As for the Sword Immortal Ranking, the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking did not offer much explanation.
It simply displayed a ranking.
Even the information was not elaborated upon.
The Heaven Dao Reward was directly distributed as well.
Immediately after that.
The Golden Ranking shone once more.
The Sword Immortal Ranking was refreshed again.
Even the entire world seemed to resonate with its appearance.
[Sword Immortal Ranking – Rank 6]
[Dugu Qiubai]
[Title: Sword Demon of the Southern Song Dynasty]
[Cultivation: Late Mythical Realm Land Immortal]
[Sword Dao Comprehension: Second Cycle, Great Perfection]
[Reward: Heaven-Grade Ultimate-Tier Sword Technique – Formless Sword Qi, which can aid in accelerating Sword Dao Comprehension]
Very soon, the Mythical Realm Sword Immortals began to appear on the ranking.
No one expected that the first to appear from the Mythical Realm would be Dugu Qiubai.
Late Mythical Realm!
And he had already reached the Great Perfection in the Second Cycle of Sword Dao Comprehension!
If not for his cultivation holding him back, he might have ranked even higher!
On top of that, he was rewarded with a powerful Sword Technique, Formless Sword Qi.
For Dugu Qiubai, it might prove endlessly beneficial.
==========
Southern Song Dynasty, outside Xiangyang City, Dugu Sword Tomb.
"Master, you made it onto the Sword Immortal Ranking!"
"That's incredible! So you're already a Mythical Realm Sword Immortal!"
"You're not far from the God Demon Realm now!"
"With the Sword Technique rewarded by the Heaven Dao, you'll definitely be able to comprehend Sword Dao even faster!"
"Once your realm improves, the God Demon Realm will be within reach!"
Yang Guo exclaimed with excitement.
It seemed like he was even happier than if he had made the ranking himself.
At the same time.
The Sword Technique rewarded by Heaven Dao entered Dugu Qiubai's mind.
Profound insights flooded his heart.
Even someone as calm and steady as Dugu Qiubai couldn't help but feel emotional.
So this was another path in Sword Dao!
In the past, his understanding had been too narrow!
Now with this Sword Technique, he would be able to make rapid progress in a short period of time.
Even if he could not reach the God Demon Realm yet, he could at least reach the Great Perfection Mythical Realm.
He might even grasp the embryonic form of the Third Cycle in Sword Dao.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
A sharp sword qi surged from his body.
It shot into the distance, leaving deep sword marks in the earth.
Yang Guo and the Divine Eagle were both dumbfounded at the sight.
==========
Wudang Mountain.
"So it's the Sword Demon Dugu Qiubai?"
"My Taiji Sword still failed to make the ranking?"
Zhang Sanfeng murmured.
Perhaps his realm had already surpassed Dugu Qiubai, but in terms of understanding Sword Dao, he lagged far behind.
And this time, the ranking was for the Sword Immortal Ranking.
Mastery of Sword Dao was a prerequisite to be ranked.
That he did not make the ranking was only natural.
Still, he felt a hint of dissatisfaction deep inside.
Had he known this earlier, he would have spent more time on the Taiji Sword Dao.
Unfortunately, he had missed a great opportunity.
If the ranking had been for the Land Immortal Ranking or the Martial Immortal Ranking, he would have certainly surpassed Dugu Qiubai.
==========
Not only Zhang Sanfeng, many Mythical Realm cultivators across the Nine Provinces felt indignant.
Unfortunately, Sword Dao was the key standard for this ranking.
==========
Yuan Dynasty.
"National Master, I believe your realm should surpass this Dugu Qiubai, right?"
"Then do you think you can make the Sword Immortal Ranking?"
Temujin looked curiously at Phagpa and asked.
The Heaven Dao Reward for the Sword Immortal Ranking was far greater than those of the Sword Ancestor Ranking.
If the National Master could obtain such a reward, he might advance to the God Demon Realm even faster.
That would ensure the rise of the Yuan Dynasty.
They wouldn't have to remain so constrained anymore.
"Your Majesty, you flatter me!"
"In terms of Buddhism and martial arts, Dugu Qiubai is no match for me."
"But in swordsmanship, I fall far behind."
"I knew from the beginning that I was not destined for the Sword Immortal Ranking."
"Even if I am no weaker than Dugu Qiubai!"
Phagpa replied with a hint of frustration.
Why did it have to be the Sword Immortal Ranking?
Why not a ranking for the Land Immortals?
He would surely have made the ranking!
Temujin felt deeply disappointed upon hearing this.
Right now, he was desperate for some great news to boost morale.
Since the appearance of the Heaven Dao Ranking, morale in the Yuan Dynasty had plummeted.
If this continues, people might start having thoughts they shouldn't.
For a while, both of them remained silent.
==========
Northern Song Dynasty.
Imperial Palace.
"Minister, I remember your swordsmanship is quite strong, isn't it?"
"Compared to this Dugu Qiubai, how do you fare?"
Emperor Zhao Ji rarely asked about strength comparisons, but this time he did.
It wasn't because he cared deeply about Dugu Qiubai.
But because the man was the Sword Demon of the Southern Song Dynasty.
And the Southern Song Dynasty and Northern Song Dynasty were natural rivals.
In Zhao Ji's heart, only he represented the true Song Dynasty.
The Southern Song Dynasty was the greatest traitor.
Zhao Gou deserved to be cut into pieces.
He was even willing to yield and pay tribute to foreign powers like the Liao Kingdom, Jin Kingdom, Yuan Dynasty, Tibet Kingdom, and Western Xia Kingdom.
But he would never bow to the Southern Song Dynasty.
Seeing that the Southern Song Dynasty had produced such a powerful enemy, Zhao Ji naturally took interest.
"Your Majesty, if we speak of strength and cultivation, I am not afraid of him. In fact, I have a high chance of defeating him."
"But in terms of swordsmanship, I am powerless."
"I am not skilled in the Sword Dao."
Huang Shang understood well what the Emperor was thinking.
But unfortunately, there was nothing he could do.
And there was no need to provoke Dugu Qiubai.
Though Dugu Qiubai bore the title of Sword Demon of the Southern Song Dynasty, he had no real ties with the Southern Song Imperial Court.
Still, when he thought of the Southern Song Emperor Zhao Gou.
And then looked at his own Emperor Zhao Ji.
He secretly shook his head. Both were foolish Emperors.
Hopeless.
Want to destroy the Southern Song Dynasty?
He should worry more about surviving first!
==========
Tang Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.
"Master Yuan, you are also in the Mythical Realm. Can you surpass Dugu Qiubai and make the Sword Immortal Ranking?"
Li Shimin asked with keen interest.
"Your Majesty, I cultivate Martial Dao, not Sword Dao."
"Though I have trained with the sword, I mostly treat it as a weapon."
"I cannot qualify for the Sword Immortal Ranking."
Without hesitation, Yuan Tiangang shook his head.
"Yuan Tiangang, if the Land Immortal Ranking is released in the future, do you think you could make it?"
"Certainly. Though I may not take first among the Mythical Realm, I would definitely place in the top three."
Yuan Tiangang replied confidently.
And he had reason for that confidence.
"Hahaha, good! With Master Yuan in the Tang Dynasty, what great fortune!"
"If Master Yuan can obtain the Heaven Dao Reward and advance to the God Demon Realm, then our Tang Dynasty will have nothing to fear!"
Especially with the hidden forces he had been preparing.
Li Shimin's spirit soared with confidence.
==========
Sui Imperial Palace.
Yang Guang emerged from closed-door cultivation and summoned Yuwen Tuo.
"Supreme Master, I recall that during my father's reign, you were already a Mythical Realm Sword Immortal!"
"Now, after all these years, that so-called Dugu Qiubai should be no match for you!"
Although phrased as a question, Yang Guang spoke with great confidence.
It was his faith in Yuwen Tuo.
Back then, Yuwen Tuo had wiped out an entire rebel army with a single sword.
His swordsmanship was terrifying, far beyond what Dugu Qiubai could compare to.
Upon hearing Yang Guang's words, Yuwen Tuo smiled mysteriously.
Mythical Realm Sword Immortal?
That was underestimating him.
He had already broken through the shackles of the Mythical Realm and stepped into a higher realm.
His goal was the God Demon Realm Sword Immortal Ranking!
All along, in order to avoid drawing the enmity of every dynasty and turning the Sui Dynasty into a common target.
Yuwen Tuo had deliberately concealed his true cultivation.
But now that the Golden Ranking has appeared.
It would only be a matter of time before his true identity was revealed.
He was mentally prepared.
With the example of Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao being exposed.
His own reveal would not be a big deal.
In this way, the Sui Dynasty too would gain the power to intimidate other nations.
Especially the Tang Dynasty. If they wished to wage war on the Sui Dynasty again, they would have to consider the Yuwen Tuo factor.
==========
Qin Imperial Palace.
"Sir, do you think you might be ranked on the Sword Immortal Ranking?"
Ying Zheng looked with anticipation at the middle-aged scholar.
"Your Majesty, I do not cultivate the Sword Dao. I practice the Law Dao, which can be counted as Martial Dao."
"If I'm not mistaken, that person may have a chance to make the Sword Immortal Ranking."
The scholar replied with a mysterious smile.
"That person?" Ying Zheng was slightly startled.
He naturally understood who the scholar was referring to.
One of the true hidden powers of the Qin Dynasty.
Although not in the God Demon Realm, his presence was even more intimidating.
If that person were revealed by the Golden Ranking.
It would shake all of the Nine Provinces.
Especially the remnants of the Six Kingdoms and the Hundred Schools of Thought. They would be thrown into chaos.
If possible, Ying Zheng truly hoped that the person's information would not be exposed.