Ling Tian Sword God

WHIRR!

The instant Ling Chen’s body was torn to shreds by several Sword Lights, his consciousness returned to the outside world, and he regained full awareness.

Upon seeing Ling Chen awaken, everyone felt a shiver run down their spines and quickly turned their gazes to the Green History Wall. There, among the ever-changing names, Ling Chen’s name was indeed in the fifth position of the first row.

Fifth!

Ling Chen looked at his ranking and nodded; fifth place was within his acceptable range.

However, I initially thought I could reach third place. I hadn’t expected that those in third and fourth were also unparalleled prodigies. It seems likely that, in the end, those two each fought until fewer than ten combatants remained.

Peerless Sword. Liu Mengru. Ling Chen silently memorized their names. With talent so extraordinary, they will undoubtedly be formidable rivals for me in the future.

”He actually reached fifth place, just below Peerless Sword and Liu Mengru! How terrifying!” a buzz went through the onlookers.

Everyone understood that while Ling Chen ranked fifth, he was effectively third. Taibai Sword Immortal and Empress Yunyao were considered unsurpassable; Taibai Sword Immortal was the last of the Supreme Experts, and Empress Yunyao was regarded as the most promising prodigy of the current age to become a Supreme Expert. Thus, these two were effectively excluded from normal comparisons.

Moreover, there wasn’t much difference between fifth, fourth, or third place. Ranking higher simply meant defeating a few more Swordsman Spirit Bodies than Ling Chen; the actual gap was minuscule.

Besides, this was Ling Chen’s first attempt at the Green History Wall. There would be many more opportunities in the future; he might yet surpass those ahead of him.

”Ling Chen, congratulations,” Shen Qianlang laughed.

Even he felt a sense of pride standing beside such an unparalleled genius.

”It was just luck,” Ling Chen replied, having already seen his ranking.

”Such luck indeed! You even left the geniuses of the Nine Great Families in your dust.”

Sima Xiaoyao, who originally held fifth place, was an exceptionally talented individual from one of the Nine Great Families, possessing an incredibly noble status. Yet, Ling Chen had surpassed him.

”If my Brother Ling Chen had truly gone all out, he would have undoubtedly secured first place, no question,” Ling Yin pouted, clearly dissatisfied with the result.

At this moment, Ye Ming, Yuwen Jie, and Dong Yaotian approached Ling Chen and clasped their fists. Ye Ming spoke first: ”I am Ye Ming, wielder of the Dragon Slayer Sword, from the Tyrant Sword Sect. It is an honor to witness Brother Ling Chen inscribing his name on the Green History Wall.”

Although the Tyrant Sword Sect was not one of the Nine Great Families, it was still a powerful sect. As a core disciple of the Tyrant Sword Sect, Ye Ming had personally come forward to extend an olive branch to Ling Chen. It was clear he already considered Ling Chen a significant figure.

Even if Ling Chen wasn’t one now, he was destined to become one in the future.

”Yuwen Jie of the Yuwen Clan.”

”Dong Yaotian of the Blood Blade Sect.”

The other two also clasped their fists respectfully. Like Ye Ming, they hailed from prestigious backgrounds. While their families couldn’t compare to the Nine Great Families, they still represented well-known powers in the Jianghu.

They had previously harbored some disdain for Ling Chen, believing him to be an unrestrained talker prone to empty boasts. But now, having witnessed his true capabilities, they naturally saw him in a new light and were thoroughly convinced.

”This is my younger sister, Ling Yin,” Ling Chen introduced. ”We are simple folk from the mountains, unlike the three of you who hail from such distinguished backgrounds.”

Ling Chen wasn’t the type to keep others at arm’s length. If people sought to befriend him, he saw no reason to refuse.

”You both are truly outstanding individuals,” Ye Ming clasped his fists and said with a smile.

However, Ye Ming inwardly doubted Ling Chen’s claim of being ’simple folk from the mountains.’ A genius like Ling Chen couldn’t possibly be a mere product of some rural backwater. An ordinary power or faction could never nurture such a talent.

However, since Ling Chen was unwilling to elaborate, they were tactful enough not to press the matter.

”If the three of you have something on your minds, please speak freely,” Ling Chen said.

Ling Chen knew they wouldn’t have approached him without purpose; their proactive engagement meant they certainly had something to discuss.

Ye Ming, Dong Yaotian, and Yuwen Jie exchanged glances before looking at Ling Chen. ”We... would like to invite Your Excellency to join our faction—the Green Mountain Association.”

”Green Mountain Association?” Ling Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly in thought.

”Please don’t misunderstand, Brother Ling Chen,” Ye Ming quickly interjected, seeing the change in Ling Chen’s expression. He then explained the nature of Genius Faction organizations to Ling Chen. ”The Green Mountain Association is not a sect-based power.”

”Our Green Mountain Association adheres to the principles of ’Going with the Flow’ and ’Remaining Aloof from Worldly Strife’,” Dong Yaotian added from the side. ”We do not compete with other Genius Factions.”

”Among all the current Genius Factions, the ’Heavenly Sword Sect’ and the ’Rainbow Robe Association’ are the most formidable and influential, wielding the greatest power,” Dong Yaotian continued, introducing the two major organizations to Ling Chen. ”The leader of the ’Heavenly Sword Sect’ is Peerless Sword, while Liu Mengru leads the ’Rainbow Robe Association’. The ’Heavenly Sword Sect’ primarily comprises talented youths from the direct royal lineages within the Nine Great Families, as well as young elites from established Aristocratic Families such as those of the Scholar Saint, Sword Saint, and Punishment Saint. Conversely, the ’Rainbow Robe Association’ mostly consists of members from collateral branches of the royal family and talented youths from newly risen Aristocratic Families like Heavenly Constructor and Tang Sect. These two major factions constantly find fault with each other and are locked in perpetual conflict.”

”Oh? So, these geniuses form factions...” Ling Chen’s eyes narrowed. ”Could it be that Aristocratic Families are fanning the flames from behind the scenes?”

”Exactly,” Yuwen Jie nodded. ”Behind the ’Heavenly Sword Sect’ and the ’Rainbow Robe Association’ are, in fact, groups that correspond to the current opposition and supporters of Empress Yunyao within the Imperial Court. The struggle between these two camps has permeated every corner of the Nine Provinces Land.”

”I see.” Ling Chen nodded slightly. With powerful forces backing both factions, this struggle is no longer a mere series of overt and covert clashes among geniuses; it’s a battle between the two major camps within the entire Imperial Court. If someone like me, with no background, were to be drawn into such a conflict, I would undoubtedly meet a very unpleasant end.

”Our Green Mountain Association never gets involved in the conflicts between these two major Genius Factions. So, Ling Chen, are you interested in joining us?” Ye Ming continued to persuade, seeing Ling Chen appeared to be considering. ”The Nine Provinces Land is home to countless forbidden lands. Some have already emerged, while others remain hidden. Among these, some are so perilous that even Saint Level Strength experts must tread with extreme caution. There are even more terrifying forbidden lands capable of inflicting an ’Absolute Kill’ upon Saints—true lands of certain death. Of course, many more are suitable for us to explore. If the opportunity arises, we can venture into them together, working as a team to minimize the risks.”

Another advantage of Genius Factions was joint exploration. Exploring alone might maximize individual gain, but the dangers were also magnified infinitely. With more people, they could watch out for each other. ”You must understand,” Ye Ming emphasized, ”a dead genius is no longer a genius.”

”Alright.” Ling Chen wasn’t dismissive. He had long heard of the dangers within the forbidden lands of the Nine Provinces Land; even renowned Saints faced immense risks when venturing into them. ”Tell me, what are the procedures for joining the Green Mountain Association, and what would be expected of me?”

Joining this kind of Genius Faction does have its advantages. As long as it wasn’t the ’Heavenly Sword Sect’ or the ’Rainbow Robe Association,’ joining another faction would be acceptable.