Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

As Cao Qiudao appeared, the crowd in the venue immediately cheered, but Cao Qiudao seemed completely indifferent. He just fixed his gaze on Fang Zheng and then slowly stepped down the stairs, walking step by step across the square towards Fang Zheng.

One step, two steps, three steps.

Cao Qiudao’s movements were very slow, almost like slow motion in a film. His right hand gripped the sword hilt tightly and slowly drew the sword from its sheath. The distant onlookers couldn’t see clearly, but Zongsun Xuanhua and others saw very clearly that Cao Qiudao’s expression was exceptionally serious, as if he were facing a life-and-death battle.

”Swish———!”

Finally, Cao Qiudao abruptly swung his right hand, drew the longsword, and pointed it at Fang Zheng. Seeing this scene, the crowd cheered loudly again, then immediately felt something was amiss — why did we feel like Cao Qiudao had overcome some hurdle when he merely drew his sword?

Could this young man really be that formidable?

”Not bad, you have some skill.”

Seeing Cao Qiudao draw his sword, Fang Zheng also smiled slightly.

”Then, take my sword. If you can block this sword, then the title of Sword Saint is not exaggerated.”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng slowly raised his right hand, making a gesture as if to grasp something.

Then, everyone was stunned.

Accompanying Fang Zheng’s action, above his head, a greatsword shining with silver radiance suddenly appeared out of thin air. It looked as if it were formed by condensed light beams, towering tens of meters high, even thicker and larger than millennium-old giant trees. Merely by its appearance, it made everyone involuntarily hold their breath, and some weak-minded people directly collapsed to the ground.

”This, this is......”

At this moment, even Cao Qiudao’s expression changed. He stared intently at the huge sword suspended in the air, a glint flashing across his eyes.

”Sword intention manifested, how is this possible? How is this possible......!?”

However, Fang Zheng clearly would not give Cao Qiudao the chance to question his life. He simply looked at Cao Qiudao before him and swung his right hand downward.

The greatsword descended with a roar.

”Boom———————!!!”

For a moment, it seemed like a mountain was collapsing and the earth splitting. The entire ground began to shake, and the spectators screamed and backed away, while King of Qi and others on the viewing platform were also shocked. At this moment, the whole square was shrouded in smoke, and no one could see what was happening inside, while those Imperial Army soldiers surrounded the nobility above, fearing any mishap. But these protected people were not as anxious, instead, they all stared with wide eyes at the smoke-covered square, wanting to see what the outcome was.

Not long after, the smoke cleared, and upon seeing the situation inside, everyone collectively gasped.

A huge trench appeared directly in the square, stretching all the way into the depths of Jixia Academy, as if that invisible greatsword had split Jixia Academy in two. Cao Qiudao stood motionless, both hands gripping his sword in a defensive pose, seemingly frozen in place, yet his opposite, Fang Zheng, had vanished without a trace.

What was the outcome?

Everyone instinctively stared at Cao Qiudao, as if seeking an answer, but then, under the public gaze, Cao Qiudao’s body suddenly trembled, and with a ”puff,” his whole body spurted blood as if cut by dozens of knives, and he fell to the ground.

”Master!!”

”Master!!!”

Seeing Cao Qiudao lying on the ground covered in blood, Zongsun Xuanhua and others were shocked and rushed over, while at the same time, Fang Zheng’s voice drifted seamlessly from the void.

”Cao Qiudao, it seems the title of Sword Saint is undeserving for you......”

As the voice faded away, a gust of wind swept past, and then everything was calm, with no other sound remaining.

Rumors spread faster than anything else.

In just half a day, what happened at the Jixia Sword Society had spread throughout Linzi. And within a few days, the news spread further, soon circulating among the Seven States.

These reports also caught the attention of those countries.

Although there have always been various myths about divine ghosts, these myths were elusive, lacking evidence. However, the sword mark at Jixia Academy couldn’t be faked, and moreover, this scene happened in full view of everyone. Not only did the people of Linzi witness it, but envoys and nobles from various countries also saw it clearly. This served as indisputable evidence!

Thus, various countries immediately took action to search for Fang Zheng. Although Young Master Fang had a reputation among them before, at that time, the countries were very cautious and ambivalent in their views of Fang Zheng.

On one hand, rationally, they believed it was absolutely impossible for a single person to kill over ten thousand cavalry disguised as bandits. On the other hand, all of those cavalry who were disguised as bandits were indeed killed with none remaining, and the horses were even brought back and sold to them again.

This contradictory logic aroused suspicion, and naturally, the ministers ultimately suggested staying away from such a person as Fang Zheng, whom they considered likely to possess some kind of sorcery.

However, after Fang Zheng openly appeared at the Jixia Sword Society, people’s attitudes immediately changed. Rumors spreading in many states claimed Fang Zheng was actually the legendary Sword Immortal, and his appearance at the Jixia Sword Society was because he couldn’t tolerate Cao Qiudao calling himself Sword Saint, so he came to teach him a lesson and show him his prowess.

This rumor spread widely among the states and greatly disgraced the people of Qi. Qi State was generally not liked among the Six Kingdoms; on one hand, the scholars of Jixia loved empty talk, which was despised, and on the other hand, whenever the Six Kingdoms united to attack Qin, Qi State was always the one holding everyone back.

Because of this, other states didn’t look favorably upon Qi State, but ultimately, Qi had Sword Saint Cao Qiudao, preventing others from slighting Qi State’s pride. Now, Cao Qiudao was directly defeated by the Sword Immortal, and though it’s said he didn’t die, he became crippled, likely unable to wield a sword in the future. Wouldn’t they seize the opportunity to mock him?

Compared to the other Six Kingdoms, Qi could be said to have lost face thoroughly, but they didn’t dare to seek trouble with Fang Zheng. It’s a joke; previously, even the King of Qi commanded the Imperial Army to capture him, yet they couldn’t even get within a hundred steps of him, and then he used a single sword to cleave the Jixia Academy. If provoked, what’s to stop him from one day using a sword to cleave the Royal Palace?

This matter naturally reached the ears of a very important individual.

”Grand Tutor, have you ever known the Sword Immortal Fang Zheng, Young Master Fang?”

”Sword Immortal?”

Having just arrived at the palace and finishing his salute to the future Qin Shi Huang, Xiang Shaolong was taken aback upon hearing this title.

”Young Master Fang?”

”Hehe, Grand Tutor might be unaware, but not long ago at the Jixia Sword Society, Young Master Fang quietly appeared and said he wanted to see Sword Saint Cao Qiudao’s prowess. Cao Qiudao stepped forward to challenge him, resulting in the Sword Immortal summoning a Greatsword from thin air, directly cleaving the Jixia Academy in two. His formidable power rivals the Ghost God, thus earning him the title ’Sword Immortal.’

Ying Zheng turned his head, looking toward Xiang Shaolong with the eyes of a Dragon showing a hint of curiosity.

”I heard that the Grand Tutor had several encounters with Young Master Fang?”

”Indeed, I have mentioned to the Crown Prince before that this Young Master Fang could be counted as my savior. Without his aid on several occasions, Shaolong probably would not have escaped death.”

”Hmm... In that case, Young Master Fang can also be considered a benefactor of mine. I wonder if the Grand Tutor has a way to contact Young Master Fang to arrange a meeting with me?”

”This...”

Upon hearing Ying Zheng’s request, Xiang Shaolong also showed a bitter expression.

”To be honest, I truly have no way. Each time, it was he who sought me out; I have no clue how to contact him. Moreover, Young Master Fang shows no interest in fame or wealth. I once saw with my own eyes him throwing out King Zhao’s envoy who invited him to the palace, without giving even a bit of face.”

”What if I personally go?”

However, Ying Zheng seemed unwilling to let the matter rest.

”Anyhow, to encounter such an extraordinary person, knowing they truly exist in this world makes it a must to meet them.”

Saying this, Ying Zheng looked at Xiang Shaolong again.

”Perhaps the Grand Tutor is unaware, but currently, rumors are spreading across the land that Young Master Fang is traveling among the various states seeking the True Dragon Emperor. Hmph... previously even Luu Buwei sent someone to invite him for a meeting...”

Upon mentioning this, Ying Zheng’s expression was visibly unpleasant, and Xiang Shaolong paused, truthfully finding it difficult to see Fang Zheng as searching for the True Dragon Emperor while he leisurely enjoyed travel — not unless the True Dragon Emperor he’s looking for is himself or Zhao Qian.

”That reminds me, I did hear Young Master Fang mention he lived somewhere called Carefree Palace, but I have no idea where it is.”

”Having the place name is enough.”

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng’s eyes immediately brightened, extending his hands to grip Xiang Shaolong’s shoulders.

”Then, I entrust this matter to the Grand Tutor. Please make sure to find Young Master Fang and arrange a meeting with me. If he can be persuaded to join Great Qin, then sweeping the Six Kingdoms will be a matter of a blink of an eye!”

Xiang Shaolong wasn’t a fool and naturally knew that Ying Zheng brought up this matter because it had already stirred up widely. In truth, at this stage, whether Fang Zheng was out for leisure or seeking the True Dragon Emperor no longer mattered; merely the sword he swung at Jixia Academy implied that whichever state he joined, other states might truly have no choice but to surrender.

Thinking this, Xiang Shaolong could only give a bitter smile and bow his head.

”I obey the decree.”