Reincarnation Of The Strongest Sword God Gentle Snow After Story 1

Gentle Snow After Story 1

Greater God's Domain, Ancient River Kingdom, Ancient River City:

A light rain fell upon the historic and thriving boulevards of the capital. Even with the heavy clouds darkening the sky, the players traveling through the city appeared thrilled, animatedly sharing news of the latest major event.

"The recent Rookie Competition was truly breathtaking! Who would have guessed the Twin Saints Alliance possessed such a terrifying genius?"

"No kidding, Saint Three's power is insane. Word is he only entered the Twin Saints Alliance less than two years ago. Not only did he triumph over three Tier 4 experts who possess Tier 5 combat strength, but he also took down the veteran Saint Nine to claim the championship. He is definitely on the level of the Myriad Forest Empire's top paragons now."

"The moment Saint Three reaches Tier 6, the Twin Saints Alliance could very well become the undisputed number one hegemonic power in the Ancient River Kingdom."

"Comparing myself to them is just depressing. I’ve spent twenty years practicing, finally hitting the fourth-floor standard at Tier 4. I can even pull off Silver Combat Techniques with ease now. And yet, I didn't even crack the top 50 in the Rookie Competition. Just how are these monsters being raised?"

"As an independent player, you shouldn't even dream of rivaling the geniuses of the Six Great Hegemonic Powers. Every major organization in the Ancient River Kingdom holds a hoard of rare Legacies from Gods or ancient ruins. Those aren't things a solo player can stumble upon. If you really want to improve your combat standards, your best bet is joining a major power for better resources."

While discussing the competition, many solo players also began eyeing the various new Guild Residences that had been established throughout the capital.

With an active population exceeding 10 billion in the Ancient River Kingdom—and growing as more God's Domains connected—new Guilds attempted to settle in Ancient River City every few days.

Joining the Six Great Hegemonic Powers was nearly impossible for independent players below Tier 6. However, these new Guilds offered a different opportunity. The disparity between a standard God's Domain and the Greater God's Domain was immense in terms of resources and skill. To survive in the Greater God's Domain, Guilds from newly connected worlds needed to recruit local players as quickly as possible.

Among the fresh Guild Residences, one featuring a six-winged Guild Emblem drew a significant crowd.

"Zero Wing? Are they insane with these requirements?!" a young man shouted, pointing at the recruitment board. "Applicants must have cleared at least the second floor of the World Tower? Tier 4 players need to have cleared the third floor? Does this Guild think they are one of the Six Great Hegemonic Powers?!"

The speaker was a Level 184 Tier 5 Berserker, decked out in Epic-rank gear. His outburst caused many nearby players to nod in silent agreement.

Countless powers operated within the kingdom, but usually, only hegemonic powers controlling over a dozen cities would demand a second-floor World Tower clearance. As for the third-floor requirement for Tier 4s, even the Six Great Hegemonic Powers didn't set the bar that high.

The World Tower's difficulty spiked massively with every level. Clearing the second floor meant a player had reached the third-floor standard, commonly known as the Domain Realm. Such experts stood a real chance at reaching Tier 6, whereas a typical God's Domain might only produce a few dozen Tier 6 players in total. Those capable of conquering the third floor were considered once-in-a-generation geniuses, regarded as top-tier experts even within the NPC cities of the Greater God's Domain.

Zero Wing was just a newcomer. Under normal circumstances, they would be lucky to recruit enough members to survive. Yet, they had posted requirements that even the Six Great Hegemonic Powers hesitated to use. Many onlookers felt like mocking Zero Wing for such arrogance, but they held their tongues upon seeing the two women managing the recruitment.

One woman was draped in a vivid red robe that accentuated her graceful, seductive figure, while the other was clad in silver holy armor with a massive greatsword strapped to her back. Both possessed an icy aura that made people hesitate to look them in the eye, yet their stunning beauty was enough to leave the crowd breathless.

However, it wasn't just their looks that silenced the crowd—it was their levels and tiers.

Both women were Level 210, Tier 6 experts. Standing in the wake of their Divine Might, any player below Tier 6 felt it impossible to even consider challenging them.

Even in the vastness of the Greater God's Domain, Tier 6 players were rare. Anyone who reached that peak was guaranteed a high-ranking position, even within the kingdom's Six Great Hegemonic Powers.

...

"Snow, don't you think the Guild Leader's requirements are a bit excessive this time?" Zhao Yueru, holding the Legendary Staff Frostflame's Wrath, sighed as she looked at the thin line of applicants.

Though many people were watching, very few actually stepped forward to apply. They had been recruiting for several days, yet they hadn't even gathered 100 people. That wasn't even enough for a 100-man Team Dungeon, let alone enough to make a name for themselves in the capital.

Gentle Snow, the Vice Guild Leader of Zero Wing, didn't answer. She simply watched the line with a quiet intensity. Aside from the recruitment task, nothing seemed to capture her focus.

"Fine, just ignore me then." Zhao Yueru was used to her friend's quiet nature. Instead of pushing for a reply, she turned her attention back to the applicants.

Suddenly, the street turned chaotic. A Level 139 Tier 4 Swordsman was sprinting through the crowds, pursued by more than a dozen Tier 5 experts over Level 150.

The Tier 4 Swordsman appeared to be a teenage girl. Before she could escape the street, another group of Tier 5 experts blocked her path, led by a Tier 6 Assassin radiating heavy Divine Might.

The sudden confrontation drew the eyes of everyone nearby.

"What is the Twin Saints Alliance doing?"

"Isn't that Blazing Soul? The Swordsman who took fourth place in the latest Rookie Competition?"

Spectators watched with curiosity as the Twin Saints Alliance surrounded the girl.

The Rookie Competition happened monthly, and while talented players were common, the most recent one had seen an explosion of high-level geniuses. Among them, Blazing Soul, known as the Sea Splitter, had been a standout.

Despite being a solo player, she had secured fourth place, showing talent that surpassed many geniuses supported by massive organizations.

As the crowd watched, the masked Assassin from the Twin Saints Alliance stepped toward her. His Divine Might intensified with every stride. By the time he was within ten yards, Blazing Soul had turned pale, her legs trembling under the pressure.

"Blazing Soul, you have two choices. First, surrender the item you found in the Ancient River Secret Land, and the Twin Saints Alliance will protect you in this kingdom. Second, you die," the masked Assassin declared coldly. "Don't bother trying to run. You've been tracked, and you won't be able to log out for 24 hours. Any one of us here can finish you easily."

The crowd gasped. They wondered what kind of treasure she had found to make the Twin Saints Alliance break the unspoken rules of the capital. Such a public move would surely draw the ire of the other five hegemonic powers.

Yet, no one doubted the Alliance could kill her right there.

Blazing Soul might be a genius, but she was only Tier 4. She stood no chance against the Tier 5s, let alone a Tier 6 Assassin.

Frustration and hopelessness filled her eyes as she looked at her captors. There was no escape. Although NPC guards were powerful, they would take time to arrive. A Tier 5 or Tier 6 expert could strike and flee the city before the guards could intervene, simply waiting out their Red Name status elsewhere.

In her moment of despair, she spotted the two stunning women at the entrance of the Zero Wing Residence.

Tier 6 experts? Seeing Gentle Snow and Zhao Yueru, Blazing Soul decided to take a desperate gamble.

The treasure she had found was incredibly rare. If word got out, even the powers of the Myriad Forest Empire would hunt her down for it. She was loath to simply hand it over to the Twin Saints Alliance.

The Alliance only had one Tier 6 expert present. She believed that if she offered the prize to Zero Wing, the two women might protect her. After all, her treasure was enough to tempt even top-tier hegemonic powers.

Taking a deep breath, Blazing Soul turned toward them and yelled, "Big sisters from Zero Wing, please save me! If you help, I'll share the treasure from the Ancient River Secret Land with you! I promise it’s worth it!"

"Blazing Soul, you're asking for death!" The masked Assassin snarled, enraged by her plea.

He was the only Tier 6 present. Even with Tier 5 backup, fighting two Tier 6 experts was a losing proposition.

Just as the Assassin prepared to strike, Gentle Snow spoke up: "Do you wish to join Zero Wing?"

Her voice was cold and detached. The question left Blazing Soul stunned; she didn't understand why Gentle Snow would ask that now.

The masked Assassin, however, let out a laugh. He glanced at Gentle Snow before looking back at Blazing Soul with a smirk. "Don't waste your breath. Even the other hegemonic powers have to respect the Twin Saints Alliance. Hand over the treasure now, or you'll lose a lot more than just your loot!"

The onlookers looked at Blazing Soul with pity. A genius she might be, but she was nothing compared to one of the Six Great Hegemonic Powers. No one would risk offending the Twin Saints Alliance for her unless they planned on leaving the kingdom entirely.

Seeing the Assassin’s smug expression, Blazing Soul sighed, preparing to give up her treasure. Without help, it was her only choice.

But as she reached into her inventory, a light laugh echoed nearby.

"It looks like you didn't understand Snow's question. Let me clarify. Zero Wing doesn't care about your treasure. If you want to survive, apply to join us. If you pass the test, we will protect you. If you fail, we won't get involved in your business."