bookbashuk Chapter 38 Breakthrough of the Strong
Chapter 38 Breakthrough of the Strong
A terrifyingly powerful figure, ranked fourth on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking and possessing strength far exceeding that of the early-stage Celestial Realm and approaching the realm of Immortal Gods, personally stood on his side!
The moment his identity was revealed, the last trace of fear in Zhu Houzhao's heart vanished!
How could such a powerful and extraordinary person, who is like a god or demon, idly play tricks on a mortal emperor?
Zhu Wushi, a mere marquis of the imperial dynasty, what could he possibly offer to move the heart of such a being?
Won!
It's completely under control!
Regardless of Zhu Wushi's mid-stage Grandmaster cultivation or the current rebel army, they are nothing but ants in front of Xiao Sanxiao, who ranks fourth on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking!
"The Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking... ranked fourth?"
His eyes were vacant, fixed intently on Xiao Sanxiao. Cao Zhengchun and the others were equally shocked, yet their hearts were surging with indescribable ecstasy.
Even the most accomplished sword masters like Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng, whose hearts were as cold as ice and who were indifferent to all things in the world, were shaken to their core and lost their composure at this moment!
Although both of them are listed on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking, ranking outside the top twenties, while Xiao Sanxiao is ranked fourth, seemingly only twenty or so people behind.
But behind these mere numbers lies a world of difference!
They... are only at the initial stage of mastery.
Before the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking appeared, he could perhaps be considered one of the world's top masters.
But now, with the release of the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking, the entire martial arts world has been completely overturned—countless old monsters hidden outside the mortal world have surfaced, and their combat power has been elevated to an unprecedented level.
Not only have some people reached the Grandmaster level, but even the legendary Celestial Realm, which is "above the Grandmaster level," has actually seen a powerful figure break through!
And the three smiles before us...
Ranked fourth on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking, his strength even surpasses that of Xiaoyaozi Xu Fu.
He is truly a being who stands at the pinnacle of martial arts in the Nine Provinces!
To witness such a person appear in the mortal world with one's own eyes...
Even the aloof and arrogant Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng were stirred up with tremendous emotions.
In contrast, Zhu Houzhao's side still held some hope, while Zhu Wushi and the ten generals were already pale and looked like they had been hit by frost.
Cold sweat poured out like a spring, seeping incessantly from his forehead, soaking through his clothes in an instant, leaving them damp, cold, and sticky.
fear!
Not only them, but all the rebel soldiers were filled with despair and terror at this moment.
Some people's legs went weak and they trembled violently, their weapons crashing to the ground, unable to even hold on properly.
terrible!
Even the lowest-ranking soldiers understand—
Grandmasters are almost like gods or demons.
Previously, the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking had shown footage of a Grandmaster's attack, the power of which was far beyond what ordinary people could imagine.
And what kind of astonishing realm is the "Celestial Realm," which is a step further than the Grandmaster?
Are you suggesting that these ant-like soldiers should fight against a true celestial being?
This is tantamount to courting death!
Even with a significant numerical advantage, they would still face certain death before the Celestials!
Zhu Wushi stood on the dragon throne, his right hand still pointing at Xiao Sanxiao, but his fingertips trembled slightly, and his face was extremely gloomy.
If you look closely, you can even see that his whole body is trembling slightly.
I'm scared! I'm really scared!
That's right!
Zhu Wushi, who once held absolute power over the Dragon Guard Manor and the Ming Dynasty and was almost vying for the throne, was now trembling with fear!
Even if you command thousands of troops and have reached the mid-stage of Grandmaster level, so what?
Faced with the celestial beings, all reliance is as fragile as thin paper!
"So soon... it's my turn already?"
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Xiao Sanxiao did not make a move immediately. Instead, he looked up with slight surprise at the golden list shining brightly in the sky.
These words stunned the entire audience; everyone was taken aback.
Judging from his tone, it seemed that he was still dissatisfied with being ranked fourth on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking.
How is that possible!
That's fourth place in the entire Kyushu!
Xiaoyaozi, who is currently ranked fifth, is already a mid-stage Celestial Being.
In this situation, why is being ranked fourth still unsatisfactory?
You should know that many top experts spend their entire lives trying to get into the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking!
And he still complained that his ranking wasn't high enough?
After the initial shock subsided, Zhu Houzhao regained his senses. Upon hearing these words, a storm raged within him once more, and he murmured to himself:
"I'm afraid... this Senior Xiao Sanxiao's cultivation level is unfathomable..."
Upon hearing this, Ximen Chuixue, Ye Gucheng, and Cao Zhengchun all nodded in unison, their expressions solemn.
indeed……
Xiaoyaozi, currently ranked fifth on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking, has already reached the mid-stage of the Celestial Realm!
If Xiao Sanxiao were only of equal strength, he would never have shown the slightest surprise at his ranking.
Even with such a clear and transparent list, he still felt surprised, and the only explanation was—
Xiao Sanxiao was confident that he was far more terrifying than Xiaoyaozi!
"I just wonder... what level has Senior Xiao Sanxiao reached..."
With awe and curiosity, Zhu Houzhao whispered and slowly raised his head to look at the gradually appearing image in the sky.
He never forgot.
Xiao Sanxiao had mentioned before that he had been living in seclusion in the mortal world for over a thousand years...
This peerless expert, who has existed for a thousand years, is actually the first person to appear on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking!
He also longed to explore the trajectory of Xiao Sanxiao's life, hoping that after everything settled down, he could glean some insight into the other's mindset and strategies.
If one could forge a good relationship with someone as almost divine as Xiao Sanxiao, that would be wonderful.
It wasn't just Zhu Houzhao, Ximen Chuixue, and Guo Juxia, nor was it just the many powerful figures in the Forbidden City.
At this moment, after the new content of the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking was displayed again, people all over the world suppressed their previous shock and looked up in awe.
Even Lianxing, who was protecting Yaoyue on the second floor of the inn opposite Yong'an Pawnshop, quietly raised her gaze.
As everyone held their breath, light and shadow shifted in the sky, and the scene slowly unfolded.
The first thing that catches the eye is a man dressed in simple armor.
Beside him were countless soldiers, also clad in armor and wielding weapons, and rows of young men who had come to enlist.
Upon seeing this, discussions arose throughout Kyushu.
"Judging from this, the fourth-ranked figure on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking seems to be recruiting and training soldiers."
"They are indeed recruiting soldiers."
"I never expected that this powerful figure, ranked fourth on the Heavenly Ranking, was once just an ordinary soldier."
"I just don't know what dynasty or era this is."
"I have no recollection of it, but it looks quite old..."
"It's understandable that he doesn't belong to any current dynasty, after all, he's ranked fourth on the Heavenly Ranking, and it's probably hundreds of years ago that he joined the army."
The flags that appeared on the list did not belong to any country in the world at that time, yet no one was surprised.
after all--
This isn't thirtieth on the Heavenly Ranking, it's fourth!
Currently, there are several powerful individuals on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking who have lived for hundreds of years.
It's not surprising that a top figure ranked fourth lived a long life.
However, although most people did not recognize that extremely unfamiliar flag,
Yet a few people still managed to glean a clue from it.
Deep within the Imperial Garden of the Tang Dynasty.
Li Shimin had gradually accepted the changing situation. After ordering the entire country to prepare its troops, he returned to his back garden courtyard.
Upon gazing upon the scene at the heavens, he said calmly:
"An unfamiliar flag, not belonging to any present-day nation... It seems this Senior Xiao Sanxiao is also an ancient monster who has lived for hundreds of years..."
Then, he turned to look at Yuan Tiangang and asked:
"You, Grand Preceptor, have lived for over three hundred years and possess vast knowledge. Do you recognize the era in which this Senior Xiao Sanxiao lived?"
no respond.
When asked the emperor's question, Yuan Tiangang did not answer immediately.
His eyes were fixed on the flag fluttering in the wind in the painting, his expression more solemn than ever before.
Deep within his eyes, a turbulent surge of emotions suddenly welled up—shock, disbelief, and even fear intertwined!
Even his hands, resting on the table, trembled slightly, as if gripped by an invisible force, and he murmured to himself:
"impossible……"
"How could this be..."
"How could anyone survive for so long?"
"How could Senior Xiao Sanxiao possibly be from that era?"
The trembling voice and the fearful look in Li Shimin's eyes caused his expression to change drastically.
As the Grand Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty, Yuan Tiangang had cultivated for three hundred years, possessed profound experience, and was calm and composed, rarely losing his composure.
Previously, I was moved by the numerous masters emerging in Kyushu, far exceeding the norm.
But now...
Just because he recognized the country that Xiao Sanxiao belonged to, he became so distraught?
What... what does this mean?
What kind of terrifying secrets does the country where Xiao Sanxiao came from hold that would make Yuan Tiangang so terrified?
In an instant, even Li Shimin's fingers tightened involuntarily, his voice low and solemn:
"The Imperial Preceptor..."
"Could it be that this Senior Xiao Sanxiao was actually born a thousand years ago?"
"Or... is there something more to that country than meets the eye?"
This question finally brought Yuan Tiangang back to his senses.
He looked at Li Shimin, his eyes still filled with disbelief. Although his tone was slightly calmer than before, he could not hide the intense shock in his heart.
"His Majesty……"
"If what this old minister has seen is correct..."
"The flag that appeared in the biographical footage of Senior Xiao Sanxiao, who ranked fourth on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking..."
"This is the very flag used by Emperor Xuanyuan!"
"The banner of the Yellow Emperor?"
Yuan Tiangang's voice was low and deep, yet it was like a thunderclap. Upon hearing this, Li Shimin lost his composure and blurted out.
His face showed visibly terrified expression.
His former composure and strategic acumen have vanished completely.
Emperor Xuanyuan?
How could Li Shimin not know this?
Not only him, but throughout the entire land of China, everyone who is literate and knowledgeable in history knows his name.
Four thousand years ago, he was the first human to become emperor, pioneering a new era and establishing a foundation for an everlasting dynasty.
Their deeds have been passed down to this day, and despite the vicissitudes of time, they still shine brightly and have not been forgotten in the long river of time.
It was precisely because he knew the man's antiquity and mystery that Li Shimin was so moved!
To know--
The Yellow Emperor lived more than four thousand years ago!
And now, in the past footage of a powerful figure of our time, we see the battle flag of that era.
Could it be that Xiao Sanxiao... is actually a contemporary of Xuanyuan?
absurd!
What an ancient era that was?
Almost equivalent to the dawn of human civilization!
How could one person transcend four thousand years and still exist in the world today?
If someone could actually do that, wouldn't they have transcended the mortal body and become an eternal being, coldly observing the rise and fall of dynasties and the changing of the world?
It's too horrifying, unbelievable!
Even though since the opening of the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking, two immortals, several martial arts masters who have lived for hundreds of years, and even mortal-level experts have emerged,
However, Li Shimin still felt deeply shaken and could not accept the possibility of "surviving for four thousand years".