Someone from the Pacification Office

Qin Jianghe sighed deeply:

"Now, the imperial court is muddleheaded, and the alien races around Great Xia are stirring restlessly, especially the Northern Wilderness, which is taking the opportunity to proclaim that Great Xia has no one of worth."

"The people of the Nine Provinces all hope that a prodigy will emerge, capable of blunting the Flying Eagle's arrogance and reclaiming the top spot on the Qilin Rankings."

Shen Yi asked curiously:

"Is there really no one?"

Qin Jianghe gazed into the distance, a hint of vigor in his tone:

"There wasn't before, but now things are different."

"Perhaps it's because a chaotic era is approaching, but talented individuals are springing up like fountains from the Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist sects, and even the Demonic Sect is producing monstrous figures."

"The Qilin Rankings are updated every half month."

"Everything is different with each issue. Although the top spot on the Qilin Rankings is occupied by a member of an alien race, Great Xia's rising stars hold seven of the top ten positions."

"This is enough to show a thriving trend."

A look of longing appeared in Shen Yi's eyes. To ascend the Qilin Rankings would be like stepping onto a stage to compete with numerous prodigies.

He would no longer be an ephemeral mayfly wallowing in the dust.

Instead, he would be a finch with the aspirations of a swan.

One day, he would transform into a roc soaring upwards, flying through the nine heavens.

Shen Yi asked:

"What is the cultivation level of this Flying Eagle Dugu Ao?"

"Above Innate Realm, Outer Force Realm."

"He's only one step away from entering the Grandmaster Realm of the Human Rankings."

"Moreover, with Dugu Ao's aptitude and foundation."

"Once he enters the Grandmaster Realm, he will likely be able to ascend to the Human Rankings and become one of the seventy-two Grandmasters in the world."

Shen Yi then browsed through the previous Qilin Rankings, which listed the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings.

The Heaven Rankings had ten seats.

Covering the ten Heaven-Human Realm experts above the Heaven-Human Unity Realm, this was the ceiling for martial artists, a level that all living beings looked up to.

The Earth Rankings had thirty-six seats.

Listing the thirty-six Grandmasters of the Grandmaster Realm, all of whom were cornerstones suppressing the power of their respective factions.

The Human Rankings had seventy-two seats.

Stepping into the Grandmaster Realm was the threshold for ascending to the Human Rankings. If one made it onto the list, they would be among the seventy-two Grandmasters in the world.

Becoming a figure to be admired.

As for the Qilin Rankings, it was slightly different from the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings.

The ranking order of the three lists was based on the martial artist's martial arts realm and actual combat power.

The Qilin Rankings placed more emphasis on potential.

What is potential?

Young, powerful, and exceptionally talented individuals who have the potential to ascend to the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings in the future.

That is potential.

The reason Shen Yi was able to make it onto the list was that he fought multiple enemies single-handedly and broke through encirclements many times while escorting Qin Jianghe.

He also joined forces with Qin Jianghe to kill Fang Yu of the Acquired Realm across realms, demonstrating potential far exceeding that of ordinary martial artists.

Of course, his ranking of eighty-eighth.

One reason was that his strength was not high enough, and the other was that he crossed realms in cooperation with Qin Jianghe.

If he could kill Fang Yu independently, his position on the Qilin Rankings might have been a few places higher.

Shen Yi folded up the Heaven's Mystery Rankings and put it away.

"Old Qin, can I have this?"

Qin Jianghe waved his hand:

"It was originally for you anyway."

"The Heaven's Mystery Rankings are published every half month."

"They are sold in all major towns and cities. For larger sects and forces, the Heaven's Mystery Pavilion will even send people to deliver them personally."

Qin Jianghe looked at Shen Yi, his eyes shining with excitement.

He asked with a smile:

"Your identity has been exposed."

"I didn't sense any tension from you. Why do I feel like you're even more invigorated?"

Shen Yi grinned and said, "That's because I've discovered that in this rotten world, there are finally some things that make the blood boil."

He put away the Heaven's Mystery Rankings.

And just walked down the hillside.

Without looking back, he waved to Qin Jianghe:

"I won't be going back to the Broken Blade Hall."

"Old Qin, I'll see you around the jianghu."

Qin Jianghe crossed his arms, smiling as he watched Shen Yi's departing figure, and said in a loud voice:

"Wandering the jianghu, keeping yourself alive is the most important thing."

"Don't die out there."

"Got it!"

A hearty echo came from afar, lingering for a long time, until the figure disappeared into the fields.

Qin Jianghe had a premonition.

In the future, Shen Yi would definitely have a place on the top three rankings.

"Let's go, back to the Broken Blade Hall."

As Qin Jianghe led a group of his gang members back to the Broken Blade Hall, a servant in green hurried over and whispered in Qin Jianghe's ear:

"Hall Master."

"We have visitors, from the Pacification Office."

"They are waiting in the Gathering Hall, drinking tea."

Qin Jianghe's expression turned stern.

They came so fast.

"What's their rank?"

"According to what he said to Elder Zhao, he claims to be a Trial Commander, with two Centurions accompanying him."

Qin Jianghe became even more vigilant.

A Trial Commander from Dong Commandery must have at least Acquired Realm strength, and the Centurions must be elite Black Cloaks above first-rate.

He didn't expect the Pacification Office to arrive so quickly.

He had only received the news this morning.

And in the blink of an eye, they were already at the Broken Blade Hall.

"Lead the way."

The servant led Qin Jianghe straight to the Gathering Hall.

Before he even entered the courtyard, he heard the sound of weapons clashing. Qin Jianghe quickly pushed the door open and entered.

Two people were sparring in the courtyard.

Three others were watching from the side.

The two who were fighting.

One was a Black Guard with a silver crane emblem, wearing a black robe, and the other was dressed in cloth, burly, and wielding two Xuanhua Axes, it was Zhao Qiushan.

Of the three onlookers.

Two were also Black Guards with silver crane emblems.

The last one was Sun Yong, a senior elder of the Broken Blade Hall.

Qin Jianghe's intrusion caused the onlookers to turn their heads, and Zhao Qiushan also exclaimed in surprise:

"Big Brother!"

However, in that moment of mental relaxation, the Black Guard opposite seized the fleeting opportunity.

He thrust his blade forward.

The blade came out like the water of a vast wave, or like a howling hurricane, sweeping out layers of blade force towards Zhao Qiushan.

Zhao Qiushan had never imagined that the other party would not hesitate at all, as if he really wanted to kill him.

He hurriedly and hastily raised his axes to block.

The next second.

Clang! A crisp sound.

The Embroidered Spring Blade slashed upwards, the Black Guard used a clever force to twist Zhao Qiushan's axes out of his hands, spinning into the air.

Then, he turned around and slashed down.

This blade descended upon Zhao Qiushan's head.

If he couldn't evade it, it would result in a gruesome scene of blood and a sudden, violent death.

Qin Jianghe's expression changed.

His figure darted into the arena like a gust of wind. While still in mid-air, with a metallic clang, the broken blade at his waist was already unsheathed.

The Black Cloak only saw a blur before his eyes.

A uniquely shaped and ancient-looking broken blade was positioned in front of Zhao Qiushan. With a clang, it firmly blocked his Embroidered Spring Blade.

Simultaneously, a surge of immense force traveled along the blade. The Black Guard's body shuddered violently, and he instantly lost control, flying backward.

"I wonder how my brother offended this esteemed sir, that he would resort to such a deadly attack?"

Meanwhile, a Black Guard who had been watching from the sidelines smiled slightly. With a flash, he appeared behind the Black Cloak who had been sent flying.

He gently supported him with a single palm.

He neutralized the immense force that Qin Jianghe had channeled through the blade, allowing the Black Cloak to land steadily on his feet.

Sun Yong watched from the side, deeply alarmed.

This man's speed.

Was even faster than Qin Jianghe's from just now.

The Black Guard's lips curled into a slight smile as he raised a hand in a slight bow, saying softly, "Li Wudang, Trial Commander of the Dong Commandery Pacification Office."

"Greetings, Hall Master Qin."