Nine Provinces

Biodata

Power Progression

History

Heaven Ranking and the Civilization Kill Line

Nine Provinces is one of more than a hundred small worlds in the Azure Wind Domain, all governed by the Supreme Unity Mystic Sect. The sect conducts a Heaven Ranking every 500 years: the bottom ten worlds are erased, while the next ten are enslaved. 377

The Supreme Unity Mystic Sect maintains a total of 108 small worlds through this system. The Great Luo Divine Dynasty replenishes worlds removed by the settlements by relocating new small worlds from the Great Wilderness Void Sea, treating the worlds as cultivation and examination grounds. 518

At the prior reckoning, Nine Provinces ranked nineteenth from the bottom and was due to have its population seized and sold. Hongwu and Yu Qian, both Rushing River Realm cultivators, voluntarily became followers of Supreme Unity Mystic Sect inner disciples in exchange for merit, raising the world's ranking by two places and preventing its enslavement. 378

The world later fell to seventh from the bottom, with only 150 years remaining until the next reckoning. Its crisis was worsened by gray fog that sealed its world barrier, cutting it off from Azure Wind Domain resources and restricting travel to the Great Wilderness. 377

Lu Zhen's successive achievements in the Hundred Realms League and Supreme Unity Mystic Sect special training ultimately raised Nine Provinces to 67th place, ending its immediate danger of destruction under the Civilization Kill Line. 489 517

Preserving the small world's Heavenly Dao civilization matters even to descendants living elsewhere. Lu Zhen explained that its destruction would damage the future cultivation of all Nine Provinces descendants, making the ancestral world more than a refuge for its current inhabitants. 409

Internal Collaboration

Some Nine Provinces collaborators served the Sacred Blood Realm, hollowing out the world's dragon-vein fortune in return for a promise of “change of registration.” The arrangement would strip them of the Nine Provinces mark and relocate them to the Sacred Blood Realm before the killing line arrived. 377

The Sacred Blood Realm's fortunes later became directly opposed to those of Nine Provinces. When Nine Provinces rose to 87th place, Sacred Blood fell to 88th and beneath the Kill Line; its council continued funding attempts on Lu Zhen's life in the hope that his death would erase his world contribution. 489

Collaboration also extended to public opinion in the Great Wilderness settlement. After Lu Zhen rejected the Yun Clan's marriage proposal, Sacred Blood intelligence agents sought to spread the dispute throughout Nine Provinces, turn residents against him, and provoke harsher retaliation from the Yun Clan. 456

Lu Zhen's special-training selection prompted the Nine Provinces Council to adopt Liu Bowen's proposal to purge those who had smeared him while serving outside interests. The council also stripped Chen Yuan of his resources and committed to supporting Lu Zhen, recognizing that alienating him could destroy the world's remaining chance of survival. 463

Netherblood Sect Threat

Hongwu and Yu Qian had become followers of Xuanyuan Lie, a peak Third Realm cultivator, during the prior settlement. After Xuanyuan Lie was killed by the Blood Butcher Old Fiend, a Fourth Realm elder of the Netherblood Sect, both Nine Provinces protectors were abducted with his other followers. 518

The Blood Butcher delayed refining them into human pills after discovering that Nine Provinces humans possess a trace of Primordial True Blood. If the Netherblood Sect uncovers its secrets, it may purchase ownership of the Nine Provinces Small World from the Great Luo Divine Dynasty, reducing every person connected to Nine Provinces by blood—including emigrants—to slavery. 518 519

Hongwu initially attempted to delay the Blood Butcher's refinement process, believing he could secure roughly one year. He considered Lu Zhen's continued rise within the Supreme Unity Mystic Sect the world's remaining chance of obtaining protection. 519 528

The hoped-for delay subsequently shortened. During preparations for the grand examination, Hongwu and Yu Qian witnessed prisoners being seized as medicinal ingredients, and Hongwu was taken away by a demoness. Later, Liu Bowen reported that the Blood Butcher had begun his ritual early and might have discovered the secret of Primordial True Blood. Hongwu and Yu Qian nevertheless remained alive, being held for blood research. 539 577

Lu Zhen judged that the Blood Butcher's greed would encourage him to conceal the discovery for his own use rather than report it to the Netherblood Sect or immediately purchase Nine Provinces. He instructed Liu Bowen to keep the population calm and promised to rescue the captives. This assessment was a strategic prediction, not confirmation that the bloodline threat had ended. 577

The Supreme Unity Mystic Sect would not openly permit a demonic elder to seize its subjects, but Liu Bowen warned that it could not prevent every covert abduction by a determined Fourth Realm expert. Consequently, protection from public conquest alone would not eliminate the danger of secret bloodline research. 518

Small-World Ownership

Lu Zhen investigated purchasing Nine Provinces himself as a means of protecting his homeland. Lei Wanche explained that acquiring a small world requires years of review, a title granted by the Great Luo Divine Dynasty, and enormous wealth. He also reassured Lu Zhen that the Blood Butcher personally lacked both the required title and the financial means to purchase the world. 578

Lei Wanche promised to use his contacts at the Heavenly Pivot Institute to monitor applications affecting Nine Provinces. His assurance reduced the immediate risk of a purchase by the Blood Butcher, but did not resolve the captives' imprisonment or the wider Netherblood Sect threat. 578

While serving in the Royal Court on the ancient star, Lu Zhen identified life-extending treasures as potential leverage for negotiating a title and resources with the Great Luo Divine Dynasty. He informed Liu Bowen that he had found leads toward obtaining the title and spirit crystals needed to buy Nine Provinces and rescue Hongwu and the others. The purchase and rescue remained prospective. 592

Martial World

The collapse of the Mingwu Empire and the emergence of Spirit Cave Treasure Lands drastically altered the Divine Land's geography. 213

Traditional Martial Arts was historically organized around eight major sects. The three strongest—Mystic Sword Sect, Skyreach Sect, and Supreme Clarity Sect—were based around Kunlun's Three Sects City, while five other major sects were scattered across Nine Provinces. Northern Alienated and Mechanical Martial Arts factions, led by Heavenly Pool Treasure Land, stood as a separate power bloc. 202

Before the restoration of the Mingwu Empire, Ocean City was divided into East, South, West, and North districts surrounding an Inner City, while its prosperous riverfront concessions were jointly controlled by foreign powers and the Four Great Families. The Xiao and Huo Families represented Traditional Martial Arts, whereas the Zhou and Zheng Families had aligned with Western-backed Hetero-Martial Arts. 45

Despite its apparent size, Nine Provinces possesses scarce martial resources and an incomplete greater order. Reaching the Martial Saint realm within the small world is exceptionally difficult, whereas the Great Wilderness offers substantially richer spiritual energy and cultivation opportunities. 377

The traditional and alienated factions' internal rivalry helped foreign forces exploit the Divine Land. During the Jianghan crisis, Eastern Island leaders considered Huaxia's sects and government divided by competing agendas, while southern traditional sects eventually pooled resources to place Yaksha bounties on invading experts. 329 334

Following the apocalypse, Zhao Han—formerly Zhao Jincheng—used the deaths of Heavenly Pool Sect's leaders and the resulting power struggle to become its sect master. After reaching Spirit Fusion through its resources, he left for the Great Wilderness with Ruan Qingqing, leaving sect affairs under rules enforced by his trusted followers. 502

Geography and Major Sites

• Divine Land Continent — The principal setting of Huaxia's martial and political struggles, later rebuilt under the Mingwu Empire. Its cities joined Nine Provinces Market in broadcasting Lu Zhen's upper-realm competitions. 437 541 546
• Kunlun Treasure Land and Three Sects City — Kunlun's ancestral vein is the greatest Treasure Land in Nine Provinces. Three Sects City was built around its core by the three strongest traditional sects and serves as a major martial center. 202 213
• Mount Tai — The foremost of the Five Great Mountains and a historic site of imperial sacrifices. The Mount Tai Debate brought traditional and alienated martial factions together to contest the future of martial orthodoxy, with Traditional Martial Arts based in southern Tai'an City and Alienated Martial Arts in northern Jinan City. 366 369
• Guangnan Province — A region dominated before its purge by the Five Cities Garrison Command. Ocean City, the Provincial Capital, and Lin City are among its important urban centers. 129 166 205
• Jianghan Prefecture — A major front in the Eastern Island invasion, supported by the southern army's logistics hub at Gold Province City. 334 335
• Changbai Mountain and Heavenly Pool Treasure Land — A northern center of Alienated and Mechanical Martial Arts and the source of the insect calamity. Heavenly Pool Sect continued to exist after the apocalypse under Zhao Han's leadership. 202 382 502

Great Wilderness Lineage

Nine Provinces descendants established Nine Provinces Market outside Sumu City in the Azure Wind Domain. After roughly 850 years of development, the market became a major settlement of the lineage, though it remained among the weakest small-world communities. 395

The market is governed by the Nine Provinces Council, whose fifteen Rushing River Realm members are the lineage's highest fighting force and political leadership. A divide persists between elders who retain ties to the lower realm and Great Wilderness-born natives who prioritize the market's immediate interests. 395

During the insect calamity, this divide led the council to reject Liu Bowen's request for an Earth-tier low-grade offensive item by ten votes to five. Chen Zonghan argued that the broodmother could destroy the population but not the world's heavenly law, allowing Nine Provinces to be repopulated later. 395

Lu Zhen's rise changed the political atmosphere within the market. After he raised the world's standing beyond the Kill Line, public opposition to him collapsed, and his standing surpassed that of many councilors. 463 517

The settlement's prosperity did not eliminate internal inequality. Many poorer residents remained occupied with exhausting labor, while academy students and highly ranked martial artists received better cultivation opportunities. Basic spirit rice was distributed through a council-run, subsidized system, but Profound Entry-level medicines, plants, and pills were monopolized by major-family shops. 405 409 410

• Nine Provinces Market — A settlement distinguished by spirit fields, rune-powered trams, wooden-kite vessels, and a large population of Nine Provinces descendants. It extends for several hundred li and has more than thirty million inhabitants. 395
• Green Vine District — An academy-adjacent district within the market, populated largely by young martial artists and students. 405
• Lower-realm descendants — Most market residents are born in the Great Wilderness; abundant spiritual energy allows even minimally trained adults to naturally attain Dark Force. 395
• Nine Provinces Academy — The market's highest academy, which trains elite and regular-class contestants for the Hundred Realms League. Its admission rules exclude applicants whose bone age exceeds forty. 405 407 432
• Ancestral Hall — A hall containing spirit tablets and records of the people and deeds involved in Nine Provinces' struggle for survival. Liu Bowen sought hope there during the Netherblood Sect crisis. 539
• Lu Zhen's council-granted estate — A residence in the market's core district allocated after his special-training selection, with spiritual springs, circulating formations, and a subterranean cultivation chamber measuring one and a half kilometers in both length and width. 463

Major Arcs

Guangnan Crisis

As Faceless Asura, Lu Zhen exposed the Five Cities Garrison Command's collusion with Eastern Island forces and its trafficking of Huaxia refugees through the Black Prison. He killed Deputy Commander Zhong Yin, freed hundreds of thousands of captives, and made the evidence public. 205 206

The revelations triggered nationwide protests and prompted the National Government to dispatch Yan Zhenhai to Guangnan, purge traitors, and oppose the Eastern Island invasion. Lu Zhen became a national hero throughout Nine Provinces. 211

Mount Tai Debate and National Reorganization

Traditional Martial Arts' victory at the Mount Tai Debate enabled the National Government to suppress Alienation Serum factories and Western Battle Gear bureaus across the Divine Land. 378

Lu Zhen's Spirit Fusion breakthrough through the Inner Landscape Lineage produced a colossal manifestation visible across Nine Provinces and attracted the attention of its Martial Saints. He then openly intervened at Mount Tai, condemning foreign-backed martial arts and domestic collaborators. 374

After his victory, the government suspended unlicensed production of Alienation Serum and Western Battle Gear, took control of sect and clan Treasure Lands, and deployed troops to secure factories, concessions, and other important sites. These measures consolidated state authority without wholly rejecting Western technology. 378

Insect Calamity

The Sacred Blood Realm unleashed the Devouring Spirit Broodmother crisis against Nine Provinces. Lu Zhen remained behind to defend the world, instead of accepting Myriad Stars Tower's offer of safe passage for ten chosen people. 382

After the broodmother's defeat, the gray mist retreated and the world barrier reopened. Survivors emerged from hiding across the Divine Land, while Great Wilderness construction puppets arrived to rebuild devastated cities and farmland. 402

The reopened passage restored regular upward travel. Hundreds had already begun crossing when Lu Zhen departed with Jiang Li, while the council rewarded him with one million mystic coins, a residence in Nine Provinces Market, and academy admission. 404

Rebuilding the Mingwu Empire

Liu Bowen called for the restoration of the Mingwu Empire, arguing that Nine Provinces could no longer remain politically fragmented. 402

The restored order spread upper-realm cultivation resources—including the complete Bright God Martial Canon and basic breathing techniques—among the populace. Foreign concessions in Ocean City were dismantled, and martial arts became accessible to ordinary citizens. 437

Great Wilderness mechanical puppets rebuilt ruined settlements over several months. The empire's black dragon banners again covered the Divine Land, and protectorates were established across the five continents and four seas, unifying the world under the restored order. 437

Hundred Realms League

Nine Provinces entered the Hundred Realms League with only ninety-nine participants and a history of eighty consecutive failures to reach the second round. 432 437

Lu Zhen's victories transformed public morale. His team reached the third round through open combat rather than concealment, becoming a symbol of Nine Provinces' renewed confidence in the Great Wilderness. 441

His later selection for special training at the Supreme Unity Mystic Sect initially elevated Nine Provinces to 93rd out of 108 worlds, bringing it closer to escaping the Civilization Kill Line. 462

Advancement to the third round also allowed all Nine Provinces martial artists in that session to apply to the top ten academies and the Supreme Unity Mystic Sect, extending the benefits beyond Lu Zhen's own career. 452

Broadcasts linked the lower realm and Great Wilderness settlement in a shared public event. Cities, martial halls, and sects erected Afterimage Formation Plates, allowing ordinary residents to watch the matches and learn about Nine Provinces' position among the wider worlds. 437

Supreme Unity Mystic Sect Special Training

Lu Zhen ranked first overall in the Supreme Unity Mystic Sect's special training. His Black-Yellow Pagoda achievements first lifted Nine Provinces to 87th place, finally carrying it above the Civilization Kill Line. 489

By the conclusion of the training, Nine Provinces had climbed to 67th place. The resulting increase in status altered how other worlds treated Nine Provinces descendants and gave the civilization a secure position in the middle tier of the rankings. 517

Grand Examination and the Bloodline Crisis

Following the special training, Lu Zhen departed for Supreme Unity Mystic City to take part in the grand examination. Hongwu's strategy requires him to display sufficient potential to become indispensable to the Supreme Unity Mystic Sect and secure its protection for Nine Provinces. 519 528

This effort became urgent after the abduction of Hongwu and Yu Qian by the Netherblood Sect. The Blood Butcher Old Fiend's research into Primordial True Blood threatens not only the captives, but the freedom and survival of all Nine Provinces descendants. 518 519

News that Lu Zhen had reached the second Law Realm gave Liu Bowen and the council a renewed, cautious hope of resisting the Netherblood Sect. Mengpin House's favorable assessment of him also circulated through Liu Jingyi's livestream audience. 539

In the grand examination, Lu Zhen placed third at the Counterflow River and achieved 115 resonances at Zhenhai Cliff, taking first place in attack power ahead of Zhou Luotian. His achievement provoked celebrations in Nine Provinces Market, the Divine Land, and the other small worlds. 545 546

Lu Zhen ultimately finished second overall behind Zhou Luotian, the highest placement ever achieved by a small-world Special Training Camp student in the sect's hundred-thousand-year history. Celebrated as the “God of Nine Provinces,” he entered Tai’e Sword Academy under Elder Leng Yan. Despite this success, he believed that protecting Nine Provinces required the attention and backing of Fifth Realm experts. 547

The Sacred Blood Realm responded to his examination success with renewed desperation, placing its hopes on a third assassination attempt by Eternal Isle. 546 547

Sect Support and the Ownership Plan

Lu Zhen pursued the Fallen Sky Dojo's final inheritance believing that control of it could help him confront both the Nine Provinces crisis and the Netherblood Sect. After obtaining the dojo and advancing to the Rushing River Realm, he returned toward the Supreme Unity Mystic Sect intending to attract its leadership's support and seek assistance rescuing Hongwu and Yu Qian. 567 571 572

His selection for the Primordial Ancient Star expedition provided another route to earn such support. He privately regarded success in locating the Core Passage Node and establishing a guiding formation as potential leverage for persuading the sect to secure the captives' release. 577 579

After learning the conditions for small-world ownership from Lei Wanche, Lu Zhen developed a more concrete acquisition plan on the ancient star. As head of the Heavenly Wind Residence under Princess Ji Yue, he studied the Royal Court treasury's life-extending treasures and considered using them to obtain a dynasty title and resources. Liu Bowen remained worried by the lack of recent communication from Hongwu's group, but took encouragement from Lu Zhen's report that a purchase-and-rescue strategy was forming. 578 592

Relationships

• Supreme Unity Mystic Sect — Governing power of the Azure Wind Domain; administers the Heaven Ranking and determines the fate of Nine Provinces and other small worlds. Its grand examination and internal protection are now central to Nine Provinces' survival strategy. Lu Zhen's historic second-place finish and admission to Tai’e Sword Academy established a stronger connection, though he continued seeking higher-level backing against the Netherblood Sect. 377 452 519 547 572
• Hongwu Emperor — Historic protector who accepted indenture in the Great Wilderness to preserve Nine Provinces during the previous Heaven Ranking crisis. He is currently imprisoned by the Netherblood Sect and attempted to buy time for Lu Zhen and Nine Provinces. Later reports confirmed that he remained alive for blood research despite the Blood Butcher's early ritual. 378 518 528 539 577
• Yu Qian — Rushing River Realm cultivator who joined Hongwu in selling himself into service to save the world from enslavement; he was subsequently abducted alongside Hongwu after Xuanyuan Lie's death. He remained alive in Netherblood Sect captivity in the latest explicit report. 378 518 577
• Liu Bowen — Council elder and leading advocate for rebuilding the Mingwu Empire, supporting Lu Zhen, and preserving the lower realm. He serves as the intermediary for Hongwu's warnings and advises Lu Zhen on Nine Provinces' diplomacy and survival. He also maintains order while Lu Zhen pursues the captives' rescue and the world's purchase. 395 402 463 518 519 577 592
• Lu Zhen — Defender and public symbol of Nine Provinces; defeated the Devouring Spirit Broodmother crisis, raised the world's standing through the Hundred Realms League and special training, and is regarded as its foremost hope against the Netherblood Sect. His grand-examination achievements earned him the title “God of Nine Provinces,” and he is now pursuing sect support, ownership of the world, and the rescue of its captive elders. 402 462 517 519 547 572 592
• Sacred Blood Realm — Rival small world that exploits Nine Provinces' crisis, recruits collaborators, and seeks to keep it beneath the killing line. It fell beneath the Kill Line after Nine Provinces rose to 87th place and has pursued Lu Zhen's assassination in response. After his grand-examination success, its leaders continued relying on a third assassination attempt to eliminate him. 377 489 546 547
• Myriad Stars Tower — Offered Lu Zhen ten protected crossings through the world barrier in exchange for joining its lineage; he refused to abandon Nine Provinces. 382
• Yun Clan — Powerful Heavenly Ark Realm family that sought to recruit Lu Zhen as Yun Jiaojiao's live-in son-in-law. After the proposal failed, it returned with apologies, gifts, and veiled threats; Nine Provinces accepted the resources while remaining wary of the clan. 454 518
• Netherblood Sect — Demonic sect whose Fourth Realm elder, the Blood Butcher Old Fiend, holds Hongwu and Yu Qian captive and investigates Nine Provinces' Primordial True Blood. Although the fiend personally lacks the title and wealth to purchase Nine Provinces, his blood research and covert abduction capability remain threats. 518 519 577 578
• Great Luo Divine Dynasty — Greater power that controls the small-world settlement system and replenishes the 108 worlds under the Supreme Unity Mystic Sect's jurisdiction; it may be able to transfer ownership of Nine Provinces to the Netherblood Sect. A dynasty-granted title is also a prerequisite for Lu Zhen's own proposed purchase of the world. 518 519 578 592
• Lei Wanche — Sea-Covering Realm sect authority who explained the small-world purchase process to Lu Zhen and promised to monitor ownership applications through contacts at the Heavenly Pivot Institute. 574 578
• Tai’e Sword Academy and Leng Yan — Lu Zhen's chosen academy and mentor after the grand examination. Their connection forms part of his effort to rise within the Supreme Unity Mystic Sect and obtain protection for Nine Provinces. 547
• Liu Jingyi — Nine Provinces Academy student, Lu Zhen's League teammate, and livestreamer who publicized his achievements and encouraged collective pride in his grand-examination prospects. 407 439 539

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