
Even more unbelievable was that, at the very moment the rebellion began, the Western Factory, Embroidered Uniform Guard, Six Doors, and Divine Marquis Mansion launched a coordinated assault on Prince Nan's estate, capturing all traitors including the prince and his heir in one sweep.
On the other front, the imperial court immediately dispatched Grand General Ling Luoshi to crush Prince Ning's forces.
Two rebellions, both quelled in less than ten days.
The Ming Dynasty swept through the uprisings like autumn wind through fallen leaves.
In an instant, the might of the imperial court surged to new heights.
Hidden conspirators across the realm quickly went into hiding.
None dared challenge the court, afraid it would be their turn next.
At the same time, news of the rebellion and its swift suppression spread quickly to other kingdoms.
The Great Qin, Han, Sui, Tang, the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties, along with various foreign empires and minor states.
All reacted differently.
But one sentiment was shared. Regret.
Such a massive rebellion had failed to drain the strength of the Ming Dynasty in the slightest.
They cursed the incompetence of Prince Ning and Prince Nan while becoming increasingly cautious themselves.
No one wanted rebellion breaking out in their own lands.
And with the reappearance of the Nine Provinces' Golden Dragon Rankings, competition grew fiercer within imperial courts and the martial world alike.
Countless lives were lost daily.
———
Boom!
On this day.
The sky trembled violently as golden light burst forth.
Purple energy rose, and celestial omens spread across the heavens.
In the Great Qin palace.
Ying Zheng looked up at the sky with an unreadable expression.
"A month has passed. The Nine Provinces Hidden Dragon Rankings have returned."
Unfortunately, Qin had gained nothing from the last ranking.
Worse still, two traitors had entered the list.
For the past month, Great Qin had mobilized troops in all directions to hunt down Ge Nie, Jing Tianming, and the Xiang Clan.
But unknown forces had intervened again and again, thwarting every effort.
Clearly, the remnants of the Six Kingdoms now posed a major threat to the very foundation of Qin.
This was no longer a matter of just Jing Tianming or Xiang Shaoyu.
In recent days, Ying Zheng had turned his focus back to the remnants of the Six Kingdoms and the Hundred Schools of Thought.
———
In the Northern Song imperial palace.
Zhao Ji was, as always, admiring the newly tributed calligraphy and paintings.
He detested the golden rankings appearing in the sky.
Martial artists who only knew how to fight and kill. How were they worthy of a ranking?
Why not make a list of calligraphers?
He, Zhao Ji, would surely be ranked number one.
"Minister Huang, do you think our Song Dynasty will once again be left off the rankings?"
"I've always heard how powerful our martial world is, yet last time, not a single name appeared."
"It's truly embarrassing when I stand among the other emperors."
Zhao Ji looked annoyed.
Although he didn't care much for military affairs, he often compared himself to the other emperors.
He too wanted to show them up now and then.
To show off and slap some faces.
What a pity!
Minister Huang Shang secretly shook his head, clearly disappointed.
But he did not dare speak his thoughts aloud.
"Your Majesty, rest assured. This time, someone from our Song will make the Hidden Dragon Rankings."
As soon as he spoke, the golden list in the sky began to refresh with new characters.
[The Nine Provinces Hidden Dragon Rankings, now displaying ranks eleven through twenty]
[All Grandmasters of martial arts across the Nine Provinces may qualify based on strength, techniques, fortune, and fate. Each ranked name will receive a reward from Heaven]
[Hidden Dragon Ranking – Rank 20]
[Duan Yu]
Identity: Heir of the Prince of Zhennan in Great Li. Son of former Crown Prince Yanqing and Dao Baifeng. Inheritor of the Six Meridian Divine Sword.]
[Cultivation: Late Grandmaster Realm]
[Technique: Beiming Divine Exercise, Soaring Wave Microsteps, Six Meridian Divine Sword]
Reward: Low-Grade Top-Tier Divine Weapon - Mountain River Fan. Contains one Earth-grade martial technique: Mountains River Fan Method]