The result of the Wind-Media Conference is just absurd,

Sword One being second is understandable, but Gu Zhan was ranked seventh.

In comparison,

The explanation given by the conference was that indeed Gu Zhan did not have the achievements of defeating a Supreme Grandmaster, which made a big difference. Although he had briefly clashed with Wei Wuya, they only touched on it without fighting, and purely compared strength.

Additionally, regarding Gu Zhan’s achievements, they indeed surpassed many Supreme Grandmasters, but it’s just that the current phase of the Righteous Dao led most people to overestimate them.

Later, the conference listed the achievements of several individuals ranked ahead of Gu Zhan over the past three years. The reason being three years is due to the Grandmaster List updating based on achievements from the most recent three years.

Third is Wei Wuya,

In three years, not only did he have the accomplishment of killing a Grandmaster, but also of severely injuring a Supreme Grandmaster, and as for Grandmasters, he had several, though not as many as Gu Zhan.

Fourth is Qin You, Director of the Astronomical Bureau in Yunzhou,

Similarly, Qin You far exceeded Gu Zhan in achievements.

Fifth is Marquis Liu, sixth is Marquis Chengyang,

Both of them ranked ahead of Gu Zhan for the same reasons, their achievements were much stronger than Gu Zhan’s.

When the Wind-Media Conference listed these achievements,

The talk about the unfairness of Gu Zhan’s ranking gradually subsided,

Many people also began to realize,

It was indeed because everyone was accustomed to comparing Sword One and Gu Zhan, two young men at the height of fame, that led many to subconsciously feel they were similar. But the rankings on the Grandmaster List only discuss achievements.

Sword One couldn’t compare to Gu Zhan in all aspects of achievements, but in one peculiar aspect, he stepped up on Wei Wuya’s shoulders.

This is also why those new to the Martial World love to challenge the well-established seniors, because it’s the fastest way to fame.

However, although the debate over who was stronger between Sword One and Gu Zhan was settled by the Grandmaster List of the Wind-Media Conference, discussions about this list in the Martial World remained heated and relentless.

However, not many continued to question the credibility of this list,

After all, the Grandmaster List is ranked based on achievements within the past three years,

...

And while the Martial World in Yunzhou was in turmoil,

Here in Great Desert City, the curtains started to fall gradually,

As Gu Zhan had predicted, Qianyu Sect and Sword King City immediately closed the city to search for Sword One and Nangong Weiyang, but the final result confirmed that Sword One had taken Nangong Weiyang and fled.

Because traces of Sword One and Nangong Weiyang leaving the city were found.

To tell the story, their departure was largely related to the Demon Dao.

Before the battle between Righteous Dao and Demon Dao,

Demon Dao had organized an assassination campaign targeting the young elite, in which Demon Dao arranged many secret paths in Great Desert City leading out of the city for a smooth escape.

Later, although Righteous Dao dealt with these secret paths, they did not clear them thoroughly.

This time Sword One and Nangong Weiyang found a well that led directly to a large river outside the city.

Traces of Sword One and Nangong Weiyang were lost here by various Yunxi factions tracking them. In the end, various speculations pointed that they were rescued by someone, and that someone was very likely a member of the Demon Dao.

This matter ended here as well.

Qianyu Sect publicly accused Nangong Weiyang of colluding with Demon Dao to murder the Sect Leader Chen Xuannong, and temporarily appointed the Grand Elder Lian Nanfeng as the Sect Leader, who issued the Martial World Arrest and Kill Order, offering a hefty bounty for Nangong Weiyang and Sword One.

At the same time, Sword King City also announced Sword One had become a Fallen Demon, expelled him from the sect, and similarly issued a wanted order.

With the issuance of Sword King City’s wanted order,

Various Yunxi factions also publicly offered bounties for Sword One and Nangong Weiyang’s heads.

It’s been statistically assessed,

Currently, the bounty on Sword One and Nangong Weiyang’s heads is even higher than that for Ye Zhaonan, the top figure of Demon Dao, with combined bounty and resources enough to establish several Super First-class Families.

That day,

Outside Great Desert City, within the Beidou Bang convoy, Gu Zhan and Mo Jingzhou shared a carriage.

Due to the matter concerning Nangong Weiyang,

Their original plan to return to Canglan City was delayed by a few days, but Mo Jingzhou’s health deteriorated day by day, and they could not delay any longer, so they decided to travel lightly and swiftly back to Canglan City.

Gu Zhan held a booklet, lightly laughing, "Sword One and Nangong Weiyang’s heads are indeed worth a lot!"

Mo Jingzhou, half-lying, covered with a thick mink fur blanket, showed a trace of a smile on his pale face and said, "Even I’m tempted, aren’t you at all?"

Gu Zhan smiled and said, "Even if it’s ten times higher, it wouldn’t compare to their worth."

Mo Jingzhou coughed lightly a few times and said, "Originally, I had planned the Palm Seal ceremony for you and supported you for some time, but alas, plans can’t keep up with changes. After returning, let’s immediately hold the succession ceremony, directly making you Gang Leader, so I can be at ease before I pass away."

Gu Zhan looked at Mo Jingzhou, sensing that Mo Jingzhou was now on his last breath, completely sustained by sheer willpower. Any ordinary person could easily kill him now.

"However," Mo Jingzhou held a silk list and said, "You’re now listed on the Grandmaster List, even if I’m gone, your reputation will stabilize Beidou Bang, ensuring it doesn’t fall into chaos. I have nothing to worry about anymore."