blogombal Page 638
Page 638
Even though the Zhang family forcibly suppressed the martial arts world for a century, wasn't this century of prosperity exactly what he wanted?
"What you say is excellent, young master, but how can we guarantee the impartiality of Xia Ke Island?"
"The Zhang family is the greatest guarantee."
Furthermore, Zhang had stated that Xia Ke Dao would be overseen by two Grandmasters, ensuring impartiality and preventing any bias towards either side.
Two Grandmasters!
This is the second time Zhang Xiaoshan has emphasized this.
Two grandmasters suppressing Xia Ke Island—only Zhang Xiaoshan could pull off such a grand gesture.
"In addition, the disciples of Xia Ke Island will be young men with clean backgrounds and will not be involved with other forces in the martial arts world."
Everyone looked at Zhang Xiaoshan as he put away the list of heroes, and they understood that the outcome was already decided.
Moreover, Bi Gu, the previously unknown chief of Dongli Island, became the biggest winner.
"The last list is the Peerless List, which records major events and influential figures in the martial arts world."
Therefore, the forces that control the Peerless Ranking also need well-informed and trouble-making unofficial forces. Zhang has already thought of a choice – Ghost Street!
The Nine Gates of Ghost Street have numerous subordinate forces and are well-informed.
Furthermore, Ghost Street is the most qualified to determine the rankings. Given the complex web of forces within Ghost Street, with the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion as the arbitrator, you shouldn't need to worry about fairness!
The group exchanged silent glances.
Aside from the power rankings, the Zhang family controlled almost the entire public opinion rankings.
This domineering attitude, or rather, the power to control public opinion, can maximize the Zhang family's influence.
Without a sound, Zhang Xiaoshan unleashed a series of powerful moves, giving them a knife that could not be drawn. Even Zhao Gao vaguely understood Zhang Xiaoshan's purpose.
"The Net is fine!"
Luo Wang is one of the three major factions on Ghost Street, so it does have certain advantages for Ghost Street to control the Wind and Cloud Ranking.
As for the Zhang family?
Zhao Gao understood that at this point, no one could stop Zhang Xiaoshan's plan.
From the moment the Five Rankings were unveiled, this irreversible trend in the martial arts world was already destined, because the Five Rankings represented the deepest and most persistent desires of people in the martial arts world, driven by their desire for fame and fortune.
Who doesn't want to achieve fame and fortune? Who doesn't want to roam the martial world freely? Who doesn't want to be known for their chivalry throughout the land...?
Zhang Xiaoshan's five rankings gave them hope.
At the same time, just as the martial arts world seemed to be on the verge of chaos, the Zhang family's position was the stabilizing force that suppressed the turmoil!
Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan's plan is an open and overt scheme.
This not only expanded the Zhang family's power but also consolidated their prestige and status, inspiring both awe and fear.
As for the forces that the five lists have won over?
700 Wudang, the Demonic Sect, and the Empire are all forces that can absolutely intimidate the martial arts world.
The agreement reached between Miao Jiang and Zhang Xiaoshan naturally meant they wouldn't care about a small ranking list. Besides, having gotten what they wanted, they wouldn't easily interfere in matters of the martial world.
It can be said that Zhang Xiaoshan schemed against everyone.
"Since that's the case, then it's settled!"
After surveying the area, it was clear that no major martial arts sects, such as the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, Dongfang Bubai of the Sun Moon Sect, or Juesheng of Shaolin, had stood up to oppose it, let alone the smaller factions.
Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan waved his hand and finalized the division of this big cake.
The Dragon and Phoenix List was handed over to Zhao Gao, who then forwarded it to the Divine Marquis's Mansion.
The fact that Zhang Xiaoshan threw the list of heroes to Tu Xuehua, the left protector of the Sun Moon Sect, made everyone understand another move by Zhang Xiaoshan.
Tu Xuehua was born on Dongli Island and was a direct disciple of Bi Gu, the head of the Changli Sect. Even though she had severed ties with her sect because of what happened back then, the connection remained.
The seemingly isolated and helpless Changli Sect is actually backed by the Sun Moon Divine Sect.
Needless to say, the Ghost Gate's Unparalleled Ranking is dominated by the Zhang family, but the various forces of the Nine Gates of Ghost Street also have a say.
Therefore, no movement from the Peerless Ranking can be kept from them, and they have the right to refute it.
However, the final decision-making power still rests with Tianji Tower.
Unless the legendary Golden-Faced Buddha intervenes!
Chapter 752 Ten Thousand Monks' Pilgrimage: Gai Nie's Scheme
The emergence of the five rankings is, for the martial arts world of Kyushu, undoubtedly like thousands of nuclear bombs detonating in the Pacific Ocean.
Especially the fifteenth on the Heavenly Ranking, according to Zhang Xiaoshan's detailed account, the number of Grandmasters in the Nine Provinces is at least the number of Heavenly Stars.
Therefore, the Heavenly Ranking is also known as the Heavenly Gang Ranking!
This is a grandmaster, a peerless master who appears only once in a century.
The Grandmasters who were known to the public were legendary figures, but their numbers were unexpectedly numerous, even more than the number of Grandmasters they knew.
As for the Celestial Ranking, another name is the Land Immortals Ranking, or simply the Gods Ranking.
After all, condensing the primordial spirit and the relic has long exceeded the scope of martial arts.
In particular, the Tibetan Tantric sect, upon learning of a holy monk residing in Lingjiu Temple on the Great Snow Mountain, saw tens of thousands of monks flocking to the Great Snow Mountain to pay homage.
Zhang Xiaoshan slaughtered the sacred sites of the five major esoteric sects, crippled Kumārajīva's martial arts, and killed the Golden Wheel Monk due to Zhang Xiaoshan's scheme that caused him to suffer a qi deviation...
After a decade or two of decline, Tibetan Tantric Buddhism is on the verge of extinction.
Hearing that there are such terrifying masters in the Tantric sect is like a long-awaited rain after a drought, or a torrential downpour for Tantric disciples.
For a time, tens of thousands of monks made pilgrimages, including high-ranking members of the Tibetan nobility.
While in Tibet, they had complete faith in the Zhang family's intelligence, believing it would never be wrong.
Moreover, there is indeed a very famous Lingjiu Temple on the mountainside of the Great Snow Mountain.
Little did they know that a martial arts saint was hidden within Lingjiu Temple!
And their arrival confirmed their suspicions.
Inside the Lingjiu Temple, the holy monks have not yet been seen. Among the hundreds of ascetic monks in the temple, there are two grandmasters, five peerless masters, and more than a dozen top experts.
With such a terrifying number of experts, not to mention the nobles, even the Tibetan king would have to kneel every three steps as a pilgrimage to this place.
"Namo Amitabha!"
Inside the Mahavira Hall of Lingjiu Temple.
As one of the five supreme saints, the Great Snow Mountain Saint Monk was also radiating divine light, his tiger-like eyes captivating.
The Heavenly Ranking has five parts—
Young Master Zhang, Holy Monk of the Great Snow Mountain, Evil Emperor of the Demonic Sect, Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang, and the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden!
According to the explanation of the Tantric Dharma King, the Taoist saint who came to the Great Snow Mountain ten years ago was none other than the young master of the Zhang family, who is also recognized as the strongest among the five saints.
Even though he was a holy monk in Buddhism, he showed no faith whatsoever in the words of the Tibetan Tantric sect.
After all, that young master of the Zhang family had a terrifying track record.
But he was the one who truly killed the most holy man in the world (the Bad Commander).
Moreover, the Zhang family has two supreme experts: a young master and a goddess.
Even after hearing everything, the holy monk from the Great Snow Mountain couldn't help but marvel at the extraordinary people and resources of the Central Plains.
He believed he had surpassed the Grandmaster and become a 'Buddha'.
But unexpectedly, there were four transcendent beings in the Central Plains, and the so-called top ten on the Heavenly Ranking were all top-level grandmasters, powerful individuals who could step into the Celestial Saint realm at any time.
In contrast, even though Tibet was massacred, it ultimately didn't have a single unparalleled grandmaster before.
For a moment, the holy monk of the Great Snow Mountain couldn't help but lament that a great calamity was about to befall him.
When evil spirits descend from the heavens, chaos and turmoil are sure to follow!
Upon reaching his level, one can comprehend the Dao of Heaven and see the phenomena of the division and unification of the Nine Provinces.
"You want this humble monk to protect Tibet? Not a chance!"
The revered monk from the Great Snow Mountain, with a solemn expression, looked at the hopeful Tibetan high-ranking officials and continued to explain:
"The Dragon Emperor's conquest of Tibet is inevitable."
Even if this humble monk were to intervene, the Empire would undoubtedly invite experts of equal caliber from the Central Plains to assist. And among the most powerful figures in the Central Plains, the only one who might, and most likely would, intervene is the very one you fear most!
Hiss...
Upon hearing this, many of the nobles and high-ranking officials, aside from those who were merely occupying positions without contributing anything, had already guessed the outcome of the Great Snow Mountain's intervention.
Korea, Japan, and the Later Jin are the best examples!
The Zhang family's attitude towards foreign tribes is absolutely one of solidarity with the Empire, especially considering that the Zhang family's calculations played a significant role in the current state of Tibet.
···
"Sixth on the blacklist? The uncle only occupies the sixth position?"
And I've also made it onto the Dragon and Phoenix Ranking, and I'm fourth, even higher than Shao Yu? Hahaha..."
Upon receiving the news in the mountains, Jing Tianming was first astonished, then burst into laughter.
The five lists were announced to the world. Although they were only preliminary drafts, they best illustrate the significance of the announcements.
After all, Zhang Xiaoshan personally selected nine outstanding individuals, and he was only thirteen years old, yet he was already a peerless master, making him absolutely unique outside of the Zhang family.
The young man from the Yin-Yang School, however, did not make the list.
In terms of strength, Jing Tianming knew he was no match for that little brat.
Thinking of the Star Soul of the Yin-Yang School, another figure flashed through Jing Tianming's mind, and he couldn't help but wonder:
"By the way, why wasn't Zi'an on the list?"
Zian?
Upon hearing this, Xiang Shaoyu's expression faltered, revealing a hint of surprise.
Zi'an is a disciple of the Heavenly Mystery Elder, and his Heavenly Mystery Staff can easily defeat Zhang Han. He should definitely be on the Dragon and Phoenix Ranking. Why is he on it?
Zhang Xiaoshan didn't know?
No, you have to know that Zhang Xiaoshan personally instructed Zi'an and Jing Tianming, so it's impossible that he didn't know Zi'an's strength.
"Tianming, being on the list is not a good thing, but a bad thing."
The young man, An, is a descendant of the Heavenly Mystery Elder. He has traveled throughout the Nine Provinces since childhood, witnessed countless worldly affairs, and long since seen through fame and fortune. Perhaps he simply does not wish to be on the list.
Especially you, Tianming, the leader of the Mohist school, a peerless master at the age of thirteen...
"Given your current level of threat, the Empire will inevitably raise your bounty to an extremely high, perhaps even unprecedented, level."
Gulu...
After the initial joy came a bucket of cold water, and even Jing Tianming had to agree with Gai Nie's opinion.
Now that he's famous, his goals naturally become bigger.
With a bounty of over 100,000 gold coins on his head, there was no place for him in the martial arts world.
He's not like Gai Nie, who roams the martial world with a sword and is invincible.
Although he possessed unparalleled internal strength and even mastered the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, he could only unleash about 30% to 40% of his abilities at most.
"Moreover, the Zhang family arranged this list with ill intentions, wanting martial arts practitioners to fight each other and establish the Zhang family's dominant position."
The Zhang family's sudden surge of ambition will likely erupt fully after the Dragon Emperor's fall.
"Is the Zhang family really that treacherous?"
Upon hearing this, Jing Tianming was somewhat angry and incredulous, but he had no intention of demanding an explanation.
Ultimately, it was the Zhang family that was truly terrifying; they were simply beyond their ability to handle.
In the Celestial Ranking alone, the Zhang family has two Celestial Realm experts and one monk named Xingyin who has entered the top three.
Moreover, the first, second, and fourth ranked individuals on the blacklist are all above Gai Nie, and the white-clad swordsman and Shangguan Jin Hong, who follow behind, are also from Ghost Street.