Chapter 163 - Rank 6, The Fear of All Sects

As for the changes happening within the Qin Dynasty, Zhu Houzhao, who was still in the Ming Imperial Palace, remained unaware for the time being.

He wasn't too worried about Xue Nu's safety either.

With Hundred Yue City secretly watching over her, even if a Land Immortal appeared, it wouldn't be a real threat.

Besides, even if Yan Lingji and the others couldn't come to her aid, Xue Nu still carried a life-saving item he had personally left behind.

Let alone an ordinary Heavenly Human Realm cultivator, even someone at the Mythical Realm would suffer terribly if they crossed her.

Every woman who had any kind of connection to him had been given such life-saving methods.

Once used, he would be informed instantly.

So although Zhu Houzhao had spent these years lying flat in the Imperial Palace, that didn't mean he had completely forgotten those beautiful women of his past.

"A Top-Tier Heavenly Human-Grade Cultivation Technique?"

"That doesn't make sense. Why is it still only Heavenly Human-Grade? It should be at least Mythical-Grade by now!"

"Still, Xue Nu's strength is a bit lacking."

"She needs to grow stronger quickly, or she'll fall far behind the others."

Buzz!

Just as Zhu Houzhao was sighing to himself, the Golden Ranking in the sky burst with radiant light.

A Mythical-Grade Cultivation Technique was about to be revealed.

[Technique Ranking – Rank 6]

[Taiji Profound Exercise]

[Creator: Zhang Sanfeng]

[Cultivation: Late Mythical Realm]

[Description: The Taiji Profound Exercise was created by Zhang Sanfeng, based on a Great Grandmaster-Grade Cultivation Technique and inspired by the wonders of nature. It is a Top-Tier Mythical-Grade Cultivation Technique]

[Note: This technique embodies the true path of Yin and Yang in the universe, filled with mystery and immense potential. It has no flaws and can enhance one's mental state, comprehension, and natural talent. Only its creator knows its full potential]

[Reward: Special Physique – Taiji Spiritual Physique (100% compatibility with the Taiji Profound Exercise)]

==========

Wudang Sect.

Zhang Sanfeng and the many Wudang Sect disciples gazed at the ranking in the sky.

Shock, joy, surprise, excitement, pride, and understanding, so many emotions surged all at once.

"It's the Founder! My heavens, it's really the Founder!"

"He's finally on the ranking!"

"Late Mythical Realm! The founder is unbelievably powerful. I always thought he was just a Heavenly Human cultivator!"

"He's probably not far from the God Demon Realm!"

"Taiji Profound Exercise? I thought it was just called Taiji Exercise!"

All the Wudang Sect disciples were overwhelmed with excitement.

The Nine Provinces Golden Ranking had finally included the Wudang Sect.

So many rankings had been revealed before, and as a leading martial sect, Wudang Sect hadn't appeared once.

They had proudly boasted for so long, yet not a single entry.

It was humiliating.

But now, they had entered the ranking in one leap, and at the Mythical Realm no less.

No one would dare look down on the Wudang Sect again.

All the disciples immediately stood tall and proud, their faces filled with pride.

From now on, the Wudang Sect would surpass Shaolin Temple.

Inside Purple Firmament Palace, Zhang Sanfeng was slightly stunned.

His Taiji Exercise, no, his Taiji Profound Exercise, had made it onto the ranking?

He hadn't even completed it yet!

And it still got ranked?

It seemed the Taiji Profound Exercise held even more potential than he had imagined.

Among all the Mythical-Grade Cultivation Techniques in the Nine Provinces, only three could make the ranking.

Yet he had managed to become one of them.

That was no small feat.

Moreover, the technique he had created could apparently enhance mental state, comprehension, and natural talent. Was that true?

Even he, its creator, didn't know that!

At the same time, he let out a breath of relief.

At least his reputation as Founder was now secure.

In the future, no one would dare look down on the Wudang Sect because of him.

"Master, your Taiji Exercise is actually a Mythical-Grade Cultivation Technique?"

Yu Daiyan looked at Zhang Sanfeng in disbelief.

Mythical-Grade!

That was a level above Heavenly Human-Grade!

His master was this terrifyingly powerful?

And as his disciple, he hadn't known at all. How shameful!

Especially the Wudang Sect Six Heroes, not even one had reached the Great Grandmaster Realm.

The gap between them and their master was staggering. It truly embarrassed their master.

"It is indeed Mythical-Grade, though I never thought it would be ranked 6th on the ranking." Zhang Sanfeng said, clearly proud.

This was a ranking selected from the entire Nine Provinces.

Every one of those who reached Mythical Realm had exceptional talent.

And now, he has surpassed 99 percent of them.

Only two remained above him.

Even Zhang Sanfeng found this a little unbelievable.

He was both excited and pleased.

His long-stilled emotions had finally been stirred.

Since his Taiji Profound Exercise could improve one's heart, comprehension, and talent, why not extract its essence and create a foundational Taiji Exercise for beginner disciples?

The results might not show immediately.

But in the long run, Wudang Sect's strength would surpass several past levels.

Yes, that's what he would do!

==========

Zhang Sanfeng's ranking caused a shock across the Nine Provinces, especially within the Ming Martial World.

At this moment, Shaolin Temple, also a leading sect, began to panic.

Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang Sect had made the ranking.

Now, all the pressure shifted to Shaolin Temple.

If Shaolin Temple failed to appear on the ranking, wouldn't that suggest they were inferior to Wudang Sect?

The monks of Shaolin Temple couldn't help but turn pale.

Even more than being challenged, this was what they feared most.

This was a true struggle for orthodoxy.

Any misstep could mean devastating consequences.

==========

Shaolin Temple.

Great Buddha Hall.

"Abbot, what do we do now? Wudang Sect's Zhang Sanfeng has already made the ranking. If the Shaolin Temple remains silent, what will the Martial World think of us?"

"Exactly. Who would've thought that slow-moving Taiji would rank 6th?"

"If the Golden Ranking praises it so highly, its value must be extraordinary!"

"I wonder if our Shaolin Temple's Tendon Changing Exercise can make the ranking?"

"Tendon Changing Exercise was created by Founder Dharma. Unless the Founder is still alive, it's not eligible for the ranking."

"Yes, the rules say only techniques whose creators are still living can be included."

"Amitabha. Founder Dharma lived hundreds of years ago. How could he still be alive?"

"This is bad. Our strongest techniques are all inherited from Dharma."

"They don't even qualify for the ranking!"

"Are we to be completely suppressed by the Wudang Sect from now on?"

"Abbot, why not bring Xu Zhu back into the Shaolin Temple? That way, we can at least save some face."

"Enough. Do not speak of this again. We will wait and see."

"Perhaps there's still a technique in Shaolin Temple that can rival the Tendon Changing Exercise and make the ranking."

In the Sutra Pavilion.

The nameless Sweeping Monk looked up at the Golden Ranking in the sky and softly murmured "Amitabha", shaking his head with a sigh.

With his current strength, perhaps he needn't fear Zhang Sanfeng.

But when it came to self-created techniques, he was definitely inferior.

Compared to Dharma's Tendon Changing Exercise and other powerful arts, his creations were far behind.

"Unless Founder Dharma returns, this time Shaolin Temple is destined to be suppressed by the Wudang Sect."

He sighed again and turned his attention away, resuming his sweeping.

The world had changed too fast.

Before, his strength had been enough to protect Shaolin Temple with confidence.

But now?

Even though Mythical Realm was formidable, in the eyes of God Demon Realm beings, it was nothing but an insect.

Relying on his power alone, he might no longer be able to defend Shaolin Temple.

If a God Demon Realm cultivator hostile to Shaolin Temple ever appeared, it would be a catastrophe.

==========

Compared to Shaolin Temple, which at least had some foundation left to rely on, the Emei Sect was in far worse shape.

Especially Abbess Mie Jue, whose face turned extremely grim.

Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang Sect was actually a Late Mythical Realm cultivator!

Fortunately, he had no hostility toward Emei, or else they would have been annihilated already.

But why did Wudang Sect have such powerful protection?

While Emei suffered one disaster after another?

One small mistake and it could be the end of their sect.

Even random nobodies dared to bully Emei now.

She simply couldn't accept it.

The so-called righteous sects and even the demonic forces, too despicable.

She had to raise their strength immediately.

"Master, what should Emei do now?"

"We must find the Dragon Slaying Blade as soon as possible!"

"Zhiruo, I can only entrust this mission to you."

"I no longer have the strength."

"The Dragon Slaying Blade and the Heaven Leaning Sword hold an astonishing secret, known only to the head of each generation of Emei."

"Now, I shall reveal this secret to you."

"In the future, no matter the cost, you must find the Dragon Slaying Blade and unlock the secret within!"

"Strengthen Emei."

"Catch up with, or even surpass, Shaolin Temple and Wudang Sect!"

If Zhu Houzhao were here, he would be very confused.

The Heaven Leaning Sword and the Dragon Slaying Blade?

What a strange twist.

Wasn't Guo Jing of Xiangyang in the Southern Song Dynasty still alive?

Even Huang Rong had entered his Imperial Harem.

So where did these two legendary weapons come from?

It seemed things weren't as he thought.

Those two weapons must hide a powerful inheritance left behind by a mysterious cultivator from the past.

Abbess Mie Jue had spent years trying to uncover the secret, with no results.

Now, she could only place her hopes on her most beloved disciple.

Zhou Zhiruo's eyes flashed sharply upon hearing this.

She did not reject the task.

The secret within the two weapons was clearly extraordinary.

If they truly held the inheritance of a powerful cultivator, it would greatly boost her strength.

And one day, she might be able to stand beside that man.

A touch of longing flashed across Zhou Zhiruo's face.

But she quickly returned to normal.

The momentary shift in her expression went completely unnoticed by Abbess Mie Jue.

==========

Aside from Shaolin Temple and Emei, the other righteous sects, like Mount Hua, Kunlun, and Kongtong, also grew restless.

Any sect that had once had tensions with the Wudang Sect was now deeply uneasy.

A single Mythical Realm Wudang Sect Taiji Legend could easily wipe out their entire sect.

They remembered how they had once caused trouble in the Wudang Sect, even forcing Zhang Sanfeng's most beloved disciple to his death.

Zhang Sanfeng probably hated them to the core.

If he ever had the thought to act on it, he could exterminate them without effort.

That would be a disaster.

==========

They had no power to resist him.

Ming Cult Headquarters.

Zhang Wuji sat on the leader's throne, looking at the ranking with a face full of joy.

"Grandmaster made the ranking!"

"My heavens, he's actually Mythical Realm. He's that powerful?"

"I thought that with my Nine Yang Divine Exercise, I'd be able to catch up to him soon!"

"Looks like I was wrong."

"I must head to Wudang Sect immediately."

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

List of Characters:

Number One Under Heaven ( 天下第一 )

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

Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber ( 倚天屠龙记 )

・Zhang Sanfeng ( 张三丰 ) — Founder of Wudang Sect

・Yu Daiyan ( 俞岱岩 ) — Third Disciple of Zhang Sanfeng

・Fang Yanqing ( 方艳青 ) — Master of Emei Sect

・Zhou Zhiruo ( 周芷若 ) — Heir of Emei Sect

・Zhang Wuji ( 张无忌 ) — Master of Ming Cult

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils ( 天龙八部 )

・Liu Shaoyi ( 刘少逸 ) — Hidden Master of Shaolin Temple