Golden Ranking Appears, My Empress Turns Out to Be Wu Zhao

Ming Dynasty, Black Wood Cliff.

Dongfang Bubai, clad in red, stood atop a high peak, holding a jug of wine and drinking silently.

A trace of longing flashed in her eyes.

"Wan Wan, Intermediate Heavenly Human Realm!"

"That guy has never lacked women around him, has he!?"

"She was only a Great Grandmaster before, yet in just a year, she advanced so quickly!"

"I still have a long way to go to catch up with him!"

"With his help, the Sunflower Treasure Classic has long broken free from its original shackles and transformed into a unique technique belonging solely to me."

"Hmm?"

Just then, Dongfang Bubai's expression shifted slightly.

With a flash, her figure turned into a red afterimage, appearing at a hidden location at the foot of Black Wood Cliff in the next moment.

"Greetings, Vice-Hall Master of the September Hall!"

"What is it?"

"The Fourth Dragon Head of the Qing Dynasty has issued a special order. Your Highness the Vice-Hall Master is to head to Qing Dynasty Territory within three days!"

"This time, a major mission is to be assigned to all Hall Masters and Vice-Hall Masters!"

Dongfang Bubai's expression changed slightly.

What kind of mission would require the cooperation of so many Hall Masters and Vice-Hall Masters?

Was there something extraordinary in the war between the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty?

Across the entire Ming Martial World, no one would expect that the renowned Demon Cult Master, Dongfang Bubai, was actually a Vice-Hall Master under the Azure Dragon Association.

"Since it is an order from the Fourth Dragon Head, I shall obey."

Even someone as proud as Dongfang Bubai dared not defy the orders of a God Demon Realm cultivator.

The rules of the Azure Dragon Association applied to everyone except the Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao.

Even the Dragon Heads themselves were no exception.

Let alone someone like Dongfang Bubai, who was merely in the Heavenly Human Realm.

"I'll return to Black Wood Cliff to make arrangements, then depart immediately!"

"My message has been delivered. I'll take my leave now."

As the messenger vanished, Dongfang Bubai fell into deep thought.

It seemed the Ming-Qing War had reached its final and most intense stage.

The Qing Dynasty's last trump cards were about to be revealed.

Once fully exposed, the Qing Dynasty would be unable to resist any longer.

Their destruction was inevitable.

With the Azure Dragon Association stepping in to assist, they would undoubtedly earn great merit.

Knowing that man's generous nature, they would surely reap many rewards.

If he didn't want to owe that man favors, he would have to earn them himself.

He needed to contribute more.

==========

Border between the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty.

A middle-aged man in black robes traveled slowly with a group of followers.

It was the Demon Master, Pang Ban.

Since the battle at Heaven Mocking Palace, he had kept a low profile.

He had even resigned from all his positions in the Yuan Dynasty to focus solely on cultivation.

Hoping to break through as soon as possible.

Even so, he had never stopped keeping track of events in the Nine Provinces.

Be it in the Yuan Dynasty or other nations, he kept a constant eye on intelligence.

"Demon Master, this is a report just sent by our scouts!"

A subordinate handed over a stack of secret documents.

"Has it been confirmed that the Shaman Grand Priest of the Shaman Cult has fallen?"

"A dignified God Demon Realm cultivator dying so easily... truly unexpected."

"Although the Khan lost a powerful ally, in the grand scheme of things, this might not be bad for Khan."

"The Shaman Cult was too dangerous!"

"Even Khan could not fully control them."

"If left unchecked, they would have eventually turned on the Yuan Dynasty itself."

"It's good that this malignant force has been wiped out!"

"Too bad it wasn't by my own hand, but by the Vast Sea Dynasty."

Pang Ban clearly bore deep hatred toward the Shaman Cult.

But with his cultivation realm at the time, he probably dared not provoke them.

Forget the Shaman Cult Master, even their Shaman Grand Priest could easily kill him dozens of times over.

"Have we confirmed who did it?"

"Was it truly the Vast Sea Dynasty?"

"I still feel this matter isn't as simple as it appears. There must be more beneath the surface!"

"According to National Master Phagpa's investigation, it was likely Li Chunfeng from the Vast Sea Dynasty."

Pang Ban nodded.

"Did the Ming Dynasty have any involvement?"

"Subordinates found no such evidence."

"Very well. Keep monitoring the situation. Report to me immediately if anything changes."

"Yes, Demon Master!"

"Now, our top priority is to keep an eye on the Ming-Qing War!"

He immediately shifted topics, picking up another intelligence report.

His brows furrowed at once.

"The Qing Dynasty is about to fall already?"

"This is far sooner than I anticipated!"

"Hongli is a failure. I once thought that although he lacked the ambition of the Khan, he was still a decent Emperor."

"Now it seems I overestimated him."

"He's not even on par with Zhao Gou of the Southern Song Dynasty."

"No, if the Qing Dynasty falls, the Ming Dynasty's national power will soar and become unstoppable."

"I must personally investigate."

"If necessary, the Ming Dynasty must be troubled somehow!"

Pang Ban activated his energy and disintegrated all the secret reports into dust on the spot.

His eyes glinted with chilling depth.

In terms of foresight, Pang Ban was at least equal to, if not greater than, Phagpa.

In terms of ruthlessness, he far surpassed the National Master.

"Demon Master, in the current Ming-Qing War, the number of Ming Dynasty Land Immortals is beyond imagination."

"If they detect your presence and strike, you could be injured again."

"Why not let me go and investigate instead? I'll report the moment I find anything."

Just as Pang Ban was about to reply.

He suddenly looked up at the sky.

Hmm?

The Demon God Ranking has been updated?!!

Rank 9?

As golden light burst across the heavens, displaying vast celestial phenomena, Pang Ban narrowed his eyes.

[Demon God Ranking – Rank 9]

[Pang Ban]

[Force: Demon Master Palace of Yuan Dynasty]

[Cultivation: Late Heavenly Human Realm Land Immortal]

[Technique: Dao Heart Demon Planting Method]

[Reward: 2x Low-Tier Enlightenment Card (Can be used for enlightenment, increasing comprehension one hundred times, duration one hour!)]

==========

"Wonderful! Demon Master, you've made it onto the Demon God Ranking!"

"Now your name will be known across the Nine Provinces, and with two Enlightenment Cards as Heaven Dao Reward..."

"With these, your path to Mythical Realm will be even smoother!"

The subordinates cheered in unison, congratulating him.

Even Pang Ban himself was astonished.

He had been disappointed so many times by past ranking, he no longer held out hope.

But unexpectedly, he made the ranking so easily this time.

Though only ranked 9th.

It was still a step forward.

He would have more chances in the future.

Two mysterious cards appeared in his hand.

They were the Enlightenment Cards from the Heaven Dao Reward.

He needed to find a quiet place to use them. That would increase his chances of breaking through.

==========

"What is that?"

Just as Pang Ban was about to take action, he suddenly saw a red light flickering in the distance.

It moved with extreme speed.

Even with his Heavenly Human Realm cultivation, he could only catch a faint afterimage.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

In an instant, the red afterimage arrived in front of them.

"Hm? A Demon Gate cultivator?"

"Judging by your attire, you're not from the Qing Dynasty, but from the Yuan Dynasty?"

"What is it? Did Temujin send you to aid the Qing Dynasty?"

"If so, you're in for disappointment."

"The Qing Dynasty's fate is sealed. Not even Temujin himself could change that now!"

Just as the newcomer was about to attack, their gaze landed on the Enlightenment Card in Pang Ban's hand, and their expression shifted.

"An Enlightenment Card!?"

"You're Pang Ban, the Demon Master?"

"You're Dongfang Bubai, Ming Dynasty's Sun Moon Cult Master?!"

"What are you doing here?"

Pang Ban, a clever man, instantly figured out the truth.

His expression turned grave.

"So, the Sun Moon Cult has long since submitted to the Ming Imperial Court!"

"The Ming Dynasty's methods are truly unfathomable!"

"Unfortunately, you've learned the truth too late. Since you've meddled in this mess, I can't let you live!"

Dongfang Bubai's gaze turned cold.

With a flick of both hands.

A volley of silver needles shot out like a rainstorm.

They enveloped Pang Ban's group in an overwhelming assault.

All of his subordinates were slain on the spot.

Their foreheads were pierced cleanly by the needles.

Even Pang Ban, though he dodged in time, had both arms pierced through.

The terrifying energy coursed through his meridians, attacking his internal organs.

His body began to collapse rapidly.

Pfft!

He spat out a mouthful of blood and was severely wounded on the spot.

"How can this be? We're both in the Late Heavenly Human Realm. Why is your combat strength so much higher than mine?"

He couldn't believe it.

It was as if he were witnessing something unimaginable.

"Pang Ban, your talent is decent. To have developed the Dao Heart Demon Planting Method to this level is quite impressive."

"You could even be called a genius."

"But compared to the true monsters of the Nine Provinces, you still fall far short."

"Your foundation is far too weak!"

Even Dongfang Bubai couldn't help but sigh.

If she hadn't met that man, her own foundation might be weaker than Pang Ban's.

Though she didn't want to admit it, the fact remained.

She owed that man a massive debt.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

The red afterimage flickered once again.

Bang!

The next moment.

Pang Ban felt a stabbing pain in his chest. An indescribable agony overwhelmed him.

A sense of helplessness surged within him.

It felt just like the battle at Heaven Mocking Palace.

Before such an opponent, they were nothing but lambs to the slaughter.

This moment mirrored that past all too clearly.

Had he known, he would never have involved himself in this mess.

He should have remained in seclusion and broken through to the Mythical Realm before acting.

Too bad.

He had overestimated himself.

And underestimated his opponent.

Just a Sun Moon Cult Master had left him in utter despair.

What about the Azure Dragon Association under Zhu Houzhao?

Or the forces Zhu Houzhao controlled within the Imperial Court?

Compared to Zhu Houzhao, what could Khan possibly use to resist?

"Escape!"

"I must report this to Khan!"

Knowing he was no match for Dongfang Bubai, Pang Ban gave up the fight.

He instantly activated the Demon Gate's unique Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method.

Burning his blood to ignite his speed, he fled far into the distance.

Even with Dongfang Bubai's speed, she could only watch helplessly as he escaped.

Had she known, she wouldn't have wasted time talking.

She should have killed him right away.

Why waste words?!

With a hateful glare toward the spot where Pang Ban had vanished, she turned and continued toward her destination.