[Ranked 70th on the Divine Weapon List - Fuyu Sword]
[Wielder: Lang Fanyun]
[Reason for Ranking: Forged from ten-thousand-year-old Xuan Iron, and further nurtured by Lang Fanyun's genuine qi for many years, its sharpness has become increasingly fierce.]
[Reward: Heaven-grade, low-quality martial art, "Great Sun Primordial Sword"]
In the Great Ming Dynasty, before Dongting Lake.
Lang Fanyun stood with his hands clasped behind his back, the divine sword at his waist suddenly vibrating slightly.
He looked up and stared intently at the golden list, his expression still calm and composed, his eyes like a still, ancient well.
"My Fuyu Sword is only ranked seventieth? That's rather unexpected!"
"The Heaven-rank, low-grade martial art, the Great Sun Primordial Sword, does have its own unique aspects!"
"If I could incorporate it into my Fuyu Swordplay, which I comprehended by observing the waters of Dongting Lake and learning from nature, it might add a few more layers of artistic conception."
Lang Fanyun's eyes were profound, and the corners of his mouth curled slightly as he spoke with considerable interest.
The current Fuyu Swordplay was a powerful weapon for dealing with multiple opponents.
If he could add a touch of domineering force, he would likely increase his chances of winning by twenty percent in his future battle with Pang Ban.
He thought of the Demon Master Pang Ban, who had already mastered the Dao Heart Demon Seed Grand Art.
Even with a talent as monstrous as Lang Fanyun's, he still felt a sense of dread.
The two times they had fought, the battles had ended in a draw.
"Pang Ban's talent is truly terrifying. He has also cultivated the Dao Heart Demon Seed Grand Art, which is considered the strongest martial art of the Demonic Sect, to the point where I can't do anything to him."
"But now, with the Golden Ranking rewards, it won't be long before I hold the absolute advantage."
"If I can completely eliminate Pang Ban, it would be considered a way of resolving a threat for the Great Ming Dynasty!"
Lang Fanyun's gaze was deep, his eyes radiating a chilling killing intent.
Then!
He stared intently at the Golden Ranking, waiting for the subsequent content!
...
[Sixty-eighth on the Divine Weapon Ranking — Zhenyue]
[Wielder: Li Mu]
[Reason for Ranking: A sword brimming with endless killing intent, capable of boosting the morale of an army. It is a slightly broad sword with a clear, snow-white blade.]
[Reward: Mysterious Technique, the "Blood Sword Killing Heaven Formation"]
...
[Sixty-fifth on the Divine Weapon Ranking — Chixiao]
[Wielder: Liu Ji]
[The sword body was as vibrant as blood, like the afterglow of the setting sun, yet it was also filled with a faint aura of a hidden dragon, possessing the potential to become an imperial sword.]
[The sword was also adorned with patterns, seven-colored pearls, and nine-colored jade, radiating a chilling gleam, with a blade like frost and snow.]
[Reward: Heaven-grade low-rank martial art, Purple Qi Comes From the East.]
In the imperial palace of the Great Qin Dynasty, in Xianyang.
Ying Zheng gazed at the golden list with a majestic gaze, his every gesture radiating a weighty pressure.
His entire body exuded a strong imperial aura.
He gently placed his right hand on the hilt of the Tianwen sword, his eyes sharp as he spoke:
"Zhao Gao, didn't the Net report that Li Mu was dead?"
"What's the meaning of this now?"
Ying Zheng's gaze was completely drawn to Zhenyue Sword, ranked sixtieth.
This former number one general of Zhao State was actually still alive?
This caused a hint of wariness to rise within him.
He didn't care about the remnants of the Six States because they were, after all, a rabble!
But Li Mu's existence was enough to turn that rabble into an unparalleled elite force.
From beginning to end, Ying Zheng had never dared to underestimate this former number one general of Zhao State.
This was a person whose understanding of military strategy was comparable to that of General Wang Jian.
Hearing the questioning, Zhao Gao's expression flickered with a hint of fear. He immediately knelt on both knees, trembling as he spoke:
"In those years, Li Mu did indeed die at the hands of Yanri, the assassin under this old servant's command in the Net."
"This old servant even personally verified it!"
"There was absolutely no mistake!"
Hearing this, Ying Zheng's eyes showed a thoughtful expression, and he said with deep meaning:
"You mean, the one who died wasn't the real Li Mu, but a decoy?"
Zhao Gao nodded forcefully, and said with conviction:
"It's not just an ordinary stand-in; it's at least eighty percent similar."
"Otherwise, it wouldn't have fooled the Net's verification!"
Li Mu was, after all, a general of the Zhao State, and his martial arts cultivation was quite profound. How could the Net possibly detect every aspect of him?
Being deceived by a stand-in was, in a way, understandable!
Ying Zheng glanced at Zhao Gao with a calm expression, and said in a flat tone,
"Don't let it happen again!"
Zhao Gao felt as if he'd been granted amnesty. He sensed the pressure on him gradually dissipate, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, gently wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
His Majesty's imperial majesty had truly become even more terrifying!
The little scheme hidden in his heart was concealed even more carefully, not daring to reveal the slightest hint of it.
As long as the First Emperor of Qin didn't die, he would forever remain a loyal house slave.
"However, that Chixiao sword actually shows signs of becoming an Emperor's sword. Who exactly is this Liu Ji? How could he wield such a divine weapon?"
Ying Zheng's gaze was solemn, his eyes filled with a deep, thoughtful expression.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, according to the information from the Net, Liu Ji, who wields the Chixiao sword, is from the Chu State, a disciple of the Peasant School's Shennong Hall, and wears the Five Star Pearl Grass, which represents his status within the Peasant School."
"He holds a relatively high position within the Shennong Hall, and is on familiar terms with the hall master, Zhu Jia. He appears to lack ambition, but in reality, he is deeply hidden."
Zhao Gao immediately reported upon hearing this.
"Oh? He's actually from the Chu State!"
Ying Zheng's eyes narrowed, a hint of killing intent flickering within them.
He thought of the saying that was circulating throughout the land.
Even if Chu only has three families left, it will be Chu that destroys Qin!
This Liu Ji, wielding the Chixiao, was indeed a threat!
"Your Majesty, does the old servant need to take action and eliminate this person?"
Zhao Gao, ever observant, spoke cautiously.
"When you cut the grass, you must remove the roots. Bring his Chixiao back to me as well."
Ying Zheng's gaze was calm as he pronounced Liu Ji's death sentence.
Peasant School, Daze Mountain!
Shennong Hall!
A ray of golden light descended directly, and Liu Ji's mind gained a peerless, matchless skill. After just a brief overview, he could already sense the profound and intricate martial principles within.
Just as he was engrossed in studying it, a man with a small stature, wearing ornate clothes and a mask on his face, walked in with a smile.
"Brother Liu Ji, I never expected that the Chixiao in your hand would actually be a sword of hidden potential!"
Zhu Jia, the hall master of Shennong Hall, chuckled, speaking with considerable feeling.
"I'd rather not have this divine weapon! I'm afraid that now, the Qin Emperor Ying Zheng is already eager to kill me, right?"
Liu Ji gave a wry smile, a hint of fear in his heart.
"Unless the Net's top assassins, the Emperor-level killers, are deployed in Daze Mountain, your life should be safe!"
"But I reckon the First Emperor is determined to kill you this time."
"You'd best flee to another dynasty and lie low for a while!"
Zhu Jia sighed softly, sounding somewhat dejected.
"It seems that's the only option. But before I go, I'll need a good sum of money from you!"
Liu Ji nodded helplessly, looking somewhat dejected. But then, his eyes flickered, and he said with a cunning glint.
"You! Don't worry, you'll get plenty of gold and silver!"
Zhu Jia saw that the other party could still find joy in their situation, and he quietly relaxed.
No matter how strong the Qin Dynasty was, no matter how terrifying the Net was.
Once they were in other territories, their reach would eventually be limited.
As long as they concealed their identities, Zhu Jia didn't believe that the Net's assassins could be all-pervasive in other dynasties.
"Right, before we go, I should copy a copy of the Purple Qi Comes From the East cultivation technique for you."
"The situation in the Peasant School is unstable now. Ever since Xia Kuai Tian Guang died, the Tian Clan has been trying to suppress and exclude us outsiders."
"Although your cultivation is profound, and you have the secret technique Thousand Faces as your trump card, it's always good to have more options."
Liu Ji suddenly thought of something, and immediately slapped his forehead, speaking with a light tone.
The Zhu family's eyes flickered slightly at these words.
A wave of warmth surged within him, and a look of gratitude subtly appeared on his face.
He didn't voice any words of refusal.
Instead, he firmly etched this kindness into his memory!
He also made a firm resolution!
No matter what, he would use all his strength to mobilize the Shennong Hall's influence in other dynasties, helping Liu Ji conceal his presence and avoid detection by the Qin Empire's intelligence network.
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