In the vast sky, the golden scroll slowly unfurled.
One by one, large characters appeared.
[Nine Provinces · Hidden Dragon Ranking]
[From this day forward, the Hidden Dragon Ranking of the Nine Provinces is now open.]
[All martial artists under the age of twenty-five may be ranked based on their strength, destiny, fortune, and talent.]
[The ranking lists only thirty individuals. The last ten are Innate Realm martial artists, the middle ten are Martial Masters, and the top ten are Grandmasters and above.]
[Anyone who makes it onto the list will receive a reward from Heaven.]
[The list will be updated once every year.]
———
"Hidden Dragon Ranking? I'm exactly twenty-five this year and at the Early Innate Realm. I'll definitely make it on the list. Heaven's reward, here I come!"
"No way! Only ten spots for Innate Realm martial artists?"
"Great Grandmasters? There are ten Great Grandmasters under twenty-five?"
"I wonder who will make the list!"
———
At that moment,
The golden scroll radiated dazzling light.
New words began to appear on the list.
[Hidden Dragon Ranking · Rank 30]
[Guo Jing]
[Identity: Disciple of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, Disciple of Hong Qigong]
[Cultivation: Late Innate Realm]
[Technique: Quanzhen Heart Method, Nine Yin True Scripture, Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms]
[Reward: Inferior-Grade Low-Tier Pill: Marrow Cleansing Pill, capable of purifying bones and marrow to enhance natural talent.]
"Guo Jing?"
Zhu Houzhao looked at the name on the list, a flash of surprise in his eyes before understanding dawned.
This world was a fusion martial world. The fates of the protagonists from wuxia novels of his previous life had long been altered.
Judging from his martial arts, he had clearly just become Hong Qigong's disciple.
He had not yet become the legendary hero Guo.
But had he already gotten together with Huang Rong?
At that thought, an image of a clever, mischievous girl floated into Zhu Houzhao's mind.
A faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.
He wondered how that little girl was doing now.
———
Great Qin Imperial Palace.
"Seven Freaks of Jiangnan? Hong Qigong?"
"My minister, do you know who these people are?"
Ying Zheng stared intensely at the list in the sky.
The thirtieth place already came with a reward like a marrow cleansing pill.
What about the top few?
Could there be an elixir of immortality?
What a pity the list only accepted those under twenty-five years old.
"Your Majesty, the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan and Hong Qigong are martial figures from the Southern Song Dynasty."
"The Seven Freaks are of little importance, not even top-tier martial artists."
"Hong Qigong, however, is one of the Five Greats of the Southern Song, known as the Northern Beggar. He is an Early Great Grandmaster."
In the hall, Gai Nie thought for a moment before replying directly.
His tone showed little concern.
"Zhao Gao, issue an imperial decree. Any Hidden Dragon ranked individual who enters Great Qin will be granted a noble title. Top twenty, a title of Ten-Thousand-Household Lord. Top ten, they shall be made a Prince."
A glint appeared in Ying Zheng's eyes.
Anyone who made it onto the Hidden Dragon Ranking, even the lower ten Innate martial artists, was a person of great potential and fortune.
Let alone the top twenty.
Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters.
Those were the true heaven-blessed prodigies.
They were well worth recruiting.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
———
Southern Song Dynasty.
Imperial Palace, beam above the imperial kitchen.
Hong Qigong was happily feasting on a few plates of fine delicacies.
"That silly boy Jing'er actually made it onto the Hidden Dragon Ranking?"
When he saw the list in the sky, a pleased smile appeared on his face.
"He even got a marrow cleansing pill."
"That blockhead might finally open up his mind!"
———
Jiaxing, Yuelai Inn.
"Miss Huang, I… I made it onto the Hidden Dragon Ranking!"
Guo Jing looked at the pill emitting a faint fragrance in his hand and broke into a foolish grin.
Sitting across from him was a clever and stunning young girl.
She was none other than Huang Rong, daughter of the Peach Blossom Island Lord, Huang Yaoshi.
"Brother Guo, congratulations."
Seeing Guo Jing's happy face, Huang Rong gave it a quick glance and nodded casually.
"Miss Huang, if it weren't for your help, Elder Hong would never have accepted me as a disciple. I wouldn't have made the list either."
"You should have this pill instead."
Whenever Guo Jing spoke to Huang Rong, his heart filled with an indescribable joy and excitement.
"No need. This pill is of no use to me."
"Alright then. But Miss Huang, even Elder Hong couldn't defeat you easily. You'll definitely rank in the top ten."
Guo Jing scratched his head and awkwardly put the pill away.
Since the day they met, he had developed a deep, unexplainable fondness for her.
He had tried several times to find the right moment to confess his feelings, but never managed to say the words.
He was afraid that once he did, they might not even be friends anymore.
Miss Huang always seemed to be searching for someone.
Someone very important to her.
At that thought, Guo Jing suddenly felt a wave of sadness.
"Quickly take the marrow cleansing pill. Your talent should improve."
"Alright, I'll go now."
After Guo Jing left, Huang Rong let out a soft sigh.
She looked up at the list, her heart stirring.
"With Brother Su Yi's strength, he's bound to make the Hidden Dragon Ranking. Hmph, you've been hiding from me for so long, but I will definitely find you."
Just thinking of that man who had been on her mind every day made Huang Rong grit her teeth.
At the same time, a hint of sweetness rose in her heart.
"Brother Guo saved my life, and I've repaid that debt over the past few days."
"It's time for us to part ways."
Elsewhere, Guo Jing, who had just consumed the marrow cleansing pill, had no idea that the girl he liked was about to leave.
After this farewell, their paths might truly diverge forever.
Only after a long while did Huang Rong's emotions settle.
She returned to her inn room and continued her cultivation.
"The Military Martial Scripture Brother Su Yi taught me is truly vast and profound."
"Destruction of the world's living beings… extinguishing clear tranquility and divine stillness…"
"Even at the Great Grandmaster level, I've barely scratched the surface!"
———
Southern Song Dynasty.
Imperial Study.
"Our Great Song has someone on the list?"
Emperor Zhao Gou stared at the Nine Provinces Hidden Dragon Ranking in astonishment.
"My minister, have you heard of this Guo Jing?"
"Your Majesty, I have not. But Hong Qigong is the leader of the Beggar Sect in our Southern Song."
Qin Hui respectfully answered the emperor.
"Hong Qigong is a Grandmaster of martial arts in our Song Dynasty. It is certainly a happy occasion to see his disciple shine. Should I take Guo Jing into my service?"
"Your Majesty, only the thirtieth place has been revealed. We should wait until the full list is released before making any decisions."
"Very well. I hope more talents from our Great Song will appear on the list."