"Joint second?"
Wu Xian raised his eyebrows, put down the "Joyful Zen Exercise" with its line chart in his hand, took the martial arts evaluation roll from Xuanyuan Jingcheng's hand, and carefully looked at the evaluation of the two people on it. He couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.
"Once in five hundred years, a martial arts genius emerges, which can match with the former Lü Zǔ. With time, it will definitely challenge the peak of martial arts... Ha! Some people are planning something. It's not obvious that they want Wang's monster to confront me!"
Since ancient times, there is no first in literature and no second in martial arts.
In simpler terms, no martial artist would want someone stronger than themselves to stand on their head and show off their skills.
If so, then strive to get stronger and find a way to knock that person off their head.
This is the nature of a warrior, rough but straightforward. The pursuit of power and fame is often above all else.
For example, Wang Xianqi, as the peak martial artist in the world, may not care about fame, but his pursuit of power is more pure than anyone else.
It was rumored that when he was still unknown, he had challenged the then top warrior, sword god Li Chungang.
For seven consecutive years, he challenged him seven times.
Of the first six challenges, all ended in defeat, becoming a laughing stock among the martial artists.
But Wang Xianqi did not lose heart at all. Instead, he summarized the experience of his failures, constantly improving his martial arts, and his strength also grew stronger and stronger.
By the seventh challenge, Li Chunyang could no longer best him, and because he appreciated Wang's talent and did not want to use the deadly move "Sword Opens Heaven's Gate," Wang was able to break the divine sword Mu Ni Niu with just two fingers.
After this battle, Wang Xianqi became famous throughout the martial arts world and became the new champion of martial arts. However, Wang Xianqi later knew the good intentions of Li Chunyang, so when he occupied the Martial Lord City, he always referred to himself as "the second in the world."
The reason for this is that he is grateful to Li Chungang for his completion and believes that he is the first in the world.
Secondly, it is his expectation that a stronger person will emerge in the martial arts world to challenge him, leading to an exhilarating and satisfying battle.
The result is either to become the true first in the world by stepping on him as the "second in the world," or to become the stepping stone for him to go one step further by defeating him with his fists.
Therefore, Wu Xian could even imagine how excited and restless Wang Xianqi would be in his heart after seeing this martial arts ranking list.
It might not even require him to go to the Eastern Sea Martial Arts City; this old monster could come looking for him personally, issuing an invitation to battle.
Once so, it will just fall into the hands of some people with malicious intent.
One mountain cannot hold two tigers, unless one is male and the other is female. On the road to climbing to the peak of martial arts, even a male and a female cannot coexist, and it must be said with fists and strength. Who wins has the right to stand on the highest spot.
However, such high-level confrontations often determine both victory and death.
Even if the person who wins the duel will be severely injured, there is still a high chance that they will fall victim to traps if they are surrounded by many ambushes. Even the number one in the world cannot escape the risk of death.
Extremely shoddy conspiracy and strategy, but for some reason, it is particularly effective, especially for martial artists who are arrogant and proud. It works almost every time.
Thinking this in his heart, Wu Xian's eyes flickered with a hint of sarcasm, but more so with an intense battlelust.
"The second in the world, or together with others... Ha! I've been suffering for six years with this humiliation. It's not funny!"
"Well, I've been resting and regaining strength for over a week and a half, so it's time to start moving around. I'll start by targeting those who want to benefit from the situation. Then I'll find Wang the old monster and remove his title of number one in the world!"
Thinking of this, Wu Xian turned to look at Xuanyuan Jingcheng, who stood respectfully beside him, and asked casually, "Remember when I asked you to investigate the front-line battles? Do you know how things are progressing now?"
"Your Majesty, according to the information we've gathered, Xu Xiao has led his troops to break through the Qin defense lines and capture Feizi Mound. Now he is facing the military genius Ye Bai Kui at Xilingbi, preparing for a massive battle at any moment."
At this point, Xuanyuan Jingcheng's tone paused slightly, and the usually indifferent and calm expression on his face added a layer of complexity.
Everyone knows that once the Chu Kingdom is captured, the Liyang Dynasty can recreate the splendid era of the former Qin Empire, achieving unity under one rule. The man who plants the Liyang army flag in the capital of Chu will certainly be recorded in history.
Especially when the Emperor of Liyang summoned the realm, promising that anyone who could conquer Chu would be granted the title of a king of a different surname, this made the war simmer with undercurrents.
"Oh! Has it really come to this?"
Wu Xian was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, but not because of the specific details of the battle. He had already known the plot and realized that if there were no surprises, Xu Xiao would certainly win this battle and soon become the Ferocious King of the North.
What he truly cares about is time.
If I haven't mistaken, the "White Robe Incident" in the original text, which targeted Wu Suo, took place right at the brink of Chu's collapse. It should be not too long from now.
"It's interesting; it seems like I've timed it just right."
Wu Xian's eyes curved in a smile as he stood up and said to Xuanyuan Jingcheng, "I'm going out for a bit. During this time, you should focus on your studies and try to break through the first-level cultivation when I return."
"If your qi is not sufficient, go to the Jing City's A Tea House and find an old man surnamed Zhao. He will assist you."
Hearing this, Xuanyuan Jingcheng was taken aback for a moment but then bowed deeply in respect. After thinking for a moment, he cautiously asked, "May I know where Your Lordship is going and if there is anything that needs to be prepared?"
"There's no need to be so formal. It's just a visit to an acquaintance who is not very close to me."
Wu Xian said this with a bright smile on his face, but Xuanyuan Jingcheng didn't feel a sudden shock in his heart.
Telling him directly, this one is about to stir up something big again.
...
The capital of Liyang Dynasty, Tai'an City.
It was deep night, and a secret agent from the Ministry of Intelligence sent a letter to the palace of the elderly emperor Zhao Li.
"Wu You has a son, truly a reincarnation of Zhenwu."
Zhao Li silently read the eight characters and then suddenly flipped over and sat up from his collapsed position. Cold sweat streamed down his back.
Xu Xiao has led his troops to break through the Western Chu defense line. With his abilities, even with the interference of the military sage, winning this battle is just a matter of time. And after he returns to Liyang, he will receive a title of a king with a different surname.
Zhao Li paid no attention to this, as he had always appreciated Xu Xiao, considering him as a nephew or a younger brother, and knew that the latter would never dare to rebel. Therefore, he was willing to tolerate the existence of an unprecedented king.
But all this has one important premise, that is, Xu Xiao has no descendants.
And moreover, according to the divination of the Court Astronomer, the child is likely to be the reincarnation of Zhenwu the Great.
As for the legend, Zhenwu the Great was the Emperor Qin Shi Huang who once unified the heavens.
The other party originally established the Qin Dynasty with the theory of the Water Element, while the Liyang Dynasty unified the realm under the theory of the Fire Element.
Water overcomes fire, does this not herald the approach of great change?
Thinking of this, Zhao Li could not help but lower his gaze to the secret letter in his hand. In his mind, he could not help but imagine the scene of Xu Xiao leading his thirty thousand iron cavalry to break through the walls of the Liyang capital...
"Send for the writ. "
Hearing the old emperor's call, the eunuch outside rushed into the hall and quickly took a blank imperial edict from the desk. He then picked up his pen and began writing.
In one night, four edicts were issued.
The four edicts all have only seven words.
"Recall Xu Xiao back to the capital immediately."
