At noon, when the sun was high in the sky.
In Longmen, shimmering lights danced like gold.
The bustling Fish-Dragon Lake rivaled the last martial arts summit at Hengyun Sword City, drawing a particularly vast crowd of martial artists.
These were all individuals who owed a favor to Hengyun Sword City, gathered together, sensing the urgency of a major event.
“Why did Sword City urgently summon us? Is there some significant issue at hand?”
“Could it be related to a problem in the South Border?”
“The report team from the King of South Border has already reached Yunzhou. Since he didn’t head to the South Border, could there really be a massive upheaval brewing?”
“Speaking of which, during the last rankings, Young Hero Li and Fairy Ying sliced through monsters in the South Border…”
“What a shame! I came all the way to Yunzhou just to witness their splendor.”
…
The chatter of the martial world quickly faded into silence.
This was due to the rankings appearing above Longmen.
【Qianlong List Rank 100: Xiao Qian】
【Martial Arts: Two Apertures of Guan Shen, fully mastered Liuhe Fist, greatly accomplished in Xuantie Wind- chopping Sword, learned a profound shapeshifting martial art, possessing over a dozen upper forms in the Observation Realm, two extreme forms, comprehensive martial arts without clear shortcomings, and also holds a secret technique.】
【Record: Fought against the Hidden Wolf King of the Eight Apertures of Guan Shen, exchanged severe injuries for a leg breaking; in Thunderbolt Fortress, sparred with the top twenty of the Qianlong, did not lose ground.】
【Title: Blade of Wind Chopper】
…
【Qianlong List Rank 86: Huang Donglai】
…
【Qianlong List Rank 68: Xu Yi】
…
【Qianlong List Rank 60: Zhong Zhenyue.】
…
Zhong Zhenyue’s rank had shot up five places.
This achievement didn’t break the silence on the second floor of the tavern; it was as if even the noise below couldn’t reach up.
“Dad, since you have received the Emperor’s decree, I’ll take my leave shortly.”
Zhong Zhenyue stated decisively.
Zhong Qin’s eyelids drooped slightly; even at this moment, the King of South Border remained calm and collected.
“But the South Pass still requires my attention; without a royal command, if I leave irresponsibly and become a deserter, in the face of danger, military law dictates execution.”
Zhong Zhenyue didn’t ponder too much.
Even if Qingmu City fell, at least there was still the South Pass.
If he didn’t return, the soldiers stationed at South Pass would be leaderless, and the South Pass would likely fall.
However, before he left, he wanted to confirm something on the Qianlong List.
Brother Li… is he still alive?
A moment later, the rankings reached the eighth spot.
Zhong Zhenyue didn’t see the name he wanted to find.
Not only was there no Li Mo, but Ying Bing was also missing.
The faces of the two elders from Hengyun Sword City changed dramatically.
Eighth, seventh, sixth—none of them were there.
Did this mean that the two young people who had left a significant mark in Hengyun Sword City’s history had vanished with Qingmu City?
This thought made many who felt the same way feel their hearts sink to the ground.
But the next moment, Zhong Zhenyue’s eyes suddenly widened.
He pointed at the iron-clad writing above Longmen, his mouth agape, yet he found himself speechless, unable to utter a word.
【Qianlong List Rank 5: Ying Bing】
【Martial Arts: Five Apertures of Guan Shen, clarity of the Sword Heart, martial arts mastery reaches the peak, wields an incredibly powerful secret technique, observation of divine forms remains unclear.】
【Record: Current leader of the Qingyuan Sect, sword hero of Yunzhou, Divine Maiden Qingluan, crossed borders in the South Border to slay Disaster Beasts, and in the battle of Qingmu City, commanded a massive army with unmatched skill, directing tens of thousands of soldiers seamlessly; her musical talent grasped the true essence of the Qingluan leader, surpassing her predecessor, later summoned the True Phoenix, startling many high-level Disaster Beasts.】
【Title: Goddess of Guisha, Cold Fairy】
…
【Qianlong List Rank 4: Li Mo】
【Martial Arts: Five Apertures of Guan Shen, hammer art reaching the heavens, shapeshifting martial arts profoundly ingrained, observation of divine forms remains unclear.】
【Record: Defeated the former Qianlong Rank 16 He Lian Wu, capable of battling thousands, withstood various armies, severed the bl**d god’s phantom, intimidating the South Border, collaborated with Ying Bing to guard Qingmu City, hammering back heaven’s tilt to uphold the heavens.】
【Title: Wife Lucky Fighting Spirit, God Hammer Little Overlord】
A gentle reminder: the upper right corner has functions to switch between simplified and traditional Chinese, adjust font size, and change reading background color.
…
The quietness at Fish-Dragon Lake was palpable.
No one even bothered to discuss the top three of the Qianlong List, as they were the same three people—a Crown Prince, the young master of Tianshan Sword Manor, and the Holy Son of Huanmo Sect—who had been debated continuously.
Even if they wanted to debate, it would be about whether the top three would change next time…
Would it still be these three?
Numerous martial artists in Yunzhou had expressions like they were dreaming, still stuck in a daze for quite some time.
The bad news is that many guessed correctly; something massive indeed happened in the South Border, and it was larger than expected.
The good news is that the situation has settled.
Even experts from the People’s List and Earth List weren’t necessarily effective in handling the matter.
It had been dealt with by two new stars from the Qianlong List.
In the tavern.
“Ah? This…”
Zhong Zhenyue looked utterly bemused.
He had just formed a resolution to go down in flames, mentally steeling himself for so long that he thought he was fired up.
And now, a bucket of cold water had been splashed over him.
“…”
Elder Xu’s face turned beet red, and after a long moment, he finally managed to say:
“How can they be so young and yet so impressive?”
“Good, good, good…”
Elder Zeng couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief, yet he tried to suppress the corners of his mouth from rising.
He thought there wouldn’t be any impressive feats anymore, but they only got more remarkable—how to argue that?
“So, we don’t need to summon the heroic warriors to defend Yunzhou?”
“Haha, since they’re already here, let’s invite them to the Sword City for drinks!”
“Absolutely, absolutely, let’s toast to our Sword Hero and Young Sword Immortal, it’s on the house!”
The elders burst into joyous celebration; Elder Zeng even proclaimed he felt inspired and would compose two poems that night.
Zhong Qin maintained his unyielding facade in the face of the imminent collapse, but he relaxed a little, his expression turning increasingly complicated.
He looked up at the three suns.
The weight of a thousand-pound burden still rested on his shoulders.
“Let’s set off for the Imperial Capital.”
When the King of South Border spoke, his voice regained a tranquil tone.
Zhong Zhenyue was about to say something, but Zhong Qin interrupted:
“They will eventually come to the Imperial Capital; you can wait for them there.”
“Yes, father.”
…
In the Eastern Wilderness, Ziyang Mansion.
Ziyang Mansion did not possess Longmen, but every time the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Storm List was released, the announcements would be posted on the city gate bulletin board.
The Qingyuan Sect had sent people to post it.
As long as it was an imperial decree, any sect with its own fiefdom would receive the news around the same time.
The message had arrived.
Inside the Joyful Hotpot Restaurant, everyone fell silent.
The elders exchanged glances, suddenly reminiscing about earlier this year when that kid was still confused, having never touched martial arts, and that girl was still tormented by cold illness, dangerously beautiful yet fragile.
Suddenly, these two names now appeared on the Qianlong List front page.
And they had become well-known heroes across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, truly making their mark on the world.
This hadn’t taken long at all.
Why does it suddenly feel like a lifetime ago?
“Don’t go now, hahahaha, we’re not leaving anymore!”
Xue Jing burst into laughter, showing his teeth.
“This brat, if he has nothing to say, why not return my message line?”
Shang Wu was pleased inside, but her beautiful face was puffed up with irritation, hands on her hips, saying that once Li Mo returned, she would have to give her precious disciple a good smack.
“An Xuanjin, just one! Had I known, I wouldn’t have filled the warship all at once.”
Elder Qian’s skin twitched as he felt the pain:
“Forget it, it is what it is, let’s eat first.”
