Ming Imperial Palace.
"Your Majesty, this is intelligence from Sword Control Manor." The Dark Guard Leader reported as he handed over a confidential document.
"The Sword Control Manor's head, Yin Tianxue, seems to have had a falling-out with Yin Zhong and has already left the manor. Yin Zhong has regained control but appears to be seriously injured."
"Yin Tianxue's father and brother are suspected to have been imprisoned by Yin Zhong."
"Yin Tianxue is currently seeking help."
"Members of the Tong Clan have appeared and fought Yin Zhong."
Reading each line of the report, Zhu Houzhao frowned. So, Yin Zhong was beginning to stir up trouble again? And it might have something to do with the Tong Clan.
Yin Tianxue... She possesses the Spirit Mirror and should have some means of protecting herself. If she weren't over the age of 25, she would probably be on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.
It seems he must find a chance to meet her.
Sword Control Manor was a piece he had placed within Martial World for strategic purposes, it could not be allowed to go wrong. The position of manor head could only belong to Yin Tianxue. This matter would require careful attention.
However, there was an even more pressing issue that required his personal intervention.
Snow Moon City.
Li Hanyi.
He must go in secret to protect her.
If any mistake caused her harm, it would be troublesome.
This was a trap he had set up himself. Li Hanyi had already fallen into it.
Even knowing she was strong, he still worried.
Yuan Tiangang, Yuwen Tuo, Huang Shang, and Phagpa, none of them were easy opponents.
There might even be more hidden threats.
Only by guarding her personally could he feel at ease.
==========
Empress Palace.
"Is the news confirmed?" Empress Wu Zhao's beautiful eyes glinted coldly, brimming with murderous intent.
"The information has been verified." The Palace Maid Qing'er replied with rare seriousness.
"Those traitorous dogs who surrendered to Di Shitian have surfaced and are heading toward the Ming Dynasty."
"All of them are coming. I've heard this is by Di Shitian's command."
"Perhaps he sensed the threat from the Miss and wanted them to fight among themselves, like the sandpiper and the clam. No matter who perishes, it would benefit him."
"These traitors, this time, we absolutely cannot let them escape."
"Notify the two Grand Elders and several elders to move out together."
"The threat they pose is greater than Di Shitian himself. We must eradicate them completely."
"As for Di Shitian, there will be chances in the future."
Compared to Di Shitian and the Heaven Gate, it was the traitors she hated most.
"Understood, Miss. I will immediately notify the elders."
"Where shall we choose for the battlefield?"
"Within Ming Dynasty Territory? Soon, with the matter of the Myriad Sword Diagram in Snow Moon City, many powerful figures from all nations will gather."
"That could be used to distract the traitors' attention."
"If we add a bit of provocation, a fierce battle might break out."
Qing'er suggested.
The Empress thought for a moment but then shook her head.
"It's hard to hide from those with sharp eyes, and it might leave us open to criticism."
"Besides, for a mere group of traitors, why use underhanded tricks?"
"They're not worthy of my scheming."
"I want the Netherworld City to crush them head-on with overwhelming force."
She was supremely confident in her city's strength.
After years of development, if they couldn't even deal with some rebels, then all her efforts would have been in vain.
"Should we inform His Majesty?"
"Given how much he favors you, he would certainly help."
"What if that scoundrel Di Shitian is secretly watching and tries to launch a sneak attack?"
"We can't take that risk."
"Even the two Grand Elders are no match for him."
Qing'er voiced her concerns, subtly suggesting they seek Zhu Houzhao's aid.
"No need. If I tell him, he'll surely help."
"But in his heart, he will look down on me a little."
"It won't cause great harm, but I simply can't accept that."
"I don't want to see that condescension in his eyes."
Wu Zhao bit her lip and made her decision.
Even if the Netherworld City suffered heavy losses this time, she wouldn't let herself be underestimated, especially not by the Emperor.
Qing'er pouted slightly. Although she didn't fully understand her lady's thinking, she didn't argue.
Besides, her Miss was the best. These traitors were no match for her.
==========
Elsewhere.
Zhu Houzhao raised an eyebrow.
"Heaven Gate and Di Shitian are stirring again."
"Seems like all those old geezers who used to hide in their nests are coming out to cause trouble."
"Heaven Gate's dogs battling Netherworld City?"
"The Empress will be involved too."
"Very well, since I need to protect Li Hanyi anyway, I'll take care of all this in one trip."
Time passed quickly, half a month later.
==========
Snow Moon City.
The number of people on the streets grew significantly.
Most were cultivators from the Ming Martial World.
Sword cultivators made up the largest group.
Strong cultivators from other dynasties also occasionally appeared.
At the city's largest inn, Changfeng Inn, dozens of tables filled the grand hall.
At this moment, every table was occupied.
Cultivators from all over the Nine Provinces gathered, drinking and conversing enthusiastically. The atmosphere was lively.
"Ximen Chuixue, do you and Xie Xiaofeng or Yan Shisan have a way to view the Myriad Sword Diagram?"
At one table, Ximen Chuixue sat alongside Lu Xiaofeng, Hua Manlou, Chu Liuxiang, Xie Xiaofeng, and Yan Shisan.
He had met Xie and Yan during his trip to Snow Moon City.
Though the two were only at the Grandmaster Realm, Ximen Chuixue didn't look down on them, he regarded them as future rivals on the path of the sword.
Similarly, the moment they met, the Third Young Master and Yan Shisan saw Ximen Chuixue as one of their own kind.
Naturally, they also got to know Lu Xiaofeng and the others.
After chatting for a while, they quickly formed a bond.
The atmosphere was much more relaxed.
However, they didn't forget the reason they came.
With so many cultivators arriving from various nations, not everyone would get what they wanted.
They had to pass a test, and only sword cultivators could participate.
Those who passed the test would earn the right to view the Myriad Sword Diagram.
Those who failed... would simply be out of luck.
After all, opportunities were only for the talented and the prepared.
Mediocre people had no right to witness the Myriad Sword Diagram. Even if they did, it would be wasted on them.
"I passed seven levels of the test. I can view the diagram for seven hours." Ximen Chuixue said flatly, though his pride was barely hidden in his tone.
"I passed five levels."
"Me too." Yan Shisan and Xie Xiaofeng together said, their eyes flickering with the will to fight.
They were clearly still a step behind Ximen Chuixue and would need to work harder, or they'd be left far behind.
"Heh, Ximen, looks like you've got some competition."
"I just heard that the Sword Saints Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang from the Qin Dynasty passed nine levels."
"As expected, they really are strong!"
Lu Xiaofeng, who had made many friends in Snow Moon City, had quickly learned a great deal of secret information, including the identities of top sword cultivators from other nations.
Even Ximen, Xie, and Yan were startled.
Nine levels.
Though the test didn't entirely determine sword strength, the gap was still obvious.
After all, the test was set by a Mythical Realm Land Immortal with immense sword mastery.
It was bound to be thorough.
Their shortcomings were real, and needed to be addressed.
They realized now they couldn't limit their horizons to the Ming Dynasty alone.
They needed to spar with sword cultivators from other dynasties.
In the future, they would travel the Nine Provinces, challenging the strongest with their swords.
To either become top sword masters, or die on foreign soil.
There was no other path.
==========
"Scoundrel! How dare you try to steal the Myriad Sword Diagram in Snow Moon City!"
Suddenly, a furious shout echoed across the city.
A masked figure in black, small in stature, darted through the air.
Judging from his aura, he was clearly in the Land Immortal Realm.
Everyone in the city froze, something was happening!
Someone was provoking Snow Moon City, and the Snow Moon Sword Immortal herself!
As the mysterious man tried to flee.
A clear voice shouted from the skies.
"Heaven's wrath from the Nine Heavens, becomes divine thunder. With a sword, I summon it!"
A thunderous explosion rang out.
The Snow Moon Sword Immortal, Li Hanyi, stood in the sky with the Tianya Sword in hand.
An image of a true celestial Sword Immortal.
Countless sword cultivators below looked on, dazzled and envious.
If only they could wield power like hers!
This is what a sword cultivator should be!
Next moment.
Bolts of lightning burst across the sky.
Heaven's majestic power, unstoppable and awe-inspiring.
"Oh my god, those are heavenly thunderbolts!"
"She can summon heavenly thunder?!"
"Is this still a Martial Technique? She's basically an Immortal Cultivator!"
"Is she really a Sword Immortal who can fly and teleport?"
"Too terrifying!"
Even Ximen Chuixue, Xie Xiaofeng, and Yan Shisan were stunned.
They stared at Li Hanyi with burning eyes.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Lightning crashed down, striking the masked man.
Even though he was a Land Immortal, he couldn't help but scream miserably.
The sound chilled everyone's bones.
Under her hand, even a Land Immortal was nothing but an insect.
No wonder she brought Snow Moon City onto the Martial Force Ranking all by herself.
"Die."
A cold voice rang out.
With a flourish, the Tianya Sword unleashed a terrifying sword aura.
It pierced the void and struck the masked man's forehead.
His soul was instantly shredded.
His body plummeted from the sky.
At that moment.
"Now! Attack!"
Dozens of black-clad figures leapt out toward the falling body.
Clearly allies of the masked man.
"Courting death."
Li Hanyi raised her sword.
Countless sword energies swirled around her.
With a single point.
A rain of sword energy fell from the heavens.
"Puff! Puff! Puff!"
Everyone struck was slain instantly, none escaped.
All those watching were stunned.
She had merely waved her sword.
Yet those powerful Great Grandmasters died like ants.
Even the most arrogant onlookers had to swallow their pride.
Not even if they became Land Immortals could they hope to challenge her.
She was one of the strongest across all of the Nine Provinces.
"Huh? He's not dead?"
"Someone actually stole the Myriad Sword Diagram right under my nose?"
"How interesting."
Li Hanyi blinked with surprise.
The Myriad Sword Diagram was missing.
And one of the corpses was unaccounted for.
The thief had used some trick to escape, even from her eyes.
"What?! Someone really stole the diagram?"
"Impossible! How did he pull it off?"
"That must be a secret technique. Where did it come from?"
"Sounds like something from that island outside the Nine Provinces..."
The crowd was shocked again.
Whoever that thief was, they had skill.
Elsewhere in the city.
"Tianya, what's wrong? Do you recognize those people?" Shangguan Haitang of Dragon Guarding Manor asked.
The Four Great Agents had also come to Snow Moon City.
"That's a type of ninjutsu, native to the Yamato Kingdom outside the Nine Provinces. Very different from our Martial Techniques."
Duan Tianya explained.
"Ninjutsu? Interesting."
"But wait, why isn't the Sword Immortal pursuing them?"
"She doesn't seem to care."
"Is the diagram not important to her?"
Shangguan Haitang was puzzled as she watched Li Hanyi return to the City Lord Mansion.
Everyone was stunned.
"I heard the Great City Lord Baili Dongjun is about to break through to the Land Immortal Realm."
"She's probably going to act as his guardian."
"Compared to that, the Myriad Sword Diagram is trivial."
"Let's go. If we get the diagram, we'll be rich."
"Whether we sell it or return it to her, it's a win."
Many cultivators finally snapped out of it.
They all left the city, chasing after the black-clad thief.
Even Ximen Chuixue, Xie Xiaofeng, and Yan Shisan didn't give up.
Naturally, Lu Xiaofeng and the others followed.
The hunting party grew larger and larger.
All it needed was a spark, and a bloody battle would erupt.