unharmed”What are the benefits of entering the Northern Wilderness Genius Ranking?” Zhou Xuanji asked as he frowned. His goal was the Northern Wilderness’ Top 100; wouldn’t this be lowering his status?
Daoya Old Man rolled his eyes at him and said, “What do you understand? This is called fame; the more fame you have, the more benefits you will receive.”
“If you are the number one genius in the world, apart from evil cultivators, who will dare to kill you?”
Hearing this, Zhou Xuanji understood.
He looked at Lu Longjiang and said, “I am 21 this year and am at Astral Infant Level Eight. With my strength, I can defeat anyone at the Spirit Refinement stage—is this enough to rank first?”
Lu Longlin was stunned.
Xiao Jinghong, Zhao Congjian, and the others were speechless—can you not be so direct?
The Canghai Ziggurat’s soldiers also looked at Zhou Xuanji strangely, wondering if he was boasting.
None of them doubted his strength, but who would believe that he was only 21 years old?
“May I do an examination?” Lu Longlin asked respectfully. Strength that could sweep across the Spirit Refinement was enough to make him feel respect.
Zhou Xuanji nodded and stepped forwards.
Lu Longlin dismounted from his horse and came before him. He placed his right hand on Zhou Xuanji’s shoulder before closing his eyes.
The method for determining the age of one’s bones in the world of cultivation was different from that of modern society on earth. It was done by using one’s mind to probe into the depths of the bones to see how long they had existed.
A while later, Lu Longlin opened his eyes and gulped as he said, “You really are only 21 years old…”
A 21-year-old Astral Infant cultivator—even though it was not unprecedented, this boy was already at Level Eight!
This cultivation was simply too shocking!
“You don’t believe your own examination?” Zhou Xuanji calmly asked. Are you forcing me to act cool?
Lu Longlin deeply breathed in, “Let’s spar so that I can evaluate your strength. Is that acceptable?
“With your talent, you can already rank first. The examination of strength is just so I can give you a better evaluation.”
Lu Longlin’s gaze was sincere as he looked at Zhou Xuanji.
In response, Zhou Xuanji could only sigh. I have no choice; it’s you who wants me to fight.
“Alright, let’s fight in the air!” Zhou Xuanji nodded and leaped up before flying into the air.
Lu Longlin followed behind him.
Roughly 20 breaths later, the two of them returned to the ground.
Zhou Xuanji held the God-Emperor Sword and the White Dragon-bone Sword. He was completely unharmed and looked calm and elegant.
On the other hand, Lu Longlin was covered in blood and stared at Zhou Xuanji in shock.
The Canghai Ziggurat’s soldiers all gaped with their mouths wide open as if they had seen a ghost.
What did they just see?
The Spirit Refinement stage Lu Longlin had been completely suppressed, unable to retaliate at all.
“Brother Zhou is powerful; I admit my inferiority. With your strength, you are indeed invincible within the Spirit Refinement stage. Also, you did not use your full strength, right?” Lu Longlin said as he cupped his fists, looking incredibly respectful.
Zhou Xuanji did not confirm nor deny this.
Following this, Lu Longlin started to recover from his injuries.
The others crowded over and asked Zhou Xuanji how much of his strength he had used.
After all, he had only used two of his swords.
Zhou Xuanji did not reply and only smiled lightly.
Daoya Old Man sighed in amazement as he said, “Looks like not even I would be a match for you now.”
He had only been with Zhou Xuanji for a few years; the speed at which this boy grew was simply terrifying.
However, he was most curious about the swords in Zhou Xuanji’s hands.
All cultivators had treasures, companions, techniques, and cultivation environments; enchanted artifacts were a part of one’s strength.
Half an incense stick later, Lu Longlin got up and took out a jade slip and walked over to Zhou Xuanji as he asked, “How would you like to introduce yourself? I can write it down.”
Zhou Xuanji muttered, “My name is Zhou Xuanji; my mother was Great Zhou’s Lady Zhao Xuan.”
Now, he would bring honor to Lady Zhao Xuan’s name.
He did not know whether Lady Zhao Xuan’s family really did rebel, but in the end, he was her son.
From now onwards, he would use the name Zhou Xuanji to walk throughout the world.
Lu Longlin stared with a strange expression—no wonder this boy wanted to kill Great Zhou’s Empress…
Back then, news of the Great Zhou’s Empress chasing down Lady Zhao Xuan had spread far and wide. Emperor Yan of Zhou had closed one eye to the matter.
Just like when Great Zhou’s Empress had been killed, he had only listed Sword God Zhou as wanted and did not personally act.
This was the Emperor. On the surface, it looked like the enmity between the Empress and a Concubine, but it was actually Emperor Yan of Zhou preparing the next Emperor.
“First ranked on the Northern Wilderness Genius Ranking, Zhou Xuanji, also known as Sword God Zhou—peerless and unrivaled talent,” Lu Longlin said with a smile. Even though he had not received the reports from other Emissary Generals, he was sure that Zhou Xuanji would definitely rank first.
What’s more, he was definitely more powerful than whoever was ranked second!
Following this, he made some small talk with Zhou Xuanji before leaving.
“Go and have a look at what’s inside the carriages.”
Zhou Xuanji spoke as he got up while dusting himself off, and the others moved towards the carriages.
Daoya Old Man stood beside Zhou Xuanji and stroked his beard as he sighed in amazement, “For Zhao Xuan to have a son like you, she can rest well in the afterlife.”
Zhou Xuanji nodded.
“In a few years, I should also look for a method to ascend. Otherwise, when my time limit is up, I’ll have to go and keep your mother company,” Daoya Old Man smiled as he shook his head. Unlike Chief Monk Xuanhe, his cultivation had been unable to break through the Great Realization stage. As time went on, he would exhaust his lifespan and die.
Before, he had been ready to die, but after seeing Zhou Xuanji, he did not want to die anymore.
He suddenly felt great expectation and wanted to see Zhou Xuanji lord over the world.
“Don’t worry, I won’t let you die,” Zhou Xuanji smiled as he spoke and patted Daoya Old Man’s shoulder. Even though he was also cursing at Daoya Old Man, he had long since started seeing the old man as family.
The two of them grinned at each other before walking towards the carriages.
The carriages were filled with all kinds of rare and valuable treasures and jewels. There were even some spell scrolls and enchanted artifacts.
All in all, it seemed that the Canghai Ziggurat was quite sincere.
To be able to become the top intelligence faction, the Canghai Ziggurat was quite generous in how it handled money.
With these treasures, Zhou Xuanji and the others’ cultivation speed would once again increase.
Following this, everyone once again returned to their dull and dry days of cultivation.
One month later, Zhou Xuanji broke through to Astral Infant Level Nine.
Han Shenbo could not stop yelling that he was overpowered. If this went on, Zhou Xuanji would break through to Astral Projection before him.
Four months later, Zhou Xuanji turned 22 years old. He had also broken through to Astral Infant Level 10 and started to break through to Astral Projection.
“Analyzed that the Sword Owner has reached 22 years old. Gacha started!”
“Ding! Congratulations, the Sword Owner has obtained [Glorious Gold] Holy Light Redemption Sword, [Silver] Snakeskin Sword, Ten Thousand Ultimate Steps!
Glorious Gold legendary sword!
Zhou Xuanji opened his eyes, feeling quite pleased. His luck had been quite good recently.
Could it have been because of the red Qilin?
Auspicious beasts were awesome!
Following this, the information of the two swords were displayed to him:
Sword Name: Holy Light Redemption Sword
Grade: Glorious Gold
Description: This sword can absorb the enemy’s lifeforce, and also can resurrect people and mend broken bones.
Sword Name: Snakeskin Sword
Grade: Silver
Description: Forged from countless rare snakeskins. When used to fly, its flight pattern is everchanging and unpredictable, making it difficult to be tracked or attacked.
It can resurrect people and mend broken bones?
Zhou Xuanji’s eyes lit up—this sword was simply brilliant!
However, the Snakeskin Sword’s ability was…
Elusive movement?