Chapter 153 - The 10th rank Updated, Cripple My Martial Arts? Then I'll Kill Them All

[Nine Provinces – Cultivation Technique Ranking]

[Within the lands of Nine Provinces, Cultivation Techniques are countless. The Heaven Dao thus presents this Cultivation Technique Ranking]

[Any technique that can help a cultivator break through to the Heavenly Human Realm Land Immortal is eligible for the ranking]

[Whether offensive, defensive, or supportive, the more versatile and powerful the technique with the fewer side effects, the higher it ranks]

[If the original creator has died or is no longer in the Nine Provinces world, the technique is not eligible for the ranking]

[Only the top ten techniques are ranked. Ranks ten to seven are Heavenly Human-Grade Cultivation Techniques. Ranks six to four are Mythical-Grade techniques. Ranks three to one are God Demon Realm and above]

[All original creators of ranked techniques will receive Heaven Dao Reward]

[The ranking updates once a year]

==========

Zhu Houzhao looked at the newly revealed ranking and fell into deep thought.

The Cultivation Technique Ranking?

His Azure Lotus Immortal Scripture was undoubtedly number one on the ranking!

Even the techniques he had granted to his Consorts were extraordinary.

He wondered how many would make it onto the ranking?

The Empress's Nirvana Art seemed especially unusual, likely inherited from the mysterious ancient Cultivation Technique of Nine Provinces's primordial era.

Even many techniques rewarded by the system might not be able to compare.

He even had a faint suspicion that if the Azure Lotus Immortal Scripture stopped progressing, the Empress's Nirvana Art might one day surpass it.

For the past three months, Empress Wu Zhao had been away on an extended trip.

He had secretly gone to Phoenix Nest to check on her status.

There were definitely greater secrets hidden within the Phoenix Nest.

He discovered that the Empress had entered secluded cultivation again.

The aura surrounding her body faintly exuded a divine quality.

Nirvana Art definitely held the potential to break into the Sage Realm.

But for now, as her husband, he could still keep her in check.

Looking at the Cultivation Technique Ranking in the sky, he wondered how many of his avatars would be revealed this time.

==========

Buzz!

The Golden Ranking did not keep the world waiting for long.

Very soon, it refreshed successfully.

Line after line of text appeared clearly before the eyes of everyone in Nine Provinces.

[Cultivation Technique Ranking – Rank 10]

[Formless Immortal Exercise]

[Creator: Wang Yuyan]

[Cultivation: Intermediate Great Grandmaster Realm]

[Description: Formless Immortal Exercise is a Top-Tier Heavenly Human-Grade Cultivation Technique created by Wang Yuyan. Based on the Little Formless Exercise, she fused nearly a hundred Cultivation Techniques, and with the help of the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal, successfully integrated them into one]

[Note: This Immortal Exercise takes no fixed form, leaves no trace, possesses tremendous power, and can mimic all Martial Techniques. All flaws have been eliminated. Its mystical abilities are known only to the creator]

[Reward: Special Physique – Formless Spiritual Physique (One hundred percent compatibility with the Formless Immortal Exercise)]

Wang Yuyan?

She was only an Intermediate Great Grandmaster?

The Formless Immortal Exercise?

What a terrifying technique.

It was actually based on the Little Formless Exercise and fused nearly a hundred Cultivation Techniques.

Even without considering anything else, Wang Yuyan's talent in cultivation was clearly beyond that of ordinary people.

Although she succeeded with the help of the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal, her gift could not be denied.

What an impressive Wang Yuyan.

Countless people across Nine Provinces, upon seeing this update, could not help but quietly admire her.

However, what shocked them even more was that she had contact with the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal.

The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal!

By now, who in Nine Provinces did not know his true identity?

The Ming Emperor, Zhu Houzhao!

A Great Perfection God Demon Realm cultivator.

Aside from that mysterious Sage Realm being, he was the strongest of them all.

To have the Ming Emperor personally assist in creating a technique... who would believe they had no connection?

It was very likely this woman was also one of the Emperor's confidantes in the Martial World.

Many strong individuals with ill intentions, hoping to kill her and steal the technique, immediately gave up on the idea.

They did not care about Wang Yuyan.

But the Ming Emperor behind her was someone they could not afford to provoke.

With the Emperor's vast intelligence network and terrifying power, anyone who harmed Wang Yuyan would be utterly doomed.

==========

Northern Song Martial World.

In a secluded valley.

Murong Fu looked utterly disheveled.

No longer the graceful nobleman of the past.

Staring at the ranking in the sky, he was filled with disbelief.

How could this be?

His cousin Wang Yuyan?

She had already reached Intermediate Great Grandmaster?

She had far surpassed him.

He, the proud South Murong, was still only a Grandmaster!

Damn it!

Murong Fu felt as though he had been deceived.

He had been fooled by Wang Yuyan's appearance.

The Swallow Dock of the Murong Clan had been completely wiped out.

His father, Murong Bo, died tragically before his very eyes.

The hatred in Murong Fu's heart had long eroded any trace of reason or emotion.

In the past, perhaps there was still a hint of affection for Wang Yuyan.

Now, all that remained was hatred.

If Wang Yuyan had taught him the Formless Immortal Exercise earlier, he would not have ended up like this.

Back then, when she stayed by his side, pretending to admire him, it had all been an act.

At some unknown point, she had gotten involved with the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal.

That shameless woman.

If Wang Yuyan stood before him now, he would want nothing more than to tear her apart.

In his eyes, Wang Yuyan had long become his personal possession.

She should have been under his control.

Even the Formless Immortal Exercise she created should belong to him.

How dare she keep it to herself?

She deserved to die.

What a ridiculous mindset.

Utter madness.

Completely beyond reason.

"Not good, Young Master, more soldiers are on our tail. We must flee!"

At that moment of rage, a panicked shout rang in his ears.

It was from one of the surviving rebel troops once rallied by Murong Bo.

A few months ago, Murong Bo had been slain by the powerful agents of the Imperial City Division.

The remaining rebel force fell to Murong Fu.

Unfortunately, his skills were far inferior to Murong Bo's.

In just three months.

His thirty thousand-strong army had been crushed by the Song Dynasty's forces.

Now, fewer than a hundred remained.

It was only a matter of time before they too were wiped out.

Murong Bo had spent decades building this force with great difficulty, only for Murong Fu to squander it all within three months.

If Murong Bo were still alive to witness this, he would have cursed Murong Fu as a disgraceful wastrel.

Yet at this moment, Murong Fu refused to see this as a failure on his part.

He blamed the rebel soldiers for being useless.

Before he could respond, more soldiers burst into the valley.

"There he is! That's Murong Fu! Catch him!"

"We must not let him escape again!"

Thousands of troops charged forward, surrounding the remaining rebels.

Many skilled generals of the Song Dynasty charged straight toward Murong Fu.

Watching his followers fall one after another, Murong Fu was filled with hatred and fury.

He wanted to kill them all on the spot.

But that was only a fantasy.

He was just a Grandmaster.

Strong, yes, but nothing before thousands of elite soldiers.

"Run!"

At the final moment, Murong Fu gave up on his forces.

He used his lightness skill to break out and fled the valley swiftly.

The remaining rebels never imagined that their master, whom they had protected with their lives, would abandon them in such a critical moment.

He escaped alone.

That betrayal was more painful than being slaughtered by soldiers.

Even in death, they could not rest in peace.

"Ahhhh!"

Pfft!

Murong Fu coughed up blood, exhausting his last bit of strength to finally escape the Song Army's pursuit.

Now, he was truly alone.

No more subordinates to command.

"Wait, there's still one!"

"Wang Yuyan!"

"As long as I capture Wang Yuyan and seize the Formless Immortal Exercise from her, I can rise again!"

"That wretch seems to have ties with Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao, and they appear to be close."

"If I take her hostage and force Zhu Houzhao to help me revive the Yan Dynasty, it might just work!"

In his final desperation, Murong Fu actually set his sights on Wang Yuyan, and even on Zhu Houzhao himself.

Was this stupidity?

Or stupidity?

Or still stupidity?

A mere Grandmaster trying to capture a Great Grandmaster.

And dreaming of threatening a Great Perfection God Demon Realm Emperor.

This level of foolishness could no longer be described with words.

Of course, unless a miracle occurred, what awaited him could only be greater despair.

==========

In Another Corner of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Three graceful figures slowly walked along a mountain road.

"Miss Cousin, it's really you! You actually made it onto the Cultivation Technique Ranking!"

"Formless Immortal Exercise, that's incredible!"

"Yes, I never imagined you were already an Intermediate Great Grandmaster!"

The three women were none other than Wang Yuyan, A Zhu, and A Bi.

Three months ago, Wang Yuyan had finally arrived in the Ming Dynasty Territory.

She even made a few good friends there.

She had been planning to head to the Ming Capital to meet the man she longed for day and night.

But right after, news came that the Murong Clan's Swallow Dock had been completely massacred.

Worried about her mother, she dropped everything and immediately returned to the Northern Song Dynasty.

She discovered the entire Swallow Dock had long been destroyed. Her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

News of the Murong Clan's plot to rebel had spread across the Song Dynasty.

It seemed the Murong Clan's secrets had finally been exposed.

To avoid being implicated, Wang Yuyan immediately relocated everyone from Mandala Manor, taking them out of the Song Dynasty toward the Carefree Sect.

She sent her mother, Madam Wang, to stay with Wu Yazi.

As for herself, she returned to the Northern Song Martial World.

She began searching for news about A Zhu and A Bi.

Not long ago, during a pursuit by Song Dynasty troops, she managed to rescue the two women.

The Song Dynasty was no longer a place to stay.

Wang Yuyan decided to bring them both to the Ming Dynasty Territory.

Perhaps in the future, they would settle there for good.

As for the Murong Clan, their fates were already severed.

A Zhu and A Bi no longer planned to return to Murong Fu's side.

"Not good, someone's chasing us again?"

"These people are hostile!"

"They're really persistent!"

Wang Yuyan immediately stopped and shielded A Zhu and A Bi behind her.

Her eyes turned cold as she looked at the pursuers.

Not soldiers?

They were from the Imperial City Division?!

Wang Yuyan frowned slightly.

She had already learned that the Swallow Dock had been destroyed by the Imperial City Division.

But for A Zhu and A Bi, surely the Division wouldn't need to take action personally.

Still, Wang Yuyan was not afraid of them at all.

As long as the Director Huang Shang didn't show up personally, she had no fear of these spies.

"Stop!"

As the words fell, over a dozen figures surrounded them, cutting off all escape routes.

"You're Wang Yuyan, right?"

The leading member of the Imperial City Division questioned coldly, not sparing A Zhu and A Bi even a glance.

Hmm?

Their target was her?

Wang Yuyan was stunned for a moment before understanding.

Their goal was likely the Formless Immortal Exercise she possessed.

They clearly harbored no good intentions toward her.

These people from the Imperial City Division were no saints.

"That's right." She replied calmly.

"Hahaha, how lucky! We didn't even have to search hard!"

"Give up resisting and come with us!"

The leader gave a sly grin, as if she were already prey in his trap.

A mere Intermediate Great Grandmaster? She was nothing to him, a Late Great Grandmaster.

"I don't believe I've provoked you." Wang Yuyan said coolly.

"So what? You possess the Formless Immortal Exercise, and that should belong to our Imperial City Division!"

"If not, then we'll kill you and take it by force!"

A cold glint flashed in Wang Yuyan's eyes.

"Hmph, we'll see if you even have the ability."

"In that case, don't blame us for being rude!"

"Everyone, attack! Cripple this girl's martial arts and bring her back to the Imperial City Division. We'll force her to reveal the Formless Immortal Exercise!"

Swish!

Wang Yuyan didn't bother with any more talk.

She suddenly drew her longsword.

Swish, swish, swish!

With swift movements, she swung her blade.

Sharp sword qi burst forth one after another, slicing through the air.

In the next instant, it was like a rain of swords, each one cutting through the throats of the Imperial City Division members.

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!

Blood sprayed everywhere.

Aside from the leader, the rest of them were slain on the spot.

One move.

Just one move.

"You dare kill men of the Imperial City Division? You'll pay for that!"

"Formless Immortal Exercise, Formless Sword Art, Third Form!"

"Die!"

Wang Yuyan's figure flickered.

In the leader's vision, dozens of identical silhouettes suddenly appeared around him.

Illusions? No, real?

All the figures launched attacks simultaneously, surrounding him.

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!

To his shock, every one of those strikes was real and landed true.

"How is this possible? They're all real?"

Sword qi pierced his chest.

Even his heart was run through.

His eyes remained filled with confusion and despair.

He was a Late Great Grandmaster.

Yet he couldn't even take one blow from an Intermediate Great Grandmaster opponent?

"My Formless Immortal Exercise is ranked on the Cultivation Technique Ranking. Do you think you could see through it?"

"I didn't want to kill you, but you were far too aggressive."

"So I had no choice but to send you to your deaths."

Wang Yuyan's tone was icy cold, with not a hint of mercy.

In the time she had wandered the Martial World, she had long become accustomed to killing.

Especially toward enemies, mercy had no place.

"Miss Cousin, you...!"

A Bi was utterly stunned.

"With your strength, you might rank in the top ten on the next Hidden Dragon Ranking!"

"I can't believe how strong you really are!"

"So this is the Formless Immortal Exercise..."

"Alright, we've just killed agents of the Imperial City Division. We can no longer stay in the Song Dynasty."

"We have to leave quickly. If Director Huang Shang comes after us, we won't be able to escape."

Without wasting a second, Wang Yuyan grabbed A Zhu and A Bi, leading them swiftly out of the territory.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

List of Characters:

Number One Under Heaven ( 天下第一 )

・Zhu Houzhao ( 朱厚照 ) — Emperor of Ming Dynasty

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils ( 天龙八部 )

・Wang Yuyan ( 王语嫣 ) — Young Miss of Mandala Manor

・A Zhu ( 阿朱 ) — Maid of Swallow Dock

・A Bi ( 阿碧 ) — Maid of Swallow Dock

・Murong Fu ( 慕容复 ) — Master of Swallow Dock