Chapter 270 - Rank 7, Golden Ranking Reward, Song Que's Dilemma, Death or Surrender?

[Confucian Immortal Ranking – Rank 7]

[Song Yuhua]

[Force: Imperial Palace of Ming Dynasty]

[Cultivation: Late Heavenly Human Realm Land Immortal]

[Technique: Jade Blossom Immortal Classic (Dual cultivation of Confucian Dao and Sword Dao, self-created by fusing Confucian and Sword Cultivation Techniques)]

[Reward: Ten wisps of Low-Tier Grand Righteous Qi (enhances Confucian Cultivation Techniques), 1 Low-Tier Confucian Skill, 1 Low-Tier Confucian Divine Weapon]

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Song Yuhua?

Another person from the Ming Dynasty!?

Moreover, she's a woman from Zhu Houzhao's Imperial Harem!

Among the four ranked Confucian Immortals, three of them belong to the Ming Dynasty.

Is the Confucian culture of the Ming Dynasty even stronger than that of the Han Dynasty or Northern Song Dynasty?

Are there just too many Confucian Immortals?

Ying Zheng frowned deeply. Although he disliked the ideals of the Confucian School, it was merely due to ideological differences.

However, he deeply desired Confucian Immortals who had reached the Land Immortal Realm.

They could be regarded entirely as cultivators.

Unfortunately.

The only one on the ranking from his domain, Xun Kuang, harbored deep hatred toward the Qin Dynasty.

This left him no choice but to abandon the idea of recruiting him.

In the future, he felt it necessary to establish a similar academy, to recruit powerful figures from the Hundred Schools of Thought.

If Confucian cultivators were willing to serve him, he would gladly accept them.

However, all must abide by the laws and institutions of the Qin Dynasty.

==========

Ming Imperial Harem.

Murong Qiudi Palace.

At this moment, Murong Qiudi, Lin Shiyin, and You Ruo were all staring at Song Yuhua, surprised and curious.

"Yuhua, weren't you cultivating Sword Dao? Why are you practicing Confucian Dao Cultivation Techniques now?" Lin Shiyin asked in confusion.

She had witnessed Song Yuhua's Ethereal Sword Art firsthand. With her current strength, she absolutely couldn't match it.

"I didn't stop cultivating the Ethereal Sword Art." Song Yuhua replied. "I've never put it down."

"But ever since entering the palace, I've found myself surprisingly compatible with Confucian Dao Cultivation Techniques."

"My progress in cultivating them has been incredibly smooth. Later, I asked His Majesty, and he suggested that practicing Confucian Dao alongside Sword Dao might yield twice the result with half the effort."

"His Majesty was right. After I advanced to the Early Heavenly Human Realm, I tried cultivating the Confucian Dao techniques His Majesty bestowed upon me. In just a few short months, my cultivation soared."

"Now, reaching the Late Heavenly Human Realm felt natural, without any bottleneck!"

"Moreover, the Cultivation Technique I created by fusing Confucian Dao and Sword Dao has shown even greater potential."

"In fact, even the path toward the Mythical Realm has already opened for me."

"Given time, breaking through to the Mythical Realm shouldn't be a problem!"

Saying this, Song Yuhua couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

She faintly felt that the fusion of Confucian Dao and Sword Dao was the path she was meant to walk.

At least, this way, she could better keep pace with His Majesty.

"I never thought you'd be this talented, Yuhua! Fusing Confucian Dao and Sword Dao is ten times, even a hundred times harder than just cultivating Sword Dao alone!" Lin Shiyin exclaimed.

"One should say Yuhua is fated with the Confucian Dao, and thus gained this opportunity."

"Haha, all thanks to His Majesty. Without his help, I wouldn't have created this Cultivation Technique so quickly and easily."

"There were many flaws along the way, but His Majesty helped me correct them immediately."

As she said this, a sweet smile curled on Song Yuhua's lips.

"Right, check your Heaven Dao Reward quickly!"

Lin Shiyin looked excited.

"The Grand Righteous Qi from the Heaven Dao Reward seems to help my cultivation, especially for Confucian Dao Cultivation Techniques, its effects are significant."

"I also received a Confucian Skill, Grand Righteous Sword Qi. It's immensely powerful."

"And there's a jade pendant, a Confucian Divine Weapon called Literature Heart Jade. It helps temper and stabilize the mind."

Each reward delighted Song Yuhua.

It seemed the Heaven Dao of the Nine Provinces was indeed generous!

==========

Sui Dynasty Territory.

Lingnan, Song Clan Mountain City.

"Oh my god, Big Sister actually made it onto the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking again!"

"And this time, it's the Confucian Immortal Ranking!"

"In just a short time, Big Sister has already reached the Late Heavenly Human Realm!"

Song Yuzhi stared in disbelief at the ranking in the sky.

At the same time, a surge of excitement filled her heart.

Ever since Big Sister became an Imperial Consort of the Ming Dynasty, she hadn't seen her in a long while.

Now, she found Big Sister even more formidable than before.

The Heavenly Human Realm!

Even their father was probably no match for her now.

As she admired Song Yuhua, Song Yuzhi also grew more curious about the mysterious Ming Emperor.

Big Sister's accomplishments definitely owed much to his support.

She even began to harbor the desire to go to the Ming Dynasty herself, to see what kind of man the Ming Emperor really was.

Was he truly as wise and heroic as the rumors claimed?!

==========

At the same time.

Song Clan, Blade Sharpening Hall.

Song Que also saw the Confucian Immortal Ranking in the sky. His expression turned complicated.

Late Heavenly Human Realm!

And a dual cultivator in Confucian Dao and Sword Dao!

Her strength likely far surpassed anything he had imagined!

How powerful was that Ming Emperor?

He had nurtured Song Yuhua to such excellence in just over a year!

Hmm?

At that moment.

Song Que sensed a sharp aura flash across the distance.

His eyes grew heavy.

His figure flickered.

He vanished from his spot.

Turning into a shadow, he rushed toward the far distance.

==========

Outside Song Clan Mountain City, twenty miles away.

Atop a mountain peak.

Song Que's figure soared swiftly to the summit.

"Since you've lured me here, why not show yourself?" Song Que called out loudly.

The moment his voice fell, his vision blurred.

When he opened his eyes again.

He was shocked to see, not far away, a young man in golden armor standing proudly.

He looked up at the Confucian Immortal Ranking in the sky.

In his hand was a golden longsword, radiating a sharp aura.

Song Que's pupils shrank. He instinctively stepped back, on guard.

"The Supreme Master of the Sui Dynasty, Yuwen Tuo!?" Song Que said each word slowly and clearly.

"Clan Master Song, you've sired quite the daughter."

"Even if your entire Song Clan is destroyed in the future, at least you won't have to worry about your lineage vanishing."

Yuwen Tuo spoke calmly.

Yet his words made Song Que's heart sink.

"Supreme Master Yuwen, did Yang Guang send you to wipe out the Song Clan?"

"If so, I won't go down without a fight."

"The entire Song Clan will resist to the death."

As he finished, Song Que raised his Heaven Blade and stared at Yuwen Tuo with pride.

Should Yuwen Tuo show the slightest hostility, he wouldn't hesitate to strike.

In Song Que's eyes, he utterly despised Yang Guang.

And as Sui Dynasty's Supreme Master, Yuwen Tuo had always been regarded by Song Que as a loyal dog.

Even with his Mythical Realm strength, Song Que never respected him.

"Hahaha! Destroy your Song Clan? Surrender? Resist to the death?"

"Heaven Blade Song Que, you're overestimating yourself, and your so-called Song Clan."

"If I wanted to destroy you or your clan, one sword strike would suffice."

"I've never doubted that." Song Que said.

"Supreme Master Yuwen is invincible under Heaven. That's no empty boast."

"Back when the rebel army numbered 100,000, you used one sword, and they were reduced to ashes."

"But so what?"

"I, Heaven Blade Song Que, am not afraid!"

"Yang Guang is worthless. And you, Yuwen Tuo, are even worse!"

Whoosh!

As Song Que's voice fell.

A sword aura suddenly struck.

It hit Song Que square in the chest.

In the next moment, he was sent flying and crashed heavily onto the ground.

"Clan Master Song, if you want to speak such words before me, you need sufficient strength."

"Otherwise, you're just a joke in my eyes."

"This was a small punishment. Next time, you may not be so lucky."

Yuwen Tuo said coldly.

Surprisingly.

Despite being knocked away, Song Que wasn't heavily injured.

Only his face had paled slightly.

He was horrified to find a terrifying sword aura lurking inside his body.

It felt like it could erupt at any moment.

Once unleashed, it would shred him into countless pieces in an unimaginably cruel death.

"Yuwen Tuo, what exactly do you want?"

"I want you to lead the entire Song Clan and surrender to the Sui Dynasty!"

"From now on, serve loyally and never betray us."

"Never! The Song Clan will never acknowledge that fool Yang Guang!"

Song Que responded with determination.

His eyes burned with conviction.

If his strength weren't so far below Yuwen Tuo's.

He might have already risked everything.

Song Que was a man of pride. How could he ever submit to a corrupt and inept Emperor like Yang Guang?

Yuwen Tuo clearly intended to use the Song Clan as cannon fodder for Yang Guang, an idea Song Que utterly rejected.

If they were doomed either way, he would rather die gloriously than live in humiliation.

Whether cultivating Sword Dao or Blade Dao, an unyielding spirit was essential.

Song Que even more so.

To him, holding true to his beliefs mattered far more than his life.

==========

Song Clan Mountain City.

"Yuzhi, Father suddenly called us all together. What's going on?" Song Shidao asked Song Yuzhi beside him.

"I'm not sure. But I think something serious has happened to the Song Clan."

"I just saw Father's face. He looked really grim. Could it be that we're facing a powerful enemy?"

Song Yuzhi speculated.

"Let's not overthink it. Let's go to the main hall and find out."

The two quickly walked forward and entered the Song Clan's Meeting Hall.

At that moment, Clan Master Song Que sat at the head seat.

His expression was solemn, with faint traces of humiliation and anger in his eyes.

Everyone in the Song Clan stood silently, not daring to be careless.

"Big Brother, do we really have to go this far?"

"Aren't you being overly cautious?"

Beside Song Que, Song Zhi hesitated.

"Second Brother, say no more. My decision is made."

"From now on, it will all depend on fate."

"Greetings, Clan Master!"

"Greetings, Father!"

Soon, everyone was gathered.

"Today, I have something important to announce."

"Second Brother, you are to immediately take Little Brother Lu, Shidao, Yuzhi, and all other core members of the Song Clan, and head to the Ming Dynasty. Seek refuge with Yuhua."

"From now on, obey her orders."

"In a moment, I'll give you the Song Clan's most secret elite unit."

"Once you reach the Ming Dynasty, hand this unit to Yuhua."

"She will know what to do."

Everyone, including Song Yuzhi, was stunned.

From the Clan Master's words, it sounded like he was giving a final will.

Could it be that the Song Clan had truly encountered a terrifying enemy?

"Father, why? We're fine. Why must we go to the Ming Dynasty and seek out Big Sister?"

"Just follow my orders."

"Big Brother, let Little Brother Lu take them. I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone. At least I could help you a bit!"

"Enough. Follow orders!"

Seeing the anxious looks from Song Zhi, Song Lu, Song Shidao, and Song Yuzhi, Song Que remained expressionless.

His heart was calm as still water.

Yuwen Tuo was far too terrifying.

He couldn't afford to let the entire Song Clan's strength be concentrated in one place.

He had to prepare separate contingencies.

With Yuhua in the Ming Dynasty, supported by her strength and the Ming Emperor behind her, even Yuwen Tuo couldn't touch them.

This gave him peace of mind.

As for himself, he would stay behind in the Sui Dynasty.

He wanted to see just what Yuwen Tuo, this so-called invincible Supreme Master, was really planning.

==========

Meanwhile, atop a towering tree several miles from the Song Clan Mountain City.

Yuwen Tuo observed everything happening inside the Meeting Hall with perfect clarity.

He couldn't help but admire Song Que's resolve.

As expected of the one he had taken interest in.

Not only did he have great potential, but he also possessed impressive command ability.

If he had led more campaigns, he might have even made it onto the Renowned Marshal Ranking.

As for why he didn't stop them?

In Yuwen Tuo's mind, there was no need.

As long as Song Que was in his hands, everything else was under control.