A pill with a hundred years of internal energy! If consumed, one would undoubtedly become a top-tier expert. Combined with the Netherworld Sword, ranked first on the list, the disciples of the Mohist School would be no match. In this situation, one could only attempt to recruit, never to oppose.
Confucian School:
Xunzi, who had been stroking his beard, saw the reward for the top spot on the list, and his aged face immediately changed color. He even pulled out a few strands of his beard unconsciously before coming to his senses.
"The Netherworld Sword? The Nine-Turn Longevity Pill? This is going to set off another storm of blood and slaughter. The Qin State had unified the world, and there was stability; it should have entered a period of peace. Who could have known that a meteorite would fall, the Golden List would appear, and the world would be plunged into chaos once again? Whether the Golden List is a blessing or a curse, time will tell."
Xunzi’s voice was weary and helpless. Was the world about to fall into great turmoil? This was not something he could decide alone. He watched it all unfold, yet he was powerless to stop it, his heart heavy beyond measure.
The Sect Leader standing nearby heard this and asked with a solemn expression, "Uncle, should we go and find the person who possesses the Netherworld Sword?"
Xunzi shook his head. "The Confucian School will not participate in this."
"But Uncle, if we stay out of this, the other schools will certainly fight for it. Do you mean for us to sit by and watch them enjoy the rewards alone?" the Confucian leader retorted.
Xunzi smiled faintly and said with deep meaning, "Those things which the other sects cannot obtain—even if they were to get their hands on them, they would ultimately belong to the First Emperor Ying Zheng."
He had long heard of Ying Zheng’s pursuit of longevity, but years had passed with no results. Now, the legendary "Nine-Turn Longevity Pill" had reappeared in the world—and there were two of them! Ying Zheng would never let these two pills go easily; anyone who coveted them would face the ruthless suppression of the Great Qin’s iron cavalry, and perhaps even the destruction of their entire family.
The Confucian leader fell silent, understanding the profound implication in his uncle’s words.
Xunzi turned and said, "The Famous Swords Ranking has been revealed. You should focus on practicing your new sword techniques. Remember, do not be disturbed by the outside world. Only by being strong yourself can you be truly powerful."
"Yes, I will strictly follow your teachings, Uncle."
With that, he carried his Tai'e sword and slowly left the library.
At the same time, in the Xianyang Palace, the First Emperor Ying Zheng learned the news of the "Nine-Turn Longevity Pill" and couldn't help but laugh aloud. "The Nine-Turn Longevity Pill? Heaven has truly not let me down!"
...
Inside Xianyang Palace, Ying Zheng stared at the "Nine-Turn Longevity Pill" on the list, his joy evident. Immortality had always been his dream. He had sent messengers overseas many times to search for immortal mountains and spiritual herbs, all to refine an elixir of immortality, but unfortunately, there had been no results for years.
However, this heaven-defying medicine had suddenly appeared. While it might not grant true immortality, it could certainly prolong life. With two such divine pills, it was not unreasonable for him to claim one.
"Pass on my decree: Whoever holds the Netherworld Sword, that is, the Sword God, if they can offer up the 'Nine-Turn Longevity Pill,' they shall be titled the Marquis of Longevity, rewarded with ten thousand gold, and enjoy the eternal protection of Great Qin."
As soon as these words were spoken, the armored Imperial Guards shouted in unison, "Long live the First Emperor! Long live Great Qin!"
Afterward, Zhao Gao stepped forward and reported in a low voice, "Your Majesty, your humble servant is willing to immediately deploy members of the 'Net' to search for the whereabouts of the Sword God."
Ying Zheng waved his hand to stop him. "No need to rush. Wait until the Golden List descends with the auspicious pillar of light to confirm their location before taking action."
When the Famous Swords Ranking was announced, it would cast down a pillar of light containing the corresponding rewards. Since the Netherworld Sword was ranked first, a pillar of light would descend soon, which would allow them to pinpoint the Sword God’s location.
"Your Majesty is wise," Zhao Gao flattered.
Just then, the Golden List shone brilliantly, as if a massive pillar of light was shooting straight into the heavens, aimed directly at the Xianyang Palace. To everyone's surprise, the light vanished in an instant.
Seeing this, Gai Nie was shocked. "What? It was absorbed so quickly?"
The rewards from the Golden List required one to refine them with internal energy to fully possess them; the Taiji Sword technique he had received was the result of such refinement. The light from that god-tier medicine should have been even harder to refine, yet the opponent had completed it in the blink of an eye. What kind of realm had this person reached?
As he was in shock, Ying Zheng was also stunned. He whispered, "Xianyang? The Sword God at the top of the list is actually in Xianyang? Tonight has been a series of shocks for me."
"Since they are in Xianyang, that makes things convenient. I wish to invite the Sword God to the palace; I must have a long talk with this legendary figure."
He turned and asked coldly, "Shadow Secret Guard, where are you?"
"Your subordinate is here."
"Your subordinate is here."
Several Shadow Secret Guards wearing chains emerged silently before the First Emperor, appearing like messengers of death.
"I command you to set out at once to find the holder of the Netherworld Sword—the Sword God. No matter the cost, you must find him and invite him into the palace. Remember, do not engage in conflict with him." His tone was calm, yet carried innate majesty.
The Shadow Secret Guards understood the gravity of the task. "By your decree. We shall depart immediately, Your Majesty."
As soon as the words fell, their figures became ghostly and ethereal, vanishing in an instant.
"Zhao Gao."
"Your servant is here." Zhao Gao hurried forward.
Ying Zheng pressed his temples. "Quickly summon all the princes. In particular, you must bring Lan'er. No matter what excuse he gives, you must bring him to the palace."
Lan'er? That was the First Emperor's eldest son, Qin Lan. Although Ying Zheng sounded somewhat distressed when mentioning him, his tone was overflowing with paternal love. Among all his sons, only Qin Lan suited his heart. Unfortunately, Qin Lan had no interest in power. Since childhood, he had achieved nothing, only knowing how to enjoy himself. Not long ago, he had even requested to go to Dongjun, claiming he wanted to train under Wang Li. However, reports from the Shadow Secret Guards showed that he did nothing but linger in the Drunken Dream Pavilion, singing and carousing every night. This gave Ying Zheng a constant headache, leading him to summon Qin Lan back and place him under house arrest.
Zhao Gao quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Despite his compliance, a flash of cruelty crossed his eyes as he lowered his head—a look quickly hidden, unnoticed by anyone. He then bowed and retreated.
...
Yin-Yang School. The Mirage.
Gan Luo noticed that the auspicious light from the Golden List pointed directly to Xianyang. A sinister glint flashed in his wicked, charming eyes.
"Leader, I am willing to go to Xianyang myself to find the holder of the Netherworld Sword—the Sword God. I will certainly retrieve the 'Netherworld Sword' and the 'Nine-Turn Longevity Pill'." His voice was raspy, grating, and full of confidence.
Xu Fu stepped out to stop him. "Donghuang, this must not be. How could the Sword God ranked at the top of the list be an ordinary person? If Gan Luo goes, I fear he will ruin our grand plans and perhaps bring disaster upon our sect." His tone was as cold as frost, as if one were standing in an ice cellar.
Donghuang scanned the elders. "What are your thoughts?"
The other elders were all cunning and sly, exchanging looks with one another in a tacit understanding. They replied in unison, "We shall follow the Leader's instructions."
...
The leader of the Yin-Yang School remained silent for a long time. Then, he took a step and teleported to the center of the hall.
"Since we cannot decide, let us calculate the identity of the Netherworld Sword's holder, and whether this trip by Gan Luo will be a blessing or a curse for the Yin-Yang School." His voice was ethereal, echoing through the hall.
"As you command, Leader."
The next moment, the five elders sat in their positions according to the Five Elements, crossing their legs. Their internal energy surged like crashing waves, rising and falling. Gan Luo also sat cross-legged, forming a seal with his hands. Behind him, countless palms appeared—delicate and complex, as magnificent and solemn as the Thousand-Armed Guanyin.
Donghuang Taiyi, positioned at the highest point, casually took out the tortoise shell used for divination and performed the Yin-Yang School's unique divination arts. When he had originally divined the Golden List, the Heavenly Mystery Tortoise shell had been damaged and cracked; the one currently in use was a backup.
One after another, streaks of colored energy were infused into the shell. It began to spin at high speed, hovering in the air.
*BOOM!*
However, before the divination was even half-finished, a heaven-shattering sword aura sliced through time and space. The aura was fierce, violent, and torrential. The sword intent was sharp, and bloodlust overflowed.
Blood splattered. The sword aura struck the divining tortoise shell, shattering it into pieces instantly. At the same time, Gan Luo, who was leading the effort under Donghuang Taiyi, and the five elders were all caught in the wake of the aura. Their faces flushed crimson, and they vomited a mouthful of blood.
Gan Luo, in particular, felt this sword intent, and his previously fearless expression turned to terror, panic, and shock.
"It's him... it's him... this sword intent, it must be him!" His voice was ragged with trembling, and his right hand shook uncontrollably as he spoke. If one looked closely, they would see that one finger was missing from his right hand.
*Spurt.* Gan Luo seemed to recall something, a flash of fear appearing in his black eyes, and he spat out another large amount of blood.
At this moment, the five elders also realized it, their expressions varied: horror, disbelief, shock—the complex emotions were all written on their faces. All of this was because this very sword aura had once overturned the Yin-Yang School's headquarters. Years ago, the headquarters had been located within the Toad Palace deep inside the Xianyang Palace. But after that incident, they had moved to the Mirage.
"Gods, why is it him? How could we have provoked him while calculating the owner of the Netherworld Sword? Is he here to warn us? Or is he about to start a massacre again?"
"Don't say that. That person’s existence is too terrifying. If it happens again, my old life won't be saved."
"Gan Luo’s finger was cut off by 'him' in one strike—simple and brutal. Just thinking about it makes one's skin crawl."
Although they spoke in such hushed tones, the other elders continued to sit cross-legged, regulating their breathing to recover. However, the fact that a mere wisp of sword aura had caused them such heavy injuries showed the power of that aura.
While everyone discussed and treated their wounds, Xu Fu remained silent. Clearly, his mind was elsewhere. Looking at the shell destroyed by the sword aura, he pondered, "So the owner of the Netherworld Sword is 'him'? Since he is in Xianyang, is Feiyan also in Xianyang?"
Feiyan was the real name of the Dongjun of the Yin-Yang School. Eight years ago, Lord Donghuang had given Feiyan a task: to get close to Yan Dan, who was being held as a hostage in Qin, for the purpose of obtaining the secret of the "Seven Constellations of the Canglong." Dongjun Feiyan had adamantly refused, citing that she already had a beloved. But Lord Donghuang had aggressively demanded she carry out the task, otherwise, she would be seen as betraying the Yin-Yang School and face clan sanctions.
Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, a sharp and tyrannical sword aura had descended from the sky, magnificent in its momentum and filled with infinite killing intent as it struck the Toad Palace. With a single strike, the Toad Palace had completely collapsed, and the great formations guarding it were shattered. This sword not only severely wounded Lord Donghuang but also severed one of Gan Luo’s fingers.
Following that came a threatening sentence: "My woman—whoever dares to touch her, dies without mercy!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
That word "kill" had echoed for a long time, ringing inside and outside the city of Xianyang. At that time, every swordsman in Xianyang had felt as if they were trapped in an ice cellar, their lives at risk at any moment. Even Donghuang Taiyi, who was at the epicenter of the sword intent, had been unable to bear it and had to choose to yield. Just like that, with a single sword aura, 'he' had taken away the Yin-Yang School's Dongjun, Feiyan.
Because of this, 'he' had become an existence the Yin-Yang School feared. Since then, Dongjun Feiyan had vanished without a trace. Now that 'he' had appeared in Xianyang, could it be that Dongjun Feiyan had come as well?
Donghuang Taiyi suddenly coughed violently, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth. Wearing a mask, his expression was invisible. Looking at the tortoise shell torn apart by the sword aura, a pain beyond words flashed in his deep eyes. These shells were used for divination and were extremely rare, all ancient treasures passed down through the ages. But now, they were all destroyed.