Chapter 213 - Rank 2, Attack on The Agricultural School, The Stitched Cloth Guard Leader Appears, The Demon Lord's Trump Card

Buzz!

The sky burst with golden light once more as the Renowned Marshal Ranking was updated again.

Everyone across the Nine Provinces trembled and instinctively looked up.

Especially the generals and marshals of the Nine Provinces, each one filled with curiosity.

Only two spots remained.

Who would make it onto the ranking?

Even Bai Qi, the Slaughter God of Qin Dynasty, had only secured Rank 3.

Anyone who could surpass him was surely extraordinary.

Very soon, lines of golden characters appeared.

[Renowned Marshal Ranking – Rank 2]

[Li Jing]

[Nation: Vast Sea Dynasty]

[Marshal Rating: Six Stars]

[Military: Super First-Rate]

[Political: Super First-Rate]

[Strength: First-Rate]

[Reward: Immortal-Tier War God Set (includes one War God Sword, a full set of War God Armor), one Immortal-Tier Military Formation, and a 50% boost to the nation's fortune]

==========

"What the hell, it's the Vast Sea Dynasty again?"

"This is too much!"

"Yeah, the military exploits of Han Xin and Yue Fei have already spread across the entire Nine Provinces in recent days."

"Muqali and Boroqul, the two great generals under Temujin of Yuan Dynasty, were killed by them, along with tens of thousands of enemy troops."

"Their rankings are already beyond doubt."

"And yet, within the Vast Sea Dynasty, there is someone even greater than those two?"

"The Vast Sea Dynasty is just too powerful!"

"But who is this Li Jing? I don't think I've heard of him before."

"Same here! It must be another hidden card from the Vast Sea Dynasty."

"They really do keep things too well hidden."

"We didn't know about Yue Fei or Han Xin before either, did we?"

"It wasn't until that major battle that they became known to the world."

"Most likely, we won't know how strong this Li Jing really is until he takes the field."

"In any case, the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking never lies!"

All across the Nine Provinces, people began to discuss this Rank 2 marshal.

There were a few voices of doubt, but no one dared to underestimate Li Jing anymore.

To be placed above Bai Qi of Qin Dynasty and ranked 2nd on the ranking, it spoke volumes about his capabilities.

"Ah, I think I finally know who Li Jing is!"

"But wait, something doesn't add up. The Li Jing I know was originally from the Sui Dynasty. How did he become a marshal of the Vast Sea Dynasty?"

"Are you sure you're not mistaken? Could be someone with the same name."

In the Sui Dynasty, those who had previously interacted with Li Jing began to spread the word.

Perhaps this Rank 2 marshal of the Nine Provinces really was once from the Sui Dynasty.

And he had started as a mere low-ranking general.

Wasn't it the same with Zhou Yu, Han Xin, and Yue Fei?

One was once part of the Han Dynasty.

One had been from the Qin Dynasty.

Another had served the Southern Song Dynasty.

Now a former Sui Dynasty man rose up, and it hardly seemed surprising.

The blame rested with those Emperors who failed to retain real talent.

Meanwhile, the Vast Sea Emperor had extraordinary judgment, quietly recruiting all these people.

Though it seemed unbelievable, it had indeed made these marshals shine.

Where other dynasties would have buried their talents, in his hands, they had all radiated brilliance.

Each had carved out their own legendary path.

It must be said, this too was a kind of greatness.

==========

Qin Dynasty Territory.

Bai Qi, who was currently leading his generals to wipe out the remnants of the Six Kingdoms, saw the newly updated ranking and paused in surprise.

Li Jing?

A completely unfamiliar name.

He had expected Rank 2 to go to Wu Qi.

Even though Wu Qi was from a rival nation, Bai Qi had to admit that his military brilliance was outstanding.

Though he would never admit that Wu Qi was above him, he certainly would not claim superiority either.

But it turned out he had guessed wrong.

It was an unknown name.

Li Jing.

Another figure from the Vast Sea Dynasty.

It was now clear that the Vast Sea Dynasty would be the Qin Dynasty's greatest rival in the future.

Possibly even more so than the Ming Dynasty.

From his recent studies of the Vast Sea Dynasty, Bai Qi had concluded that this was a nation with no apparent weaknesses.

Even the Ming Dynasty had several exploitable flaws.

Victory against the Ming Dynasty was still possible.

But the Vast Sea Dynasty?

It felt like there was no opening to strike.

Only with overwhelming strength in a frontal assault could they be defeated.

Even with Bai Qi's intellect, he found them a troublesome opponent.

Still.

Bai Qi never underestimated himself.

Whether 1st or 2nd on the ranking, he feared none of them.

The future might still offer him a chance to surpass them all and seize the title of the number one marshal.

"Men, mobilize the army. Our next target is the headquarters of the Agricultural School."

"This time, I will annihilate them completely!"

Bai Qi hated the Agricultural School to his core.

Back then, he had nearly lost his life to their Earth Marsh Twenty-Four Formation.

Now that he had encountered the formation again, he was fully confident in destroying it with ease.

Moreover, he had uncovered the truth.

The Agricultural School was a loyal force under Xiong Qi.

They had long been plotting rebellion.

Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, key figures of the Agricultural School, had already gathered a massive force, ready to rise up at any moment.

Now that Bai Qi's injuries had completely healed.

It was time to wipe them out first.

Once the Agricultural School fell, Xiong Qi would lose a vital arm.

Then what power would he have left to oppose the Qin Dynasty?

"Yes, Monarch Wu'an!"

The generals of the Qin Dynasty were all extremely excited.

==========

Han Dynasty Territory.

Divine Search Palace.

"Damn it, how long are you planning to keep this god locked up?"

"The Nine Provinces are now embroiled in a great conflict. Is the Divine Search Palace just going to sit back and do nothing?"

"You used to have such lofty ideals. Have you forgotten them all now?"

Imprisoned within the grand formation, the Longevity Immortal God once again tried to lecture Bai Suzhen, attempting to persuade her to release him.

He no longer wanted to stay here.

Since brute force had failed, he decided to take a softer approach.

This foolish woman was so naive. He had deceived her once before, and he could do it again.

All he needed was the right approach.

"Hmph, give it up. I've long since seen through your true nature."

"No need to waste your breath any longer."

"Damn it! If you hate me so much, why don't you just kill me instead of locking me in this formation?"

"Kill you? That would be letting you off too easily. Besides, you're a God Demon Realm being. You still have value."

Bai Suzhen cast a scornful glance at the Longevity Immortal God.

"You want me to live in misery, neither alive nor dead. Your heart is truly venomous!"

"No matter how venomous, I still pale in comparison to you."

"Even a tiger doesn't eat its own cubs. Beasts have compassion, yet you're worse than a beast!"

"You're just spitefully seeking revenge on this god."

"Revenge? Ridiculous. Someone as despicable as you isn't even worth my revenge."

"Value, huh? Now I understand, this must be Su Yi's doing."

"What is that little brat plotting?"

"You captured me, didn't kill me, and won't release me. There's definitely a scheme!"

"All this time, you've given up your ideals."

"There's only one explanation, you've completely sided with him."

"No need to keep guessing. You'll never know. Just stay quietly inside the formation."

Bai Suzhen's expression remained calm, neither joyful nor sorrowful.

At this moment, her heart was no longer something the Longevity Immortal God could shake.

"Hm?"

"Who's there?"

Just then, Bai Suzhen's expression shifted, her eyes sharpening.

A sword aura shot out from her in a flash.

It targeted a hidden spot in the shadows.

Boom!

A palm strike burst forth, colliding with the sword aura.

An earth-shattering explosion followed.

"Hahaha! Such keen senses, to detect my presence!"

A loud laugh echoed.

A white-haired elder dressed in black appeared before the Longevity Immortal God and Bai Suzhen.

"God Demon Realm?"

"Who are you to trespass into the Divine Search Palace?"

"Don't think just because you've reached the God Demon Realm you can challenge me."

She couldn't see through this black-robed elder's identity.

When had the Nine Provinces gained another God Demon Realm cultivator?

"No, wait, this aura..."

"You're from the Han Dynasty's Stitched Cloth Guard?"

"A God Demon Realm cultivator... if I'm not mistaken, you must be the elusive Stitched Cloth Guard Leader!"

She had once followed the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal and felt this kind of energy.

Back then, Su Yi had secretly investigated the Han Dynasty's Stitched Cloth Guard, and she had seen it firsthand.

Many of their members cultivated the same technique.

Their auras were similar.

But the aura of this black-robed elder was even more terrifying and refined.

If she was right, those other members were merely practicing a simplified version of his technique.

"Oh? Seems like you've done your homework."

The Stitched Cloth Guard Leader narrowed his eyes, a murderous gleam flashing within.

He had always kept the Stitched Cloth Guard hidden deep in the shadows.

No one should've been able to uncover anything.

Even within the Heaven's Gate organization, that self-proclaimed god, Di Shitian, knew nothing.

Yet this woman he never paid attention to had uncovered his secret.

He couldn't afford to take her lightly.

Did she perhaps know even more hidden truths about the Stitched Cloth Guard?

Thinking of this, his interest in Bai Suzhen only deepened.

"Bai Suzhen. Longevity Immortal God. I suppose you both already know who I am."

"In that case, why not join my Stitched Cloth Guard?"

"From now on, your status would be second only to mine."

He spoke as if making a generous offer.

But both Bai Suzhen and the Longevity Immortal God responded only with scorn.

Even though the Longevity Immortal God was imprisoned by a powerful formation, he had never considered serving anyone.

Stitched Cloth Guard?

That man thought he was qualified?

And now he had the audacity to try recruiting them?

Utterly laughable.

"Where did this idiot come from? Such delusions!"

"Are you trying to provoke us?"

Seeing their anger, the Stitched Cloth Guard Leader remained unfazed.

Instead, he laughed heartily.

"Do not assume I'm joking."

"Before long, you will come to realize that joining the Stitched Cloth Guard is the greatest fortune of your entire existence."

"Let me ask you, do you wish to break through the God Demon Realm and become a Sage Realm cultivator?"

Bai Suzhen's gaze flickered, then she smirked with disdain.

"Sage Realm?"

"Don't tell me that the only Sage of the Nine Provinces is one of your people?"

Her tone was full of contempt.

"Heh, that's a secret of the Stitched Cloth Guard. Only by joining will you have the right to know."

"Now leave. Since you're a God Demon Realm cultivator, I'll overlook your intrusion this time."

"But if there's a next time, I won't be so lenient."

She didn't believe the Stitched Cloth Guard had a way to reach the Sage Realm.

Even if they did, she wouldn't be tempted.

She hadn't even reached the Great Perfection God Demon Realm yet, let alone aimed for the Sage Realm.

Moreover, the Stitched Cloth Guard had always operated from the shadows, even disregarding their allegiance to the Han Dynasty.

They were clearly not a righteous force.

Their ideology was entirely incompatible with hers.

It was likely they'd become enemies in the future.

Were it not for this man being God Demon Realm, she would've attacked already.

"Hahaha, Longevity Immortal God, it looks like you're sealed by a formation."

"If that's the case, allow me to help you break free."

Since Bai Suzhen was difficult to sway, the Stitched Cloth Guard Leader shifted his focus.

His gaze locked onto the Longevity Immortal God.

He studied the formation binding him, his eyes gleaming.

Then he struck, his palm hitting a weak point of the formation.

"You dare?! Courting death!"

Seeing him attempt to release the Longevity Immortal God completely crossed her bottom line.

She instantly unleashed a terrifying sword aura.

But it was too late.

Boom!

The grand formation collapsed in an instant.

"Hahaha! I'm finally free!"

"You wretched woman, this god will make you pay for imprisoning me!"

The Longevity Immortal God burst into crazed laughter.

He looked at Bai Suzhen with malicious intent, eager to strike her down immediately.

"Longevity Immortal God, how about we join forces? I'll help you take down the Demon Lord, and you join my Stitched Cloth Guard. How about it?"

A strange glint flickered in the Longevity Immortal God's eyes.

"Fine. If we can kill the Demon Lord, this god will agree. Why not?"

"Then it's settled."

The Stitched Cloth Guard Leader smiled triumphantly.

Then he moved in a flash, attacking Bai Suzhen.

"Damn it!"

"You actually destroyed the formation!"

"In that case, you can both die!"

Bai Suzhen's face filled with fury.

In her palm bloomed a small blue lotus, radiating an unimaginably terrifying aura.

"Not good!"

The Stitched Cloth Guard Leader remained composed, but the Longevity Immortal God's face turned pale.

His eyes were filled with fear.

He let out a shout.

Then, without a second thought, he turned and fled toward the exit of the Divine Search Palace.

Leaving behind only a blur.

The Stitched Cloth Guard Leader was momentarily stunned.

He's a God Demon Realm cultivator, and yet he fled without even putting up a fight?

He showed a look of disdain.

But the next moment, what happened made him regret everything.

That tiny blue lotus, barely palm-sized, seemed to cut through space itself.

It struck him instantly.

An overwhelming sword intent erupted inside his body.

Unspeakable agony ripped through his organs, bones, and blood vessels.

"Aaaargh!"

Now he understood.

He had become the scapegoat.

That attack had originally been meant for the Longevity Immortal God, now it had landed on him.

Using the last of his strength.

The Stitched Cloth Guard Leader burned his inner energy and activated his life-preserving techniques to escape as quickly as possible.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished from the Divine Search Palace.

Leaving behind Bai Suzhen, seething with rage.

A single moment of carelessness had allowed the Longevity Immortal God to escape.

"The formation is broken, and the Longevity Immortal God is free."

"Looks like there's going to be some chaos ahead."

"Forget it. I'd better chase after them first."

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List of Characters:

Qin's Moon ( 秦时明月 )

・Bai Qi ( 白起 ) — Commander of Qin Dynasty

Wind and Cloud ( 风云 )

・Longevity Immortal God ( 长生不死神 ) — Master of Divine Search Palace

・Bai Suzhen ( 白素贞 ) — Master of Divine Search Palace