The Sword Saint pondered in silence.
He and his junior brother shared the same master, yet they had to abide by the rules of the Guiguzi School.
Only one successor was permitted to inherit the supreme arts.
Because of this, his junior brother had always sought to defeat him.
Now that his junior brother had obtained a heavenly-grade elixir—the Qianyuan Sword Intent Pill—knowing him as he did, he would surely challenge him again once his strength increased!
Just as he was deep in thought, the majestic voice of the First Emperor rang in his ear.
"Master Gai, your junior brother's reward is quite impressive. Should he come to Xianyang to challenge you again, I shall certainly watch the fight."
His words were filled with anticipation.
When the King of Qin had first ascended the throne, he had visited the Han State in the company of the Sword Saint.
Back in the Han State, the Sword Saint and his junior brother had engaged in a thrilling duel; although he had not witnessed it firsthand, the King of Qin still felt a sense of regret.
Holding his sword with a backhanded grip, the Sword Saint whispered, "Should we meet again, I will surely inform Your Majesty."
"Very well, I shall await the good news."
The King of Qin nodded, looking up to examine the Famous Swords Ranking.
In tenth place was the Amber Sword, rewarded with the lower-grade heavenly-grade Tyrannical Sword Art; those who practiced it unleashed sword qi fierce and ferocious like a tiger.
"Ninth place, the Lingxu Sword, rewarded with the lower-grade heavenly-grade Blue Sky Jade Refining Pill, which increases the breakthrough probability to the Heavenly Gang Realm by fifty percent."
"Eighth place, the Qiuli Sword, rewarded with the middle-grade heavenly-grade Nine Cauldrons Pill, which increases the breakthrough probability to the Heavenly Gang Realm by seventy percent."
As the Famous Swords Ranking gradually revealed its higher ranks, factions from all walks of life felt their hearts pounding.
"Heaven bless the peasant school! Hall Master Chiyou's Tyrannical Sword Art will double his combat power."
"The Lingxu Sword belongs to the Third Master of the Confucian School. With this pill, the Confucian School may gain a powerful new adversary in the Heavenly Gang Realm."
"Do not be hasty, everyone. A fifty-percent increase is hardly a guaranteed breakthrough."
As the rankings unfolded, everyone realized that the higher the position, the more generous the reward.
Elixirs and sword arts alternated randomly, following no discernible pattern.
Heavenly-grade elixirs? Heavenly-grade swordsmanship? All were treasures of the utmost rarity, yet now they appeared in such abundance—how could anyone not be shocked? Especially given the burning speculation surrounding the number one throne.
"The top spot surely belongs to Ying Zheng; only his sword could possibly rank first."
"True indeed. Aside from his, what other sword could shoulder such an honor?"
"The top five are already locked in—only renowned masterpieces like Ganjiang and Moye, Xueji, and Tai'e fit the description."
Beneath the Golden List, secretly drafted "unofficial rankings" began to take shape.
As brilliance circulated, the sixth through third positions on the Famous Swords Ranking appeared one by one.
"Sixth place, Ganjiang and Moye, rewarded with the middle-grade heavenly-grade Protecting Evil Crypt."
"Fifth place, Xueji, rewarded with the middle-grade heavenly-grade Taiqing Divine Pill."
Fourth place, the Tai'e Sword, rewarded with the middle-grade heavenly-grade Haoran Righteous Qi.
"Third place, the Yuanhong Sword, rewarded with the upper-grade heavenly-grade Yin-Yang Sword Technique, namely the Tai Chi Sword Technique."
Radiance converged, piercing straight into the holder of the famous sword.
The pill gathered in the palm along with the light, while the swordsmanship entered the mind.
In an instant, exquisite and peerless swordsmanship surfaced in his mind, and only when he had mastered it completely did the light disperse.
Bathed in a golden glow, the Sword Saint radiated intersecting sword qi; a black-and-white Taiji diagram rotated beneath his feet, frost covered the stone floor, and the chill within the hall abruptly soared.
On the other side, scorching flames had baked the ground to a charred black, and sweltering heat rose in waves.
After watching this, the King of Qin, Ying Zheng, laughed aloud and remarked, "The Tai Chi Sword Technique? Truly unique. Just by observing the sword qi, one's combat power has already surged dramatically."
"An upper-grade heavenly-grade swordsmanship, worthy of the name."
His tone carried a hint of gratification and hope.
The Yuanhong Sword ranked third, and for this, it was rewarded with an upper-grade heavenly-grade sword skill.
Judging by the established pattern, the runner-up might receive an upper-grade heavenly-grade sword technique or elixir.
It might even be something of divine grade.
As for the sword in first place, the reward would undoubtedly be a divine-grade treasure.
"A divine-grade treasure—let us hope it is an elixir that extends life."
Ying Zheng mused silently, quite confident that the Tianwen Sword sat securely at the summit of the Famous Swords Ranking.
Yet when he raised his head to look at the Golden List once more, eager to see which sword claimed the runner-up position, the sight before him caused his expression to change drastically.
"How—this... how is this possible?"
Today I went to get an injection, which delayed things.
006 The Tianwen Sword Is Not Number One, It Is the Heavenly Dragon Emperor's Decree
Glancing around, the Golden List inscribed the second-ranked sword and its reward in dragons flying and phoenixes dancing.
"Second place on the Famous Swords Ranking, the Tianwen Sword, rewarding its wielder with the upper-grade heavenly-grade—Heavenly Dragon Emperor's Decree."
Swish, swish, swish...
Swish, swish, swish...
At that moment, every guard in the King of Qin's bedchamber, including Zhao Gao, wore an expression of terror as they fell to their knees.
"We implore Your Majesty to spare your wrath."
"We implore Your Majesty to spare your wrath."
"We implore Your Majesty to spare your wrath."
At this moment, everyone's heart was filled with shock and panic.
The Tianwen Sword?
It actually failed to take the crown!
How could this be possible!
Looking across the entire world, the First Emperor had swept away the six states and unified the realm.
With such monumental achievements, who could possibly match him?
Logically speaking, the Tianwen Sword ought to be in first place.
Yet today, it languished in second place.
How was Ying Zheng, as the First Emperor, supposed to bear this?
Zhao Gao, in particular, was trembling all over, his garments soaked with sweat.
Just moments ago, he had asserted with absolute certainty that "the Tianwen Sword will undoubtedly be number one."
Who could have known that the Tianwen Sword would rank merely second.
If the First Emperor vented his anger on him, his life would be in peril.
While he was quaking with fear, Ying Zheng waved his hand dismissively and said calmly, "Rise. This matter has nothing to do with you all."
As the First Emperor, how could he be so narrow-minded?
It was simply that the result exceeded his expectations.
At these words, the guards breathed a long sigh of relief.
It felt as though they had cheated death.
Only then did they stand up.
Following that, Ying Zheng narrowed his eyes at the list and murmured, "This is becoming increasingly interesting. If the Tianwen Sword is not number one, then just which famous sword claims the top spot?"
In his memory, all the famous swords of the world had already made the list.
Judging by the rankings thus far, there still remained a single sword that far surpassed the Tianwen Sword.
And who might the master of this sword be?
Furthermore, what could the reward for first place possibly be?
These questions filled his heart with anticipation.
Just at that moment, the Golden List cast down a dazzling beam of light that instantly enveloped Ying Zheng.
Clearly, this was the transmission of the upper-grade heavenly-grade—Heavenly Dragon Emperor's Decree.
As Ying Zheng received the inheritance, the various factions observing the runner-up spot on the list were likewise thrown into turmoil.
"Good heavens, what is the meaning of this? The Tianwen Sword has actually ranked second—then who on earth is number one?"
"The top spot on the Famous Swords Ranking does not belong to the Tianwen Sword; things are getting interesting now. If the first place does not belong to the Qin State, the various factions across the world will undoubtedly scramble to recruit him."
"This... is simply too mind-boggling. I wonder how the First Emperor will react when he sees this list? His expression surely cannot be pleasant."
"To whom does the top spot of the Famous Swords Ranking truly belong? Regarding the upper-grade heavenly-grade reward for second place, what do you suppose the top spot holds—a divine-grade elixir or swordsmanship?"
...
In the Library Pavilion, the elderly yet spirited Xunzi stood by the window, casting his gaze toward the Golden List.
His somewhat dim eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp brilliance.
"The Tianwen Sword has actually settled for second place; this result is truly unexpected. No doubt all the schools will be shaken by this."
His voice was deep and powerful.
"Granduncle, who do you suppose will take first place?"
The head of the Confucian School asked, full of confusion.
He had just been summoned by Xunzi.
Xunzi shook his head without a word.
"Until the rankings are fully revealed, this question will be enough to confound everyone."
People had originally assumed the Tianwen Sword was bound to take first place, never expecting it to rank only second, a development that deeply surprised even Xunzi.
"Granduncle, if only we knew whose sword is number one. If that were the case, I could go and challenge him."
The Confucian head stroked the scabbard of the Tai'e Sword, his tone resolute. "I want to see just how formidable that sword truly is."
"I must witness firsthand what kind of power the number one sword possesses."
His voice was firm and resonant.
Xunzi stroked his beard and said, "Do not be impatient. The Golden List has made it clear—aside from the Famous Swords Ranking, there are numerous other lists to come; opportunities abound. Once future lists are released, by cross-referencing them with the Famous Swords Ranking, we will find out who holds the top spot."
"Besides, you are not the only one looking for the number one; major factions across the realm are surely searching as well."
"Right now, the best thing you can do is diligently practice your swordsmanship and bring the Haoran Righteous Qi sword technique rewarded by the Golden List to perfection."
Clutching the Tai'e Sword, the Confucian head listened with rapt attention.
...
Yin-Yang School, the Floating Mirage.
"What? His Majesty's Tianwen Sword is not the number one?"
Xu Fu's face was plastered with shock as he cried out loudly.
The remaining elders looked equally astonished, one after another voicing their thoughts.
"Every famous sword in the world has made the list; who could possibly be stronger than the Tianwen Sword?"
"The Golden List has appeared, yet the top spot does not belong to His Majesty the First Emperor—this is no good omen."
"Indeed, the reward for first place will inevitably arouse covetousness and may even grant formidable abilities. If it cannot be secured by Great Qin, our enemies uniting with the remnants of the Six States could pose a threat to Great Qin."
Footsteps suddenly echoed through the grand hall.
"The number one on the Famous Swords Ranking is the Netherworld Sword."
"Honored elders, why must you inflate others' prestige while diminishing our own might?"
Gan Luo strode out, blue flame markings decorating his face, his gaze cold and stern.
"Leader, I believe the top spot will be contested by all sides. We would do better to strike first."
"Find this person, kill him, and seize the famous sword and its reward."
His voice was icy, like a venomous snake waiting to ambush its prey.
In response, Xu Fu, the elder of the Metal Department, voiced his opposition.
"Leader, I do not agree. Securing the top spot on the list is by no means an easy task."
"Making an enemy of such a person would be unfavorable to the Yin-Yang School."
Xu Fu's voice was grave and carried considerable weight.
Faced with the differing opinions of Gan Luo and Xu Fu, the other elders remained silent.
They were well aware of the long-standing rivalry between the two, especially Xu Fu's persistent coveting of the leadership position.
"Whether we recruit him or kill him, we will decide once the rankings are confirmed."
Donghuang Taiyi spoke up, his voice as deep as thunder, carrying an irresistible majesty.
Gan Luo's expression darkened slightly as he cupped his fists and said, "Understood. We shall surely abide by Your Excellency Donghuang's command."
Suddenly, the Famous Swords Ranking burst with boundless radiance and auspicious vapors.
Lightning intertwined across the night sky like wandering silver snakes.
Bright stars seemed pulled by some unseen force, rapidly converging toward the Famous Swords Ranking.
In a brief moment, they formed a straight, pitch-black longsword covered in diamond-shaped patterns.
The sword emitted a profound and mysterious aura, its sharp blade appearing capable of cleaving the firmament.
The moment this sword manifested, sword practitioners across the world were struck dumb with awe.
"What is happening? Why could this sword appear on the Famous Swords Ranking? Could it be the sword of the number one?"
"Heavens, only the top spot could trigger such a commotion, yet I have never seen this sword before!"
"Just what makes this sword so special? Why does it surpass the Tianwen Sword to rank first? I simply cannot fathom it... truly beyond comprehension."
Once this sword was confirmed as the summit of the Famous Swords Ranking, several dazzling golden characters appeared upon the list.
Every single character radiated potent sword intent.
"First Place—the Netherworld Sword, wielder [Sword God], rewarded with two divine-grade elixirs—the Nine-Turn Longevity Pill. Consuming one grants a hundred years of cultivation and sixty years of life, 'Note: Each person is limited to one pill'."
The crowd erupted.
The Sword God?
Is this the name of the number one?
Previous rankings had merely listed the names of the swords without mentioning their masters.
Yet this time, the Netherworld Sword in first place directly specified the name of its wielder.
Thus, swordsmen throughout the realm etched the name "Sword God" deep into their memories.
Beyond that, everyone drooved over the reward with boundless greed.
A divine-grade elixir?
The Nine-Turn Longevity Pill!
It could both enhance cultivation and prolong life, and there were two of them.
At this moment, greed and desire flickered in the eyes of the ambitious.
There was only a single thought in their minds—they must obtain these two pills.
Mohist School:
"Find the wielder of the Netherworld Sword—the Sword God. No matter the cost, we must bring him into the Mohist School."
"Remember, we must never make an enemy of him."