Shortly after, the Rank 6 was announced.
The Golden Ranking flashed once again.
The characters were refreshed and displayed anew.
[Sword Immortal Ranking – Rank 5]
[Nameless]
[Identity: Martial Myth of the Han Dynasty]
[Cultivation: Great Perfection Mythical Realm Land Immortal]
[Sword Dao Comprehension: Third Cycle, Forming]
[Reward: Heaven-Grade Ultimate-Tier Spiritual Treasure – Dragon Essence Pill, the condensed essence of the true dragon's energy. Consuming it increases cultivation, grants immunity to all poisons, and bestows eternal life]
==========
Han Dynasty, Zhonghua Pavilion.
"Senior Nameless, you made it onto the Sword Immortal Ranking!"
"I always knew you would, but I didn't expect it to really happen!"
"Congratulations, Senior!"
"What a pity it's only Rank 5. I wonder who could possibly outrank you?"
"Great Perfection Mythical Realm Land Immortal!"
"You've already grasped the forming of the Third Cycle in Sword Dao!"
"Senior Nameless is truly extraordinary."
"I'm sure it won't be long before he steps into the God Demon Realm!"
"Hurry, Senior Nameless, swallow the Dragon Essence Pill and refine it quickly. Otherwise, people might come to steal it. That would be trouble."
"Eternal life, strength enhancement, once you refine it, your breakthrough to the God Demon Realm is guaranteed!"
Seeing Nameless on the ranking, Nie Feng, Bu Jingyun, and Qin Shuang were overjoyed for him.
They immediately urged him to consume the Dragon Essence Pill and break through his bottleneck.
In contrast, Jian Chen, upon seeing the pill in Nameless's hand, unexpectedly felt a surge of greed in his heart.
If he had that pill, his strength would skyrocket. Bu Jingyun would be nothing compared to him.
But before he could act, Nameless calmly nodded and directly swallowed the pill.
He sat cross-legged.
Nie Feng, Bu Jingyun, and Qin Shuang stood by to guard him.
Only Jian Chen looked like an outsider.
While Nameless was refining the Dragon Essence Pill, the entire Nine Provinces erupted in chaos.
==========
Heaven Gate.
When Di Shitian saw the reward for Nameless, he was stunned.
Then, rage flooded his heart.
He was overwhelmed with disbelief, frustration, and anxiety.
The Dragon Essence Pill he had longed for was given to Nameless by the Heaven Dao as a reward?
All his elaborate schemes and countless efforts.
And Nameless just stayed at home and waited?
How could Heaven Dao be so unfair?
Di Shitian roared in fury.
"Nameless, you want eternal life? Impossible. Only I, the true god, deserve to live forever!"
He didn't fear the many God Demon Realm beings in the Nine Provinces.
Their lifespans were finite.
But he, Di Shitian, had a limitless life. He could outlive them all.
Even the invincible Emperor Zhu Houzhao would eventually become dust.
What threat could a dead man pose?
But now?
Another immortal had appeared.
Nameless!
How could he accept this?
He had to kill Nameless before he fully grew in power!
Otherwise, once he reached the God Demon Realm, he would become a lifelong threat!
Without hesitation, Di Shitian vanished, flying straight toward Nameless's location.
He would take the Dragon Essence Pill.
He would kill Nameless!
There could only be one eternal god in the Nine Provinces.
And that god was him, Di Shitian!
==========
Divine Search Palace.
"You crazy woman, let me go! I must retrieve that Dragon Essence Pill!"
"It's mine!"
"I am the true Longevity Immortal God!"
The Longevity Immortal God roared within his seal.
His eyes burned with desire, envy, and greed as he stared at the Golden Ranking.
Unfortunately.
No matter how he struggled, he couldn't break free.
The techniques of the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal Su Yi were too powerful.
He had been thoroughly suppressed.
After so many years, he still had no hope of escape.
To make things worse, a mortal enemy kept watch nearby.
"Su Yi, Bai Suzhen, I swear, I will never forgive you!"
Seeing that Bai Suzhen, the Demon Lord, showed no reaction at all, he screamed in frustration.
His voice was full of hatred and killing intent.
But he could only bark helplessly within the seal for now.
Everything would have to wait until he regained his freedom.
Nearby, Bai Suzhen silently stared at the Golden Ranking.
"Dragon Essence Pill?"
"Eternal life... huh?"
"This world is going to get even more chaotic."
Now that eternal life was possible, many unimaginable treasures would likely appear.
The entire realm would be plunged into disorder.
And the countless ambitious schemers hidden in the shadows.
War was inevitable.
==========
Qin Imperial Palace.
Bang!
Ying Zheng stared at the Golden Ranking, trembling with excitement.
Eternal life.
He had waited so long for this moment.
He never expected the Heaven Dao to reward such a thing.
Not only could it grant immortality, but also enhance one's cultivation.
True dragon's essence!
He had to get it!
"Send word! The Black Ice Platform Leader is to lead troops to the Han Dynasty and seize the Dragon Essence Pill from Nameless."
"No matter the cost!"
"Eternal life belongs to me!"
Ying Zheng's eyes burned with determination.
He had dreamed of living forever.
Now the opportunity was before him. How could he let it go?
"Your Majesty!"
The middle-aged scholar hesitated.
"You don't need to say it. I understand your concerns. But I must have the Dragon Essence Pill!"
"Nameless is just a man."
"If obtaining eternal life means becoming an enemy of the entire Nine Provinces, so be it!"
Ying Zheng's voice was resolute.
The scholar remained silent.
==========
Sui Imperial Palace.
At this moment, Yang Guang burst into excited laughter.
"Supreme Master Yuwen, go immediately to the Han Dynasty and retrieve the Dragon Essence Pill!"
"Anyone who stands in your way is to be executed!"
"Anyone, Ying Zheng, Li Shimin, even that brat Zhu Houzhao, I fear none of them!"
"Once I gain eternal life, all these mortal Emperors will kneel before me!"
"Hahaha..."
Yuwen Tuo looked at the frenzied Emperor and silently shook his head.
He said nothing and left at once.
If he could snatch it, he would.
But if not, he didn't really care.
Most likely, Nameless had already consumed the pill.
Anyone who obtained such a treasure would surely swallow it immediately.
Why wait for others to take it?
Even the God Demon Realm cultivators would mobilize.
After all, the God Demon Realm only extends one's life.
It doesn't grant true immortality.
For those uncertain about their future, how could they pass up the Dragon Essence Pill?
==========
Tang Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.
"Master Yuan, at all costs, you must bring back the Dragon Essence Pill!" Li Shimin said seriously.
Eternal life!
Just thinking about it was thrilling.
Compared to that, even the ambition to unify the Nine Provinces could wait.
With eternal life, he would have all the time he needed to conquer the world.
Even Yuan Tiangang, the Bad Marshal, showed a hint of excitement.
He too wanted the Dragon Essence Pill.
If he swallowed it, would his disfigured face return to normal?
Could he live openly under the sun again?
Unknowingly, Yuan Tiangang's feelings toward the Tang Dynasty began to shift.
Even if he didn't get the pill, his loyalty would never be as pure as before.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will handle it at once."
"Good. I await your success."
As Yuan Tiangang departed, Li Shimin's face darkened.
"Guards!"
"Your Majesty!"
A shadow appeared.
"I don't trust Yuan Tiangang. No one can remain unmoved by eternal life."
"You go as well. Bring back the Dragon Essence Pill."
"As you command."
Though the odds were slim, Li Shimin wouldn't give up this rare chance.
==========
Ming Dynasty, Sword Control Manor.
Yin Zhong was thrilled.
He had his eyes on the Dragon Essence Pill.
In a flash, he vanished and headed toward the Han Dynasty.
At the same time, Phagpa from the Yuan Dynasty, and even the reclusive Pang Ban, appeared.
In the Northern Song Dynasty, Huang Shang was dispatched by Emperor Zhao Ji under great pressure.
All the major nations sent their top cultivators to the Han Dynasty to fight for the pill.
==========
Han Imperial Harem, Consort Yu Jiang Yuyan Palace.
"What's the situation? Can we get the Dragon Essence Pill?"
"Your Majesty, those people are too powerful. We can't compete."
"Just a strand of their sword energy could wipe us out instantly."
Hearing this, Jiang Yuyan sighed.
"Forget it. We're giving up on this one."
"It's not our era yet."
"We'll keep building our strength."
"Hmph. Just give me the chance, and I will rise!"
"One day, I too will be a part of the grand game of heaven and earth, not just an onlooker."
Though unwilling, she had no choice but to let go due to lack of strength.
"Keep capturing cultivators. I must cultivate the Spirit Devouring Art!"
"I'm just one step away from reaching the Land Immortal Realm."
"Also, scout the Han Dynasty for any children with extraordinary talent."
"Capture them quietly. Don't expose our identity."
A flash of blood-red light flickered in Jiang Yuyan's eyes.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I'll carry out the order at once!"
Her trusted aide trembled as he took his leave.
==========
Ming Imperial Harem.
"Your Majesty, this is the Dragon Essence Pill, capable of granting eternal life!"
"Aren't we sending anyone to fight for it?"
Empress Wu Zhao's eyes lit up.
She almost left to retrieve it herself.
But she held back.
Seeing Emperor Zhu Houzhao still leisurely enjoying himself in the palace, she became increasingly anxious.
"I've already sent someone. Dark One is on his way."
Every nation was joining the fight.
If the Ming Dynasty didn't participate, it would look suspicious.
Zhu Houzhao had no real desire for the pill.
But he had to put on a show.
Besides, Nameless had likely already consumed it.
Now it was too late.
What remained would only be a brutal, bloody battle.
A battle that might involve numerous Mythical and God Demon Realm cultivators.
Without sufficient strength, even the aftermath could kill thousands.
He had already told the Dark One.
Just show up and make it known that the Ming Dynasty sent someone.
"Your Majesty, aren't you going personally?"
"With your strength, you could definitely take it!"
"This is eternal life!"
Empress Wu Zhao grew more anxious.
"Relax, Empress."
"In my eyes, only the evolution of life through cultivation breakthroughs is the true path."
"The Dragon Essence Pill may be great, but it's only useful for ordinary people."
"To me, it's useless and would only hinder my potential."
Zhu Houzhao spoke proudly.
But in his heart, he had another thought.
With his system cheat, why would he care about a mere Dragon Essence Pill?
His goal was to become a true immortal!
==========
Han Dynasty, Zhonghua Pavilion.
Nameless was now at a critical stage of refining the pill.
Nie Feng, Bu Jingyun, and Qin Shuang were extremely tense.
Suddenly.
A loud explosion shook the area.
Startling everyone.
Even Nameless opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.
"Senior Nameless, did you successfully refine it?"
"Not yet. The pill is too pure. I can't refine it quickly."
Nameless shook his head.
"Trouble is coming. Prepare yourselves."
"This time, everyone's goal is clearly the Dragon Essence Pill."
With a single thought, Nameless grasped their current situation.
The lure of immortality was too great to resist.
The leaders of every major power.
The Emperors of every realm.
None of them could ignore this.
"This is the Zhonghua Pavilion, where Nameless resides!"
Outside the pavilion, more and more cultivators gathered.
Their eyes filled with greed.
They wanted to devour Nameless whole.
"Nameless, where's the Dragon Essence Pill?"
"Eternal life!"
"Such a treasure should be shared with all, shouldn't it?"
"How can you be so selfish and keep it for yourself?"
Accusatory voices rang out.
Hearing their shameless words, Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun laughed in anger.
What nonsense.
This was the Heaven Dao Reward to Nameless.
What did it have to do with these people?
"I have already swallowed the Dragon Essence Pill."
"You are all too late."
Nameless showed no concern for these small fry.
In his eyes, they were nothing more than ants.
One sword strike would reduce them to dust.
What he truly cared about were the hidden hands behind the scenes.
"Impossible! With such a treasure, even a martial legend couldn't refine it so quickly!"
"It must still be inside him!"
"While it's still there, take it out!"
Voices howled continuously.
Killing intent filled the air, ready to explode.
"Hmph!"
Nameless coldly snorted.
In an instant, a terrifying sword pressure crushed down.
Everyone nearby was forced to the ground.
Cold sweat dripped from their faces.
Though Nameless cultivated peace and restraint now.
It didn't mean he wouldn't kill.
In his youth, he nearly wiped out the entire Han Martial World with his sword alone.
The damage from that bloodbath had yet to fully recover.
Otherwise, the World Association wouldn't have risen so quickly.
"Nameless, do you intend to kill?"
Someone shouted with a pale face.
"Those who kill will be killed."
Nameless's voice fell.
In the blink of an eye, sword energy streaked through the air.
Targeting the ringleaders among them.
These instigators were the true culprits.
Nameless was not some stubborn saint.
When necessary, he never hesitated to kill.
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
Blood sprayed.
Those instigators were slain on the spot.
Everyone else was terrified.
What the hell.
Who said Nameless had a good temper and didn't kill?
This was called "good temper"?
He had only been putting on a show for reputation.
At his core, he was still the demon who once bathed the Martial World in blood.
"Leave now. Or you may all die here."
Nameless spoke calmly.
Then, he raised his head and looked into the distance.
"Come out!"