In the noon of the Qin Zheng Hall's rear garden.
Zhao Shutong dined with the young Emperor Zhao Jingheng in a pavilion. Although they were served various delicacies prepared by the imperial kitchen, Zhao Shutong found no taste in the food. After a lengthy debate, she realized she was alone in the court. Lin Yan and Zhao Qiyang strongly advocated for the enshrinement of a new Jiang God, swaying most of the court to their side.
But Zhao Shutong was simply unwilling to accept this!
After all, everyone knew that the previous Jiang God Consort of Xi Jian Jiang, Lin Xingchu, was Lin Zhao's aunt. If a new Jiang God were to be enshrined while Lin Xingchu's fate was unknown, wouldn't it be an insult to Lin Baiyi of Xue Yu Tian Chi? Furthermore, to take a step back, Lin Xingchu was a thirteen-realm deity, and it was only natural for her to be the foremost deity of the human race. But who was Chu Jun? Merely a Minister of War with no significant achievements during his tenure. He merely benefited from the Battle of Xue Yu Tian Chi, being immortalized in later generations from a mediocre Minister of War to an indispensable hero of the great war a century ago.
Even if such a person were to become the Jiang God of Xi Jian Jiang, and nourished by incense to reach the Upper Five Realms, could his combat power be compared to Lin Xingchu's? Perhaps any thirteen-realm great demon could shatter his golden body with a single kick.
"Sister."
Zhao Jingheng frowned, "I know you're unhappy, but... please eat something. I specifically ordered the imperial cuisine today to be prepared according to your taste."
"Jingheng."
Zhao Shutong frowned and said gently, "Sister just feels useless. She wants to do something for the righteous path of the human world but finds herself powerless. In our Great Shang dynasty's court, half are treacherous officials, and the other half are mediocre. It must be very difficult for you to be emperor."
Zhao Jingheng smiled, "I'm already the emperor, sister. What's the use of saying these things now."
He frowned, his eyes suddenly turning red, and said, "Actually, it's not just you who feels powerless. I do too. I, Zhao Jingheng, have read history books since childhood and am deeply inspired by the great war a century ago. The Sky Furnace Strategy, the White-robed Sword Immortal, that was the true righteous path of the human world. Even as emperor, I, Zhao Jingheng, know in my heart that the world needs people like him the most. I haven't dared to slack off in governing these years, but I'm also unwilling to accept this. Therefore, I have cultivated myself to the current eight-realm martial practitioner and four-realm sword cultivator."
He looked at Zhao Shutong, his eyes red, "If Lin Baiyi of Xue Yu Tian Chi were willing to come to the Great Shang court, I would definitely appoint him as my Imperial Tutor. But he is not willing. Lin Baiyi's heart encompasses the entire human world, not this treacherous court in Baidi City. Sister, sometimes I wonder, if I weren't the emperor, I would definitely go to the Northern Region alone with my horse and kneel at the foot of Tianchi Mountain for a day, a month, or even a year, just to beg him to accept me as a disciple."
"Alright~~~"
Zhao Shutong said gently, "You are now the Emperor of Great Shang, no longer a child. How can you have such youthful spirit? I know you've always wanted to be like Lin Baiyi since you were young, but you are not. You are the Emperor of the Great Shang Dynasty. Only by being a good emperor can you get closer to that person. If you become a degenerate ruler, that person will scorn you, and even if necessary, he will kill you himself. People like that cannot tolerate even a speck of dust in their eyes."
Zhao Jingheng nodded, "Sister, the last time you saw him... was he truly as legendary as they say? Was he carrying the Dragon Slaying Sword on his back, and was he still a dual cultivator of martial arts and swordplay?"
"No longer."
Zhao Shutong smiled and said, "He was indeed carrying an ancient sword on his back, wrapped in a tattered cloth. It might have been the Dragon Slaying Sword, but I couldn't be sure as it wasn't unsheathed. However, he is no longer a martial practitioner in this life, but a Nascent Soul sword cultivator, a pure sword cultivator. As for whether he will re-open the path of martial arts in the future, I don't know. But in this lifetime, Lin Baiyi will undoubtedly become the true White-robed Sword Immortal."
"Good, that's good..."
Zhao Jingheng smiled, "Sister, if I do my job well as emperor, do you think... will he praise me? Will he say, 'Zhao Jingheng, you are a very good emperor,' will he?"
Zhao Shutong couldn't help but chuckle, "Let's focus on being a good emperor first. You still have a lot to do and a lot to learn."
"Mm."
Zhao Jingheng served Zhao Shutong food, "Sister, eat more. You've looked thinner lately. Oh, right, I heard from the assassins of Caiyi Pavilion that after you met Lin Baiyi last time, you gave him the Qing Xin Bi Yu Flute that you've carried for many years, gifted by Father Emperor? That was your personal possession..."
"I did."
Zhao Shutong smiled and nodded.
"Rare indeed."
Zhao Jingheng smiled, "It's rare for my sister to willingly give a treasure to a man. Why not... be a bit bolder, sister? Perhaps in the future, Lin Baiyi of Xue Yu Tian Chi will become my brother-in-law."
"Jingheng, what are you talking about?"
Zhao Shutong's willow-like eyebrows arched, and her posture changed, looking like she was about to admonish her mischievous younger brother. Zhao Jingheng quickly apologized and smiled, "I was just speaking casually. Sister, have some soup..."
Zhao Shutong gave him a look, and as she lowered her head to drink the soup, a blush spread across her pretty face.
However, in the Golden Hall, the officials supported Zhao Qiyang and Lin Yan, and the enshrinement of a new Jiang God was almost inevitable. Therefore, Zhao Shutong felt truly apologetic. If she had any say in the matter, she would absolutely, one thousand percent, not wish for anyone to replace Lin Xingchu, neither publicly nor privately.
...
Northern Region.
Ghost King, alone, rode north. After passing through Gu Xiao Pass, he headed straight for the demon territory. The resources of the Northern Region were basically exploited by players. Many people had gone to learn from the demon race, and a large group led by Ding Chunqiu had gone to the ghost race. Therefore, Ghost King took a different path. He spent a huge sum of money to exchange for 5,000 Golden Cicada Coins in Baidi City and carried them with him. When passing through the map zone between the human race and Ni Chang Tian Xia, he spent one Golden Cicada Coin to bribe the curtain lifter. After accepting the coin, the curtain lifter lifted a corner, allowing Ghost King to enter Ni Chang Tian Xia.
"Hoo..."
The moment he stepped into Ni Chang Tian Xia, Ghost King took a deep breath. He felt refreshed. The air in Ni Chang Tian Xia was exceptionally sweet. Could this be his destined place? Moreover, as a seven-realm sword cultivator, Ghost King felt like a fish in water in Ni Chang Tian Xia, because the sword dao providence here was incredibly dense.
In Ni Chang Tian Xia, Yan Beichen, with one sword and one person, fought against a horde of peak cultivators from the demon and demonic races. After killing many, he himself fell in realm to the thirteen realm. Therefore, the majestic sword dao providence from Yan Beichen's thirteen to fourteen realm was left in Ni Chang Tian Xia, making the sword dao providence of Ni Chang Tian Xia the foremost in the world!
Ghost King refused to believe that he wouldn't find a good master in Ni Chang Tian Xia!
Thus, he ventured alone into the deep mountains.
After a long time, Ghost King arrived in the Snow Sea Deep Forest. An endless expanse of snow stretched before his eyes. He frowned and said in a deep voice, "Jiang Chong has traveled to famous mountains far and wide, only seeking to become a disciple of an Upper Five Realm Immortal Master. If anyone is willing to take Jiang Chong as a disciple, the disciple will surely present a generous gift!"
In the wilderness, only echoes answered.
Ghost King frowned and continued walking. Every few miles, he would repeat the same words. He firmly believed that sincerity would bring results, and with the Golden Cicada Coins paving the way, he would not be let down by the human world.
After a very long time.
When Ghost King was almost exhausted and arrived in a snow-filled mountain valley, he once again said in a deep voice, "Jiang Chong has traveled to famous mountains far and wide, only seeking to become a disciple of an Upper Five Realm Immortal Master. If anyone is willing to take Jiang Chong as a disciple, the disciple will surely present a generous gift!"
"Really?"
This time, there was a response, a clear voice.
"Ah!?"
Ghost King hurriedly looked up. He saw a white-clothed figure appear on a cliff ahead. He looked like a middle-aged man, quite gaunt, clad in white, with a silver dragon longsword on his back. His sword dao aura was so immense that it was almost unbearable. He squatted at the edge of the cliff, looking down at Ghost King, and smiled, "Boy, how much sincerity do you have to dare to travel to famous mountains to find a master?"
"I have this."
Ghost King raised his hand, and a cascade of Golden Cicada Coins poured out.
"..."
The person slowly stood up and floated down from the air, his arms crossed. He said, "My name is Cao Yan, an eleven-realm sword cultivator, known as the Silver Dragon Sword Immortal in Ni Chang Tian Xia. If you wish to become my disciple, this mere offering is far from enough."
Eleven realms!
Ghost King's heart stirred, and he said in a deep voice, "If the Sword Immortal is willing to take me as a disciple, Jiang Chong will not be stingy!"
Saying this, he took out a heavy coin pouch from his bag, containing a total of 5,000 Golden Cicada Coins, and offered it with both hands, his eyes filled with determination. "Five thousand Golden Cicada Coins, can this be the gift for becoming a disciple?" Da Feng Novel Network
"Hahahaha~~~~"
The Silver Dragon Sword Immortal, Cao Yan, couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Aren't you afraid I'll snatch your Golden Cicada Coins and disappear?"
"Since Immortal Master is a Sword Immortal, you would surely not do such a thing. Jiang Chong believes in Immortal Master's character!"
"A promising youth!"
Cao Yan raised his hand and instantly took the heavy bag of Golden Cicada Coins into his possession. He looked at Ghost King and said, "Jiang Chong, from today onwards, you are my disciple, Cao Yan. I hope you will practice your sword well and not let down my expectations."
"Yes!"
Ghost King quickly knelt down, "Disciple Jiang Chong, greets Master!"
"Get up."
Cao Yan smiled casually, "With these Golden Cicada Coins, I will break through to the twelfth realm within a few days. As my disciple, the Silver Dragon Sword Immortal, I will never let you suffer a loss. Rest assured!"
Ghost King was filled with excitement. His money had not been spent in vain!
...
Xue Yu Tian Chi, the Mountain Peak Villa, Tian Ran Ju.
Lin Zhao, Shen Xingchen, Chen Xue, Ding Chi, Zhang Jun, and the rest of the Scarlet Moon Knight Studio were summarizing their experience and lessons learned from the battle of Xi Jian Jiang. The experience was that Ding Chunqiu's group was formidable. The lesson was that they were a bit outmatched in one-on-one combat. The root cause was a significant disadvantage in magical artifacts.
Lin Zhao listened to everyone's complaints and glanced back at the Sword Mountain behind the back mountain.
Indeed, players on the national server had too few avenues to acquire artifact embryos. Most had to purchase them, but the magical artifacts in the in-game store were both expensive and poor in quality. This was the reason for the disparity in strength.
"How about... we open up Sword Mountain to the public?"
He frowned, "Everyone gets one chance to enter Sword Mountain and choose a flying sword that belongs to them."
...
"..."
Beside him, Xu Zhi frowned slightly. This was no small matter. The swords on Sword Mountain required spiritual energy to grow. According to Lin Zhao's proposal, Xue Yu Tian Chi would have to invest a huge sum of money to maintain the spiritual energy of Sword Mountain.