I tricked you into thinking you had the makings of an emperor, but you actually did it?

Between heaven and earth, an invisible aura converged like a storm vortex.

Sword energy crisscrossed, dispersing the storm stirred up by the Sky-Splitting Sparrow.

The sword light was exceptionally dazzling, illuminating the entire sky. Unlike before, these sword lights were not streaks, but countless golden dust particles, as fine as threads.

The rays of light intersected and converged, gradually materializing, like starlight falling from the sky, or like arrows of divine wrath.

Despair gripped the Sky Sparrow; this sword strike covered the sky, instantly locking away her advantage.

There was nowhere to escape, and no way to resist.

The moment the sword struck, the Sky-Splitting Sparrow's body shattered, and countless blood-stained feathers flew off.

Sky-Splitter, die!

On the ground, Mu Yurou of Qiankun Academy was dumbfounded.

She could not defeat the Sky-Splitting Sparrow, yet she slew it with a single sword strike. Although they were both at the Supreme Realm, they were worlds apart.

Lei Tianque and Tuntian Que were terrified and dared not entangle with Yunxi any longer.

Like all birds, they scatter when disaster strikes.

The Sky-Devouring Sparrow completely disregarded its companion's plight and flew away.

"Heavenly Star-Plucking!" Yunxi didn't hesitate and directly crushed the Thunder Cloud Sparrow.

The Sky-Devouring Sparrow turned around and saw Shen Ming and Yun Xi standing side by side in the air, exuding murderous intent and surrounded by blood mist.

"Is this still a human?"

The Sky-Devouring Sparrow dared not go any faster and sped up, but as soon as it turned its head, it was scared half to death.

Shen Ming and Yun Xi suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking her way.

This was naturally Shen Ming using the technique of breaking the seal to break free, and Yun Xi using the technique of following like a shadow.

"The wind and thunder stir, and the sword formation begins."

The natal flying sword struck the Devouring Sparrow, forming a sword array around it, with nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine thunderous flying swords mercilessly falling.

"Great One..."

The Sky-Swallowing Sparrow only had time to let out a mournful cry before it was reduced to dust in the lightning.

Of the three ancient sparrows, none survived.

Shen Ming and Yun Xi did not linger and continued flying to the Great Luo Heavenly Terrace.

"What ruthless people they are."

Mu Yurou flew back into the air, still feeling the lingering killing intent, and was filled with lingering fear.

"A duo of male and female fiends!"

Someone behind her said something as if by magic, and the rumor spread like wildfire throughout the Great Luo Domain.

Some people were spared because of this, such as Song Jingmin of the Black and White Academy.

She led her people to search for Shen Ming, but halfway there they heard about Shen Ming's achievements.

He smashed up the Heavenly King Hall of the Buddhist sect and beheaded the Buddhist disciple Fan Hai with his sword.

Under the vast sky, they slayed the three missing members of the ancient clan.

"Miss Song, we have some things to take care of, so we'll have to stay and take our leave."

The people who were with her were self-aware enough to turn around and leave.

"Come back! You cowards of the Northern Regions!"

Song Jingwen was furious and stomped her feet on the spot.

"My brother will definitely beat him!"

After venting her frustrations, Song Jingmin realized that she couldn't do anything about Shen Ming, so she could only place her hopes on her brother.

As soon as he thought this, two lines of golden words appeared in the sky above the Great Luo Domain.

"Tuoba Yun defeated Song Wanjian and ranked first on the Supreme List."

"Tuoba Yun, when hidden, commands the world; when revealed, slaughters ten thousand armies."

After a thousand years, the Northern Region Supreme Ranking has been reopened, and the first champion has finally been crowned.

Outside the Daluo Palace, the people in the square could only see the Daluo Platform. While Shen Ming was killing the three ancient birds, they were watching Tuoba Yun and Song Wanjian fight.

The crowd spontaneously erupted in cheers, but their expressions were strange.

Most people still hoped that Song Wanjian would win. After all, he was a human, and it was still awkward for an ancient race to occupy the top spot.

Especially in the battle just now, Song Wanjian unleashed his full power, and his performance was far more amazing than when he clashed with Shen Ming at the Black and White Divine Palace.

However, Tuoba Yun still crushed Song Wanjian with absolute dominance.

Song Que, the deputy hall master of the Black and White Academy, looked rather grim. Song Wanjian had suffered repeated defeats at the hands of Shen Ming and Tuoba Yun, which might affect his Dao heart.

"This ancient clan is too strong; they may be able to compete for a place in the top three of the Central Region Supreme Ranking."

"It's not Song Wanjian's fault. The ancient clan's Grand Venerables are comparable to the Sovereign Realm, which is why their Sovereign Realm is still called the Ancient Venerable."

"Song Wanjian can still maintain his position in the top three."

The other white-robed elders of the academy spoke up one after another.

"If Song Wanjian were to master even one ultimate sword intent, he could turn the tide." Song Que's expression softened slightly as he offered a consolation for his grandson.

“Indeed, we came too hastily this time.” A white-robed elder immediately echoed.

Ji Jiu, standing to the side, remained noncommittal, but judging from the battle just now, one ultimate sword intent alone was not enough.

In the Great Luo Domain, Zhu Yuanbing also saw the words in the sky and his eyebrows danced with excitement.

To her, there was no difference between humans and ancient races, as long as they were willing to carry the sedan chair for Baidi City.

The stronger the ancient tribes performed, the more prestigious the White Emperor City would be in subduing them.

Therefore, she did not want Shen Ming to be number one on the list.

……

On their way to Da Luotai, Shen Ming and Yun Xi saw the words "Supreme Ranking" and, without saying a word, increased their speed.

As the Great Luo Platform was about to appear at the edge of his vision, Shen Ming inexplicably felt a pang of palpitation, his blood and qi became unsettled, and his primordial fire surged uncontrollably.

Yunxi noticed his condition and landed on the ground as quickly as possible, setting up a temporary formation using nine Dao soldiers.

"A curse-based killing technique! You've been targeted by assassins from the Central Region!?"

Her pretty face changed; the situation was more serious than she had imagined.

"A curse technique? A killer from the Central Region?"

Shen Ming raised an eyebrow. He had indeed killed a half-step Sovereign Realm member of one of the Five Great Families in the Dragon Treasury.

Months had passed, and he had almost forgotten about it, but unexpectedly, the murderous intent quietly arrived.

The timing of the attack at the Daluo Palace was perfect, clearly indicating that it had been planned for a long time.

"I have never had any contact with them. Can this kind of curse-killing technique be triggered regardless of the conditions? Doesn't that mean you can kill whoever you want?" Shen Ming asked, puzzled.

"They must have obtained your blood essence, or the blood essence of someone related to you by blood, and used a curse to kill you, trading one life for another."

The Dominator Realm has a lifespan of one thousand years, the Supreme Realm has a lifespan of three hundred years, and a direct curse kill deducts three hundred years.

"But those at the Dominator Realm can usually kill those at the Supreme Realm with a single slap, so they wouldn't use such a costly method. Later, this secret technique fell into the hands of assassins," Yunxi said.

"They're both at the Supreme Realm, what if my lifespan is longer than his?" Shen Ming asked.

“They don’t act alone; they work in groups of three, cooperating with each other to combine their lifespans and unleash a curse attack,” Yunxi said.

"That's ruthless." Shen Mingzhen was a killer from the Central Region, known for his vicious methods.

"Take these pills and I'll go find them and interrupt their spellcasting." Yunxi handed him some life-saving elixirs.

Shen Ming was under a cursed state and could not control himself.

"Thank you very much."

Shen Ming was touched that she was willing to go to such lengths.

Just as Yunxi was about to make her move, a long-haired woman stood on a hill not far away, holding a longbow.

"The Soul-Locking Bow... Which power in the Central Region have you offended?" Yunxi asked with a wry smile.

"Five Families in the Central Region."

"No wonder."

Four assassins: three unleashing curses, and one poised with a bow for the fatal blow—double insurance, foolproof.