[Hidden Dragon Ranking – Rank 6]
[Shi Feixuan]
[Identity: Saintess of the Cihang Tranquil School, Sui Dynasty]
[Cultivation: Late Great Grandmaster]
[Technique: Extreme Heart Zen Sword, Cihang Sword Classic]
[Reward: Heaven-Grade Low-Tier Pill – Spirit Body Pill. Improves constitution upon consumption and has a chance of evolving the body into an innate spirit body, greatly enhancing affinity and comprehension in martial arts]
Just as Fan Qinghui was feeling an overwhelming sense of anxiety…
The Hidden Dragon Ranking changed once again.
When she saw the name of Shi Feixuan, she was filled with disbelief.
"Feixuan, you're on the ranking too?"
"You're a Late Great Grandmaster?"
Shi Feixuan and Wan Wan both making the list at the same time? How was that possible?
"Master, that's the truth."
"While Wan Wan gained her opportunity, I did not fall behind."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have lived to see you again."
Shi Feixuan spoke calmly.
Indeed.
That man taught Wan Wan and also taught her.
There was no favoritism.
Though she was happy, she also couldn't help but feel a touch of disappointment.
"Hahaha, good! Now that you are this strong, our Cihang Tranquil School no longer needs to fear the Yingui Sect."
"Feixuan, if I ordered you to destroy the Yingui Sect, how confident would you be?"
Fan Qinghui's eyes gleamed as she looked toward Shi Feixuan.
"One hundred percent."
Shi Feixuan replied coldly and decisively.
But before Fan Qinghui could rejoice, her next words left her stunned.
"However, if the Yingui Sect is truly destroyed, it would definitely provoke Wan Wan's wrath."
"With her strength and intelligence, she would be able to completely destroy our Cihang Tranquil School in turn. No one could stop her."
"Even if I and Grandmaster Ning Daoqi stood in her way, it would be useless."
She knew Wan Wan's temperament all too well.
Wan Wan might not care about the Yingui Sect itself, but she treated Zhu Yuyan like a mother.
And the Yingui Sect was Zhu Yuyan's most cherished creation.
Destroying the sect would be no different from killing Zhu Yuyan.
If that happened, it would be a death feud with Wan Wan.
Not just for Cihang Tranquil School, but even for her, Shi Feixuan, there would be no room for reconciliation.
Even if she explained it to that man, she would still be at fault.
Even if Fan Qinghui insisted and ordered her to do it, she would not comply.
At the level of a Great Grandmaster, one must follow their own will.
If she were to deny her true intent, she would never have any chance of advancing to the legendary Land Immortal realm.
So she could never go through with it.
"Feixuan, the Extreme Heart Zen Sword you've been cultivating, what's its origin?"
"Did you encounter a fortuitous opportunity in the martial world?"
Fan Qinghui dropped the subject of destroying the Yingui Sect and changed topics.
If the Extreme Heart Zen Sword could be passed on to the entire Cihang Tranquil School, they would rise to unprecedented heights.
"Master, this technique cannot be casually passed on. Otherwise, it would bring disaster."
"It would be even worse than angering Wan Wan."
Shi Feixuan answered solemnly.
The Way must not be lightly transmitted.
That man had not given his permission. Even to her sect, she could not agree to share it.
Although Fan Qinghui felt frustrated, she could do nothing about it.
Shi Feixuan was no longer who she once was.
Knowing her temperament well, Fan Qinghui understood not to push her.
Being politically astute, she knew what should and should not be done.
"What a pity… such a perfect chance to wipe out the Yingui Sect has been wasted."
Shi Feixuan remained silent.
==========
Fan Qinghui wasn't the only one who felt regret.
On the other side, Zhu Yuyan of the Yingui Sect also found it a pity.
When she learned that Wan Wan had ranked and reached the Late Great Grandmaster realm…
Her first thought was to destroy Cihang Tranquil School.
But then Shi Feixuan appeared on the ranking.
Amid her rage, she couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Her hatred for Cihang Tranquil School deepened even more.
However, Wan Wan was indifferent to all of it.
If it had been before, she might have shared Zhu Yuyan's view and constantly thought about annihilating Cihang Tranquil School.
But after becoming a Great Grandmaster…
Her vision had widened.
The Land Immortal realm had become her next goal.
Even Shi Feixuan, her longtime rival, was no longer an enemy to the death.
Although they still clashed from time to time, it was only to temper their strength.
Having a rival of equal power…
Pushed both of them to grow stronger.
Whether it was the Yingui Sect or Cihang Tranquil School…
They were mere externalities.
No longer worthy of concern.
Wan Wan felt this way.
So did Shi Feixuan.
==========
Sui Dynasty Imperial Palace.
Upon seeing both the Saintesses of the Yingui Sect and Cihang Tranquil School ranked at the same time, Emperor Yang Guang finally panicked.
These two martial sects had always been hostile to his dynasty.
They constantly sought to destroy his rule and build a new regime.
The worst part was that they had an endless number of devoted lackeys and loyal subordinates.
Even killing them all would be impossible.
"Minister Yuwen, what do you think I should do about these two powers?"
"Should we send troops to eliminate them?"
"Or just ignore them?"
Yang Guang looked to Yuwen Huaji, hoping for a different perspective.
"Your Majesty, now that the Yingui Sect and Cihang Tranquil School have gained such momentum…"
"If we attack rashly, we will surely suffer heavy losses."
"There would be no way to suppress the local rebellions afterward."
"These two sects may be from the martial world, but their threat level is far beyond ordinary rebel forces."
"We must focus on suppressing the actual rebellions across the land."
Yuwen Huaji would never risk national condemnation by suggesting a war against those two sects.
If news of that reached them…
The Yuwen Clan would be doomed.
With two Late Great Grandmasters knocking at their door, extermination would be inevitable.
Hearing Yuwen's words, Yang Guang couldn't hide his disappointment.
What he truly wanted…
Was to destroy the Yingui Sect and Cihang Tranquil School.
But unfortunately, he lacked the power.
Should he ask "him" to act?
No.
That was the final safeguard of the Sui Dynasty.
It could not be activated unless it was truly the last resort.
Otherwise, the ripple effect would be uncontrollable.
It would stir the nerves of every imperial dynasty across the Nine Provinces.
Then it would no longer be a martial arts conflict.
But a full-blown war of royal conquest.
The Sui Dynasty was not prepared for such a clash.
Even a single mistake could lead to complete annihilation.
That was a price he could not afford.
After careful thought, Yang Guang reluctantly gave up the tempting idea in his mind.