Ming Dynasty, the headquarters of the Heavenly Venerable Organization.
"Shiyin, congratulations on reaching ninth place on the Hidden Dragon Ranking," Murong Qiudi said with a smile.
"You're too kind, Sister Qiudi. With your strength, you could probably make it into the top three."
"If it were before, I might have had that confidence. But now, I'm afraid it will be difficult. I'm only one small realm above you. If I can reach the top five, it would already be fortunate."
Murong Qiudi shook her head.
At first, she thought few in the world could match her strength.
But the more she learned and the broader her perspective became, the more she realized how terrifying the world truly was.
A Great Grandmaster?
What a joke.
Perhaps only by reaching the Land Immortal realm could one be considered a true powerhouse.
The rankings made that clear.
Among the top ten, there were definitely individuals at the Land Immortal level.
Compared to people like that, what was she worth?
Still, she was not one to belittle herself.
As long as she was given time, she would one day break through and become a Land Immortal.
"Sister, do you think she will make the ranking too?"
"Definitely. Hmph, I searched all over the capital and couldn't find him."
"With his skills, he must know I'm looking for him, yet he refuses to appear. So hateful."
"When the rankings are revealed, let's see where he can hide then."
As Murong Qiudi grumbled, a trace of grievance appeared on her face.
Logically speaking, with her current status and strength, she could have any man she wanted with a mere gesture.
But now, she was completely fixated on that scoundrel who brought her joy and pain.
She resented herself for being so useless, yet she couldn't control her heart.
Forget it.
Maybe she owed that jerk a debt from her past life.
She had come in this life just to repay it.
It seemed Lin Shiyin beside her was in a similar situation.
Truly a pair of ill-fated souls.
==========
Sui Dynasty, Song Family Mountain City.
Knife Sharpening Hall.
Song Que stared at the newly ranked Lin Shiyin, especially at her listed technique, the Purple Lotus Blade Art.
His heart stirred.
Finally, someone who practiced the way of the blade had entered the ranking.
To suppress Yuhua meant this woman's strength was unimaginable.
He looked forward to the day he could fight her.
Win or lose, his Heavenly Blade Eight Styles would undoubtedly advance.
Song Que's eyes gleamed with brilliance, and his fighting spirit surged.
It wasn't just Song Que. All across the land, many blade-wielding Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters felt a deep desire to challenge her.
Fu Hongxue and Ding Peng with the Crescent Moon Blade in the Ming Dynasty.
Kou Zhong in the Sui Dynasty.
Each of them was itching for a match.
Of course, they were also self-aware.
With their current strength, they were not qualified yet.
But one day, they would absolutely earn the right to challenge her.
==========
[Hidden Dragon Ranking – Rank 8]
[Huang Rong]
[Identity: Daughter of the Eastern Evil, one of the Five Greats of the Southern Song Dynasty]
[Realm: Late Great Grandmaster]
[Technique: Military Martial Scripture, Nine Yin True Scripture, Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm, Orchid Acupoint Brushing Hand, Jade Flute Sword Method, and others]
[Reward: Heaven-Grade Low-Tier Pill – Spirit Body Pill. Improves physique and may transform the user into an innate spirit body, greatly enhancing martial comprehension and affinity]
This time, the update came quickly.
The eighth place on the Hidden Dragon Ranking had been revealed.
Huang Rong?
Someone from the Southern Song Dynasty?
And a woman?
How could that be?
The Eastern Evil was only an Early Great Grandmaster. Yet his daughter had surpassed him?
==========
Southern Song Dynasty.
"Hahaha, Old Evil Huang, how does it feel to be surpassed by your own daughter?"
"Tsk tsk, Late Great Grandmaster. I always knew that girl was extraordinary, but I didn't expect her to be this strong."
Hong Qigong looked at Old Evil Huang with a teasing grin, though even he was astonished.
"How did you raise such a daughter, Old Evil Huang?"
"And why is it that my dumb disciple Guo Jing never learns, no matter how I teach him?"
Huang Yaoshi looked up at the ranking in the sky, still in disbelief.
He nearly thought he was seeing things.
He had always thought he understood his daughter well.
But clearly, he had been completely wrong.
And that technique, the Military Martial Scripture?
Where did she even learn it?
Her fortune clearly far exceeded that of her own father.
"Qigong, are you sure you saw Rong'er defeat Ouyang Feng in a single move?"
"Yes. One move. He didn't even have a chance to fight back. It even triggered a change in the heavens."
Hong Qigong's expression turned serious.
"A change in the heavens? It must have been caused by the Military Martial Scripture."
"Where did she learn it? Qigong, did you teach her?"
"Old Evil Huang, are you joking? If I had that ability, would I still be wasting time with you here?"
Hong Qigong gave him an annoyed glance.
"Old Naughty, why are you so quiet? Aren't you usually the loudest?"
Seeing Zhou Botong frozen in place, Hong Qigong patted him on the shoulder.
"My god, that little girl Huang Rong is that powerful?"
"Where is she? I want her to be my master. I want to learn the Military Martial Scripture!"
Zhou Botong snapped out of it and suddenly jumped up, shouting excitedly.
"Old Naughty, have you gone mad? Look how old you are, what a disgrace."
"I don't care. The Military Martial Scripture, just the name sounds as powerful as the Nine Yin True Scripture."
Hong Qigong and Huang Yaoshi could only shake their heads helplessly.
==========
Xiangyang City, Southern Song Dynasty.
Guo Jing stared blankly at the ranking in the sky.
He muttered to himself.
"Huang Rong is actually a Late Great Grandmaster? And she made it onto the Hidden Dragon Ranking?"
He always knew Huang Rong was strong, stronger than he could imagine, but he never expected to have underestimated her this much.
The gap between them was vast.
Whatever faint feelings he still held were now completely gone.
A woman as radiant and otherworldly as her was never someone he could desire.
Moreover, he had already settled down and started a family.
He absolutely could not betray the one by his side.
"Husband, still thinking about your Miss Huang?"
"Eighth on the Hidden Dragon Ranking. You really did fall for the right person."
At that moment, a heroic woman walked up with a smile.
There wasn't the slightest trace of jealousy in her expression.
"Wife, you misunderstand. Miss Huang and I are just friends. There was never any possibility between us."
"Besides, now that I have you, I will devote myself to you entirely."
Guo Jing responded solemnly and earnestly.
"Husband, we may not have been married long, but I understand your character."
"You won't disappoint me."
"With enough time, I believe you will one day be no weaker than Miss Huang."
"You may even surpass her."
The heroic woman spoke with firm conviction.
"Alright. Let's get ready. The Yuan army is preparing to attack the city again."
As she spoke, a trace of worry appeared on her face.
"Don't worry, my dear. For you, I will do everything I can to defend Xiangyang City."
"The Khan killed my mother. I already bear an unending grudge against the Yuan Dynasty. I will never allow them to take even a single step into Xiangyang."